ROUND-UP Young Scots win bronze in St Petersburg

SCOTLAND U/21 men won the bronze medal at EuroHockey Junior Championship II in St Petersburg with a 4-3 win over the Czech Republic.

Nice build-up down the right saw the ball switched to Rob Harwood unmarked at the far post and he made it 1-0 before the Czechs levelled.

The third quarter was very physical with both sides cancelling each other out.

Scotland then stepped up their play and won a penalty corner which saw the post man concede a penalty stroke and Aidan McQuade netted to put Scotland 2-1 in front.

In the last quarter, Cameron Golden went on a magnificent solo run down the left. He carved the Czechs open and won a penalty corner and Scotland went 3-1 up when a nice routine was finished by Murray Collins.

A few minutes later and it was 4-1 Scotland when another penalty corner was finished off by a Harwood deflection as the Scots turned on the style.

The Czech Republic pulled one back when Marek Svaton made it 4-2 with a minute to play.

In the final second of the match the Czechs netted a third.

Scotland U/21 head coach Graham Moodie said: “We deserved the win over the Czech Republic. It’s a great way to finish off the tournament.

“It’s been a positive week and we’ve progressed very well. Players really stepped up to responsibilities and we scored lots of goals.

“We came so close to reaching the next level and that’s a positive thing to build on.

“The players are thinking of what could have been but, when they reflect on the week, they’ll be pleased at what is a real step forward.”

There were no medals for the Scottish Ladies U/21s but they finished off their Euro Junior Championship II campaign with a 3-0 win over Poland in the Czech Republic.

Scotland started strongly with two goals in the opening quarter.

Millie Steiger gave Scotland an early lead with a cool finish from a shot by Lexi Sabatelli.

Five minutes later, Rachael Bain got her first goal of the tournament with another calm finish from a penalty corner.

The game then settled down and the third goal was by Lorna Cruickshank for 3-0 at the end of the third quarter.

Scotland cruised to a solid 3-0 victory and end the event on a win and a clean sheet.

The Scottish Ladies senior squad had three games against Russia in Glasgow, losing 4-2 after leading 2-0.

Then the Russians had a 2-1 win though the Scots impressed i n the opening exchanges and took the lead when Ali Howie’s initial shot was blocked by the keeper and Sarah Jamieson followed up to fire a low shot into the net.

The Scots were dominant in final quarter and chances fell to Becky Merchant, Fiona Burnet and Robyn Collins but the Russians held out to win.

Scotland triumphed in the third game 7-2.

It was a more controlled show by the Scots and goals by Nikki Lloyd (2), Sarah Jamieson (2), Bex Condie, Fiona Bruce and Ali Howie rounded off a well earned victory.

The Scots now have three matches against France at the National Centre in Glasgow.

The squad selected for the Euro Championships from August 18-27 in Holland will face France. These matches are on Friday (7pm), Sunday (1pm) and Monday (11am).

The Scottish men will be playing i n Glasgow from August 6-12 in their Euro Championship II at the National Centre.

Pool opposition is France on August 6, Portugal on the 8th and Ukraine on the 9th.

These 5-8-year-olds take a break at their Grove Academy Summer Football Camp.