ATHLETICS
Inverclyde prospect Jonny Glen has been handed the chance to experience an American adventure after landing a scholarship to the University of New Mexico, writes Mark Woods.
The 19-year-old, who made his debut for Great Britain & Northern Ireland at the 2014 European cross-country championships, becomes the latest Scot to make the move to Albuquerque, following in the footsteps of fellow internationals Rhona Auckland and Jo Moultrie. The Scottish champion, who came 79th at last year’s world cross, is likely to spend four years in the States running track and XC.
BASKETBALL
Glasgow Rocks have confirmed the signing of Neil Watson for the forthcoming season. “Neil is a proven winner and performer in our league,” Rocks coach Sterling Davis said of the American point guard, who has joined after two years with the Leicester Riders and led the BBL for assists in his debut season there.
“He was right at the top of the league in his position, so we are extremely excited to be able to get him on board. This is a very important position on any team, in which case I feel he fits that mould.”
HOCKEY
Scotland missed out on promotion to Europe`s top flight after going down 3-0 to a lively Belarus side in the semi-final of the European Youth Championships 11 at Glasgow Green, writes Craig Madden.
The visitors drew first blood at a penalty corner, a scramble developed round the goalkeeper and Ina Kaminskaya lobbed the ball past a defender on the line. The Scots youngsters came back into the game and half chances fell to Hanna McKie, Millie Steiger and Catriona Booth from a set piece, but it was Belarus who retained their narrow lead at the break.
A penalty award 20 seconds into the second half was a cruel blow to the home side and Yuliya Yubko converted from the spot to double the Belarus tally. Then with two minutes left Karyna Mihunova added insult to injury with a third strike.
The Scots youngsters will now play the Czech Republic, who lost 5-4 to France in a penalty shoot-out , in today`s bronze medal play-off.
ICE HOCKEY
Braehead Clan have signed defenceman Kyle Wharton for the 2016/17 season. Wharton, who is a UK passport-holder, has joined from Japanese club Nikko Icebucks. He will carry out an MBA with the club's partners at the University West of Scotland during his time with the Clan.
Clan head coach Ryan Finnerty highlighted the attributes the 30-year-old has and what he brings to his team for the looming campaign. “Kyle is a solid player," Finnerty said. "Whether you notice him or not, we don't have one dimensional offensive defenceman. We have guys that are solid in all three zones. With a ton of offence, what we have in Kyle is a good puck moving D-man with good speed, good transition and what we're looking for.”
SHINTY
The battle at the bottom end of Shinty’s Premiership takes centre stage today, with 2015 McTavish Cup winners Glen Urquhart hoping to pull away from the drop zone, writes Kenneth Stephen.
This year’s competition was described pre-campaign as something of a snake pit with two clubs being relegated automatically from a top division with little between the sides. That forecast hasn’t been far from the mark, with several clubs now mired in the dogfight at the bottom.
Somewhat surprisingly, a less buoyant season for Glen has dragged them into the danger zone. However, back to back matches against bottom side, Fort William today and second bottom Skye next week could see them edge towards mid-table safety.
That is certainly the hope of manager Billy McLean, who has seen his side’s fluency disrupted by high profile injuries this term. “These next two games are like finals for us because we could ease away from the bottom if we keep up the form we have show in the last couple of matches,” he said. “In saying that, there are no guarantees so we will have to be at our best.”
Fort William have hit ‘second season syndrome’ after impressing in their first term back in the Premiership, in 2015. Skye, too, have found the going tough after graduating from the National structure last season.
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