Shetland lose out in inter-county clashes

A battling hockey team made Orkney work hard for a result which saw them retain the Lady Hamilton Cup, while the Shetland football team lost out 3-2 to the men in red in this year’s inter-county.

After seeing off some intense early pressure Nicola Johnston gave Shetland the lead against the run of play.

Back came the home side and following two deflection from penalty corners they went 2-1 ahead.

When Hannah Cromarty got a third for Orkney the writing looked on the wall for the visitors, but they stormed back and Nicola Blance brought it back to 3-2.

Stacey Laurenson thought she had equalised but the goal was ruled out.

Orkney were more dominant in the second half and further goals from Lauren Gilmour and Jennie Pickles made the final score 6-2.

Meanwhile in the football two goals in just over a minute in the second half were largely responsible for Orkney’s footballers reclaiming the Milne Cup.

After a goalless first half Paul Molloy gave Shetland a deserved lead but they then made the fatal mistake of switching off. First Chris Helliwell equalised from close range and then a superb run and shot by Thorfinn Stout made it 2-1.

When Chris Simpson rose above everyone else to head home for 3-1 it looked like the home side’s day.

Although Joe Kay pulled one back Shetland ran out of time and the Orkney players once again got their hands on the trophy.

More in Friday’s Shetland Times.