Hockey: Simpson's inspired play lifts Scotland

Rhona Simpson, Scotland's Sydney Olympian, was inspirational in their 3-1 victory over Russia in their sixth Pool game in the MeadowLea Women's World Cup here yesterday, a result which moved Scotland out of the basement play-off games.

Playing further forward, Simpson looked dangerous in a scrappy first half but it was not until the 44th minute that Scotland forced a breakthrough. Simpson, lining up a shot in front of goal, had her stick knocked out of her hands. Louise Carroll converted the resulting penalty stroke.

Four minutes later the Russians thought they had equalised when Gaina Basayshuk took advantage of a static Scottish defence to score following a rebound off Tracey Robb's pads. The goal was subsequently changed to a penalty corner, which Nadezda Chegdaeva hit pass Robb. Three minutes later Simpson had put Scotland back in the lead and then, with six minutes remaining, scored again. Scotland face South Korea in their final Pool game today.

Earlier Argentina, the favourites to take the World title, beat South Korea 2-1, while Germany's semi-final hopes were quashed when they were beaten 3-1 by China.

Despite criticism by the coach Tricia Heberle for a lack of motivation against teams from which they should collect points, England were in confident mood yesterday as they prepared for today's final Pool game against Spain. They know that, if they lose, it will commit them to the lower half of the play-off games.