Sports digest

Graham Ferguson (Cambuslang Harriers) was the top junior athlete of the year with Cambuslang rugby club and Cambuslang Harriers receiving the Junior and Senior team awards respectively.

Coaches awards were made to Mike Johnston (athletics) and Alan Byrne (volleyball) with John Storrie receiving a special award for long-term services to cycling over the past 50 years.

Results: TSB North of Scotland Schools Cross Country Championships at Gordonstoun.: Boys: Senior: 6000m, - C Poole (Fortrose Acad) 21mins 45sec. Team - Dingwall Acad 33 points. Intermediate, 4000m - J Stephen (Fortrose Acad) 15-11: Team - Dingwall Acad 32 points. Junior: 3000m - S Obree (Invergordon School) 11-39. Team - Forres Acad 38 points. Girls: Senior, 4000m - C Broad (Gordonstoun School) 15-34. Team - Gordonstoun School 24 points. Intermediate: 3000m - J Main (Inverness Royal Acad) 12-36. Team - Dingwall Acad 33 points. Junior: 3000m - M Spence (Inverness Royal Acad) 12-58. Team - Inverness Royal Acad 28 points.

ALASTAIR Stewart (Ayr Seaforth) won the fifth Crossmichael Thistle Marathon yesterday by three seconds in one of the closest finishes ever.

He clocked 2h 40m 55s for the scenic route round Loch Ken and just held off Ian Brown (Babcock Pitreavie), who finished in 2.40.58 with last year's winner Les Hill (Dumfries Running Club) back in third place.

Hill's time of 2.45.36 was his fastest so far in five Crossmichael runs and nearly four minutes faster than his winning time last year. All three were also competing in the veterans' section and took the top awards.

Ladies' winner was Kate Todd (Johnny Walker Kilmarnock Harriers) in 3.13.55, with Carole Milnes (East Cheshire Harriers) second in 3.37.04. Last year's ladies' winner Caroline McPhail (Dumfries RC) was third, a further 12min 12sec behind.

Super veterans, men - l, David Chadderton (Dumfries RC) 2.54.56. Team - Dumfries RC. women - l, Kate Todd.

The 15-mile Crossmichael Thistle road race, run in conjunction with the marathon, was won by Paul Russell (Cambuslang Harriers) in 1h 28m 59s with Anthony Wilson (Troon Tortoise) taking second place.

The women's section was won by Kathy Wright (Retford AC), last year's woman's marathon winner, in 1.43.13.

Other results: Men: veterans - Anthony WIlson. super veterans - Pat Kelly 1.37.01. Women: veterans - Catherine McKean (Troon Tortoise). super veterans - Vicky Hannah 2.16.47.

STA Scottish Trial for home countries international duathlon championship (run 5000m/cycle 30km/run 5000m):

Men - 1, D Smith (Aberdeen) 1hr 24mins 50secs; 2, P Dymoke (Edinburgh) 1-25-58; 3, J Maitland (Leeds Mercury) 1-26-12. veteran - J O'Donovan (Fleetfeet Tri) 1-27-52. junior - D McKerracher (Lomond) 1-28-18. Women - 1, F Lothian (Dundee) 1-30-12; 2, S Forrester (Aberdeen) 1-32-27; 3, J Shand (Fleetfeet Tri) 1-39-21. veteran - J Mark (Eyemouth) 1-36-09. junior -- L Paterson (Stirling) 1-43-30

Bruce Winter Triathlon series (run 6000m/cycle 15km/swim 400m) at Cowdenbeath:

Men - 1, P Gallagher (Bruce) 48mins 30secs; 2, S Talbot (Australia) 49-38; 3, N Young (Bruce) 55-33. veteran - A Kerr (Ayr) 59-36. Women - 1, L Burt (Edinburgh) 64-10; 2, M Cross (East Fife) 65-01; 3, J Telfer (Bruce) 67-35. veteran- G Kilpatrick (East Fife) 80-39.

