Hammy Monaco misery

SPORTS LOG

Lewis Hamilton suffered a disastrous Monaco Grand Prix practice to slide way down to 13th on the grid.

Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen claimed a first pole position in nearly a decade, seeing off Sebastian Vettel by just 0.043 seconds as Ferrari sealed a front-row lockout.

Hami lton’s Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas lines up in third.

Jenson Button posted the ninth best time on his return to F1 but he will start from the back after a 15-place grid penalty due to engine changes to his Honda.

After going fastest in opening practice on Friday, Hamilton’s erratic display yesterday was that of a man struggling for confidence. Forwards coach Dan McFarland insists WP Nel is hungry and can get back to his best on Scotland’s summer rugby tour

The star tighthead prop missed most of 2016-17 with neck issues. But Nel is back in full training and this afternoon is set to come off the bench for the Barbarians against England.

McFarland said: “He has come back and is feeling really good. WP is very hungry to go on this tour and he will have a big part to play.” Edinburgh Monarchs skipper Sam Masters was delighted to see the speedway Championship side extend their lead to six points with a 60-30 win over Peterborough.

Masters, who scored to a 15-point maximum, said: “It’s good to go into a busy month top of the league.” Braehead Clan have lost another player for the new ice hockey campaign.

Canadian forward Corey Cowick has joined GamYo d’Epinal in France. Amy Brodie was on target in the first half but Scotland’s women still went down 2-1 to Wales in the first hockey test match at Glasgow Green. Scotland’s volleyball women’s team had a confidence-boosting 3-1 win over England in Newcastle ahead of their European Championship finals.

But Scotland’s men lost 3- 0 to the English.