IDC champs fall in Ba
A new champion will be crowned tomorrow in the FMF Inter District Championship after Extra Supermarket Labasa lost 3-nil to RC Manubhai Ba in the first semifinal. The Babasiga Lions failed to contain the young Ba brigade after losing their skipper Christopher Wasasala in the 35th minute to a red card. Penisoni Tirau was a […]
Luke Littler throws brilliant 152 checkout to keep World Grand Prix hopes alive
Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it. Your support makes all the difference. Read more Luke Littler produced a brilliant 152 checkout to beat Gerwyn Price 3-2 and keep alive his hopes of a first World Grand Prix title. The 18-year-old was 2-0 down and survived three match darts to stage a comeback against the Welshman in their quarter-final in Leicester. “Very, very strange. I wasn’t happy going 2-0 down. First and second set, I was on the wire every single time,” he told Sky Sports. “Missing six against the darts in the last leg, I was saying ‘You can’t be doing that’. “I just thought ‘It’s now or never’ after going 2-0 down. I had to switch on. Find those trebles and not stay on the wire. “I switched up going for double 16. Everyone knows double 16 is the one that won me the world championship.” Price, who after squandering his lead came from 2-0 down in the deciding set to take the match to a final leg, was unhappy with the reaction of the crowd. “Wow gutted. And this is why we need to play majors in neutral venues/countries,” he posted on Instagram. “Luke was great in patches at the right time in the end but I lost that one again.” Littler will face Johnny Clayton, who cruised to a 3-0 win over Dirk van Duijvenbode, in Saturday’s semi-final. However, another Dutchman, Danny Noppert, did make it to the last four after a 3-1 victory against Scot Gary Anderson. He will face world number one Luke Humphries, who was a 3-1 winner over Cameron Menzies.
Ba claims Royal Tea Ranadi Cup title – FBC News
[Source: Fiji Rugby/Facebook] The NewWorld IGA Ba women’s rugby team produced a commanding performance to defeat Macuata 47-30 and claim the Royal Tea Ranadi Cup at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka this afternoon. Macuata made a strong start, crossing for two early tries to take control of the match. But Ba responded with three unanswered tries to lead 19-10 at halftime. Article continues after advertisement The women in black continued their dominance in the second spell, running in four more tries to secure the victory, while Macuata added two tries and a penalty to narrow the margin. The win crowns Ba as the 2025 Ranadi Cup champions, with both teams earning promotion to next year’s Marama Cup competition. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Michael O’Neill salutes ‘magnificent’ Northern Ireland in victory over Slovakia
Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it. Your support makes all the difference. Read more Michael O’Neill hailed a “magnificent” performance from his Northern Ireland players after a 2-0 win over Slovakia at Windsor Park kept them firmly in the hunt in World Cup qualifying Group A. After Patrik Hrosovsky’s 18th-minute own goal put Northern Ireland ahead, they created several chances for a second before Trai Hume’s first international goal nine minutes from time sealed a win which leaves Northern Ireland level on six points with Germany and Slovakia. Northern Ireland played with hunger and verve, and arguably should have been further ahead with Jamie Reid spurning a first-half chance before getting a toe on a goalbound Shea Charles shot when offside in the second period. That meant O’Neill’s men had to endure some nervy moments before Hume’s neat lobbed finish sealed it. “It was a great performance,” O’Neill said. “We set a bar for the players and they delivered. I think the team was as well prepared as they possibly could have been. We left nothing to chance and we got a great response from the players all week. “You hope to get that performance but I kind of half-expected that we we would get that and they were magnificent right through the team.” O’Neill had refused to call this a must-win game in the build-up, but had notably said on Thursday his players were well aware of its significance ahead of Monday’s visit of Germany. “It’s a huge result in the context of the group,” O’Neill added. “All three teams are now on six points. We have two home games left and we have one away game left, so maybe that gives us a slight advantage as well.” O’Neill declined to say this was the best performance from his team since he returned to the Northern Ireland job in December 2022, but it was up there – with his young side showing energy and fight but also the composure needed to see out a critical qualifier against experienced opposition. Conor Bradley was the stand-out player but there were excellent displays throughout, most notably Charles, Hume and Ethan Galbraith. “Conor was terrific,” O’Neill added. “I think when he plays in a Northern Ireland shirt he knows that he plays really on the front foot, his combination play with Ethan at times was fantastic, and that whole side of the pitch functions well with Trai as well, a great performance from him. “I thought Shea was outstanding. If you want a performance from a midfield player that has everything I thought he gave that in terms of winning the ball back, covering the ground, use of the ball and a great effort on goal as well towards the end. “I could name them all because they all played their part.” The only frustration for O’Neill was a cheap booking for captain Bradley which rules him out of Monday’s game against Germany. Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg brandished the yellow card after the Liverpool defender brought down Lukas Haraslin inside the Slovakia half. “I’ve seen the incident back, I’ve seen what the referee let go and to produce a yellow card for that I think is extremely disappointing given obviously now it leads to suspension,” O’Neill said. “There were worse tackles in the game, there was one just before on Isaac Price which the referee let go, so producing a yellow card for that was disappointing.”
