Scottish Student Sport League
Dewars Centre, Perth, 24th October 2012
H | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Total | ||
Edinburgh University | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | x | 1 | ||
Strathclyde University 1 | * | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | x | 14 |
N.B. Scorecard approximately correct.
Edinburgh were keen to try and carry momentum forward from their earlier match against Glasgow, knowing that a quicker start would certainly be required to beat much tougher opposition in the form of Strathclyde 1. They are team that are always near the top of the table and often impose quite heavy defeats upon the Edinburgh team including most recently in the SSS University Open in Stranraer.
Edinburgh’s fears about the much more experienced Strathclyde side proved to be well founded, with Strathclyde 1 making full use of the hammer to win the first end by 3. This impressive start certainly knocked the confidence of the Edinburgh side with Stockton struggling to find guard weight, immediately gifting the opposition an advantage which they would not surrender.
Edinburgh continued to struggle in the next two ends often leaving skip McGaan with very few options other than to minimise the amount Strathclyde would win the end by, rather than being able to try to win the end.
However in the fifth end with Stirling playing some very impressive take-outs and with McQuistin following them up with a lovely guard, Edinburgh University were able to win their first and only point of the game.
Despite hoping for a lift from the success of winning the fifth end, the tiredness of being on the ice for four hours as well as the 1 hour drive, began to take effect with niggles and lack of concentration setting in on the team, Strathclyde University were able to take full advantage comfortably winning the final two ends.
All in all Edinburgh, did not play particularly badly in this match if the final two ends are taken out of consideration. The team simply came up against a much better, stronger and more experienced team. However there is certainly enough quality within the team that once they gel together as a team they may cause problems for the other universities in the league.
Fraser Stockton