SSAD Scottish Handicapped Cross Country Championships at Dechmont High School, Livingston. Men: 5000m - 1, S Rodger (Red Star) 18min 36 sec (record); 2, A Robertson (Fife) 19-23; 3, D Tuach (Red Star) 19-27. 3000m - 1, B Curdie (Red Star) 12-12; 2, C Bernard (Fife) 12-15; 3, A Stuart (Red Star) 12-32. Under-15: 2000m - M Duffy (Red Star) 8-37. Under-13: 800m - J Reid (Dundee) 4-19. Women: 3000m - 1, M Brown 17-01; 2, L Williamson 18-55; 3, G Fitzsimmons 19-16 (all Red Star). Under-15: 2000m - L McLaughlin (Red Star) 11-28. Under-13: 800m - A-M Reid (Dundee) 4-48.

East Dunbartonshire Schools Cross Country League, Parkburn, Lenzie. Boys: Seniors - 1, W Potts (Lenzie Moss) 5min 48sec; 2, T Differ (St Flannans) 5-51; 3, S Taggart (St Matthews) 6-03. Team - St Matthews, 12 points. Juniors - P Grant (St Helens) 6-10. Team - St Matthews, 15 points. Girls: Seniors - 1, N Cassells 6-49; 2, K McNeil 6-55 (both Millersneuk); 3, N Smith (Oxgang) 6-58. Team - Millersneuk, 8 points. Juniors - J Witchell (Balmuildie) 6-40. Team - Balmuildie, 14 points.

Chapelgill 2.5 miles/1500ft Hill Race at Glenholm, near Broughton, including Tiso Scottish Championship, first round - 1, M Rigby (Westerlands) 18min 52sec (course record); 2, M Patterson (Shettleston, veteran) 19-14; A Ward (Carnethy Hill Runners) 19-36. Team - Shettleston 33 points. Women - 1, A Mudge 22-36; 2, H Diamentides 23-16 (both Carnethy Hill Runners); 3, S Armitage (Cosmic Hillbashers) 24-45. Veteran - J Smith (Penicuik) 28-25. Team - Carnethy Hill Runners 7 points.

Spango Valley Owen McGhee Trophy 6-mile road race at Greenock - 1, S Conaghan (Spango Valley) 28min 35 sec (course record); 2, A Puckrin (Kilbarchan) 29-19; 3, T Tipping 30-03. Veteran - C Spence 30-56. Under-17 - D Fraser 32-21 (all Spango Valley). Women - 1, A-M McKee 35-26; 2, M Blaikie (35-42 (both Spango Valley).

British Post Office Cross Country Championships, Beach Park, Irvine. Men: 9600m - 1, P Green (North West) 30min 17sec; 2, G Deacon (Midlands) 31-14; 3, I Brown (Scotland) 31-32. Other Scottish placings - 6, S Pride 31-59; 8, J Cunningham 32-12; 12, K McCue 32-56. Teams - 1, Scotland 29 points; 2, Midlands 43; 3, South Central 62. Women: 4800m - 1, B Jenkins (North West) 17-28; 2, S Griffiths (North East) 18-07; 3, J Clarke (South Central) 18-34. Scottish placings - 21, M Edwards 24-47; 24, J Somerville 27-00; 25, I Wright 27-15. Teams - 1, North West 10 points; 2, North East 15; 3, Midlands 34; 8, Scotland 70.

Western Isles Cross Country Championships, Hosta Machair, North Uist. Men: Senior - A Dunlop (Lewis). Under-20 - L McIsaac (North Uist). Under-17 - A Cameron (North Uist). Under-15 - R McLean (Barra). Under-13 - J McLeod (Lewis). Under-11 - P Murray (Lewis). Women: Senior - A McPhee (Lewis). Under-20 - F McKinnon (Benbecula). Under-17 - S McIntyre (South Uist). Under-15 - E Hart (South Uist). Under-13 - M MacNeil (Barra). Under-11 - K McLeod (Lewis).

CONCERN was expressed at yesterday's annual meeting of the Scottish Athletic Officials Association at Glasgow that Scots officials were being handicapped at Great Britain international and Grand Prix matches in England.

Rhona Sneddon (Central AC) was elected president with Ann Carter (City of Glasgow AC) and Colin Medrum (Dundee Hawkhill Harriers) being elected secretarty and treasurer respectively.

