The Fjordhus Reivers’ under-14 team returned from Edinburgh on Sunday as East League champions – or so they thought.
Two victories against Watsonians (2-0) and Kelso (2-1) saw them presented with the trophy by the organisers of the league.
However, the squad were left gutted 24 hours later when the club received an email telling them that in fact they had finished runners-up.
Janet Jack of Fjordhus Reivers, who travelled with the squad, said: “It had been reported incorrectly that Livingston had lost both their games on Sunday when in fact they had only lost one, and therefore were the league champions.
“This was a devastating blow for the young Reivers team, but they now have the chance to make amends in the new year with the second league competition.”
The squad trained twice a week with Pippa Bell – last season’s winner of Scottish Hockey’s junior coach of the year – and is a mixture of boys and girls.
The youngest member, Charlie Jack, is only nine years old, with three other members of the squad still at primary school.
Coach Jack added: “I was delighted to see the young players promoting all the qualities that are required to reach top-flight hockey, including great teamwork and support for each other, high-quality skills and respect for all opposition.”
Fjordhus Reivers: J. Wright, P. Goldie, J. Donaldson, C. Richardson, M. Cawthorn, I. Kellet, R. Gowans, C. Jack, C. Arnott, K. Hulme, S. Godfrey-Fawcett, L. Crawford, H. Comiskey, J. Corcoran, L. Taylor, E. Spence, E. Pearce, A. Linton, G. Forster, A. Simpson, N. Hood, K. Riddell, A. Bell.
z Also on Sunday, the Borders Hockey Development Team provided a Participation Centre Festival for primary school-aged children in the Queen’s Centre.
Three teams from Fjordhus Reivers (Earlston), two from Fjordhus Reivers (Tweedbank), one from Jedburgh and one from Peebles Hockey Club provided some entertaining and competitive hockey in a small-sided tournament.
All participants, coaches and volunteers were congratulated for the festival.
Meanwhile, Selkirk hockey internationalist Sarah Robertson has been included in the Great Britain squad for the Australian Olympic Festival in January 2013.