Hockey: Cougars out to tame Tigers in bid for final

At the outset of the Great Britain Super League in Lilleshall, Dave Stott, Scotland women’s under 21 coach, stated that results were not the most important thing but his tune has now changed.

“We will target today’s game against the Saxon Tigers to try and reach the final,” he said. Last weekend’s 3-0 victory over Welsh side Celtic Panthers has apparently kindled a more competitive edge for his Caledonian Cougars.

The Tigers and the Cougars are both on three points but the English lead on goal difference. Reaching the final would be a boost for the Scots youngsters, but the real target is still promotion from the European Championships 11 in Aleksin this July.

The Tigers and the Scots both lost 3-0 to the Pumas last weekend, and Stott conceded that the Pumas are the strongest team at Lilleshall.

Today’s game against the Tigers is now crucial, a win putting the Scots into the final and a defeat setting up a rematch with the Welsh for third place.

For men’s coach Graham Moodie, Lilleshall is all about finding the strongest squad for next summer’s European Junior Nations Championships. However he could hardly have been encouraged by the defeats against Pennine Pumas (8-0) and Celtic Panthers (4-1).

Nevertheless, Moodie is sticking to his plan: “Last weekend has given me a good indication of the current level of performance of our squad and this weekend is a chance to see more new players in a tough competition.”

However, if the Scots are to have any chance of recording their first victory against English side Saxon Tigers today, the defence will have to be much tighter than last weekend.