Ladies end Indoor season in style.

Another tough National league indoor season ended with a sucessful   title defence after a Grand Final win against big rivals Grove Menzieshill, 

Less than a minute into the final and Wanderers took the lead when Emily Dark slammed home a penalty corner to make it 1-0.

Despite shipping the early goal it was Grove Menzieshill who started the game strongly, playing a neat blend of hockey in the heat of the derby. They equalised in the fourth minute when Pauline Stott found the net to finish off an intense opening five minutes.

Wanderers struck back almost immediately when Amy Snelle finished off a penalty corner to make it 2-1. A minute later and Grove Menzieshill equalised, this time Katie Robertson found the net from a penalty corner routine.

In the second half Wanderers found their groove and Vikki Bunce repeatedly attacked the Grove Menzieshill rear-guard on long mazy runs. Wanderers took the lead again through Julie Bryce to make it 3-2. Snelle then had a goal chopped off for Wanderers. Ten minutes later and the influential Bunce finally put daylight between the two when she netted a penalty corner to make it 4-2, and it was Wanderers who were crowned indoor champions once again.

Wanderers Ladies were soon off to Lithuania to once again test their skills against some of the best teams Europe has to offer, with 6 matches to decide the 2 promotion spots, Wanderers Ladies got off to the best possible start with a great 4-2 win against our English counterparts, East Grinstead,with Emily Dark, Amy Snelle, Vikki Bunce and Charlotte Watson getting on the score sheet. a 2nd win of the day would follow with a 5-2 victory against French side Lille, with goals from Vikki Bunce, Ruth Blaikie and anEmily Dark hatrick.

The second day would prove more demanding with a hard fought 1-1 draw against host side and pre tournament favourites Gintra Strekte Uni, with Julie Bryce getting the Wanderers goal, next up came the Irish ladies from Ards, expectations of a high scoring victory were soon put to rest with a very tough game  with only a last second PC from Vikki Bunce the decisive stike, easing all the nerves from the fans in the stand and all those following back home in Scotland.

The final day brought thoughts of promotion to the main Cup competition, especially after the first game of the final day against Swedish champions Partille SC with a commanding 4-1 victory with  three goals from Vikki Bunce  and one from Emily Dark.

The final game of the day was against the table topping Ukranian side from Sumchanka, knowing a win or draw would gain Wanderers promotion and the game  proved  the toughest of the tournament. After a hard weekend physically and emotionally, the Ukranians proved too strong for Wanderers girls coming away convincing 5-1 winners with Ruth Blaikie getting the consolation goal for Wanderers. This result and others in the group left Wanderers Ladies with a nervous couple of hours to watch the last 2 matches in the hope results would go their way, and for once the luck was on their side as East Grinstead drew their final match and hosts Gintra Strekte Uni lost in the final gameof the tournament to the strong Ukranians,/ These results meant that Dundee Wanderers Ladies won the Silver Medal and gained promotion to the Eurohockey Champions Club Cup in 2018. To add to the celebrations Wanderers GK Carmin Dow won the Goalkeeper of the Tournament trophy.

 

Wanderers Mens 1's back where they belong.

 

After going through the season undefeated Wanderers Mens 1's came to  the Grand Final for a "grudge match" against rivals Grove Menzieshill 2's. 

Grove Menzieshill 2s opened the scoring through Jamie Golden in the fourth minute, which was followed up by a Wanderers equaliser by Fergus Sandison. Grove Menzieshill took the lead again on 13 minutes when Ciaran Crawford finished from open play. However this lasted just a minute when Bobby Ralph equalised, and the score remained 2-2 until half time.

Wanderers took the lead for the first time when Ross Glashan scored to make it 3-2.

The majority of pressure in the second half came from Grove Menzieshill and they finally made their pressure count when they equalised through Oliver James. It looked like it was going to penalties until Wanderers snatched it in the closing stages with a stunning solo effort from Fergus Sandison, Grove Menzieshill 2s struck the crossbar right at the death but Wanderers were able to hold on to claim the win, and earn promotion.

 

FT – Grove Menzieshill 2s 3-4 Dundee Wanderers

Wanderers Mens 2's win National Div 3 title.

Wanderers Mens 2's finished off a fantastic Indoor season for the club with promotion from National Div 3, finishing the season with only one loss from 14 games and scoring 103 goals in the process . They will now take their rightful place in  Nat Div 2, to which they gained promotion last season.However they were unable to take their place in the division due to the relegation of the Mens 1's.Another fantastic chjevement highlighting the club's strength at the indoor code.