Galloway News Marathon at Crossmichael - 1, A Stewart (Ayr Seaforth, veteran) 2-40-55; 2, I Brown 2-40-58; 3, L Hill (veteran) 2-45-36 (both Dumfries). Women - 1, K Todd (JW Kilmarnock, veteran) 3-13-55; 2, C Mills (unattached) 3-47-04; 3, M McPhail (Dumfries, veteran) 3-49-16.

Ellon & District Schools cross country championships at Haddo House, Tarves: Boys - Senior - 1, M Cutler (Strathburn) 5-32; 2, D Rennie (Meiklemill) 5-36; 3, P Gray (Strathburn) 5-39. Intermediate - S Muir (Meiklemill) 5-29. Junior - A Gray (Strathburn) 5-49.

Girls: Seniors - 1, J Halkett 5-42; 2, D Youngson 6-04 (both Meiklemill); 3, V Presley (Meldrum) 6-11. Intermediate - V Myles (Meiklemill) 6-14. Junior - M Stephen (Fetterangus) 6-09.

Overall large schools championship - Meiklemill. Small schools championship - Fetterangus.

Nike National Young Athletes cross country relay finals at Meadowfield, Durham, Boys: Under-17 - 1, North Belfast 24-15; 3, Greenock Glenpark 24-31. Under-15 - 1, Sunderland 25-34. Under-13 - 1, Derby and County 27-39; 2, Stewart Melville's College 27-45; 4, Giffnock North 28-18.

Girls: Under-17 - 1, Derby Ladies 29-14; 6, City of Glasgow 30-29; 8, Kilbarchan 32-40. Under-15 - 1, Kilbarch 29-37; 9, City of Glasgow 32-39. Under-13 - 1, Liverpool 29-42; 4, Giffnock North 31-03.

Mountain Bike Duathlon (run 32 miles/cycle 10 miles/run 2 miles) at New Luce - 1, I Hannah (Southwest Multi Sports) 51-56; 2, G Spencer (Norham) 62-12; 3, J Hannah (Southwest Multi Sports) 62-56. Women - R Lawson (Glasgow, veteran) 65-58.

McDonald's Scottish Young Athletes Indoor League Final Match, Kelvin Hall, Glasgow Men: Under-20 - 1, Larkhall 43 pts; 2, Digital Ayr Seaforth 36 pts; 3, Whitemoss 32 pts. Under-17 - Whitemoss 41 pts. Under-15 - Digital Ayr Seaforth 46 pts. Under-13 - Airdrie 36 pts.

Women: Under-20 -1, Digital Ayr Seaforth 38 pts; 2, Pyeroy Hamiton 31 pts; 3, Livingston & District 31 pts. Under-17 - Victoria Park 40 pts. Under-15 - Digital Ayr Seaforth 36 pts. Under-13 - Digital Ayr Seaforth 33 pts.

Scottish Veterans six stage road relay championships at Torrance - 1, Ron Hill Cambuslang 2-42-06; 2, Metro Aberdeen 2-44-00; 3, Dundee Hawkhill 2-49-16. Fastest lap times : Lap 1 - R Taylor (Metro) 27-15; Lap 2 -I Stewart (FMC Carnegie) 26-38; Lap 3 - C McDougall (Cambuslang) 26-29; Lap 4 - F Barton (Cambuslang) 25-59; Lap 5 - S Borland (Dundee Hawkhill) 26-59; Lap 6 - K Varney (Metro) 26-34.

Badminton

Former Scottish open champion Camilla Martin inflicted a surprise defeat on China's World Champion Ye Zhaoying in the final of the Swiss Open Championships in Basle winning in straight sets 12-9 11-8.

And Peter Gade Christensen moved back to the top of the world rankings with victory over All England champion Sun Jun - the man who put out Scottish champion Bruce Flockhart in the second round- taking 84 minutes to win 15-12 8-15 15-11.

Scottish Masters semi finals: Men' singles - D Travers (Perth) beat I Little (Washington) 15-3, 15-3; P Higman (Cleveland) beat I Campbell (Edinburgh) 15-4, 15-3

Ladies singles: - C Black (Edinburgh) beat J Hunter(Edinburgh) 11-5, 11-2; C King (Clydebank) beat J Rumgay (Perth) 11-5, 6-11, 12-11.

Men's doubles - L Douglas (Glasgow) and D Travers beat P Howe and R Taylor (both Bolton) 15-4, 17-16; W Hamblitt and C Vines (both Ramsbottom) beat J Cocker and A Edgely (both Preston) 15-2, 5-15, 15-12.

