September Fest 2024 – Ladies

We are excited to say that Scottish Thistles Ladies broke new ground in Cambridge, by having entered 2 (yes 2!) Ladies teams  in an event for the first time – the Lassies (an essentially over 60s squad), and the Wifies (an essentially Over 65s squad).  “Essentially”, as both squads had a couple of under-age players, and the Wifies a couple of Over 70s! The Over 65s also lent the England LX 70s Men’s team a goalkeeper for all their games.

Weather forecasts were predicting high levels of rainfall, but we were blessed with drier windows in the weather when we played.  The University facilities were excellent and the ground and bar staff both lovely and helpful, and the schedule and social events (our Wifies attended the delicious Buffet Dinner on the Wednesday night) were well organised and well attended; good and enjoyable hockey was anticipated for all, and it lived up to expectations.  Several thousands of miles were accumulated on Monday and Tuesday to deposit the Lassies and the Wifies in Cambridge, and our ‘Scottish’ locals provided a warm welcome to get the team bonding started.

First the Lassies

A mid-afternoon start on Tuesday let them have a leg stretch to the Cherry Hinton Park in the morning.  The first hockey challenge was against England LX 65s and we were 6-0 ahead at half-time, but no further score for the Lassies, and LX got a goal back while we took the opportunity to learn from various positional changes. After showers at the excellent University facilities, the squad enjoyed an informative Punt Tour of the impressive Cambridge Colleges.

Day 2 - Wins against Bedford (a 4-0 victory) and LX 60s, the latter proved a stiff challenge and the Lassies failed to convert some well-created chances, eventually scoring the only goal of the game for a third win.

On the third day, the Lassies were scheduled to play a bounce mixed match with the Dutch Men’s 70s, but we suggested we should try and take them on.  Their response of “if you dare”, meant we did! We recognised we needed to keep the disciplined shape we had been developing over the earlier games to “RAP”. This React And Plan approach allowed us to put the guys under a lot of pressure and to win the PC battle. The winning goal for the Lassies eventually came when Pam Begg “played on” after a foot in the circle and showed great composure to lob the keeper, into the top right corner of the goal. The Dutch thanked the Lassies afterwards for giving them a lesson in how to play hockey.

A huge thank-you to the Thistles Wifies (two per game) who were a great addition to the squad for each of the games.  Four wins out of four for the Lassies, scoring 12 goals and only conceding 1!

Now the Wifies

After most spending the Monday night at Selwyn College Halls with the splendour of the ‘Hogwarts-style’ refectory; and a chance to explore Cambridge on Tuesday morning.  The Selwyn College staff and breakfast, were very friendly and delicious respectively. What an experience, and only 15 minutes’ walk from the pitches!

A great first win against the Old Belgian Panthers on Thursday afternoon.  After a disappointing somewhat uncontrolled start, not only a clean sheet, but four goals to the good. These including two from Lee Edmonds-Ward (AKA Skip), and two from supreme “right place right time” close deflections from Winnie MacCallum, all after positive and incisive firm crosses and incursions into the ‘D’. Special mention for Winnie as the oldest squad member; she was unable to remember the last time she had scored 2 goals in one game. (Author: I have NEVER done this).

This win was followed up by a more closely contested 2-1 win against England LX 60s on Wednesday, where Skip yet again scored, not once, but twice. The Wifies again moved the ball round well, but on occasion suffered from occasional lapses, but Skip’s commitment in front of goal is undeniable. A solid controlled defence kept that result under control.

Game 3 brought disappointment, as the Wifies lost 3-1 to LX 70s.  Two-nil down before half time, the Wifies pulled a goal back through Pip Graham (Babe), so we felt ‘back in the game’. Sadly, it was not to be, as a further lapse allowed the LX70s to capitalise and extend their lead.

The final match on Thursday against Bedford, saw a lot of tired legs, and shortage of subs through injury, put pressure on the rest.  Happily the Wifies from the Lassies game against the Dutch men were able to help out in the second half. Two nil down at half time, though tired, the Wifies never gave up.  Pulled a goal back from Babe, and in the last two minutes a ball pulled back by Yvonne Wilson to the top of the ‘D’ allowed an instinctive waist-high volley once more by Babe; a draw that felt like a win to finish on!

The Wifies ended the week with two wins, one draw, and a loss.  Goals for 9. Goals against 7. On balance, ahead of the game!  And finally, a mention for Joyce McFarlane, who starred for LX 70s Men, both on and off the pitch. Their results - two wins, one draw, and a loss. Joyce brought a little entertaining Scottish culture to the Auld Enemy.

An excellent, if tiring, week was had by all. Many thanks to ‘Smoggy’ from England LX for his fantastic organisation. Where will it be next year?