Gibraltar beckons for Scotland's Senior Women as national coach Lesley Hobley takes her reduced squad to the rock for a training camp this weekend as part of their preparations for the Commonwealth Games.
Hobley has cut her squad to 20 players, 19 of whom will make the trip this weekend. Glasgow En-Croute Western's Emma Rochlin is out through injury but the good news is that her club mate Cat Forrest returns to the squad following knee surgery.
Also missing from the team is keeper Abi Walker (Glasgow En-Croute Western) who has dropped out of the squad to concentrate on her medical exams and won't be available for selection for the Commonwealth Games or World Cup Qualifiers next year.
The Gibraltar camp is the latest in the squad's pre Commonwealth Games training programme which has seen them record favourable results against Olympic champions Germany and a strong Italian side.
Coach Hobley was pleased with the progress her squad demonstrated in Italy.
"They ground out a win on the Saturday but they were absolutely excellent on the Sunday playing some of the best hockey I have seen from them,ÔÇØ she said.
ÔÇ£There were some excellent 1 on 1s with the keeper but unfortunately they just couldn't convert. I'm pleased with how far they have come. They now just need to capitalise when they are playing well".
Hobley has included a couple of younger players in her squad following their excellent performances in Germany. Cath Rae and Nikki Kidd are two more players who have made the leap from the junior to senior programme and will be keen to prove their worth in Gibraltar.
They join Under 21 teammates Holly Cram, Cat Forrest and Aimee Clark who have already been capped at senior level.
The squad will be cut further to 18 in the New Year when the formal Commonwealth Games team announcement is made.
The Scots will play three matches in Gibraltar against local men's teams, Eagles, Hawks and Grammarians.
Scotland Women ÔÇô Gibraltar
Vikki Bunce, Louise Carroll, Linda Clement, Nikki Kidd, Debbie McLeod, Lou Munn, Cheryl Valentine, Jane Burley, Carmin Dow, Julie Kilpatrick, Ali Rowatt, Rhona Simpson, Cath Rae, Holly Cram, Catriona Forrest, Lou Gordon Sam Judge, Catriona Semple, Aimee Clark
