‘ frost. could even be a touch of frost. tomorrow looks fairly similar today in thatan tomorrow looks fairly similar today in that an east—west switch to —— split. rain in northumberland, but it should be a little bit brighter in southeast england. as we look for the course of next week, high pressure building, things are set to stay mainly dry. there will be some sunny spells and it should feel pleasa ntly sunny spells and it should feel pleasantly warm. this is bbc news, our latest headlines. voting has closed in iraq, it's the first parliamentary election since the country declared victory over the group that calls itself islamic state. tens of thousands of people have marched through central london, demanding better pay and improved job security. the foreign office says its supporting the families of two british nationals, who were kidnapped in a national park in the democratic republic of congo. mps are calling for better mobile signals in rural areas, a letter to the department for culture, media and sport criticises what they call an "appalling lack of progress" on connectivity.

now on bbc news — sportsday. hello and welcome to sportsday, with ben mundy and me lizzie greenwood hughes. the headlines this evening....leinster do it again. champions of europe for the fourth time in their history ten—man tranmere are back in the football league... despite a first minute red card it's only his second of the season. lewis hamilton's on pole in barcelona also coming up in the programme... tiger's on the prowl at sawgrass, but has he left it too late to catch runaway leader webb simpson? and something never seen on sportsday before, medieval jousting is officially a sport. or so we are told by some international enthusiasts.

hello, thanks forjoining us. we'll get to details of a relegation in the scottish premiership — and that lewis hamilton pole in barcelona — injust a bit. but we're starting just down the road in bilbao. where leinster have won rugby union's champion's cup final after beating racing 92. and, as alex gulrajani reports. it means the irish side have been crowned european champions for a record—equalling fourth time. the colour and atmosphere flags. new ground for european rugby. racing 92 suitably smart as the top prize arrived in build—out for the first time. in the opening minutes his replacement was gone as well. still,

not enough for them to put a smile on the face of the leinster coach and he was right to be cautious. different a cite mejust and he was right to be cautious. different a cite me just to find opening points. tracing the first european title they were chasing a lei nster european title they were chasing a leinster side ready to pounce back. it was broken through only to be picked back. does the closest we got toa picked back. does the closest we got to a try and eight tension packed game settled. leinster ta ken to a try and eight tension packed game settled. leinster taken the lead for the first time in a match when it mattered. now, just to hold on. the final kick went to racing 92. not good enough. leinster, kings of europe once again. to the football. where aston villa will take a i— nil advantage over middlesbrough into the 2nd leg of their championship semi—final playoff. villa took the lead in the 15th minute when mile jedinak headed in a jack grealish corner to open the scoring at the riverside stadium. boro created chances but failed to score and now trail villa, ahead of the second—leg on tuesday

at villa park. a reminder, derby have a i—nil lead over fulham after their semi—final first leg last night. it was a tight one in the league one play—offs as scunthorpe scored a late equaliser against rotherham to draw the first leg of their semi—final, 2—all. it was the away side, rotherham who had the better of the early exchanges and took the lead when a ball over the top found jon taylor in space. but scunthorpe levelled immediately after the restart when duane holmes‘ chip was put into his own net by michael e—hek—way. the millers thought they'd won it when joe newell scored with his first touch after coming on as a subsitute. but there was late drama, as cameron mcgeehan had other ideas his first scunthorpe goal in the 88th minute made it all square going into wednesday's second leg in rotherham. in the other semi—final, charlton will start the second leg tomorrow a goal down against shrewsbury. in league two, lincoln's hopes of securing back—to—back promotions

are still alive after they drew nil—nil with exeter in the first—leg of their semi—final playoff. lincoln nearly took the lead close to the hour mark when matt rhead's header struck the crossbar. and a bit of luck and a couple of fine saves from exeter goaleeper christy pym kept his side from conceding. the two sides will meet again in the second—leg on thursday. coventry and notts county have just kickedoff in the other league two semi final first leg. 0-0 0—0 afterfour 0—0 after four minutes. one playoff has already been sorted out tranmere rovers are back in the football league after beating borehamwood in the national league final at wembley this afternoon. that's despite playing almost the entire game with ten men, as clare thornton reports. with the weight of expectation on their shoulders tranmere rovers walked out at the home of english football with a place in the league on the line. missing out on

