It's derby day for our first teams with both travelling to the National Hockey Centre to take on Kelburne this Saturday. The boys are at 1330, the girls at 1500.
The boys' run of results has been excellent and stretches back into last season. Despite not being at their best last Saturday they had just enough to beat a stuffy Clydesdale side. Harry was honest about the performance saying, "I don’t think we played well against Clydesdale. We didn’t have the urgency or flair we usually have. However, it’s important to win when you are players short and the team plays badly so I’m certainly not unhappy about the weekend or the result."
This week sees another real challenge against the 13-in-a-row champions. Kelburne are maybe not quite the force they were but they remain very dangerous with good players and vast experience. They have dropped points to Menzieshill and Grange already this season but will feel that a win gets them back on track. Western have a lot of momentum and confidence but must be at their very best to win.
Harry acknowledged as much saying, "Western certainly can beat Kelburne. However, we will need to be at the very top of our game to do it. One of the problems with Clydesdale was that they have had a few player changes and a new coach, so we didn’t spend much time talking about how they would play. With Kelburne on the other hand, we have quite clear ideas on how they play and the question will be whether we can influence the match enough to stop them playing their usual game."
The girls' have what looks an easier assignment. Kelburne have lost a number of players and are struggling. Saturday's sickener against Clydesdale needs to be put firmly in the past as Wildcats look to get their campaign back on the road. With three full internationalists in the team following Danie McMurray's debut against Ireland on Tuesday night, our girls should have too much for the home side.
The Women's 2s are at home to Rottenrow Blue Sox at 1530 and will hopefully keep up their great run while the 3s host Hillhead 5s (1400).
The Men's 2s take the road and miles to Dundee to play Menzieshill 2s who are newly promoted to Central 1 following their decision to join the league last year. The 3s host GHK 2s and have a tidy looking team so will hope for a win while the 4s have Giffnock 2s at home.