athletics

Eilidh Child made it three wins out of three in the 400 metres hurdles this year at the Montreuil meeting last night in France, writes Mark Woods.

The 24-year-old, who lowered her own Scottish record three days ago in Geneva, produced another fine run to claim victory in 55.27 seconds – her fourth quickest time. "I won it even though it was cold and windy so I'm happy," she said.

Child will race again in Prague next week in her last tune-up before the Olympic trials in Birmingham.

n Dundee's Eilish McColgan is targeting an Olympic qualifying time in the 3000m steeplechase at tomorrow night's Bislett Games in Oslo, writes Lorin McDougall. The 21-year-old recently competed over the barriers for the first time since breaking her foot at Crystal Palace last summer, winning the Flanders Cup in Belgium in 9min 48.09sec. McColgan needs to find another five seconds and break her own Scottish record to achieve the 'A' standard for London.

Fellow Scot David Bishop hopes to get a run in the Dream Mile, while Guy Learmonth goes in the 800m after breaking his personal best on the same track last month.

cycling

Bradley Wiggins (Team Sky) retained the yellow jersey at the Criterium du Dauphine in France after crossing the line in ninth spot, just behind his nearest challenger Cadel Evans (BMC), at the end of yesterday's 160-kilometre stage from Lamastre to Saint-Felicien, writes Colin Renton. The Spaniard Daniel Moreno (Katusha) took the win when he produced a perfectly timed finish to outsprint Julien Simon (Saur-Sojasun) and Tony Gallopin (RadioShack), with the leading bunch of 44 riders all given the same time.

Scot David Millar (Garmin Barracuda) produced another fine effort to finish 16th and remain 12th overall, nine seconds down on Wiggins, whose advantage over Evans is still just one second.

Wiggins expressed relief at emerging with his lead intact, saying, "It was all about respecting the jersey by defending it and also staying safe. It was also a hectic finish so it's good to have got through it all okay and that's another day down."

hockey

Scotland lost 2-0 to Spain in the final Test in Terrassa yesterday but coach Derek Forsyth can take considerable encouragement in his new squad, with a draw and two narrow defeats in the three-match series against a side ranked fifth in the world, 17 places above the Scots, writes Craig Madden.

The Scots could have taken an early lead in 11 minutes at a penalty corner, Willie Marshall's shot being blocked by the Spanish goalkeeper who then denied Alan Forsyth from the rebound. The Spanish then stepped it up to score twice in three minutes from open play and a set piece.

"This is a very young team who can feel rightly proud of themselves against one of the top nations in the world," said Eugene Connolly, Scotland`s manager. "They stuck to their task, even when the Spanish put them under pressure. Derek has done extremely well with this young squad. They have adapted well to his systems and strategies."

n Great Britain 1 South Africa 3

Scottish goalkeeper Abi Walker was yesterday dropped by head coach Danny Kerry for the Investec London Cup tournament in Chiswick, the last tournament for the GB women before the Olympic Games. The Canterbury goalkeeper, who was named as travelling reserve for the Olympics, lost out when Kerry decided to use only one goalkeeper – England`s Beth Storry – to allow him to draft in extra cover for injured Reading defender Kate Walsh.

Scots Laura Bartlett and Emily Maguire did make the starting line-up for the opening match against South Africa, which was played in atrocious weather. GB fell two behind early in the first half through strikes by Sulette Damons and Barnadette Coston. South Africa, eight places below GB in the world rankings, added a third through Pietie Coetzee at a counter-attack before Susie Gilbert grabbed a consolation five minutes from the end.

GB must beat Germany tomorrow to have any chance of making the weekend`s semi-finals. Netherlands beat Australia 2-1 in the other pool.

ice hockey

Dundee CCS Stars yesterday re-signed last season's club rookie of the year, Ross McIntosh, and back-up netminder Mark McGill, writes Nigel Duncan. The Tayside team's Edinburgh-based player/coach Jeff Hutchins said Dundee-born forward McIntosh, aged 20, was fully-committed to improving his game.

He also praised Edinburgh-born McGill, 21, a former understudy at Edinburgh Capitals, for his contribution last season.

"Ross improved a lot during the season and this was rewarded by increased ice time during the backend. "I have spoken to Ross about what he needs to address in his game and he is fully committed to working these areas to make him a better player.

speedway

The Berwick Bandits captain Lee Complin may need surgery after the 27-year-old Skipton-based rider caught his hand in an opponents' front wheel during Bandits' Premier League match at Workington Comet on Monday, writes Nigel Duncan. The match was abandoned with Workington leading 36-27.

Kyle Howarth, a former Edinburgh Monarchs rider, was also involved in the accident. He was taken to hospital after smashing two barriers and a fence post but X-rays revealed nothing was broken. He had scored seven points and Complin five.

The injury is a massive blow to Bandits who have started the season well, winning all three of their opening league home fixtures.