U18s start youth season in style

The 2022-23 Youth Competitions season started with two superb Under-18 competitions over the last couple of weekends. The teams, packed with Brave Academy and National squad players, provided high-quality hockey in their quest to play in the cup finals on 28 October.

U18 BOYS – 11 SEPTEMBER

Nine teams took part in the Boys’ competition at Glasgow National Hockey Centre.

Inverleith won Pool A in style with four straight wins. They started by beating holders Grange 4-1, including a double from Finlay Duncan. This was followed by a 9-0 win against Dundee Wanderers, with four goals from Ollie Wilson and a hattrick from Rory Steedman.

The purple robes had to fight hard in their afternoon matches, edging Western Wildcats 1-0 and Kelburne 3-2. The Paisley boys pushed them all the way with goals from Sam Hunt and Scott Love, but Neil Mitchell’s team held on to qualify for the final.

Western Wildcats also started strongly with a 2-0 win against Grange following a 1-1 draw with Kelburne. The 0-1 loss to Inverleith ended their title hopes but they finished runners-up with an 8-0 win v Dundee Wanderers, including a Luke Bannerman hattrick and a double from Rohan Marwaha.

The Dundonians put up a great fight in a 1-3 loss to Kelburne. Jakub Capec equalised before Andrew McGrane and Rory Donaldson won it for Gordon Shepherd’s charges. Kelburne finished the day with a 1-0 win over Grange to finished third.

Pool B was equally exciting, and it was Watsonians who came out on top with a 100% record. Drew Lobb’s double set them on their way in a 5-0 against Gordonians. But they had to dig deep to beat a talented Uddingston team 1-0 thanks to Owen Hunter’s early goal.  Dave Patterson’s team qualified for the final with a 4-1 win against Perthshire.

Gordonians finished runners-up with two good wins after their early loss. A 3-1 win against Perthshire was followed by a 1-0 win v Uddingston thanks to a Lewis Mutch goal. Uddingston’s 2-1 win against Perthshire earned Harry Dunlop’s boys third place in the Pool.

Inverleith and Watsonians will meet in an all-Edinburgh final.

RESULTS TABLES_U18 BOYS

U18 GIRLS – 18 SEPTEMBER

The Girls’ competition at Peffermill had 16 teams, who played in four groups of four teams.

Hillhead came out on top in Pool A with a 100% record. Phoebe Haldane’s double helped them to an opening 5-1 against Edinburgh HC before they won the Glasgow derby 3-1 v GHK. This time it was Mhairi Low scoring twice to add to Haldane’s opener. Eilidh Westwood’s team sealed their place in the semi-finals with a 3-1 against Perthshire.

Perthshire finished runners-up after drawing 1-1 with GHK and beating Edinburgh HC 3-1 including a Lexie Macmillan double. The Capital girls beat holders GHK 2-1 to finish third with goals from Megan Flockhart and Orla Roberts. Georgia Rose grabbed the consolation.

In Pool B, Grange came from 1-2 down against Uddingston in their final game to win 4-2 and finish top. Rebecca Gordon’s hattrick countered Amber and Saskia Wade’s goals.  Earlier they had beaten Kelburne 9-0 with the Maclean sisters running riot – Marianna scored a hattrick and Marissa a double. And they were both on scoresheet again as they beat Gordonians 5-0.

Uddingston’s 5-0 win v Kelburne and 2-2 draw v Gordonians gave them runners-up; and the Aberdonians finished third after a 6-1 win v Kelburne.

In Pool C, Fjordhus Reivers cantered to victory with 5-0, 6-0 and 4-0 wins against Clydesdale Western, Highland and Inverleith respectively. Top scorers were Ella Mundell (5) including four against Highland; Katie McDonald (3) and Izzy Molyneax and Gina Mackenzie (2 each). Goalie, Arabella Boyde kept a clean sheet in all matches.

Inverleith were runners-up with a 3-0 win v Highland and 1-0 v Clydesdale Western. The Glaswegians were third after a 5-0 win against the Inverness girls who should be very proud of their efforts after making the long journey to Edinburgh.

Finally, Watsonians wrapped up the last semi-final place after winning Group D. They started with a 2-0 win v Western Wildcats but were held 0-0 by Granite City. However, the goals flowed against Dundee Wanderers in a 5-0 win. Jessica Garden, Isla Stewart, Charlotte Robertson, Sophie Holmes and Darcy Littlefield were on target. Goalie, Ruby Crawford kept a clean sheet in all matches.

Western Wildcats were second thanks to a 4-0 win v Gordonians, including a Lucy McMillan double, and 3-0 v Dundee Wanderers. The Taysiders lost 0-2 to the Aberdonians with goals by Rachel Ewen and Esme Harrison.

RESULTS TABLES_U18 GIRLS

The two semi-finals are to be played by 21 October for places at the cup final on the 28th:

  • Fjordhus Reivers v Hillhead
  • Watsonians v Grange

We are indebted to the two technical officials, Colin Boubert and Cameron Watson, for ensuring the long day ran so efficiently and on time. Colin also officiated at the boys event. Thanks also to all the club umpires who did such a great job.

Gordonians v Kelburne – 18 September 2022
Fjordhus Reivers v Highland – 18 September

 

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