Matthew Cresswell

Leigh Leopards beat Bradford Bulls 62-10, scoring 10 tries and moving up to fifth in the Super League standings, level on points with fourth-placed Wakefield. Adam Cook scored two tries and kicked 11 goals for a 30-point haul, while Lachlan Lam and Innes Senior also made major contributions. The result leaves Leigh close to securing a fourth consecutive play-off appearance and sets up a potentially decisive final-round meeting with Wakefield. Bradford suffered their 10th defeat in 11 matches and remain at the bottom of the table, despite scoring two tries.

St Helens thrashed Wakefield Trinity 46-16 at Belle Vue to revive their Super League play-off hopes. After falling 10 points behind, Saints scored eight tries, including a hat-trick from Tristan Sailor, two each from Lewis Murphy and Jake Davies, and Billy Keeley’s first senior try for the club. The victory leaves St Helens four points behind sixth-placed Leigh Leopards with four matches remaining, while Wakefield missed the chance to secure their own play-off place after a second straight home defeat. Wakefield coach Daryl Powell condemned his side’s lack of effort, whereas St Helens interim coach Eamon O’Carroll praised his players’ bravery and urged them not to become complacent.

Former West Ham United striker Michail Antonio is training with Watford ahead of the club’s Championship campaign. The 36-year-old has been working his way back after a broken leg sustained in a December 2024 car crash, later playing twice for West Ham’s under-21 side. Potential moves to Leicester City and Brentford did not lead to contracts, while his most recent club appearance came for Qatar’s Al-Sailiya in April.

Cambridge United have signed 22-year-old goalkeeper Gabriel Breeze from Carlisle United on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee. Breeze made 46 National League appearances for Carlisle last season, but the club missed promotion after losing to Boreham Wood in the play-off semi-final. He will compete with Jake Eastwood, while manager Neil Harris believes Breeze can develop over the longer term and is capable of playing immediately.

Northampton Town have signed 32-year-old midfielder Lee Evans on a one-year contract. The former Newport County, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Wigan Athletic, Ipswich Town, Portsmouth and Bradford City player has won four promotions to the Championship, including the 2024 League One title with Portsmouth. Manager Chris Hogg praised Evans's leadership and influence in the dressing room. He becomes Northampton's eighth summer signing amid reports that a consortium including former Brazil striker Alexandre Pato is nearing a majority purchase of the club.

Watford are in regular discussions with Manchester City about re-signing defender Stephen Mfuni on loan after his successful spell with the Hornets. Manchester City may retain the left-footed defender following Nathan Aké's departure, but Watford are awaiting the Premier League club's decision. Sporting Lisbon are reportedly interested in Watford forward Nestory Irankunda in a potential £14m move, although chairman Scott Duxbury would prefer to keep him. Watford are also seeking another striker, while sporting director Luke Dowling says strengthening at centre-half is the greater priority.

A consortium including former Brazil and AC Milan forward Alexandre Pato is reportedly set to acquire a majority stake in Northampton Town. Sports Alpha Capital had previously considered buying Colchester United but withdrew after initial talks. The proposed investment, described as well funded and expected to make Northampton debt-free, follows the club's relegation to League Two and a pre-tax loss of nearly £3m. Pato is involved but is not leading the consortium; the club has appointed Chris Hogg and added seven players during the transfer window.

Mel Hussain, the 62-year-old England Over-60s opening batter and brother of former England captain Nasser Hussain, expects England to reach the Over-60s Cricket World Cup final in Canada. England, beaten by Australia in the 2024 final, face a strong group including Australia, India, New Zealand and the West Indies, with Mel identifying Australia as the most obvious challenger. Despite withdrawals by Paul Radage, Steve Aston and Nick Gaywood because of injury and health issues, captain Edward Gordon Lennox believes the replacements have preserved squad depth and reflects the improving standard of senior cricket.

Norwich City have signed Cameroon international left-back Darlin Yongwa on a four-year contract after his departure from Lorient. Yongwa made 97 appearances for the French club over four seasons and becomes Norwich's fourth signing of the summer. Sporting director Ben Knapper said the 25-year-old would strengthen a position that had presented challenges, while Yongwa expressed enthusiasm about joining the club.

Turki Alalshikh's proposed investment in Derby County could receive approval from England's independent football regulator as early as the following week, after final checks. The deal would mark Alalshikh's first move into English football and could give Derby additional funds to strengthen its squad before the transfer window closes. The investment has attracted scrutiny from Amnesty International and other human-rights groups because of Alalshikh's links to Saudi Arabia's leadership and allegations of sportswashing. The deal's size, ownership percentages and structure remain unclear, while Derby owner David Clowes and head coach John Eustace hope new investment can improve the club's prospects of reaching the Premier League.

Ellen Barber says growing up on her family’s Somerset farm and around Paul Nicholls’ elite horse-racing yard instilled the discipline and relentless work ethic that helped her pursue elite heptathlon. After a serious leg and foot injury forced surgery and ruled her out of the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Barber rebuilt her fitness, won the UK Athletics Championships and set a personal best at the Hypo-Meeting in Götzis. She has now been selected for England’s Commonwealth Games squad, where she will compete alongside Jade O’Dowda after Katarina Johnson-Thompson withdrew through injury.

Julien Stephan signed a new contract with Queens Park Rangers after guiding the club to a 15th‑place Championship finish in his first season. Despite early setbacks and a drop in form late in the campaign, club leadership praised his positive influence and commitment to developing a strong long‑term project aimed at reaching the play‑offs and eventually the Premier League.

Former England netball head coach Jess Thirlby says it is difficult to miss leading the team at the upcoming Commonwealth Games but stands by her decision to resign for family reasons. Thirlby reflects on her six‑and‑a‑half‑year tenure, her role in elevating England’s coaching culture, and the team’s progress, including a 2023 World Cup silver medal. She believes England has closed the gap with Australia and highlights the increasing competitiveness of global netball, with five teams capable of winning the Games. She remains optimistic about England’s chances despite their challenging pool.

Leigh secured an emphatic Super League victory over injury-hit Warrington at Magic Weekend, scoring four tries and tightening their push for the top six. Warrington missed a chance to draw level with Leeds at the top and risk dropping in the standings. Leigh dominated throughout, capitalising on Warrington’s lack of territory and discipline, while second-half tries from Ipape and Hanley sealed the result before a late Warrington consolation. Coaches Adrian Lam and Sam Burgess offered contrasting reactions, with Leigh pleased by improved performances and Warrington frustrated by an underwhelming display.

York Knights secured their first-ever Magic Weekend win with a 36-24 victory over Huddersfield Giants, moving above Toulouse in the Super League standings. Multiple tries from Cody Hunter and Jon Bennison, along with scores from David Nofoaluma, Nikau Williams and Denive Balmforth, built a decisive advantage. Huddersfield responded through Chris Patolo, Zane Dunford, Oli Russell and George Flanagan, but defensive lapses allowed York to pull away as the Giants suffered their tenth consecutive defeat.