Dons Hot and Cold .sx By BILL MCFARLANE .sx AFTER THE exotic climes of Bermuda , Aberdeen were brought back to earth with a bang in unglamorous Kirkcaldy .sx In fairness , the Dons started well .sx But , long before the end , the effects of their 22-hour return trip on Thursday were all too obvious .sx Not that too much should be read into this game .sx Indeed , we even had the bizarre spectacle of four players all wearing No .sx 16 jerseys at the same time !sx .sx One player certainly took proceedings far more seriously than most - Theo Snelders .sx Just after half-time , he was penalised for over-carrying the ball and voiced his disapproval so strongly that referee Taylor saw fit to administer a lengthy lecture .sx From the resulting free-kick , Raith's new signing , Craig Brewster , blasted the ball low past the Dutch keeper .sx Before the end , Snelders was also involved in a fiery exchange with team-mate Steward McKimmie , with the pair almost coming to blows .sx Aberdeen had gone ahead in the first half after Hans Gillhaus played a snappy one-two with Grant before firing the ball home .sx Then , 13 minutes from the end , Gillhaus dispossesses Coyle and young Scott Booth took full advantage to score the winner .sx Aberdeen played well within themselves .sx Raith , now full-time again , were well organised and Brewster could prove to be an astute signing .sx Captains' headache .sx By DOUG PROCTOR .sx DON CHERRY may not be one of golf's household names .sx But he was the man responsible for the R&A having to cough up pounds98,400 for the additional players who made the halfway cut at Royal Birkdale last weekend , courtesy of the ten-shot rule .sx Cherry was an American Walker Cup player , who made a long putt on the 36th green at The Masters to eliminate Ben Hogan and Gary Middlecoff at the halfway stage , even though they were less than ten strokes back .sx Standard Practice .sx Thereafter the ten-stroke rule was introduced and has now become standard practice .sx Cherry was also a top night club singer whose solitary hit single " Band of " , lies somewhere in my box of 78s !sx .sx He helped provide a pot of gold for the lucky 40-odd players who left Borkdale pounds2,400 richer .sx But Cherry's historical feat did little to help either of the two Ryder Cup captains in their search for wildcard competitors for the showdown at Kiawah Island in September .sx Among the Europeans , Sam Torrance made the biggest move over the last 36 holes and he is virtually assured of a place in Bernard Gallacher's side .sx Tom Kite's 68 , 69 finish , meanwhile , was the most-prominent American move from the rear of the field .sx He is now only one spot out of Dave Stockton's side and should sneak in .sx Even so , the differing method of selection by each side is causing headaches for both captains .sx They both feel strongly that the US PGA and its British counterpart should use identical systems .sx The American method is based over players' performances in the past two years while the Europeans only take into account the current season .sx Americans earn points for finishing in the top ten in tournaments but the European side is picked from the top earners .sx Stockton will be allowed two of his own choices with Gallacher having three .sx Anomalies occur in each system , with Wayne Levi the most-glaring example .sx Last year , a career-best of over $1 million winnings put him into contention .sx He's now number eight on the American list - despite not being in the top 60 on the money list this year !sx .sx Conversely , a win at Borkdale , worth pounds90,000 , could have catapulted a number of Europeans from nowhere into the Ryder Cup team .sx Of course , no selection process is without controversy and doubtless many will take the view that each camp is entitled to do what they will .sx Tony's Tokyo Target .sx By BARRY DOUGLAS .sx ONE OF Britain's best chances of a medal at the athletics World Championships in Tokyo next month comes in the 110 metre hurdles , where we've two truly world-class competitors .sx The event's been dominated in Britain by Colin Jackson over the past couple of seasons , but his international team-mate Tony Jarrett ( left ) photo has been making progress recently .sx Following his less than happy experience in the Stockholm Grand Prix meeting , where he fell , Jarrett was up early in the morning before the recent Parcelforce Games at Crystal Palace meeting to improve his start .sx The work obviously paid off , with Tony claiming the scalp of Jackson , as well as American Tony Deas , despite windy conditions .sx " The funny thing is that I like running into a headwind .sx I hate running with the wind behind me - it brings me on to the hurdles too quickly .sx " .sx Despite that victory , Tony is reluctant to place himself among the top half-dozen hurdlers in the world .sx " I've been taking a step up every year , but it's still too early in the season .sx I'm just concentrating on getting ready for the World Championships .sx " .sx Though he's not one to blow his own trumpet , Tony clearly believes he can win a medal in Tokyo .sx " If I didn't I wouldn't be in the sport , but it's going to be very hard .sx " Greg Foster is running reasonably fast , and I know Colin is going to be ready .sx " .sx Although he's a top international , Tony still keeps in touch with the grass roots of the sport through his club , Haringey .sx Much of that is due to the debt of thanks he owes the club founder , the late Ron Pickering .sx " As far as running is concerned , he's the person who brought me up .sx He also helped me out financially when there was no money , " recalls Tony .sx " Ron played a big part in my career .sx At the Olympics , a lot of people didn't think I could get to the final but he encouraged me and told me I could do it .sx " He was a great man and he'll be sadly missed .sx " .sx HONDA'S THANK YOU TO THE FLYING SCOT .sx Steve gets his