promotion of the stage last year the pressure was all on tranmere and at home. the challenge of the opening minutes meant he saw a red and they we re minutes meant he saw a red and they were down to ten mins., not out and certainly not giving up six minutes later and the‘s header put them in front. the drummer did not start there as the players celebrated bottles were thrown from the stands. lucky not to and have been more seriously injured. this is if you would first have so six minutes added to the clock but nine were played. giving bruno enough time to score the equaliser. much to his frustration. the intensity of the second half was only broken in the sist second half was only broken in the sist minute. the winner securing their return to being as football league after a three—year absence. onto the scottish premiership and ross county have been relegated to the championship after only managing a draw at stjohnstone today. they had to better the result of patrick thistle. but they recorded a 1—0 win over dundee,

when kris doolan stabbed home the game's only goal in the 63rd minute. the result means thistle finished four points clear of ross county and they'll now play livingstone in a two—legged play off — the winner of which will be playing premiership football next season. one other result, motherwell won 3—nil at home to hamilton. in the women's super league, manchester city travelled to arsenal with both teams knowing a win would be vital in their tight battle to secure a champions league place next season. city took an early lead with nadia nadim's goal. but a strong second half from arsenal saw the hosts score twice in ten minutes — the first by danielle van de donk and then beth mead's second enough to claim victory. arsenal now sitjust one point behind second placed city in the table with two games left to play. they will not be able to catch chelsea. chelsea have a game in hand and they are playing later. ireland's first—ever test match in cricket finally got underway on day two today,

as they took on pakistan in dublin. after rain washed—out the first day, their bowlers enjoyed a productive spell, at one point reducing pakistan to 13 for 2, but the visitors closed the day 268 for 6. charles dagnall was at malahide watching the action. well, although it was 2a hours later the highlands injury into cricket provided a hugely entertaining day here. pakistan finished 268—6. they we re here. pakistan finished 268—6. they were probably be happy with that considering they were invited. but at one stage island had pakistan 159-6. at one stage island had pakistan 159—6. smart polling, intelligence captaincy and good fielding from ireland plus a couple of different shots from the pakistan border. stuart townsend both finishing with two wickets apiece and after tea ireland looked like he has tired and a little bit shabby in the field.

being dropped and both of them hitting half centuries and put pakistan nick fairley commanding position at the end of the second day. ireland will probably hope pakistan out of 250 is looks now. they will hope for around 300. after pakistan they will be looking to press on the advantage and with the slowest pitch offering little bit of movement that potent attack will be licking their lips of the process of bowling to the newest cricket test nation. 268—6 is the closest play and what a wonderful day of cricket. still to come on the programme. there's a first podium finish in two years for britain's non stanford in the world triathlon series. and you have heard about the others and meet her. the next pair of

brothers meeting english would be cut by storm. to formula one, where lewis hamilton's hopes of extending his championship lead have been boosted by taking pole for tomorrow's spanish grand prix. it's only his second of the season. and asjenny gow reports, the mercedes driver will have his team mate between him and his main rival, ferrari's sebastian vettel... the 74th position for lewis hamilton and is this 805. just 0.04 seconds behind his team—mate. shuffled back on the grid and just not finding his true form out there today and then you have got the two red as well. a really quick qualifying session with thrills and spills all the way as mick parra reports. it's one of the mo5t mick parra reports. it's one of the most familiar venue5 mick parra reports. it's one of the most familiar venues in formula i. preseason te5ting takes place here

and everyone should know what to expect. they can still throw off the odd 5urpri5e. when 5ky one of the bigge5t. the williams driver ran out of road when no one else seems to have a problem. almost a rite of a5 well. the home fan5 in5ide have a problem. almost a rite of a5 well. the home fan5 inside their hero alon5o to eighth on the grid. if this qualifying of the year. the 5harp bend it looked like for ari wa5 5harp bend it looked like for ari was coming out on top after sebastian went quicke5t in the first two sessions. since the opening weekend in australia lewi5 two sessions. since the opening weekend in australia lewis hamilton wa5 unstoppable. he found fractions we re wa5 unstoppable. he found fractions were other5 wa5 unstoppable. he found fractions were others could not breaking the track record to take pole ahead of his mercede5 team—mate byjust for hundredth5 of a second. his mercedes team—mate byjust for hundredths of a second. more of a quarter of a second behind in third they hope they can extend his championship lead. great atmosphere here in barcelona and a great crowd a lot of bridges fancier in spanish fa n5 a lot of bridges fancier in spanish fans here he was supporting a break so fans here he was supporting a break 5oi fans here he was supporting a break so i appreciate everyone and even closing qualifying but very happy.

