Jhapa, Ilam enter final

LALITPUR:

Bhuvan Gurung and Dushant Shrestha scored a goal each as Jhapa outplayed Kailali 2-0 in the semi-final of the Tribhuvan Memorial Inter-DDC Chairman Cup Under-14 Football Tournament, which has been organised by All Nepal Football Association, here today. In the other semi-final, Ilam beat Lalitpur 3-2. Suman Khadka scored in 48th and 59th minutes and Ashish Rai netted in the 60th minute for Ilam. Santosh Maharjan scored both goals for Lalitpur. The final is slated for Saturday. — HNS

Siddhartha in last four

KATHMANDU:

Siddhartha Vidyapeeth defeated Constillation School 3-0 in the football match under the Mid-North Winter Sports, which has been organised by Mid-North Mutual Board, today. In other matches, Unique School and Universal School played a 1-1 draw while the match between Advance School and National Sungabha School ended in a goalless draw. In cricket, Lyceum School beat Bigyan Secondary School. In all, 11 school teams are taking part in the event. — HNS

First day washed out

CENTURION:

Rain has washed out the first day of the fifth and final Test between South Africa and England. The game had been due to begin at 8:30 am GMT on Friday. The start was rescheduled to 1000 and again to 1200 GMT but, with the toss yet to take place, the covers remained on as further heavy rainfall swept the ground. England lead the series 2-1. South Africa named all rounder Andrew Hall and fast bowler Andre Nel in their starting line-up, replacing batsman Boeta Dippenaar and fast bowler Dale Steyn. England have yet to name their team. — Agencies

Rain plays spoilsport

BRISBANE:

Rain forced the abandonment of the tri-series limited overs cricket match between Australia and the West Indies at Brisbane’s Gabba Ground on Friday. The match was declared a no result after Australia was in serious trouble chasing a revised total of 195 from 28 overs for victory. West Indies scored 263 for 9 in 50 overs, and Australia were at 43 for 5 in 11 overs when the match was called off. — AFP

Armstrong under probe

ANNECY:

French authorities have opened a preliminary inquiry into doping allegations made against six-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong in a book published last summer. Judicial officials confirmed the probe but declined to give details, describing the case as confidential. Shortly before last year’s Tour de France, O’Reilly made allegations in a book “LA Confidential, The Secrets of Lance Armstrong.” She claimed that Armstrong sent her on long road trips to pick up pills and dispose of used syringes. — AP

Chelsea ditch kit supplier

LONDON:

Chelsea have paid 24.5 million pounds to ditch Umbro as their kit provider as the Premiership leaders seek to wrap up a more lucrative deal with one of the sportswear group’s rivals. The move to get out of the current contract, which had been due to run until 2011, was unveiled in a statement to the Stock Exchange, prompting a sharp fall in the value of Umbro shares. The club is rumoured to be on the verge of a mega deal with Adidas. — AFP