Ladies doubles: - J Steen (Tayport) and W Symington (Broughty Ferry) beat E Hamilton (Glasgow) and C King 15-7,. 15-2; B Davidson (Carslie) and J Hust (Inglby Barrwick) beat C Black and J Rumgay 15-9, 15-4.

Cycling

DREW Wilson, of Clarke Contracts, a contender for the Commonwealth Games team, won the opening road race in the Scottish Grand Prix series when he held off five other riders in a sprint finish at Rosneath on the Gareloch.

Wilson, who was in the leading group of six riders who broke away on the first of four loops taking in the Whistlefield climb, won in a fast time of 3hrs 11mins 28secs for the 85-mile course. Second was Englishman Tim Gill, Pace Racing, and third another Englishman, Jeff Wright, riding for Edinburgh Bike Club. James Millar, Paisley Racing Team, Neil Brown, Deeside Thistle, and Richard Moore, Clarke Contracts, who were also in the original lead group, were given the same time as Wilson. The Clarke Contracts trio of Wilson, Moore and Gary Paterson took the team prize.

Cricket

Scotland coach Jim Love watched an England legend put his troops through their paces yesterday - and saw a star in the making.

Love took 16 players to Headingly for an intensive workout with former test bowler Geoff Arnold and couldn't hide his delight at the showing of novice left-arm seamer Asim Butt.

The former Royal High star, snapped-up by Heriot's during the close-season and the only uncapped player in the squad, has burst into the limelight after impressing Love at a series of winter training sessions.

Now the coach believes Butt could be ready to claim his first cap in this season's B&H Cup campaign.

The Scots will have another session with Arnold in a fortnight. They could then pitch Butt in against Durham in two friendlies before opening their B&H campaign against Yorkshire at Boghall on May 2.

Boxing

STEVE McLevy, of Glasgow, tops the bill at the St Andrew's Sporting Club tonight, knowing that he must win if he is to achieve anything further in the sport. The Scottish light-welterweight champion meets Hull's Jimmy Phelan. He took the fight at the last-minute after the scheduled feature attraction, a British flyweight title eliminator between Bonnyrigg's Keith Knox and Jason Thomas of Cardiff was postponed. Thomas has flu.

The rest of the four-fight bill features Cleland light-middleweight Joe Townsley against Pedro Carragher, of Knottingly, while Liverpool welterweight Lee Molyneux meets Motherwell's Jan Cree, the former world kick-boxing champion.

Lacrosse

EDINBURGH University lost out to Durham in the final of the British Universities championship at Milton Keynes after Durham scored in extra time for a 5-4 victory.

Speedway

EDINBURGH Ziebart Monarchs won the Spring Trophy for the first time in five years when they edged Glasgow Tigers despite losing 50-40 on a slick Shawfield track in Glasgow last night.

The Edinburgh club were 18 points up from Friday's first leg and never looked like being overhauled despite a valiant effort from the much-improved Glasgow side who led 28-20 after heat eight. Tigers' Australian captain Mick Powell won his five races and Zimbabwian Dave Steen was second top scorer for the home side with 12.

Monarchs' captain Kenny McKinna, a former Tigers rider, won four of his five races to collect 14 points with Kevin Little next best on nine but the visitors again raced minus top rider Peter Carr who injured his right ankle last week jumping over a gate at work.

Women's football

SCOTTISH Cup quarter finals - Giulianos 1, Preston Ath 1; Maryhill Eagles 0, Cumbernauld 7; Cove Rangers 3, Ayr United 4.

Sports Connection League Premier Division - Dundee Utd 1, Stirling Albion 2

North East Division - Highland Portland 7, Kemnay 1; St Johnstone 2, Glenrothes 2; GFC St Johnstone 4, Darcy Rovers 0; Bonnyrigg Rose 1, Aberdeen Accies 3.

West Division - Livingston 0, Glasgow University West 3; East Kilbride 1, Queen of the South 4; GMFC 0, Baillieston 8.

Basketball

With almost half their points from captain Iain Maclean, Midlothian Bulls won the Scottish League title for a record tenth year in a row beating closest challengers Glasgow Sports Division 83-70 at Easterhouse SC.

