Helensburgh Hockey Club's first and second XIs were in action last weekend, with mixed fortunes for the sides.

First XI v Rottenrow

 

The first XI suffered a setback in their latest outing, losing 3-1 away to Rottenrow at the National Hockey Centre.

The Burgh side started well, with dominant possession hockey leading to some early penalty corners. However, captain Gordon Black’s attempts on goal were thwarted and Barry Cox failed with the rebounds.

Burgh kept the pressure on throughout the first half and had many chances to take the initiative in the game but failed to put the ball in the net. Rottenrow crept back into the game as the half wore on and took the lead as half time approached with a well struck shot that eluded the defence and goalkeeper, going into half-time leading 1-0.

The second half started brightly again for Helensburgh with Mark Ormsby commanding the midfield.

Burgh weren’t out of the game but the team did look lethargic. However, some neat play for Ormsby found Jamie Caulfield down the right side of the pitch; he fed the ball to Callum Sumsion who managed to find debutant Henri Ruff at the back post. Ruff managed to hit the post with his initial shot, but he easily put the rebound away to give Helensburgh hope.

The goal certainly lifted the team, but Helensburgh still struggled to score. The team continued to win penalty corners but failed to convert any of them, leaving them behind on the scoreboard. It finished 3-1.

Helensburgh Team: Mark Findlay; Gavin McWilliam; Ian Bowyer; Harry Green; Brian Kennedy; Mark Ormsby (MoM); Gordon Black (c); Mike Jones; Callum Sumsion; Ewan McCartney; Barry Cox; Henri Ruff (1); Sean Caulfield; Jamie Caulfield

Second XI v Kelburne

 

Meanwhile, the second XI hosted Kelburne, knowing a win would take them back to the top of Division Three – and made the most of their opportunity.

Early on, Thomas Harris used his skill to beat the Kelburne defender before finding Alan Bowman inside the D to score. The experience striker had no problem putting Helensburgh 1-0 up with in the first three minutes.

Helensburgh doubled their lead within the first ten minutes as Bowman turned provider to Daniel Dooley - but the defence seemed to switch off early on and allowed Kelburne to equalise almost immediately, slipping the ball under oncoming goalkeeper Craig Keith.

After the frantic start, the game settled down, as both teams battled in midfield for possession. It wasn’t until the half time whistle approached that Helensburgh re-established a two-goal cushion. It was role reversal as Dooley created himself some space on the wing, before finding Bowman with the pass. Bowman, again, found an easy tap in to take the score to; 3-1 at half time.

Helensburgh started the second half with as much intensity as the first and were rewarded early on. Toby Barrie managed to win Helensburgh the penalty corner which David O’Donnell pushed out. Gavin Gettings was on hand to stop and hit, with a sweet strike that nestled into the bottom corner.

Then the flood gates opened for Helensburgh at this point as Gavin Mackenzie and Toby Barrie both added to their tallies for the season. Helensburgh’s final goal was easily the best, however.

Burgh were defending when the ball fell out to the left wing. James Pettit picked it up and dribbled the length of the pitch, beating two defenders on his way to score a wonder goal in the top corner! As the game neared its end, Helensburgh’s defence were kept on their toes, with Keith pulling off a few decent saves. However, they couldn’t keep Kelburne out and a second away goal was scored. T; the score finished 7-2.

With seven games left for Helensburgh and a crucial game versus second placed Hillhead this coming weekend, it looks like a league trophy could be coming to Helensburgh.

Helensburgh Team: Craig Keith; David McGregor; David O’Donnell; Leo Caulfield; Logan Hill; Gavin Gettings (1); Daniel Dooley (1); Gavin Mackenzie (1); Alan Bowman (c) (2); Toby Barrie (1); Thomas Harris; Theo Andrews; James Pettit (1)