Scotland are out of luck in Irish games

SPORTS

THE Scotland men’s hockey team snatched a draw in the first of two meetings against Ireland at Glasgow’s National Hockey Centre but lost out in the second match.

This was in preparation for the Euro Championships in Antwerp, Belgium, from August 17-24.

Ireland had the Scots on the back foot for much of the match but a resolute defence and good goalkeeping by Tommy Alexander (UHC) denied Ireland for the first three quarters.

When Ireland took the lead in the final quarter, victory seemed inevitable.

However, in the closing minutes, Cammy Golden (Grove Menzieshill) created an opening for Kenny Bain (Hurley) to equalise.

Scotland were more positive in the second match despite losing 2-1.

They took the lead in the first quarter. Alan Forsyth (Surbiton) latched on to a loose rebound from a penalty corner to net.

Ireland equalised in the second quarter and then took the lead.

The Scots had scoring opportunities but could not find an equaliser.

Scotland will meet Ireland in the Pool matches on August 18, having played Germany the day before with Holland being met on the 20th.

The Scottish women’s squad for their Euro Championship games in Glasgow from August 4-10 includes two players from Dundee Wanderers, Charlotte Watson and Emily Dark.

Charlotte is making a name for herself in international circles, having made her debut for Great Britain in Japan earlier this year, and Emily is following in her footsteps.

The pressure will be on from the outset with the top two teams promoted to the Championship, the top level of this competition, and the bottom two at the end of the week being relegated.

Scotland play Ukraine on the fourth at 2.45pm, the Czech Republic on the sixth at 6pm and Austria on the seventh at 7pm.

Wales, Turkey, Poland and Italy are in Pool A.

The classification matches will follow on the ninth and 10th.

Scotland Women’s head coach, Jen Wilson, said: “After some very tough selection decisions we are delighted to announce our team to compete in Euro Championship II.

“The squad has made superb progress and our selection headaches are testament to all the hard work this incredible group of players have put in.

“We are all looking forward to playing in front of our home crowd and can’t wait to have that full support behind us.”

American Collin Morikawa carded a trio of birdies in the last three holes to win the Barracuda Championship at the Montreux Golf and Country Club by three points.

Compatriot Troy Merritt had raced into the lead with a strong third round but then faded, mixing four birdies with a bogey.

The Barracuda Championship uses a Modified Stableford format, which allocates points based on the number of strokes taken at each hole.

Eight points are awarded for an albatross, five for an eagle, two for a birdie, zero for a par, minus one for a bogey and minus three for a double bogey or worse.

Morikawa followed his 13 with 14 to win the title, his first on the PGA Tour, with 47, three better than Merritt and seven more than John Chin and Robert Streb who were third.

Scot Martin Laird was in a four-way tie for seventh.