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Challenge Cup – Ulster 29-12 Exeter Chiefs: Hosts secure Bilbao final

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6 hours ago

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In sun-kissed Belfast – a huge contrast to the wind and rain that had impacted Ulster’s last-16 and quarter-final wins – the opening stages of the game brought plenty of intensity but was littered with handling errors from both sides.

Doak, usually so reliable from the tee, missed a penalty from just outside the 22 in the 10th minute.

Ulster thought they had made the breakthrough their early pressure deserved when Michael Lowry scampered over, but it was ruled out for a neck roll from Cormac Izuchukwu earlier in the play.

Similar to Doak, Exeter missed a big chance to get on the board when Harvey Skinner sent a penalty wide, and Ulster soon got the first try of the game in the 26th minute.

With another penalty advantage, South African back row Augustus crashed over from close range and Doak added the conversion.

Ulster then lost Stockdale to the sin-bin after he caught Immanuel Feyi-Waboso high with a tackle, and Exeter immediately capitalised as Vintcent crashed over and Skinner levelled the game.

Despite having 14 players, Ulster pressed again and were held up over the line, but undeterred they came again and, after Exeter conceded their fifth penalty of the half, Doak kicked the hosts into a three-point lead at the break.

The hosts made an electric start to the second half when, after the forwards got close to the line, Doak sprayed the ball wide and Jack Murphy raced over to extend the lead, and his half-back partner nailed the conversion.

Another chance to move further ahead was lost when Augustus was held up over the line, but Ulster’s third try came from the resulting kick when Ethan McIlroy, on for Stockdale at half-time, surged into the Exeter 22 and the ball was recycled for McCann to barge over.

Despite an improved season, Richie Murphy’s side have had a tendency not to kill teams off, but Stewart’s try, and Doak’s superb conversion from out wide, put the hosts four scores clear with 14 minutes remaining.

Ben Hammersley was sent to the sin-bin with seven minutes remaining for a deliberate knock-on to rub salt into the Chiefs’ wounds, and Ulster had more than enough in the tank to get over the line despite Ridl’s consolation score.

The only concern for the hosts was a potential hamstring injury to influential centre Stuart McCloskey, who pulled up with 10 minutes remaining after kicking the ball, and Murphy will be hoping he will be fit for the final later this month.

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How to watch Rayo Vallecano vs. Getafe in the U.S.: TV channel and streaming options for May 3

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5 minutes ago

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May 3, 2026

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La Liga action on Sunday includes Getafe meeting Rayo Vallecano. The two clubs will kick things off at 10:15 a.m. ET at Coliseum Alfonso Pérez. Getafe currently has 44 points, seventh in the league table. Rayo Vallecano has 39 points, and is in 11th.

How to watch Rayo Vallecano vs. Getafe CF in the U.S.

Rayo Vallecano vs. Getafe CF odds

Odds provided by BetMGM.

Injury reports

Getafe CF

Juanmi: Out

Rayo Vallecano

Alvaro Garcia: Out,

Isi Palazon: Out,

Randy Nteka: Doubtful,

Luiz Felipe: Out

Stats to know

  • Getafe is led by Mauro Arambarri, who has six goals in 32 games (41st in LaLiga play).
  • Getafe’s goal differential (-6) is ninth in the league.
  • Jorge De Frutos Sebastian has 10 goals in 32 games — the top scorer on Rayo Vallecano, and 15th in LaLiga.
  • Rayo Vallecano has a goal differential of -8 for the season, which ranks 11th in the league.

This watch guide was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.

Betting/odds, ticketing and streaming links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.

Photo: Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images, iStock

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Philadelphia 76ers stun Boston Celtics to complete series comeback

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18 minutes ago

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May 3, 2026

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Boston were 99-98 behind following two Neemias Queta free throws before Maxey scored eight unanswered points to give his side a 107-98 lead with 15 seconds left.

“We started off well and then in the second quarter we kind of relaxed a little,” said Embiid. “Same thing with the start of the fourth.

“But we stuck together, closed it out.”

He added: “It means a lot. You can’t win alone, you need a team to be able win and everybody doing their job.”

Embiid had returned for the last four games of the series after an emergency appendectomy had ruled him out since 6 April.

“What changed in the series is Joel Embiid came back, and they’re a completely different team,” said Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla.

Boston star Jayson Tatum missed the decider because of a left knee issue, with Jaylen Brown top scoring for them with 33 points.

“Loved the looks that we got, loved the process that we had, but hate the result,” said Mazzulla.

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How to watch Elche CF vs. Celta de Vigo in the U.S.: TV channel and streaming options for May 3

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28 minutes ago

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May 3, 2026

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Celta de Vigo and Elche CF will take the pitch in La Liga on Sunday, May 3. The match at Estadio Balaidos starts at 8 a.m. ET. Celta de Vigo currently has 44 points, sixth in the league. Elche CF has 38 points, and is in 14th.

How to watch Elche CF vs. RC Celta de Vigo in the U.S.

Elche CF vs. RC Celta de Vigo odds

Odds provided by BetMGM.

Injury reports

RC Celta de Vigo

Miguel Roman Gonzalez: Out,

Matias Vecino: Out,

Carl Starfelt: Out

Elche CF

Adam Boayar Benaisa: Out,

Yago de Santiago Alonso: Out

Stats to know

  • Borja Iglesias is Celta de Vigo’s leading scorer this year, with 12 goals in 30 games (ninth in league).
  • Celta de Vigo is sixth in the league in goal differential at +2.
  • Elche CF is led by Andre Silva, with nine goals in 27 games (17th in league).
  • Elche CF is ninth in the league in goal differential at -6.

This watch guide was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.

Betting/odds, ticketing and streaming links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.

Photo: Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images, iStock

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