After a year off, a team of 10 travelled far and wide (from Sheffield and South Africa) to descend upon the seaside resort to represent the club at Helensburgh and Loch Lomond HockeyFling.

Arriving on the Friday night, the team engaged in a networking event to improve inter club relations; this was assisted by gallon jugs of Lemon cider. After the heads started to clear on Saturday morning the hockey began. Games on the Saturday went well with the team going undefeated- 3 wins and 2 draws. A highlight a day being W Black’s mazy juggling run in which the player was fined for showing off…

After the matches, it was time for hair of the dog and a ceilidh was held at Helensburgh Rugby club. With the team dressed to the 9s, dancing took place right into the dark; this being the first ceilidh for several members it took some time to get to grips with the steps. That said there are rumours of a call up to Strictly for S Rennie!

On Sunday, the matches resumed and the team quickly suffered their first taste of defeat by host team BeerHunters. With the Dumfries team winning their second game of the day; it all came down to goal difference for league position so the calculators were out in full force. After all the scores had been checked and externally verified, the team found themselves in the 1 vs 2 final against the Beer Hunters. As is recent Dumfries tradition, the team lost a close final 0-1 to finish second. Although they defeated us in the final and won the title many thanks to Helensburgh and Loch Lomond for hosting us a great weekend was had by all.

The team consisted of J Aitken; W Black; G Engelberecht (who flew in from South Africa especially); returning player J Davidson and his daughter (who carried the team) M Davidson; M Gray; R Johnston; G Marshall; S Marshall and S Rennie. With mummers of both the ‘Dale and ‘Row hosting mixed tournaments the tour times may keep a rolling!