SPORT LISTINGS

SPORT

Events are listed alphabetically by sport, then by day. Fixtures are correct at time oi publication, but may be atiected by weather. Sports listings compiled by Brian Donaldson.

ATHLETICS

Sunday 17

I Criiiel Micro Hill Race New Abbey. near [)umfries. The first of six races in the Scottish Hill Running Championships. See Hit List.

Friday 15-Sunday 17

I Aviemore Mountain Resort RCCC Rink Championship Avieinore Ice Rink. Four sections of teams battle it out for places in Sunday‘s exciting denouement. Daily times and teams from The Royal Caledonian Curling Club on 0131 333

FOOTBALL Thursday 7

TEHHEHTS SCOTTISH CUP QUARTER-FINAL I St Johnstone v Hearts McDiarmid Park. Crieff Road. Perth. 8pm.

Saturday 9

TEHHEHTS SCOTTISH CUP QUARTER- FIHALS

I Aberdeen V Airdrie Pittodrie Stadium. Pittodrie Street. Aberdeen. 3pm.

I Caledonian Thistle v Rangers Tannadice Park. Tannadice Street. Dundee. 3pm.

FIRST DIVISION

I Oumbarton v Ouniemtllne Bogheati Park. Miller Street. Dumbarton. 3pm. I Morton V Hamilton Cappielow Park. Sinclair Street. Greenock. 3pm.

Sunday 10

TEllllEllTS SCOTTISH COP OUARTER-FIHAL I Celtic v Dundee United Celtic Park. Kerrydale Street. Glasgow. 3.15pm. Tuesday 12

FIRST DIVISION I Morton v Ouniennline Cappielow Park. Sinclair Street. Greenock. 7.30pm.

Saturday 16

PREMIER LEAGUE I Falkirk V Partick Thistle Brockville Park. Hope Street. Falkirk. 3pm.

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FOOTBALL

COWOEH - WHERE’S THE BEEF?

I“

The unoliicial Cowdenbeath F.C. crest

Take a trip to Central Park, Cowdenbeath, and you’ll meet the exiled miner, the rampant ballboy, Big Bob, Or A. ll. O’Rak and Arnold Codger. llobody would blame these terracing regulars ior keeping their real identities secret, because ‘Cowden’ are about as fashionable in Scottish iootball as Jimmy Hill. However, the Scottish league’s worst supported club (ior iour out oi the last iive years, according to records) are now producing a lanzine called ‘When The Sun Shines . . . which shifts treble the average Central Park gate oi 258. Ho mean ieat tor a club who have graced the bottom division in Scotland consistently since World War II (with only two years out irom that particular misery).

Cowdenbeath F.C. holds a mystical Brigadoon status in England and occasionally the vociierous iew are i

boosted by sassanach day-trippers,

the atmosphere bordering on surreal as File accents mix with monotone Brummy and lilting Welsh. One time, a coach-load oi Port Vale tans headed north when their own game was cancelled, only to iind the weather had aiiected Central Park too. At least they were happy to discover Cowdenbeath actually did exist. Aiter photographing the ground with all the enthusiasm oi Japanese tourists visiting Edinburgh Castle, they returned a low weeks later to take in the ultimate experience oi a real Cowdenbeath match.

Living in the shadow oi would-be Premier League side Ouniennline Athletic, Cowdenbeath and its supporters come complete with shoulder chip, so the ianzine takes every chance to pour scorn on the big hoose at East End Park and ‘The Townies’, as their adversaries are called (remember, Ouniennline boss Bert Paton lasted only 28 days as Cowden’s manager in 1974). You certainly need to have a sense oi humour to support the comically tagged ‘Blue Brazils’, some might say, but as long as a loyal hundred ians stick to the cause, clubs like this will survive to the bitter end. Should things become so bad that the spectre oi deiunct Third Lanark looms large over Central Park, there is oi course the English league. It certainly seems that Cowdenbeath’s latent support lies north oi Watiord and south oi Lochgelly. (Alex Horsburgh)

‘When The Sun Shines . . .’ is available from 17 Ochiliree Court, Glenroihes, File, ll Y6 2P5. Cowdenbeath play Ross County at home on Sat 9.