so i appreciate everyone and even closing qualifying but very happylj was happy with the last one but the first run in q3 was happy with the last one but the first run in 03 was not so good. i locked its the first quarter with the last one i was happy. i was feeling good and until the end. i looked and at the tower there and i looked and at the tower there and i looked where i ended up. i saw my name did not go to the top, so not entirely happy, but we expected mercedes to be very strong sol think tomorrow should be interesting. for points is the difference between the leader lewis hamilton and sebastian vettel, the next man in the standings. 2018 has been all about tight races, close battles a nd been all about tight races, close battles and we hope for another one here at around five in barcelona. the third round is underway at the players championship in sawgrass in florida, wherejordan spieth and tiger woods have moved into contention. woods had a phenomenal round carding a seven—under—par 65. but he's still seven shots from leader webb simpson who's on 15 under — and just getting his round underway. spieth is also on 8 under.

britain's simon yates has maintained his lead in the giro d'talia. ecuador‘s richard carapaz won stage eight with yates finishing safely in the bunch to keep his 16 second lead over defending champion tom dumoulin. chris froome was also in that group and is ninth overall. british sprinter reece prescod stunned the world champion justin gatlin by beating him in the 100 metres in shanghai. prescod excelled in the rain to run a season's best time of 10.04 seconds for his first diamond league victory. fellow briton cj ujah finished fourth, while justin gatlin wa5 seventh. and he said that the reason why he thinks he won that other than that he is very fast runner is that he trains in the rain. so when it rains in shanghai he was like yeah, i can do this. in rugby league's challenge cup, st helens are through to the quarter—finals

after overpowering castleford tigers at the jungle. it was the ben barba show in west yorkshire as the ‘man of steel‘ favourite scored a hat—trick of tries, his first after running the length of the pitch. but the australian saved his best until last, jinking his way round five tigers defenders to score an incredible try and put the super league leaders into the last eight. 36—18 the final score. in today's other challenge cup sixth round game — catalans dragons crushed whitehaven - 56-10 there was progress for britain's non stanford at the world triathalon series in japan. she secured her first podium finish in two years taking bronze in yokohama. commonwealth champion flora duffy from bermuda won the race, 43 seconds ahead of stanford, who admitted afterwards that she had been looking at a future away from the sport. i spent last night googling job applications and over breakfast this

morning i was reading what i had to do to apply for this particularjob. idid not do to apply for this particularjob. i did not expect that at all today. really, really tough two years. i have gone through a lot and a lot of ups and downs. this can be super cruel and super tough and it shows if you stay patient and keep plugging away then you can get back up plugging away then you can get back up there, really. mario mola of spain won the men's race. the spaniard finished first for a record third consecutive time in yokohama to extend his lead at the top of the standings. britain's grant sheldon wa518th, with thomas bishop back in 24th. now, breaking the cycle of youth crime in britain's cities has become one of our most pressing social issues. knife and gun crime — in particular has commanded attention in recent weeks. and, one man who lived the gangster‘s life is now trying to stop children following his path. as our sports correspondent joe wilson found out, he is using cricket to do so. he describes as of the urban youth

specialist. i love the fact that you hear a levens are doing your gcse is because i did not do that.|j hear a levens are doing your gcse is because i did not do that. i had to do the equivalent when i was in prison. like so many other grown men. and all you year eights are going to do your gcse u5e on-o? —— aren't you? i stuck it out the window and just fired it up the air. the lessons drawn from his experience. all came before he decided to change. the feeling of firing the gun made me have no concern for education. iju5t firing the gun made me have no concern for education. i just wanted to bea concern for education. i just wanted to be a bad man. we're going to get ready for pe now. ok, all right, cool ready for pe now. ok, all right, cool. this is where sport comes in. well, you can talk to young people ina well, you can talk to young people in a classroom all day long. the key

