Success at home and abroad for Scots

Grange produced another fine display in Europe, recording their second straight win thanks to a 5-2 scoreline against hosts Lousada in the EuroHockey Club Trophy, Division One, in Portugal.

The success followed the Edinburgh club’s 3-1 victory over Ukrainian side Vinnitsa and it was secured thanks to two goals from Robbie Croll from short corner conversions in the first-half.

The home side pulled one back just before the break following a penalty corner award but in the third Grange powered 3-1 ahead with an open play strike from Joe Waterston.

Aidan McQuade added a fourth and Croll completed a glory treble in the fourth quarter, both from penalty corners, as Lousada lost their discipline with a series of cards.

They claimed a consolation goal in the last minute but Grange move on to face Austrian side Arminen in the third and fourth place game.

In the UK, Scotland’s senior women’s side go into the final game of a three match series against Wales in Cardiff level at 1-1 after the opening two skirmishes.

Wales edged Sunday’s contest 1-0 following Scotland’s 3-1 success in the opening game with goals from Ava Wadsworth, Fran Lonergan and Zara Kennedy, but Chris Duncan, the international side’s head coach, said that the new-look side, including several young players making their start in international hockey, had faced two very different games.

The Edinburgh-based coach said: “In the second game experience really told. Wales have a lot of experience and they’re well coached. We played some nice hockey but were not clinical enough.

“However, it is a good lesson for our young, exciting group and we want to be in pressure games so have a series decider coming up.”

PICTURE: Grange in action against Western in a recent men’s Premiership clash at Fettes. Picture Nigel Duncan