Scotland

0 Have your say Kyle Coetzer believes Scotland have reached the brink of World Cup qualification – without playing their best. The Scots have come through the group stage and their first Super Six match of the qualifying tournament in Zimbabwe with an unbeaten record.A tie with the hosts has been the only blemish so far but captain Coetzer says there is more to come and is looking for his side to move up a gear when they face Ireland tomorrow and West Indies on Wednesday.He said: “I’ve spoken about peaking at the right time and my point still applies – we’ve done well to get to the stage we’re at but there is more to come.“We still haven’t put a full game together so let’s hope we do in our next two games.”Scotland have lost seven of their last eight one-day internationals to the Irish and also went down to their old rivals off the last ball in a WCQ warm-up match in Bulawayo a fortnight ago.Coetzer added: … [Read more...] about Best is yet to come says Scotland skipper Kyle Coetzer

0 Have your say Richie Berrington has revealed his pride as he prepared to become Scotland’s most capped player in the World Cup Qualifier against UAE. The 30 year-old all-rounder will break Majid Haq’s record of 210 appearances in the vital opening Super Six encounter at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.Berrington, also Scotland’s third leading run scorer, declared: “It will be a massive honour to reach the milestone as it is an honour every time you wear the badge.“I’ll never forget my first cap [against Warwickshire in 2007] and couldn’t have imagined then that I’d go this far.“There have been highs and lows along the way but one of the biggest thrills was qualifying for the 2015 World Cup when we won the Qualifier in New Zealand.”Reaching next year’s World Cup would mark another memorable achievement for Berrington, who believes the Scots will take confidence into today’s clash against a UAE side … [Read more...] about Richie Berrington to equal Scotland cap record in crucial UAE qualifier

0 Have your say Scotland shocked the tournament favourites France with a spirited 2-1 victory in the opening pool match at the European Nations Championships II at Glasgow Green yesterday and now share top spot with Ukraine, writes Craig Madden. The heroes came from both ends of the pitch. The Scots goals were scored by Kenny Bain and Alan Forsyth, while Tommy Alexander saved from the spot to deny the French.The Scots got their noses in front a couple of minutes before the break when a cross by Jamie Wong was brilliantly deflected into the net by Bain.The French put the Scots defence under considerable pressure in the second half but in a rare breakaway the hosts sneaked a second. Lee Morton released the ball to Gordon McIntyre who drew the goalkeeper, leaving Forsyth with the simple task of rolling the ball home.In the final quarter Chris Grassick was adjudged to have pushed a French forward but Alexander pulled off a brilliant save by from the spot.Simon Martin Brisac … [Read more...] about Scotland stun favourites France at European Nations

0 Have your say A heart-breaking single goal loss has relegated Scotland to EuroHockey Championship II after they lost their final match of the women’s RABO EuroHockey Championship 2017 to Czech Republic. After Spain’s 7-2 win over Ireland, Scotland had to win against the Czechs to avoid relegation and they piled on the pressure as they went in search of an early goal. But as the Scots pressed forward, the Czechs hit them with a sucker punch, Tereza Mejzlikova firing low into the net to make it 1-0.A big save cost Scotland an equaliser right at the end of the half, when Bex Condie was denied low to the left.Scotland peppered the Czech goal in the third quarter but found goalkeeper Barbora Cechakova in sparkling form. Katie Robertson came closest to scoring when she sent a delightful snap shot goalward after a penalty corner was blocked, but it was well saved.Nikki Lloyd thought she’d scored when she shot on the turn but it went inches wide of the target. … [Read more...] about Scotland relegated following 1-0 loss to Czech Republic

0 Have your say Scotland’s World Cup qualifying hopes were hanging by a thread last night after they slumped to a 25-run defeat against Ireland at the Harare Sports Club. Kyle Coetzer’s men went into the clash knowing victory might be enough to clinch a place at next year’s global event in England, but Ireland continued their recent dominance with an eighth win in the last nine one-day internationals between the sides.The setback means Scotland need victory in their final Super Six match against West Indies on Wednesday to have a chance of qualifying.Skipper Coetzer said: “They maybe got a few more runs than we had hoped but it was a good wicket and we felt we were in the game at half-time.“But a couple of crucial moments in the match went against us and there were a couple of things that we perhaps didn’t get right. We have to get things right going into the next game.”Chasing 272 for victory, Scotland suffered an early blow when … [Read more...] about Cricket Scotland’s World Cup hopes rest on defeating West Indies