James O'Brien 
Marc White, the outspoken owner‑manager of Dorking Wanderers, says social media and a YouTube documentary have helped revive fan love for non‑league football, boosting attendances and viewership. The club, now in the National League South, is two promotions away from the Football League and hopes to become one of the most recognised success stories in the sport.
Former UFC security guard Sal Everett knocked out Ozzy Martin in the first round of Dana White’s Contender Series, securing a contract with the promotion. UFC president Dana White praised Everett’s performance and awarded him the deal, marking a career‑changing moment for the 29‑year‑old fighter.
Tom Pidcock finished second at the Tre Valli Varesine one‑day race in Varese but was left furious after two of his Pinarello‑Q36.5 teammates were knocked off their bikes by a police vehicle travelling the wrong way on the course. The incident forced one teammate to stop and the other to receive stitches, prompting Pidcock to say he wanted to stop racing altogether.
World No.4 Coco Gauff won her third‑round match at the China Open, beating teenage Chinese prospect Sun Xinran 7‑5, 6‑1 after a disputed video replay. Gauff addressed the crowd’s reaction, saying they were respectful, and praised Xinran’s potential, while coach Rick Macci predicted the youngster will break into the top‑20 by age 18.
USA captain Jim Furyk warned that his team will be the underdogs as they aim to end a 34‑year drought of away Ryder Cup victories at the 2027 event in Ireland. He discussed changes to the foursomes strategy, the inclusion of younger players, and the challenge of improving the team’s poor recent record in the alternate‑shot format.
Lancashire County Cricket Club has appointed former Sussex head coach Paul Farbrace as its new director of cricket, taking over from Mark Chilton who departed last month. Farbrace, who guided Sussex to a third‑place finish in Division One despite a points penalty, expressed mixed emotions about leaving after four years.
England women’s rugby forward Marlie Packer will miss the upcoming North American tour for the test series against Canada and the United States as she stays in the UK to give birth. Coach John Mitchell confirmed the squad changes, noting the return of Kelsey Clifford and the absence of several other players due to injury.
The Atlanta Falcons thrashed the New Orleans Saints 45-24, tallying six touchdowns. Bijan Robinson contributed two rushing scores while Brian Robinson added three touchdowns, leading to a dominant win for the Falcons.
World number one 19‑year‑old Luke Littler was beaten 6‑5 by world number 68 Cam Crabtree in the semi‑final of the World Youth Championship, missing the chance to hold both senior and youth world titles. The win sends Crabtree to the final against Jan Schmidt, while Littler remains outside the top 64 of the Players Championship Order of Merit, jeopardising his qualification for the Players Championship Finals.
The England and Wales Cricket Board indicated it may fund a women’s Test in the West Indies in 2027 if financial support is required, aiming to give England a red‑ball warm‑up ahead of the Ashes. ECB chair Richard Thompson stressed the importance of the match and expressed hope it will go ahead despite West Indies’ financial challenges.