Seven up as new hockey season gets off to a flyer

Arran Ladies enjoyed a comfortable victory against Ayr Ladies 2nds in their first game of the new season after having been promoted to division three of the West District Hockey League at the end of last season.

Despite the heat and the collective nerves they managed to secure a 3-0 lead by the end of the first half with Lorraine Hewie putting the first ball passed the opposition’s goalie after just eight minutes of play.

Arran’s defence, consisting of Ellie Wood, Elyse Aitken, Freya McNicol, Kirsty Barton, Cat Galbraith and goalkeeper Ali McKie, worked tirelessly to keep the opposition out of the scoring D and preventing any shots on goal.

The Arran midfielders Jenny Stark, Abbie McKelvie, Susie Murchie and Hannah McCartney remained strong throughout, feeding the ball through the oppositions defence to the forward line enabling a hat-trick from captain Anne Watts.

Two further goals came from Susie and a second from Lorraine before the match ended. Mia and Helen kept up the attack, firing balls into the opposition’s D.

The combined efforts of every team member took the final score line to 7 - 0.

Ayr Ladies nominated Lorraine Hewie as their dame of the game. Captain Anne Watts said: ‘I’m very proud of the girls today, what a way to start the new season. Coach was speechless, now that’s a rare thing.’

Arran Ladies had further cause for celebration when their very own trainee umpire Pauline Reid successfully passed her C badge umpire exam.

Captain Anne Watts added: ‘On behalf of all of the team we would like to say a huge congratulations to Pauline. Thanks also to Billy Dunlop for his continued support of the club and Grace Mulholland for travelling to the island to assess Pauline.

‘Thank you to everyone who came along to support the team on Saturday and to the staff at the Ormidale Hotel for making our postmatch teas the best in the division.’

The team will play their first away match today (Saturday) against MC Clydesdale Western at Hutchesons’ Grammar School in Glasgow with a 2.30pm pass back time. All support is most welcome

01_B36hockey01 The Arran Ladies hockey team pose for a pre-season photograph.

01_B36hockey04 Captain Anne Watts strikes the ball in mid air.

01_B36hockey02 Lorraine Hewie emerges from the D after stunning the opposition with a great goal shortly after pass back.

01_B36hockey03 Threading her way through the opposition, Lorraine Hewie earned herself the dame-of-the-game title for her efforts.