reward .sx By BARRY DOUGLAS .sx STEVE HISLOP'S record-breaking performance in the Isle of Man TT series has lined up a Grand Prix future with Honda .sx The Flying Scot , who finished third in last weekend's Suzuka endurance race , looks set to be given a factory-prepared Honda machine for a crack at the 250cc World title next season .sx To gain experience for that challenge , Steve ( above ) will be on the grid for this afternoon's 250cc event at the British Grand Prix at Donington Park .sx Honda's decision is the fulfilment of a dream for the 29-year-old Hawick rider .sx " You always want to be competing against the best , and to have a chance of getting a decent finish , you need the best bike , " says Steve .sx " I had my first ride on a factory-prepared bike in Japan .sx " The difference between that bike , and the machine I usually ride , was incredible .sx " .sx Steve , and partner Jason Fogarty , scorched round the Suzuka track for 192 laps in the latest leg of the World endurance Championship .sx Hislop finished third behind winners Wayne Gardner and Michael Doohan .sx " I was told fairly late in the day that I'd be riding a factory bike .sx " I think it was Honda's way of thanking me for winning three races at the Isle of Man TT again , and giving them a good show .sx " .sx Steve admits he was determined to repay Honda's faith with a strong showing , despite the horrendous conditions .sx Heavy rain made the track so treacherous , fellow Scot Niall Mackenzie suffered the indignity of two crashes , before struggling home in 22nd place .sx " With the race being in Japan , all the top works bosses were there watching , and I hope I did enough to impress them .sx " Honda have already indicated they will consider sending a factory bike to the next major leg of the endurance Championship in Australia .sx " It would be fantastic if they did .sx " .sx Steve has every reason to push Honda for another chance on a factory bike .sx He currently leads the World Endurance Championship , and a good finish in Australia could see him clinch the title .sx " There are a couple of races before then , but I'm pretty confident I'll pick up enough points in those to keep me in contention .sx " If Honda do provide me with a factory machine , I'll be competing on a par with the top riders in the world .sx " As long as I'm given a winning chance , I think I can match the best , and capture the world title .sx " .sx Mackenzie , too is being given an opportunity to shine this afternoon .sx No Hesitation .sx Yamaha offered Niall a one-off deal to return to 500cc action , and the Dunblane-based star didn't have to think twice about competing in his home Grand Prix .sx The 500cc title race has so far mirrored its Formula One counterpart .sx The current leader and defending champion , Wayne Rainey also has just a narrow eight point lead , despite four wins like Ayrton Senna .sx His main rival is the Australian Honda rider Michael Doohan .sx However , Californian Rainey's Yamaha is expected to win this afternoon , as Donington is a circuit which should favour his bike .sx Without any long straights , the riders must either be braking or accelerating all the time .sx It means steering skill , rather than all-out power , will be the crucial factor .sx With Yamaha enjoying an advantage over Honda in that department , Doohan will have his work cut out to narrow the gap .sx 63 sets up Woosnam .sx IAN WOOSNAM , the 33-year-old Welshman , looks set to win the first prize of pounds100,000 at the Scandinavian Masters in Stockholm today .sx Woosnam blazed round the 6747-yard Drottningholm course in a magnificent nine-under-par 63 in his third round yesterday to go to 17 under for a 199 aggregate and take a two-shot lead over David James of Scotland .sx It was vintage Woosnam , with seven birdies and an eagle in a bogey-free round putting him in good heart not only for the final today , but also for the U.S. PGA championship at the Crooked Stick Club , Indiana , next week .sx This week he has shot 67 , 69 , 63 on a par 72 course , and said of his form , " I played well the first two days , but could not make the putts .sx " But it was only a matter of time and being patient and the putts were sure to come .sx " .sx Had he hit top form too early with a major championship coming up ?sx Woosnam scoffed at this idea , saying , " I don't mind what week it is .sx I shall play well next week or I won't play well , but I shall be very happy to win the Scandinavian Masters .sx " .sx Yesterday he birdied the first two holes with putts of seven and 15 feet , and then had another at the fifth , where he slotted a 12-foot putt .sx His only blemish came when he hit the long seventh in two and three-putted , but he quickly made amends .sx At the 563-yard eighth he was almost on with a drive and a three-iron , and then chipped in for an eagle three from 18 yards .sx He went to the turn in 31 and birdied the eleventh , thirteenth and fifteenth to go to 16 under par for the tournament .sx When he drove into a bunker at the last it looked as if he would have to be content with a par five , but Woosnam splashed out with a five-iron and then sent an eight-iron approach to 10 feet .sx He holed the putt for yet another birdie .sx Modest Mames , who shot a 68 , said , " I wasn't really pleased with my round because I didn't swing the club too well .sx " .sx Would he be nervous when he played with Woosnam in the final round ?sx " I'm bound to be a little nervous , " said James , " but not because of Ian .sx I don't care what he does .sx " All I am interested in is playing well myself .sx I'm in a good position , but I still do not think I have an outstanding chance of winning .sx " .sx James had five birdies and a bogey in his round , but added , " I did quite well to get my score , because I missed quite a few putts .sx " .sx Another Scot , Colin Montgomerie , is lying third , two shots behind James .sx