Hockey highlights - strong defence key to Borders victories

Jackie Wilson in action for Fjorhus Reivers IIs

Up in the lofty heights of National Division Two Fjordhus Reivers put on a sterling performance against table toppers Glasgow Hillhead before going down 2-1 at Tweedbank.

The Reivers matched their high flying opponents in all areas of the pitch and were rewarded just after the break when a spell of pressure led to a goal for Elena Lunn to tie the scores. A costly lapse in concentration however allowed Hillhead to retaliate and ultimately win the match although some excellent defensive play by the Reivers denied the city side any more goals.

Fjordhus Reivers Ladies II ventured up to Livingston for their first East of Scotland Premier league meeting with the West Lothian outfit. And came away with their unbeaten record still intact (1-1).

Reivers started brightly, creating many opportunities, which resulted in a well taken first goal. Chloe Richardson fired the ball low and hard into the D where skipper Ashley Robson, calmly cracked it home.

After half time, the free flowing game the Reivers had been playing, disappeared and they found themselves being dragged into a real scrap. This was compounded when after their only meaningful attack in the whole game, Livingston were awarded a penalty corner, which to their credit they took well to score. Youngsters Emily Rodgers, Emma Spence, Rachel Shiel, and Laura Webster all stepped up well.

Reivers II don’t have long to wait for the return match which takes place this weekend at Tweedbank, when they will hope to reproduce the form that has swept all before them this season, by consolidating their league title with a win.

In East League One second placed Kelso Ladies II kept themselves in touch with the leaders with a 3-2 home win against Edinburgh Uni VII. In a match that was played at pace some heroic defending by the Tweedsiders was a contributory factor. Kirsty Logan and Lucy Murray (2) were the Kelso scorers.

Fjordhus Reivers IV continued their climb up the East Division Three table with a confident 5-1 victory over Grange IV with strong defence again a contributing factor. Ashleigh Roberts scored a first half hat-trick with Emma Suddon and Roberts again added another two.