Sport Briefs

FOOTBALL: North-East teams took the honours yesterday, in the opening round of games of the 16th ESFA under-14 festival at the Isle of Wight. Newcastle thumped Coventry 7-2, with goals from Eddie Dines, Lee Novak (2), Mark Doninger, Patrick Leonard and Shaun Sager (2).

Sunderland, on their first visit to the festival, drew 0-0 with Reading, Michael Lawson the outstanding player. North Tyneside beat Yeovil 4-2 and Bishop Auckland enjoyed a 5-0 win over Plymouth, goals from David Dowson, Seb Coady (2), Richard Langthorne (pen) and Kieran Megran.

Golf: Jose Maria Olazabal, tries once more for his first Spanish Open title this week.

And the 37-year-old will do so in a part of the world that has brought him great joy in the past. Two of Olazabal's 22 European Tour victories were the Tenerife Open in 1989 and 1992 and it is to the Canary Islands that the famous championship, first competed for in 1912, moves this year.

''I have something special for this island,'' said the former Ryder Cup star yesterday, not forgetting either that it was nearby Gran Canaria that witnessed his emotional success in the 1997 Turespana Masters only three events into his comeback from an 18-month lay-off during which he feared he might not walk again.

Cricket: Kenyan leg-spinner Collins Obuya has signed as one of Warwickshire's overseas players.

The 21-year-old is likely to play his first game against Cardiff University on May 14 and will be available throughout the season, subject to international duty.

The Nairobi-born player burst onto the international scene during Kenya's successful World Cup campaign when they reached the Super Six stage. He took 13 wickets at an average of 28.76 in his nine games during the tournament, including five for 24 against Sri Lanka at Nairobi.

Cricket: New Zealand all-rounder Nathan Astle has undergone the scheduled double operation which has prevented him playing for Derbyshire in the county championship this season.

Astle, who has previously played for Nottinghamshire, was due to join Derbyshire in June, but informed the county in January - before the World Cup in South Africa - that he would be unable to fulfil his commitment.

He underwent surgery in Christchurch to repair a patella tendon tear in his left knee and also had another procedure at the same time on a hernia problem.

Rugby Union: Dan Luger could be playing his club rugby in France next season with Heineken Cup semi-finalists Perpignan.

Harlequins and England wing Luger, scorer of 21 tries in 32 Tests, has confirmed that Perpignan are among the clubs he has had contact with.

''There has been a lot of talk in the press the last few days about where I am going to be playing next season, and Perpignan has been mentioned by several parties,'' said Luger.

''All I want to say about the matter now is that I have been in contact with Perpignan and some other clubs for discussions, but for now, my mind is firmly focussed on Quins and playing well for them for the rest of the season.''

Football: Dave Rushbury yesterday resigned as manager of Division Two strugglers Chesterfield.

The Spireites have lost five successive games to leave them one point and one place above the relegation zone.

Assistant manager Lee Richardson and first-team coach Dave Thompson will take over team affairs until the end of the season and they will be assisted by senior player David Reeves.

Motorsport: Dan Wheldon is set to follow in Nigel Mansell's footsteps after earning the opportunity to qualify for the Indianapolis 500.

The Knaresborough-born driver passed his rookie test at the legendary banked oval track and is set to be the first Englishman to take part in the event since former Formula One world champion Mansell in 1994.

Scotsman Dario Franchitti - Wheldon's Andretti Green teammate - finished 19th in the event last season but will be absent this year after breaking a bone in his back in a motorcycle accident.

Sport on tv: A selective guide to sport on TV today

SOCCER: UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg, Manchester United v Real Madrid - ITV 1930; Champions League highlights - ITV 2320.

SNOOKER: Embassy World Championship from Sheffield - BBC2 1300, 1845, 2000, 2320.

CRICKET: Fifth day of the second Test, West Indies v Australia from Trinidad - Sky Sports Extra 1500.

RACING: From Epsom - BBC2 1420, 1455, 1535.

CYCLING: The Belgian Fleche Wallonne - British Eurosport 1300.