Ladies 4s on Top in the Tropical South

Yesterday the Watsonians Ladies 4s convoyed down into the wilderness of the Scottish borders to face Kelso, and were greeted by tropical humidity and a 4 month old ball of fluff. Things started badly on arrival when Alisa was attacked by said 4 month old ball of fluff, but the team soon tamed the beast and everyone made it safely to the changing rooms for a pre-match brief from Captain Jodie.
The match started with Watsonians appearing rather dazed as the young Kelso team took control and managed to snatch an early goal. Thankfully, this shock start to the match woke us up and we slowly remembered how to play hockey. Still 1-0 down with half time looming, Jodie made a single-handed (in more ways than one) run up the pitch, dodging the defence, and depositing the ball millimetres from the goal, sadly flicked off the back by the keeper. Fortunately for us, a stick-tackle during this almighty drive left us with a short-corner, and an opportunity to equalise. Despite a beautiful strike the equaliser did not materialise, but a defender's foot granted us a second chance. A very calm short corner resulted, with the ball being slipped carefully back from Holly, to Anna on the backline, who sent it past the goalie.
With the score now 1-1 Watsonians had a surge of confidence, and some beautiful play resulted. Within minutes Holly had popped another ball through the keeper's legs. This was quickly followed by another fantastic break, with the ball swooping into the D and being claimed by Julia, who deftly finished it. The score now 3-1 to Watsonians, half time was called.
The second half commenced with domination from Watsonians, the swift young Kelso legs rarely managing to break through a solid line of defence. The ball was worked beautifully around the field with the defence and midfield hooking up well and creating some excellent wide play. A nimble drive by Olivia resulted in a neat shot, just skimming the outside of the post. However, it also resulted in a knee injury, requiring Jodie to step up to strike. Soon Jodie collected a pass from Becca, and slotted it smoothly into the goal. The score was now a reassuring 4-1, but with a tiring team we had to work hard to stop Kelso from fighting back.
Jodie soon had the ball again and, emulating her initial drive, she dodged the defence and entered the D, this time finishing with a deft back-handed slap into the goal. Unfortunately, the back-handed slap also involved use of the back stick, and so no goal was awarded.
Some high runs by Tammy, with great support from a determined midfield, provided many more invasions of the Kelso D. These finally paid off, with a goal from Anna O, and so after a rocky start the game concluded with a score of 5-1, and high spirits all round after a well-fought match.

by Anna O'Donoghue

A lovely team display topped off by the Kelso manager explicitly congratulating us on our deserved league win and recognition of our friendly and positive sporting attitude - well done all!

A huge thank you to Alida Dow for umpiring.

Scorers: Anna O'Donoghue (2), Julia Patience, Holly Marie Wilson, Jodie Dunz

MoM - Anna O'Donoghue