Spurs maintain 100 per cent record in contest for hockey’s Grutness Trophy

Spurs maintained their 100 per cent record in senior hockey’s Grutness Trophy competition with two-goal victories over Scalloway and Whalsay. In the other matches Burra defeated Zetland and drew with Delting.

Grutness Trophy

Scalloway 0, Spurs 2

The game started with even play from both teams. Scalloway were passing strongly and creating good moves but attempts at goal were intercepted by Spurs’ strong defence, in particular Ava Sim who cleared some dangerous balls.

Emily Tait made some excellent tackles, allowing Scalloway to maintain pressure throughout the first half. Spurs were also not without their chances on goal in the first half in what was to be an exciting and competitive match, with Fiona Shearer and Rona Simpson linking really well to create opportunities for themselves and team mates. Their effort was rewarded with 30 seconds to go with an unstoppable shot on goal by Shearer, allowing Spurs to edge ahead just before half time.

In the second half Spurs were hungry for another goal but the Scalloway defenders kept them at bay with great play from Lara Kay and Nadia Nicolson. The Spurs effort paid off, however, and they were rewarded with another goal from Sarah Grogan. A determined Scalloway continued to push forward but were unlucky not to score before the final whistle.

Players of the match were sisters Gayle Johnson for Spurs and Michaela Johnson for Scalloway.

Burra 1, Delting 1

Delting put pressure on the Burra defence as soon as the whistle blew, but good defending from Melanie Couper, Julia Halcrow and Kirsty Halcrow prevented Delting from capitilising in the circle.

Burra settled into their game and were linking well with some excellent play from Lorrie Robertson and Stacey Laurenson but they could not seem to find a way past Karen Jarvie in goals for Delting.

Burra nearly opened the scoring when Stacey Laurenson passed the ball out wide to Bethany Laurenson who broke into a run down the right wing and chipped the ball just a few inches over the top left hand corner.

It was Delting who made the breakthrough after a number of attacks which saw them being awarded a short corner in the 28th minute. A good strike from Jill Hibbert was saved by Andrea Henderson in the Burra goals but Lorraine Johnson was there to fire the rebounded ball into the Burra goal.

The second half started with pressure being applied to both defences early on. Debbie Robertson and Nicola Blance were strong in defence for Delting and prevented Burra from having any chance of getting through on goal. Some good runs up the left and right wings from Julie Kirkness and Lorraine Johnson saw Delting unlucky not to score, narrowly missing the goals on many occasions.

It was not until the 18th minute of the half, after a number of short corners, that Stacey Laurenson hammered home a superb shot into the bottom left hand corner.

The last quarter of the game saw chances at both ends. Delting applied pressure on the Burra defence through Meggan Hibbert and Rowan Nicolson but Burra stood strong and didn’t allow Delting to get through on goal. Burra broke through Sarah Young and Kayti Jarmson but Debbie Robertson was solid in defence and didn’t allow them past.

Players of the match were Nicola Blance for Delting and Stacey Laurenson for Burra.

Whalsay 0, Spurs 2

Whalsay were quick to press the Spurs midfield with Victoria Duthie and Alison Williamson linking passes up the right to create problems for the Spurs defence. However, Louise Kelly stood strong at the back and cleared the danger.

Although the home side were awarded a number of short corners, they were unable to convert due to good goalkeeping by Emma Gray. Heartened by this, Spurs began to find their form with Morag Fox creating space and commanding her team well.

It was through good set-up by Spurs that the Whalsay defence were caught off-guard, and Sarah Grogan made no mistake in capitalising on the error. With the wind in their sails there followed a period of determined play by Spurs and it was Grogan again who connected with a through ball at the back post to put them 2-0 ahead.

Whalsay came out fighting in the second half, determined to claw back the deficit. The Irvine duo, Maggie and Zoe, worked tirelessly in midfield to create opportunities for their front line. Gray in goals, however, was on form and ably dealt with the strikes on target.

Spurs always looked dangerous on the break with Gail Henry distributing the ball well from her central position. However, Whalsay’s defending Shearer trio, Emily, Dianne and Sonya, were quick to deal with Spurs advances.

Players of the match were Emma Gray for her solid goalkeeping and Victoria Duthie whose consistent, determined play served her team well.

Zetland 1, Burra 4

Burra started with a burst with Sarah Young scoring the first goal of the game from the top of the circle just three minutes in.

Zetland fought back with good runs up the park from Shona Keith and Kara Thomson but Burra’s defence stood strong with Julia Halcrow making some lovely clearances at the back.

Stacey Laurenson scored Burra’s second after 19 minutes with a beautiful reverse stick flick which took the goalie by surprise.

Zetland remained determined and this paid off as Stacey Gardner broke from the halfway line with a sprint to the edge of the circle crossing in a superb ball to Maisie Unsworth who slotted the ball into the back of the net.

Burra stepped up their game as the first half was drawing to a close and Jessica Bradley scored a third, bringing the score to 3-1 at half time.

Both teams started strong in the second half with Zetland defender Lisa Johnston working well at the back to keep the Burra attackers out of the circle.

The final goal came from Burra with Bethany Laurenson driving a strong ball into the circle to Stacey Laurenson who made a great strike on goal.

Players of the match were Lisa Johnston for Zetland and Debbie Sneddon for Burra.