Final Score: Won 2-1
Goals: Kirsty Forrest, Nadine Yewdale
MOTM: Janey Anderson

WIT Ladies 2s signed, sealed and delivered in some style on Saturday to finish top of East Division 3, ready for promotion into East 2 next season. The 2-1 win over Linlithgow Ladies was no walk in the park, rather a walk on the wild side, and WIT were made to work hard for the “outcome”. From the first whistle, WIT dictated much of the play, but Linlithgow kept it tight at the back and their Berlin-wall-defence stood firm for the whole of the first half. A stroke of luck for Linlithgow saw them 1-0 up and WIT in the danger zone at half time, but WIT were not ready to let it be and after a typically inspirational rallying-of-the-troops from Jackie Beer, WIT came out ready for action.

The stalwart Linlithgow defence was consistently under pressure until a cool flick over the keeper by defender-attacker-mother-never-slacker-all-rounder Kirsty Forrest and the scoreline was back level. Sisters Megan and Caitlin Wallace were doing it for themselves and everyone else with their smooth criminal skills, Hannah was Little less than a Star and WIT kept strong with or without Captain Crook and Vice Dry-Ice, who were looking on from the sin-bin. Iona Boyle and Kirsty Burgess were never stuck in the middle and man-of-the-match Janey Anderson showed the power of a woman throughout, with Katrina Gibson (spelt correctly for one night only) and Kate Wilson displaying their true colours in defence. In the closing stages and true to her usual high standards, it was Nadine “Flash Gordon” Yewdale who kept her pokerface and hammered home to round off a cracking season and an eventful final match!

Congratulations and thank you to all the ladies for a storming season, some great times and gymnastic fantastic all-round!

Final Score: Won 1-0
Goals: Kirsty Forrest
MOTM: Kate Wilson

WIT Ladies 2s sealed their promotion deal on Wednesday evening with a business-like 1-0 victory over Edinburgh University.

WIT started strongly and put immediate pressure on the University defence. The pressure built over the first 15 minutes and was rewarded by a penalty corner, converted in slick style by Kirsty Forrest with a top-D strike. WIT kept most of the possession throughout the first half, but some good goal-keeping kept out several great attacks by the forwards and the half-time scoreline read 1-0.

After the break, WIT came out hard and fast, piling on the pressure once more. Some classy skills and text-book play was on display from Nadine Yewdale, Hannah Little and Hazel Burt, but unfortunately the University defence held on. A few breaks to the other end of the pitch were of little concern to the impassable WIT defence, Catriona Gibson, Janey Anderson and man-of-the-match Kate Wilson.

There is one more league match in store, but WIT’s persistent season-long domination puts them out of reach and in East Division II for next season. Well done to all the ladies for a great season’s hockey!

Final Score: Won 6-0
Goals: Jackie Beer (2), Jenni Gormley, Nadine Yewdale (2)
MOTM: Nadine Yewdale

A couplet of fives

The much-anticipated top-table clash,
Nothing to disappoint, just style and panache.

The first ten minutes were all about WIT,
But no reward came, just champing at the bit.

It was ESM who opened the scoring,
A 2-0 lead, but the WIT crowd kept roaring.

Two consecutive cracking top-D strikes from Beer,
Levelled the score and gave ESM something to fear.

But just before the break, ESM again broke through,
And the half-time score sheet showed WIT behind 3-2.

After the break, WIT came out strong and fighting,
Gormley scored the equaliser like a bolt of lightning.

ESM scored two more to put them 5-3 ahead,
But WIT weren’t ready to put it to bed.

Firm in the middle: Mitchell, wee Wallace, Burgess and Dodson,
WIT weren’t down and out, instead the odds-on.

Continued pressure on the ESM defence,
Finally finished by Yewdale after unwanted suspense.

In the closing stages, the WIT D was impenetrable,
Kerr, Wilson, Gibson, Forrest, Wallace didn’t have any trouble.

There was one flick that wasn’t converted,
But to dwell on that would be sick and perverted.

Man-of-the-match Yewdale levelled the score, the bang was so loud!
Everyone played a blinder and all should be proud.

An enthralling match; 5-all tells the story,
So WIT have to wait for top-of-the-league glory.

Who really knows if Putin was fairly voted,
But if we win on Wednesday, we will be promoted!

