Eyes on the pies

Once again, the best day of the week rolls around. It’s a Saturday and that means it’s time to play hockey! Today, the Watsonians flock to Lasswade High School to face off against Eskvale Hockey Club. The sun is shining and the air is crisp as the team make their entrance onto the pitch to DJ Kalid’s “All I Do Is Win”, a premonition of what was to come.

Spirits continued to sore thanks to our Head Cheerleader, Imogen’s, wonderful song picking skills. As “Man I Feel Like A Woman” filled the air, THE squad warmed up with a spring in their step (and a slippery pitch underfoot). Our last game against Eskvale was a successful one so the aura of a win could be felt, and the promise of some allegedly very tasty match teas was on everyone’s mind as the teams lined up for the first half.

The whistle blew, and our girls stepped in formation, pushing hard against the opposition from the word go! Today was not a day for inside voices as encouragement and friendly directions were yelled across the pitch, we could already tell the game was controlled by our pace. Kirsten set up play from the back, sending the ball straight through the Eskvale press. With some silky skills from Heather and Jenny the ball was quickly found at the correct end of the pitch.

However, it was not all plain sailing, as Eskvale pushed back. Luckily, Jen could always be found in exactly the right place, ready for the tackle and sending the ball straight back out to the wings. These were received flawlessly by Julia, who whisked them up the side line at great speed. After 11 minutes, all the hard work pays off as the ball races up the pitch carried by Jenny and cracking goal is scored by Michelle. The smell of victory was strong, and the girls turned to face play, ready for another goal! Then…

BAM! Disaster strikes and the slippery pitch claims its first victim. Lauren, on a great run, was suddenly taken down by the very ground we were playing on! Unfortunately, this was not an injury that could be recovered from quickly, and Lauren had to face the fact she would have to sit out the rest of the game. Thankfully, she had Kate T on the side line to provide her unparalleled First Aid skills and comfort.

This renewed the Watsonian’s desire for a win, and not only because we all got a short breather. With the promise to avenge Lauren’s torn up ankle and the slight over-enthusiastic vow from Melissa to buy the team of a round of pints if we were to make the score 5-0, the girls headed back onto the pitch. FOR LAUREN!!!

Once again, the fight was strong, with Rozy channeling every player like a pro, the ball didn’t even get near our D! The pitch tried to take another of our players from us, but Heather was not to be kept down and leaped right back into action! But time was not on our side as the whistle signalled half time. Talks were had and plans were made over orange wedges and Haribo on how best to keep up the game’s energy and secure a win.

As the second half kicked off, we could tell our opposition were not going down without a (very polite) fight. The match turned up a notch, as if we thought that could even be possible! All our dribbles where met by tackles and every brake found a defender at the other side. Eskvale managed to win some short corners but Saskia and her team of defenders where not to be defeated, sending the ball straight back to the opposition’s half. These were picked up by midfield and sent onto Olivia and Michelle who both had great runs into the D but were unfortunately both met with a diving goalie! When Eskvale did find a break down the wing, Captain Catie was there with her never ending tackles sending the ball right back up to where it should be.

After what seemed like running endless lengths of the pitch, the ball was found, once again, in Eskvale’s D. Michelle lines up the shot. And it’s in! 2-0 to Watsons! Screams of encouragement can be heard from our main gals Imogen and Kate on the side lines. Maybe this was the motivation for Kirstin’s miraculous sprint from our back line all the way into the oppositions D, ready for her goal! However, when possession switches, she’s straight back into position, does this girl ever tire? The answer is no, and neither does the rest of the team. Right to the bitter end Kate S can be found keeping every Eskvale player out of our D and driving the ball straight back into their half. With never-ending determination and team spirit the girls kept their eyes on the prize, another goal. However, the sound of the whistle blew signalling the end of the match and a win for Watsons!

With sore and shaky legs, (although not as bad as Lauren’s, sorry for complaining!) the team headed back to Eskvale’s club house to see what participation in today’s hockey has won us. What we found did not disappoint and definitely lived up to legend. Warm sausage rolls, pies and a cuppa tea! The perfect way to finish a perfect game. With smiles and great gratitude to Eskvale for being amazing hosts, the Watsonians revelled in the game’s ups and downs, eager once again for next week’s challenge!

Thank you to Eskvale for supplying both umpires and for being great hosts.