boxing

Boxing found itself mired in controversy again following fierce criticism of the decision to award Timothy Bradley a controversial split decision victory over hot favourite Manny Pacquiao at Las Vegas' MGM Grand, writes Rob Moir.

The Filipino appeared to have done more than enough to take the decision, despite slowing down in the later stages, but was left stunned by the decision which cost him as his World Boxing Organisation welterweight belt.

Two judges scored the bout 115-113 to the unbeaten Bradley and one handed the win to Pacquiao by the same score, the crowd reacting angrily and jeered the verdict.

Defeat must now place the long-delayed but much-debated super-fight between Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr in serious doubt.

"He never hurt me with his punches," Pacquiao said. "I did my best. I guess my best wasn't good enough. Most of his punches hit my arm. I don't know what happened."

Bradley added: "Manny hurt me a few times with his left hand. He's a beast but my corner told me if I won the last round, I'd win the fight. I've got to give Manny a rematch."

Criticism of the decision came thick and fast, with Pacquiao's training partner Amir Khan branding it "robbery", Lennox Lewis calling it disgraceful and fight promoter Bob Arum saying it was "nuts".

Khan, who has been rebuffed by Bradley in the past, said on Twitter: "What a robbery. Bradley did not win this fight. The crowd are booing while he's being interviewed.

"What a joke we had Manny winning by 5 rounds. Bradley how about you take the fight with me in December after I clean up the 140lbs weight.

"If Bradley wants it I'm ready, he turned me down twice. After I beat [Danny] Garcia I will offer Bradley the fight for the 3rd time."

bowls

Defending champions Kirkliston rewrote the record books at Colinton yesterday, winning the Co-operative Funeralcare Scottish Inter-County Top Ten title for a record extending fourth time and just for good measure, joined Edinburgh club Slateford as the only back-to-back winners of the title, writes Anne Dunwoodie.

In the morning semi-finals, they powered to an 8-0 whitewash over Borders champions Chirnside. However, the game was much tighter than the scoreline suggests with the pairs and triples going Kirkliston's way by a single shot.

In the other semi-final, West Fife champions Inverkeithing also had to work hard for their 5-3 win over Stewartry representatives Castle Douglas. David Junor gave them the perfect start, crushing Graeme Maxwell 21-1 in the singles.

The overall result though went down to the very last bowl in the fours, with Inverkeithing getting the nod 17-15 to take the vital two points that took them over the finishing line and into the final.

Both sides were at their best in the title decider, with Kirkliston's Raymond Logan having to call on all of his experience to see off a determined challenge from David Junor 21-17 to bag the vital singles advantage.

Neil Speirs and Steven Forrest then finished strongly to take the pairs by 18-11 against Harry and Ryan Cunningham.

Inverkeithing's Stevie Marshall, Gary Tate and Ross Junor battled well to take the triples 16-11 against Mark Allison, Calum Logan and John Aitken, but Logan's rink pushed the result beyond doubt with Andrew Suddon joined by Gordon, Greg and Grant Logan who saw off Greg Wilson, Gavin Bruce, Alan Aitkison and Iain Junor 16-11 for their record-breaking victory.

gymnastics

Scot Dan Keatings claimed a silver medal at the Challenger Cup in Ghent last night to show his injury worries are behind him ahead of London 2012, writes Roddy Mackenzie.

Keatings, European champion in 2010, was second in the pommel, beaten by China's 2009 world champion Hongtao Zhang.

Zhang finished with 15.825 points with Keatings, who only returned to action the previous weekend after an ankle injury, scoring 15.375. Australia's Prasanth Sellathurai took the bronze medal with 15.325.

cycling

Scot David Millar was 65th overall after finishing 93rd in yesterday's final stage of the Criterium du Dauphine in France, writes Lorin McDougall.

The Garmin rider completed the 126km route from Morzine to Chatel 7min 13sec behind Spanish stage winner Daniel Fernandez.

Millar ended the week-long Tour de France warm-up race almost half an hour behind fellow Briton Bradley Wiggins who retained his 2011 title.

golf

Daan Huizing rewrote the record books as he completed a comprehensive wire-to-wire victory in the St Andrews Links Trophy last night, writes Nick Rodger.

The 21-year-old Dutchman romped to a staggering 14-shot win over the 2009 champion Alan Dunbar with a 23-under aggregate of 264, the lowest score ever posted in the event since its inception in 1989.

Huizing, who also won the Lytham Trophy by 11 shots in May, reeled off closing-day rounds of 68 and 67 over the Old Course as he shaved nine shots off the previous record low tally.

He had led the field by 10 shots at halfway and could even afford the luxury of dumping his second shots to the first into the Swilcan Burn during both the third and fourth rounds.

Glenbervie's Graeme Robertson, the winner of the Craigmillar Park Open earlier this season, closed with a 64 and claimed third place on 279.

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Shinty

Lovat manager Allan MacRae admits bookies wouldn't have taken a bet on his side being top of the sport's main division but sees no reason for his players to wilt, writes Kenneth Stephen.

His survived a relegation fight last term and initial aims would have been for a mid-table finish in 2012.

On Saturday, they defeated champions Newtonmore 3-0 and now sit at the top of the Orion Group Premiership after 10 games played.

Along the way, they have taken some considerable scalps and Saturday served notice that they are not to be played around with.

"No-one would have given odds on us being up at the top end of the table after last year but the confidence is growing in the team and I no longer think there are any sides they fear.

"I think the biggest turn-around has been the hard work the players have put in and we also added a few players from the second team so the squad is stronger than last year. Hopefully, we can keep adding points because this league is so tight."

Duncan Davidson and Fraser Gallagher (2) got the goals.

In another significant result, Kilmallie, fresh from winning the Lochaber derby, hammered Bute 10-0 in a result which could be crucial in terms of survival.