Scottish Thistles the meat in the UK sandwich
Scottish Thistles improved three places on their 2009 position in the 2010 LUC Ronchin Tournament, finishing in a fine second place behind the holders, Welsh Dragons, who retained the trophy after a keenly fought final which ended 1-0 to the Welsh, and ahead of third placed England LX.
Drawn against Eburons Tungri (Belgium), Welsh Dragons and Egypt, Scotland finished top of their group by the narrowest of margins, triumphing against Welsh Dragons in a penalty flick shoot out to earn a place in the semi final against the second placed team in the other group, France.
Tucker on the run in the semi final against France
Yet another penalty flick series was needed to decide the result of a goalless semi final after the France resisted constant Scottish Thistles pressure. Once again, the Scots were up to it and ran out 4-2 winners, claiming a place in the final against Welsh Dragons, who had reached the final by beating England LX on penalties after a 0-0 final score in their semi final.
Welsh Dragons had Scottish Thistles on the back foot for most of what was a fairly scrappy final. The game looked as if it was heading for yet another penalty flick conclusion when, with five minutes to go, the Welsh took the lead through a well taken short corner. A period of Scottish pressure ensued but the Welsh deservedly retained the trophy.
Scottish Thistles pool
George Black (goalkeeper)
Alex Cathro (Captain)
Jim Chisholm
Roy Crichton
Ernie di Rollo
Ian Downie
Donald Dunbar
Errol Farnan
David McIntosh
Jim Mitchinson
Alistair Philip
Colin Tucker
Sandy Weir
Umpire: Brian Moore
Results
Group
Eburons Tongri 0 Scottish Thistles 2 (Crichton, Mitchinson)
Wales 1 Scottish Thistles 0
Scottish Thistles 1 (Downie) Egypt 0
Scotland won the group from Wales after penalty flicks 4-3 (Downie, McIntosh, Chisholm, Downie)
Semi Final
Scottish Thistles 0
France 0
Scotland won the semi final 4-2 on penalty flicks (Downie, McIntosh, Cathro, Chisholm)
Final
Scottish Thistles 0 Welsh Dragons 1
52 seconds left and the Welsh defend in numbers against Scottish pressure