Sports Desk

Wales are hoping to turn the Principality Stadium back into a home fortress, having not won an international in Cardiff for 27 months.

Since beating England in a World Cup warm-up match in August 2023, Wales have suffered nine straight home Test defeats, a losing record which has stretched back 827 days.

The most recent Wales game in Cardiff was eight months ago – the horrific 68-14 home Six Nations defeat inflicted by England.

That was a record loss for the hosts in the Welsh capital, the most points they have conceded at the Principality Stadium, their heaviest Six Nations defeat, a record loss in the tournament and most points conceded against England.

So Wales have to make amends in a ground that is no longer a fortress. Tandy’s side face Argentina, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa in November, before home 2026 Six Nations matches against France, Scotland and Italy, in a tournament where Wales last won a home match in February 2022.

How many fans will turn up to watch Tandy’s side this month remains to be seen with the current discontent surrounding the Welsh game.

The Principality Stadium’s capacity is 74,500, meaning the four matches could attract a maximum of 298,000 supporters in November.

Wales’ clash against the All Blacks is currently the only game close to being a sellout.

There have been numerous anecdotal stories about some tickets now being available at a discounted rate and even being given away for free.

It is the WRU’s responsibility to try and attract back the fans who have drifted away disillusioned with what they have witnessed on the field and read about off it.

ATLANTA — With the Lakers down by 20 in the third quarter at Atlanta, the only sound coming from their bench was Nick Smith Jr.’s hollow claps of encouragement. The rest of the Lakers sat with slumped shoulders on the bench or loitered with blank faces in a semicircle waiting for their coaches to join.

There wasn’t much that could be said.

The Lakers’ five-game winning streak ended in a blowout as the Hawks dominated 122-102 on Saturday at State Farm Arena.

Playing a third consecutive game without Austin Reaves, Luka Doncic tried to keep the Lakers (7-3) in it with 22 points, 11 assists and five rebounds, but all his points came in the first half and he came out after only 27 minutes as the Hawks built a 25-point lead by the middle of the third quarter. Forward Jake LaRavia had 13 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals, and Jarred Vanderbilt had 18 rebounds, one shy of his career high.

“This isn’t the identity of this team,” LaRavia said. “This game was an outlier of the first 10 games that we played. [We have to] just not let it break us and be ready to play the next game.”

The Lakers, who won their first four road games, started their five-game trip on a sour note and now need to bounce back when play Charlotte on Monday.

The Hawks (5-5) were playing the second game of a home back-to-back after losing to the Toronto Raptors on Friday. They had four of five starters sidelined, including Trae Young (knee), Kristaps Porzingis (rest) and Nickeil Alexander-Walker (back).

The Lakers should know the dangers of a desperate, shorthanded team. Only five days ago they ended Portland’s three-game winning streak without Reaves, Doncic or LeBron James. Coach JJ Redick said he would reiterate the lesson before Saturday’s game to avoid a letdown.

Then the Lakers fell behind by 13 in the first quarter. Their deficit ballooned to 26 after three quarters. Redick began sitting his starters by the middle of the third.

“Just not a lot to like tonight,” Redick said matter-of-factly.

Facing a cross-country trip, the Lakers arrived in Atlanta on Thursday and scheduled a practice Friday with a team-bonding activity that night. They held a shootaround in the arena Saturday morning.

Yet even with the extra time to prepare, Redick could tell within the first two minutes that the team didn’t have the necessary energy to win. What did the coach see during that fateful stretch?

“Nothing,” Redick said.

Atlanta Hawks guard Vit Krejci shoots between Lakers center Deandre Ayton and forward Rui Hachimura in the first half Saturday.

(Mike Stewart / Associated Press)

It was the final word of his news conference, which lasted 100 seconds.

Doncic helped lead a quick third-quarter surge, assisting on three consecutive baskets in a 7-0 run that cut the lead to nine, but the Hawks responded by scoring seven unanswered points and forcing two turnovers. Center Deandre Ayton subbed out for the last time with 8:49 to go in the third.

“They played phenomenal,” said Ayton, who had 11 points on five-for-five shooting and five rebounds. “But us not even damn near competing in a sense, it looks bad on paper and it looks bad on film. This is one of them games where yeah, food’s going to taste bad tonight.”

