GRAEME DOTT, world champion in 2006, maintained Scottish interest in the International Championship after surviving an epic third-round battle in Chengdu yesterday.

The Larkhall player booked his place, a quarter-final clash with China's Liang Wenbo today, after a nail-biting 6-5 win over Kurt Maflin of Norway.

Dott opened with a 126 break and moved 5-3 ahead despite three half-centuries from Maflin who had upset double world champion Mark Williams in the previous round.

The Scot looked poised for victory when he led 61-0 in frame nine, but Maflin's 71 break kept him alive and an 85 in the next set up a final-frame shoot-out. Dott trailed by 32 points before clinching his 6-5 win with a nerveless 58.

ICE HOCKEY: Braehead Clan's Scottish forward Tristan Harper believes Sunday's win against the Dundee Stars was down to hard work and true character.

The Clan lost to the Belfast Giants on Saturday night in Challenge Cup action, before an impressive EIHL win on Tayside against the Dundee Stars only 24 hours later.

The 25-year-old forward is in his fourth season in the Rapid Solicitors Elite League.

Reflecting on the Clan's victory on Sunday against his former team, Harper commented: "We knew this weekend was not going to be easy with players missing from our line-up.

"After Saturday's defeat against the Belfast Giants our heads could have easily dropped and our confidence knocked.

"However we went into the game against Dundee totally focused on the two points. We managed to pull through together as a team showing the true character of the Clan"

It's The Battle of the M8 this weekend when the Edinburgh Capitals visit Braehead Arena (7pm face-off).

Tickets for the game can be purchased via Ticketmaster or by calling 0844 499 1700.