ice hockey

Scots-born Ryan Watt cannnot wait to return to his native country after signing for Braehead Clan yesterday, writes Nigel Duncan. The 22-year-old forward has played for several clubs in England in recent years but he is excited at the prospect of playing in the Elite League. He enjoyed success last term with Slough Jets who won the English Premier League play-off title, winning the final against Manchester Phoenix, coached by Edinburgh-born Tony Hand, 4-1 in Coventry in April.

Watt, who recorded 50 points from 47 games last season, said: "I look forward to playing in front of the Clan fans and also challenging myself in the Elite League. I've heard a lot about the Clan fans and the organisation." A former Great Britain Under-20 and Under-18 internationalist, his former teams also include Basingstoke Bison, Swindon Wildcats and Slough Jets.

badminton

Paul Van Rietvelde, from Edinburgh, and his English partner Marcus Ellis reached the men's doubles final in the Portuguese International in Caldas da Rainha before being edged out 21-12, 22-20 by Croatia's Zvonimir Durkinjak and Denmark's Nikolaj Overgaard. They had four successive straight-game wins to reach the title match. Ellis won the mixed doubles title with Gabby White, who also won the women's doubles with Alex Langley.

CRICKET

Safy Sharif, the Saltires opening bowler who sustained a rib injury during the World T20 qualifiers, is winning his fitness battle for Sunday's CB40 opener against Surrey after playing in Clydesdale's Scottish Cup win over over Prestwick on Saturday, writes William Dick. He came through unscathed and took three for 30 in his first competitive match for more than a month. Gordon Goudie, his new-ball partner, is likely to miss out, though, after suffering a similar injury, also during the T20 qualifiers.

Pete Steindl, the coach, said: "Both players are still being monitored and both are bowling at varying degrees of intensity. The issue may be game time and full match fitness. There is a long season ahead so we won't be taking any risks with either of them."

Steindl was last night checking on the availability of Josh Davey, the Middlesex all-rounder, and Derbyshire recruit Ali Evans who could come into contention. Jean Symes, their overseas signing, will train with his new Saltires team-mates for the first time today. The South African batsman and left-arm spinner arrived in the country last Friday and took part in Watsonians victory over Dumfries the following day. The squad will be announced today.

n Supporters are being offered a two-for-the-price-of-one deal at Sunday's showdown with the CB40 cup holders at the Citylets Grange. Cricket Scotland officials have also announced that fans under the age of 16 will gain entry to the following day's game with Nottinghamshire if they are wearing or carrying a saltire or thistle.

Gymnastics

Scotland's Dan Purvis won a gold medal in the floor event at the World Cup in Osijek, Croatia. Purvis, building towards the Olympics, scored 15.550 points and tied for first place with Eleftherios Kosmidis from Greece.

hockey

Glynhill Kelburne's free-scoring striker Alan Forsyth has been named Scottish Hockey men's player of the year after his lethal finishing brought 29 league goals and contributed to the Paisley side's eighth straight championship, writes Craig Madden. Although still under 21, Forsyth is a regular in the Scotland senior squad.

Catriona Ralph, the Milne Craig Western defender, took the women's award. The Scotland defender took over as captain at Western after a dismal run for the once-dominant club and led the Titwood outfit to second place in the league, only a point behind the champions Grove Menzieshill. The under 21 awards go to Kelburne midfielder Michael Bremner and Grove striker Louise Campbell.

MOTOR RACING

Bathgate's Dario Franchitti, the reigning champion, scored his best result of a difficult season after finishing fifth in the Indy 300 in Sao Paulo, writes Lorin McDougall. He qualified second fastest and battled his arch rival Will Power for the lead before a spin on lap 26 relegated him to 22nd place. He rallied strongly, but Takuma Sato and Helio Castroneves denied him a podium finish, and the Ganassi driver now trails Power by 98 points after the Australian's third straight win.

Volleyball

Great Britain's women begin the final countdown to the Olympics when they face Peru, ranked 17th in the world, in Sheffield tonight, writes Roddy Mackenzie. The GB players, including their Scottish captain Lynne Beattie, have returned to training camp in Sheffield after playing for club sides throughout Europe.

Audrey Cooper, the Scot who played beach volleyball at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996 and is head coach, will begin to finalise her squad. "After a week of training it is good to see the improvements, appetite and determination of the players," she said.