Western Wildcats Hockey Club

Two thirds of the way through the indoor season and our first teams are doing well.

Women's captain Rachael Ferguson is particularly enthused. "It's safe to say, we are competing!" she said. "Our first matches against Grove and Dundee Wanderers definitely gave us a boost, particularly the Grove game where I don't think they knew what hit them. Since that first weekend, the team has been getting steadily stronger and more aware of the indoor game - something Coach Kaz has been drilling into us since day 1."

Rachael went on to pay special tribute to player/Coach Kareena Marshall. "Having Kaz on board has been great - she has helped us all develop as indoor players and come together to be a better indoor team. She knows what she's talking about and the girls definitely respect what she has to say. She has spent a lot of time working on systems of play with us which have definitely progressed over the weeks."

And how might the girls finish at the end of it all? "Sitting mid-table at the start of the second half is much more than we expected from our first season at National 1 and both myself and Kaz reckon fourth place is possible.

"Training this week was all about fast shots on the move - this weekend is all about scoring goals! We're playing Cala, Kelburne and Granite City Wanderers (the latter two are below us in the table) so I'm hoping for a good game against Cala and definitely six points from the other two."

We lap up this kind of confidence and wish the girls the very best on Sunday up in Stirling.

Joe Simpson is also excited about the progress his young side have made.

"We are lucky in that we have excellence in the shape of Dougie and Scooter," he said. "But the main thing is that our less experienced players are really stepping up. Rhury Smith has been first class and Ross Clunie - who is getting a lot of time at the back - has looked the part and is getting better with every game.

"Given our focus on youth I think we are where we would expect to be and, with slightly better results before Christmas, we would be even better off. We have three games this Saturday [against Grange, Harris and Clydesdale] and I am looking for 6-9 points. If we can do this, we are safe and I can look to youth to an even greater degree in our final games."