1st Win Since 2011 For Shinty Men

Life is not easy for St Andrews’ men’s shinty team. Wins are hard to come by; even full teams can be difficult to assemble. However, hopes were high for the first match of 2014. In what has been dubbed “The Varshitty Match”, St Andrews faced arch-rivals and neighbours Dundee, with not just a full set of players, but even three substitutes.

Fully recovered from my the broken knee which I suffered in my previous (and first) shinty outing, I was nervously making my return to the sport to see if I could last the full 90 minutes for once. The teams took to the pitch, accompanied by the dulcet tones of our very own Hamish U-bend on the loudspeaker providing encouragement, but more often abuse, for the lads lining up to start the game.

St Andrews dominated from the off. Pouring rain turned into lashing hail, as the two teams struggled against each other, and the elements. Joules proved dangerous as ever (and dangerously late to the match – as ever); after a mazy run, his shot was only just saved by Dundee’s ‘keeper and pushed into my path for me to, almost apologetically, fumble the ball over the line. 1-0 to the home side.

Dundee soon struck back, however, and in controversial circumstances. A rare counter-attack for the visiting side, aided by a suspected kick of the ball, saw them sweep the ball over the line with St Andrews still waiting for the whistle.  Half-time came around, with the scores level at 1-1.

The teams returned to action, with a line-up reshuffle masterminded by captain Goose. This soon paid dividends, as makeshift striker Steers steered the ball into the net to put the Saints ahead.

St Andrews stayed firm in defence, with the reliable Hamish Blumpkin in nets doing a fine job when called upon. St Andrews would not simply sit back and defend, however. They continued to pose a threat going forwards, and managed to extend their lead through Pugsley’s impressive long-distance drive.

The game became rather flat as it neared its end, with the pub already in sight for St Andrews’ men. The final whistle was met with jubilation as St Andrews extravagantly celebrated its first league win since 2011, and its first home league win since 2010.