CZECH ice hockey veteran Milan Figala's five-star show on Fife Flyers'

blue line was a revelation to everyone -- including the man who gambled

by picking him.

The former World Championship silver medallist -- signed for two weeks

from first-division outfit Aviemore to help the Fifers' injury crisis --

turned the clock back and was a major factor in Flyers earning two

points at Peterborough on Sunday after their defeat at Bracknell 24

hours before.

An action replay this weekend could prompt the Kirkcaldy club to

rethink their plans and offer the 37-year-old defenceman a passport back

to the big time.

Figala -- out of the top flight for four seasons before the weekend

trip -- won the admiration of Flyers' coach Jim Lynch.

Modest tough-guy Figala -- who picked up five stitches -- shrugged

aside the plaudits and said: ''I tried my best. I enjoyed the weekend

and although I've been out of the top level for four years I train every

week and am fit.''

With Figala, veteran skipper Gordon Latto restored to blue line duty,

and newcomer Bob Giffen beginning to find his form, Flyers move forward

to this weekend's league jousts at home to Welsh wizards Cardiff and

away to Humberside with renewed confidence. Fixtures:

Saturday: Heineken Premier division -- Fife v Cardiff; Billingham v

Humberside; Nottingham v Whitley. First division -- Ayr v Romford;

Basingstoke v Slough; Swindon v Telford; Milton Keynes v Lee Valley;

Medway v Sheffield.

Sunday: Premier division -- Murrayfield v Cardiff; Whitley v

Peterborough; Durham v Billingham; Humberside v Fife; Bracknell v

Nottingham. First division -- Romford v Basingstoke; Lee Valley v

Medway; Slough v Milton Keynes.