SPORTING Q&A

Q. In his book McAusan in the Rough, George MacDonald Fraser describes how it is possible, hypothetically, for a footballer to score three successive goals without any other player touching the ball. He also suggest that a 155 break in snooker is possible.

Anyone know how?

A. 1) The footballer first scores an own goal just before half-time then kicks off, scoring directly from the restart. The referee then blows for half-time and the same player kicks off the second half and repeats his feat. Three goals, and no other player touches the ball - simple, eh?

2) In snooker, before a ball is potted one of the players commits a foul and leaves a "free ball". His opponent now pots a colour (which counts as a red, one point) and a black (which counts seven). Both are respotted and the player proceeds to add a 147 total clearance (15 reds, 15 blacks and all the colours) - 155 points in all in the break.

ANDY WARD

Kensington, London

A. Player A scores an own goal late on in the first half. He then takes the resulting kick-off and from it lofts a high ball towards the edge of the penalty area for one of his team-mates, Player B, to chase. Before Player B can reach the ball he is brought down in the box by a defender and a penalty is awarded. Player A takes the penalty, scores and the referee immediately blows for half-time. Player A takes the kick-off in the second half and tries the same tactic. Player C is fouled before touching the ball, this time just outside the penalty area. Player A takes the free- kick and curls it expertly round the wall to score. Three goals, all by the same player, scored by different methods and no one else touches the ball.

BARRY McDONALD

Strathclyde

Answers please

Q. On 3 April, four Scottish League teams - Hibernian, Livingston, Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Ross County - achieved promotion from their respective divisions. Has there ever been a season when so many teams were promoted by the end of the first week in April?

PAUL HALSTEAD

Ossett, West Yorkshire

Q. Do other countries have an upsurge in attendances at sporting events as we do in this country during the festive season and during the Easter weekend for football and rugby?

KEVIN MAGUIRE

Batley

Q. Further to the snooker question last week, I have heard that the maximum theoretical break is 162. Anyone know how this is achieved?

Has anyone ever made a break greater than 147 in competitive professional play?

DAVID MORRELL

Nottingham