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Scotland

Mike Stranger

Scotland finished in third place in the quadrangular tournament in Poznan yesterday following a rather disappointing 6-3 defeat at the hands of Poland.
The Scots did not have their problems to seek as the combination of inexperience at the back and food poisoning contributed to their downfall.
The Scots got off to a fine start when Calum Wood converted a penalty corner in the first minute following a switch from Mark Ralph.
Despite holding their own for most of the half, lack of concentration in defence saw the Scots concede two goals before half time.
On the restart, Scotland were back on level terms when a drag flick by Kelburne's Mark Ralph at a penalty corner flew past the stranded Polish goalkeeper.
Again naivety at the back took its toll as goalkeeper Allan Dick was left exposed and Poland were allowed to romp into a 5-3 lead.
Although the result was now beyond the Scots, persistence paid off when Johnny Christie was fouled and Andrew Sewnauth slotted the resulting penalty stroke into the top left-hand corner of the net.
The Poles completed the scoring with a sixth goal in the closing minutes to win the tournament with three straight wins.
Although the Poles were the victors, the man of the match was undoubtedly Western Wildcats' Vishal Marwaha, who on the occasion of his 100th cap and as captain for the day, was an immense role model to his younger colleagues with his effort, deft stick control and subtle touches.
Disappointed Scotland manager Eugene Connolly said: "We matched the Poles for long periods but inexperience and selling two goals took its toll."

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