Manchester United fans waited 24 days for competitive football to return but after 30 minutes they were probably ready for another break.

15:01, 14 Apr 2026

Anticipation for Manchester United’s Premier League return was building for a whole 24 days. Michael Carrick’s side had an unprecedented break between the draw at Bournemouth and the clash with Leeds. But the excitement of seeing the Reds again was extinguished inside 30 minutes.

United found themselves 2-0 down to their fierce rivals and were staring down the barrel of defeat to Daniel Farke’s side. It was, without doubt, the worst start the Reds have made since Carrick took charge and set United on their way to just their second defeat under his leadership.

MEN Sport has picked apart the opening half an hour from Monday night’s clash and picked out everything that went wrong.

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Issues on the right

The first major problem was down the right flank. Diogo Dalot’s illness last week meant Noussair Mazraoui started. Ahead of him was Amad, with Bryan Mbeumo left on the bench as Benjamin Sesko led the line.

Amad was struggling to track back to support Mazraoui who was under the cosh immediately as Gabriel Gudmundsson delivered a perfect cross for Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Senne Lammens made the save but it was a warning.

United were also struggling with Leeds’ press. Amad was one of those who was being forced to play with his back to goal as Farke’s side forced him back.

In fairness to Amad, United eventually managed to find him space and the Ivorian became the Reds’ main threat. However, Mazraoui and Amad were struggling badly early on.

Manuel Ugarte

Ugarte is not the only player who will be singled out but his errors were significant. His second touch saw him lose possession as Leeds quickly identified the weak link.

The beauty of Kobbie Mainoo is that he can operate in tight spaces and pick out the right pass. Ugarte can’t do that, was harried quickly and lost possession too easily.

For the first goal, he was not alert to Jayden Bogle’s run and by the time he did track back, the ball was easily floated in and we all know what came next. Inside ten minutes, he was jeered for being too negative in possession.

This is not entirely fair as Ugarte is not Mainoo. It was a mistake from Carrick to pick him to be the ball-playing midfielder, and his inclusion needs rethinking if Mainoo is not fit for Saturday.

Benjamin Sesko

We have already mentioned Leeds’ pressing that caused United endless problems, and the Reds’ centre-forward struggled with it too. The visitors’ effective press meant, more often than not, the ball was forced backwards, sideways and Sesko was starved of service.

United did manage to find a way out to him as the half wore. His big chance came shortly before the second goal but James Justin did well to put a foot in and the opportunity was gone.

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It was surprising to see Sesko start this kind of game. Mbeumo could have had more success with the gaps Leeds were leaving behind.

The Liverpool game was a prime example of this and United caused Bournemouth problems with Mbeumo’s fluidity. Sesko was struggling to impose himself against three centre-backs and this left the Reds without an out-ball.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lisandro Martinez

These two would have a more pivotal coming together in the second half. But, in the first, United’s Argentine was struggling to handle him.

This was completely different to Martinez’s battle with Erling Haaland earlier this season. Calvert-Lewin was more physical than Haaland that day and Martinez struggled to cope with it.

Unlike Sesko, Calvert-Lewin was using his presence to bully the back line and dragged the defender out of position as he held the ball up. Yoro handled him better, and it seems Martinez was struggling fresh off the back of an injury layoff.

Bruno Fernandes

Fernandes has been phenomenal for United this season. He delivered the cross for Casemiro’s goal and after the first half an hour, he was more like the midfielder we have seen for most of the campaign.

However, Leeds did brilliantly to silence him. Like Ugarte, Fernandes was crowded out and was resorting to lofted balls that were being dealt with by the back-three.

Casemiro, Ugarte and Mazraoui were all guilty of forcing the pass towards Fernandes too often, even when it was not on. The Reds were too one-dimensional with their attacks and struggled to get a foothold because of that.

Fernandes also had a small hand in the calamitous second goal.

