Turkey trot

Q&A

Q. On 29 August 1953, Lincoln City inflicted an 8-0 defeat on Blackburn Rovers, equalling Rovers' record defeat by Arsenal 20 years earlier. On 2 January 1954, the score was Blackburn Rovers 6 Lincoln City 0. Is this a record variance in a scoreline between teams in the English League in the same season?

A. Regarding the Lincoln- Blackburn and Bradford- Colchester results, there was an even more astonishing turnaround in fortunes in the matches between Ipswich Town and Fulham during Christmas 1963.

On Boxing Day, Fulham defeated Ipswich 10-1, with Graham Leggat completing a hat-trick in three and a half minutes, the fastest recorded in the First Division. Two days later, on the Saturday, in the reverse fixture at Portman Road, Ipswich won 4-2.

Alas, it was the one bright spot in an otherwise disastrous season for Ipswich, who were eventually relegated after conceding a staggering 121 goals. - Rod Cross, Botley, Southampton

ANSWERS PLEASE

Q. In golf, there are four majors, the Open, the United States Open, the Masters and the US PGA, and similarly in tennis, there are four grand slams, the Championships at Wimbledon and the Australian, French and US Opens. How did these tournaments gain their status and why only four? And in tennis, why do countries opt to play on grass or clay, or indeed other surfaces? - P R Davis, Upminster

Q. Entrepreneur is yet another short-priced favourite to win the Derby at Epsom next weekend. When was the last horse to win the Derby at odds of, say, 33-1 or bigger?- John Gardiner, Hull

If you know the answers to any of these questions or have a sporting question of your own, write to Q&A, Sports Desk, Independent on Sunday, 1 Canada Square, London E14 5DL. Fax: 0171-293 2894