Edinburgh University Men's Hockey side defeat Heriot Watt to secure Varsity Championship

Edinburgh v. Heriot-Watt Men's Hockey 7 November 2007

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On the afternoon of November 7th the men’s first hockey teams of Edinburgh University and Heriot Watt University clashed in a match that would decide who took the title of City of Edinburgh Varsity Champions and thus take home the Varsity Quaich.

Edinburgh were the champions of the day beating Heriot Watt 3-1.

As this match was the decider of the Varsity Championship both team’s desperation to win was increased but in the end the reigning champions came through in an exciting and fast paced match that showed a great amount of skill from both sides.

Edinburgh captain, Richard McCorkell, made the first attempt at goal but narrowly missed putting the ball just wide. Instead it was Heriot-Watt's Ally Saville who was the initial scorer after the first 20 minutes.

Edinburgh, trailing after this first goal seemed more determined than before. Rupert Baker took the ball into the semi circle but an efficient clearance from the Heriot Watt team prevented Edinburgh from scoring. Despite their strong attacking spirit Edinburgh failed to capitalise in the first half, missing three short corners.

Heriot Watt took the second half push back but due to a positive start from their opponents, the ball was soon in Edinburgh’s possession. After 12 second half minutes Joe Gray gave Edinburgh some hope as he impressively drove the ball into the back of the net. Gray did not become complacent however as hope turned to elation for Edinburgh just 6 minutes later. Gray came through in the midst of a battle in the semi circle and once more flicked the ball into the goal.

Now losing 2 goals to 1 Heriot Watt picked up their game and this time defended their goal valiantly as Edinburgh continued in their forward push. Unfortunately for Heriot Watt this could not last and this time it was Edinburgh’s Pete Bell who, through first-class finishing increased Edinburgh’s lead to 3-1.

Neither team relaxed as the match entered its final stages. Both attacked strongly and, had it not been for a strong defensive showing by Heriot Watt, Edinburgh’s lead could have been greater as they took shots at goal in both the twenty-fourth and twenty-fifth minutes. The last few minutes were tense as the trailing team attacked strongly. Superb defending by Edinburgh, however, kept the scoreline at 3-1 as Heriot Watt failed to utilise two short corners in the last six minutes, the latter of these coming just seconds before the final whistle.

This match saw exceptional play from both sides but Edinburgh just had the edge over Heriot Watt as they secured the Varsity Championship. There is increased excitement in the conquering team now as Captain Richard McCorkell commented before the match that “The winner…will probably go on to win the Scottish section and move on to the BUSA championship”. He added “The rivalry is fierce and this year will be no exception”. This match was a clear demonstration of this rivalry which manifested itself in high quality and exciting hockey.

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