Last match against the famous Dutch

This has been the first day where the weather seems to be more friendly. Clear skies and much less pollution - so the sun is now fairly fierce. Our game at 1630 hours began in 34 degree heat but a breeze and the sun going behind the skyscrapers helped us to feel less depleted. The squad played a much more cohesive game and eventually broke through in the 25th minute with a field goal. That was followed later by another well worked field goal which rocked the Dutch.

In the second half, the Holland team began to lose discipline and heart and, taking advantage of this, our right "wing back" ran the length of the field beating 5 Dutch players on the way to a wonder goal struck high into the roof of the net.

End of game - winning 3-0. End of a 'financial markets' tournament (full of ups and downs) and a 5th place in the world behind Australia, England, Germany and China. Not bad for a bunch of old crocks. A special mention for our supporters and particularly to Gerry Toner (and John Smith) who had a very demanding schedule of umpiring, particularly because some teams (England) didn't bring their own.

There is a vague rumour that the next World Championships in 2 years time might be held in Edinburgh. Not much interest in that, I think! How about South America or Australia?

See you all back in sunny Paisley.

Alan Bryce

Matches against Japan and Italy

Brief report this time - match against Japan, highlight winning 4-1, lowlight Doug Carens carried off unconscious (he's OK and recovering); match against Italy, highlight winning 3-2, lowlight torrential thunderstorm which flooded the pitch to 25 cm. We only had 12 hours between the matches, so we're really pleased to have got through them unscathed.

Next the Tournament Dinner followed by the final match against Netherlands to decide 5th place.

Onwards and upwards!

Third match v South Africa

Nothing is easy with Scottish Hockey. Short story - eight of the 15 players have been struck down with various "rummy tummy" troubles, less than 24 hours before this match. Nobody admits that this is due to dehydration - old dogs and new tricks?

Miraculously, all 15 trap up for the game, but in varying states of disarray.

The people taking pictures would see a Scottish World Cup team warmed up and ready for the fray - in many cases, just a veneer. The first move of the game involved the centre-half, who was unable to bend to take the ball which results in a goal against in the first minute. The Centre Half left the pitch and the next 69 minutes became a see-saw match with the greater skills on the South African side set against the better attitude and team spirit of the Scots.

We deservedly scored a field goal after relentless pressure just before half time. With various players beginning to wilt badly in the overpowering heat and humidity (heard that before?), changes were improvised and eventually led to a disallowed goal in the last minute - granted by one umpire but not granted by the important one.

Much better performance, but our thinking and skills need to move up a notch or two for the remaining three matches. We play Japan, Italy and the Netherlands in various crossovers. We carry the point from the South Africa match forward to these games.

The Free Day tomorrow should help to repair the damage before Thursday.

Alan Bryce

Second Match against local Champions

Sometimes you're happier than others to make your report. Sometimes you'd rather "forget" to do it. This is one of those.

Our game against Hong Kong, the local favourites, started well with Scotland in control of the defence and midfield, but passing moves were breaking down due in part to the lack of control, in part to the weather conditions and in part to lack of communication (a core problem). Hong Kong's first short corner resulted in a goal of simplicity and directness. Down one again. How did we react? We went up the field and scored a field goal.

From then on the heat (35 degrees), humidity (75%), and pollution (135 where 100 means children should stay indoors) provided good excuses for our performance. In truth we were dominant but unskilled in making the breakthrough in their 22. In the end they had 3 more short corners and three more goals. Results 4-1 down.

Not exactly depressing but a slap in the face for those of us who wanted to be in the top four. Now fifth is the best we can hope for. Hasta luego or whatever that is in Chinese.

Alan Bryce

Match against World Champions, Germany

At last, a chance to see if we can improve upon our last European non-performances. The Germans are first to the bench, first to warm up and organised to a T. We started slowly, perhaps due to the heat (33 degrees) and humidity (80 percent). They then scored from a short corner in 5 minutes and the die seemed to be set.

However, Scotland began to play top-class hockey (at last?) and scored a field goal and then a beautifully worked short corner (well, I would say that, wouldn't I?). So, yes, we are 2-1 up against the world champions at half-time.

They are complaining amongst themselves, getting green cards from the umpires and everything is looking rosy. With 12 minutes to go, they then score two quick, short-corners and go 3-2 in front, but still not able to settle. We are playing solid team hockey. One of our players is then yellow-carded for some pretty insignificant 'hand in back' play by a mid-fielder. According to the large crowd, nothing compared to the block-busting central defence earlier on, that saw a German midfielder taken off to be resuscitated.

Being world champions, the Germans then exploited the spaces and weaknesses and scored twice before the end. Final result - 5-2 to the Germans, but Scottish heads held high. Hurray!

To sum up, an exhilirating experience which the huge crowd thoroughly enjoyed; it made the training and preparation really worthwhile - and all thanks to the 5th XI of course.

Next game against Hong Kong who beat the South Africans 4-2 yesterday.

