Sport digest

Lang, who hopes to compete for Canada in the marathon world championships, won the 6 mile event in 42min 3sec while English visitor Kevin Littlehides finished in runners-up position. Kirkcaldy's Margaret Chapman outpaced veteran husband Brian to take third.

Athletics

OLYMPIC sprinters Roger Black and Mark Richardson have made it clear they would prefer to run at Aberdeen's Chris Anderson Stadium rather than at the world famous Grand Prix in Oslo's Bislett Stadium.

A gala night of athletics is planned for the Aberdeen venue on Friday, July 10, and Black and Richardson along with several other top Britons are scheduled to compete in a 200m. The only hurdle Edwards has still to overcome is attracting enough sponsorship to stage the calibre of event he is hoping for.

A LARGE number of competitors took part in the North Lanarkshire Council Young Athletes Meeting at Wishaw Stadium. Jill Lando (Motherwell) was the top competitor in the distance events winning the 500m event and her clubmate Tracy Mulholland was the best sprinter. Hot Shotts won the team contest.

Under 13 Group A - 1 Aberdeen 73; 2 Arbroath and Dist 66; 3 City of Glasgow 63; 4 Central 49. Group B. City of Edinburgh 70; Digital Ayr Seaforth 67; 3 Babcock Pitreavie 61; EWM 49.

Ballantrae to New Luce 17 miles mixed terrain race: 1 R Brown (HBT) 1 hr 40 min 25 sec; 2 C Brash (Girvan) 1:49:35; 3 J Goldsworthy (Stranraer) 2:05:41. Women: 1 E Brown (Stranraer) 2:38:52; 2 W Grosvenor (Newton Stewart) 2:49:18; 3 L McCannon (Ayr) 2:47:08.

International Firefighters 4-mile road race, New York 1, K Bolan 21-58; 2, T McAuley 22-48 (both New York); 3, P Ogden (Strathclyde, veteran) 23-19; 7, G Love (Strathclyde) 23-40. International Brigade Team - Strathclyde 28 pts.

Goatfell 8-miles/2866ft hill race, Brodick, Isle of Arran 1, J Davis (Borrowdale) 1-16-25;2, D McGonigle (Shettleston) 1-18-12; 3, E McKay (Ochil Hill Runners) 1-23-38. Veteran - J Stevenson (Irvine) 1-31-05. Under-20 - E Black (Glasgow University) 1-34-48. Women - 1, D Scott (Irvine) 1-44-21; 2, A Farrell (Helensburgh) 1-51-54; 3, S McGregor (JW Kilmarnock) 1-52-59. Veteran - N Jennison (Westerlands) 2-07-01. Teams - 1, Ochil Hill Runners 32 pts; 2, Carnethy Hill Runners 86 pts.

Cycling

French cyclist Laurent Jalabert won the Tour of Austria's cycling race in style yesterday, sealing the lead he claimed in the first leg with victory in the final stage.

Jalabert prevailed over Spain's Oscar Freire in the dash for the finishing line in the northern Spanish city of Oviedo at the end of the 160-kilometre (99.4-mile) course.

Jalabert earned himself a comfortable lead of 17 seconds in Tuesday's 7.5-kilometre (4.7-mile) time trial.

On Wednesday he finished one second behind the leading pack in the second stage. He came in at No. 2 in both the third and fourth legs.

In the penultimate stage, that included the most gruelling mountain climb of the race, Jalabert crossed the finishing line fourth, 11 seconds behind the leading trio.

The six stage tour covered a total of 876 kilometres (544 miles) and offered prize money of 7.3 million pesetas ($50,000).

Mariano Piccoli won the first stage of the Tour of Italy cycling race yesterday baffling the top sprinters with a surprise attack one kilometre from the finish.

Swiss Alex Zuelle, who ended up in the pack in the same time as the winner, retained the pink jersey of overall leader captured in a time prologue at Nice, France, Saturday.

Piccoli, considered a good climber, edged fellow Italians Michele Bartoli and Fabrizio Guidi following a 159-kilometre (98.5-mile) ride through a hilly course from the French resort to this north Italian town.

Mario Cipollini, Italy's ''King of Sprints,'' placed sixth as he failed to clinch a record-equalling twenty third stage victory at the ''Giro''.

