Europe

Scotland's women are back on track at hockey's European Nations Cup after a 6-2 victory over Russia lifted them to third place in Pool A on Thursday morning.
They bounced back from an opening 3-0 defeat to hosts Spain to produce a dominant performance against the Russians.

Grange Edinburgh's Sue Gilmour led the way with two goals - one a penalty corner - in the opening 16 minutes either side of Cheryl Valentine's 11th-minute strike.

Russia pulled a goal back two minutes before half-time through Nadejda Chegurdaeva but 13 minutes after the interval Scotland's double-Olympian Rhona Simpson restored the three-goal cushion.

Midway through the half Marina Chegurdaeva converted a penalty corner to give the Scots some anxious moments but Simpson, of Giffnock, netted her second four minutes later to provide some much-needed breathing space.

Eight minutes from time Simpson's club-mate Julie Kilpatrick made the game absolutely safe with Scotland's sixth.

Scotland's men also recovered from an opening defeat to beat Italy 1-0.

Loughborough's David Ralph scored the game's only goal as the men put the disappointment of throwing away a healthy lead against Poland on Tuesday behind them.

Scotland's men take on England on Friday night.

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