Doncic and Marcus Smart, another veteran leader, were not made available to reporters after the game.

Atlanta’s Mouhamed Gueye torched the Lakers for 21 points on eight-for-12 shooting and made four three-pointers. The Lakers, who had credited their connection and chemistry for carrying them through long stints without their stars, suddenly fell silent when faced with a large deficit in front of a rowdy crowd.

With most of Atlanta’s fans streaming toward the exits in the final two minutes, the Hawks’ most dedicated fan group, the “404 Crew,” echoed through the mostly empty arena with a final chant: “Where is LeBron?”

The superstar has yet to play a single minute this season because of a bout with sciatica.

Match of the Day’s Alan Shearer breaks down the performance of Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko who failed to capitalise on two very good opportunities in their 2-2 draw with Tottenham in the Premier League.

MATCH REPORT: Tottenham Hotspur 2-2 Manchester United

Available to UK users only.

Kawhi Leonard will miss “the next few games” for the Clippers because of a sprained ankle, coach Tyronn Lue said.

Leonard missed his third straight game Saturday night when the Clippers hosted the Phoenix Suns.

Lue wasn’t precise about the nature of the 34-year-old Leonard’s injury or the length of his absence, but the coach said medical tests on Leonard’s ankle indicated the injury likely wouldn’t be a long-term problem.

The Clippers have home games Monday and Wednesday before they begin a stretch of seven straight road games over the following two weeks on Friday.

Leonard played in the first three games of the season for the Clippers, averaging 24.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. He scored 27 points while playing 37 minutes in the Clippers’ loss to Miami on Monday.

Injuries have repeatedly affected Leonard since the two-time NBA Finals MVP joined the Clippers in 2019. He missed the entire 2021-22 season while recovering from a serious right knee injury, and he missed the first 34 games of last season because of problems with the same knee.

Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer explains how Alejandro Garnacho played his “best game” in a Chelsea shirt in their 3-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League.

MATCH REPORT: Chelsea 3-0 Wolves

Available to UK users only.

SOUTHERN SECTION PLAYOFFS

FRIDAY’S RESULTS

First Round

DIVISION 1

Corona del Mar 18, Sage Hill 0

Mater Dei 9, JSerra 9 (Mater Dei wins on games 76-75)

Mira Costa 10, Palos Verdes 8

Portola 15, Fountain Valley 3

Second Round

DIVISION 2

Woodbridge 13, Orange Lutheran 5

Redondo Union 14, San Juan Hills 4

Chadwick 12, Aliso Niguel 6

Calabasas 12, Tesoro 6

Crean Lutheran 10, Peninsula 8

San Marino 11, Marlborough 7

Westlake 11, Crossroads 7

Harvard-Westlake 15, Troy 3

DIVISION 3

Anaheim Canyon 13, Santa Monica 5

Whitney 10, Cate 8

Temple City 14, San Clemente 4

Los Alamitos 10, Eastvale Roosevelt 8

Brentwood 13, West Ranch 5

Campbell Hall 11, Capistrano Valley 7

Flintridge Prep 15, Arcadia 3

Palm Desert 9, Corona Santiago 9 (Palm Desert wins on games 78-70)

DIVISION 4

Sierra Canyon 12, Esperanza 6

Pasadena Poly 10, Placentia Valencia 8

Dana Hills 12, Rancho Cucamonga 6

Oaks Christian 14, San Dimas 4

Keppel 9, Murrieta Mesa 9 (Keppel wins on games 80-67)

Torrance 11, Simi Valley 4

Agoura 16, Geffen Academy 2

Marymount 14, St. Margaret’s 4

DIVISION 5

Valencia 10, Thacher 8

Milken 9, Riverside North 9 (Milken wins on games)

Burbank 11, Millikan 7

Golden Valley 11, Maranatha 7

Lakewood St. Joseph 11, Chino Hills 7

Santa Barbara 10, Beverly Hills 8

Cerritos 17, Santa Fe 1

Bishop Montgomery 10, Paloma Valley 8

DIVISION 6

Flintridge Sacred Heart 12, Woodcrest Christian 6

Garden Grove 10, Ontario Christian 8

Villa Park 12, Santa Monica Pacifica Christian 6

Linfield Christian 13, Vista del Lago 5

Village Christian 11, San Jacinto 7

Hillcrest 9, Downey 9 (Hillcrest wins on games 79-78)

