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The Western Cape Cricket (WCC) board will meet before Friday to decide whether they implement a suggestion from dispute resolution body, the Council for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), to appoint an independent assessor in 14 days time to look into Paul Adams role as Cobras head coach. The CCMA made the recommendation after several Cobras players, through the South African Cricketers Association (SACA), took their grievance with Adams to the body, following a breakdown in the boards ability to resolve long-standing issues.Seven franchise players were present at the CCMA on Tuesday to state their case but an insider told ESPNcricinfo he does not believe the board will implement the CCMAs motion because they have already given Adams their backing. The source predicts more battles between the board and players on this matter.Although none of the players complaints about Adams have been made public, 10 out of the 17 contracted players have stated on the record that they do not believe he is the right man to take the team forward. They first made their unhappiness known at the end of the last season but Cobras offered Adams a two-year contract extension. The players then raised a formal grievance and the WCC appointed a mediator, Paddy Upton, to try to find a resolution.Upton compiled a report in which he interviewed some but not all of the players and concluded that Adams should stand down and be redeployed in a different capacity at the franchise. The WCC chose not to implement those measures because they said they found material deficiencies in Uptons report, relating to the number of players he spoke to. The players then sought the help of SACA, who have assisted them in taking the case to the CCMA.On Tuesday at the CCMA meeting, Tony Irish, SACA CEO, believes some positive steps were taken. It may well be the first time that players and the board have exchanged such frank views on the issue, he said. The parties have given themselves a clear two-week period to come up with a mechanism which will hopefully finally resolve this dispute.If, by November 1, the board and the players have not reached a mutual agreement, the matter can return to the CCMA for further discussion.The ongoing saga into Adams future has coincided with the start of the season which has not gone well for Cobras. They have lost their opening two matches by big margins and their second fixture, against Knights was marred by a bad-tempered incident when Cobras batsman Zubayr Hamza was given our handling the ball. A eye-witness said members of both teams were involved in verbal altercations and there may yet be disciplinary proceedings. Cobras play Warriors in their third first-class match at Newlands, starting on Thursday. . Zvonareva, who won the tournament in 2009 and 10, couldnt handle her opponents big groundstrokes in only her third event back after 17 months out with a shoulder injury. Zvonareva made her comeback in January in Shenzhen and played in the Australian Open but lost her first matches at both tournaments. .C. -- Todd Fiddler scored a hat trick, including the overtime goal, as the Prince George Cougars survived an 8-7 win against the Kamloops Blazers in Western Hockey League play Sunday. . -- Anaheim Ducks defenceman Luca Sbisa will be out at least six weeks with a torn tendon in his right hand. . -- Former San Diego Chargers safety Paul Oliver was found dead at his Atlanta-area home Tuesday night, and a medical examiner said Wednesday that the ex-player committed suicide. . -- Former San Diego Chargers safety Paul Oliver was found dead at his Atlanta-area home Tuesday night, and a medical examiner said Wednesday that the ex-player committed suicide. ELMONT, N.Y. -- Its a jockeys natural instinct to take a hold of a horse when he wants to slow him down. But when John Velazquez took a hold of Giant Run in the early stages of Mondays $100,000 Manila Stakes at Belmont Park, the 3-year-old colt wanted to run off.So, Velazquez did the opposite of what he knew to do and let the reins go in hopes Giant Run would become less aggressive. The move worked as Giant Run did relax early on and had something in reserve when Velazquez called on him later to record a 1-1/2-length victory in the Manila.Strike Midnight finished second by three-quarters of a length over Rappel. They were followed by Life Imitates Art, Conquest See Ya, the pacesetting Too Discreet, and Dig Deep.The Manila was part of a four-win day for Velazquez, who also took the days co-feature, the $100,000 State Dinner Stakes, on Comfort ($6.40).Velazquez was riding Giant Run for the first time. He knew the horse had speed, but he also knew Too Discreet, who was drawn to Giant Runs inside, had more early speed.I didnt want to be head-and-head with him, Velazquez said.Though Giant Run broke on top, Too Discreet quickly assumed the front under Joel Rosario. Giant Run attempted to go with Too Discreet early before Velazquez changed tactics.I tried to grab him, and he run off for about five jumps, aand I let the reins go, and he relaxed.dddddddddddd. It was the complete opposite, Velazquez said. It was totally by mistake. I just didnt want to fight him.I put my hands down, loose rein, and he relaxed really well, Velazquez added. I was where I wanted to be, and when I asked him, he responded.Giant Run tracked Too Discreet through fractions of 22.82 seconds, 45.99, and 1:09.87. Giant Run took the lead in upper stretch and then ran away from Strike Midnight, who came up to challenge at the eighth pole.Giant Run, a son of Giants Causeway owned by William Mack and Robert Baker and trained by Tom Albertrani, covered the mile in 1:32.85 and returned $16 as the fifth choice in the seven-horse field.Albertrani was happy to see Giant Run be effective sitting off another horse.I didnt think he had to be on the lead; he was ratable enough where he was comfortable, Albertrani said.Albertrani is not sure how far Giant Run will run. The next middle-distance turf stakes for 3-year-olds on this circuit is the Grade 3, $200,000 National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame at Saratoga on Aug. 5 at 1-1/16 miles.I dont know how far hell go. I think a mile suits him well, Albertrani said. ' ' '
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