Two of Helensburgh Hockey Club’s three teams were in action this week, as the first XI played at the National Hockey Centre, whilst the third XI took on Greenock second XI.

The first XI were playing up at Glasgow’s National Hockey Centre, the home of Scottish Hockey, as they took on bottom side Kelburne third XI.

However, it wasn’t all rosy for Helensburgh as they had six regular first XI players missing this week. The lack of players didn’t affect the performance, as the players from the second XI more than held their own.

The game started positively for Helensburgh as they went ahead in the first ten minutes. Callum Sumsion played the ball out to Mike Jones, who showed some neat skill to get into the D. His shot was deflected but looked to be still going in.

Barry Cox was taking no chances and ensured Helensburgh went 1-0 up.

The pressure continued from Helensburgh as they got themselves a second goal shortly afterwards. Sumsion was involved again, this time dribbling through a couple of players before finding Gavin Mackenzie with the pass.

Mackenzie fired his shot across the goal where Ewan McCartney was to tap it home. 

Helensburgh looked composed going forward but they weren’t quite as comfortable defensively. Kelburne managed to string a couple passes together that ended in a goal. Burgh weren’t phased and pushed on to regain the two goal lead.

This came ten minutes before half time as Helensburgh won a penalty corner. Ian Bowyer pushed out to Cox. He stopped it for Jones, who took a touch into the D before placing into the bottom corner of the net.

Helensburgh weren’t done though, and got another just before half time as McCartney found Cox in space in the D. The experienced striker hit a lovely upright reverse shot that looped over all the Kelburne players to nestle in the back of the net. It was 4-1 at half time.

Much of the same was expected from Helensburgh in the second half and they started it well with another goal. This time it was Gordon Black from the penalty corner.

Sumsion pushed out to Sean Caulfield stopping for Black. Black then lifted the ball nicely to score his third of the season.

Burgh had a nice five goal cushion and looked comfortable but that was all about to change as the team seemed to switch off.

Kelburne scored three in a row, bringing them back to within one. The first was a gift from Black, who tried to pass across his own D, and instead found the Kelburne striker.

The second saw a mix up in front of goal, as Helensburgh waited for a whistle that didn’t come. And the third saw a clash between David McGregor and the Kelburne striker.

Sadly for McGregor, the striker managed to get the shot off first and the score went to 5-4. As the game neared its end, Burgh managed to hold on. Caulfield was composed on the ball and kept it in the opposition corner of the pitch, in an attempt to run down the clock.

However, an opening came, and he found the pass to Sumsion. Sumsion played the quick ball back to Caulfield, who in turn found McCartney at the back post to re-establish a much-needed cushion for Helensburgh. Thankfully, for Helensburgh, the full-time whistle came shortly after, and it finished 6-4.

Helensburgh team: Craig Keith; Leo Caulfield; Harry Green; David McGregor; Ian Bowyer; Gordon Black (c) (1); Mike Jones (1); Callum Sumsion (MoM); Ewan McCartney (2); Sean Caulfield; Barry Cox (2); Gavin Mackenzie; Yannick Cowey; Andy Richardson. Thanks to John Friel for umpiring.

Meanwhile, the third XI travelled across the water to take on Greenock second XI in Division 4 on Saturday. It was a tough start as Greenock came out the blocks firing and got an early one goal lead. Some impressive dribbling from Lucas Jardine won Helensburgh there first short corner which Gavin Gettings had no problem dispatching. The first half saw little else of note and the teams went in at 1-1 for half time.

The second half saw the Burgh defence put to the test, as young Benji Jones shined for the second week in a row. His defensive efforts kept Greenock at bay, a long side the experienced James Steel and Gettings.

However, the pressure eventually told as Greenock managed to squeeze a second goal in. This seemed to take the wind out the Burgh sails and Greenock went on to score two more in quick succession.

Helensburgh did try and fight back with a couple chances falling to both Liam MacKinnon and Toby Barrie, but it was not to be. It finished 4-1.

Helensburgh Team: James Pettit (c); Callum Court; James Steel; Paul Moore; Toby Barrie; Andrew Brimson; Gavin Gettings (1); Lucas Jardine; Benji Jones (MoM); Liam MacKinnon; Cameron MacKay