Piccoli fought off, in the last 100 meters, a strong comeback of the sprinters who almost caught him on the finish line.

The winner launched his successful attack shortly after the group ended an 85-kilometre (52.7-mile) attempt by three fugitives.

Mirko Gualdi, Marzio Bruseghin and Paolo Bettini were caught near Cuneo, after they had piled up a peak advantage of 5:45 minutes.

Piccoli completed the distance in three hours, 55:39 minutes at an average speed of nearly 42 kph (26 mph).

Today's hilly second stage, of 160 kilometres (99.2 miles), will take the cyclists from Alba to Imperia, along the Italian riviera.

Equestrianism

John Whitaker unveiled his latest find yesterday when he ended the Royal Windsor Horse Show on a triumphant note.

Whitaker took the Asprey Grand Prix #13,000 top prize with 10-year-old Diamond Cliff, one of the Yorkshireman's newest partners who sailed through his biggest test to date.

Whitaker, whose best known ride Grannusch - his recent Volvo World Cup finalist - and Welham are resting at present, showed that he has talent in reserve as he prepares for the world championships in Italy in October.

''He's been going pretty well at recent shows and he's obviously a good prospect,'' said Whitaker. ''He's new to me and I'm still getting used to him, but he couldn't have done much better in the biggest class he's gone in for.''

Whitaker clocked an immaculate clear over the seven fences in 43.93 seconds to win the jump-off, leaving Holland's Peter Geerink in the #8000 runners-up place with Granata.

Whitaker's time was easily beaten - by almost two-and-a-half seconds - as Ireland's Peter Charles, going second to last, flew round on Carnavelly. But Charles, who had his first win in the colours of his new Traxdata sponsors yesterday, hit the final fence to finish behind the winner.

Charles' Irish team-mate Marion Hughes, who had been runner-up to him in last night's Traxdata Classic, was just squeezed out of third place with Flo-Jo by Frenchman Michel Robert, on Auleto.

Whitaker's only previous success had been in yesterday's Hildon Team Challenge shared with long-standing British colleague Nick Skelton. It was their first pairs relay success together since 1980.

It brought Skelton his fourth win of the show, but his form left him today as he and Carte Gene - winner of two classes - had two first round fences down.

Geoff Billington, another British stalwart hoping to repeat last year's first ever Grand Prix win on It's Otto, also went out in the opening round when he brought down the middle part of the combination.

Judo

Olympian Graeme Randall (Edinburgh) and David Somerville (Glasgow), just missed medals but produced their best results in fifth place at the European Championships in Madrid. Former bronze medallist Joyce Heron (Dunfermline Carnegie) had to retire with a neck injury as Great Britain picked up gold from Kary Bryant, two silver and two bronze medals from their 14-strong team.

Motorsport

SCOT Ian Simpson, twice winner of the North West 200, just failed to make it a hat trick in one of the closes finishes ever.

The Dalbeattie rider was passed on the final chikane by team-mate Michael Rutter who went on to win by two tenths of a second on the 8.9 mile Northern Ireland circuit.

GermanY's Bernd Schneider and Australian Mark Webber gave Mercedes their second win in two races in the Silverstone round of the FIA GT championship on Saturday. Schneider, the 1997 champion, took the lead when Porsche's Uwe Alzen received a 30-second stop-go penalty for his involvement in an incident with Australian David Brabham.

Defending world champion Michael Doohan beat Max Biaggi by 5.39 seconds in yesterday's 500cc race of the Italian Grand Prix to capture his second season victory and step closer to his newest Italian rival in the championship standings.

The sixth consecutive victory at the Mugello circuit, near Florence, vaulted Doohan to second place in the drivers standings at 70 points, seven behind Biaggi, who made the podium four times in as many races on his first season in the 500-cc.

Orienteering

Edinburgh Interlopers won the Harvester Trophy 65km, seven stage, through-the-night relay at Downham yesterday beating UK Cup leaders South Yorkshire into second place.

Scottish student champion Gordon Reimersma was three minutes down half way through the final 14km lap but came home first by almost the same margin.