Alan Bryce

Vets World Cup - Hong Kong 2008

Day One
As Robin Williams said in Good Morning Vietnam, "It's hot, damn hot!" It's also 80% humidity which makes you embarrassingly moist all the time.Arrived at midnight to a spectacular show of lights and cityscape - just the normal Hong Kong and Kowloon. We have had a training session for two hours today which was a bit different from Bella on a Saturday afternoon - which I am missing by the way!I hope to keep you up-to-date with our results, no matter how bad they are, over the next ten days. Our first game is against the 2006 World Champions, the Germans - who have been here for a week already at a training camp. We had heard that the English are doing altitude training but then discovered that they were on the 52nd floor in their hotel.The Sports Complex, which includes a racecourse, rubgy pitches, football pitches, hockey pitches, etc, is called Happy Valley - a good name for a place for the over 60s and over 65s, don't you think?Some of our squad have still to arrive - our first game isn't until Saturday. They'll find it hard to acclimatise in a day, but here's hoping. Speak to you soon.Alan Bryce

Last day

Well its the last post of this weird trip! It doesn't seem like a hockey trip as the last time we played was days ago!!!

This morning we did a hard fitness session, led by Derek. The only people who didn't have to do it was me and Ralphy who had a couple of wee niggles. The rest of the boys were delighted we weren't doing it and they were.

We then headed off to the hockey to watch the final day of action. First on the pitch was Egara and the french team. We wanted a heavy French loss and thats what we got. 4-0 Egara! We have been told that this has guaranteed us two places in next years EHL by 0.125 of a point over the French. Nice!

Next up we watch Reading loose to Rotterdam, which was satisfying. When we got back to the hotel everyone was pretty burnt. So at least we can say we have been on holiday.

Well thats pretty much me finished. The blogs is over. Hope you have enjoyed it and I will see you in the back bar for a few beers.

See you later

Nelly

Day 4

Well it's fair to say there were a few casualties this morning! There was an after party at some club in Barca arranged, so a few of the boys decided to attend to show face for the club. I think they had a good time as they didn't arrive back till about 9am!!!

This afternoon we decided to head into the city centre to do a bit of shopping and sight seeing. Not everyone made it to this(which was to be expected) but those who went had a good time.

Some did some shopping in the harbor then went to a pub to watch the English premiership games. A few others decided to hike up a mountain to try and find the Olympic village! We thought it would only take about 10 mins but 1 hour later we found it! It was worth the walk. We got good views of the city and got to look around some of the sports venues.

After this it was off to the Camp Nuo to watch Barcelona play some rubbish team. It's fair to say the stadium is Awesome! Barca won the game 4-1 and didn't really break sweat. It was a good game to watch.

People are feeling pretty nervous tonight. There is a rumor on the grape vine that we are going to have to do a hard running session tomorrow. I can't wait!

Going to bed now feeling pretty tired after a long day. Last blog tomorrow, then its back home to sunny Scotland!!!

Bye, bye

Nelly

Day 3

This seems like one of the weirdest hockey trips I have been on, we arrive play our game the next day, loose, then have nothing to do for another 4 days!

We just found out today nobody wants to give us a friendly match tomorrow, so we will have to do a bit of fitness training instead or a game of 5's football, which I think would be a better idea!

A few of the boys were feeling a bit fragile this morning after spending a little too much time in a local bar last night but by this afternoon everyone was feeling better!

We decided we would go and watch the hockey today. The first full game we saw was the Egara bloomendaal game, which had a packed crowed in the stadium. Some guy called ChickenDance scored two for Egara for them to sneak it 3-2. We also stayed to watch the Reading Cannock game which Reading won but it was very very boring and cold!

Also Matt's bag has turned up so he no longer has his stinking travel gear on!

Just about to head out dinner. I will let you know if we get up to anything interesting tomorrow.

Nelly

Day 2

Well no doubt you will have heard the result. It was the usual as far as our team are concerned with european games, close but no cigar! To be fair we were 3 down with 10 mins to go, so to take it to extra time was a good effort.

The boys are gutted but we are not planning just to go out every night. We still have a league and cup to win because we want to play in this next year, and get further!

We will be training and doing a bit of sight seeing. Hopefully we did the club proud! Speak to you all tomorrow. (Also my tv doesn't work and I can't watch dvd's! GUTTED!)

Nelly

Day 1

Finally the blog begins! There has been a few technical issues. The main problem being the internet wasn't working!!! Don't worry we have managed to figure it out.

The trip started ok with flights being on time and everyone remembering there passports! But on arriving in Barca Matt's bag was missing! He should be getting it back soon but who knows what will happen. He is definatley getting the best use out of his travel clothes.

On Thursday night we trained at Terrassa's ground. It was really just to stretch our legs and perfect our corners routines (we will see if that works today!)

Just sitting around before lunch and then game preperation after that. The boys are looking for a good result as we know we will get a re-match against Loughbourgh if we win.

See you tomorrow

Nelly

First Post

Welcome to the new Kelburne blog where we hope you will be able to keep up-to-date with some of the exploits of our players as they play all over the country and the world.

As a taster for the Men's 1st XI's game(s) this weekend at Club Egara, here is some footage from their last round of Euro League games: