Mixed emotions with different winners dominated the sports scene.
There’s Ty Gibbs who is now a Cup winner for the first time after three long years at this level following his 2022 NASCAR 2nd tier championship.
Then the Hurricanes controlled the weather convincingly past the Blues Mountains while Reds rinsed and repeated their famous 2011 Final rematch victory v multi-time champions Crusaders in Super Rugby.
Finally, Netball is back with the 2026 ANZ Premiership season where results were largely same except a stunning Auckland derby without a number of Silver Fern Internationals now able living their Aussie dreams in Super Netball.
That’s why Sports Benches looks back the best of sports that you don’t wanna miss once a week.
If that’s not enough sports for you, we also relive the exact same highlights with the week’s best General Hospital scenes every weekend.
NASCAR Cup Series: Food City 500 at Bristol
Ty Gibbs, welcome to victory lane, after he became the newest Cup winning driver at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Yes, he had some ups and downs earlier on but quick pit stops & the way he’s able to make that No.54 Toyota Camry work set up ahead of the 2nd half was unreal.
He didn’t even have to change what was working while enjoying the high side, now that’s an excellent drive right there.
Ryan Blaney, oh so close as the best Ford Mustang today in the No.12 Penske camp.
He too had his own account of struggles like trying to pass Kyle Larson for the lead numerous times when his earlier pit road performance didn’t help much.
What changed though was capitalising on Larson’s inability to defend on the long runs which was his own good dose of medicine.
Just not quite though despite playing safe with his fresh set of adjustments off late yellows before restarts, having been upsurged by Gibbs at overtime.
Kyle Larson saw excellent signs of progress behind his No.5 Chevy Camaro for Hendrick throughout the first half afternoon.
Trying to maintain the lead through lapped traffic was the one big problem Kyle struggled with, particularly lacking right rear tire grip. However, he has at least pushed the best he can also re-energised in 3rd.
Super Rugby Week 9/16: Queensland Reds v Crusaders & Hurricanes v Blues
The best of Super Rugby Week 9 did not disappoint where the Hurricanes just too good for Blues, 42-19, before Reds sees off Crusaders as if it’s the 2011 Super Rugby Final again at Suncorp Stadium, 31-26.
Devan Flanders had his work cut out on the Hurricanes blindside six like holding glue & providing continuity at the breakdown.
Their backline stars have also aligned from Ruben Love’s creativity that flattens width at 10 to Callum Harkin’s two-try stunner (full-back) given the amazing support given by the Canes free-flowing attack.
Bradley Slater, meanwhile, had his fair share of hard yards in & out of the ruck including line-out time.
He helped Blues exploit with their early momentum from behind but then it’s just too much easy pickings unfortunately despite the Canes ill-discipline.
With Reds v Crusaders, that Reds back row forwards were tough as nails by setting up a great show – whether if it’s attack or defense – courtesy of Fraser McReight (Open 7) & Harry Wilson (No.8).
Can’t get enough of Josh Flook (Outside 13) who possesses threatening speed through open space for his numbers to capitalise with these lovely scores.
Chay Fihaki collects the consolation prize who cuts corners on wide areas at No.14 but then Crusaders lack tactics inconsistently where Reds ran riot on the home front.
ANZ Premiership Netball Round 1/10: Mainland Tactix v Southern Steel
No Silver Ferns players? No problem for the Tactix over Steel by 55-42.
Same with Central Pulse who retained their starting goal defender Parris Mason and yet they still win against Waikato BOP Magic, 53-45.
Although can’t believe the Northern Stars flipped their five-star squad on paper into a game-winning performance over Northern Mystics for the battle of two Auckland teams, 63-59.
It’s all about continuing their title defense with a new lease of players who are more than eager to write the next chapter in New Zealand’s sports history of Netball.
For starters, Charlie Bell the towering Australian continues to make ANZ Premiership her own off the back of the Tactix’s structured attacking passage plays.
That way, her laser-focused approach is what shooting buckets was all about.
Then Amorangi Malesala exploited her goal attacking tools following her bit-part role last year with the Pulse.
Her presence now at the Tactix is less on just being a focal point & more on increasing their conversion rate, which was exactly what she was brought in to do.
Steel captain Kimiora Poi provided mobility & co-operation between her defensive three & her shooters at Wing Attack.
It’s unfortunate that Steel weren’t making enough calculated risks consistently but on the back foot, especially with Kate Heffernan (C/WD) now at the Adelaide Thunderbirds. Can’t rely on luck as Steel is urging others to help their shooters execute goals efficiently that never stops full 60.
