Sports Shorts

Thain claims sole victory as Scotland suffer Irish pummelling

Lochend welterweight John Thain was the only victorious Scot during an amateur boxing competition in Dublin which saw Ireland annihilate the Jocks in a 9-1 thrashing.

Despite the massive gulf in talent between the two nations, Thain’s win was a comprehensive one, and saw him dominate Irish champion Paul Barbour, winning 11 points to 3.

“The very large boxing ring in Dublin's national Stadium favoured my rapid stick-and-move style and I dominated him throughout with my left jab and right uppercuts,” said Thain, adding, “I'm delighted that my win prevented a 10-0 whitewash.”

However, the Scotland team were forced to admit that they were on the wrong end of a hiding, and Thain’s club-mate, middleweight fighter Chris Cowan admitted his personal performance against David Joyce was below par: “In retrospect, I gave Joyce, who is a former Irish 64 and 69kg national champion, too much respect. But I'm a novice at international level so I hope to take some valuable lessons.”

Aguiar’s Hearts future hangs in the balance

Hearts midfielder Bruno Aguiar’s career at the club looks uncertain as negotiations over a new contract have stalled.

The Portuguese currently earns around €8000 per week after tax, but talks between his agent Paulo Barbosa and majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov appear to have stalled as Hearts seek to slash their weekly payroll.

It is now just a matter of weeks before Aguiar’s contact expires, and Barbosa has informed the media that a number of clubs have been tracking the player, including Celtic and Rangers, fuelling speculation that Auguiar’s future lies away from Tynecastle.

Barbosa said in a statement: “There is nothing special happening with Hearts. Bruno will finish the contract and then he will be a free agent. I think he will be leaving Hearts.”

Turner keeps the score down at Troon

Newly-crowned British Universities’ champion golfer, Craiglaw’s Jane Turner, found herself in second positon after the opening round of the Helen Holm Scottish Women’s Open Stroke Play Championship, shooting a 78 over a lengthened Troon Portland course.

Turner ended level on stokes with Curtis Cup player Carly Booth of Comrie, whilst Musselburgh's Rachael Livingstone fired an 81, one less than Rachael Watton from Mortonhall.

Dunbar's Emma Fairnie and Claire MacDonald of Gullane Ladies carded 83 and 86 respectively.

However, the pack was led by Slieve Russell's Leona Maguire, who held a three-shot lead after a superb six-under-par opening round of 69.