Jacques the lad for making a point on the track

PETER JACQUES (City of Edinburgh) was the surprise star of the show in last night's fourth round of the Meadowbank National Track Cycling League.

The Englishman, who was fourth in the 1998 Commonwealth Games and a top performer on the Japanese Keirin circuit several years ago, showed that he has lost none of his guile with a win in the Devil Take the Hindmost, a runners-up slot in the 15-kilometre scratch and third place in the 12-lap event.

His team-mate Bruce Croall, the current league leader, extended the gap at the top with a win in the 12-lap and five bonus points on his way to taking third place in the 16-lap course de primes.

However, Croall's nearest challenger, another colleague, Derek Smith, also performed well to finish second behind Jacques in the Devil, before reversing the places in a high-paced 15km race in which Kate Cullen (Braveheart Cycling Fund) took several male scalps on her way to finishing third.

In the youths' events, Sam Matthews (Edinburgh Racers) had a fruitful evening, with three wins to move to the top of the table, while Kate McCulloch marked her debut with a win.