Falcons up for the challenge

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), April 7, 2006

Rugby Union: Newcastle Falcons have named their squad for tomorrow's Melrose Sevens, with Eni Gesinde captaining the side.

England Sevens international Ollie Phillips is selected for the event after appearing on the IRB Sevens circuit this season, as is Scotland Sevens and under-21 international Cameron Johnston.

Squad: Ed Williamson, Stuart Mackie, Tim Visser, Mark Laycock, Andrew Skeen, Cameron Johnston, Ollie Phillips, Eni Gesinde (captain), Simon Manners, Ralph Smyth.

Lucky 13!

Golf: Jean Van de Velde's first victory for 13 years ( and first since he blew the 1999 Open from three ahead with one to play ( has earned him the European Tour's Golfer of the Month award for March.

North target

Rugby Union: Northumber-land face Oxford University in the quarter-finals of the National Under-20 Champion-ship (at Oxford University tomorrow 2.00).

Squad: Jack Harrison (Tynedale), James Rastall (Tynedale), Hamish Smales (Tynedale), Fraser Shaw (Northumbria University), Peter Cole (Morpeth), Marcus Jackson (Northumbria University), Max Holmes (Gosforth), Andrew Ions (Tynedale), Peter Hall (Gosforth), Simon Walker (Morpeth), Ed Astley (Morpeth), Adam Walker (Darlington MP) captain, Philip Ludford (Morpeth), Chris Hall (Tynedale), Mark McClean (Northumbria University).

Mark in time

Ice Hockey: Basingstoke Bison have confirmed Canadian Mark Bernard will return as coach for the 2006-07 Elite League campaign.