WOMEN’S CRICKET: Ireland women saw their hopes of salvaging some pride in their T20 series against South Africa dashed by rain. 

The last of the rivals’ three matches in Benoni was abandoned without a ball being bowled because of a wet outfield. 

South Africa had already taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series that is the prelude to three one-day internationals.

MEN’S FOOTBALL: Reiss Nelson could be available for Brentford’s visit of Leeds on Sunday in a timely boost for boss Keith Andrews. 

The manager will be without key attacker Kevin Schade due to a one-match ban after he received his fifth yellow card of the season in Saturday’s 2-0 loss at Tottenham. 

Nelson missed the clash at Spurs with an injury, but he could be back for Sunday.

WOMEN’S FOOTBALL: Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor said motivation was no problem after her side hammered Roma 6-0 in the Women’s Champions League on Wednesday night. 

Bompastor made a number of changes from the team that lost the Blues their 34-game unbeaten run in Sunday’s 1-0 defeat by Everton. 

But it did not disrupt the team’s fluency, as five different goalscorers — plus an own goal — saw them thump the Italian side to move into the top four.

HORSE RACING: Part-owner Andy Edwards is under no illusions about the task facing his returning “superstar” L’Homme Presse in the Turners Handicap Chase at Cheltenham. 

The Venetia Williams-trained 10-year-old has won eight of his 14 starts over fences, a record which includes three victories at Prestbury Park. 

However, he has been off the track since being pulled up in the Ascot Chase in February and must concede over a stone in weight to each of his rivals in today’s £100,000 feature.