Despite an epic second half come-back by the Harps, the Celts finished as they had started to take victory on a scorline of [12] 1-9 to [7] 0-7 last Thursday in the Vancouver Ladies League newly Merged Format.
The Celts dominated the first half and it looked over at the break when leading 0-7 to no score but from somewhere special, the Harps called on ample reserves of doggedness to fight their way back in an enthralling contest. In the second half, the Harps pulled up their socks and started to reel in their opponents with six unanswered scores putting them within a single point of Harps.
Epitomizing their renewed vigor was local girl Jenny Cheng who’s influence and reading of the game frustrated the opposition midfield, time and time again. But that was as close as they got however, as the Celts re-grouped and finished the game the stronger. Angela Oldknow goaled, after a crisp one-two move with Lorraine McCann, to make it safe in the dying moments of the game. The final scoreline does not reflect the game, as the Celts held on to claim a first win in the Merged Format and deny the Harps a losing bonus point. A confident JP Ryans will be looking to topple the Celts next Thursday, June 28 @ 6:30pm at Stanley Park.

The Edmonton Wofle Tones who won Round 2 of this year's Western Canada Alberta Cup pictured at the tournament in Edmonton over the weekend. (Photo by Paul Kane).
- In Round 2 of the Alberta Cup at Edmonton, host’s Wolfe Tones secured their second win and look in pole position to take this year’s Cup. In the Ladies competition Forth McMurray continue to turn heads in their rookie year.
St. Alberta RFC was the venue this week-end of a very successful and action packed installment of the Alberta Cup. Teams from Calgary, Red Deer/Lethbridge and Fort McMurray joined their hosts, the Edmonton Wolfe Tones, as Round 2 of the competition was contested under big blue prairie skies in the Albertan Capital.
In the Mens’ competition the Edmonton Wolfe Tones maintained their grip on the title, with 3 wins from 3 to maintain their 100 % record in 2012. Their chief opposition will likely be the Calgary Chieftains who won 2 and lost 1. Red Bridge (the combined team representing the cities of Red Deer & Lethbridge) made their 2012 bow as they were unable to travel to Fort McMurray earlier this month. While they struggled against Calgary and Edmonton, a hotly contested match with the Shamrocks of Fort McMurray finished with each team taking a share of the spoils.
The Ladies of Fort McMurray have enjoyed a much more successful start to their first Alberta Cup than their male counterparts. They continued their impressive form against Edmonton, and then beat the Calgary Chieftainettes in their first ever competitive encounter. So it was 2 and 0 then for Fort McMurray, with a strong contingent from Calgary enjoying victory over Edmonton to close out the ladies second round schedule.

Forth McMurray Ladies, an all Canadian side, claimed their second Alberta Cup victory at Edmonton in this their very first competitive season. (Photo by Paul Kane).
On Sunday the teams played knock-out for the Edmonton Tournament Cup. The Christy Whelehan Cup (Men’s) stayed in Edmonton with the Wolfe Tones convincing victory in the final against the Calgary Chieftains. In the Ladies competition the Fort McMurray Ladies continued their winning ways with their second tournament win on an already historical first competitive season for the new club. MVP Men: Justin Nally of Calgary Chieftains – MVP Ladies: Shauna Mellon of Fort McMurray Shamrocks.
(Reports by Ronan Deane).
NOTE: No Podcast with this report.
Podcasts from London and Europe today Tuesday June 26, 2012.