Bunce stars in rout of India

SCOTLAND MORE than made up for their loss to Belgium with an exhilarating 4-0 triumph ove r India at the national hockey centre in Glasgow last night, writes our women’s hockey correspondent

Nikki Kidd and Emily Maguire gave the Scots a deserved 2-0 lead at the break before ‘man of the match’ Vikki Bunce and Dundee Wanderers’ clubmate Becky Ward wrapped up a result which keeps the Scots on track for their targeted top-four finish.

India found themselves on the back foot against the dominant hosts who produced a high end performance of superb stick skills, fast tempo and accuracy of passing.

After passing up four set- pieces, the breakthrough came just on the half-hour when Kidd pounced on a rebound to pick her spot.

Scotland turned round two to the good following a move instigated by the effervescent Bunce and finished off by London 2012 bronze medallist Maguire.

Six minutes after the restart skipper Linda Clement made a perfect pick up on the byeline which led to Scotland’s f ifth penalty corner. Kidd’s powerful cross ball fooled everyone except Bunce who was lying in wait to lash the ball in at the far post for 3-0.

Game over, but there was no let-up in effort from the rampant Scots.

India were still chasing shadows when Ward latched on to the rebound from Cat Ralph’s venomous set piece, and with five minutes left the comprehensive dismissal of another of the world’s higher-ranked nations was complete.

Scotland round off their pool A campaign tomorrow against top seeds Korea. Results: PoolA: India 0 Scotland 4, Belgium 1 Korea 2.

Pool B: South Africa 2 USA 1, Spain 2 Ireland 2.