Third match v South Africa

Nothing is easy with Scottish Hockey. Short story - eight of the 15 players have been struck down with various "rummy tummy" troubles, less than 24 hours before this match. Nobody admits that this is due to dehydration - old dogs and new tricks?

Miraculously, all 15 trap up for the game, but in varying states of disarray.

The people taking pictures would see a Scottish World Cup team warmed up and ready for the fray - in many cases, just a veneer. The first move of the game involved the centre-half, who was unable to bend to take the ball which results in a goal against in the first minute. The Centre Half left the pitch and the next 69 minutes became a see-saw match with the greater skills on the South African side set against the better attitude and team spirit of the Scots.

We deservedly scored a field goal after relentless pressure just before half time. With various players beginning to wilt badly in the overpowering heat and humidity (heard that before?), changes were improvised and eventually led to a disallowed goal in the last minute - granted by one umpire but not granted by the important one.

Much better performance, but our thinking and skills need to move up a notch or two for the remaining three matches. We play Japan, Italy and the Netherlands in various crossovers. We carry the point from the South Africa match forward to these games.

The Free Day tomorrow should help to repair the damage before Thursday.

Alan Bryce