is to engage them as something positive. something constructive. or energetic. something like cricket. he is working with the chance to 5hine charity and lottery funding from sport england. why this? cricket is a different form for the boys and girls. getting them to let off some frustration. it's also a great way to engage and carry on the information. unfortunately it is glamorized for dumb people. we have to be honest about that. if you have got a knife and you are with your mates you do want to look like an idiot and so you're going to stab him so you should not carry around knives. you'll end up using it. he knows about it because he was actually one of them, a gangster. when you were walking to the field i heard them saying i will never ever carry a knife. all of them are saying it. in this playground of children who are waiting to be influenced, a plastic cricket bat

and a tennis ball not everything, but something. he believes the best opportunities are found in unlikely places. joe wilson, bbc news. the underwoods, the vunipolas, the youngs... when it comes to playing rugby for england with your brother, there's some history. and now there's a new duo on the scene — but you'll probably not see them on the pitch together. good news for commentators across the land, for the olowofela's are identical twins. ben croucher caught up with them, ahead of what is set to be a busy summer... i'm ryan. i'mjordan. we play rugby for england. meet ryan and jordan to the brightest identical twins in english rugby. physically, he's got a scar on his left eyebrow. i think i threw a pot at his head. these to torment them for that. he's older now and so he does not really care. his hairflops down and my hair is up. that's about it. separated by about five minutes at birth of these twins are headed in different directions.

jordan plays for lester and made his england under 205 debut at the six nations. brian in the england sevens squad. i never thought i would make it this year. anything i does work hard at training. the coaches really enjoying what i'm doing and pushing myself. smashing fitness. and whilst domestic rugby will kick back of the summer these two will be kept busy. the under 20 world should be two kicks off and have wanted over the last five years and beaten finalists. we have to set our own legacy. not really looking ahead at the weird is going to take each game is it comes along. who'll be running out at twickenham for the first time for the london leg of the worlds of seven 5erie5. just be crazy when you are tired and fading and you can't really be bothered you think about it

and in three weeks that's in the back of your mind. like most 20—year—olds they relaxed the bit of thief or fortnight. and evolves strange ritual. they're under no illusions when it comes to keeping the red rose on their chest there's only one move. it's like what you do after and the next step and not going out drinking it's like getting massages or that stuff. that little extra bit. different paths that may be treading but it's a mindset that mayjust lead the fellows to the top of their sport. a couple of faces to look out for. my my daughter has been doing and i wondered what she was doing. this we are dancing thing. we need to practice some more. and before we go. over 500 knights are fighting this weekend in the world's biggest medieval combat championship.

it was started 20 years ago by historical reenactors, bored with simply playing out scenes from the past. it's the first time the sport, has come to the uk and mike bu5hell was drafted in to help team scotland, at scoon palace near perth... from across the known world, they came hither. ye old, and not quite so old. ye brave, and not quite as brave. the bold, and not quite as bold! a force like never before. the chance to keep alive the conflict and culture of a time gone by. but this is no re—enactment, it's a recognised sport with 31 countries here. hello! we are from china! we are obviously re—enacting a period of time in history but we are doing it as a sport. this is full contact sport. this is mma in armour.

most things are allowed. there are certain zones you shouldn't hit. you shouldn't hit the groin for obvious reasons, you shouldn't hit the back of the knees and you shouldn't twist limbs in an unnatural action, we don't want bone breaks. we get a few injuries but it's not that bad. other full contact sports, like hockey, rugby, that's same level of injuries. we do have them but they're not that common. watching scotland against the not so ye old usa, it is amazing there aren't more injuries. but it's that thick armour and helmets that protect you. it was beautiful. beautiful. it was brutal. i can't even watch ufc boxing, i find it too violent. but you do this. but this is ok. you have protection everywhere. yes. and you can kick. 0k. argh. psychologically it can be hard to take the hit.

the main thing is to stay on your feet because people who win, the team that wins will be the one that has the last person standing. how many times have you been hurt? i've never been hurt, no. just a bruise. usually from the armour pinching than the actual hit. it feels worse than it is. after being reassured, it was time for me, sir mike—alot, to fight, with my trusty red shield. and the tactic was to give them a runaround until quebec's tallest gladiator put a chink in my armour. but i had a cunning plan. hold on for dear life. in the end, a non—contest with andrew from quebec victorious. that wasn't your hardest fight, sir. ah, it was fun, though. some fights go on a lot longer. this outnumbered australian stood his ground against the odds to force a draw against england.

