Four in hospital after Rás crash

CYCLING: Four cyclists had to be hospitalised yesterday after crashing during the fifth stage of the FBD Insurance Rás.

Yesterday's accident happened at Emly, Co Tipperary, less than 20km into the stage of the Rás, when eight riders came into contact with each other.

John Lynch of the Kildare Murphy Surveys team, Bernard Twomey from Castlebar Western Edge, Matthew Rowe from Wales and Lars Pria from Germany were taken to hospital suffering from injuries such as broken collarbones and cuts and scratches.

British professional John Tiernan-Locke claimed victory at the top of Seskin Hill, just outside Carrick-on-Suir. Swede Alexander Wetterhall still has the yellow jersey, although his lead is only eight seconds. David O'Loughlin kept hold of the pink jersey as mountains leader.

Morgan makes a steady Test debut

CRICKET: Dubliner Eoin Morgan made a solid start to his Test career when he hit 40 not out against Bangladesh at Lord's yesterday.

Morgan's first boundary arrived with a signature reverse sweep for four as he eased his way into the Test arena.

A century from Jonathan Trott, his second in as many Tests on home soil, steered England to a comfortable position on 362-4 at the close of play on the opening day of the two-match series.

Trott ended the day unbeaten on 175 from 270 balls.

Sprinbok Pienaar signs up with Ulster

RUGBY: South African scrum-half Ruan Pienaar, 26, has signed a two-year deal with Ulster.

Pienaar made his debut with South Africa in 2006 against New Zealand. He was also a member of the World Cup winning squad in 2007 and has won 36 Springbok caps.

Greipel gets rid of stage frustration

CYCLING: German sprinter Andre Greipel finally sealed a stage win yesterday after a frustrating Giro d'Italia and David Arroyo stayed in overall command with just three days remaining. Columbia's Greipel managed his first success of the three-week race in the 18th stage in a bunched finish in Brescia.

Baseball: (home team in CAPS, please adjust) Milwaukee 4 Houston 3 (10 innings), Chi Cubs 1 LA Dodgers 0, Colorado 8 Arizona 2, San Francisco 5 Washington 4, San Diego 3 St Louis 8, Baltimore 5 Oakland 7, Boston 3 Kansas City 4, Tampa Bay 5 Chio White Sox 1, Florida 3 Atlanta 8, NY Mets 3 Philadelphia 0, Cincinatti 8 Pittsburgh 2, Minnesota 8 NY Yankees 2.

NBA play-offs: LA Lakers 103 Phoenix 101 (LA Lakers leads best-of-seven series 3-2).