FIH Masters Home Nations round-up

A round-up of the action from the FIH Masters Home Nations event held at Peffermill at the end of June.

Scotland Over 35’s
Scotland were winners of the Inaugural Home International Masters O-35’s Tournament at Peffermill 26-28 June, 2015.
On Saturday, in what was a hard fought contest neither side was prepared to concede much, Scotland took a deserved lead against England with a superb strike in open play from Chris Miller (Watsonians). Both sides were to squander what few opportunities came in the next 1/4, but England equalised through Peter Gibbins with a well worked PC routine. It was an excellent team performance and many will feel disappointed to have only drawn.
With England defeating Wales 3-2 in their opening match and results being equal, Scotland thought they had to beat Wales by two goals.
On the Sunday with Graham Dunlop missing through injury, Wales started stronger having most of the early possession, however it was Scotland who took the lead through McCartney (Western)- flicking high from the penalty corner.  This settled the team and Scotland quickly followed up with a second, Magnus Ferrier (Inverleith) lifting over the out-rushing keeper. Wales pulled one back and then a second to leave the Scots a little shell shocked going into half time. A further two goals from Scott McCartney (Western) gave the Scots a 4-2 lead, but a converted Penalty Stroke from Wales made the last few minutes more nervous than they should have been. Scotland took the title on having a greater “goals for” total.
A big thank you to all 35 plus players who have trained throughout the winter, but especially Graham Dunlop (Clydesdale) for his coaching and calm organisation on the pitch. A final thank you goes to Duncan Batchelor (Grange) who Captained the team with such authority over the weekend. Here is to many more masters titles.
Masters Men’s O-35 Squad: W. Dunster (Dunfermline Carnegie), Douglas Swanston (Watsonians), Chris Miller (Watsonians), Stuart Robin (Kelburne) Alan Wall (Inverleith), Ross Macpherson (Kelburne), James Hollington (Watsonians),Magnus Ferrier (Inverleith), Nairn Scobie (Uddingston), Andrew Maclaine (Hillhead), Allan Laing (Falkirk), Duncan Batchelor -Capt (Grange), Graham Dunlop (Clydesdale) (COACH), Alan Meikle (Hillhead), Scott McCartney (Western), Stevie Chalmers (Dunfermline Carnegie), Gordon Menzies (Kelburne), Michael Leonard (Grange)
Scotland Over 45’s
The Scotland O45s got off to a strong start against Wales, playing strong, high quality hockey which prevented the Welsh team getting into the game and we ran out solid 5-0 winners. On Saturday we came up against a motivated Ireland side that tested us in the first half and we went into the break trailing 3-0. A change of tactics and a growing confidence of the squad saw us dominate the two final quarters and we recovered to draw the game 3-3. We created many chances and in the end were disappointed not to clinch the win.
We went into our final match against England knowing that only victory would enable us to win the trophy. After meticulous preparation, we started the game sensationally and put England on the back foot immediately forcing a short corner with the first passage of play which was converted well after a slick routine by Jon Williams take an early lead. As expected from a strong England side, they clawed their way back into the game after converting a short corner and forcing a penalty stroke after another short corner found a defenders foot on the line. Scotland worked incredibly hard harrying the English side and not allowing them any time or space on the ball and we were rewarded with a penalty stroke when Chris Flight was upended by a stranded England goalie as he closed in on goal. The penalty was calmly slotted by player coach Stevie Menzies and we went into the half time break at 2-2.
The Scottish side continued to play high quality hockey with an exceptional work rate but England managed to force a short corner which they slotted from the top of the D, the response from the Scotland team showed just how far the progress of the squad has made over recent times and eventually we drew level with 5 minutes remaining after another well worked short corner was again calmly finished by Jon Williams. Scotland continued to press to find the winner and inevitably left gaps and we were caught on the counter at the death for England to score the winner and secure the Championship again.
Scotland Over 55’s
Scotland Over 55’s warmed up for the European Cup with good victories in Edinburgh on Friday against Wales 4-0 and Saturday against Ireland 2-0. Tactically everything that the Squad looked to do came to fruition and it set up the final game on Sunday against England as the Championship decider.
Despite a reasonable start against a very strong English Squad Scotland soon found themselves one down after sustained English pressure to a deflected effort from the top of the D. Some excellent defending was then to nothing when a Short Corner came back off the post to hit the diving Goalkeeper on the head and cross the line to make it 2-0.
As the game reached half time Scotland were very much in the game but a resilient English midfield was holding them at bay. In the second half despite Scottish pressure and several Short Corners, Scotland could not get in the game and finally ran out of time as the English held off to win the Championship.
Squad in attached Photograph.
Back Row:- Alan Kerr, Ali Hay, Stephen Springthorpe, John Bennett, Ali McArthur, Ian Fenn-Tye, Derek Bell, Neil Sharp, Mike Gilbert.
Front Row:- Billy Taylor, David Rowlands, Arthur Robertson, Colin MacBeth, Benny Gibson, Khalid Bashir, Marray Graham, Niall Sturrock
Lying Down:- Ian Roberts

Scotland Over 35s

Scotland were winners of the Inaugural Home International Masters O-35s Tournament at Peffermill 26-28 June, 2015.

