YOUNG SCOTS FACE DURHAM STUDENTS

Scotland’s U21 women’s hockey squad begin the build-up to their EuroHockey Championship challenge with a double-header against England premiership side Durham University at Peffermill, Edinburgh, today and tomorrow.

Former members of Grove Menzieshill and Dundee Wanderers are prominent among the university-dominated squad selected by head coach Neil Menzies with Rhiannon Carr, Ciara Forgie, Corrie Hay, Lucy Smith and Rachel Strachan all now turning out for Glasgow.

Goalkeeper Amber Murray is between the posts for Edinburgh, Michaela McCarthy will be lining up against her current team-mates at Durham while Lucy Williamson bucks the trend by wearing a GHK shirt.

Two further Taysiders are also included in the overall squad. Unavailable for this weekend due to involvement with the Scottish senior indoor squad are ex-Wanderer Ruth Blaikie, now based in the Netherlands, and former Grove and current Watsonians talent Ellie Stott.

Having gained promotion from Europe’s tier 2 competition in Turkey in 2019 the initial target for the young Scots at the EuroHockey Championships in Ghent in July must be to retain this status at the top table of European hockey.

Scotland’s U21 men are on a similar trajectory for Europe and World Cup qualification, playing twice against English premier league side Durham at the same venue.

Taysiders included in the squad are Grove Menzieshill’s Sam Knight alongside former teammates Keir Robb and John Stephen, both currently studying at Edinburgh University. Start time today and tomorrow is 2pm.