Senior Boys' Hockey News 

1st XI v Loretto

Tom Stodart showing delight, after a great cross from GIK allowed Caspar (on the right) to slide it into goal - Henry looking a bit miffed he didn't get his stick on it first!

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Result			Goal Scorers:	Tom Stodart	2
Belhaven	6			Caspar Rogers	2
Loretto	0			George Cuthbert	1
				Dougal Forsyth	1

Although Little Coach was there with a camera in his hands, being relieved from umpiring duties by a willing Mr Townshend, it was his vocal cords and not his camera shutter that got a work out this afternoon. So apologies to those supporters who were not able to concentrate on play as a result of streams of commands issuing from the other side of the pitch! And a lack of photos!

There were some talented players exhibiting good stick skills in the Loretto team, but what they lacked was team play. This Belhaven had in abundance and this match proved how important it is to use your team mates and be aware of what is happening around you.

Much use of the right field was made today and George Cuthbert, Andrew Watson and Douglas Donaldson were kept busy. Once again the interchanges were slick and intelligent and in this match it was great to see the two strikers, Caspar Rogers and Tom Stodart, realise that moving into space to support their halves gave them many more opportunities to gather the ball and attack the circle. This they did frequently and both were involved in the first goal, scored after 6 minutes by Tom.

Loretto were not about to give up and fought back but there was not much cohesion in their build-ups. Occasionally their front men would manage to get into space behind a defender and then the halves would hit the ball hard in an attempt to beat the defence. This usually happened after an all-out attack by the Belhaven halves, which led to the defence being spread too thinly for the quick counter-attack. Leo Seymour, Archie Rettie and Ali Johnston, though, were able to recover and sort the problem out but it is something we will have to be wary of in the future.

Henry Roberts, out on the left wing, became busier throughout the half, ably assisted by Freddy Rogers. Freddy's work-rate is phenomenal and it would be very interesting to put a pedometer on him to see how far he runs in a game of hockey! His stick skills have improved beyond recognition since the start of the season making him a formidable half.

As the half progressed, increased pressure on the Loretto defence and halves brought out some physical play from Loretto, but Belhaven were able to soak that up, keep cool heads and enter the second half a goal up.

Substitutions were made to give the lads on the bench a go and once again this depth in the squad proved invaluable as these players, Geordie Younger, Dougal Forsyth and George Innes Ker, slotted in to their positions without a hitch.

Dougal Forsyth especially showed his strength by carrying the ball at speed and making the defence work very hard to stop him. After one surging run he popped the ball over the circle line and hit a first-time shot at goal. There was a satisfactory thump as the ball beat the keeper.

This opened the flood gates and although Loretto looked more cohesive in the first five minutes of the half, they began to look rattled as attacks were made from all different angles. GIK, having made a strong run down the right wing, drove the ball along the base line and cracked a great pass across the goalie for Caspar to sweep in for the best goal of the match. (see pic at top)

Not to be left out, George proved his worth as centre half by scything his way through and slotting one in; Caspar added the 5th and Tom converted a penalty corner with a good first-time strike fr the 6th and final goal.

A write-up does not really give the full picture - you had to be there to see the way the team worked so hard to put everything they've been practising into their attacks. It was a blistering performance, though there will have to be no resting on laurels as there is a fortnight without a match and we'll have to keep focussed for the last half of the season.

Well done all of you.

 The Team in relaxed mode - as well they might be after a great performance

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