Clydesdale Western on European duty in Turkey this weekend

Decades ago Azets Clydesdale Western were regular participants at Europe’s top table, and now they will be back at the elite EHL next season, but this weekend they will warm up at the Trophy 11 competition in Alanya (Turkey).

The Titwood based side travel to Turkey on the back of their most successful domestic season in quite a while. Perhaps they did not capture the Premiership title, again they lost out to Watsonians, but subsequently Clydesdale took the Scottish Cup with a decisive win over Wildcats.  A week later Fiona Semple’s charges won the Championship final with a 2-1 victory over Watsonians with Semple herself scoring the winning goal. Thus claiming the sole EHL place.

So what about this achievement? Player/coach Fiona Semple remarked. “Winning the Grand Final and securing EHL means a huge amount to the team, and the club.

“We performed well across the season, and had to prove to ourselves we could get one over the line against strong opposition, so it was a great relief in many ways that we managed to do it on the biggest of occasions. The club has a strong European history and so to be the team to secure the first trip to the EHL was particularly amazing.”

And so on to this weekend’s action.

Clydesdale kick off the occasion against host side Gazantep Polisgucu (Turkey) on Thursday, then Olten (Switzerland) who they beat 4-1 last year in Glasgow and finally Cardiff & Met (Wales). The Scots need to finish top of the pool if they are to make Sunday`s final and promotion – so there is no margin for error here.

This was Fiona`s take on the tournament ahead. “The aim is to go and perform at our best in Turkey, naturally with the goal of winning every game.   We know Europe, the heat and the opposition can throw up a number of challenges but have belief in ourselves and look forward to representing Scotland out there.   We want as many Scottish clubs to be able to compete at the highest possible competitions and so promotion is very much the target.”

Clydesdale`s domestic statistics make encouraging reading, in their 16 league encounters they scored a total of 97 goals and only conceded ten – good shooting. The goals have come from many sources, but of late Jenny Eadie, Bronwyn Shields, Jika Nyirenda, Emma McGregor and Ava Graham have been prominent. And if that sort of form can be translated to Turkey, then the omens look good for Clydesdale.

On the side travelling, Fiona Semple said:  “We are missing a handful of players who competed for us in the league due to exams, weddings and work, but are travelling with a strong squad with plenty domestic and European experience.”

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