TRIUMPHANT TRYST

The local club’s men’s team took the title in a thrilling game with Edinburgh side Gracemount at the Tryst Sport Centre.

The day started with the mini (under 12s) final which actually featured the five best teams this year playing a mini round robin group phase before the top two teams on the day contested the final. Tryst beat Livingston and Troon but were then overpowered by two excellent sides in East Kilbride and Gracemount. These two teams contested the mini final with East Kilbride edging a superb game by seven goals to five.

Finals also followed in various junior and youth matches and Glasgow overpowered Edinburgh in the women’s final before Tryst took to the court against Gracemount.

With both teams keenly contesting league and cup in the last couple of seasons, another tough, close and exciting match was in the offing. Gracemount had the core of their double winning side available, in addition to two new signings. Tryst went with a mixture of youth and experience in their line up.

It was a cagey rather than frantic start to the match. The first half progressed goal for goal with Gracemount generally edging a goal ahead, only for Tryst to equalise. By half-time the match was slowly and steadily building and Gracemount led by 14 goals to 13.

The second period saw Gracemount start the better to add to their one-goal lead and Tryst quickly found themselves three goals down. There was no panic, however, and Tryst started to raise the tempo just a fraction. They pulled back the three goal deficit and it was goal for goal once more and game on.

Tryst’s defence and goalkeeper stepped up a notch and the new town side’s fast breaks also became more prevalent. Gracemount countered with some strong back court shooting and with ten minutes to go it was all to play for. With the clock ticking down Tryst hit a well-timed purple patch. The defence held firm whilst at the same time their attack was now combing fast breaks with structured moves and strong individual performances. Tryst opened up a three-goal lead for the first time in the game and didn’t let go. When Gracemount found the back of the net, Tryst countered with one of their own, never allowing the gap to reduce to one again.

At full time Tryst had won by 33 goals to 29 and were Scottish Cup winners for season 2010-2011.

The team now look towards the climax of the league season where they are competing with Gracemount and Glasgow to be champions.

There is also the Liverpool International Handball Tournament with Tryst the only Scottish representatives going in against teams from England, Spain, France, Germany and Norway.

Tryst teams: Minis – D. Walker, D. Moultrie, A. Thomas, L. Govan, C. Yule, E. Forbes. Men – K. McManus, A. Walker, B. Hunter, G. McCafferty, C. McManus, S. McLaughlan, A. Govan, D. Stirrat, J. McAleer, M. McGuinness, D. Fisher, C. Clarke, M. McLaughlan, J. Yule.