Mixed fortunes at Euros for Scotland’s clubs

EUROHOCKEY CLUB TROPHY

WATSONIANS  8 RAKOVNIK (CZECHIA)  0

It`s always good to start off the pool competition in the Euros with a win…but to pile in eight goals in the process is a bonus.   That is exactly what Watsonians inflicted on host club Rakovnik in front of their own supporters on the opening day of the Trophy competition in Czechia.

And this is what Watsonians coach Keith Smith thought of the whole affair.   

“It was a really professional performance from the girls – we started hard and without the ball made life difficult for Rakovnik, but in turn we were a little rushed with the ball in the first ten minutes.  After we scored the first however everyone settled down and we played with much more composure and we really imposed ourselves on the game.

“The most pleasing aspect was despite being 3-0 up at half-time, we didn`t drop our standards and instead made sure we continued to control the game.  Rotweiss will be a different type of test, but we can take real positives from today`s game, and use it as a platform to try and improve again.”

Quarter one of the contest looked like heading goalless until Anna Logan popped up to put the Scottish champions ahead.  The result was effectively sealed only a few minutes later with further goals from Sarah Jamieson and Katherine Holdgate from the spot for a three goal advantage at the interval.

A second open play goal from Sarah Jamieson was the only addition to the tally in the third quarter.

But Watsonians cut loose in the final quarter, Emily Dark added a fifth at a penalty corner, Katherine Holdgate scored her own second from open play, Dark converted her second set piece in the final minute and finally Anna Logan made it eight seconds later.

So Watsonians top their pool as the other contenders Rotweiss Wettingen (Switzerland) and Cambrai (France) finished with a 1-1 draw.   And Keith Smith`s charges will take on the Swiss tomorrow in their second pool match

 

 

EUROHOCKEY CLUB TROPHY 11

CLYDESDALE WESTERN  1  SAINT GERMAIN (FRANCE)  3

However, no such joy for Clydesdale Western on their own turf at Titwood – disappointingly they went down 3-1 to French side Saint Germain in the pouring rain.

When you are awarded 13 penalty corners in a match, you would expect to pick up a couple of goals at least…but it didn’t go that way for Clydesdale.

Towards the end of the first quarter the French took the lead through Yohanna Lhopital…and that seemed to set the tone.  Three minutes into the next quarter Saint Germain were awarded a penalty stroke and Lhopital converted to double the lead.

There seemed no way back for the Scots when Zoe Madelon added a third early in the second half and that is how it stood until two minutes from the end with a consolation strike from Ciara Forgie – but too little too late to affect the outcome.

Tomorrow Clydesdale take on Swansea from Wales and a win here is crucial to keep the Scots in the hunt.   Earlier today Swansea went down 4-0 to Austrian side WAC.

 

Grange had no game today in the men`s Trophy competition in Lisburn…they are in a three team pool.   But tomorrow they take on French side CAM 92 in their opening fixture…that could be a little tester as they beat Ukrainian side Vinnitsa 4-0 today.

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