Medals for Watsonians and Clydesdale Western in the Euros but Grange missed out

CLYDESDALE WESTERN  4  OLTEN (SWITZERLAND) 1

After that first game defeat at the hands of French side Saint Germain, Clydesdale Western never looked back with three convincing victories to earn the tournament bronze medal – but missed out on promotion unfortunately. Today at Titwood they were comfortable 4-1 winners over Swiss side Olten to finish the event on a high.

Clydesdale`s captain Laura Paul summed up the occasion.  “Yes, we`re happy to finish the tournament with a win.  We had some brilliant team performances and were unfortunate in the first game.”

The first half finished a level affair, in eight minutes Millie Steiger put Clydesdale ahead from open play only for Sofia Thuring to level for the Swiss at their first penalty corner…and that was it at the interval.

It was in the third quarter that the match was won for the home side, it started with a penalty corner conversion by Millie Steiger, to be followed three minutes later by an open play strike from Heather Howie for her fourth of the tournament – Clydesdale even had the luxury of missing from the spot.

The score advanced to 4-1 early in the final quarter through Ciara Forgie and Clydesdale were well on the way to the bronze medal.   Clydesdale played out the remainder of the game with ease although they did have to survive a couple of late Swiss penalty corners.

 

WATSONIANS  2   HAMPSTEAD & WESTMINSTER (ENGLAND)  3

The final seemed to be heading for a shoot-out at 2-2, but in the final minute Hampstead stole the gold medal with a goal from Tyler Lench, and Watsonians had finally to settle for the silver medal.   Nonetheless a very creditable performance from the Scottish champions.

Watsonians coach Keith Smith reflected: “As tough as it was for the girls to lose it so late, they can be really proud of their performance.

“It was a great game that could have gone either way – we had a chance to win it just seconds before they scored the winner.

“For the team to deliver that level of performance in their fourth game in four days, against a team that had played a full game less, was a phenomenal effort, and a testament to all the hard work we`ve done up to this point.

“Overall, I think we can be really pleased with our tournament – we`ve achieved all our goals, and we`ll be looking to take that momentum into the final few weeks of the season back home.”

It was certainly a lively start to proceedings and it was penalty corners to the fore.  Hampstead opened in eight minutes through Olivia Hamilton, Watsonians replied a minute later through Ellie Wilson, and then Hamilton notched a second for the English side to lead 2-1 at the end of the first quarter.   There were no further goals up to half-time.

And that is how the score line remained in the third quarter although Watsonians had a couple of penalty corner chances just after the interval.   

Watsonians refused to give up and finally Katherine Holdgate levelled from open play with just six minutes left – and it was game on.   It was her fifth goal of the tournament along with Sarah Jamieson   That is until the final minute when Hampstead agonisingly secured a belated winner.

 

GRANGE  0   CARDIFF & MET  (WALES)  6

Grange missed out on a medal in Lisburn after going down 6-0 to Welsh side Cardiff & Met and had to settle for fourth place.

After the game manager Martin Shepherdson said: “Another game where unfortunately the scoreline did not reflect the game.  Despite being disappointed with the results we felt we played well and improved our possession play and structures as the tournament progressed.”

After a goalless first quarter  where neither side dominated, Grange were hit by a Welsh penalty corner hat-trick.   James Tyson opened in 18 minutes, the initial shot was saved, the follow up hit a post, and it fell kindly for Tyson to score.   And that was followed by a rapid double from Ioan Wall for a three goal lead for Cardiff.   And was that game over?

The penalty corner storm seemed over with no further goals in the third quarter.  Grange pressed to try to get back into the contest, but then in 49 minutes William Riley rifled home another penalty corner for Cardiff`s fourth. That was followed by quick-fire open play strikes by Matty George and Scott Rawlings to advance the tally to six without reply.

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