Dario's prospects improve as he ups the pace for Indy; UPDATE.

SCOTLAND'S Dario Franchitti set the fifth-best time during practice for the Indianapolis 500 yesterday.

The Andretti Green driver averaged 226.96mph round the 2.5-mile oval despite more bad weather at the Brickyard.

Bathgate's Franchitti said: "We only got one run and I was trying to get a clear lap in.

"We've had a very difficult month but we're getting there and I'm a lot happier now than I was a couple of days ago."

Three more practice days are scheduled for the May 28 race with final qualifying on Saturday.

BOWLING: Scotland's women staged a smash and grab act in Australia yesterday, gaining revenge for last year's 2-1 defeat against New Zealand.

This time the Scots won 2-1 in the Tri-International Bowls Challenge at Warilla, New South Wales.

Joyce Lindores and Kay Moran produced a gritty 11-4 1-13 2-1 pairs win against Sharon Sim and Val Smith to take first blood.

The Kiwis hit back and Jo Edwards produced a stunning display against world indoor champion Margaret Letham to win 12-7 11-6.

In the triples decider, Moran, Letham and Lindores dropped the opening set 10-3 but reversed that scoreline and won the shootout 2-0.

The Scots take on the Aussies today in what could be the title decider.

TENNIS: Scotland's Jamie Baker is through to the second round of the Greek F2 Futures Tournament in Kalamata after a 7-6 7-6 victory over Stephen Moros of the USA.

Karen Paterson has made the main draw of a tournament in Tenerife by beating Brazil's Fabiana Mak of Brazil 6-1 6-1. The Edinburgh star faces Romanian Mihaela Buzrnescu in the first round.

RUGBY: Scotland Under-21 international Ben Cairns has joined Edinburgh Gunners.

The 20-year-old centre, who was an apprentice with the capital side, is on a one-year professional deal.

HOCKEY: Scottish men's indoor champions Menzieshill have drawn a tough group in the European Championships in Lille next February.

The Taysiders have to face last year's silver medallists, Pocztowiec Poznan from Poland, Austrian champions Arminen Koller Transporte, and HDM from Holland.

ATHLETICS: Track star Joanne Finch is confident of battling back from a knee injury to defend her Scottish Schools 800m and 1500m titles at Grange mouth next month.

CRICKET: Paul Hoffmann faces a fight to make Scotland's C&G Trophy showdown with Northamptonshire on Sunday.

The Uddingston star has a groin injury.

SPEEDWAY: Berwick Bandits will give Michal Makovsky and Lee Smethills fitness tests before naming their side for tonight's Knockout Cup first leg at King's Lynn.