South Yorkshire's women finished runners up to Nottingham juniors on the short 5 lap course to secure the women's relay cup. Results: 1. Edinburgh Interlopers 6h49m19s; 2. South Yorkshire 6h52m00s; 3. Harrogate Claro 6h52m13s. Short course - 5 legs: 1. Nottingham Juniors 4h27m28s; 2. South Yorkshire Ladies 4h29m27s; 3. South London Juniors 4h29m 56s.

Rowing

YMCA Glasgow Regatta, River Clyde.

MEN: Restricted 2 Eights: Glasgow University. Restricted 2 Coxed Fours: George Heriots School. Novice Coxed Fours: Aberdeen University. Junior Coxed Fours: Nithsdale. Veteran Coxed Fours: Clydesdale. Junior Coxless Pairs: Nithsdale.

Junior under 15 Quadruple Sculls: George Watson's College. Restricted 2 Double Sculls: Clydesdale. Junior Double Sculls: Nithsdale. Junior under 16 Double Sculls: George Heriots School. Junior under 14 Double Sculls: Clydesdale. Veteran Double Sculls: Clyde Masters. Open Single Sculls: Castle Semple (Watt).

Restricted 1 Single Sculls: Glasgow (McGinley). Restricted 2 Single Sculls: Aberdeen University (Harpolcross). Novice Single Sculls: Clydesdale (McGrath). Junior Single Sculls: Nithsdale (Muir). Junior under 16 Single Sculls: Loch Lomond (La Page). Junior under 14 Single Sculls: Nithsadale (Murray). Junior under 13 Single Sculls: Glasgow (Stevenson). Veteran Single Sculls: Tyne (Marshall).

WOMEN: Open Eights:

Clydesdale. Restricted 2 Eights: Glasgow University. Restricted 2 Coxed Fours: George Heriots School. Novice Coxed Fours: George Heriots School. Junior under 16 Coxed Fours: George Heriots. Open Coxless pairs: Aberdeen University Restricted 1 Coxless pairs: Aberdeen University. Junior under 16 Quadruple Sculls: George Watson's College. Junior under 15 Quadruple Sculls: George Watson's College. Junior under 14 Quadruple Sculls: george Watson's College.

Restricted 2 Double Sculls: Clydesdale/Glasgow. Junior under 16 Double Sculls: George watson's College. Junior under 14 Double Sculls: George Watson's College. Restricted 1 Single Sculls: Clydesdale (Watt). Restricted 2 Single Sculls: Castle Semple (Gatherer). Novice Single Sculls: Clydesdale (Green). Junior under 16 Single Sculls: George Watson's College (Howarth). Junior under 14 Single Sculls: George Watson's College (Ferguson). Generation Double Sculls: Clydesdale Corporate Crew Challenge: United Distillers.

Sailing

Clyde Corinthian Yacht Club, East Patch Regatta, Saturday.

Class 1: 1. Rhu Marionette, (N Stratton) 2h:54m:23s; 2. Pinocchio IV (P& D Fairley) 2:13:55. Class 2: 1. Smokey Too, (J Allan), 3:06:30; 2. Neigh Chance, (Paterson& McFarlane), 3:08:54. Sigma 33: 1. Pepsi, (A Milton) 3:16:50; 2. St Joan, (I Nicolson) 3:19:03; 3. Sigmatic, (D McLaren) 3:19:27. IOD: 1. Marenda, (A Manuel), 3:19:56; 2. Whiffenpoof (G Manuel); 3:20:58. Sonata: 1. Dark n Stormy (A Harper).

Shinty

The first of two games before the final of the Glasgow Celtic Society Cup on Saturday at Lochinch was postponed when Oban High School were unable to fulfil their MacPherson cup obligations.

However, the young players of Glasgow and Inveraray provided thrilling pre-match warm-up in a socially organised friendly. The more experienced Inveraray outfit eventually emerged 4-1 winners over the Glasgow side, who were making their first competitive appearance.

Far from out-played, their performance confirmed the remarkable strides being made by the Glasgow Shinty Development Council. As Kingussie cranked up their fifty first successive game without defeat, Newtonmore salvaged their Premier league future with a 1-1 draw at home to Oban Camanachd, although they very nearly squandered the chance. More led from the first five minutes but then allowed Camanachd back into the game and it was backs to the wall for the remainder of the game. Results:

Bank of Scotland Glasgow Celtic Society Cup Final: Inveraray 1, Glenorchy 2.

