Scotland’s captain, Sarah Robertson, praised the squad after they edged France 2-0 in the EuroHockey Championships in Germany to move up to No 13 in the world rankings, their highest-ever position.
The Borders-born former University of Edinburgh star, slotted after 34 minutes, blasting the ball into the net, following a penalty corner breakdown and her fellow Olympian, Edinburgh-raised Amy Costello, added a second from a penalty corner seven minutes later.
The French side pressed hard but determined defending kept them at bay and Robertson (pictured) said: “I am absolutely delighted. This result increases our world ranking.”
Scotland, whose squad has players who double work and their sport, have won two and drawn one of their five games in the star-studded tournament, the draw coming against Spain, rated in the world’s top ten and semi-finalists in this tournament.
Robertson said: “It (the win over France) is a fantastic result and I am really proud of the whole squad. We also have some fine young talent coming through.”
She also praised the enthusiastic Tartan support and said: “We always great support and we are truly grateful to them.”
Earlier, France pressure almost told and Scotland goalkeeper, Jessica Buchanan, was forced into a pad save at the left hand post on an angle, but Scotland countered.
Heather McEwan made a darting run into a dangerous position and that sparked Scotland. The same player was inches away from deflecting the ball towards goal after a speculative hit into the circle.
Ava Findlay then made a run to the by line, but the French rearguard stood firm, closing down the Scots in their zone with tight defence, and the Tartan Hearts did not allow France to break out of their half.
Scotland had lots of possession but few shots on the French goalkeeper, but French broke and forced a penalty corner as the seconds ticked towards the end of the first quarter. Buchanan was not tested and Scotland roared back upfield.
Findlay continued to be was effective down the left, and a Costello shot was scrambled clear before Sarah Jamieson, on her 100th cap, drove to the near post only to be blocked. Then a Ellie Mackenzie reverse stick shot flew wide in the final minute on the first-half.
The French side piled on pressure and had the ball in the net from a cute flick by Paola Le Nindre, but the video referee ruled that a dangerous ball had flown into the circle. No goal.
They continued to drive forward and Buchanan smothered a penalty corner before, at the other end, Robertson was fouled for a Scotland penalty corner. Costello made no mistake with a big hit into bottom left and the French goalkeeper had no chance for No 2.
McEwan was inches away from claiming a third but the French goalkeeper got down low to her left to parry before danger at the other end. Buchanan was there to block.
The clock ticked down with Mackenzie full of running, and experienced Jen Eadie using her stick handling skills to deny the French.
Charlotte Watson then broke into the D and Jamieson was unable to make up the ground as the ball flashed across the circle, then McEwan failed to connect with another chance.
A green card to France with just over three minutes remaining did not help their cause and Scotland held out for a historic win.
