Helensburgh Hockey Club had a busy weekend with all three teams playing and plenty of goals in all three games.

In West District Division One, the 1st team, who have been struggling of late, came up against an Ayr side that were unbeaten in three.

The game started at a high pace with Ayr scoring being the dominant side. They pressed Burgh early on and the defence struggled to cope, with an early goal after a number of failed clearances.

Ayr’s strength and physicality was besting Burgh's young midfield and a second goal was soon to follow. Route one hockey from the Ayr midfield saw a striker well positioned at the back post to tap the ball home.

Just before It wasn’t until the stroke of half time, that the unthinkable happened Helensburgh got back into the game. They were awarded a short corner right on the whistle.

Just as the chance looks to of been missed, up steps and Gordon Caulfield who completely miss-hit the ball, sending keeper and defenders the wrong way as the ball trickled over the line for Caulfield’s first goal in over 16 years of hockey for Helensburgh.

Chances came and went for Helensburgh in the second half. Gumbrell and Hartopp were playing well on the wings and the balls in just lacked the finishing touch.

Ayr managed to counter attack well however and they increased their lead, firstly with a well-struck short corner and then another easy tap in. Despite a number of easy goals, Helensburgh keeper and defence were playing well with young J.Caulfield impressing.

Helensburgh got a second goal midway through the second half with another short corner. Hartopp’s ball out to Jonathan Cox was well taken. Cox then sidestepped an oncoming defender and hit the ball low and hard towards the back post where the captain appeared and slotted it home.

Helensburgh were pressing Ayr all the way through the latter stages of the game, but were still struggling to get the ball in the net.

Jamie Caulfield had a fantastic chance when Kennedy's through ball sent him clear. He rounded the keeper well but his shot clipped the post and bounced back to a retreating Ayr defender.

A rare Ayr attack was then countered expertly by Helensburgh’s Rosie. The young midfielder picked up the ball in his own half and dribbled most of the length of the pitch, playing a one-two pass with J Cox which took him into the D. His shot was half-saved but J Cox popped up on the line though, to ensure it found the net to make it 4-3.

As the game drew to a close, Helensburgh were pushing Ayr all the way, searching for that equalising goal. However, it wasn’t to be as a number of key saves, and solid defensive work, left Helensburgh a goal short of the draw they maybe deserved.

Helensburgh: Gordon Black, Barry Cox, Jay Caulfield, Gavin McWilliam, Gordon Caulfield (MoM), Dayle Hartopp, Jake Gumbrell, Tom Barton, Calum Rosie, Jamie Caulfield (capt), Jonathan Cox, Brian Kennedy, Cameron Dye. Thanks to Dick Schooling for umpiring. Next week the 1st XI is away at Kelburne.

The 2nd XI has had an up and down season so far this year, with some good wins and some unfortunate losses. They came up against a struggling Western side away in Auchenhowie.

A fantastic display from Colin Fairbairn saw an emphatic hat-trick from the striker with goals either side from Thomas Harris and Gavin McKenzie. Five goals away from home should be enough to seal a win, however the Burgh side made it hard for themselves as Western got four goals themselves. A 5-4 win however, sees the Division Three side push up the league.

Helensburgh: Craig Keith, Richard Park, James Steel (capt.), David McGregor, Adam Gooding, Josh Murphy, Gavin McKenzie, Thomas Harris, Alex Driver, Ian Richardson, Colin Fairbairn, Calum McMenemin. Thanks to Andy Richardson for umpiring. Next week the 2s are at home against top of the league GHK.

Helensburgh are on the lookout for new players of all ages and experience. If you’re interested, do get in touch via Facebook or our website www.helensburghhockey.com