Over 35s triumph in inaugural Home Nations

This weekend Peffermill hosted the inaugural FIH Masters Over 35s Home Nations Championships, alongside similar yet more established tournaments for the over 45s and over 55s.  With Ireland unable to assemble a squad a Scottish invitational squad along with England and Wales, were the opposition facing Scotland Blues over the weekend’s event.  The opening fixtures on Friday saw Scotland Blue versus the Scottish select, with Scotland Blues coming out on top 10-1, with Scott MCartney’s four goal haul the highlight of the match.  England edged a fiercely contested match 3-2 against western neighbours Wales.
On Saturday Scotland faced the auld enemy England, with England confident that a win would see them crowned overall winners.  In an edgy game with few goal scoring opportunities, England dictated large periods of play with their older and more experienced side a semmingly more cohesive unit than the recently assembled Scottish side.  Despite England’s dominance roving left back Chris Miller gave Scotland the lead late in the first half, with his shot deflected in off a defenders stick at the back post.  Not perturbed by their misfortune England continued to play direct hockey causing Scotland all sorts of problems in defence.  Their positive approach paid dividends in the third quarter as they executed a well organised penalty corner routine to level the scores.  Chances came and went for both teams, but to no avail.  Scotland left with a sense of relief at gaining a point when considering the Englsih dominance, but with a hint of regret given some glaring goal scoring opportunities that were passed up.  Elsewhere Wales hammered the Scottish Select 8-1, despite the Scots holding them to 3-1 at halftime and a markeeedly improved performance.
The final day of the tournament was to be pivotal in determining the destiny of the championship.  Based on form England were predicted to beat the Scottish select and did not disappoint with a 4-1 victory.  With England returning seven points from their three matches, Scotland first andd foremost needed to beat Wales to win the tournament.  Moreover they had to either win by two clear goals, or to win by one clear goal having scored four of more goals, in order to pip England to the title.  Scotland looked to be cruising to victory in the first quarter with goals from Scott McCartney and Magnus Ferrier putting them in complete control.  Wales, however, came back strongly in the second quarter with two penalty corners strikes leveling the scores going it at half time.  The second half saw Scotland reassert themselves with fresher legs coming to the fore as the effects of tournament hockey and travel took its toll on the Welshmen.  Two quickfire goals for Magnus Ferrier and Scott McCartney gave Scotland what seemed like an unassailable lead with ten minutes to go.  With six minutes of the match to go Wales were awarded and duly despatched a penalty flick, to bring the score to 4-3.  A scoreline with which if Scotland could hold on to would be enough to see Scotland win by virtue of a superior goals scored column.  Hold on they did, as they sealed a memorable win against an unrelenting Welsh side.
A tremendous effort by a squad of individuals that ended the tournament playing as a team.
Thanks to Scottish Hockey, Edinburgh University, all officials, St Andrews Ambulance and of course the team manager Fraser Auld for all his tireless work and organisation behind the scenes.

Last weekend Peffermill hosted the inaugural FIH Masters Over 35s Home Nations Championships, alongside similar yet more established tournaments for the over 45s and over 55s.

With Ireland unable to assemble a squad a Scottish invitational squad along with England and Wales, were the opposition facing Scotland Blues over the weekend’s event.

The opening fixtures on Friday saw Scotland Blues versus the Scottish Select, with Scotland Blues coming out on top 10-1, Scott MCartney’s four goal haul the highlight of the match. England edged a fiercely contested match 3-2 against western neighbours Wales.

On Saturday Scotland faced the auld enemy England, with England confident that a win would see them crowned overall winners.

In an edgy game with few goal scoring opportunities, England dictated large periods of play with their older and more experienced side a semmingly more cohesive unit than the recently assembled Scottish side.

Despite England’s dominance roving left back Chris Miller gave Scotland the lead late in the first half, with his shot deflected in off a defenders stick at the back post.  Not perturbed by their misfortune England continued to play direct hockey causing Scotland all sorts of problems in defence.

Their positive approach paid dividends in the third quarter as they executed a well organised penalty corner routine to level the scores.  Chances came and went for both teams, but to no avail.  Scotland left with a sense of relief at gaining a point when considering the Englsih dominance, but with a hint of regret given some glaring goal scoring opportunities that were passed up.  Elsewhere Wales hammered the Scottish Select 8-1, despite the Scots holding them to 3-1 at halftime and a markedly improved performance.

The final day of the tournament was to be pivotal in determining the destiny of the championship.  Based on form England were predicted to beat the Scottish select and did not disappoint with a 4-1 victory.

With England returning seven points from their three matches, Scotland first and foremost needed to beat Wales to win the tournament.  Moreover they had to either win by two clear goals, or to win by one clear goal having scored four of more goals, in order to pip England to the title.  Scotland looked to be cruising to victory in the first quarter with goals from Scott McCartney and Magnus Ferrier putting them in complete control.

Wales, however, came back strongly in the second quarter with two penalty corners strikes levelling the scores going it at half time.

The second half saw Scotland reassert themselves with fresher legs coming to the fore as the effects of tournament hockey and travel took its toll on the Welshmen.  Two quickfire goals for Magnus Ferrier and Scott McCartney gave Scotland what seemed like an unassailable lead with ten minutes to go.

With six minutes of the match to go Wales were awarded and duly despatched a penalty flick, to bring the score to 4-3.  A scoreline with which if Scotland could hold on to would be enough to see Scotland win by virtue of a superior goals scored column.  Hold on they did, as they sealed a memorable win against an unrelenting Welsh side.

A tremendous effort by a squad of individuals that ended the tournament playing as a team.

The team would like to thank Scottish Hockey, Edinburgh University, all officials, St Andrews Ambulance and of course the team manager Fraser Auld for all his tireless work and organisation behind the scenes.

Scotland O35s
William Dunster
Doug Swanson
Allan Laing
Graham Dunlop
Mike Leonard
Ross MacPherson
James Hollington
Duncan Batchelor
Nairn Scobie
Gordon Menzies
Alan Meikle
Andrew Maclaine
Magnus Ferrier
Chris Miller
Scott McCartney
Steve Chalmers
Alan Wall
Stuart robin

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