Dundee captains lead teams to medals at new hockey World Cup

DUNDEE players led Scotland into the medals at a new indoor hockey tournament.

The Indoor Hockey Masters World Cup in Nottingham saw two out of seven Scotland teams come home with medals.

Ali MacFarlane of Grove Menzieshill captained the ladies’ over-55 team, which won bronze – beating Italy, Australia and the Netherlands – twice – and drawing with Germany.

The men’s over-35 team, captained by Bobby Ralph of the Dundee Wanderers, took silver after losing to Germany in the final.

Fellow Dundonian Mike Forbes, who plays for Grove Menzieshill, was also part of the men’s over-35 team along with several Fifers, including Jamie Carnegie of St Andrews University and Andrew Doyle and Gordon Mckeller, who both play for Dunfermline Carnegie.

Martin Boag of FMGM Monarchs umpired on the final day of the tournament.

Ali said: “We were delighted to end our tournament with a 7-0 win against the Dutch in our bronze medal match.

“A group stage draw against eventual champions Germany left us feeling gold was within our grasp, but it will just be extra motivation for next time.

“With the tournament being the first of its kind we were unsure how we’d stack up against the other nations, but our training sessions against the Scotland W35s stood us in good stead against opposition our own age.

“With all the different age group games at the same venue it was great being able to support the other Scottish teams.”

Men’s skipper Bobby said: “Representing Scotland – especially as captain – was an absolute honour. We had a great mixture of experience and talent and the spirit in the team was some of the best I’ve been involved in.”

He added: “Despite being disappointed not to win against Germany in the final, we competed closely against the best in the business and if I’d been told before the tournament we’d win silver at the World Cup losing only to Germany I’d have bitten your hand off.”

World Masters Hockey organises international field hockey competitions for ages 35-plus to 70-plus.

The Indoor World Cup was the first Masters indoor contest of its kind.

Scotland Masters teams with their World Cup medals.