Second goal

Fernandes went down in the opposition’s half after losing the ball. The challenge was not particularly heavy and whether it was a foul or not, the captain needed to get up and get back once it was clear it would not be given.

United were a man light in defence as Leeds broke but Fernandes does not shoulder the most blame for the goal. Martinez should have hoofed it clear when he received the ball in the area but instead he went short to Casemiro.

This dragged United into a comical game of head tennis as they failed numerous times to clear their lines. Yoro turned his back on Noah Okafor’s shot, but the inability to clear their lines was terrible.

Referee calls

Carrick was furious with Paul Tierney after the game but there was plenty that went wrong for United before looking at the referee. The Reds were unfortunate that Calvert-Lewin was not penalised in the build-up to the first goal.

And, on another day, Fernandes wins a foul before the second goes in. However, these 50:50 decisions going against the Reds proved how bad this 30-minute horror show really was.

Football coaches and referees should undergo mandatory training to identify signs of sudden cardiac arrest, a coroner has urged, despite opposition from the Football Association (FA).

The recommendation follows an inquest that found a “missed opportunity” contributed to the death of teenager Adam Ankers, who suffered a cardiac arrest while playing for Wycombe Wanderers’ under-19s in January 2024.

Assistant coroner Valerie Charbit had previously ruled that a failure to recognise the 17-year-old was experiencing cardiac arrest “more than minimally” contributed to his passing. The inquest heard that a defibrillator was brought onto the pitch, but confusion over its safe use meant it was never deployed in an attempt to save Adam’s life.

Following this ruling, Ms Charbit, presiding at West London Coroner’s Court, recommended that the Football Association mandate a training course for all its accredited members, including grassroots football coaches and referees, to equip them with the ability to spot the signs of sudden cardiac arrest.

While the FA’s website currently offers a free, online module “designed to help recognise a sudden cardiac arrest and respond appropriately”, Ms Charbit’s report insisted this training should be compulsory and extend to all members.

The FA, however, argued against this move in its submissions to Ms Charbit. The organisation contended that making the training mandatory for all members, including children, would exclude younger individuals from refereeing roles, as it would require them to be “put in the position of having to deliver such basic life support as would be necessary.”

Ms Charbit firmly disagreed with the FA’s stance. “I disagree as to the fact that that shouldn’t be something that children should engage in,” she stated.

“Children are allowed to train in first aid… I consider it important that the responsibility for first aid lies with all ages within society and outweighs any concern that this would stop them becoming referees.”

She further dismissed the FA’s concern that the recommendation would necessitate training over 185,000 coaches, asserting that this logistical challenge was outweighed by the potential to save numerous young lives through wider training implementation.

The inquest had previously heard that Adam collapsed during the second half of a football match on 31 January 2024. He was subsequently taken to hospital, where he died on 4 February 2024, having suffered unsurvivable brain damage.

Adam’s family had urged Ms Charbit to broaden the recommendation to encompass all sports, but the assistant coroner deemed this an “overreach,” explaining it fell outside the scope of the evidence and issues considered during the inquest.

In her report, Ms Charbit highlighted the widespread “difficulty” faced by both ordinary individuals and ambulance call handlers in recognising symptoms of cardiac arrest and agonal breathing – sudden, irregular gasps of breath.

Adam had exhibited agonal breathing, a symptom that demands immediate CPR. Explaining her decision to issue the report, Ms Charbit expressed her belief that existing training provided by bodies such as NHS England and the South Central Ambulance Service, which handled Adam’s 999 call, was insufficient, despite arguments to the contrary.

Although NHS England has since implemented changes, meaning a sudden collapse during sport or exercise is now automatically treated as requiring immediate CPR, the assistant coroner noted that these changes took a “particularly long time” to come into force.

She observed: “Although there was training given, and some of those on the pitch were trained, there was still a misidentification of Adam’s agonal breathing by those on the pitch and those receiving the 999 call.”

