Hockey kidsface toughtest incapital
Perthshire Hockey Club youngsters have an important date in Edinburgh this weekend.
The boys’ under-18 squad are through to the semi-finals of the prestigious National Club Cup and are ready to mix with the country’s best.
Shire booked their ticket to the event at Peffermill following a sound performance at the qualifiers last weekend.
And now the Perth lads are chasing a place in the final of the competition, with Grange standing in their way.
“Grange is always a hard game and they have a good bunch of kids with solid coaches,” said Shire assistant coach Kerr Thomson.
“It will be a tough game. But when you get to the semi-final of any tournament, it’s always going to be difficult.
“We like to be involved in this cup and it gives the guys different teams to play.
“We’ve got a very good squad at the minute and a core of boys all around the 15 and 16 age group.
“Our captain was Scotland’s under-16 captain last year and we have three or four in the Scotland under-16 development team.
“It’s great to see them coming on and there are always opportunites for them to play at a higher level.”
The qualifiers saw Shire finish top of their group following a draw with Inverleith and wins over Grove Menzieshill and then ESM.
“The final match was the best performance of the afternoon,” added coach Thomson. “Having gone a goal behind to ESM, the boys turned it around.
“There was some lovely, open and fluid hockey played.
“They were delighted at the end of play and knew they needed to win to qualify for the semi-finals. We just asked them to enjoy themselves.”