Scottish Thistles 1 (Clifford Martin) North of England Select 3
Cumbria Sunday 27 January 2019

We narrowly lost to a very good combined North of England Select. Our team was a mixed age group team of over 60s and over 65s playing in the first of many selection events/games prior to final selection for the 'B' International Teams.

We played 4 quarters, losing an early goal in the first quarter, they had a couple of younger players and some very experienced England LX players who had all obviously played together before. However, we came into the game more through the second and third quarters but were still a bit 'off the pace' in front of goal, both at their end and ours! Some slack clearing of the ball saw two more goals go in up to half time and we put the ball past their post about half a dozen times. The third quarter saw us move the ball well through midfield and up front and we should have had a couple of goals. The final quarter saw us defend high up the park and our pressure finally paid off after a smashing run by Paul Bateson clinically finished by Clifford Martin.

Final Score 3:1

The new faces of Jim Frail in goal, John Lees, Alan Murray, Ian Cameron, Mick Christopher and Peter Haines all did magnificently well, while the old stagers; Mike, Neil W, Neil Mac, Tony, Keith and Chris played as if they had never left Barcelona (not necessarily playing hockey though for the past few months!).

Mike McInally

Squad

Paul Bateson, Iain Cameron, Mick Christopher, Jim Frail, Peter Haines, Chris Heeps, John Lees, Neil Mackenzie, Mike McInally (Captain), Clifford Martin Alan Murray, Keith Raper, Tony Walker, Neil Ward.