Anne hits four hat-tricks as Arran tame Wildcats

Arran Ladies 18

Western Wildcats 3s 1

Arran Ladies hockey team racked up one of their biggest wins since the team reformed, putting 18 goals past their unfortunate opponents, with Anne Watts scoring four hat-tricks.

It was a windy and very wet morning when Arran Ladies hockey team set off with 14 players, coach Phil Adams and umpire Pauline Reid to play the Western Wildcats for the first time last Saturday.

They are a new team to the West District fourth division this year, based at Auchenhowie Recreation Centre, Milngavie, Glasgow. With a delay disembarking from the ferry because of low tides, and Saturday traffic running slowly into Glasgow, the Arran Ladies were pleased to get their start time put back to enable them to warm up after another long coach journey.

From the very first whistle, Arran applied attacking pressure to the opposition who had decided to play with 11 field players and no goalkeeper, as they have been doing since the beginning of the season last September. This proved to be very costly as the Arran forwards, Anne Watts, Judith Ross and Lorraine Hewie all scored in the first half, with Anne finishing off an outstanding 10 of the 12 goals bringing the half time score to 12-0 to Arran.

The second half saw the Western Wildcats come back with a different team format, leaving their captain and sweeper in front of their goals which did prove to be more challenging.

However, Helen Thomson soon joined her teammate, Anne Watts, who had already scored again in the first minute, on the score sheet with a well-controlled collection in the shooting ‘D’ and a familiar rocket shot into the back of the goal.

Much to their credit, the young ladies of the Western Wildcats did not stop trying and their efforts were rewarded with a goal in the 16th minute as a result of a short corner.

Left wing Lorraine Hewie had added to her score total by then and match captain Anne took the team to their final 18 goals with her fourth hat-trick of the game.

Dame of the game

Western Wildcats nominated Anne Watts as their man of the match for the game and the Arran Ladies also voted Anne as their dame of the game.

Arran Ladies are away to the Loch Lomond 2s today (Saturday) at their home ground in Helensburgh, with a 1pm push back.

All supporters are very much appreciated and warmly welcomed.

Arran’s Anne Watts scores another goal as part of her four hat-trick spree.

The Western Wildcats made the tactical decision to play without a goalkeeper, relying instead on defenders.

The Western Wildcats scramble in the goal area to prevent Anne Watts from scoring again.