Northern Ireland 2-0 Slovakia: Was World Cup qualifying win NI’s best under Michael O’Neill?
O’Neill admired the performance of his young side, who have made a superb start to qualifying. A win in Luxembourg was followed by an hour of matching European heavyweights Germany, who eventually prevailed to win 3-1. Friday’s win was superb from first minute to last. A Patrik Hrosovsky own goal broke the deadlock before Hume’s superb effort with just under 10 minutes left made sure – but was it the best under O’Neill? “I don’t really look at games like that because teams evolve,” O’Neill said when asked if it was the most complete performance since his return in 2023 for a second spell in charge. The Germany fixture will be his 100th game as Northern Ireland boss. “The team when I came back in is very different to the team now,” O’Neill said. “They have given other good performances, like at home here to Bulgaria [a 5-0 win in October 2024] when we were excellent. “I think tonight was a team of a higher calibre as well, so you can say it is one of the best performances we’ve had, but I still think there is more in the tank, and I think the players believe that as well.” O’Neill was also full of praise for Hume, who has moved up the leagues with Sunderland and is now a Premier League regular. The defender’s goal had come after the in-form David Strelec poked an effort wide for Slovakia. In the past, when there felt like an inevitability that the opposition would hit back, Hume’s effort changed that narrative. “We deserved to be more than one goal ahead with how the game had gone, but we needed that second goal,” said O’Neill. “Slovakia are a good team and are very experienced at international level, and it only takes a moment. “They did have that chance and they missed it. As a young team you can lose confidence and momentum in that situation, but when the second goal went in – and it was a great finish – it was great for him as he’s such an important player for us.”
Every National League club to delay kick-offs for fresh promotion campaign
Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it. Your support makes all the difference. Read more All National League fixtures will kick off three minutes late on November 15 as part of a concerted campaign to secure a third promotion place for fifth-tier clubs into League Two. The English Football League (EFL) has so far resisted calls for an extra promotion berth, but the National League is continuing to push for change. This symbolic delay will see all 12 matches across the division on November 15 commence at 3.03pm, specifically designed to highlight the ongoing issue. The campaign also enjoys the full support of the 48 clubs in National Leagues North and South, who will be participating in FA Trophy action on the same day. National League chair Jack Pearce articulated the clubs’ stance, stating: “Our 72 clubs – the majority of whom are over a century old and household names – simply won’t accept the current circumstances blocking them from parity and fairness with all the other professional teams in England. “Since launching 3UP, we have been contacted by a remarkable number of EFL clubs who are privately supportive of the change but haven’t even been given the chance as a group of clubs to formally discuss it.” open image in gallery Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, owners of Wrexham, have previously backed calls for a third promotion place from the National League (Getty Images) The National League remains resolute in its push for this significant structural alteration. The change appears to have strong support among fans, with a Football Supporters’ Association poll commissioned earlier this year finding 93 per cent of fans surveyed across all divisions backed an extra promotion place from the National League to League Two, with 83 per cent of fans who follow EFL clubs supportive. The PA news agency understands the issue has been discussed by both the EFL board and its clubs since the National League launched the 3UP campaign in February. The discussions are ongoing and the issue remains under consideration. In February, the EFL said changing the number of promotion and relegation places between the fourth and fifth tiers needed to be part of a broader package of reforms across all levels of the game. The change in regulation would require a majority of the 72 EFL clubs to vote in favour, plus a majority among Championship clubs.
