Fighting Magpies sneak past Arrows in thriller

Montrose Magpies - 810* vs Appleby Arrows - 590

	Magpies	Arrows
Keeper	Wintringham	Delaney
Chasers	Keitch (C)	Fladbury (C)
	MacLean	Cauldwell
	McTavish	Croaker
Beaters	Moriattis	Flitley
	Ollerton	Belcher
Seeker	Abberley	Sapworthy

The Appleby Arrows are tailoring their form at the exact right time of the season. Up to third on the ladder now, the Arrows have well and truly left the disappointment of 2011 behind. But such has been the dominance of the Montrose Magpies in 2012 that few gave Appleby any chance of pushing the competition leaders.

Arrows manager Maeve Halcyeone wisely concluded that Cameron Applebee’s indifferent form would not be adequate against the Magpies, but rather than relying on the proven and experience Severus McCliver, Halcyeone surprised by handing Cuthbert Croaker his first start of the season.

The Magpies’ only changes saw their three older marquee players rested from last week’s clash against the Cannons returning duly to the seven.

The week off clearly hadn’t done them any harm, as Fingal McTavish opened the scoring and Royden Keitch expertly repelled early Arrows offenses. But it was those who hadn’t been rested who were showing signs of fatigue. Beater Zachariah Ollerton’s aim was not quite as true as can usually be expected, while Euan Wintringham was powerless in goal when Appleby’s enterprising Chasers came along.

Montrose were only slightly off their dominating best, but when the Arrows are on form they only need a tiny look-in. Legendary captain Violetta Fladbury proved once again to all her doubters that there is still brilliance left in those old legs, spearheading the Arrows’ charge.

Appleby shot to an early lead and with Ragmar Flitley and Gifford Belcher providing their usual impenetrable Beater fortress, the Magpies found themselves on the back foot.

For the first two hours the Arrows continued to streak away, shocking everyone, not least of all the League Cup leaders themselves.

Mulciber Moriattis would be the saviour for Montrose. As the fast fatiguing Fladbury began to fade, Moriattis pounced, striking down the isolated goal-machine Katherine Cauldwell.

The Arrrows’ Beaters remained rock solid, keeping Montrose’s progress slow and tedious, but with the rusty Croaker as their only fighting fit Chaser remaining, Arrows goals dried up.

Farquhar MacLean led the way for the Magpies, slowly but surely closing the gap with some at times astonishing tactical improvisation. Finally after nearly five hours, the Magpies hit the front for the first time. But the match remained there for the taking when both Seekers began closing on the snich.

Arrows Seeker Millie Sapworthy saw it first, but this year nobody can counter the blinding speed and manoeuvrability of Alison Abberley, who cut under Sapworthy to snap up the turning snitch and secure a tight and scrappy win for her team.

It was a close run thing, but the Magpies’ undefeated record remains intact. However the Arrows must be considered every bit a genuine premiership chance.

Montrose Magpies - 810: MacLean 29, McTavish 21, Keitch 16, Abberley Capture

Appleby Arrows - 590: Cauldwell 33, Fladbury 15, Croaker 11

PLAYER OF THE MATCH: MULCIBER MORIATTIS (MAGPIES)