Edinburgh Uni 7s - The First of the Winter Chill

08:15
Message from one of many WHC Whatsapp groups: “Hi, just to give you the heads up – all school matches at GHS and Ed Academy are cancelled as pitches are frozen.” Not a promising start to the day. A day where all six WHC Ladies teams were due to play, all with full raring-to-go squads.

10:49
“2s game cancelled.”
12:47
“6s cancelled”
14:37
“5s game is off”

So, while the 1s were about to take to a field in Aberdeen, the 3s manage an early game and the 5s cut to chase and headed straight to the clubhouse, the 4s were left standing at ‘home’, otherwise known as Mary Erskine. We were taking on Edinburgh University 7s, an unpredictable and unknown quantity. At least we knew exactly where we stood with the other umpire after the captain’s chat, I’ll give you a clue – it was the opposite of above him.

15:13
Message from me to our super supporters back at the clubhouse “1-0 to uni at the moment”
A penalty corner with some new faces behind the masks saw me abandon my favoured left post to give 2nd runner a bash. And bash is exactly what happened, right onto my foot. Off I hobbled to take up live score reporting and match photography duties instead, only to leave Hannah to take another penalty corner bashing to her hand. Sorry Hannah.
15:17
“2-0”
15:18
“3-0”
15:24
“4-0 HT yellow card for Jena”

Not an ideal start. Ed Uni 7s were dominant and despite valiant efforts from our midfield we really struggled to break through the Uni defensive wall and spend much time in their 25. The half gave plenty of defensive penalty corner practice for Anna who later told me this was only the second game she’s experienced doing penalty corners.
Then there is the yellow card for teenage defensive machine Jena. The first yellow card I’ve witnessed. The umpire who gave the card with a minute left on the first half clock deemed Jena to have thrown her stick. Probably best if I leave it there.
The team tucked into the small mountain of oranges captain Mel had brought. Minds focused on what we needed to improve on, or rather start doing. What was it we spent an hour and a half at training? Oh yes, marking. Let’s do some of that. (Sorry Paul…)

15:44
“4-1”
Isabel scores! Was this a comeback?
15:49
“4-2”
Janey scores! THE COMEBACK IS ON!
15:55
“5-2”
No matter, the game wasn’t over yet. By this point the ice pack on my foot was redundant and the freezing temperatures had sufficiently numbed the pain. I could sit on the sidelines no longer, I needed to be part of this dramatic fightback.
16:11
“6-2 FT”

The comeback might have been on, just a little too late. A much improved second half performance from the L4s, lots of learning experiences and drama aplenty. Congratulations to Uni 7s, worthy winners.

[Cut to later that day]
19:16
“What is this place?” asked Marian, with what I can only assume was a sense of awe and wonder. I attempted explained the magic and mystery of Myreside to my curious chauffeur/Uber driver.
“You play sport in this weather?!” He then asked incredulously. Yes, Marian. Yes, we do. Well, some of us.

Player of the Match - Jen "Scareface" Hardie.
Thank you to Gael for umpiring.