Wins for Burra and Spurs in hockey’s Lizzie Poleson Trophy competition

There were good wins for Burra and Spurs in senior hockey’s Lizzie Poleson Trophy competition, against Scalloway and Juniors respectively. Meanwhile in the Association Rosebowl league both matches ended in draws, Whalsay v Spurs and Scalloway v Delting both finishing 2-2.

Lizzie Poleson Trophy

Burra 4, Scalloway 1

Burra won the pass back and were soon to put pressure on Scalloway’s defence. After seven minutes of play Lori Robertson slotted home the first goal.

Scalloway were quick to start again and with some great play through midfield from Lynne Scollay, Kate and Mhari Moncrieff up to forwards Meg Laurenson and Andrea Henderson they were unlucky not to even the score.

Burra were soon on the attack and 13 minutes later Stacey Laurenson scored the second goal.

Scalloway were not giving up and a beautifully-timed ball from Lynne Scollay went through to Meg Laurenson and she tapped the ball past the Burra keeper to make it 2-1.

In the second half Burra proved to be the stronger of the two teams as Scalloway seemed to fade compared to their brilliant performance in the first half.

Burra played great passes through the midfield up to the forwards but the defence of Sarah Groat, Mel Inkster and Lauren Anderson proved strong and it was some time before Burra got a third through Josie Jamieson.

Scalloway were back on the attack and it was unfortunate for them that three minutes later saw Kristen Robertson slotted home Burra’s fourth goal the game.

Players of the match were Sarah Groat for Scalloway and Lori Robertson for Burra.

Spurs 4, Juniors 2

Spurs won the toss and pressed forward immediately, keen to overturn the problems they encountered last week when the two teams met.

Kristen Jeromson returned to the Spurs side and made an impact, linking well with Sarah Grogan and Fiona Shearer in midfield. Play switched from side to side, making use of pivotal players Ava Sim and Rona Simpson. Spurs were always looking for an early lead and this came in the 20th minute following a penalty corner. A textbook set piece saw Emma Gray slot home from the edge of the circle.

The Juniors became more vocal and tried to pass the ball around their defence. However, Spurs’ Morag Fox, Emma Gray and Emma Inkster were reading the game well, managing to intercept any balls coming through. Fox was also driving in crosses from the right wing, causing all kinds of problems for the Juniors defence.

Rhiannon Inkster, Lara Kay and Abbey Irvine managed to keep things under control for a spell but eventually Spurs scored their second. A well-worked set piece from outside the circle saw Simpson find Shearer, who laid the ball off to Jeromson to sweep past the keeper.

Spurs continued to dominate and two minutes later were awarded another series of short corners. This time it was Shearer who slotted home at the back post to make it 3-0 at half time.
Juniors came out in the second half keen to make amends, with Rowan Nicolson making some telling runs.

However, Susan Morrison in defence for Spurs was having an awesome game, and cleared any danger away from her goalmouth. Sisters Zoe and Karis Irvine displayed some slick stick work and wrong-footed the Spurs midfield at times, but Spurs soon regrouped and settled into their game.

A run up the Spurs right wing from Gayle Johnson saw some good connecting play with Fox. Her powerful cross was met by Shearer on the penalty spot, who struck at goal, only for her strike to be saved by Amy Harper in the Juniors goal. The sharp Emma Gray pounced on the rebound to increase Spurs lead to 4-0.

Spurs were displaying confidence but they relaxed somewhat, thinking the game was over. Juniors took advantage and deservedly pulled two goals back within five minutes of each other.

Karis Irvine caught the Spurs defence upfield, and a solo effort saw her round Elaine Smith in goal to make it 4-1. Again Karis was found in space in 61 minutes to get her strike away from the top of the circle, to score an amazing goal.

Spurs woke up at this point and tightened things up between defence and attack. Unfortunately for Juniors time ran out as they truly displayed some great periods of play.

Best for Juniors was Abbey Irvine while for Spurs Susan Morrison outshone her team mates.

Association Rosebowl

Whalsay 2, Spurs 2

Whalsay started the stronger team with good passing and communication. Spurs were caught out on a break and a well-positioned Shelley Sandison hammered home the first goal after four minutes.

The goal woke Spurs up and their play greatly improved. The solid defence of Gayle Johnson, Susan Morrison and Lousie Moar cleared the balls wide away from danger. Emma Inkster, Rona Simpson and Sarah Grogan were attacking well.

Spurs had several chances but Jessica Bradley in the Whalsay goals was not letting anything passed her. Whalsay were making things difficult for Spurs, with Maree Simpson closing down every ball and Maggie Kay Irvine always a threat.

In the 17th minute Spurs levelled the score with a great goal from Louise Fraser and both teams now had everything to play for. Spurs were looking to take the lead but the Whalsay defence and the young Lara Kay in particular were determined not to let them past.

Nicola Duthie played well on the left wing for Whalsay with her passes well-timed and placed. Once again Spurs were caught out, however, and Shelley Sandison secured her second for the night.

Determined not to let the game go Spurs picked up their efforts again and for a while the play was all in the their attacking half. They were awarded several short corners and eventually the end of Emma Gray’s stick caught the ball before she slapped it right into the corner, making it 2-2.

The first half saw all of the goals but the second half was not dull in any way. Both teams had several opportunities and worked hard to the end but no goals came.

Players of the match were Susan Morrison for Spurs for her great defending and Nicola Duthie took the honours for Whalsay.

Scalloway 2, Delting 2

The game started strongly with great play from both teams, despite Delting only managing to field 10 players. Delting were soon on the attack with some great balls being fed through from Jillian Copland to Julie Kirkness and Jill Hibbert who were unlucky not to open the scoring in the early stages, putting pressure on Scalloway’s defence of Mel Inkster, Lauren Anderson, Anne-Marie Robinson and Sarah Groat.

Scalloway were not thwarted and soon found their rhythm with some great linking play from Mhari Moncrieff, Naomi Johnson and Rhiannon Inkster in midfield through to Lynne Scollay, Hannah Burgess and Kate Moncrieff up front. Debbie Robertson, Nicola Blance and Jillian Copland in Delting’s defence did well to keep Scalloway from scoring.

The game continued with great play from both teams until a penalty corner was awarded to Delting who opened the scoring in the 26th minute with a lovely strike from Kirkness.
Delting started the second half and within two Kirkness scored her second of the game.

Scalloway were now even more determined and six minutes later were awarded a penalty corner. Rhiannon Inkster played the ball out to Lynne Scollay whose shot was cleared by a Delting defender and Naomi Johnson was quick on the rebound to score.

Delting soon turned the play around and kept pressure on with constant attacks coming from Megan Nicolson, Lorraine Johnston, Jill and Julie but Scalloway’s defence were not letting anything past them.

Scalloway were back on the attack and evened the score with a beautiful strike from Rhiannon Inkster in the 29th minute despite Delting’s Nicola Blance and Debbie Robertson working tirelessly in defence.

Players of the match were Sarah Groat for Scalloway and Nicola Blance for Delting.