South Africa for Titwood

22nd May 2012

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Gordon Shepherd, women`s coach, is approaching the five
test match series against South Africa at Titwood in Glasgow over
the next week with his customary quiet enthusiasm.

The Scots will be without the four Great Britain players Laura
Bartlett, Emily Maguire, Abi Walker and Vikki Bunce, while the
South Africans will be in peak condition as they enter the latter
stages of their preparation for the London Games.

Recently Shepherd`s charges have more than held their own
against the world number 12, in the Champions Challenge last year
the sides drew 2-2, Louise Baxter and Nikki Kidd getting the
goals. Soon afterwards, the Scots came out on top in a three
test match series against South Africa, the Scots won the initial
encounter 4-3, the second was a 2-2 draw, and the series was won
with a 3-1 victory in the final match.

On that Shepherd said: “I believe it has been 25 years since we
had beaten the South Africans, never mind win a series against
them, to replicate the same result with a reduced squad will be
very hard, but not impossible.”

But the Taysider is under no illusions on the task
ahead. “We want to compete in every game and build on
the good work the squad have achieved over the winter. We
know that South Africa will be very tough opposition, having just
won the Olympic Qualifier in India recently,” he said.
“But we have some new ideas that we would like to try out, and this
series is an excellent opportunity.”

The games are the first stage in Scotland`s build-up for the
first round of the inaugural World League and then Champions
Challenge in Italy in the summer. “These matches
play a big part in our preparation for this summer`s main
competitions, we don`t have a lot of other matches in preparation,
so five games against this quality of opposition is fantastic,”
remarked Shepherd.

Consequently, Shepherd is giving an outing to all the players in
his training squad, minus the four GB players and long term injury
victims Mairi Drummond and Heather Elder.

There is a wealth of experience in the squad; captain Linda
Clement heads the list with 174 caps (109 as captain), along with
Milne Craig Clydesdale Western striker Holly Cram and Edinburgh Uni
player/coach Sam Judge, both of whom have over a hundred caps
each. This series could also be a personal
milestone for Western defender Catriona Ralph who only needs two
games to reach her century in a Scotland shirt.

“As for selection for each game, all the squad will play at some
point, some players will play all five and others will gently be
introduced to senior international hockey,” said Shepherd.

The coach went on to emphasise: “It`s a great opportunity for
players new to the squad and those that were not selected last year
to show that they are capable of playing at this level and put a
marker down for future squad selections.”

As a result seven youngsters will make their debuts at Titwood,
they include Kerry Hall, Ali Howie, Nicola Skrastin, Aileen Davis,
Sarah Robertson, Nikki Lloyd and goalkeeper Nicki
Cochrane. It is also an opportunity for the likes of
Susan McGilveray (Western) and Amy Brodie (CALA Edinburgh) to stake
their claim to a place in the squad for the summer tournaments.

Scotland Women: Nicki Cochrane, Amy Gibson,
Catriona Ralph, Kareena Marshall, Leigh Fawcett, Kat Cameron,
Aileen Davies, Susan McGilveray, Becky Merchant, Becky Ward, Nikki
Kidd, Morag McLellan, Amy Brodie, Kerry Hall, Ali Howie, Sam Judge,
Holly Cram, Ailsa Wylie, Linda Clement, Nicola Skrastin, Nikki
Lloyd, Sarah Robertson, Ali Bell.

Scotland v South Africa (W)

27th May – 2nd June

Titwood, Clydesdale HC

27th May 14.30 Scotland v South Africa

28th May 14.30 Scotland v South Africa

30th May 19.30 Scotland v South Africa

1st June 19.30 Scotland v South Africa

2nd June 14.30 Scotland v South Africa

Scotland v South Africa (W),
27th May – 2nd June

Titwood, Clydesdale HC – Click here for map