Final Score: Won 6-0
Goals: Catherine Dodson, Kirsty Forrest, Jenni Gormley (2), Nadine Yewdale, Jackie Beer
MOTM: Jackie Beer

Another superb win this week for the ladies 2s against a very irrate Eskvale! The scoreline was opened early in the game with a lovely goal from Catherine Dodson after some nice play from Ciara Mitchell. Goal number two was a great finish by Nadine Yewdale, after Jackie Beer worked it smoothly up the pitch untouched. The scoreline went up to 3-0 just before half time when Jenni Gormley put it in the back of the net after a neat pass from Iona Boyle.

WIT continued their run of excellent play from the whistle in the second half. Captain Gormley scored her second goal of the match early into the half after a great solo run up the pitch. Kirtsy Forrest then upped the goals to 5, slamming the ball past the goalie after some impressive passing between the ladies. Our Man of the Match Jackie Beer completed the 6-0 victory with a fantastic run up the pitch in the final 10 minutes, notching goal number 6 in style. A big congratulations to the whole team for such excellent play. Roll on next week with our possible title clinching match against ESM!

Final Score: Won 7-1
Goals: Catherine Dodson (3), Sian Henley, Iona Boyle, Caitlin Wallace, Kirsty Forrest
MOTM: Caitlin Wallace

WIT Ladies 2s put on another impressive spree of goal-scoring on Saturday with a 7-1 victory over Livingston 2s. The first came from Catherine Dodson in a stylish finish from a strong build-up between Ciara Mitchell and Jackie Beer. Sian Henley scored WIT’s second from a penetrating run by Captain Jenni Gormley. Continued WIT dominance in the Livingston half was rewarded by further well-worked goals from Iona Boyle and Man of the Match Caitlin Wallace to take WIT into the break with a 4-0 lead.

In the second half, WIT raised their game another notch and Dodson was quick to capitalise on her first opportunity at the other end. Several short corners were eventually rewarded by a blazing strike from Kirsty Forrest, which was unstoppable by the strong Livingston defence. The Livingston attack then had its one chance to shine against the otherwise gas-tight WIT defence, and it was 6-1. In a final textbook play, WIT rounded off the game with a breaking run from Henley and a classy finish by hat-trick Dodson.

This 7-1 victory carries WIT towards the closing stages of the season with promotion hanging in the balance and all to play for…

A hockey haiku

Opponents concede
Fourteen goals: all WIT, all smart
Backboard: crack! Spring time…

Final Score: Won 7-2
Goals: Sian Henley (3), Jenni Gormley (2), Nadine Yewdale, Kirsty Burgess

WIT Ladies 2s started the second half of the season in fine form on Saturday with a 7-2 win over Dunfermline.

The first match after the big Christmas feed was slow to start, but an opening goal for Dunfermline soon snapped WIT out of their post-festive lull! Sian Henley opened the WIT account by finishing some seamless play between Ciara Mitchell and Nadine Yewdale. Next on the WIT score sheet was Captain Jenny C. Gormley from a penalty corner strike by Kirsty Forrest, before Henley finished another fine demonstration of teamwork in the WIT midfield. A penalty corner just before the break saw the opposition back within reach with the scoreline at 3-2.

After the break, WIT’s jelly-baby-induced energy burst took the home team by surprise and it was Yewdale’s charging run and stunning finish that got the crowds cheering! Henley hammered home for WIT’s fifth and Kirsty Burgess was cool, calm and collected in finishing a stylish play by Catriona Gibson, Mitchell and Yewdale. Captain Gormley made sure of WIT’s convincing victory in the last 10 minutes with another skillful short corner goal to close the game at 7-2.

Well done everyone for starting the Olympic year as we mean to go on!

Final Score: Won 4-3
MOTM: Kate Wilson
Goals: Sian Henley (3), Jackie Beer

WIT Ladies 2s stormed to the top of the league on Saturday winning a 4-3 thriller against fearsome rivals, ESM 4s. The much-anticipated top-table clash did nothing to disappoint the very welcome WIT supporters and the near-gale force winds were nothing on the blow about to befall the team previously at the top of the league!

As expected, ESM were strong from the first whistle and persistent pressure on the WIT defence created their first opportunity, which they pounced on mercilessly. WIT were quick to respond with the pressure pushed down the other end of the field and after a few near-misses, Sian Henley finally finished a great play by Ciara Mitchell and Nadine Yewdale. With fire in their bellies, WIT kept the pressure out of their own D and worked well throughout the pitch and it was an unstoppable Jackie Beer who hammered home from the top of the D to put WIT in the lead. ESM were not discouraged and the equaliser was well-worked and quick to come. At the half time whistle, WIT led 3-2 after a second almost identical goal from Henley, this time set up by Yewdale and Hannah Little.

