sport
SPORT
listings
Events are listed alphabetically by sport, then by da . Fixtures are correct at time o publication, but may be affected by weather. Sports listtn s compiled by Brian
Dona dson.
Home International Series Sat l2/Sun 13. Magnum Centre. Irvine. If you want all the info. there‘s no need to be foiled. duel get it from the organiser on 01-11 445 1602.
FOOTBALL ' ‘
Saturday 5
PREMIER LEAGUE
Aberdeen v Mothenivell Pittodrie Stadium. Pittodrie Street. Aberdeen. 3pm. Hibs v Dundee United Easter Road Stadium. Albion Road. Edinburgh. 3pm. Kilmarnock v Hearts Rugby Park. Rugby Road. Kilmarnock. 3pm.
Ralth Rovers v Celtic Starks Park. Pratt Street, Kirkcaldy. 3pm.
Rangers v Dunfermline Ibrox Stadium. Edmiston Drive. Glasgow. 3pm.
FIRST DIVISION
Airdrie v Clydebank Broadwood Stadium. Cumbernauld. 3pm.
Dundee v Falkirlt Dens Park. Sandeman Street. Dundee. 3pm.
East Fife v Particlt Thistle Bayview Park. Wellesley Road. Methil. 3pm. Morton v St Johnstone Cappielow Park. Sinclair Street. Greenock. 3pm. Stirling Albion v St Mirren Forthbank Stadium. Sprinkerse Industrial Estate. Stirling. 3pm.
Saturday 12
TENNENT'S SCOTTISH CUP SEMI FINAL
Celtic v Falkirk lbrox Stadium.
preview
; Grid iron : brew
Current World Bowl champions SCOTTISH CLAYMORES have kicked American football onto Scotland’s sporting calendar. And now they're burning to get
i into the new season,
A says native player Scott fCoupen
5 Words Brian Donaldson
If your vision of the ideal American football star is ‘ encapsulated in the swarthy figure
of The Fridge. then think again.
Having a frame like Scottish
(‘laymores' wide receiver Scott i (‘ouper does have its drawbacks. however. ‘l'm just a skinny wee guy. and sometimes when you‘re otit on that field. it's like planets
colliding and you've got to try to look alter yourself.~
There‘s more at stake than self—preservation for the (‘laymorcs this season - they
happen to have the tiny matter of
a World Bowl title to defend. Not that it will be a breeze as seen in their recent warm-up match with Frankfurt. where grudges from last season appeared to be festering. "l'hey seemed to be going at it hammer and tongs.‘
recalls (‘oupetz painfully. ‘It was like they were playing the World Bowl all over again in the practice match. but we realised that we can‘t lower ourselves. We'll just play (‘laymores football and do our talking
on the field during the season.‘
That talking may have to be done without two of last season's star performers. Popular running back Siran Stacy is due to be tried for
.l . .1 y; ., '3: .. IV" ' ' ’- . ' fl, ya I
On the receiving end: Scottish Claymores’ Scott Couper
Couper also points to strong and effective leadership. ‘The difference between the two seasons is like night and day.‘ the 27-year-old former Strathclyde University student admits. ‘In 95 the head coach was old school and a strict disciplinarian. He
a at o n
51:5 wt" Hf"?
moved on three days before the first game so we had to pick up a whole new playing philosophy. It was just turmoil and that showed on the field. Come last year. the coach had the reins from the
Iidmiston Drive. Glasgow. 3pm. The last time Falkirk were at Ibrox on cup business. a man called Cadette scored the winner. This time the boys from Brockville will need to keep out someone with a vaguely similar name if they are to make it to the final. For Tonuny Burns. the season which held so much promise has fizzled out and cup victory may be the only chance to keep the vampires at bay.
PREMIER LEAGUE
Dunfermline v Hibs East Iind Park. Halbeath Road. Dunfermline. 3pm. Hearts v Aberdeen Tynecastle Park. Gorgie Road. Edinburgh. 3pm. Motherwell v Raith Rovers Fir Park. Firpark Street. Motherwell. 3pm.
FIRST DIVISION
Airdrie v Dundee Broadwood Stadium. Cumbernauld. 3pm.
East Fife v Morton Bayview Park. Wellesley Road. Methil. 3pm.
Partick Thistle v St Johnstone Fit-hill Park. Firhill Road. Glasgow. 3pm.
St Mirren v Clydebank St Mirren Park. Love Street. Paisley. 3pm.
Monday 14 remains scomsu cur SEMI
assault just before the season kicks off — with ex- Tampa Bay star .\Ia/.io ‘Rolls‘ Royster stepping into his formidable shoes — while Gavin Hastings has called it a day after one season. His replacement kicker is Gary Parker and much is expected from the man with the Rangers gumshield. despite his misses in his debut against London .‘ylonarchs in March. ‘Gary is desperate to do well.’ states Couper. ‘Ile practices hard and his enthusiasm helps the whole team. He kicked well against Frankfurt. so that should settle him.‘
Those behind the ('laymores realise that it’s not simply talented individuals who win titles in this game — team spirit and cohesion were large factors in the (‘laymores‘ ti'ansformation from also-rans in 95 to champions in ()(v tor From ll'm-si To First. as they on Sat 12 Apr; first home game is at Murrayfield would have it in the video highlighting their switch in against Barcelona Dragons on Sun 20 Apr, 3pm kick- lortunes). off.
beginning and could run the camp the way he wanted. FINAL . . .
and the result of that was evident on the field. We Dundee “.mted"K'Ima'"°‘k.hasm
l x l ' .11 b‘ h ‘ ‘ l . h. I . Road Stadium. Albion Road. Edinburgh.
mp“ n‘u L t C (856 ‘l‘gam I ‘5 )car' . 8pm. Having thoroughly tanned the Old As well as success for the team. Couper aims to Firm within 24 hours of each other last
consolidate and build on his line form from last year. month. there is IIOICGSO” l0 dOPbl that
‘I want to concentrate on things which aren‘t really the“ “"0 arc,P'3Y”‘g fora“)‘h‘”g '“55 ,g
I, . I . ‘ . ‘ ‘ ‘- 1 I ‘ .‘ than winners medals. Tommy McLean s
tiat noticeable. he claims. All people. may see is you men will sum as favourites, hm Bobby
running and making a catch and scoring a couple of Williamson will have his team up forit.
touchdowns — which is fantastic. There are other Wuhthc exPCHCHCc OfRObC” PW"-
aspects of my game I want to work on. like blocking
and those things which people don‘t see.‘
adding to the abundance of youthful talent at Rugby Park. Keep your eye on Scott Couper — a grid lion rampant.
GYMNASTICS -
Great Britain v Russia Fri 4/Sat 5. Kelvin Hall. Glasgow. The talented Russian gymnasts come to Glasgow hot on the heels of their team event silver medal at the Atlanta Olympics. The
Scottish Claymores play away to Amsterdam Admirals
Cominued over page
4—17 Apr 1997 THE usr 81