Hockey: Nine-goal rout takes Scots to top of pool

Scotland went to Lousada for the first round of the World League as favourites and played to their billing as Derek Forsyth’s charges thrashed Italy 9-0 in the final pool match, leaving the Scots top of the pool, qualifying with ease for the next round of the competition in the new year.

In Forsyth’s debut senior tournament, the Scots won every game comfortably, scored 30 goals in their four games and kept a clean sheet throughout.

The goals against Italy were scored by Gareth Hall, Iain Scholefield (2), Alan Forsyth (2), Ian Moodie, Coultas (2), Grassick.

On Saturday Scotland thumped hosts Portugal 7-0 after a devastating display of power play produced five goals in the opening 20 minutes which killed off the game.

On the domestic scene, Inverleith marched into the final of the Presidents Cup with a comfortable 3-0 win over Grove Menzieshill yesterday. Phil Hall and Fabien Wolski put the Edinburgh side two goals up at the interval, and Paul Ritchie made it three in the second half. Inverleith kept their perfect record in the pool with a 3-1 victory over Western Wildcats on Saturday. Hall again and Lewis Gibson (2) were the scorers.

Edinburgh University missed out on the chance of joining Inverleith in the final when they could only draw 1-1 with AMN Hillhead, so Grange make the final with a single point advantage.