hockey

Following their 4-4 draw in their first match against Wales in Glasgow, Scotland raced to a three-goal lead in the second encounter, all three scored by Alan Forsyth, writes our men’s hockey correspondent. The first followed good lead-up work by Kenny Bain, the second was at a penalty corner and the third was a deflection of a cross by Kenny Bain. Despite having by far the better of the first-half exchanges, Wales got onto the score sheet shortly before half time and translated that newfound form into much of the second period. Wales pulled back to level at 3-3, but a late strike by Kenny Bain earned the Scots victory. Scotland trailed Wales by one goal at half time in their third match, but it was an improved team that emerged after the interval. Hamish Imrie grabbed the equaliser after controlling a cross from Kenny Bain. Alan Forsyth’s tenacity won a penalty corner, which Willie Marshall converted. Scotland wrapped up the win when Kenny Bain netted their third goal after Lee Morton’s initial shot had been blocked. Wales grabbed a second in the last minute, but Scotland held on for a 3-2 win. Scotland’s U21 team suffered a 6-2 defeat to England at Glasgow Green. Having gone 2-0 down, the Scots fought back to equalise before half time through Jack Kinloch and Jock Breckenridge, but the second half belonged to the English, who scored four without reply. A U21 development team went down 2-0 to Ulster. The UI16 development team lost 4-1 to Ulster, Jamie Golden of Grove Menzieshill scoring for Scotland. They went on to lose 4-3 in a later game. Dundee Wanderers are to move to the appointment of a club development officer. The post will involve increasing club membership and planning and delivering a coach education programme. As such, a UKCC Level 1 coaching qualification is essential. It was job well done for Scot Emily Maguire and her GB team-mates who are bound for Rio 2016 following a gold medal-winning performance in the final of the World League qualifier in Valencia yesterday, writes our women’s hockey correspondent. Rapid reactions from shotstopper Maddie Hinch’s blocked an ambitious early effort from Yang Peng before Hollie Webb left Chinese counterpart Li Dongxiao stranded with a set-piece rocket that shot past the keeper to separate the teams after 25 minutes. The clincher came 10 minutes further on, courtesy of Alex Danson’s fourth goal of the tournament. The GB star forced a set piece and then followed up by diving full stretch for a stunning deflection in a rehearsed move involving Kate Richardson-Walsh. China’s first penalty corner on 50 minutes appeared to halve the deficit – however, the video referee agreed with GB’s claim that Mengyu Wang’s initial shot was dangerous and the goal was subsequently disallowed. In a backs-to-the-wall finish, Hinch was called upon to maintain her sixth clean sheet with a superb save from a Xiaoxue Zhang snapshot to ice the celebration cake. Kate Richardson-Walsh summed up the collective effort, saying: “It was an amazing performance throughout the tournament. “We said at the beginning that we’d take one game at a time and build momentum, and that’s what we’ve done. “Today wasn’t our most stellar performance, but we dug in and took our chances when they came.”

Final results: World League Olympic Qualifier, Valencia

9/10 – Canada 2 Uruguay 0. 7/8 – South Africa 4 Ireland 0. 5/6 – USA 3 Spain 1, Bronze medal play-off: Germany 1 Argentina 1 (Germany won 3-1 on penalties). Final – GB 2 China 0. Scotland’s U16 development squad returned unbeaten from Ulster over the weekend. Kilgraston’s exciting young hot-shot, Emily Dark, who turns out for Dundee Wanderers in the Scottish premier league, made an instant impact with two superb strikes in Friday’s opening encounter in Jordanstown. Millie Merry (2) and a Lucy Hogarth set piece rolled the scoreboard on to a 5-2 result. Rachel Strachan (Dundee High/Grove Menzieshill), Ruth Blaikie (Perth HS/ Perthshire), Erin Stephens (Dollar Academy/Kinross), Eve Pearson (Dollar/Dunfermline Carnegie) and Susanna Godfrey-Faussett (Glenalmond/Fjordhus Reivers) also travelled in the 18-strong squad that was held to 1-1 on Saturday after Ellie Wilson netted from a penalty corner routine straight from the training ground. Sunday’s goal bonanza rounded off the series with a highly entertaining 5-5 scoreline. Millie Merry capped an outstanding performance with four goals, while Hogarth added her second set piece of the weekend. Coach Bill Robson said: “I’m very happy with the overall results. “Despite being the younger squad, we enjoyed the bulk of possession and the girls never stopped working against a home side that were bigger and stronger. “It bodes well for the future.” Scotland U16 development squad v Ulster, Jordanstown: Friday: Ulster 2 Scotland 5. Saturday: Scotland 1 Ulster 1. Yesterday: Ulster 5 Scotland 5