Moulder trophy lifted by Whalsay
Whalsay walked away victorious with the Moulder Memorial silverware in Brae on Saturday.
The annual charity tournament, organised in memory of Brian Moulder, saw over 60 hockey players enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and glorious weather. With five mixed teams entered in a double league format, there was lots of hockey and not much time for rest.
Baker Tilly Ness arrived with a full squad determined to avoid the bottom of the league. It was one vital point rescued from a draw with New Revolution that saved Ness from the wooden spoon. Unfortunately for Zetland, who played some fantastic hockey throughout the day, it was them who walked away with the wooden spoon. Zetland had the upper hand over Baker Tilly Ness, beating them on both occasions, but vital points rescued by Ness from a draw with New Revolution kept them one point off the bottom. It was noted that in the three years of the tournament one particular Zetland player has always been in the losing team.
The ever professional New Revolution arrived on a team bus and faced their toughest challenges against Whalsay and Saracens. They were unable to put their many talents to use and finish with the ball in the back of the net when they most needed it. New Revolution’s Danny Finnie was deservedly awarded their player of the tournament with a one-off masterpiece.
Saracens, a sprightly, energetic team with a fantastic balance of youth and experience, worked slowly through their results demonstrating some exhibition hockey and were unlucky to miss out on top spot by three points.
Whalsay, with only seven players and no subs, scored 22 goals and only gave away one. They were unstoppable. Zetland were the only team to score against the mighty greens. Zoe Irvine in fine form scored some superb goals, with support from Maree Simpson, Maggie Kay Irvine and Dianne Shearer. That left Brian Irvine and Iain Simpson to roam freely around the park. With ever-reliable keeper Shona Moncrieff protecting between the sticks Whalsay were on the attack constantly.
Event organisers would like to thank everyone for their participation, support and generosity. Special thanks also to Kriss, Craig and June for their impeccable time and score keeping. A total of £320 has been raised to be split between The Shetland Stroke Support Group and The Sarah Matheson Trust.
Association Rosebowl
Juniors 0, Delting 1
Delting showed their experience as a team from the start against a Juniors team which included a few new players. They pressured the Juniors defence with runs from Michelle Stark and Jillian Copland, but Rhiannon Inkster and Ava Sim were quick to clear the ball out of the circle. There were constant changes in possession throughout the half and Juniors’ Zoe Irvine played well in midfield. Delting’s Julie Kirkness looked dangerous when she reached her attacking circle, but the score remained 0-0 going into the second half.
Delting’s goal came early on in the second half from a powerful ball into the circle where Megan Hibbert knocked it past the Juniors keeper. Margaret Johnson in midfield for the Juniors proved to be dangerous on the left wing and although there were chances on goal Juniors couldn’t capitalise. Delting had shots on goal from Copland and Kirkness but Juniors’ newly signed keeper Jessica Bradley played well and made some crucial saves. Players of the match were Jill Hibbert for Delting and Zoe Irvine for Juniors.
Burra 2, Juniors 0
This was a good, evenly contested game in which both teams made use of the whole pitch, with accurate passing and good interlinking play. Burra welcomed back Julia Halcrow who made her presence felt in Burra’s defence along with Louise Kok, Melaine Couper and Laura Adamson.
Rhiannon Inkster and Sarah Groat worked tirelessly in the Juniors defence thwarting attempts on goal from Josie Jamieson, Sarah Young and Mary Duncan. Burra dominated the midfield with hard work from Joy Duncan, Stacy Laurenson and Josie Jamieson. Josie’s hard work paid off and she slammed the backboard with a goal with minutes to spare in the first half.
Burra took the pass back in the second half and started more determined but Jessica Bradley, in goal for Juniors, worked well throughout the game, making some superb saves. Juniors never backed down and pushed up field with Hannah and Zoe and were unlucky not to equalise, but Burra goalie Helen Laurenson, who nearly did the splits, kept them at bay. Burra were awarded a few short corners in the second half but did not capitalise with any goals. Kristen Robertson came on for Burra in the second half and linked well with Stacey Laurenson who took the goal tally to two.
Players of the match were Josie Jamieson for Burra and Zoe Irvine for Juniors.
Spurs 1, Whalsay 1
With Whalsay having put six goals past Zetland in their first outing of the season, Spurs knew they were in for a tough match. However, it was Spurs who enjoyed all the early pressure with good linking play and a number of balls crossing into the Whalsay circle.
The Spurs forwards were struggling to make the final connection towards goal and when they did, Whalsay keeper Shona Moncreiff was up to the task in protecting her goal. Spurs did eventually make the breakthrough 10 minutes from half time when Gail McCulloch received the ball at the top of the D and sweetly struck it low into the bottom left hand corner, giving Spurs a deserved lead.
This was a classic game of two halves as it was Whalsay who were fired up for the second half. Spurs seemed to have lost their fluency with their distribution of the ball let them down on countless occasions. Whalsay looked comfortable in possession and moved the ball around the park effectively. Whalsay continued to push forward and were rewarded with a number of short corners and free hits in the region of the Spurs circle. Spurs keeper Elaine Smith saved several attempts to the relief of her defence. Following a short corner, the Spurs defence were unable to clear their ranks, failed to play the whistle and Whalsay’s Alison Williamson pounced on a loose ball to equalise for Whalsay.
Commiserations to Sarah Grogan, who hit the post twice in the first half for Spurs and had three close range shots cleared off the line by the Whalsay keeper. Both keepers, Elaine Smith for Spurs and Shona Moncrieff for Whalsay, played really well in this open game, hence they were players of the match.
Fixtures Monday – Association Rosebowl: Scalloway v Zetland at 6.30pm (Simon Skinner/Morag Fox); Spurs v Delting at 7.50pm (Simon Skinner/Kerri Redfern); Thursday – Association Rosebowl: Juniors v Zetland at 6.30pm (Janice Johnston/Scalloway rep); Whalsay v Scalloway at 7.50pm (Janice Johnston/Zetland rep).
Fitness training continues on Tuesdays at the Clickimin track in Lerwick from 6pm to 7pm and at Brae on Fridays from 6pm to 8 pm. The training is open to anyone aged 14 and over.