Ms Charbit’s report also underscored the need for improved understanding of defibrillator use among both medically and non-medically trained individuals.

Furthermore, she pointed out that cardiac screening for those aged 14 and above, which can reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death, is not universally accessible to all young people or young football players.

The inquest also noted a failure to cascade a family history of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), an inherited heart condition Adam was only identified to have had after his death.

Addressing the virtual hearing, attended by Adam’s father, Ms Charbit concluded: “I remember Adam Ankers. I remember everything I heard about him, and I do hope that this prevention of future deaths report that I have made allows us to prevent a similar death to that which Adam suffered.

“I express my sincere and deepest condolences, at the conclusion of these proceedings, to Adam’s family and friends.”

Baltimore Orioles manager Craig Albernaz was involved in a terrifying moment during the team’s victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday night.

Albernaz was struck by a line drive off the bat of Orioles second baseman Jeremiah Jackson in the fifth inning. The ball hit the manager’s left cheek, and he left to be looked at by the team’s medical staff.

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Baltimore Orioles manager Craig Albernaz talks to media in the dugout before a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox in Chicago on April 8, 2026. (Nam Y. Huh/AP)

Albernaz briefly returned to the game after Jackson hit a grand slam to help the Orioles to the 9-7 win.

“He’s doing good. Just as a precaution, he’s going to get it scanned,” Orioles bench coach Donnie Ecker said.

Jackson said he had a sunken feeling when he saw Albernaz in pain after the errant liner.

“I hit and then I kind of saw Alby holding his face. My heart kind of dropped,” Jackson said. “I was able to see him afterward and see he was doing OK.”

AVALANCHE COACH TAKES PUCK TO THE FACE, WILL MISS FINAL REGULAR-SEASON GAMES

Baltimore Orioles manager Craig Albernaz stands on the field before the game against the San Francisco Giants at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Md., on Apr. 10, 2026. (Mitch Stringer/Imagn Images)

“Knowing he was OK helped. It made me feel a little bit better,” Jackson added. “I’m just happy he’s doing OK and in good spirits.”

Albernaz and Jackson embraced after the infielder hit the big home run in the sixth inning.

“That was awesome,” Jackson said of the impromptu embrace from his manager. “You never want to hurt anybody, and Alby’s awesome. It sucked. But he wore it well and he’s in good spirits so it made me feel better.”

Albernaz is in his first year as Baltimore’s manager. He served as a bench coach and assistant manager for the Cleveland Guardians in 2024 and 2025.

Baltimore Orioles’ Jeremiah Jackson rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the eighth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Baltimore on April 13, 2026. (Stephanie Scarbrough/AP)

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Baltimore improved to 9-7 with the win and are tied with the New York Yankees for first place in the American League East.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

The Indiana Pacers’ run to the NBA Finals last year came to a screeching halt when the team lost Tyrese Haliburton with a torn Achilles in Game 7 against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Haliburton missed the entire 2025-26 season as he watched Indiana only win 19 games and fall to 14th in the Eastern Conference. But as he revs up to play in 2026–27, Haliburton admitted that it’s not the physical injury that he’s worried about going into next year.

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Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton shoots around on the court before an NBA game against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Indianapolis on April 7, 2026. (Doug McSchooler/AP)

It’s an illness he’s been battling.

He said Monday he has been dealing with shingles, which has caused him to gain weight, lose part of his right eyebrow and forced him to wear glasses to avoid scratching his swollen eye.

“First of all, I’d tell anybody over 50 years old to get the shot,” Haliburton said. “It’s been miserable. I have good days and bad days, but for the most part it’s been bad days.

“I’ve been taking unbelievable amounts of medication to try to get rid of it. It hasn’t worked. It’s not been fun, and hopefully it goes away soon. It’s hard to really tell with nerve pain, but I’ve been dealing now with nerve pain for two months and in the world of nerve pain, that’s not very long. Hopefully, it goes away soon.”

Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton reacts after suffering an injury during the first quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder in game seven of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on June 22, 2025. (Kyle Terada/Imagn Images)

MIKE BREEN SAYS FANS ‘DESERVE TO BE THROWN A BONE’ AS NBA CUTS ALL LOCAL BROADCASTS FROM THE PLAYOFFS

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said about 1 in 3 Americans will get shingles. The illness, if severe enough, can cause vision loss and nerve pain.

Haliburton said he was on a similar recovery timeline as Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum, who also suffered a torn Achilles in the playoffs last year. Tatum returned to the Celtics in March and has provided the boost Boston needed to be seen as championship contenders.

Haliburton said he has “no worries” about getting back into playing shape once he’s off the medication.

“I’m out of shape like crazy, like I never have been before,” Haliburton said. “I’ve changed my medication a bunch of times. I’ve gotten a Botox injection I thought would help, it hasn’t really helped. I’ve done everything, it just hasn’t worked yet. But I’m confident it goes away soon.”

Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton plays in the second half against the Miami Heat at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, on March 29, 2026. (Trevor Ruszkowski/Imagn Images)

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The Pacers will likely have a top lottery pick in the draft. Adding another young superstar to the Haliburton-led team would be a blessing in disguise for Indiana as they look to get back on top of the conference next season.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has been linked with the manager’s job at Manchester United over the last few months

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola will reportedly leave the club this summer amid rumours of a potential switch to Manchester United. The Reds are continuing to be linked with several potential candidates to become the club’s manager on a permanent basis from this summer.

Michael Carrick was appointed by United back in January on an interim basis until the end of the season, with the task of guiding the club back into the Champions League.

Iraola is one of the candidates who has been linked with becoming United’s new manager from the summer, and now a fresh update has emerged about his future.

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The Athletic have reported that Iraola will leave Bournemouth at the end of the season when his contract at the Vitality Stadium comes to an end.

There will be more to follow. We’ll bring you the very latest updates on this breaking news story.

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MLB’s biggest stars showcased their slugging abilities in a tremendous game on Monday night.

The New York Yankees three-time MVP Aaron Judge and the Los Angeles Angels’ three-time MVP Mike Trout teed off on opposing pitchers during their matchup in the Bronx. Judge and Trout each hit two home runs in the duel, which ended with a Yankees 11-10 victory.

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New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge celebrates with designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton after hitting a two-run home run during the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels in New York on April 13, 2026. (Yuki Iwamura/AP)

MLB researcher Sarah Langs relayed the history the two players made.

She wrote on X that it was the fourth time in MLB history in which two players, who have won multiple MVPs at the time of the game, hit at least two home runs each. She added that Judge and Trout joined Roy Campanella and Stan Musial, who did it in June 1956, and Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle, who did it twice in July 1962.

It was also the second time a pair of already three-time MVPs homered twice in the same game, according to STATS Perform.

Judge hit his first home run in the first inning off Angels starter Yusei Kikuchi. His second home run came in the sixth inning off reliever Shaun Anderson. He finished the game 2-for-5 with three RBI and two runs scored. He has six home runs on the year.

CODY BELLINGER’S ACROBATIC CATCH STUNS FANS AS YANKEES WIN HOME OPENER OVER MARLINS

Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels celebrates with third base coach Keith Johnson after hitting a three-run home run during the sixth inning against the New York Yankees on April 13, 2026, in New York. (Yuki Iwamura/AP)

Trout’s first dinger didn’t come until the sixth inning – off Yankees reliever Jake Bird. The second came in the eighth inning off Camilo Doval. The eighth inning dinger put the Angels out in front 10-8 at the time.

New York stormed back in the ninth when Trent Grisham hit a two-run home run to tie the game. Jose Caballero later scored the game-winning run on a wild pitch.

Trout and Judge both marveled at their accomplishments after the game.

“It was great. That’s baseball for you,” Trout said. “It’s what fans want, and to be able to see something like that, pretty cool.”

