The 1st team was at home this weekend taking on newly promoted Strathclyde and a tricky test against Mavericks 2. With the opportunity to spend some time at the top of the table with two wins, our Citizens performed well in attack and defence to make sure that they maintain their perfect start to the season’s campaign.
Edinburgh City 1 (21) v (10) Strathclyde 1
The match started out with City finding the basket with regularity, this was Strathclyde’s first match of the season and City took advantage to get off to a blistering start. Goals from David Ewing and a couple from the penalty spot from Dan Pratt saw the hosts go up by 4 and it was a lead that City never looked like letting slip. Some sharp shooting from Dave and Ella Paul really helped to pace the attack and defensively we were causing lots of problems for Strathclyde.
Half time saw the introduction of Heather Mackintosh who overpowered her opposition on both ends of the court, winning lots of interceptions and scoring 4 goals herself. City’s girls looked like the danger players all game and their constant drives at the basket brought goals and penalties to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
A slight lack of focus towards the end of the game saw Strathclyde get into their stride and the visitors showed flashes of the goal scoring instincts that saw them promoted last year. But it was too little too late as City ran out comfortable winners in this clash.
Scorers: David Ewing (5), Ella Paul (4), Heather Mackintosh (4), Dan Pratt (3), Katrina Caldwell (2), Andrea Kinver (1), Andrew Goode (1), Emma Cottell (1)
MVP: Ella Paul
Edinburgh City 1 (20) v (10) Edinburgh Mavericks 2
The second match of the day saw City take on cross-town rivals Mavericks in a battle that would see the winner go top of the early season table, although both teams have played more matches than those who are on their tails.
The matchup was similar to the last time these two teams met, with the teams going toe to toe before City settled into a rhythm and pulled away before half time. In his season debut, Dave made sure he was putting himself in the golden-korf contest once again, grabbing himself 13 goals on his own personal ‘Super Saturday’.
The match saw an intriguing matchup between Dan Pratt and Ross McGuinness in what promised to be a battle of the big-men. Walking off with 5 goals and the MVP nod, the wily experience of Dan overcame his athletic disadvantages to take this one but there looks to be many closely fought battles between these two in the season ahead.
Another great defensive display really underpinned an all-round performance that will give City some confidence for tougher weekends ahead. But they can go into the international break top of the table and in very fine spirits!
Scorers: David Ewing (8), Dan Pratt (5), Andrea Kinver (2), Ella Paul (2), Heather Mackintosh (1), Katrina Caldwell (1), Michael Garbutt (1)
MVP: Dan Pratt
Edinburgh City Korfball Club 