El Modena 10, Montclair 8

Saugus 14, Heritage 4

DIVISION 7

Temescal Canyon 10, Los Amigos 9

Malibu 10, El Rancho 8

Laguna Hills 12, South Hills 6

Ventura 11, Apple Valley 7

La Salle 10, Norwalk 8

Segerstrom 12, Ramona 6

Oakwood 10, Bolsa Grande 8

Arroyo 12, Northview 6

DIVISION 8

Bishop Diego 10, Alhambra 8

Rim of the World 12, Nogales 6

Tahquitz 11, Costa Mesa 7

Whittier 12, Duarte 6

Oxnard 9, St. Bonaventure 9 (Oxnard wins on games 73-68)

Bellflower 13, Arroyo Valley 5

Garden Grove Santiago 12, Canyon Springs 6

Academy of Academic Excellence 12, Hueneme 6

Note: Quarterfinals (Divisions 2-8) Nov. 10; Semifinals (all divisions) Nov. 12; Finals (Divisions 1-4) Nov. 14 at University of Redlands; Finals (Divisions 5-8) Nov. 14 at The Claremont Club.

Rams coach Sean McVay and San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan know each other — and each other’s schematic and play-calling tendencies — better than perhaps any two coaches in the NFL.

Close games between the teams are a constant.

Since they first squared off in 2017, nearly half of their 18 matchups have been decided by three points or fewer, including the 49ers’ 26-23 overtime victory on Oct. 2 at SoFi Stadium.

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Gary Klein breaks down what you need to know for Sunday’s matchup between the Rams and San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.

So expect another game that could come down to the final possession when the Rams play the 49ers in an NFC West game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.

“Two good teams with two good staffs that are familiar with each other,” Rams tight end Tyler Higbee said in explaining the tight nature of the matchup, “and then you throw the rivalry part into it.”

McVay is 7-11 against Shanahan, his former mentor, though the Rams had won three in a row before the Week 5 loss that ended when 49ers star linebacker Fred Warner stopped Kyren Williams on a fourth-and-one play at the 49ers’ 11-yard line.

Rams kicker Joshua Karty missed a 53-yard field goal attempt and had an extra-point attempt blocked in the defeat.

The Rams this week moved to improve their season-long kicking-game issues by signing rookie kicker Harrison Mevis and veteran long snapper Jake McQuaide to the practice squad. Both will be elevated to the roster and play on Sunday.

Mevis, 23, made 89 of 106 field-goal attempts at Missouri, including one from 61 yards. In the United Football League this past season, he made 20 of 21 field-goal attempts.

The 49ers wasted no time addressing their own kicking-game issues.

After a season-opening defeat that included a missed field goal and a blocked kick, they released Jake Moody and signed Eddy Pineiro.

Pineiro has made all 19 of his field-goal attempts and 14 of 15 extra points.

Tottenham eye a move for Everton winger Iliman Ndiaye, Chelsea are set to rival Spurs for Juventus striker Jonathan David, and Liverpool linked with £88m move for Inter’s Alessandro Bastoni.

Tottenham Hotspur have made Everton’s Senegalese winger Iliman Ndiaye, 25, a prime target, but Newcastle United, Juventus, AC Milan and Atletico Madrid are also keeping tabs on the player. (TeamTalk), external

Chelsea and Tottenham are weighing up a January move for Juventus and Canada striker Jonathan David, 25 (TuttoMercatoWeb), external

Everton could move for Midtjylland striker Franculino Dju, 21, in January but face competition from Bologna for the Guinea-Bissau international. (Sun), external

Liverpool are ready to offer 100m euros (£88m) to sign Italy international Alessandro Bastoni, 26, from Inter. (Il Giorno – in Italian), external

Real Madrid would be prepared to spend 250m euros (£220m) on Arsenal and England midfielder Declan Rice, 26, and Paris St-Germain’s France winger Bradley Barcola, 23. (Fichajes – in Spanish), external

