Kurten was almost two seconds off the pace of Portuguese winner Luis Sabino Goncalves, who had also beaten her in Friday's TwoPhase competition at Madrid, both riding the same horses. The 37-yearold Irish rider was due to field her current top horse Castle Forbes Maike for Madrid Grand Prix later yesterday. Kurten used Maike to win the 22,000 Longines Grand Prix at la Baule, France, last weekend.

WATER SKIING SILVER FOR IRISHMAN PRUNTY IRISHMAN Eamon Prunty won a silver medal in the World Disabled Water Ski Championships in Queensland, Australia, yesterday.

Prunty (23), who is Ireland's sole representative Championships, won the medal in the Jump Competition with a jump of 20.6 metres (68ft).

Darryl Hoyle took the gold for Australia while the bronze went to Steve Hornsey from USA.

Prunty could also be in line to pick up more medals after coming through the preliminary rounds to qualify for the finals of both the slalom and tricks competitions.

TEVEZ EYES MOVE TO CONTINENTAL GIANT

WEST HAM striker Carlos Tevez has set his sights on signing for "one of Europe's biggest clubs".
The Argentina forward was instrumental in keeping the club in the Premier League but also caused controversy over the manner of his signing. Now Tevez (23) looks set to leave the club - with Spanish giants Real Madrid one of the possible destinations. "I really want to join one of Europe's biggest clubs. That's what I've talked to my representatives about. I don't know about the interest from Real but it makes me happy that such an important club is interested in me.

People at West Ham were incredible with me and I'll never forget that. But of course I would like to get a chance at a big club."

GERAGHTY A WORLD CUP DOUBT FOR ENGLAND

RISING England star Shane Geraghty admits his latest injury setback has left him bitterly frustrated with the World Cup less than four months away.

During England Saxons' 51-3 Barclays Churchill Cup victory over USA at Edgeley Park on Friday, the London Irish centre, who could have declared for Ireland, was forced off through injury after just 31 minutes.

Geraghty (20) suffered a recurrence of the same hamstring strain which forced him to miss the closing weeks of the Guinness Premiership season. That has fuelled fears he could be set for another prolonged spell on the sidelines thus preventing him from staking a claim in Brian Ashton's senior squad. "It's so frustrating, " said Geraghty. "It's the same injury and the same hamstring. Now, I've got to try and work hard and get back in contention for the World Cup."

FEDERER INTO FINAL AT HAMBURG MASTERS

ROGER FEDERER beat Carlos Moya 4-6 6-4 6-2 to reach the final of the Hamburg Masters yesterday.
The world number one hit 20 unforced errors in losing the first set to the unseeded Moya before finding his rhythm and winning out in two hours seven minutes, finishing off with a stinging forehand pass. Federer will face second seeded Spaniard Rafael Nadal or Australian 16th seed Lleyton Hewitt in the final.

INJURY FORCES MURRAY OUT OF FRENCH OPEN

ANDY MURRAY will have just two weeks in June to find form for Wimbledon after pulling out of the French Open with a wrist injury. British hopes of longawaited Wimbledon glory will inevitably rest on the 20-yearold Scot, who has taken on that burden from four-time losing semi-finalist Tim Henman.

However, providing tests show only minor damage, he will have only two grass-court tournaments - the Artois Championships and the Boodles Challenge - in which to recover match sharpness. World number 10 Murray would have been among the top 16 seeds at Roland Garros, where the year's second grand slam begins in eight days' time. However the right wrist injury he sustained during his first-round match in Hamburg on Tuesday has counted him out.

MATTESON AND IMADA SHARE LEAD IN ATLANTA

AMERICAN Troy Matteson shot an eight-under 64 to grab a share of the second-round lead with Japan's Ryuji Imada at the Atlanta Classic in Duluth, Georgia.

Matteson began his day on the back nine at the Tournament Players Club Sugarloaf, carding three birdies in his opening four holes. The 27year-old had just one bogey on his scorecard to sit on 10-under 134 heading into the last night's third round.

Imada looked ready to sign for an error-free round until a doublebogey seven left him with a "veunder 67 and a share of the lead.

Lurking one shot back of the coleaders was American DJ Brigman, who birdied his final two holes for a five-under 67 to get to nine-under 135. American Kevin Sutherland, the first-round leader, was one shot further adrift after battling to a oneunder 71.

BENDA HOLDS THE LEAD IN ITALIAN SENIOR OPEN

AMERICAN John Benda held the lead after the second round of the Sharp Italian Seniors Open (European Seniors Tour) at the Circolo Golf Club in Venice yesterday.

A round of 63 added to his first round of 71 (134) pushed him one shot ahead of New Zealand's Simon Owen, who shot 65 to follow up his first round of 70. England's Tony Allen had 66 to take third a further two shots back. It was a day forget for the Irish with the North's Jimmy Hegarty way down the field on 147 (74, 73) and Denis O'Sullivan on 148 (76, 72).

HABANA WINS SUPER 14 FINAL IN INJURY TIME

BRYAN HABANA scored a stunning try one minute and 36 seconds after full-time to give the Bulls a 20-19 victory over the Sharks in the Vodacom Super 14 Final in Durban yesterday.

The Sharks played with a stiff breeze and, despite Pierre Spies 12th minute try for the Bulls, led 1410 at half-time thanks to a JP Pietersen try and three Percy Montgomery penalties. Derek Hougaard, who kicked two conversions and two penalties, put the Bulls in front but Albert van den Berg's try with 77 minutes on the clock looked to have clinched victory for the Sharks. But with the clock past 81 minutes, Habana crossed the line for a dramatic winner.