I Hearts V Hibs Tynecastle Park. Gorgie Road. Edinburgh. 3pm.

I Kilmarnock v Motherwell Rugby Park. Rugby Road. Kilmarnock. 3pm.

I Raith Rovers v Aberdeen Starks Park. Pratt Street. Kirkcaldy. 3pm.

FIRST DIVISION

I Oumbarton V Clydebank Boghead Park. Miller Street. Dumbarton. 3pm.

I Dundee United v Oundee Tannadice Park. Tannadice Street. Dundee. 3pm.

I Hamilton v Airdrie Douglas Park. Douglas Park Lane. Hamilton. 3pm.

I Morton V St Mirren Cappielow Park. Sinclair Street. Greenock. 3pm.

I St Johnstone v Ouniennline McDiarmid Park. Crieff Road. Perth. 3pm.

Sunday 17

PREMIER LEAGUE

I Rangers v Celtic lbrox Stadium. lidmiston Drive. Glasgow. 1.15pm. See Hit List.

Sunday 17

I Women‘s Outdoor Oistrict Cup Semi- Finals Stepps. Glasgow. 10am—6pm. Phone the Scottish Hockey Union on 0131 650 8170 for full details.

U JITSU '

Saturday 9

I llatlonal Course and Competitions Butchart Centre. Aberdeen. 10am-4pm.

£2. See Hit List.

Saturday 16

I Inter-District Competitions For details of venue. times and teams phone the Scottish Netball Association on 0141 334 3650.

PETANOUE

Sunday 17

I Open Triples Championship Ardencaple Hotel. Helensburgh. Fans of the alternative bowls should make it along for a 10.45am start. Open to absolutely anyone. For further information call Helensburgh Petanque Association on 01436 673892.

Tuesdays

I Edinburgh Ski Bus Those without transport can get to the slopes with the help of the Ski Bus. which particularly encourages families. groups of five or more and people under eighteen (for Youth Hostel deals). Trips should continue through to April. leaving Edinburgh early Saturday and returning Sunday evening. Call Sheila on Tuesdays between 7.30—9pm on 0131 229 8660 for details or fax 0131 229 2456 any time.

Thursdays

I Glasgow Ski Club Members new and old are welcome along to the club's regular meetings at 9pm every Thursday

Catch the best Sport this iortnight.

FOOTBALL

I Rangers v Celtic This has ‘match of the season‘ written all over it. with many seeing the Premier flag’s destination wholly dependent on the outcome at lbrox. The result could rest on how the wayward Gascoigne behaves and whether the revamped Celtic frontline can beat their Goram hoodoo. Smith’s chewing and Burns‘s twitching will no doubt be ever more frenetic as this one unfolds. Ibmx Stadium. Glasgow. Sun I 7. 1.15pm. ATHLETICS

I Criiiel Micro Hill Race This long- established event kicks-off the national hill race season with competitors climbing over seven miles and 1800 feet to gain success. Fought over six races. the Scottish Hill Running Championship will conclude in October. New Abbey. near Ditmfries. Sun [7.

JU JITSU

I Rational Course And Competitions The event proper commences at 1pm after a couple of hours training. and the awards ceremony will see prizes handed out to winners of the day‘s jousting as well as Black Belt gradings. Club Awards and Coach Of The Year. For more details call the Scottish Ju Jitsu Association on 01382 458262. [Jule/tar! Centre. Aberdeen University. Sat 9. [Own—4pm.

at The Scaramouche. lilderslie Street. Charing Cross. Glasgow. For more information about the club's events and ski trips. call ()l-Il 632 9762 or ()141 883 6665.

Fur_/irr1/ter(lentils uj'l/te Scull/sir slopes. see Days Out.

Saturday 9

I Scottish Junior National Championships The future of Seottish squash is on view over two days at Heriot Watt University beginning at 9.30am. Under 12s. 14s. 16s and 19s are the categories for both boys and girls. For full details call Scottish Squash on ()131 317 7343.

WEIGHTLIFTING

Saturday 16

I Scottish Open Easterhouse Sports Centre is the venue for at noon start. The centre is currently being filmed for a documentary to be shown around secondary schools. Details from the Scottish Amateur Weight Lifting Association on 01475 674666.

3‘ The List 8-21 Mar 1996