Judge joked he was going to trash talk Trout when he hit one to the warning track earlier in the game, but couldn’t say nothing after Trout smacked two homers later.

New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge hits a home run during the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Angels in New York on April 13, 2026. (Yuki Iwamura/AP)

“I was going to talk some smack to him after the one he hit all the way to the warning track,” Judge said, “but I didn’t get a chance to and then he answers right back with two big homers for him. You put that guy in a clutch situation, a big moment and he’s going to show up every single time, so it’s fun going back and forth with a guy like that, especially in New York and the Bronx.”

Judge had high praise for Trout, who has been at the top of baseball since he entered the league, though he has dealt with injuries for much of his career.

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“He’s the greatest of all time. It’s been fun to watch his whole career, coming up at such a young age and instantly just putting yourself at the top of the list. It’s special,” Judge said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the teenager currently at the centre of Indian cricket’s spotlight, is set to add another milestone to his resume, with reports suggesting the 15-year-old has been shortlisted to make his senior India debut. Sooryavanshi has reportedly been included in the list of candidates for India’s tour of Ireland, alongside several other prospects. The roster is widely expected to feature a second-string squad, as the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee remains keen to test the team’s bench strength.

“He is in contention for the Ireland tour, and the selectors have shortlisted his name along with those of many other players,” a source in the Indian cricket board told the Indian Express.

According to the newspaper, Vaibhav is set to be selected for the upcoming series in Ireland as well as the tour of Zimbabwe later this year.

Vaibhav, who has already broken several records in age-group cricket, has started the IPL 2026 season with a bang for Rajasthan Royals. He struck a stunning 26-ball 78 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, a 17-ball 52 against Chennai Super Kings, and a 14-ball 39 against Mumbai Indians, prompting former cricketers and experts to advocate for his selection to the senior national team.

READ | Vaibhav Sooryavanshi “Wasn’t Happy”: Rajasthan Royals Coach Explains Why

Even IPL chairman Arun Dhumal remarked that Vaibhav deserves the record of becoming India’s youngest debutant, surpassing the records held by Sachin Tendulkar and Shafali Verma.

“What an amazing batting display by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi this @IPL 2026 season. This prodigy certainly deserves to debut for Team India @BCCI as the youngest given his performances. It’s rare you get the chance to pick up someone so talented and sooooo young too. Certainly deserves his name to be recorded as the youngest debutant for India,” IPL chairman Arun Dhumal wrote on X.

Other retired India internationals, such as Irfan Pathan and Anil Kumble, have also stated that Vaibhav appears ready for promotion to the national side.

At present, Tendulkar remains the youngest men’s player to have represented India at the international level, making his debut at the age of 16 years and 205 days. Overall, Shafali Verma holds the national record, having debuted for the Indian women’s team at the age of 15 years, seven months, and 27 days.

India are also scheduled to tour England after the Ireland series, playing five T20Is and three ODIs starting 1 July. For the England assignment, the BCCI is likely to facilitate a return for senior players.

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Some fans want the Minnesota Vikings to draft a defensive tackle like Peter Woods or Kayden McDonald in Round 1, but the club could wait until the following day by picking “Big Citrus” Domonique Orange.

The Vikings may need a DT, and Orange looks like one of the more realistic paths.

Minnesota met with Orange last week, a man who obviously snagged his moniker from his last name and size.

Orange Stands Out in Minnesota’s Mid-Round Search

The Vikings’ newest DT could come from Round 2 or 3.

Orange Chats with Vikings

Orange made the rounds last week, with the NFL draft upcoming on April 23rd. He’ll have plenty of suitors.

Click2Houston‘s Aaron Wilson wrote, “Iowa State defensive tackle Domonique Orange impressed NFL teams at his campus workout, showing that he has recovered from a quadriceps injury. The Texans attended his Pro Day workout and helped run the drills. Orange, nicknamed “Big Citrus,’ is scheduled to visit the Texans at NRG Stadium, per a league source.”

