Day 2 – EuroHockey Club Trophy, Dundee, morning session

At the second day of the EuroHockey Club Trophy in Dundee, the day opened with the Pool B games, with a critical game as the winner of Iris v Highway would be through to the semi-final.

Match 9 – Iris Hockey Lambersart v Highway HC final score 4-4

On paper Iris were hot favourites to win this match in Pool B but Highway HC had other ideas as they took an early lead from a penalty corner by Ayla Esen. There was a swift reply from another penalty corner by Iris. Low driven by Bilore into the bottom corner three minutes later to equalise .But within five minutes Highway were again in the lead from another penalty corner. This time from Kubra Guzelal. Highway continued to attack and it was only by great goalkeeping from Daire that Iris kept the lead down to a single goal. The tide began to turn in the French club’s favour after this and  they equalised with only 10 seconds left in the half. Halftime 2-2

The second half began as it finished ,end to end breathless action. An early Iris shot whistled past the post and the French attacked in force.This pressure was rewarded by a goal from Justine Duby in the 23^rd minute.But Highway were not to be denied and they went straight down the court to equalise through Katryna Kartanovich. Highway went on the arttack but Iris stole the ball and once again took the lead with a penalty corner flick from Marie Billore. Wave after wave of Iris attacks were beaten off with several outstanding saves by Serpil Turker and one terrific clear off the line by Bosolova. Losing 4-3 and with only five minutes to go the Turkish coach replaced his keeper with a kicking back.This bold move paid off when Highway equalised to make it 4-4 with only two minutes remaining . Katryna Kartanovich again the scorer.

However Iris held out for the draw to finish their pool B games with eight points to Highway’s seven and clinch second spot to qualify for the promotion pool.

Match 10 – HAHK Mladodst v Rotweiss Wettingen Final score 0-4

Rotweiss were immediately on the attack in this top v bottom Pool B game, Rotweiss having already qualified for the promotion pool with 10 points And all seemed about to go to form when Rotweiss took the lead from a Stephanie Walti penalty corner in the second minute. From then on it was almost incessant Rotweiss pressure but Mladost were resolute in defence with a series of last ditch tackles and good saves from Zlomislic in the Mladost goal. However Rotweiss’s incessant attacks finally paid off with two goals in a minute from Bugmann and Triebold. The scoring wasn’t over though as in the final minute Triebold scored again to make it 4-0 to Rotweiss at half time.

The second half  saw no more goals but Mladost upped their game and showed probably their best form of the tournament so far with some excellent attacks. However Rotweiss held on comfortably to win and progress as pool winners with 15 points to the next stage. 

Match 11 – Bowdon Hightown v Ards Final score 3-2

Ards had lost both their previous games by 8-1  and another heavy defeat looked on the cards when Sally Walton , the penalty corner flicker supreme, scored in the first minute. But this  seemed an entirely different Ards team which took the court and they fought back right away to equalise through Naomi Grundie after a series of great attacks. Bowdon had another opportunity to score from a penalty corner but this time the slipped shot from Hunt was saved on the line. The game was proving to a tight affair and much closer than many predicted.  Naomi McKnight pulling off the first in a series of excellent saves throughout the game , to keep Ards level.As the half drew to an end there was great run by Lucy McNaught which came to nothing and Ards had one last chance before the hooter but Michelle Liptrot snuffed out the attack.

Half time 1-1

The second half began and Ards went straight up the court inside the first minute to take the lead with a Kerry Harvey field goal. Could a major shock be on the cards? However Ards lead was short lived as once again  Sally Walton scored with a low flick into to bottom corner from a penalty corner. Both Amy Tennant and Naomi McKnight in the respective goals showed their class with a sequence of vital saves from open play and corners. Michelle Liptrot then showed her class as Bowdon captain with two great runs foiled only by McKnight. With only four minutes left it was still all square but Hunt had a great reverse stick flick initially saved by McKnight and a penalty corner was awarded. Walton again was the Bowdon star and her flick hit the back of the net. Another great McKnight save kept Ards in it  and her team threw everything into attack. They were rewarded with a penalty corner but once again Amy Tennant saved. Ards mounted one last charge up the court in the final seconds but Liptrot snuffed it out. Ards showing great spirit and resolve against the excellent Bowdon and maybe deserving more than a narrow defeat.

Final score 3-2   to Bowdon 

Match 12 – Royal Pingouin HC v MJV Dundee Wanderers  Score 1 – 3 (1 – 1)

This was the final game in Pool A and all was to play for as any two of the three top teams could still progress to the promotion pool. Pingouin scored after only three minutes, a field goal from Helene Delmee. Amy Snell then had a great chance for Wanderers but shot narrowly past. Wanderers piled on the pressure and it finally paid off with a Rachel Osbourne goal from a penalty corner won after a great run from Vikki Bunce. The game was being played at a fantastic pace .A Pingouin attack was broken up and Wanderers sprinted up the court And a great strike by Emily Dark led to an even better Regulski save. This was followed by another Regulski save.This time from Bunce. The rest of the half was relentless end to end action with both Dow and Regulski performing brilliantly. On the stroke of half time Wanderers gained another penalty corner but Regulski was on hand yet again and Osbourne flicked narrowly past from the rebound. Half time 1-1

The second half saw no let up the action.Carmin Dow smothered brilliantly in the Wanderers goal. Regulski did  the same 2 seconds later for Pingouin.  Pingouin dashed downfield.Penalty corner.Dow charged and saved.Both keepers outstanding. Pingouin went  half court to defend the score but .Wanderers got the ball past the defence into  the D . Vikki Bunce shot and scored to put Wanderers 2-1 up.But Pingouin still are in the promotion position. Wanderers need to win by three goals. Wanderers have the possession but Pingouin are superb on the break. They drove into the D  get 1 on 1 with Dow.Flick over the keeper but over the bar. Green card Valcke of Pingouin in the 35^th minute but could Wanderers make the numerical advantage count?

It seems that they can but Bunce is fouled Watson puts ball in net for Wanderers but  the  umpire blows  for the offence just as she does.Unlucky. Iain Strachan the Wanderers coach takes his  keeper off. In the final minute Watson scores. 3-1 to Wanderers .

With 30 seconds to go  Wanderers get the ball in  the Pingouin D Penalty corner to Wanderers.

Save by Regulski the Pingouin hero,Wanderers win 3-1 but Pingouin go through to Pool C as the winners of Group A

Final score Wanderers 3 Pingouin 1