Levante striker Etta Eyong, 22, is being tracked by Real Madrid and Barcelona, but the Cameroon international says it would be “a dream” to one day play for Chelsea in the Premier League as he watched the team growing up. (Givemesport), external

Atletico Madrid have identified Real Madrid defender Ferland Mendy, 30, as a leading transfer target, with the Frenchman out of favour at the Bernabeu. (El Nacional.cat via GetFootballNewsSpain), external

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim may look to bolster his attack in January if 22-year-old Slovenia striker Benjamin Sesko’s knee injury proves serious, as he already faces losing Cameroon forward Bryan Mbeumo, 26, and Ivory Coast’s Amad Diallo, 23, on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations. (Mirror), external

HIGH SCHOOL FLAG FOOTBALL

CITY SECTION PLAYOFFS

FRIDAY’S RESULTS

Quarterfinals

OPEN DIVISION
#1 San Pedro 23, #8 Verdugo Hills 0
#4 LA Marshall 31, #5 Wilmington Banning 20
#3 Panorama 6, #6 LA Wilson 0
#2 Eagle Rock 18, #7 Narbonne 14

DIVISION I
#8 Carson 18, #16 Venice 7
#5 Franklin 20, #13 Sylmar 12
#11 El Camino Real 12, #3 Birmingham 7
#2 Bell 17, #7 Garfield 12

DIVISION II
#1 Sun Valley Magnet 34, #9 South East 8
#12 Angelou 19, #13 Mendez 6
#3 San Fernando 20, #6 Lincoln 7
#7 Sherman Oaks CES 18, #2 Crenshaw 12

DIVISION III
#9 Van Nuys 14, #1 South Gate 6
#13 Westchester 50, #12 Monroe 7
#6 Arleta 19, #3 LA Hamilton 6
#2 Hawkins 52, #7 Chatsworth 0

WEDNESDAY’S SCHEDULE

(Games at 3 p.m. unless noted)

Semifinals

OPEN DIVISION
#4 LA Marshall at #1 San Pedro
#3 Panorama at #2 Eagle Rock

DIVISION I
#8 Carson at #5 Franklin
#11 El Camino Real at #2 Bel

DIVISION II
#12 Angelou at #1 Sun Valley Magnet
#7 Sherman Oaks CES at #3 San Fernando

DIVISION III
#13 Westchester at #9 Van Nuys
#6 Arleta at #2 Hawkins

Note: Finals (all divisions) Saturday, Nov. 15 at Garfield High.

Manning was recruited after Norwich decided not to give the job to former England midfielder Jack Wilshere, who was in interim charge for the final two games of last season and is now manager at Luton Town.

Manning was born in Norwich and played in their academy before switching briefly to Ipswich and then dropping into non-league football.

He began his coaching career with Belgian club Lommel and had spells in charge at MK Dons and Oxford United before joining Bristol City in November 2023.

The Norwich squad was transformed by 12 signings during the summer transfer window, but the club sold Borja Sainz, who supplied 18 goals last season, to Porto for £14.25m, and Marcelino Nunez to rivals Ipswich for £10m.

United States international Josh Sargent scored six goals in five league and cup games at the start of the campaign but has none in the past 11 – and no-one else has managed more than Mathias Kvistgaarden and Jovon Makama’s three.

In his final post-match interview with BBC Radio Norfolk, Manning – who was recently given the public backing of majority shareholder Mark Attanasio – said: “I don’t live my life with regrets, it’s part of my journey.

“I’m learning, I’m hurting, I’m frustrated and I’m hugely disappointed, because this is a club I care deeply about.

“I didn’t come here to be where we are. But we are, so I will do a lot of learning as to why.”

His assistant Chris Hogg and analyst James Karuse have also left the club.

A look at the top performers from high school football across the Southland during the first week of the playoffs.

RUSHING

• Noah Penunuri, Rio Hondo Prep: Rushed for 262 yards and three touchdowns in win over Thousand Oaks.

• Carlos Herrera, Van Nuys: Rushed for 145 yards and four touchdowns in upset of Banning.

• Kori Scott, Long Beach Wilson: Rushed for 174 yards and three touchdowns in overtime loss to Paraclete.

• Aiden Williams, Vista Murrieta: Rushed for 222 yards and two touchdowns in win over Damien.

• Noel Washington, Sherman Oaks Notre Dame: The sophomore ran for three touchdowns and 81 yards in win over Laguna Beach.

• Matix Frithsmith, Hart: Rushed for 146 yards and one touchdown, caught five passes for 90 yards and two touchdowns in win over Mayfair.

PASSING

• Jack Hurst, Laguna Beach: Passed for 417 yards and four touchdowns in loss to Sherman Oaks Notre Dame.

• Koa Regalado, Colton: Passed for 400 yards and nine touchdowns and ran for one touchdown in win over Ganesha.

• Wyatt Brown, Sherman Oaks Notre Dame: Passed for 229 yards and one touchdown, ran for 61 yards and one touchdown in defeat of Laguna Beach.

• Jaden Jefferson, Cathedral: Passed for 310 yards and two touchdowns and ran for three touchdowns in win over Western.

• Colin Creason, Los Alamitos: Completed 14 of 16 passes for 201 yards and two touchdowns in win over Yorba Linda.

• Sam Thomson, Huntington Beach Edison: Passed for 227 yards and three touchdowns in win over Huntington Beach.

• Star Thomas, Orange: Passed for 299 yards and three touchdowns in loss to Troy.

• Russell Sekona, Leuzinger: Returning from hand injury, he passed for 297 yards and four touchdowns in win over Crean Lutheran.

• Joseph Mesa, Paraclete: Passed for 446 yards and seven touchdowns in an overtime win over Long Beach Wilson.

• Taylor Lee, Oxnard Pacifica: Passed for 280 yards and four touchdowns in win over Oak Hills.

• Jacob Paisano, Hart: Passed for 178 yards and two touchdowns, ran for 162 yards and three touchdowns vs. Mayfair.

RECEIVING

• Glenn Carrera III, Cathedral: Made seven catches for 135 yards in defeat of Western.

• Troy Foster, Huntington Beach: Had 14 catches for 120 yards and one touchdown in loss to Edison.

• Anthony Jacobs, Oxnard Pacifica: Caught five passes for 141 yards and two touchdowns in win over Oak Hills.

• Mason Miller, Leuzinger: Caught seven passes for 145 yards and three touchdowns in defeat of Crean Lutheran.

• Degan Grant, Saugus: Had nine catches for 118 yards and one touchdown in win over Schurr.

DEFENSE

• Jonathan Moreno, Contreras: Had a game-saving interception in the end zone to help Contreras win its first ever City playoff game with win over Sun Valley Poly.

• Lenny Ibarra, Los Alamitos: Ran for two touchdowns and made interception in the end zone with nine seconds to preserve comeback win over Yorba Linda.

• Ethan Mundt, Troy: Returned a fumble 82 yards for a touchdown in win over Orange.

• Kentrell Holley, Dorsey: Had a 95-yard interception return for a touchdown in win over El Camino Real.

• Damian Huff, Charter Oak: Made interception in overtime to clinch win over Muir.

SPECIAL TEAMS

• DJ Parker, Gardena: Returned punt 50 yards for a touchdown in win over Hamilton.

• Jacob Kreinberg, Loyola: Averaged 58.3 yards on three punts and made 33-yard field goal in win over Newbury Park.

• Crue Bradshaw, Edison: Made 42-yard field goal vs. Huntington Beach.

Miri Taylor’s first goal of the campaign is enough to give Aston Villa a 1-0 win over Manchester United, as the home side lose their first game in the Women’s Super League this season.

MATCH REPORT: WSL – Manchester United 0-1 Aston Villa

Available to UK users only.

I have been a diehard baseball fan for more than 60 years, and this year’s Dodger team is the toughest, gutsiest and most resilient team I have ever seen. Toronto is an absolutely fabulous baseball team, and would’ve beaten anybody else in all of baseball without much stress.

And as for Yoshinobu Yamamoto, that young man ought to be on Mt. Rushmore.

Let’s go for a three-peat in ‘26!

Drew Pomerance
Tarzana

No doubt about it. The best team won the World Series. The Dodgers found ways to win without great hitting. Their pitching and defensive skills exceeded our expectations. Thank you everyone for another amazing baseball season.

