On Friday evening both the boys' 1st XI hockey team and the girls' 1st XI hockey team were finalists in the Scottish Schools' Hockey Cup at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre. The boys' U15 team featured in the plate final.
The boys' U15 team played valiantly against Watson's in the final of the plate having the better of the game but at full time the result was 1-1 and the boys, in spite of all their efforts, lost on penalties.
This was followed by the girls' U18 final in which The Mary Erskine School 1st XI team played against Watson's. The team played fantastic hockey and were the dominant team for the whole match but unfortunately a 1-1 draw ended in running penalties; a cruel way for any team to determine the winner of a national tournament and leaving The Mary Erskine School Scottish Schools' Cup runners up. The quality of hockey on display throughout the match was exceptional and The Mary Erskine School team showed professionalism both on and off the pitch throughout the whole event.
Miss Lampard, First XI hockey coach said: "The team should be extremely proud of their successful season and by the way in which they have conducted themselves on the field during training and playing. They have been ambassadors for Mary Erskine hockey."
The final match of the evening was the Scottish Schools' Boys' Cup Final between Stewart's Melville College and the Glasgow School of Sport which featured seven internationalists and who were unbeaten in the competition. In spite of Stewart's Melville College going 1-0 down in the second half they recovered magnificently scoring two goals in the final quarter of an hour and saving a penalty flick to win the match 2-1 and to be crowned Scottish Schools' Champions for 2013/2014. This was a great victory for the boys for whom this was their first appearance in the final.
Mr Constable, SMC First XI coach said: "This was a game where the whole squad found new levels of resolve. Even more impressive than the quality of the final was the tenacity of the squad. In their biggest game against top opponents they found a way to play at their best and refused to lose. No stars, but all stars.
The Under 15 boys also deserve congratulations for their excellent performance in their plate final where they drew the match and were extremely unlucky to lose on penalties. They should be proud of their efforts and look forward to a very promising future."
All three teams played with great courage, commitment, exceptional teamwork and showed character when under pressure. Thanks must go particularly to Miss Lampard, Miss Wilson, Mr Brogdon and Mr Constable who were responsible for the coaching of the teams and for their encouragement of the players. The matches were played in atrocious weather conditions but it was good to see so many boys and girls come through to Glasgow to support the teams along with sports coaches from Stewart's Melville College and The Mary Erskine School.
