Mens 3s 1-1 Edinburgh Uni 5s

Watsonians 3s V Edinburgh Uni 5s

Players often have their pre-match rituals, and the Watsonian’s 3s are no exception . Warm-up drills, Rich Gray's yoga class and little superstitions are par for the course although one player’s pre-match often includes a glaze over his eyes and tales of adventure from previous alcohol induced nights. None the less the 3s were ready for a committed all-action performance.

The men in maroon started at a fast pace, pushing the uni team further and further back into their own D. One player stood out though.

An inspirational player to those around him, rallying the team through his solid play at the back, he offers a ‘unique’ dynamic. At times keen to push the defence into attack with his effortless stick skills and elegant footwork that only Michael Flatley could better. His pinpoint accuracy and grace was no match for the university boys, helping to create an outlet to David Hogarth who found the perfect pass onto a defenders outstretched stick leading to Watsonians taking the lead, 1-0 to the home (but technically away) team.

Hockey is a sport where anything can happen. Often there are injuries, often there casualties. On this day against an old adversary, the ‘uni’ proved too much for one boy in maroon. A life-threatening knock to his pinky left the team in disarray, allowing Edinburgh University to level the match with a scrappy short-corner routine.

Even words of encouragement from the sidelines by the injured defender could not lift the team’s spirits. The match ended 1-1 leaving a few unanswered questions for next weeks’ match,

- Will the defender recover from the ordeal?
- Will he get a call up for River Dance?
- Will he be sober?

(Captain's note: The author has conveniently missed out kneeing in the potential match-winning goal with the last touch of the game which led to him writing this veiled love letter ..... sorry match report.)

Author- Andrew Littlejohn