Both teams came out of the dugouts pumped up and ready for action and the second half was harder and faster than the first. After 15 minutes of deadlock, a penetrating run from Yewdale set up Henley for a first touch round the keeper and a resounding crack on the ESM backboard to give WIT a two-goal advantage. It was no time for tea and medals though as ESM built up the pressure once more to bring victory back within reach. However, even as the opposition got ever more physical, the WIT defence and midfield remained rock solid. A particularly courageous act of “taking one for the team” by Kirsty Forrest, quick skills and hard-hitting from all the defenders, especially man of the match Kate Wilson, and the fanciest footwork of the season from goalie, Fiona Kerr all kept the ESM onslaught at bay and WIT go into the Christmas break well and truly at the top of the tree.

Well done to all the Ladies, we rose to the challenge and showed what we’re made of!

Final Score: Won 6-0
MOTM: Jackie Beer
Goals: Nadine Yewdale, Caitilin Wallace, Sian Henley (2), Joy Hadden, Jackie Beer

WIT Ladies 2s remain unbeaten after a 6-0 victory over Edinburgh University on Saturday. WIT were quick off the mark with a well-worked and expertly finished opener from Nadine Yewdale. Caitlin Wallace also got in on the action early on with a skilful second goal after another well-built WIT attack. A slightly untidy tussle in the D gave Sian Henley the opportunity to get on the score sheet and WIT went off at half time with a comfortable 3-0 lead.

After a rousing speech to rival Henry V from Jackie Beer, WIT started well in the second half and although Henley hit the post, it was a Joy-ful moment for Hadden, who finished in style. Even the determined and hard-hitting Uni defence couldn’t keep the WIT attack at bay as Henley eventually found the target and Beer sealed the deal with WIT’s sixth of the day and her first of the season. A Beer was the natural choice at the end of the match, so well done to man of the match Jackie!

Well done to all the Ladies, another great result! However, the biggest test of the season lies in wait next Saturday with our top-of-the-table clash with ESM 4s. In the style of everyone’s favourite Gladiator, let the contest begin…

Final Score: Won 7-0
MOTM: Caitlin Wallace
Goals: Nadine Yewdale (3), Kirsty Forrest (2), Iona Boyle (2)

Is it just me or is this winning malarky becoming a bit of a habit for the ladies 2s?!  Even without their fantastic goalie Fiona and an injury before the start of the game (Jean), the ladies smashed another superb victory, notching up 7 goals against Livingston ladies 2s.

Right from the whistle our girls took play into the Livingston half and remained there for the majority of the first half.  After being awarding 2 penalty corners in quick succession, Kirsty Forrest slammed the first goal beautifully into the back of the net.  Nadine Yewdale increased the scoreline a few minutes later, after taking the ball neatly around 3 Livingston players and putting it past their keeper.  Then Jax Beer had a stunning run up the pitch, releasing the ball to Nadine who scored her second goal of the match and the third for WIT.  Jenni Gormley followed Jax’s lead and hurlted up the pitch minutes later, passing to Iona Boyle in the D, who scored goal number 4!  With a taste for success, Iona then stormed into the Livingston half, beating at least 2 defenders, and scored a cracking fifth goal for the ladies.  The scoreline stood at an impressive 5-0 to WIT ladies at half time.

Livingston ladies came back with a vengence in the second half but our defenders held strong and nothing got passed Kate Wilson and Megan Wallace and Kat Gibson ensured all attempts to get near the WIT goal were fended off immediately.  Midfielders Caitlin Wallace and Hannah Little continued to move the ball into the Livingston D and after several attempts on target from our girls a penalty flick was awarded.  Kirsty Forrest stepped up to the job and scored a perfect flick and her second goal of the game.  The ladies continued to take control and playmakers Ciara Mitchell and Jax Beer were on top form, creating chances for the forwards at every opportunity.  Nadine scored the 7th and final goal for the ladies, slotting it into the net after some brilliant hockey from Kirsty Burgess and a slick pass into the D.  So the girls remain undefeated after their fabulous 7-0 victory!!  Well done to all who played and to Caitlin Wallace – Man of the Match!