Whalsay triumph in indoor hockey’s knockout league

Whalsay won the indoor hockey knockout competition for the George Robertson Cup on Saturday, with strong performances seeing off Reckless in the semi-final and New Revolution in the final.

New Revolution 3, Judane 2

The first semi-final saw the mouthwatering tie between the top two teams in the league.

The game started with Judane on the front foot with some great attacking moves starting from the back. With captain Rhiannon Inkster leading her side forward some great passes to strikers Connor Regan and Robert Smith stretched the New Rev back line.

This pressure paid off with a quick short corner catching New Rev flat-footed and Chris James firing the shot past the unlucky Sarah Couper.
Kate Moncrieff and Stacey Laurenson were working Emma Inkster hard at the back and the game was being played at blistering pace with great passing moves and individual skill on show from both teams. New Rev found Jessica Bradley hard to beat in the Judane goal with some good stops from short corners. Then from another well-worked short corner Regan made it 2-0 with a fine finish for Judane just before half time.

The second half started with New Rev more settled and debut boys Adam Sharp and Josie Kay started linking up well with Stacey Laurenson. It was not long before the good play paid off with Josie Kay slotting the ball past the keeper.

The goal lifted New Rev and Peter Sharp and Sarah Groat worked hard at the back to stop the Judane attacks, turning them into quick counter attacks. New Rev’s second goal came from a great move down the right ending with Stacey Laurenson cutting the ball back for Sharp to convert with a great finish.

With the game looking like it was going to penalty flicks New Rev pushed for the winner and it came from another good move involving Laurenson and Kay, with Kay driving into the area to get his shot past the Judane keeper.

Players of the match were New Revolution’s Josie Kay for his two goals and Judane’s Emma Inkster for her good work throughout.

Whalsay 8, Reckless 2

Whalsay dominated from the outset with slick passing and great defensive blocks by Fiona Dally and Zoe Irvine.

George Abernethy opened the scoring with Bryan Irvine and Ian Simpson soon adding to the tally. Reckless dug in their heels during the second half with Joshua Morrison and John Magnus Scollay tirelessly covering the court in a bid to create scoring opportunities. This paid off when Georgia Laurenson executed a perfect flick from a short corner.

Shortly afterwards Joyce Adamson pounced on a loose ball to slot in the Reckless second. They were unable to catch Whalsay by this point, however, as the Reds racked up three further goals through Irvine and Simpson to secure a place in the final.

Whalsay 6, New Revolution 2

The final saw New Revolution face the Whalsay “dream” team. The game started well for New Rev and after a good move involving the Sharp brothers Adam was able to cut the ball back to Josie Kay to flick the ball past the Whalsay keeper.

This game was being played in a good-spirited manner and Whalsay were back on level terms with a good move involving Maggie Kay and Ian Simpson laying it off for Bryan Irvine to squeeze past the keeper.

New Rev pushed hard but were not able to make the short corners they were winning count because of great saves from the Whalsay keeper.

Whalsay scored again after some fine play from George Abernethy who put the ball through to Ian Simpson to score. They got their third goal with some good fortune after Bryan Irvine’s flick came back off the post and in off the back of the unlucky keeper Sarah Couper.

The second half started with New Revolution pushing to get back into the game with some good attacking moves from Stacey Laurenson and Adam Sharp bringing out the best in Fiona Dally and Zoe Irvine at the back for Whalsay.

However, with New Rev starting to tire Whalsay were able to pounce on some advantage calls with two more goals from Bryan Irvine.

New Rev were able to pull one back with Adam Sharp latching on to a Sarah Groat pass and drilling it past the keeper. But it was to be Whalsay’s night and Irvine scored his fourth of the night to make the final score 6-2.

Players of the match were New Rev’s Adam Sharp for some great linking play and well-taken goal on his debut, while for Whalsay Bryan Irvine took the honours for his four goals and movement up front.