Cheryl Creek
Anaheim

How wonderful to see grown men acting like little boys during their victory celebration. While I am not a fan of the gyrations on the bases after a hit (even when way behind), the pure joy emanating from the players at the end was to be cherished. How sports enables us to forget our problems is what has made me a lifelong sports fan.

Mark Kaiserman
Santa Monica

Who would imagine that Games 6 and 7 would both end on double plays while the losing team had men in scoring position? One different swing of the bat would have reversed the outcome of the games and series. How suddenly agonizing and euphoric. How uniquely baseball!

Mel Spitz
Beverly Hills

The Toronto Blue Jay fans taunted Shohei Othani early in the series, “We don’t need you!” I guess they did!

Edward Jimenez
Whittier

Consideration should be given to incorporating the Japanese flag into the design of the 2025 World Series ring.

Greg Thompson
Chatsworth

It took until Games 6 and 7, but the 2025 World Series lineup needed to include Miguel Rojas.

Ken Feldman
Tarzana

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts’ haters and naysayers can take a seat. Whether it was confidence in the starting rotation, masterful management of the bullpen, being unafraid to tinker with the lineup or making brilliant defensive replacements, every lever Roberts pulled in Games 6 and 7 ultimately resulted in another championship.

Ron Yukelson
San Luis Obispo

As my fellow Monday morning baseball critics always say, “Dave Roberts is a genius. Mookie is great at short. Last year no starting pitchers. This year no bullpen.”

So many contributed big plays. Constant tension, excitement, tenacity and, ultimately, exhilaration. Thank you Dodgers for a playoffs and World Series for the ages. Encore!

Rafael Serna
Hacienda Heights

While we bask in the euphoria of the Dodgers’ World Series win, let’s not overlook but sing the praises to the last man standing! Without the heroics of Will Klein, there might not have been a Game 6 or a Game 7.

Stan Shirai
Torrance

The World Series finished on Dia de los Muertos, but our Dodgers lived to win again. Against all odds in Game 7, the Dodgers solidified a dynasty. What a game. What a series. What a team. So many clutch moments and players. This one will be enjoyed and cherished FOREVER.

Michael Lee Manous
San Dimas

A phrase that will never be used in the same sentence with Yoshinobu Yamamoto: “load management.”

Dave Ring
Manhattan Beach

Orel, meet Yoshi!

Brian Lipson
Beverly Hills

The road to becoming the first repeat World Series champion in 25 years was not a smooth one for the Dodgers, who captured their ninth championship in franchise history when they knocked off the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 in 11 innings of a Game 7 for the ages.

After winning nine of their first 10 postseason contests, the Dodgers had to slog through a seven-game World Series that included two extra-inning wins — one in 18 innings — and consecutive losses at home that put their season on the brink.

But in the end, the Dodgers emerged with their second consecutive championship and third in six seasons. How did they make it happen? Here are some moments that galvanized the Dodgers’ run to another World Series triumph.

A great escape, with a wheel man

Mookie Betts broached the idea of running the wheel play as the Dodgers tried to hang on for dear life in Game 2 of the NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Ballpark. In a tribute to executing the fundamentals, Max Muncy pounced on a bunt and Betts tagged out the lead runner at third base to help the Dodgers survive the ninth inning and grab a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series.

Ohtani’s iconic performance

A look at the three home runs Shohei Ohtani hit in Game 4 of the NLCS.

Based on the first inning alone, Shohei Ohtani would’ve produced an unforgettable performance in Game 4 of the NLCS against the Milwaukee Brewers, striking out three in a row following a leadoff walk as the Dodgers’ starting pitcher and then homering as his team’s leadoff batter to stake himself to an early lead. But Ohtani homered twice more — including a 469-foot blast over the right-field pavilion — and went on to strike out 10 in six innings to help the Dodgers secure their second consecutive NL pennant.

Another complete game by Yamamoto

Yoshinobu Yamamoto had already thrown a complete game in Game 2 of the NLCS, the first one by a Dodgers pitcher since José Lima in 2004. But Yamamoto went into more rarefied air when he threw another one in Game 2 of the World Series in a 5-1 win over the Blue Jays — becoming the first Dodger to throw consecutive postseason complete games since Orel Hershiser in 1988.

