Kelso Ladies 5

Peebles Ladies 5

THE day after being crowned the Live Borders Celebration of Sport Team of the Year 2017 it was high heels off and astro shoes back on as the ladies got back down to business on the pitch with an away fixture against fellow Borderers Kelso Ladies.

For the first 10 minutes there wasn't much between the two teams but then Peebles started to dominate play and were awarded their first penalty corner of the game.

A beautifully struck ball by Narelle Allan was saved by the Kelso keeper, but Karis Sharp collected the rebound off the keeper's pads which saw the Kelso keeper producing another fine save.

This time Sarah Glendinning pounced on the second rebound to slot the ball into the goal.

Peebles went 2-0 ahead a few minutes later through a great drive into the circle by Karis Sharp who smashed the ball into the corner of the goal.

It wasn't long until Peebles were in cruise control and 3-0 to the good when a fantastic break up the right wing by youngster Elizabeth Nguyen who then crossed a perfect ball into the centre of the goal for fellow youngster Kazya Stevens to fire past the keeper.

The home side got a goal back right at the end of the first half from a great strike from a penalty corner.

Peebles were relatively happy going into half time 3-1 up but knew that Kelso looked determined and were definitely up for a battle in the second half.

What was about to happen in the second half was a game Peebles will not forget in a hurry.

A huge lapse in concentration by the visitors who appeared to take the foot off the gas resulting in them losing two goals and suddenly it was all square again.

The last 20 minutes of the game was what you could call ping pong hockey. It was end to end action.

Peebles took the lead again when Karis Sharp was barged off the ball in similar fashion to last week's game and a penalty stroke was awarded.

Sarah Glendinning stepped up to give the Pees advantage again.

Minutes later Kelso equalised, deflating Peebles once more.

Peebles went close to taking the lead again and a ball into the circle found Sarah Glendinning with only the keeper to beat, but the Kelso defender hooked the midfielder's stick resulting in another penalty stroke being awarded.

The captain kept her composure to score her hat-trick.

With the Peebles side taking the lead again Kelso had other ideas and never gave up, resulting in them equalising again with only four minutes to go.

Time was running out and unfortunately Peebles couldn't get that winner they had hoped for.

Very disappointing to be 3-0 ahead to then finish the game with a 5-5 draw but a very exciting and competitive game to be involved in between two teams that have proved they are creme de la creme of hockey in the Borders.

Many thanks to Stuart Lobb for umpiring.

Peebles Ladies are back at home tomorrow against Cala 3s with a 2pm pass back.

Peebles Ladies: T Spence, N Allan, L McAllister, J Mathews, M Maciver, S Glendinning (capt), K Sharp, B Williamson, A Anderson, E Thomas, H Tipper, E Nguyen, K Stevens