WOMEN’S RUGBY UNION: Tatyana Heard bagged a hat-trick as Gloucester-Hartpury continued their defence of the English Women’s Premiership title with a 47-31 in Exeter. Last season’s runners-up Saracens recovered from an opening day heavy defeat at the champions with a 47-10 thumping of Harlequins while Loughborough edged out Sale 19-12 and Bristol kicked off their campaign by running in 12 tries to thump Leicester 74-0.

ICE HOCKEY: Sheffield Steelers moved top of the Elite League after coming from behind to brush aside defending champions Belfast 4-1 in front of a bumper 8,000 home crowd and then squeezing past bottom club Fife with a 2-1 overtime win. Second-placed Nottingham Panthers cruised to a 5-2 victory over Coventry while Cardiff Devils ended Manchester’s good run of form with a narrow 3-2 win and leapfrogged them into third. 

MEN’S BASKETBALL: London Lions recovered from a slow start to maintain the Super League’s only 100 per cent record with an 82-70 win over Leicester that keeps them four points clear at the top with a game in hand. Second-placed Bristol edged to an 87-83 win at Newcastle but also slipped to a 76-69 defeat at Sheffield. Manchester eased past Sheffield 87-75 before losing out 74-62 at bottom club Caledonia Gladiators.

WOMEN’S FOOTBALL: Unbeaten Glasgow City crushed Aberdeen 5-0 to preserve their five point advantage at the top of the Scottish Women’s Premier League with reigning champions Hibs in second after a 3-0 win over struggling Partick Thistle. Bottom club Hamilton are still without a win following their 3-0 loss to third-placed Celtic, Montrose drew 1-1 with Motherwell and Hearts held off out-of-form Rangers 3-2.