Harry Potter mania reached Sandwick on Saturday when the Shetland Dragons played a three team competition between the Norwegian Ridgebacks, the Hungarian Horntails and the Chinese Fireballs.
In the first game the Horntails dominated the opening period with their pace and movement, however they were unable to get a clear chance on goal due to some solid defending by Christopher Storey. The effort slowed the Horntails and as the half came to an end Kieran Smith was able to break from defence and out pace the defenders down the left wing scoring just as the whistle blew.
The second half started in the same manner with several good breaks by Joe O'Connor for the Horntails but it fell to Magnus Laurenson to bring them level with a powerful slapshot from about 10 metres. The Ridgebacks managed more sustained pressure towards the end of the second half and the winning goal came when Kieran Smith took the ball behind the goal and sent a pass across the crease to Ruairidh Mackenzie who calmly slotted the ball under Steven Stoves stick. The final score was Ridgebacks 2, Horntails 1.
The second game features the Ridgebacks and the Fireballs. In the opening period the Ridgeback defence was able to dominate the middle of the rink allowing Ruairidh Mackenzie and Kieran Smith to develop a number of good attacking moves whilst keeping the Fireballs pinned in their own end. Antony Okill was undeterred however, and scored the opening goal for the Fireballs with a rocket from the halfway line. The second half continued in the same vein with the Fireballs unable to develop a concerted attack, but due to some stout defending by Donovan Yanni and Amy Harper it looked as if they would come out winners. This was undone by a classic if scrappy hockey goal. Ruairidh Mackenzie fired a shot into the goal mouth where Kieran smith and Andy Harper were jockeying for position, the ball deflected off Kieran and left Jonathan Sandilands no chance in the Fireballs net. Final score Ridgebacks 1, Fireballs 1.
The final game between the Horntails and the Fireballs was a fast and furious encounter. James Nicolson and Magnus Johnson supplying quality passes to the Horntails attack. The Fireballs countered with some robust defending, once more Donovan Yanni showing his bravery by blocking several shots. Antony Okill and Andy Harper were starting to link well for the Fireballs unfortunately it was a loose ball from one of their attacks which allowed Magnus Laurenson to break out of his own half and score a fine goal. The second half was dominated by the defence with some outstanding goalkeeping from both Steven Stove and Jonathan Sandilands. The final score was Horntails 1, Fireballs 0.
The competition was won by the Ridgebacks with 1 win, 1 draw, Second were the Horntails with 1 win, 1 loss and third the Fireballs with 1 draw, 1 loss. The next game will be at the Clickimin Centre on Saturday 1st December at 12:00