Watsonians Hockey Club Men's 4s vs. Watsonians Hockey Club Ladies 1s

Well after all the talking the big day arrive. The Men’s 4s lined up to take on the ladies 1s. With the team talk saying fight them hard (but within the laws of the game) and for us not to get embarrassed by a thrashing (with the ladies were saying).

No surprises the ladies came out strong testing the Men’s deference, but strong defending helped keep them out. Every so often the men managed to try and start a counter attack but the final ball was not coming off for the men. The ladies got the first short corner of the game but with some fast running from first runner Nick Smith the ball was cleared.

A break in play after Josh Rumbol played the ball up the pitch with a excellent tip round the defender from skipper Fraser Munro left him with a 1 on 2 with a defender and keeper but missed an perfect opportunity to put the men in front.
With the game level and both teams pushing each other the first card was pulled out by umpire Pete Gillespie for something that some people would say was more of a rugby tackle from Alex on little Ali Gaul a green card the men were a player up. But soon the half time whistle went.

At half time the men were definitely the happier of the two team. The message was to keep up the good work. The Second half started much the same as the first with the ladies pressing the goal. Another short corner came the ladies way but more great defending kept the men in the game.

After a foul out side the circle the men failed to get into a defending position quick enough and the ladies were in. After the first short was saved by keeper Calum an unfortunate clearance fell to the attacker to have another go at goal and the ball bounced through the pads of the keeper 1-0 to the ladies.

Another card would be shown but by the other umpire David Sweetman and this time for the men. Stuart Tilston shown a green card for consistent stick tackling. The game started to level out with some more possession from the men but the forward failing to get to the ball before the defender.

Before the end of the game another chance fell the way for the men’s forward Fraser but with another save from the keeper meant the match would finish 1 – 0 to the ladies.

A great competitive game, enjoyable for all involved and set up the rest of the day for the inaugural Baillie Memorial tournament. The game was talk of most of the day and nigh.

A big thank you goes to Pete and David for umpiring. A thank you for the ladies for donating a training season with the ladies to the raffle which was won by the men’s 4s which will be taken up by the men’s 4 in preparation for next season.