Maclean scored 41, with Bulls coming from five points down in the second half.

Victory was even sweeter for Alan Lamb and Dougie Reilly, who have taken part in all ten league title successes. Reilly, 37, will retire next month after the Scottish Cup final, also against Glasgow, the holders.

Polonia Phoenix wrapped up the women's league with a comfotable 77-58 win over fellow Scottish Cup finalists Dalkeith Saints.

Marr College won the boys' Open Scottish Schools Cup with an 83-70 final win over Denny High School. Brothers Ewan and Ross Campbell and Ian and Matt McHardy spearheaded the Ayrshire win and also went on the next day to help Troon win the Bank of Scotland Junior National League with a 93-65 win over Dunfermline.

Scottish National League: Men - Glasgow Gators 74, Dunfermline Reign 86; Dunfermline 74 Falkirk Fury 83; Edinburgh Burger Kings 59 Glasgow Sports Division 73; Glasgow Sports Division 70 Midlothian Bulls 83; Paisley 87 St Mirren Clanford 79.

Women - City of Glasgow 37 Boroughmuir Aces 31; Dalkieth Saints 58 Polonia Phoenix 77; Bo'ness Wildcats 42 Boroughmuir Aces 50.

Bank of Scotland Juniors: Men - Edinburgh Burger Kings 84 Aberdeen Buccaneers 42; Armadale 70 Arbroath Musketeers 154; Denny Knights 86 Aberdeen Buccaneers 95; Paisley 65 atc Cosmetics 56; Troon 93 Dunfermline 65.

Women: Denny Devils 64 City of Glasgow 61; Polonia Phoenix 83 Pentland Star 53; Edinburgh Kings 82 Dalkeith Saints 87 (aot).

Bank of Scotland Cadets: Men - Kilmarnock 64 Glasgow Sports Division 63; Fife Wolverines 52 atc Cosmetics 82; Kinross Kickers 46 atc Cosmetics 85; Falkirk Fury 49 Edinburgh Burger Kings 38; Dalkeith Saints 70 Boroughmuir 64; Denny Knights 66 Aberdeen Buccaneers 79; St Mirren Clanford 66 Paisley 56; Troon 64 Arbroath Musketeers 93.

Women - Denny Devils 73 Pentland Star 38; Edinburgh Kool Kats 94 City of Glasgow 43; Aberdeen Greywolves 67 Woodlands 24.

Scottish Schools Cup Finals (Wester Hailes EC): Open: Boys - Marr Coll 83 Denny HS 70: Girls - Eastbank Academy 30 Portobello HS 50.

Scottish Island Schools Tournament (Nicolson Inst, Stornoway): Boys - 1 Nicolson Inst. (holders) 4 wins; 2 Portree HS (Skye) 3; 3 Linacleit (Benbecula) 2; 4 Tobermory HS (Mull) 1; 5 Sir E Scott (Harris) 0: Girls: 1 Portree HS 4; 2 Nicolson Inst. (holders) 3; 3 Nicolson Inst. B 2; 4 Tobermory HS 1; 5 Sir E Scott 0.

Volleyball

holders City of Glasgow Ragazzi had an easy 3-0 set win over Team Fife at Cumbernauld to reach the finals of the men's Scottish Cup, scheduled for Meadowbank on May 17.

Their opponents will be Kilmarnock, who beat Dundee II by the same margin, but Dundee I had better luck in the Scottish Plate semi-finals beating Bon Accord 3-1.

There was double celebration for Glasgow when their women's side Su Ragazzi also reached the finals for the first time, with a 3-0 win over Tullos Jets. They play former winners Rucanor Jets from Edinburgh, who beat Falkirk High School 3-0.

Women's hockey

International - England 1, Scotland 0. National League Division One: Hillhead 2, Western Klick Photopoint 4; Hyndland Grasshopper 1, Aberdeen Bon Accord 0; Menzieshill 1, Bonagrass Grove 2; Western A 7, Melrose 0. Division Two: Giffnock Hutchesons 1, Grove A 0; Grange 4, Selkirk 0. Division Three: Eglinton 0, Trinity 8; Hyndland A 4, Grange A 0; Highland 1, Dunfermline 1. Division Four: Dumfries 0, Hillhead A 1; Ayr 4, Giffnock A 1; Stirling Wanderers 2, Perthshire 1. Sunday - England 2, Scotland 0.

