Post: ‘Dale Western lose final three despite heroic fight – Indoor Review – 16th/17th February

Saturday 16th February

Clydesdale Western 2-5 HF Lorenzoni Bra (M Steiger, M Justice)

Clydesdale Western 2-3 Partille SC (J Eadie, M Justice)

Sunday 17th February

Clydesdale Western 2-8 Gintra Strekte Uni HC (F Lonergan, B Shields)

Clydesdale Western finished their EuroHockey Indoor Club Trophy involvement with three defeats over the weekend in Vienna – which unfortunately saw relegation for Scotland’s seeding to EuroHockey Indoor Club Challenge I for next season.

Having lost their opening two Pool games, which ruled out their chances of promoting Scotland’s seeding, the L1s focus turned to gaining positive results in the remaining games that followed.  Their final Pool B match against Italian side, HF Lorenzoni Bra saw ‘Dale Western lose 5-2 despite goals from Millie Steiger and Margery Justice.

That result meant the Titwood side finished bottom of Pool B and would play bottom of Pool A, which were Partille SC of Sweden.  And despite another encouraging performance, the girls luck did not change and saw them lose 3-2.  Despite falling a goal behind, a goal from Jen Eadie saw them level before Justice added her sixth goal of the competition to give Clydesdale Western a lead for the first time in EuroHockey Indoor Club Trophy.  Their Swedish opponents came back strongly to score two goals and despite ‘Dale Western going six outfield at the end, Partille held out to take the win.

This meant Sunday’s game against Gintra Strekte Uni HC, from Lithuania, had to see a Clydesdale Western coupled with other favourable results.  Gintra proved to be a difficult task as the Lithuanian side recorded an 8-2 win despite a goal each coming from Frances Lonergan and Bronwyn Shields.  Their defeat on Sunday meant relegation for Scotland’s seeding in European indoor competition to Club Challenge I for next season.

Despite the results, the club would like to congratulate the Clydesdale Western Indoor squad for their achievements from last year that sealed qualification to take part in this year’s EuroHockey Indoor Club Trophy campaign.  Additionally, the club would like to thank all of the players for the commitment and representation they showed throughout the past twelve months, in competition and in training.  Many thanks to coaches Wendy and Peter Justice for their hard work behind the scenes and to all our supporters who travelled to Vienna to support Clydesdale Western.

Photo credit: Julie Lonergan