News / Indoor hockey: Whalsay win cup and league
Whalsay 4 – 2 Hurricanes
The final game of the season saw Whalsay take on the Hurricanes, which would decide the winners of the league.
Hurricanes started off the game applying pressure into Whalsay’s half, Jillian Copeland and Robert Turnball linked well up the right hand side where Copeland sealed the deal to put them in the lead.
George Abernethy had exchanged his goalie kit for a stick for the final game, he received a lose ball, dribbled up the court and took on the goalie making it 1-1 at half time.
Whalsay were fired up for the second half where Maggie Irvine put the ball past the Hurricanes keeper, Alan Drummond, in true style. Despite great defensive work from Kerri Redfern and Rhiannon Inkster Whalsay increased their lead where Victoria Duthie saw the back of the goals after receiving a cross from Abernethy.
Just as Whalsay appeared to settle, Hurricanes fast play up the court saw Bradley MacKenzie slot home a second goal. Hurricanes fought well but were stumped by Whalsays keeper, Ian Manson, with his outstanding saves.
Good movement by Zoë Irvine saw her receive a hit out from Whalsay; she made use of this and took a shot hitting Hurricanes feet on its travels. The short corner was received by Josie Jamieson where she flicked the ball into the back of the net making the final score 4 – 2 to Whalsay.
Players of the match were Zoë Irvine for Whalsay and Alan Drummond for Hurricanes.
Crusaders V Reckless
Crusaders couldn’t field a team so Reckless get the points.
George Robertson Cup Final
Whalsay 4 New Rev 4 (Whalsay win 3-0 on penalties)
On Grand National Saturday both stables took to the arena missing several key players but this cup final was to prove highly entertaining and only a penalty shoot out would separate the two teams.
New Rev were quickly out of the blocks and Stacey Laurenson scored within thirty seconds with a great reverse stick drive.
Whalsay settled and began to make forages into the New Rev half and it wasn’t long before they were back in the game. Ian ‘twinklestick’ Simpson picked the ball up at the half way line before weaving his way past three defenders and calmly slotting the ball beneath the onrushing keeper.
New Rev responded with Bryan ‘Tom Daley’ Irvine and Laurenson looking dangerous on the attack. George Abernethy in the Whalsay goal stood strong and produced a series of fine saves to keep the game on even terms.
Just before half time Whalsay managed to gain the initiative when Simpson found himself in space at the back post to drill home a Zoe Irvine cross.
The first half ended with the islanders 2-1 as and tempers began to flare.
The second half started at an alarming pace and New Rev were quickly on the ascendancy pinning Whalsay back in their own half. The pressure soon paid off as Irvine manufactured a low drive which bobbled erratically over the foot of Abernethy into the net. New Rev with new found confidence began to dominate proceedings at this point and scored a further two goals through Irvine and Laurenson. At this point the scribes had begun to etch New Rev onto the trophy.
Whalsay had other ideas and launched a comeback with five minutes to go. Simpson completed his hatrick following good work by Josie Jamieson driving from the back and Victoria Duthie grabbed a late equaliser to send the game to penalty flicks.
Both teams lined up nervously at the half way line and Maggie Kay was first to step forward. Her flick was well saved by Sarah Couper in the New Rev Goal.
Stacey Laurenson, Kristan Robertson and Ava Sim all had their flicks saved by Abernethy who was in fine form.
Whalsay scored all three of their remaining flicks through Zoe Irvine, Jamieson and Duthie to take the cup.
The match was played out in good spirit and was well marshalled by Simon Skinner and Jill Hibbert.
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