Southern Steel held on to early lead to secure win against Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic

A strong first half performance saw the Southerners take a narrow 32-28 lead into the halftime break, before the Magic launched a come back in the second half.

But it wasn't enough to take out the game, the Steel closing out the match 64-60.



One more year for Tana Umaga, but three for his new assistant.

Umaga has been reappointed as head coach of the battling Blues for 2019, with former All Blacks teammate and ex-under20s coaching colleague Leon MacDonald joining him.

MacDonald's contract runs until the end of 2021 and will see him exit Tasman after this year's Mitre 10 Cup.

Umaga says anyone would like longer, but he's had three years, and it's a results driven industry.



MacDonald says trying to lift the Blues out of their long-term slump is the kind of challenge he's after.





He played just nine international matches last year, but Corey Anderson remains in the Black Caps thinking.

The New Zealand allrounder underwent back surgery last year, restricting him to just five one day internationals and four Twenty20s.

However selector Gavin Larsen says Anderson's still been given a contract for next year, as they believe he still has a lot to offer.



Corey Anderson is currently playing in the Indian Premier League.



A triple double from LeBron James has been in vein for the Cleveland Cavaliers, going down 107-94 in game two of the NBA eastern conference series against the Celtics in Boston.