Ba goes in with a lot of hope – FBC News
[Source: Fiji Football/Facebook] RC Manubhai Ba rested some of their key players against Stratum Construction Rewa on Thursday because of their yellow card situation at the FMF Inter District Championship at 4R Stadium Govind Park Ba. Team coach Joshua Wilson says they couldn’t risk them in the final pool game knowing Ba’s place in the semifinal was already confirmed on Wednesday night following their victory over Nadroga. However, Wilson says Labasa is a formidable team and Ba is looking forward to the clash. Article continues after advertisement ‘The semifinal we are looking forward to it and we know Labasa will be coming out firing and they’re a good side as well, we are going to the semifinal with a lot of hopes that we can make it through”. Ba first won the IDC in 1961 and has lifted the title 25 times in the tournament’s 87 year history. The Men In Black last won the IDC in 2023 beating 4R Lautoka 2-1 at the HFC Stadium in Suva. Meanwhile, Labasa coach Alvin Chand earlier said that defending the IDC title is tough compared to winning it. Extra Supermarket Labasa takes on RC Manubhai Ba at 2pm today in the first Super Premier semifinal followed by the Stratum Construction Rewa and Power Volt Suva game at 4:30pm. You can listen to the commentaries of both games on Radio Fiji 2. In the senior division semifinals, Lami meet Dreketi at 10am at 4R Stadium Govind Park while Rakiraki and Bua battle at the Fiji FA Academy ground. Ba Legends faces Rewa Legends at 12:30pm. All finals are going to be played tomorrow. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
The Prem: Sale 57-5 Newcastle: Tom Roebuck scores hat-trick as nine-try Sale crush Newcastle
Sale: Carpenter; Roebuck, R. du Preez, Louw, Reed; Ford, Warr; Rodd, Cowan-Dickie, Opoku-Fordjour, Bamber, Andrews, van Rhyn, Woodman, Dugdale. Replacements: Jibulu, McIntyre, Harper, Burrow, Caine, Quirke, O’Flaherty, Bedlow. Newcastle: Grayson; Obatoyinbo, Doherty, Clark, Hearle; Chamberlain, Elliott; Brocklebank, McGuigan, Palframan, Hodgson, Clarke, Lee-Warner, Gordon, Mafi. Replacements: Fletcher, Rewcastle, McCallum, Usher, Neild, Cruz, Connon, Spencer. Referee: Joe James
Aryna Sabalenka’s dominant victory over Elena Rybakina extends winning run at Wuhan Open
Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it. Your support makes all the difference. Read more Aryna Sabalenka continued her Wuhan Open dominance with a first straight-sets victory over Elena Rybakina. Sabalenka and Rybakina were meeting for the 13th time, with the world number one leading 7-5 going into the clash, but all her previous wins had gone the distance. The time Sabalenka, who extended her remarkable record in the Chinese city to 20 victories and no losses, put that right, claiming a 6-3 6-3 triumph and dealing a major blow to Rybakina’s hopes of qualifying for the WTA Finals. With victory, Sabalenka reached her 11th semi-final from 15 tournaments this season, and she said: “That sounds crazy. I never thought that I’d be able to achieve something like that. “I’ll keep focusing and keep improving my game and see how far I can get. We have a really huge history and always tough battles. I always enjoy playing her, she always pushes me to the next level. “I think today I put so much pressure on her serve and I was serving quite well. Overall I think it was a very high level match and I’m super happy with the win.” Next up Sabalenka will face sixth seed Jessica Pegula, who once again needed three sets to come through, beating Czech qualifier Katerina Siniakova 2-6 6-0 6-3. open image in gallery (REUTERS) Coco Gauff is on a confidence-boosting run after her serving struggles and is also through to the last four, although she hit six more double faults in a 6-3 6-0 victory over German veteran Laura Siegemund. Next the American will face seventh seed Jasmine Paolini, who defeated Iga Swiatek for the first time in seven attempts for the loss of only three games. Paolini had only won one set against Swiatek in all their previous encounters but the Italian got off to a flying start and did not look back, needing just 66 minutes to clinch a 6-1 6-2 victory.
Zimbabwe spoil Bafana Bafana’s big party
Bafana Bafana mentor Hugo Broos could only watch as his side threw everything at Zimbabwe, but the ball did everything but cross the goal line. The 0–0 draw now dents South Africa’s push to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, leaving fans with more questions than a big celebration. The night had started well enough. Bafana Bafana pressed high, using Mohau Nkota’s and Oswin Appollis’s pace to test Zimbabwe’s deep defence. FIFA WORLD CUP 2026: ZIMBABWE 0-0 BAFANA BAFANA More to follow…