Bullough Cup Second Round replay: Bute 1, Oban Celtic 3.

Marine Harvest Premier Division: Kingussie 9, Kyles Athletic 0; Newtonmore 1, Oban Camanachd 1.

North Division 1: Lochcarron 3, Caberfeidh 4.

Division 2: Kingussie 1, Glengarry 2; Skye 0, Newtonmore 6.

Speedway

Glasgow Tigers comfortably defeated Edinburgh Ziebart Monarchs 58-32 at Shawfield last night. Grant McDonald scored 17 points for Tigers and only Kevin Little (12) and Kenny McKinna (10) managed double figures for Monarchs.

Tennis

Newlands came out on top of their weekend double clash with David Lloyd Renfrew when after drawing their West of Scotland League tie, they won their British Regional League match 4-2.

A 3-1 score in the singles made overall victory secure, Malcolm Watt beating Gary Smith 7-5, 6-3, Graham Petkov beating Gavin Martin 6-4, 7-6 and Calum McKnight going to three sets with Derek Lauder to win 6-2, 5-7, 6-2. The pair meet again in two weeks time in the Scottish cup quarter-finals with holders Newlands now holding advantage.

Weightlifting

Celtic Nations International, Largs. Winners: Under 56Kg; A Ogilvie (Scot) 95+115=210Kg: U62Kg; J Power (Ire) 95+115=210Kg: U69Kg; E Byrne (Ire) 105+137.5=242.5Kg: U77Kg; R Cavanagh (Scot) 110+135=245Kg: U94Kg; D Murray (Scot) 125+155=280Kg: U94Kg; T Neil (Scot) 130+155=285Kg: Open; F Thoma s (Wales) 135+170=305Kg: Final Result; 1 Wales (holders) 194pts; 2 Ireland 170; 3 Scotland 162: Best Lifter Award; Byrne.

Basketball

SCOTLAND saved their best till last with a much improved display against Wales on the final day of the Four Countries Men's Under-23 International Championship at Ware, Herts, yesterday, but after leading for the first 19 minutes eventually lost 88-78 to finish bottom of the table.

Results: Saturday - Scotland 60, Ireland 78; England 69, Wales 57. Sunday - Scotland 78, Wales 88; England 85, Ireland 57. Final positions: 1 England, 2. Wales, 3. Ireland, 4. Scotland.

Lacrosse

PENPONT Primary School from Thornhill, Dumfriesshire and James Gillespie's Primary School from Edinburgh, this season's National Pop (Under-11) champions, and beaten finalists were beaten 10-7 by Rhws PS and 12-8 by Glan-Yr-Afon Juniors, also from Wales, in the quarter-finals of the Cup and semi-finals of the Plate in the annual British Pop Under-11 championship at Stantonbury Leisure Centre, Milton Keynes, yesterday.

Hockey

Men: Saturday - Scottish Plate Semi-finals. Stirling Wanderers 0, Cults 1; Giffnock 1, Dunfermline Carnegie 2.

Sunday - District Cup semi-finals. Menzieshill A 2, Western A 2 (Menzieshill won 3-2 in penalties); Hazlehead A 1, Kaycars Wanderers 2. Scottish Cup semi-finals - Hazlehead 1. MIM 4' Mimtec Wanderers 1, Western Grasshopper 1 (Western won 4-3 in penalties). Women: Saturday. Internationals - Scotland 3, India 2; Australia 4, Holland 2. League Plate - Melrose 2, Watsonians 0; Hillhead 0, Highland 2.

Duathlon

Fiona Lothian (St Andrews) finished second in 2hr 9min 40 sec and led the three-strong Great Britain team, including Eleanor Reid (Dumfries), to the gold medals in the European Duathlon (run, cycle, run) Championships in Pulawy, Poland yesterday.

Lothian, seventh last year and former World Cup champion, was beaten by 34 seconds, only overtaken on the the last lap of the final 5K run, by Alena Peterkova of the Czech Republic.