On Saturday, in what was a hard fought contest neither side was prepared to concede much, Scotland took a deserved lead against England with a superb strike in open play from Chris Miller (Watsonians). Both sides were to squander what few opportunities came in the next 1/4, but England equalised through Peter Gibbins with a well worked PC routine. It was an excellent team performance and many will feel disappointed to have only drawn.

With England defeating Wales 3-2 in their opening match and results being equal, Scotland thought they had to beat Wales by two goals.

On the Sunday with Graham Dunlop missing through injury, Wales started stronger having most of the early possession, however it was Scotland who took the lead through McCartney (Western)- flicking high from the penalty corner.  This settled the team and Scotland quickly followed up with a second, Magnus Ferrier (Inverleith) lifting over the out-rushing keeper. Wales pulled one back and then a second to leave the Scots a little shell shocked going into half time. A further two goals from Scott McCartney (Western) gave the Scots a 4-2 lead, but a converted Penalty Stroke from Wales made the last few minutes more nervous than they should have been. Scotland took the title on having a greater “goals for” total.

A big thank you to all 35 plus players who have trained throughout the winter, but especially Graham Dunlop (Clydesdale) for his coaching and calm organisation on the pitch. A final thank you goes to Duncan Batchelor (Grange) who Captained the team with such authority over the weekend. Here is to many more masters titles.

Masters Men’s O-35 Squad: W. Dunster (Dunfermline Carnegie), Douglas Swanston (Watsonians), Chris Miller (Watsonians), Stuart Robin (Kelburne) Alan Wall (Inverleith), Ross Macpherson (Kelburne), James Hollington (Watsonians),Magnus Ferrier (Inverleith), Nairn Scobie (Uddingston), Andrew Maclaine (Hillhead), Allan Laing (Falkirk), Duncan Batchelor -Capt (Grange), Graham Dunlop (Clydesdale) (COACH), Alan Meikle (Hillhead), Scott McCartney (Western), Stevie Chalmers (Dunfermline Carnegie), Gordon Menzies (Kelburne), Michael Leonard (Grange)

Scotland Over 45s

The Scotland O45s got off to a strong start against Wales, playing strong, high quality hockey which prevented the Welsh team getting into the game and we ran out solid 5-0 winners.

On Saturday we came up against a motivated Ireland side that tested us in the first half and we went into the break trailing 3-0. A change of tactics and a growing confidence of the squad saw us dominate the two final quarters and we recovered to draw the game 3-3. We created many chances and in the end were disappointed not to clinch the win.

We went into our final match against England knowing that only victory would enable us to win the trophy. After meticulous preparation, we started the game sensationally and put England on the back foot immediately forcing a short corner with the first passage of play which was converted well after a slick routine by Jon Williams take an early lead.

As expected from a strong England side, they clawed their way back into the game after converting a short corner and forcing a penalty stroke after another short corner found a defenders foot on the line. Scotland worked incredibly hard harrying the English side and not allowing them any time or space on the ball and we were rewarded with a penalty stroke when Chris Flight was upended by a stranded England goalie as he closed in on goal. The penalty was calmly slotted by player coach Stevie Menzies and we went into the half time break at 2-2.

The Scottish side continued to play high quality hockey with an exceptional work rate but England managed to force a short corner which they slotted from the top of the D, the response from the Scotland team showed just how far the progress of the squad has made over recent times and eventually we drew level with 5 minutes remaining after another well worked short corner was again calmly finished by Jon Williams.

Scotland continued to press to find the winner and inevitably left gaps and we were caught on the counter at the death for England to score the winner and secure the Championship again.

Scotland Over 55s

Scotland Over 55s warmed up for the European Cup with good victories in Edinburgh on Friday against Wales 4-0 and Saturday against Ireland 2-0. Tactically everything that the Squad looked to do came to fruition and it set up the final game on Sunday against England as the Championship decider.

Despite a reasonable start against a very strong English Squad Scotland soon found themselves one down after sustained English pressure to a deflected effort from the top of the D. Some excellent defending was then to nothing when a short corner came back off the post to hit the diving Goalkeeper on the head and cross the line to make it 2-0.

As the game reached half time Scotland were very much in the game but a resilient English midfield was holding them at bay. In the second half despite Scottish pressure and several Short Corners, Scotland could not get in the game and finally ran out of time as the English held off to win the Championship.

Scotland Over 55s

Back Row:- Alan Kerr, Ali Hay, Stephen Springthorpe, John Bennett, Ali McArthur, Ian Fenn-Tye, Derek Bell, Neil Sharp, Mike Gilbert.

Front Row:- Billy Taylor, David Rowlands, Arthur Robertson, Colin MacBeth, Benny Gibson, Khalid Bashir, Marray Graham, Niall Sturrock

Lying Down:- Ian Roberts

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