Wednesday the 12th of March saw the return of the Littlejohn and McHue & Porter Tournaments as Universities across Scotland met at St Andrews to battle it out the respective cups. The day turned out to be a great success with a total of 11 teams and 140+ players across the Men’s and Women’s competitions on the day.

In the McHue and Porter, UHI topped the table in the group stage with 7 points after winning 3 games and drawing 1. It was then Strathclyde and Edinburgh who squeezed into joint second place after finishing on 5 points apiece. All 3 teams progressed straight into the semifinals, UHI meeting 4th place and Edinburgh and Strathclyde going head-to-head again to. The first semi saw Edinburgh and Strathclyde battle it out to decide the first finalist. The game finished 0-0 in normal time, with nothing separating the teams it went to extra time. Both teams were giving everything to score the winning goal but both defences were standing strong, sending us to a penalty decider. Strathclyde edged it 3-2 to send them to the final.

Up next was group toppers UHI facing underdogs Glasgow, and UHI wasted no time in inserting their dominance. Abi Ross latched onto a ball at the back post to fire her side into a 1-0 lead on the 2^nd minute. Ross was playing with great freedom up top, and she punished Glasgow again on the 7^th minute after sliding the ball past the Glasgow keeper doubling her and her team’s tally. The game would finish 2-0 to UHI.

This set up an exciting final between two top teams, UHI v Strathclyde. The whistle blew and we were underway. Both teams exchanging blows but ultimately both defences were holding out, chances were limited, and the first half came to an end. The second half followed suit, and it looked like a familiar story again with the game petering out into extra time. Fatigue was becoming evident as chances were few and far between and after a short extra time we were heading for penalties again. Strathclyde showed their penalty class again running out 4-3 winners. A great final which could have gone either way, it was one to remember.

In the Littlejohn, Strathclyde topped the group with an impressive display winning 4 and drawing 1 as they scored 15 and conceded an impressive 1 along the way to gaining 9 points. Glasgow came a close second with 8 points after winning 4 and losing 1 to the table toppers Strathclyde. UHI finished the day with 7 points and Edinburgh with 5 points to close out the group in 3rd and 4th respectively.

We were back into the semi final swing. Up first, 1st placed Strathclyde taking on 3rd placed Edinburgh. Strathclyde continued their dominate form as they ran out 4-0 winners. A brace a piece for hitmen Steven Thomson and Skye Mackintosh were too much for Edinburgh to deal with as Strathclyde progressed to the finals.

Their opposition would be decided by the final semi final of the day, UHI v Glasgow. It was a competitive game throughout, with both forward lines moving the ball around nicely on the then tricky surface. Two late first half goals from UHI put them in a commanding position, with Archie Macrae and Dan Macdonald getting a goal a piece. It was Macrae who ultimately finished the game with a 17^th minute backhand strike to set up the Littlejohn final, Strathclyde v UHI.

The stage was set, UHI v Strathclyde in the decider. The game was end to end, both teams creating chances at will. UHI were edging the tie but could not find a way past an inspired Strathclyde keeper. The game did not let up after this, with both teams still running the defences riot looking for the opener. Strathclyde missing a few chances early in the second came back to haunt them as UHI captain Finaly “Stork” Maclennan gathered the ball just outside the box, his swivel and turn caught Strathclyde by surprise as he proceeded to fire his backhand shot past the keeper on the 17^th minute to take the lead late in the game. Strathclyde tried to respond but UHI held out to win the Littlejohn Trophy for the 2^nd time in a row.

A massive thank you to Martin Cameron and Jamie Patterson for refereeing and a massive congratulations to both teams on their respective wins and to all the teams that attended for making it a day to remember for Student Shinty.