“Orange is also set to visit the Buffalo Bills, Minnesota Vikings, Carolina Panthers and the Chicago Bears. He’s regarded by NFL teams as a classic, space-eating anchor in the middle of the defense. Orange (6-foot-2, 322 pounds) was a third-team All-Big 12 Conference selection last season.”

The Cyclone lives at No. 66 on the Consensus Big Board, meaning he’s likely to hear his name called at the end of Round 2 or beginning of Round 3.

The Scouting Report

Orange is 6’2″ and 325 pounds and known for his first-step speed, his anchor, and long arms. A year ago, he earned a spot on Bruce Feldman’s popular “Freaks” list. However, Orange is not known for rushing the passer and doesn’t have many bull-rush tendencies. He’s a nose tackle.

NFL Draft Buzz on his skill set: “Orange’s value at the next level is straightforward: he can fill a nose tackle role in an odd-front defense and give you honest, dependable reps against the run on early downs. His combination of first-step quickness, anchor strength, and length makes him someone who can eat blocks and hold gaps, which frees up linebackers to flow to the football.”

“The performance against Iowa in 2025, where he held up against one of the best centers in college football, speaks to what he can do against quality competition at the point of attack. The tackling regression in his final college season is also worth watching, as his missed tackle rate jumped well above career norms.”

Orange turned 22 last month. He’s got youth on his side.

TBD added, “His testing numbers suggest limited range and pursuit, meaning he needs to win early in the play or he probably won’t make the stop. In the right scheme, Orange can be a useful early-down nose who absorbs blocks and keeps the interior clean.”

“A 3-4 defense that values gap control and doesn’t ask its nose to do much as a rusher is the ideal landing spot. He has the frame, the hands, and the anchor to hold up at the pro level in that role. His floor is a capable run-stuffing rotation piece; his ceiling is a starting nose in a defense that can scheme around his limitations on passing downs.”

2 Starting DTs Out This Offseason

The Vikings’ pre-draft meeting with Orange takes on greater significance given the uncertainty at defensive tackle. Currently, Jalen Redmond, Levi Drake Rodriguez, and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins are in line for considerable playing time. While this group is intriguing, a rookie could find a role — especially if the Vikings don’t sign a free agent like Christian Wilkins.

And the DT need developed recently. In March, Minnesota released Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, a tandem that played nearly 1,400 defensive snaps in 2025. The duo, former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s major free-agent acquisitions on the defensive line last offseason, failed to meet expectations. To add insult to injury, Allen signed with the Bengals, and Hargrave joined Green Bay.

Therefore, with Minnesota’s defensive tackle situation rapidly evolving, the meeting with Orange appears particularly important.

The Other DT Options

Suppose for a moment that Minnesota wants to leave the draft with a defensive tackle but not Orange. The list from a mid-April viewpoint looks like this:

• Peter Woods (Clemson | R1)
• Kayden McDonald (Ohio State | R1-R2)
• Caleb Banks (Florida | R2)
• Christen Miller (Georgia | R2)
• Lee Hunter (Texas Tech | R2)
• Gracen Halton (Oklahoma | R3)
• Darrell Jackson Jr. (Florida State | R3)
• Kaleb Proctor (Southeastern Louisiana | R4)
• Chris McClellan (Missouri | R4)
• Dontay Corleone (Cincinnati | R4)
• Zxavian Harris (Mississippi | R4)
• Zane Durant (Penn State | R4-R5)
• DeMonte Capehart (Clemson | R5)
• Rayshaun Benny (Michigan | R5)

Hunter of Texas Tech is a popular mock-draft favorite among fans, and Minnesota met with Jackson Jr. of Florida State, as well.

The draft is nine days away. The Vikings have two picks to explore Orange in Round 3: Nos. 82 and 97.

Amelia Kerr in action© AFP