National League Division Two -: Watsonians 0, Giffnock Hutchesons 0. National League Plate: Hillhead 2, Vale of Leven 1.

Edinburgh Thistle's title hopes were dented on Saturday at Peffermill, Edinburgh, where they were surprisingly but deservedly beaten 10-8 by bottom club Capital Cradlers, previously pointless, following a 5-4 interval lead, the game's leading scorers (four goals) Thistle's World Cup player Emily Salvesen and Cradlers' captain Tom Harvey-Clarke.

Stirling University's 9-8 away victory over Aberdeen University on Saturday was highlighted by four goals by new Scottish cap Jane Gardiner and Murdo McLean, while Aberdeen's captain, Scottish Universities player Alyson Saunders had a hat-trick.

National League - Capital Cradlers 10 (Harvey-Clarke 4, Thomson 3, May 2, Andrew), Edinburgh Thistle 8 (Salvesen 4, Gault 3, Weatherston); Aberdeen University 8 (Saunders 3, Anderson 2, Sherman 2, Selinski), Stirling University 9 (Gardiner 4, McLean 4, Williams).

Current league placings - Edinburgh Uni 30 pts (7 games); Clyde Caledonian 30 (8); Edinburgh Thistle 25 (7); Aberdeen Uni 15 (6); Stirling Uni 15 (7); Glasgow Uni 10 (6); St Andrews Uni 5 (4); Capital Cradlers 5 (5); Capital Catchers 0 (4).

British Universities Championship - Edinburgh University, this season's Scottish Universities champions and National League leaders, narrowly failed to win the British Universities title in Milton Keynes on Saturday, beaten 5-4 in the extra-time final by Durham University, recent winners of the Scottish Lacrosse Association's annual invitation tournament in Edinburgh.

Edinburgh, who had eliminated Sheffield, Nottingham, Bristol and London universities away from home, led 2-1 in the early stages, but despite an outstanding display by Scottish Universities goalkeeper Alice Froggett, who won the 'player of the match' award, were held to a 4-4 full time draw.

Scotland's representatives scored well executed goals through Claire Black (2), Claire Johnston, and Sophie Robinson, all Scottish Universities players, while Claire Dunt (2), Ryan Evans, Suzanne Packett and Suzette Gaskin (extra time) replied for the equally impressive Durham side, who had knocked the Edinburgh students out of last year's competition in the last 32 round.

Home Countries Under-21 - Scotland beat Wales 10-6 but were beaten 15-2 by holders England (12-3 v Wales) at the Home Countries annual Under-21 championship in Milton Keynes yesterday following 5-4 and 7-1 interval deficits.

Glasgow students Claire Foster (2) and Cath Eckersley scored for the new-look Scotland Under-21 side along with captain Jenny Close (Edinburgh Thistle) (2), a Scotland newcomer this season, Jenny Codling (3), Claire Johnston, Anna Swire (all Edinburgh University), Sarah Marshall (Aberdeen University) and Annabel Thorburn (Cambridge University).

Swimming

CARNEGIE'S Brian Morgan claimed two Scottish records in the world cup meet in Gelsenkirchen in Germany at the weekend.

The Dunfermline teenager went 50.53 seconds in the 100 metres freestyle and 23.06 over the 50 metres distance.

Tennis

City of Glasgow Wheelchair Tennis Tournament. Singles - P Moore (Scotland) bt I Jess (N Ireland) 6-0 4-6 6-0. Doubles - Gillespie/Moore (both Scotland) bt Jess/Smith (England) 2-6 7-6 (Jess retired). Novice event won by Paul Simons (England).

Billiards

world No.3 Peter Gilchrist won #6000 first prize in the Strachan British Open at Ashover.

Gilchrist, defeated in last week's final of the world matchplay championship at Liverpool, overcame India's former world champion Geet Sethi 1328-903 in their four hour final. Gilchrist laid a firm foundation of victory by taking a 674-334 interval lead with the assistance of breaks of 101, 223, and 196.

Sethi was well out-pointed over the two hour session as Gilchrist made breaks of 110, 108, 114, and 117.