Portree High School Girls Complete WCA Tournament. | |
17 June 2010 The Portree High School Girls’ team had a good third place showing in the final round of this year’s WCA Schools’ League on Thursday 17 June 2010 at Kingussie High School. The team travelled minus the ill Ilana Paterson and war horse forward Rebecca MacDonald who was involved in the annual prize-giving at the school. First up for Portree was Lochaber High who were a tough proposition as usual. However with Sophie Tinney in inspired form between the sticks, Lochaber had to fight hard for their eventual 2-0 victory. Lochaber’s task was made much easier when Katie MacDonald had to leave the field after receiving a stick across the knee after just 3 minutes. The flame haired full back was unable to take any part in the rest of the tournament and was replaced by Jennifer MacKinnon. Joanne Gillanders and Beth MacDonald were the difference between the two sides but Portree were left to rue what could have been when Roz Lamond saw her shot saved when one on one against the keeper at 1-0 down. Next up were Kingussie and an unbelievable miss from the Kingussie forwards in the very first minute meant Portree were lucky not to be one down. Jenny Morrison lashed home a shot to settle the Portree nerves and then Roz Lamont made amends for the previous game with a shot which actually burst the net, confusing the referee until the goal judge confirmed the ball had entered the goal to make it 2-0. The girls then faced Dingwall and were clinical in a 4-0 victory which saw a possible hat-trick from the boisterous Nicola MacSween, although Roz Lamond may have got the final touch to one of the goals. Lorna MacRae applied the kybosh with the fourth and this turned out to be the highest score by a team during a tournament where goals were in short supply – quite similar to the current situation in South Africa! Murryn Adams enjoyed a good run out. After the wins against Kingussie and Dingwall, Portree met draw specialists Douglas / Boclair who were making unspectacular but steady progress based on their solid defence. Portree were unable to break down the Glaswegians and D&B snatched a goal with just a couple of minutes left. The Portree performance was still very good with Helen Lamond playing a brilliant role in full centre which belied her young years. Kristen MacBeth started against Kinlochleven in the final game and the Kyleakin youngster looked the part as the teams battled out a 0-0 draw. Lorna MacRae went close several times including one long range effort which the goalie did well to save. Lochaber went on to share the spoils on the day with Douglas/Boclair. There was initial confusion in the overall Championship as D&B were awarded second place in the league, but it was later discovered that Kinlochleven’s points total for the day brought them level on points with D&B. The WCA will present the medals at a later date. Kingussie PE teacher Morris Dillon made the day run smoothly and also delivered beautiful weather for the second year running. Portree finished third on the day and fourth overall. This was impressive as they were unable to attend the second of the four tournaments in Ardnamurchan because of an HMIe inspection. They might have expected to finish higher in the rankings if they had achieved attendance at all four rounds. Coach Eoghan Stewart said “I’m delighted with the girls’ progress this year. They are a really good unit and work hard for the team. Players like Emma Nicolson and Roz Lamond have made tremendous progress and I think Sophie Tinney has a big future in goals. Lorna MacRae was different class as usual. I hope we can challenge for honours next year.” “Jane Nicol of the WCA is to be commended for the whole concept of this league. I hope it comes to further fruition with a North Schools League and South Schools League and a national final and hopefully the School Camanachd Association’s Donella Crawford tournament can be better incorporated into the whole setup.” Thanks are again extended to Linda MacKinnon for driving the team bus. Portree High School from: Murryn Adams, Kristen MacBeth, Lorna MacRae, Helen Lamond, Sophie Tinney, Jenny Morrison, Jennifer Mackinnon, Rosalind Lamond, Emma Nicolson, Katie MacDonald, Nicola MacSween |