So after a brief hiatus, where the team has had a couple of poor results and the match reporter was suffering the disappointment of not winning a Pulitzer for previous reports, we are back to normal service. The Ladies 1XI bossed this match to come out with a 5-2 victory over Perthshire, completing a hat-trick of wins over them this season.

The foundations for the win were set in a blistering first quarter. Despite an early Perthshire corner, three goals in nine minutes provided us with our best opening quarter of the season. On six minutes, Cheryl Valentine hit home a rebound from a corner. Three minutes later Chez needed no assistance as she hit home directly from another corner. Our third goal did not rely on opposition mistakes to create the chances. A flowing move down the right side involving half the team created an acre of space for Annie Anderson, who hit a sumptuous reverse hit into the corner of the net. We finished on top as Kate Wellington was denied by the keeper. Three goals was a fair reflection of our dominance in the quarter.

The second quarter was much more even as Perthshire worked out how to stop our attack. At the same time, their greater possession made them a more potent attacking force. However, neither side created much as the play was concentrated within the 23s. One moment of great defensive play kept the scoreline the same. From the only corner of the period, a deflected shot was cleared off the line by Caitlin McIntosh's stick that was well over her head.

After half-time, we took our foot off the gas and didn't produce any attacking hockey of note. At the other end, Perthshire created a number of chances that forced Ava into a number of saves. However, her defence of her goal was breached once, with a defected shot taking their ball past her.

With a few nervy moments in the third quarter, we returned to match dominance in the final period. In the fifth minute, Iona Syme went on a trademark mazy run and lofted the ball towards goal. Kate Wellington nipped in front of the keeper to put the ball high into the net. One minute later, the birthday girl celebrated becoming a grown up by adding another. Annie Anderson made a great tackle in midfield and then found Iona just outside the D. In turn Iona slipped the ball through to an unmarked Kate, who sent the keeper a number of different ways before sliding the ball into the empty net.

The quarter was marked by us reclaiming the dominance we enjoyed at the start of the game. Despite a couple of corners, some great attacking play down the right and the assistance of a post, we were unable to add another goal to our tally. Unfortunately Perthshire had the last word with a minute to go. Although the way the attacker trapped the ball with her foot before scoring, the goal could as easily have been valid on the neighbouring pitch.

Two great quarters book-ended two less than impressive quarters, but an excellent win resulted that keeps the season alive. Player of the match goes to Annie Anderson for an all action performance.