Kershaw’s moment

The anguish and heartbreak of Clayton Kershaw‘s postseason history is well known, and the Dodger Stadium crowd braced itself when he entered Game 3 of the World Series with the bases loaded and two outs in the 12th inning. In an eight-pitch battle with the Jays’ Nathan Lukes, Kershaw induced a soft grounder to second baseman Tommy Edman that he had to charge and scoop over with his glove to first baseman Freddie Freeman to escape the jam.

The Will Klein Game

As Game 3 of the World Series dragged into the 15th inning, the Dodgers turned to Will Klein, the last reliever in their bullpen — though Yamamoto was later warming for a potential 19th inning. Klein, acquired by the Dodgers in a minor trade on June 2, threw 72 pitches — the most he’s thrown as a professional — over four scoreless innings to keep the Dodgers in it.

Freeman, the walkoff sequel

In a World Series Game 3 that featured 19 pitchers, 25 position players, 609 pitches thrown and 153 trips to the plate, it was something familiar that won it for the Dodgers in the 18th inning: a Freeman walk-off home run. One year and two days after his iconic walk-off grand slam in Game 1 of the 2024 World Series, Freeman smashed a solo shot to center field to lift the Dodgers to a 6-5 win and a 2-1 series lead.

Kiké Hernández, October hero

Left fielder Kiké Hernández added another chapter to his October legacy in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 6 with the Dodgers trying to hang on to a 3-1 lead and keep their season alive. With runners on second and third and one out, Hernández played shallow and was in good position to catch a sinking line drive by Andrés Giménez before firing a throw to second baseman Miguel Rojas, who caught it on a bounce to double off the runner at second and force a Game 7.

Miguel Rojas ninth-inning hero

Rojas became the ninth-inning focal point in Game 7 as he came up to bat with the Dodgers trailing 4-3 and two outs away from losing the World Series. Rojas, who had one homer since the All-Star break, worked the count full before hammering a game-tying shot to left. In the bottom of the inning, with the bases loaded and the infield in with one out, Rojas fielded a grounder cleanly and came up firing to force the runner out at home and preserve the tie.

The Catch

One batter later and with the bases still loaded, it was Andy Pages’ turn to be the defensive hero. Inserted mid-inning at center field for his strong arm, Pages found himself using his legs to cover a lot of ground on a deep fly ball to left-center that Hernández was trying to catch over his shoulder before colliding with Pages as the center fielder secured the ball to carry the game into extra innings.

Will Smith, home run hero

As Game 7 entered the 11th inning, it was catcher Will Smith who was in the right place at the right time. Smith, who’d worked his way back into the lineup after suffering a hairline fracture in his right hand in September, turned on a 2-0 slider for his second home run of the series to put the Dodgers in front for the first time in the game.

Yamamoto with the exclamation point

Entering Game 7 during that ninth-inning jam that Rojas and Pages helped him escape, Yamamoto retired the Jays in order in the 10th and then worked around a leadoff double in the 11th, fiedling a sacrifice bunt and then walking a batter before inducing a double play to seal the Dodgers’ repeat championship. For Yamamoto in the World Series, the final tally was three wins, the last coming in relief after throwing 96 pitches the night before in Game 6, and the MVP award.

India claimed a 2-1 win in their T20 series against Australia after the fifth and final match in Brisbane was washed out.

After losing the toss and being asked to bat, openers Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill steered India to 52-0 after 4.5 overs before a thunderstorm forced the players from the field.

Though the storm moved on, heavy rain persisted and the umpires decided no further play was possible.

It is the second match of the series to be washed out after the opener in Canberra on 29 October.

Australia won the second game in Melbourne, but victories in Hobart and the Gold Coast secured the series for the tourists.

India will defend their T20 World Cup title as co-hosts with Sri Lanka in February.

Get ready for Troy High to again be a girls’ basketball team to watch.

Kevin Kiernan, the winningest girls’ coach in state history with 900 career wins, according to CalHiSports, has come out of retirement for a second stint at Troy, where he coached for 11 years before heading over to Mater Dei for an 18-year run as girls’ coach and later athletic director. He’s also coached at Westminster La Quinta as well as boys’ basketball and was women’s coach at Cypress College.

Kiernan served as athletic director at Mater Dei last season. Two issues that he dealt with — an injured hip and throat surgery to help his voice — have been taken care of.

