Strangest game of the weekend was surely Catalans conspiring to lose a thriller 25-24 to buoyant Wakefield.
Sabatini never did too well at Wimbledon, reaching the final just once, in 1991, losing a thriller to Steffi Graf.
After winning the Lord Derby Cup a month ago, Catalans Dragons' reserve grade fell at the semi-final hurdle of the French Championship on Saturday, losing a thriller 17-16 to favourites AS Carcassonne, while Limoux squeezed past Lezignan 22-18 in the other semi, both played at neutral Foix.
It will not comfort poor Nottinghamshire, another thriller lost and having also lost Chris Read until July with a hand broken by Best, but this was a game that had the lot, and was closer than the margin – 69 runs – suggests.
Sat 7pm, Red Bull Arena (MSG, ROOT Sports) The Red Bulls lost a 5-4 toriller to Chicago in their last home game, then promptly fell behind against Toronto in their next game, with another self-inflicted goal.
The three points were earned with a comfort they never enjoyed in the 2-1 victory against Liverpool at home last season, remembering they also lost a 3-2 thriller at Anfield.
The victory was sweet redemption for the 49ers, who lost an overtime thriller to the New York Giants a year ago in the NFC title game.
He has made the finals at Wimbledon three times, including last year, when he lost a five-set thriller to Roger Federer.
Tarantino is bang-on: all these years later, Franklin's outback thriller has lost none of its menace.
