This weekend saw the GCW girls U18 side head to Perth for the National U18 Indoor finals.  The girls had qualified in December by finishing runners up to Robert Gardens College at the North U18 Cup.  The squad of 12 had six players under 14 and only one player in their final year at this level.

The target set at the beginning of the day by coaches Sandy and Jo Thomas was to go out and learn and have a bit of fun and see if we could steal a win. Well the girls managed to surpass all expectations and played some really composed hockey throughout.

First up was Berwickshire High School who like most of the sides faced were bigger and stronger than the GCW outfit.  In the first couple of minutes however the GCW girls showed their intentions for the day when a well worked move created a corner which Elaine Livera sent whistling narrowly by the far post.  8 minutes in and the girls in black took the lead when Emily Watson waltzed past two defenders before despatching the ball home.  The game stayed this way until 4 minutes from the end when the Berwick centre player managed to steal round Elaine Livera for the one and only time in the match before crossing for the equaliser.  The game finished 1-1 and the coaches were mighty pleased.

Game 2 and next up was a very strong George Heriot’s side featuring some under 18 internationals.  The Heriots side obviously saw the size of our girls and thought this would not be their toughest match of the group but were surprised when the GCW youngsters were giving as good as they got.  A fine performance by Siobhan Cowie in goals and Captain Elaine could not prevent the Heriot’s girls winning out 3-0.  It has to be said the Herriot’s girls were very gracious and complimentary following their win and this was much appreciated by the GCW youngsters.

Game 3 and it was against St Aloysius College from Glasgow who had apparently won the Glasgow Schools Cup to qualify.  The youngsters in black set about their older opposition with the determination to get their first win of the day.  A corner from Captain Livera again whistled past the post and a second one was narrowly missed by Emily Watson.  However the breakthrough eventually came when Sophie Taylor decided enough was enough and fired home the opener.  A second goal two minutes later from Emily Watson sealed the girls' first win and the possibility of making it to the semi finals which would have been a major shock.  

The final pool game was against the High School of Dundee and the girls needed a win to qualify for the semi finals which was a major surprise to us all.  It was not to be however as some resolute keeping by the Dundee goalie and several close misses meant the all elusive goal was not to come so we had to accept third place in the group.  Finishing third in the group however meant we had a final crossover match to play which was to decide 5^th or 6^th overall.

The match was against Glasgow High and again the side rose to the occasion without any final thrust to get the goal that mattered.  Four minutes from the end a Glasgow breakaway saw them draw keeper Cowie before placing the ball home for the lead.  Despite pushing for the final few minutes the goal was not to come and a second goal was scored when a corner awarded after time saw the GCW defence leave the goal in case of any unnecessary injury.

 A fine day was had by all and the possibility of a final was only missed by the narrowest of margins; who would have believed that before we went down?  As it turned out two teams from the girls group made up the final just to prove how strong the group was.  Thanks go to Jo Thomas and John Graham who came down with the squad; John who umpired all day.  Thanks also to Lorna Clyne, Collette Cowie, Jacquie Livera and Lori Dunbar Smith who all helped with the driving and the TD duties.  Finally, well done to all the girls who played and yes they did have fun!

The SHU website has full results from the day.