Ladies 4s went to Stirling with a team weakened by injuries, holidays and the rugby. They broke well from an early turnover and pinched the advantage which put the pressure on. They were a srtrong team and playing good hockey but we contained them for large period of the match, working the ball out well after some strong tackling. Unfortunately we also turned over possession when we ought to have been in control, partly they hassled much more than we are used to, partly we delayed passses and sometime we just chose the wrong option. Throughout the game we improved in all these areas as our youngsters adapted to the different pressures of a proper adult opposition and the challenge now is to continue with those improvements when perhaps we don't need to so that we can impose ours game on stronger opposition.
We were very unlucky not to convert our only corner (and probably also unlucky not to get any other corners though our corcle penetrations were low - those wrong option decisions when we had opportunities. A breakway gave them a 2nd goal after we had managed to clear a couple of similar chances with good scramble defence. Stirling can now pull level if they win their 3 games in hand though our goal difference is 30 better! Still all to play for and a real opportunity if we can get strong, stable squads out for the rest of the season.