YOUNG hockey players from around the region have been showcasing their talent among the best in Scotland at inter-district tournaments held at Peffermill, Edinburgh.
Coached by Emma Pate, the Under-16s came up against Highland in their first of three pool games.
The girls got off to a slow start and Highland had a chance within the first minute of the game – luckily, they did not convert. South started to take control and dominated the play, winning comfortably by 3-0, Gina Ramsay scoring two and Lorna Dagg one.
They let the pressure get to them against Midlands and were two goals down within four minutes. However, they did not let their heads go down. Lucy Ramsay scored from a penalty corner and South had all the pressure, but unfortunately Midlands scored again, making the final score 3-1.
The last game on the Saturday was against East. The South girls played some amazing hockey and again had most of the pressure, but again failed to score – 2-0 to East.
Sunday saw the girls competing for fifth, sixth or seventh in a round-robin play-off with Highland and North.
The first game was against North and from the start it was clear that South was the strongest team. Emily Newlands, Claire Hill and Lucy Ramsey (2) all scored to make the end result 4-0.
South dominated in the final game against Highland, running out 7-0 winners to take a final position of fifth.
South U16 Squad: Joanna Cavaroli, Tamara Cook, Morven Cawthorn, Lorna Dagg, Zoe Higgins, Claire Hill, Lucy Inglis, Beth Mabon, Kirsty Miller, Emily Newlands, Gina Ramsay, Lucy Ramsay, Jennie Robson, Skye Shiell, Jade Tyerman, Kirsy Veitch.
The following girls were chosen for Under-16 Scottish trials: Tamara Cook, Joanna Cavaroli, Lorna Dagg, Lucy Inglis, Lucy Ramsay, Gina Ramsay, Skye Shiell, Morven Cawthorn.
Emily Newlands was fast-tracked to the Under-18 squad.
South’s Under-18 squad results: South 0 West 4; South 0 East 3 (the eventual winners); South 1 Midlands 1 – goal scorer, Sara Robson; South 2 South-West 1 – goal scorers Sarah Dagg, Henny Cooper (Kelso ladies).
With these results, South made the play-off match for third and fourth place, but unfortunately Midlands proved too strong on this occasion and won 3-0, leaving South in fourth place overall.
South U18s Squad: E. Turnbull, N. Whealleans, H. Wilson, K. Bonnar, S. Robson, M. Douglas, A. Cuthers, S. Dagg, C. Gillard, A. Henderson, E. Stewart, R. Stewart, A. Clarkson, V. Ross, Megan Murphy, H. Cooper.