HOCKEY

Scotland went down 2-1 to Russia in the opening test match in Barcelona, part of the build-up for the World League round two in Belfast, but coach Derek Forsyth was reasonably happy with the performance given they are six places above the Scots in the world rankings, writes Craig Madden.

Ben Cosgrove had the best chance of the first half but was unlucky to have his shot saved by the goalkeeper. The Scots took the lead on the stroke of half-time with a powerful flick by Dusseldorf’s Wei Adams at a penalty corner.

In the second half Alan Forsyth had a couple of chances to increase the lead but gradually the Russians came more into the game and scored twice to win.

ICE HOCKEY

EX-Braehead Clan player Travis Fullerton broke the hearts of his former team-mates with a late save to earn battling Edinburgh Capitals a valuable 3-2 road win, writes Nigel Duncan.

The Canadian stopper denied Daniel Ahsberg on Saturday in Glasgow to frustrate Clan and the Purple Army in the 3,346 crowd but Capitals were always ahead in this Elite League clash.

Meanwhile, Dundee Stars, bid to earn a play-off place was boosted by a gutsy 4-3 overtime win at arch rivals Fife Flyers despite a double from Justin Fox.

CURLING

Murrayfield’s Gina Aitken and Bruce Mouat narrowly failed to start 2017 with a famous victory after a nail-biting finish to yesterday’s Dutch Masters mixed doubles final in Zoetermeer, writes Lorin McDougall.

The Scots led Russian world champions Anastasia Bryzgalova and Alex Krushelnitskiy 3-0 but then trailed 6-3 before three singles drew them level going to the last end. The St Petersburg duo nicked a single there to win 7-6.