Marine Harvest North Division 2 Play Off - Glengarry 0 Lovat 6 | |
15 November 2016 Lovat won the Marine Harvest North Division 2 title and promotion to the top division in the women’s game when they beat Glengarry 6-0 in their play-off match at the Bught Park, Inverness on Sunday 13 November 2016. It was a damp day in Inverness but there was plenty at stake as the teams lined up for a play-off match which was necessary after both sides finished their respective league campaigns level on sixteen points at the top of the table. With Lovat Head Coach Charlie Mainland unavailable, Fiona Urquhart took a lead role with Gemma Bell, who wasn’t fit enough to play, running proceedings from the touchline. Lovat took the initiative from the start of this 1pm throw up and they proved too strong over the course of the game. Some of Lovat’s attacking play was a joy to watch and there was some great inter-play between full centre Laura Gallacher and forwards Nikki Grant and the classy Fiona Urquhart. By the end of the match, Nikki Grant and Fiona Urquhart were both on target whilst Scottish international Laura Gallacher, who seems able to score from anywhere on the pitch, netted four times to complete the 6-0 win. The pick of the goals was Nikki Grant’s powerful low drive from outside the D. Grant has been going through weight-lifting training and Lovat are benefiting from her power-play. Glengarry were never out of the game but Lovat defenders Holli Sneddon and Caroline MacLean proved to be a solid back line. The closest ‘Garry came to finding the target was a firm strike from Elaine Cameron which was blocked with her body and then cleared to safety by Lovat goalie Hannah Eaton. After referee Neil Ferguson’s final whistle, the Marine Harvest North Division 2 trophy was presented to Lovat captain Caroline MacLean with Camanachd Association Development Officer Katie Drain in attendance. The victory means that not only do Lovat add the league title to the Marine Harvest Challenge Cup won earlier in the season but they also win promotion to Marine Harvest National Davison 1 for the first time ever. Gemma Bell has been an integral part of the Lovat Ladies set up since the club was first formed. Originally from Fiscavaig on the Isle of Skye, she moved to Glasgow to study and broke into the Glasgow Mid Argyll side in 2003 as a 19 year old before going on to feature for the Yoker side until 2008, winning the ladies game’s most coveted prize – a Valerie Fraser Cup winner’s medal – along the way. Reflecting on the play-off triumph, Gemma said, “We had a fairly strong squad for the Glengarry game. The match itself was a bit like the Marine Harvest Challenge Cup Final against Strathglass in that when we gathered momentum, we were difficult to stop. We have really clicked this season. Getting Laura Gallacher back playing in the team and having the likes of Fiona Urquhart has been a real boast whilst some other players have moved back into the area.” Gemma acknowledges the role played by current Head Coach Charlie Mainland saying, “Charlie’s input has been testament to the team’s success. He usually works his life around our fixtures but of course the play-off game wasn’t scheduled at the start of the season and he was travelling back from Poland when the match took place so it was nice to win it for him. We were all delighted when Charlie was named North Division 2 Coach Year of the Year at the recent Marine Harvest Awards. He creates such a good atmosphere within the squad and although he makes us work hard, he’s also very patient with us too.” It’s all a far cry from a cold November Sunday afternoon in 2010 when some interested Lovat players gathered for a first training session at Balgate. Gemma Bell and her friend Gillian MacDonald, whose shinty loyalties lie in Tighnabruaich, had previously starred for GMA but had both relocated north to the same village. After a season with Strathglass, they decided to set up the Lovat Ladies club. Gemma picks up the tale, “We played our first matches in 2011 but they were really development games to gain experience. We played our first season proper in the league in 2012 and to win the league and cup double just 5 years later is excellent. When we set out, we just wanted to establish ourselves as a team. I think we could have hoped to win one of these honours this year but we never imagined we’d get our hands on both of them.” When the dust settles on the play-off victory, there comes the sobering realisation that Lovat will play in the top tier in 2017, lining up against big guns Badenoch & Strathspey and Glasgow Mid Argyll as well as the newer kids on the block, Lochaber and Skye Camanachd who swept the boards between them this season. The Spean Bridge side won the Valerie Fraser whilst the Islanders claimed the league title. Gemma said, “It was agreed at the end of last season that whoever won the North and South Divisions would take a place in the Marine Harvest National Division 1 for the 2017 shinty season.” However it’s not clear who will join Lovat as Gemma explains, “The South Division was won by the Glasgow Mid Argyll second team however they obviously cannot be promoted as their first team plays in the top league. Fort William came second in that league and it would be great to see them promoted so that we are both new teams in the top flight which wouldn’t make it so daunting. Elaine Wink is doing a great job at Fort William and they have some super players like Zoe Smith who is a great talent.” Gemma has a sense of realisation for what lies ahead adding, “It’s going to be a big step up for us. For a start, there will be more travel with trips to the likes of Glasgow, Skye and Fife. We’ll also be playing 10-a-side instead of 8-a-side so we’ll need at least a couple more players who are committed to seeing out the season. On the other hand, playing 10-a-side shinty instead of 8-a-side is a more logical format on the field of play and I’m sure our players will enjoy that. You’re not just looking to hit the ball long out of defence all the time. We look at both Skye Camanachd and Lochaber and see the strides they have made whilst playing in the top league and we want to try and do the same. They are probably 4-5 years ahead of where we are now and to progress; we need to get motivated and get consistency in selection in the same way that Skye and Lochaber have done.” Gemma points out that Lovat also have an eye to the longer term. “Some of our players have come to the game for the first time in their 20s but we have also set up a pathway where the budding stars of the future literally have the opportunity to play from the tail end of nursery school, through the primary school years and into their teens. In 10 years’ time, we should have a wealth of players. The primary 7 girls who started playing with us in 2011 are now 17 years old. The potential has always been there and it’s worth pointing out that our current keeper Hannah Eaton is only 15 years old.” Off the field, Lovat are well down the road with plans for an impressive new pitchside facility which will include additional changing room areas for the ladies players – another boost. There will be experience laced through the fledgling Lovat side though. As well as Gemma’s GMA stint, Fiona Urquhart played with Glengarry up until 2010 whilst Nikki Grant and Laura Gallacher also represented the Craigard side. Gemma was also joined by Caroline MacLean and Laura Gallacher in the All-Stars team, made up of players from out-with the top division, which added to the scheduled fixtures in the senior division this year. The Lovat Ladies will pass away the winter months by gathering locally to play badminton and basketball. Playing these other sports will help with fitness, routine and help sustain team spirit within the squad. However they will regroup in January with their focus solely on shinty and, with support from the Women Camanachd Association, they will embark on what is sure to be an exciting new chapter in their so far short existence. |