LOCH Lomond Hockey Club travelled to East Kilbride at the weekend prepared to play their last game of the season against the runaway West District Division 2 league leaders.

Not daunted by the prospect, however, Loch Lomond showed great team spirit from the warm up right until the end of the match.

The first 10 minutes of the match were dominated by a Loch Lomond side who came out of the blocks hard and ready for a tough game. The Lomond ladies showed their skills and link-up play and were fighting for every ball with the strikers in particular digging in, culminating in Rebecca Lightfoot firing them one ahead.

This brilliant start only seemed to rile the strong opposition who hit back to give Loch Lomond’s defence a few challenges, which were dealt with brilliantly.

Heather Smith once again made some brilliant saves to keep East Kilbride out and Lauren McCreadie’s save off the line kept her side ahead.

However, it wasn’t too long until the home side capitalised on their pressure to bring the score up to 1-1.

With a spell of injuries, Loch Lomond were off kilter for a short time which allowed the league leaders to score with a deflected strike from another penalty corner.

Lomond regrouped and were composed and ready to fight on with Rebecca Holland giving everyone a lesson in not giving up when she battled through numerous players to make a lovely pass towards goal allowing Vanessa Sabala to deflect in her team’s second goal of the afternoon.

Half-time came at a good moment with tensions rising but Loch Lomond composed themselves at the break and came back out doing what they do best; brilliant short and sharp passes which East Kilbride couldn’t deal with.

Upfront and midfield players defended East Kilbride hit-outs brilliantly and made them work hard to get it out of their defensive circle.

The final match of the season ended in a draw but having showed such tenacity throughout, the Loch Lomond girls have a lot to be proud of.