and it looks like we got off lightly, a reminder why you shouldn't try this at home. a crestfallen fighter from finland carted off by ye old paramedics. luckily a precaution and he's ready to fight another day. come on! the first to me55iness and i am in shock. what is mike thinking? why on earth would it think that is a sport. how can that be a sport? i do a lot with safety and when you think about the years of research that go into making crash hats 5afe about the years of research that go into making crash hats safe and they are bashing each other on the head with a thin piece of ten. it's a bit of fun with a thin piece of ten. it's a bit offun and with a thin piece of ten. it's a bit of fun and he took the kid home with him apparently. just to give you an update on a real sport, coming tree and nottingham 070. still goalless. 22 minutes on the clock.

that's all from sportsday. we'll have more throughout the evening. good evening. we have high contrast and colour of the sky that there today. very crake and the damp and cloudy in the east, first in the west as the more blue sky and 5un5hine on offer. this was the view this afternoon. fairweather cloud around and more cloud that's been producing rain from a central and eastern parts of the country. here's the satellite picture and view from space. you can the satellite picture and view from space. you can see the satellite picture and view from space. you can see clear skies across space. you can see clear skies acro55 parts of northern ireland the west of scotland into western parts of wales and west england as well. the cloud and rain in the east will continue its progression northwards. clearing eventually from the southeast of mushy pu5h clearing eventually from the southeast of mushy push into northeast england afterwards eastern scotla nd northeast england afterwards eastern scotland as well. so a few showers on going with the far southwest of

england overnight as well. should ease by donna with a clear skies a chilly start a sunday morning. a clear skies actually started sunday morning. attached is frost and milder in the east where you have got that cloud around. that 5um5 milder in the east where you have got that cloud around. that sums up sunday. cloud acro55 got that cloud around. that sums up sunday. cloud across the parts of the east and sunny spells further west. an east—west split continues for the day and fabrics a range anywhere through ligature towards aberdeen. pushing its way for the northwards but the best of the se55ion northwards but the best of the session will be for west of scotland, northern ireland and wales. there will be some sunny spells for the southeast of england towards the midlands. i brighter day that has been. temperatures up to 17 but a bit cooler around the east coast. a5 but a bit cooler around the east coast. as we look ahead through sunday night and into monday we have low— pressure sunday night and into monday we have low—pressure setting acro55 france and still not far away. high—pressure trying to move in from the southwest. that should quiet the weather down as look for the course of next week. for monday so chance of next week. for monday so chance ofa of next week. for monday so chance of a few showers in the southeast. cloudy here during the morning and

elsewhere a lot of sunshine on offer. try david blade wins and more cloud pushing in from the northwest. those temperatures should be warmer than they have been over the course of the weekend. looking at highest the region of 21 degrees or so on monday and that will continue on into tuesday as well. fine day with high pressure building and noticed some rain heading into the west of scotla nd some rain heading into the west of scotland and northern ireland at times later on. for england and wales they will hold onto that 5un5hine wales they will hold onto that sunshine and it certainly will feel warmer than it has. two bridges that tommy gets a tuesday around 23 celsius or so with high—pressure continuing to build through the course of next week and a lot of dry weather on the cusp. sunshine to be enjoyed and things will feel for the evening. he could find the latest 14 day forecasts on our website. goodbye. this is bbc news. the headlines: the polls have closed in iraq's first parliamentary elections since the government declared victory over the so—called islamic state group. tens of thousands of people have

marched through central london, demanding better pay and improved job security. two british tourists are among three people kidnapped at gunpoint in a democratic republic of congo national park. mp5 and campaigners criticise a "lack of progress" on mobile connectivity in rural areas. also in the next hour — a novel plan to regenerate the high street in dumfries. a community group is leading the fight against decline in the town's centre — with hopes of drawing the crowds back to the shops. and lewis hamilton takes his first pole position since the opening race of the season at the spanish grand prix in barcelona. good evening and welcome to bbc news.