Hockey: Strong start for European hopefuls

IN the European Club Champions Trophy, in Lille, Glynhill Kelburne’s men thumped Italian champions Roma 5-1 in the opening pool match, while Grove Menzieshill held group favourites Victorya Smolevichi from Belarus to a 3-3 draw in the women’s competition.

The Paisley side made a great start. In only six minutes, Willie Marshall followed a blocked attempt by Mark Ralph to lash the ball into the roof of the net. In 22 minutes the Scots doubled their lead when a Ralph drag-flick at a penalty corner flew high past the stranded Italian keeper. Eight minutes into the second half Alan Forsyth put Kelburne three up. A penalty corner conversion by Ralph made it 4-0.

Giulio Benincasa notched a consolation for Roma, but within a minute the Paisley side restored their four-goal lead, thanks to Jonny Christie’s half volley.

Today, Kelburne play Welsh side Whitchurch, who lost by a single goal to Austrian team Arminen in their first game.

Meanwhile, in the women’s tournament, Grove found themselves two down in only 14 minutes. But this season’s never-say-die attitude of the Taysiders reappeared in Belfast and Linda Clement pulled one back from a rebound at a penalty corner.

Early in the second half, the Scots were level through a direct strike by Louise Carroll at another set piece. Defensive frailties allowed Smolevichi to restore their lead at 3-2, but the Dundonians were far from finished, at the third attempt at a penalty corner Clement equalised again from a clever deflection.

Today, Grove face Ukrainians MSC Sumchanka, who beat the Italians Libertas San 4-0 in the other pool match.

Scotland’s under-16 girls managed just a 1-1 draw against Wales, despite dominating play in the first of three test matches in Wrexham. Eilidh Thomson scored Scotland’s only goal.

Meanwhile, Scotland under-16 boys went down 4-3 to Ipswich College from Ireland in their opening match in the HDM tournament in Holland. Rob Harwood (2) and Callum Boag scored the goals. They also lost the second encounter, against Dutch side Gouda 2-1 with Andrew Duff getting the only goal.