Stirling touch

The thick mist shrouding the Wallace monument did not bode well for the second annual Scottish Touch Championships. The Airthy pitches were covered in heavy morning dew and there was a slight chill in the air as the Stirling squad gathered near the University playing fields ready to compete against the best players from across the country and contest for the National Touch title.

Thankfully the rain Gods decided to take pity on us and patches of blue sky gradually gathered and joined as we approached tap off, the warm summer sun burning off the early morning dew and bathing the whole area in a rich golden glow. It was going to be a scorcher in more ways than one.

The 2007 campaign had been a steep learning experience for our inexperienced side and this year we were determined not to be the whipping boys. We’d trained hard and put in a lot of hours on wet windy nights to prepare for this tournament. I’d say most of the guys were feeling slightly nervous but anxious for the off. Our opening championship game was to be against our nearest rivals Glasgow.

We started at a hundred miles an hour. There was certainly no lack of effort but a definite lack of composure. Everybody was so anxious to impress we were snatching at passes and guddling the simplest of balls. Cerebrums were most definitely left in the locker room. By half time we were three scores down; not an insurmountable lead but not the dream start we’d been hoping for.

The half time team talk was on a ‘back to basics’ theme. No histrionics from coach or captain. They realised we needed careful prodding and a nudge in the correct direction. No boots were thrown, no dummies were spat and we rewarded this encouraging patience by upping our game considerably in the second half. We were a different team! The three S’s were our mantra; Structure, Speed and Substitutions. We were disciplined in all three and before you could say ‘geddit up ye!’ we were level.

The momentum was with us and an opening win was within our sights. Well right up until the last minute when we were caught napping by a well worked move and they landed the decisive score; gutted would be an understatement.

However we took the positives; we won the second half 3:1 and as a performance it was night and day from last year. Disappointed we hadn’t converted our chances we were desperate to get into the second game and make amends. It wasn’t long before we got our chance. The next game was against Aberdeen.

Aberdeen are a strong district but had been struck by last minute call offs, they only had a squad of ten so we knew they were there for the taking. This time we had to convert our chances and keep the defence tight. They still had a number of very dangerous players more than capable of winning a match single handed so regardless of numbers it wasn’t going to be easy.

CONTINUE....

 

 

Gallery

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