Newsteam has come under pressure lately from certain ladies about inadequate coverage of the HIll-Jills’ end of season exploits. For this there isn’t really any excuse…I’m a slow typer? I’ve been suffering the emotional come-down of a nearly-but-not-quite season? All of the above…? So here are some potted highlights…
Last we heard the Ladies were in contention for a League/Cup double, and were headed for a Cup semi-final the day after the club dinner- scheduling ERROR.
So off we went, mini-bussed by coach Kitch, and side-kick for the day Keith, to Dreghorn Barrack to play, having been ousted from Watsonians’ by ridiculous cricket. Some of the travelling support were a little worse for wear after an evening of fun, but turned out to lend their vocal support, the ladies were raring to go having had a tee-total club dinner, quite an achievement for some. Not an achievement on account of their alcoholism, but on account of the relentless beating they took from the top table…but all that was over and we were kicking of for a semi-final. Having beaten Watson’s the previous two fixtures the ladies were confident but hadn’t discounted the Edinburgh team.
Turns out it was an easy win, some say they could have won in their beautiful dresses and heels…but who knows. A couple of injuries dampened the fun of the day with Moggs going home with a broken wrist, and Katt back to Glasgow with a separated AC joint.
So back to the club house where an impromptu dance-off on the wall at Myreside, Clublands rocking the mini-bus attracted attention from the local posh-folks….Glasgow oiks, it’s just not cricket…
So, roll on finals day. Unfortunately, for the first year ever the ladies weren’t going to Murrayfield, but to Lasswade instead where they’d play Murrayfield Wanderers, who’d easily disposed of Royal High in the semi. Murrayfield, already crowned league champions, were confident as ever, having won the cup last year. Rumours that they’d continued their particularly knobby tradition of having clothes printed with “Cup winners” in advance remain unconfirmed. But Murrayfield, would they do that, really…?
The game was tight, Hillhead Jordanhill played a great game of rugby, massively better than anything they’d played all year, taking the game to Murrayfield. A high tempo game, marked by some incredible tackling and rucking from the Hill-Jills. Murrayfield’s one danger player, in Lucy Millard, saved them from the brink again, a great player, hitting angles, with good pace and vision, Millard can turn a game around for Murrayfield who often piggy-back on her performance, which has saved more than a few games for the Edinburgh outfit.
Murrayfield ran out eventual winners. A great performance by Hillhead/Jordanhill, worn down towards the end by superior fitness in the Murrayfield squad and some good running by Millard. Well done to all the girls, a good achievement, but tainted by great disappointment. This year good isn’t enough, great is what we aim for.
Second in the league, runners-up in the Cup. A good season, lots to build on.
First girls league game vs Kirkcaldy at Fortress Hugenden KO 2pm Sunday 20th September, with Cartha the following week, come down and support your club, having lost a few players but gained a fair few numbers over the summer the ladies are ready to set their standard early in the league, be part of it.
Well, that was a terribly serious update…not the shape of things to come mehopes.
