Fantastic performances by both the girls and boys from Kelso Hockey Club’s U14 teams when they mixed it with the best at the Scottish U14 Club Cup tournaments, both held in Glasgow.

The girls had eleven teams in the competition, so they were split into two groups. A narrow defeat in their first game against local side, Hillhead, was their only loss (0-1) and this to a penalty corner at the full-time whistle. They then went on to draw 1-1 with Edinburgh HC, our goal coming from a wonderful solo run from Rose Davidson, win 1-0 v Inverleith, 6-0 v Stepps and 1-0 v Clydesdale Western to take 3rd place in the group behind Edinburgh HC and Hillhead. The other group was won by Grange, with runners-up ESM, Watsonians third, Western Wildcats, fourth and Uddingston fifth. The semis were won by Edinburgh HC and Grange, so they will go on to contest the final in Glasgow on 15th March.

The boys' tournament only had six teams competing, so was a round robin. A stronger team than Grange, but unable to break down their defence, Kelso drew their first game 0-0. Another draw followed, but was a deserved 1-1 scoreline with ESM. A 3-0 win v Watsonians, courtesy of a hat trick from Chris Alton followed and then a 1-0 win v Inverleith set us up for a final ‘must win’ game v Hillhead to make the top two and qualify for the final. In torrential rain, the game started with Kelso pressing hard, but unfortunately their defence were caught out by a fast break and a well taken goal to give their opponents the lead. Kelso continued to press and drew level when they converted a penalty corner and, in the last minute of the game with some great passing, nearly got the win, but the shot just went wide, so Hillhead took the point to put them through as winners of the group with ESM in second place and Kelso in third.

A great effort by both teams, however, and thanks to kit sponsors Aitken Turnbull and Cheviot Vets.