WEEKLY SPORTS DIGEST: Bollywood show, Dragons win

WEEKLY SPORTS DIGEST: Bollywood pageant, smokin’ Dragons

04/10/10 Executive sport summary – An overview of the major sporting events – Results, key moments and talking points – Everything you need to know to foot it at the water cooler this week.

By Jonathan McKeown

Commonwealth Games: The 2010 Commonwealth Games are underway in Delhi, after all the reservations prior to the start the City put on an opening ceremony that traced a recent history of India. Special tribute was paid to meditation, yoga, the father of modern India – Gandhi - and the Bollywood style.

As the 19th Commonwealth Games were officially opened the Silver Ferns stalwart Irene van Dyk led a New Zealand team of around 150 into Delhi's main stadium overnight. The next 11 days of competition will see 71 nations compete and a plethora of Kiwi and international stars on show.

NRL FINALS: The St George Illawarra Dragons celebrated winning the NRL Premiership in Sydney after beating the Roosters 32-8. The victory was that much sweeter after their failure to win a game in the finals as minor premiers in 2009. It was the joint venture's first premiership since the merger 12 years ago and the first title in 31 years as St George.

Eight Kiwis took part in the grand final but it was the Dragon’s contingent who were the most prominent. Kiwi winger Jason Nightingale crossed the line to score twice while his New Zealand team-mate and former Warrior Nathan Fien scored the final try of the night.

There was no fairytale finish for the Sydney Roosters, but they can reflect on a remarkable season and turn around in form. After winning only four games last season and finishing bottom of the table the Roosters made it all the way to the NRL showpiece playing an expansive brand of footy.

FOUR NATIONS: The international representatives in each of the teams have a two week before the international league season begins with the Four Nations competition in New Zealand. Teammates will become bitter rivals on the pitch as the World Champion Kiwis take on Australia, Great Britain and Papua New Guinea.

JUNIOR WARRIORS: The Junior Warriors have become the NRL under-20 champions for the first time. A rampant and classy Junior Warriors outfit beat South Sydney 42-26 in a brilliant grand final display.

The young bunnies were expected to take the title after claiming the minor premiership. Two tries each had the Warriors leading by just 10-12 at half-time. Once the Warriors got into their game they overran the Rabbitohs for a great victory.

RYDER CUP: The rain and waterlogged conditions at Celtic Manor finally gave way and allowed play to continue on day three of the international Ryder Cup golfing tournament. The disruptions were dealt with best by the home side with the European golf team taking a three-point lead into the final day against the United States.

Behind 6-4 at the start of the day, Europe only dropped half a point in the six foursomes and four ball categories. After the extensive rain delays have scheduled a fourth day for the first time in the 83-year history of the Ryder Cup. The final day will now see all 12 singles match-ups played, if the Welsh weather holds.

PHOENIX: The Wellington Phoenix have continued their abysmal away form going down 3-1 to Gold Coast United. Of all the away games the Nix have managed only one point from a draw with the Victory.

PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP: With only three rounds to go in the ITM Cup teams are now becoming desperate in the two part race to the final game. Teams like Southland and Canterbury can turn their attention to the top four race, vying for position in the play-offs. While teams like Wellington are anxious to get some wins to stay in the top tier of the competition.

Bay of Plenty defeated Wellington 31-24 in wet and windy clash in Wellington. The Lions had fought back from an early deficit to get within two points before Lelia Masaga finished off the home side with a late try. Canterbury went to the top of the ladder thanks to a 35-20 win over Otago at Carisbrook. Sonny Bill Williams had had a fantastic game at centre scoring a 70 meter solo effort try from a set piece.

Counties Manukau held on for their first win over North Harbour for 12 years. Harbour missed a conversion on full time that could have won them the game and went down 24-23 in Pukekohe. Taranaki moved into the top four with a 23-6 victory over Southland at Yarrow Stadium.

RANFURLY SHIELD: After contrasting games in round 10 a tired looking Southland must now prepare for a shield defence against a rampant Canterbury side. The contrast between the teams could not be any greater, Canterbury are a star-studded team playing fast paced running rugby while Southland are a team of journeymen who play defence oriented rugby.

This weekend Southlanders will be in two minds, they will want the nasty cold-snap to stay away to benefit the regions farms but they will also want rugby park to be wet slow to give them every chance of holding on to the log-o-wood.

INDYCAR: New Zealand Indy driver Scott Dixon has finally tasted success again in the 2010 season after winning the Indy300 at the Homestead-Miami speedway in Florida. The victory pushed Dixon to third overall in the championship.

Dixon’s teammate Dario Franchetti claimed the Championship title after previous leader Will Power was forced to retire after suspension failure.

AFL GRAND FINAL: Collingwood have been crowned as the 2010 AFL champions. The Magpies capped a dominant season with victory over St Kilda in the grand final. In a replay of last weekend’s drawn final Collingwood crushed the Saints 108 to 52.

The Magpies won their 15th premiership in front of 93,853 fans at the MCG. It is their first title since 1990 and the Pies now trail only Essendon and Carlton who have 16 each.

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