basketball

Sterling Davis, the Glasgow Rocks player-coach, says his team must make home advantage count tomorrow in the last game the team will play at the Kelvin Hall, writes Mark Woods. He is keen to draw first blood in the opening leg of the BBL play-off semi-final against Leicester Riders before Rocks head south for Sunday's return.

Victory, the American says, would be the perfect farewell to their current home ahead of their move to the new Commonwealth Arena next season but, after trouncing Plymouth last weekend, Davis anticipates a tougher test.

He expects Ayron Hardy, the Riders guard, to have extra motivation after finishing runner-up to Newcastle's Joe Chapman when the BBL Most Valuable Player award was unveiled yesterday. "He is one of those 'do it all'-type players and guys like that will always make a contribution," said Davis.

Davis believes, though, that his own players are ready to pull off another surprise and progress to the final at the NIA against Newcastle or Cheshire on May 12 at Leicester's expense. "I think we did a good job of preparing for them throughout the course of the season both tactically and, more importantly, mentally," he stated. "They can really hit you hard and quick so you have to be ready to duck the blows quickly."

FORMULA ONE

Bathgate's Paul di Resta was 13th-quickest out of 14 in a frustrating test session in Mugello, Italy yesterday, writes Lorin McDougall. The Force India driver, who had a career-best sixth place at the Bahrain Grand Prix last week, did not post a time until the closing minutes of the session, and his 1min 24.749sec was over 3sec slower than the fastest lap set by Romain Grosjean, of France, in his Lotus.

cricket

Richie Berrington, the Saltires all-rounder, has been farmed-out to Leicestershire on a one-month loan deal, although he will be available for Sunday's CB40 opener against Surrey, writes William Dick. Pete Steindl, the coach, said: "It is a great chance for Richie to play some additional high-level cricket, and who knows what it might lead to for him?"

The 25-year-old Greenock player has already earned 88 caps, scoring more than 2000 runs and taking 67 wickets. He turned down the chance of a permanent move to Leicestershire a year ago but has been given a second chance to join his fellow Scots Kyle Coetzer and Ali Evans on the county circuit. He made his debut for in a 2nd XI game against Durham yesterday.

The Saltires squad for Sunday's clash with CB40 cup holders Surrey will be announced today.

ice hockey

Bari McKenzie, the 25-year-old Dumfries-born forward, has left Edinburgh Capitals to sign for Cardiff Devils after an outstanding season at Murrayfield in which he scored 19 goals and had 34 assists in 58 matches to finish third in Capitals' charts and 35th overall, writes Nigel Duncan.

"Edinburgh gave me a chance and I thank them for it," he said. "I learned a lot over the last two years and I've not got a bad word to say about the club, but I couldn't say 'no' to Cardiff and I believe my move is reward for the hard work I've put in over that time."

Devils challenged for silverware and finished runners-up in the play-off final to Nottingham Panthers. "They've got a strength and conditioning coach and have given me a training programme," added McKenzie. "I'm joining a club with real ambition to succeed at the highest level."

speedway

Alan Dick, co-promoter of Glasgow Tigers, believe that tonight's League Cup meeting away to Sheffield Tigers (7.45) is ideal preparation for Sunday's opening Premier League clash with Leicester Lions in Glasgow, writes Nigel Duncan. He said: "Joe [Screen] and Josh [Grajczonek] love Sheffield's Owlerton track and James [Grieves] has learned to like it. Jade [Mudgway] and Robert [Ksiezak] also like it."

Sheffield prop up the eight-strong League Cup North section table with five points from four matches, while Glasgow, although fourth with nine from eight starts, cannot progress to the next stage. Dick said: "Sheffield are way behind in fixtures and they are always up there challenging but there is no pressure on the boys as we can't qualify. It is an ideal fixture, though, as we start the defence of the league title on Sunday at home to Leicester."

n Berwick Bandits will be without Alex Edberg, who is on under-21 duty in Sweden, for their trip to Edinburgh Monarchs tomorrow (7pm). Ian Rae, their manager, brings in Scots-born Adam McKinna for the trip. Monarchs will use rider replacement for Derek Sneddon, the Falkirk-based racer who suffered a broken collar bone at Glasgow Tigers on Sunday.

squash

Alan Clyne, from Inverness, led Scotland to a 3-1 victory over Italy, the No.3 seeds, at the European Team Championships in Nuremburg yesterday, writes Lorin McDougall. He came from behind to beat Davide Bianchetti in the opening rubber, and, although teenager Greg Lobban lost the next tie, Chris Small and veteran Stuart Crawford won theirs. Another victory over Finland today will give the Scots a semi-final spot.