Hockey: Scotland top pool after easy victory

IN TEMPERATURES of around 40 degrees in Rio de Janeiro, it was Scotland who turned on the heat with a convincing 7-0 win over Trinidad & Tobago in the opening pool match of the second round of the World League yesterday, a result that puts them top of the pool.

It was the best of starts for the Scots. At their first penalty corner, won through intense early pressure, Nikki Kidd sent a low drag flick past the Trinidad goalkeeper. Midway through the half, the Scots went two up, Vikki Bunce pushing the ball home. The Scots continued to dominate and it was no surprise when they went three up, Ali Bell scoring from a rebound. And she got a second three minutes later with a well-placed shot after a corner.

Early in the second half the Scots notched a fifth with a powerful low strike at a penalty corner from Catriona Ralph. Scotland continued to press in a wave of continuous attacking moves and Morag McLellan, Sam Judge and Vikki Bunce all missed the target.

Slackness and tiredness seemed to overcome Scotland as the standard of play deteriorated and, during this period, a Kidd reverse stick shot almost hit the video tower,

But, in the final five minutes, the Scots struck again when Kidd fired a fierce low shot past the goalkeeper. In the final seconds, the Scots made it seven when a cross from Lloyd was deflected high into the net by Holly Cram.

In the other pool matches, favourites United States beat Brazil 6-0. The second game saw Chile make somewhat heavy weather of disposing of a spirited Uruguay side.