Rugby Union

New Zealand Maoris scored three tries in the second half to beat Western Samoa 28-15 in Auckland yesterday. It was Western Samoa's last match on their seven-game tour.

Bridgend have made up for the loss of Wales three-quarter Gareth Thomas to Pontypridd by securing six new players. Pontypool's captain Wayne Morris will their new scrum-half and his team-mate Kevin Walker, the younger brother of Wales cap Nigel, will also make the switch as a winger in the pack. Maesteg's Chris Stephens joins along with Wales Students' hooker Christian Ferris from Caerphilly and Justin Burnell from Neath in the back row, with Peter Maitland on the wing.

Paul Turner, the former Wales fly-half, has agreed to join the Courage League Two club Bedford as player-coach. Turner was controversially sacked as player-coach at First Division Sale last month and an action group failed to have him reinstated at Wednesday's annual meeting.

Sailing

A 10th, seventh and fourth yesterday pushed the defending champions, John Merricks and Ian Walker, up to fourth overall in the 470 European Championship at Hayling Island yesterday, but, with one race remaining, the Russians appear to have gold in the bag with bronze the best consolation hope for Britain. Bethan Raggatt and Sue Carr moved into the top six when they won the 11th race, boosting confidence that they can turn in an Olympic performance when things go well.