Whalsay a step closer to indoor hockey crown after back-to-back wins

Whalsay moved a step closer to securing indoor hockey’s Eric Brown Shield at the weekend with victories over Deltmavine and Reckless.

Eric Brown Shield

Deltmavine 0, Whalsay 3

Indoor winter league top of the table hot shots Whalsay played out a very competitive game against Deltmavine. Whalsay started the brighter and immediately applied pressure to the Delts’ rearguard but their glittering array of attacking talent couldn’t find a way past the defensive wall of Nicola Blance and Toni Sidgwick between the sticks.

The Delts were carrying a threat on the counter attack with young guns Lee Balfour, Andy Aitken and Alister Williamson testing Whalsay custodian George Abernethy. At the other end Zoe Irvine had a shot hooked off the line as the table toppers pushed for the breakthrough they so desperately craved.

There was an accidental clash between Lauren Devonald and Donald Wilmore which resulted in the later hitting the deck like an extra from Platoon. Wilmore was again in the wars as he took a ball to his finger, meaning that he could only use one hand for the rest of the period, leaving his team effectively with just two-and-a-half men. At half time it was goalless.

In the second half Whalsay came out and finally broke the deadlock. The ball broke to Karl Williamson on the edge of the box and his shot had some serious spin on it as it flicked off Sidgwick’s shin pad and flew high into the net.

The Delts pushed hard for an equaliser but were hit by a sucker punch when Victoria Duthie cut in from the wing to increase Whalsay’s lead. The Delts had a couple of chances but found it impossible to break through the Whalsay rearguard. In the end it was Whalsay who finished the stronger with Zoe Irvine scoring near the end to make the final score three nil.

Best player for Deltmavine was Nicola Blance for some sterling defensive work with Josie Jamieson the topper for Whalsay.

Reckless 4, Hurricanes 7

Hurricanes started well, pushing forward through Bradley Mackenzie and Robert Turnbull. It was good to see Reckless back after a couple of weeks off. Against the flow of play it was Reckless who scored first through a good move by Joshua Morrison passing through to Bethany Laurenson who finished well.

Hurricanes replied quickly through a great driving shot from Bradley. Stephanie Keith, in the Reckless goal, was going to be in for a busy night and even had to save a shot with her shoulder! Robert was next on the score sheet with a well taken strike. Georgia Laurenson was holding up well in the Reckless defence but no-one could stop Robert getting his second of the night, leaving it 1-3 at half time.

Both teams seemed to come out stronger in the second half. Hurricanes managed to score another quick goal from Bradley. Reckless forwards Bethany and Joshua linked well and this enabled John Magnus Scollay to slip past the defence and take one back.

Robert then used his speed to cut through the defence to place a shot and get his hat trick. Next to score were Reckless through a short corner sharp shot from Georgia. Allyn Drummond was not to be outdone and made no mistake in hammering his shot home for Hurricanes.

Joshua deserved his well taken goal after a power of running for Reckless all night. Last but not least, to round off the match, was a goal from Jillian Copland who had controlled the match through midfield for large parts. Hurricanes deserved their win.

Players of the match were for Reckless John Magnus Scollay and for Hurricanes Robert Turnbull.

Hurricanes 3, Deltmavine 6

The Hurricanes started this game with fire in their bellies after a good result against Reckless. Bradley Mackenzie bagged the opener when he and Kerry Burgess combined well to blow open the Deltmavine defence.

Deltmavine fought back with Andrew Aitkin beating Neil Pearson but the Hurricanes reclaimed the lead  when a precise ball from Jillian Copland found Allyn Drummond in the area and the youngster made no mistake in finding the backboard and claiming his second career goal.

Fast play from Deltmavine saw them pick up two more goals from Aitkin and Alister Williamson. Now 3-2 down and with half time approaching Hurricanes introduced Robert Turnbull to the game. He made an immediate impact when he latched onto a Lauren Anderson ball and then won the battle with Toni Sidgwick to finish the half all square.

The second half started and it looked like playing two games on the bounce was taking its toll on the stretched Hurricanes squad and some gaps began appearing. Aitkin completed his hat trick and Nicola Blance had some success coming forward to score two in the final few minutes to secure the win.

Toni Sidgwick was the MVP for the Delts for some great goalkeeping and Jillian Copland for the Hurricanes after another faultless performance in the engine room.

Reckless 1, Whalsay 7

One of the final clashes of the season for these two teams proved to be very entertaining. It was bottom of the league versus top so things were always going to be difficult for Reckless.

Whalsay started fast and Karl Williamson certainly had his shooting skills firing as he opened the scoring. Donald Wilmore and Karl were to link well all through the half with Georgia Laurenson and Valene Christie doing everything to try and halt their runs.

Karl scored his second and then his third for his hat trick. John Magnus Scollay was determined to stop the onslaught but Karl, linking well with Zoe Irvine, gained his fourth. Reckless managed to get a consolation goal through a well worked passing move by Bethany Laurenson to Joshua Morrison who finished expertly. Donald got a deserved goal to make it 1-5 at half time.

Unfortunately Reckless troubled George Abernethy in the Whalsay goal far too infrequently in the second half. Catherine Williamson caused problems for Reckless with skilled passes through midfield. Linking up well for Whalsay was Zoe who was always on hand to put the forwards of Josie Jamieson and Karl through on the Reckless goalmouth.

Stephanie Keith had a very busy match with lots of short corner stops to make. Special mention has to go to Joshua whose speed at rushing out during the short corners definitely stopped more goals being converted. Valene was strong in defence for Reckless but eventually Whalsay rounded off their night and march to the title with two great goals from Josie.

Player of the match for Reckless had to be Joshua Morrison for his pacey running. Karl Williamson was the stand out for Whalsay with four well taken goals.