Brits take a leap forward in Fed battle
Johanna Konta and Heather Watson came from a set down to leave Great Britain on the verge of reaching tennis’ Fed Cup World Group II for the first time in 24 years.
The British pair recorded a 4- 6 6- 4 6-3 doubles victory over Croatia’s Ana Konjuh and Donna Vekic after Konta’s shock defeat left them level following the singles ties.
Anne Keothavong’s team face a further play-off in April where victory would see them reach the competition’s second tier.
Skipper Keothavong said: “They fought their hearts out and played with so much passion. I’m so proud of them.” Eilish McColgan says she’s ready to power past her rivals after landing the British 3000metres title in Sheffield and qualifying for today’s 1500m final less than 72 hours after jetting back from Kenya.
The Dundonian marked her first outing on the boards in five years by out-sprinting defending champion Steph Twell as the Scots pair booked a chance to take on Laura Muir for the European crown next month.
McColgan said: “Endurance-wise I’m a lot stronger than ever before. In Kenya out of nowhere I started getting a lot quicker on the track work, which showed my speed.
“And my strength has improved. That’s why I was excited to come here because I knew I could do 1500 and 3000 and I’d have the strength to cope with the last lap.”
Scottish champion Mhairi Hendry bagged bronze in the 800m final behind Shelayna Oskan-Clarke and Adelle Tracey. Marc Austin and Grant Sheldon got their triathlon seasons off to a flyer at the ITU World Cup in South Africa.
Austin finished seventh and training partner Sheldon 10th, although the Scots duo came home less than 50 seconds behind South African winner Richard Murray. Kari Anderson steered Scotland’s cricketers to a first Women’s World Cup qualifying win then insisted the score should have been more convincing.
The Wildcats edged out Papua New Guinea by just seven runs in Colombo after defeats to South Africa and Bangladesh.
Scotland will need to record a much larger margin of victory over Pakistan tomorrow to reach the Super Six stage
Anderson, who knocked 26 runs as the Scots set a target of 169 and then grabbed three wickets for 35 , said: “We felt we didn’t get enough runs – our target was in the 200s. But the pitch was tough.” Marc Lefebvre insists his Dundee Stars are well aware time is running out to make the Elite Ice Hockey League play-offs.
Stars take on Manchester Storm tonight, 48 hours after losing 6-3 to Belfast Giants
Coach Lefebvre said: “We had a team meeting this week and the guys know what they have to do.”