“Voice is great,” said Kiernan, whose daughter, Kaidyn, is a junior on the team.

That’s bad news for opponents, players and maybe some officials.

His experience alone should be beneficial to Troy, which is scheduled to be in eight tournaments and showcases. There’s only one returning player, Allyson Tan, but plenty of freshmen and sophomores, which is challenging but invigorating for Kiernan, known as a great teacher of the game.

This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email [email protected].

Sources close to the situation say Edwards was willing to complete all the duties he has been removed from, with Middlesbrough taking the decisions regarding Friday’s training session and news conference and Saturday’s match.

Middlesbrough are believed to have been angered by Wolves’ approach and Edwards’ openness to taking the job.

It is understood Edwards views the Wolves job as his dream role, having made more than 100 appearances for the Molineux side between 2004 and 2008.

He grew up in nearby Telford and still has family in the area, though the logistics of any move to Wolves are not said to be a key factor.

For its Southern Section Division 3 football playoff opener on Friday night against Laguna Beach, Sherman Oaks Notre Dame brought in a “ringer” assistant coach this week to get its running backs a little tougher.

Former UCLA coach DeShaun Foster dropped by to offer lessons, particularly to his sophomore stepson, Noel Washington.

“He helped a lot,” Washington said. “Having him here means a lot. He’s been making us practice a lot harder.”

And what was the impact? Washington had touchdown runs of 35, two and 32 yards to help Notre Dame (6-5) come away with a 44-28 victory and advance to a home game next week against Chino Hills. He finished with 83 yards in 11 carries.

Safety Tahj Skinner of Sherman Oaks Notre Dame is happy after getting his sixth interception of the season.

(Craig Weston)

Junior quarterback Jack Hurst of Laguna Beach and West Virginia-bound senior quarterback Wyatt Brown of Notre Dame kept making plays all night. Hurst completed 32 of 51 passes for 417 yards and four touchdowns. Brown completed 16 of 31 passes for 232 yards and one touchdown. He ran for 61 yards and one touchdown.

The most important completion for Brown came with 7:38 left on third and 17 with Notre Dame clinging to a 34-28 lead. He found sophomore Emmanuel Pullins for a 19-yard completion. Then Pullins made a 31-yard catch. It set up a 21-yard field goal by Nico Marliani for a 37-28 lead with 2:22 left.

“Huge,” Notre Dame coach Evan Yabu said of the third-down reception.

“I just saw him one on one with no safety coverage,” Brown said.

Said Pullins: “I’m ready for those situations. Before the game, I promised myself to go for the ball.”

It became a wild game in the second half because Laguna Beach (9-2) refused to go down without a fight. After Andre Gamboa picked up a fumble on a high Laguna Beach snap to score a touchdown to start the third quarter, Notre Dame looked ready to pull away with a 28-14 lead.

Hurst responded with a four-yard touchdown pass to Grant Regal. Brown ran 10 yards for a touchdown and a 34-21 Notre Dame lead. Back came Hurst, who fired a 40-yard touchdown pass to Otis Boultinghouse.

“We knew it wasn’t going to be easy,” Brown said. “They throw a punch, we throw a punch back.”

In defeat, Laguna Beach made clear it will be a team to reckon with next season. Two freshmen, lineman Luke Bogdan and running back Charlie Christian, kept making plays like they will be future stars. The receiving corp made up mostly of juniors kept making catches for Hurst, who finished the season with 45 touchdown passes. The Breakers were hurt by two fumbles and an interception.

“It was a fun game,” Washington said. “They are tough and play hard.”

A mistake by Brown late in the first half helped Laguna Beach get back into the game. Brown had a pass intercepted by Will Kimball with 1:01 left on a scramble with Notre Dame leading 21-7. Hurst drove the team down to score on a four-yard touchdown reception by Kimball with four seconds left to make it 21-14 at halftime.

Two touchdown runs by Washington and a 25-yard touchdown reception by Luc Weaver accounted for the Knights’ first-half scores.

Tahj Skinner of Notre Dame picked up his sixth interception of the season. Notre Dame lost its standout nose tackle, Chris Colon, for next week’s game after being ejected for two 15-yard personal foul penalties.