Spurs in pole position in race for hockey’s Grutness Trophy

Spurs remain in pole position in senior hockey’s Grutness Trophy competition, having defeated Zetland in their final match, but Delting can overtake the Lerwick side if they defeat Whalsay in their last game.

Grutness Trophy

Zetland 1, Spurs 2

Spurs started the stronger, immediately applying pressure on Zetland and pushing them into their defensive area early in the game.

A lack of communication at times between Zetland players resulted in more than one player going for the tackle and either losing the ball or conceding a free hit.

Spurs were awarded several penalty corners but could not break past the Zetland defence. Debie Kane made some excellent saves to keep the score a draw.

End-to-end play continued but Spurs soon scored their first goal from a strike at the top of the penalty circle by Emma Gray just before the half-time whistle.

The second half saw Zetland begin more confidently, eager to get a goal back and even the score. But Fiona Shearer for Spurs saw an opportunity to make a fast break and drive the ball up the pitch to find Sarah Grogan who slotted the ball into the back of the net.

Zetland soon stepped up the pace and Hannah Irvine, Kara Thomson and Aimee Keith made some strong challenges in the middle of the pitch to give Maisie Unsworth the opportunity to make it 2-1.

Both teams continued to play well, applying pressure and showing great team work throughout the second half. Zetland’s attack were determined to equalise and continued to push for goals, narrowly missing out on a few occasions. They were awarded a penalty corner just before the final whistle, but an excellent save from Gail Donohue left the score at 2-1.

Whalsay 2, Burra 3

Burra started with excellent linking play from Josie Jamieson and Stacey Laurenson. Great play around the pitch allowed them to enter Whalsay’s defensive zone and gain two goals from Stacey Laurenson.

Whalsay built up numerous attacks from the left with good play from Catherine Williamson and Nicola Duthie. However, Burra defenders Debbie Sneddon and Kayti Jeromson cleared the ball continuously.

With good communication throughout the Burra team Karen Jarvie notched up a third goal, making the half-time score 3-0.

Whalsay did not give up and applied pressure to Burra’s defence. Maggie Kay Irvine was key player in midfield and neatly swept the ball through to Deborah Mowat who slotted it past the Burra keeper to pull one back.

Whalsay continued with good pressure and determination and were awarded a short corner. A straight strike from Fiona Dally at the top of the circle made the final score 3-2.

Players of the match were Maggie Kay Irvine for Whalsay and Josie Jameson for Burra.

Delting 6, Scalloway 0

Delting started at a very high tempo and were quick to put the Scalloway defence under pressure. Some fast and accurate passing around the attacking circle saw Jillian Copland find Julie Kirkness who confidently struck the ball Scalloway keeper Christine Laurenson inside four minutes.

Delting took confidence from the early goal and forced a succession of penalty corners. Brenda Leask injected the ball, Copland stopped and Jill Hibbert slipped the ball back to Leask who converted from a narrow angle.

Scalloway were working hard with Rhiannon Inkster and Michaela Johnson making timely tackles in an attempt to thwart the continual Delting attack. However, Hibbert was soon to find space on the right side of the circle and secured Delting’s third goal.

Scalloway worked hard to push the ball out of their defence with Lynne Scollay taking control in midfield and Karis Irvine, Nicola Smith and Hannah Hunter creating space up front.
Nicola Blance was quick out of the Delting defence to stop the run of play. This counter attack quickly put Delting into the opposite half with every player looking goal hungry. Hibbert and Leask were both lining up for a shot and after communication it was Hibbert who took the shot, claiming her second of the night.

Again Scalloway pushed forward and were fast upfield, forcing Delting keeper Toni Sidgwick to use her full range of flexibility to deny Irvine the best opportunity to score for Scalloway in the first half.

Delting demonstrated a versatile performance with a number of options being experimented with during penalty corners. This paid off when Kirkness scored via route one.

The start of the second half saw Scalloway reorganise and come out really strong. However, Debbie Robertson, Blance and Janetta Williamson were calm and collected at the back for Delting, keeping possession well and releasing the ball wide.

The confidence in defence allowed Copland to move upfield, linking well with Megan Nicholson and Lorraine Johnson. Scalloway opted for a few through balls and were unlucky not to find someone in the circle to obtain a deflection.

Megan Hibbert worked hard on the left wing and made some telling runs, only to be stopped by the strong tackling of Anne-Marie Robinson. Nicholson also showed her dogged determination, playing the ball into Kirkness who was denied at close range by Keeper Laurenson.

A period of play on Delting’s right saw Ashley Burgess keep excellent control of the ball and play in Nicholson who showed composure to place the ball past the Scalloway keeper.

Both teams used their substitutes effectively with Johnson showing her adaptability, playing both left and right wing for Delting, and Lara Kay displaying confidence to play both defence and attack for Scalloway.

Best on the night were Michaela Johnson for Scalloway and Nicola Blance for Delting.