HELENSBURGH Hockey Club’s first team enjoyed another bumper goal haul with a 12-2 thrashing of Irvine away from home last Saturday.

But the club’s second and third teams both struggled, falling to defeats against Clydesdale and Anchor respectively.

Despite struggling to get 11 players on the park, The first team got off to a great start on a cold and wet day against Irvine, when a The 1st XI travelled down the coast to Irvine this week as they looked to continue their good form. It was a difficult week for the club as even the 1st XI struggled to only get the 11 required. However they went with a good 11 and came out the blocks firing, on a cold and wet day. Helensburgh won possession early on and a great ball by A.Stuart towards the back post was deftly touched home by A.MacAuley – his first for the first XI – in the very first minute.

Stuart calmly slotted home a penalty for which an Irvine player received a green card – and despite some questionable umpiring which saw a seemingly legitimate goal ruled out and a penalty claim denied, Burgh added three more before half time through J. Cox, G. Black and G. MacKenzie all finding the net.

Keeper C. Keith had so little to do in the first half – so much so that when Irvine finally got into the Helensburgh D, he was too slow to react to a quick shot from the Irvine striker, leaving Burgh leading 5-1 at half time.

Irvine capitalised on a slow start to the second half by Helensburgh to pulled back a second with a simple tap-in, but the visitors didn’t take long to get back to winning ways, J. Cox adding his second and third in quick succession.

Young defender Hamish Johnson got in on the action with his first goal for the club after an unchallenged run down the left, before G. MacKenzie added his second after some nice play straight from the training ground.

At 9-2 Helensburgh weren’t for letting up, and B. Cox got his first of the game thanks to a deflection before A. Stuart and Black rounded off the scoring to move the Burgh closer to what could be their first league title in 25 years.

Team: C. Keith; G. McWilliam (capt); D. McGregor; H. Johnson; C. McMenemin; A. Stuart (MoM); G. Black; G. MacKenzie; A. MacAuley; B. Cox; J. Cox. Thanks to John Friel for umpiring.

Burgh’s second XI were always going to have a tough game away to table-topping Clydesdale.

Whilst a brave display was put on, the 11-man squad struggled with the skill and pace of the Clydesdale team and they succumbed to a 8-0 defeat. Thanks to Vanessa Sabala for umpiring.

The 3rd XI had a similarly difficult task and only managed to field 10 players at home to Anchor. Burgh trailed 3-0 at half time at home, and while Dooley pulled two goals back and S. Murphy added a third, Anchor’s extra numbers proved too much and Burgh lost 6-3.

Thanks to Jess Owens for umpiring.