Helensburgh Hockey Club's 50th season starts off in style

And with two wins and a draw to show for their efforts, it was a highly satisfactory day all round for everyone involved at the club.

The first XI began with a 6-1 win over newly-promoted Western 4 in the West District Division One, although they got off to a poor start, as Western kept the ball early on and carved open a simple chance with a ball into the D that was deflected into the net.

Helensburgh were not deterred by this early setback, however, and slowly gained a foothold with good possession hockey in the middle of the park.

Burgh thought they’d levelled through a scrappy goal from new signing Adam Carmichael, but the umpire had already blown for a foul.

And even when they thought justice had been done, when the resulting well-worked penalty corner was knocked in by Jamie Caulfield from a Rob Heywood ball to the back post, the umpire decided that Carmichael had not stopped the initial corner outside the D, and so another ‘goal’ was disallowed.

Half-time team talk for the Helensburgh first XI on their way to a 6-1 win over Western 4. (Image: Helensburgh Hockey Club)

Helensburgh did finally get their equaliser on 12 minutes, and it was Carmichael who got it, bundling the ball past the sprawling Western keeper after combining well with fellow striker Caulfield.

And the hosts took the lead 10 minutes later, with Carmichael the man on target again; this time young striker Logan Hill had the composure to pick out the new man in space and he found the net with ease.

As half-time neared Helensburgh extended their lead to 3-1, this time with Mark Ormsby setting up Caulfield with an excellent through ball; the experienced striker was quick to take the reverse pop shot that nestled into the back of the net.

‘More of the same’ was the war cry for the second half among the Helensburgh team, and Gavin Mackenzie duly obliged, tapping in the fourth at the back post after Caulfield’s excellent reverse shot.

Carmichael completed his hat-trick on the hour with a great solo effort; though his initial shot was saved, he was quick to pounce on the rebound for goal number five.

Helensburgh did well to look after the ball as the game neared a close, with Western offering little in attack; the sixth and final goal came with the last play of the match, with an illegal block of a Yannick Cowey shot earning the hosts a penalty corner, and they repeated the sequence from earlier in the match, with Caulfield on the end of a Heywood pass to deftly touch the ball over the Western keeper.

Helensburgh 1st XI: Mark Findlay; Mike Jones; Brian Kennedy; Harry Green; Rob Heywood (c); Mark Ormsby; Gordon Black; Yannick Cowey; Nick Groves; Jamie Caulfield (2); Adam Carmichael (3) (MoM); Gavin Mackenzie (1); Logan Hill; Daniel Dooley.

Thanks to Andy Richardson for umpiring.

Helensburgh’s second XI were next against Strathclyde University 2, and two was clearly the magic number, with the match ending in a 2-2 draw.

Strathclyde dominated the early possession, but solid defending from David McGregor kept the students out – and as the home team warmed up, so too did their ability and Helensburgh started taking control of the game, with several chances carved out in the first half, Alan Bowman, James Pettit and Gavin Mackenzie all seeing good efforts go narrowly wide.

David McGregor won the second XI's player of the match accolade. (Image: Helensburgh Hockey Club) Strathclyde were playing through their one main central player, and it was clear why: his neat skills, and ability to hold on to the ball, made him a real threat, and it wasn’t long before he scored the game’s opening goal.

Helensburgh responded well, though, with Daniel Dooley’s mazy run down the wing capped by a smart finish from Mark Findlay to ensure the teams went in level at the break.

At the other end, Benji Jones was equal to everything Strathclyde could throw at him – until, that is, midway through the second half when the visitors’ danger man added his and his team’s second.

Helensburgh, though, didn’t give up and in the final two minutes Findlay popped up with his second of the day to earn the home side a point.

Helensburgh 2nd XI: Benji Jones; David McGregor (MoM); Richard Park; Logan Hill; Paul Moore; Gordon Caulfield; Gavin Mackenzie; Eddy Hall; James Pettit; Alan Bowman; Craig Keith; Mark Findlay (2); Daniel Dooley; Alex Stewart; James Steel (c).

Thanks to Andy Richardson for umpiring.

The Helensburgh third XI completed the day’s action with a 4-2 win at home to Giffnock 2 in what turned out to be a very open game between two teams packed with lots of experience.

Giffnock got off to the better start with an early goal, but Helensburgh came right back into it, with James Pettit setting up Barry Cox for Helensburgh’s first.

Gravy McGregor got Burgh’s second goal with a well-hit strike, again set up by Pettit, and young Rory Clarkson came close to scoring his first goal for the club, only to see the ball whistle past the back post.

Veteran Barry Cox was among the scorers for the Helensburgh third XI against Giffnock 2. (Image: Helensburgh Hockey Club)

Clarkson, though, did contribute to Helensburgh’s third, laying the ball off nicely for Duncan Lemay to score on his return to the club.

Giffnock reduced the leeway to 3-2, converting the rebound after a good save from captain Benji Jones, but Helensburgh had the final say with Pettit adding his name to the scoresheet late on to cap off a strong team performance and a great day for the club.

Helensburgh 3rd XI: Benji Jones (c); Andy Richardson; Paul Moore; Duncan Lemay (1); Alex Stewart; Barry Cox (1); Mark Findlay; James Brimson; James Pettit (1); Rory Clarkson (MoM); Callum Court; Gravy McGregor (1).

Thanks to Logan Hill for umpiring.

This Saturday, September 21, Helensburgh's first XI are away to Kelburne 3; the second XI have no game, and the third XI travel to Glasgow to face Hillhead 8.

Meanwhile, the club holds junior hockey training every Monday night at Hermitage Academy. 

The sessions cost just £2 per night and are open to all players under the age of 14, and newcomers are always welcome.

Equipment is available to borrow on the night, including sticks, balls and even shin pads if required.

For more information on all things Helensburgh hockey, see the 'Helensburgh Hockey Club' page on Facebook.