The men's 1sts got their national 1 campaign off to a wet and hard fought start with a 3-3 draw against visitors Edinburgh university in the early pushback at Countesswells.

The students proved to be a stumbling block for the Pelicans last season and the hosts were out for revenge, starting well and taking the lead through Ian Coffey, who did his international squad chances no harm (see Scottish hockey match preview article, #callupforcoo), by eluding tight defensive pressure with a fluent rolling turn and finish at the beachend (sand) into the bottom corner leaving the opposing keeper no chance.

The visitors responded strongly and their usual tireless effort was rewarded with a well placed flick from a short corner and a deflected effort surging them into a 2-1 lead, a lead they would hold going into the half time break.

The second half provided plenty of drama if not the prettiest hockey to have ever graced the hallowed green turf.

The scores were levelled early in the period by striker Michael McKay who was in the right place to react quickest with a close range rebounded effort following a good attacking move.

Trips, slips and plenty of wayward passes ensued as the harsh conditions began to take a toll on both sides.

Andrew Webb came close with a well worked short corner routine crashing off the inside of the post before the students again took the lead with some sloppy marking allowing a close range strike to thwart Tom o'kelly between the sticks.

Despite that setback the lads showed real character and began to show some attacking flair with several signature marauding runs from Adam walker spurring the side on and eventually parity was restored.

A hopeful pass into the crowded visitors D resulted with a looping effort off the stick of Will Serle. Time stood still as the ball rebounded back off the crossbar and with the beleaguered uni defence watching on, the young forward followed up his initial attempt with a good first time finish, drawing cheers from the hearty souls under the scattered umbrellas in attendance.

Uni almost stole the 3 points late on with a set piece flick taking a chunk out of the crossbar before a penalty stroke was awarded a few minutes later after some commendable but tired home defending. Thankfully the ensuing flick was high, wide and not at all handsome and the game rightfully ended with the spoils shared between 2 sides who will be vying for the top half of the table this season.

Special mention to summer transfers Robbie Shepherdson and Rory McCann Who made their national league debuts in the famous yellow jersey and did the shirt proud with two strong performances.

A good result and a really hard working team performance to take into next weekends double header, kicking off on Saturday with the visit of the ever formidable Kelburne to a hopefully sunny and soldout pelican park.