Grudge Match Take 2

Over the centuries there have been many great rivalries, Rangers and Celtic, Scotland and England, Spartans and Greeks (in a nod to Fi...). However none can be compared to the final battle of the season at Fortress Tipperlinn between the Mighty Watsonians Ladies Fours and their great foes the Watsonians Ladies Threes.

Some may call it a modern day David v Goliath, a grudge match even but the fours, confidence high off the back of the last victory, just saw it as a chance to show off their silky smooth skills. They were fired up and ready to match anything the team viaing for promotion could throw at them.

Undeterred by the 47mph winds the fours were quick off the mark and had the ball in the D in the first few minutes but unfortunately the strike was wide of the goal.

With Alida managing the defence like a pro the fours set about shutting down all the threes could throw at them. Keeper Katie just edging out a goal bound strike with a fingertip save. Unfortunately despite their best efforts a ping pong ball around the D finally got the better of them and ended up in the goal, 1-0 to the threes. There was still all to play for and the fours kept the pressure on with some solid passing and slipping the ball through to Holly and Liv but alas the first half ended without a score.

Captain Julia accompanied by vice Captain and wee Brother Sergio (he's not Italian...) gave a rousing team talk with Sergio pointing out that all our problems would be solved if we just ran faster, which on reflection was probably fair...

Second half and following Sergio's advice, high tempo play was the order of the day! Rebecca was firing the ball forward at the speed of light and Holly and Liv danced around the threes defence to get the ball in the D, the rest of the team and our loyal supporters held their breath as the strike was hit and booooooom it went past the Keeper and we had a goal!!! Except the whistle had gone and it was actually a short... nooooooooo!!! The resulting short, even with the patented Killer K move, proved fruitless and the equaliser remained elusive.

The threes weren't done however and unleashed attacks in the fours D resulting in a couple of shorts which Rozy, Alida, Tammy and Catie dealt with deftly. As time was ticking down the ball slipped past the defence and a shot came in at the top of the D, Keeper Katie got a stick on it but could only watch sprawled prone on the ground as the ball trickled behind towards the goal and threes striker Jo slid in to help it on its way across the line.

And that was that, it ended 2-0 but the fours had done themselves proud and played their best game yet against the auld enemy. Next season however will be a different story!

MoM Rebecca
DoD Holly for ridic posing for the camera mid game...

Thanks to Iain and Gael for umpiring!