This season’s youth competitions finished in style with two exciting U16 District Festivals on 15th and 16th June. The matches, which were played on Strathallan’s brand new pitch, saw the best players from the District training programmes compete against each other.
U16 Girls District Festival
The girls’ tournament on Saturday saw five teams playing in a round-robin event.
The opening match was very tight, but Lauren Hogg’s second-half goal was enough to secure a 1-0 win for East Sky v Midland. The other East team (Purple) then recorded a 2-0 win v South thanks to goals from Sophie Matthew and Emily Appleson.
Midland were on top form with seven different goalscorers in an 8-1 win against Highland. Belle Forster scored a double, with Abby Cochrane getting the consolation for Highland.
The battle of the East teams was an enthralling match in which both goalies, Rachel Sangster and Morven Urquhart, made a series of good saves. Lily Finlayson-Russell’s goal after 7 minutes gave Purple a 1-0 win, but Sky were unable to convert a number of penalty corners as they chased an equaliser. South then beat Highland 3-0 with goals from Ava McLean (2) and Robyn Ford.
A superb match between Midland and Purple finished 4-2 for the East girls. Hannah McIntosh, Heather Doney and Bella Sinclair put East in control before Belle Forster pulled one back just on half time. However, Sophie Matthew made it four before Mia Fulton’s consolation goal.
East Sky recorded a 10-1 win v Highland, with captain Emma Kernaghan scoring five goals and Tamzin Ralph two. Katherine McCoig scored for Highland.
Ava McLean equalised for South after Belle Forster’s early goal for Midland. But second half goals from Lara Crawford and a superb penalty flick from Millie Cassels gave Midland a 3-1 win.
East Purple won the tournament with a 3-1 win against Highland thanks to goals from Bella Sinclair, Heather Doney and Lily Finlayson-Russell. But Highland put up a superb fight, with Ashley Hunter’s goal making it 1-1 at half time. The team, including four players from Shetland, had never played together and improved with every game.
Finally, East Sky secured second place with a 5-0 win against South. Camille Philip (2), Louise Glendinning, Lauren Hogg and Emily Lang got the goals.
The large crowd enjoyed a great day in the sunshine! Many thanks to our umpires Cameron Watson, David Ferguson, Helen Montgomery and Kevin Donachie, who all did five matches.
U16 Boys District Festival
We were back the next day for the Boys’ event and although the weather was dreich, the hockey was thrilling!
Cameron Littlejohn gave East the lead in the first game but a late equaliser from Andrew Cameron-Malloch earned Midland a 1-1 draw.
South were leading 2-1 against North before two late goals from Alex Thomson earned North a 3-2 win. Owen Wright had given North the lead before South’s Alexander Neave scored twice.
East’s Ben Lawrence scored a double in a 5-0 win v Highland, with Ossian Hughes, Jamie Addis and Louis Ferguson adding the others. In the next match, Ben Maclean’s goal earned South a 1-1 draw against Midland.
North hit six against Highland, including a hattrick for Alex Thomson, with a drag flick penalty corner from Angus McKenzie getting Highland’s consolation.
Two well-taken goals by Fraser Banks gave East the lead against South, before Ben Maclean’s late consolation made it 2-1.
Midland beat Highland 4-0 with two goals from Rhuri Blair and one each for Ptolomy Goad and Edward Cooper. Goalie, Lewis Adams made a series of excellent saves for Highland.
East’s Cameron Littlejohn scored a penalty flick before goals from Alex Thomson and Eli Clark gave North a 2-1 half-time lead. But Ben Lawrence scored a crucial equaliser for East with a few minutes left to earn a 2-2 draw.
South v Highland was another cracking game. Toby Anderson (2) and Charlie Clark scored for South to earn them a hard-fought 3-2 win v Highland, for whom Calum Duffy and Calum Newlands scored.
As the last match (Midland v North) started, both teams were in with a chance of winning the tournament, along with East, who had to sit and watch. Alex Thomson continued his goal run for North, with Rhuri Blair scoring for Midland to make it 1-1 at half-time. Edward Cooper’s goal for Midland meant that East would be the champions until 90 seconds from time when Finn Strachan’s shot/cross was deflected into the net to spark huge celebrations from the travelling support from Aberdeen.
It was a fitting end to a great competition, and all the players and their coaches should be proud of their efforts. Thank you to Strathallan for hosting, and to all our umpires for spending a long day in the rain! – Graham Adams, David Ferguson, Richard Freeland and Duncan Service.
U16 Girls Club Festival
The previous week, Glenalmond was the venue for the U16 Girls’ Club Festival. Ten teams enjoyed playing clubs from across the country from as far apart as Troon and Aberdeen.
After every team played four matches in their group, there were play-offs and finals. Congratulations to Perthshire and Granite City Wanderers for reaching the final, where Perthshire won 4-0. Uddingston beat Watsonians to finish third.
Thank you to everyone who has played their part in another very successful and enjoyable youth competitions season. You have helped to inspire our next generation of hockey players!
