Following the England Grand Masters convincing victory over their Scotland counterparts the Great Grand Masters took to the pitch in confident mood for a 1300hrs push back. The weather was cold with a strong cross-field wind blowing. It was Scotland who put England under pressure from the start and the home defence survived a number of scares in the first few minutes of play. Gradually England began to put their passes together and mounted a number of attacks but Scotland, having conceded the midfield and playing with a packed defence, succeeded in breaking up the England attacks on the edge of the circle. What was required from England was better use of both wings.

In the 20th minute England broke through the Scotland defence and John Seear scored to put the home side one up. The remainder of the first half continued in a similar pattern with England attacking but failing to convert, and at half time England still led by just the one goal.

The second half started in a similar fashion to the first with the Scots mounting a number of attacks but all to no avail. After seven minutes, and on only the second time that England had been in the Scotland half, a shot from David Wright was deflected by a Scottish stick and fell to Colin Pearce just inside the circle. Colin made no mistake and slotted the ball past the goalkeeper to put England 2-0 up. England then continued to press and, following a penalty corner which Scotland failed to clear, were awarded a penalty stroke for a stick tackle. This was confidently converted by Percy Steele to give England a 3-0 lead.

With ten minutes left to play and the weather deteriorating - snow showers - a mistake in the England defence allowed Douggie Morrice to collect the ball and score for Scotland.

This goal inspired the Scots and they finished the game the stronger, pressing the England defence without success.

Overall this was not a good England performance and improvement will be needed for the harder games of the European Championships in June.

Hospitality before and after the game was excellent, and a special thanks to Colin Pearce and his club Deeside Ramblers.

Squad: Mike Fripp, David Birch, Leon Mack, Brian Tubb, Colin Pearce, Alan Jackson, David Wright (capt), Percy Steele, Tony Henman, Keith Hedley, Gerald Wilkinson, John Seear.

Andy Holden