McNificent moments galore in Glasgow
The winter season of Business Fives kicked off in Scotland in McNificent fashion with the support of season sponsors McEwan’s.
Using #McNificent players signed out their favourite moments from the action which eventually went to David Stevenson from Scot JCB for his shirt over the head celebration after scoring the solitary Scot JCB goal in a heavy defeat to Thomson Gray.
Mears Group successfully defended their 2018 Glasgow winter title to take home the silverware along with the prizes of beer and added a few more trophies to their cabinet as well. They scooped the Top Fundraiser award by raising £630 for their long standing charity partner the St Andrews Hospice. Mears marksman Donnie McDonald lifted the top goal scorer award while Dean Wilson was singled out by Rangers Cup winner, Derek Ferguson for his Man of the Match performance in the final.
Derek and Craig Beattie were on hand to hand out the winning trophies, and beers, to the teams after their post match Q & A session were they shared stories from their trophy laden careers.
The ladies player of the tournament went to Emma Porteous from 2i Testing who narrowly missed out on the top fundraiser awards raising over £478.75 for JDRF with their combined ongoing fundraising total edging close to £2,000 for the charity, McNificent effort.
There was 14 teams battling it out for 5 places at the national final which takes place in Glasgow on Wednesday 1st April. With the tournament split into two sections, the Champions League semi finalists will join the Europa League section winners at the National Final.
The Champions League quarter final line up was made up of sponsors McEwan’s, 2i Testing, HRC Recruitment, Thomson Gray, Mears Group, Scot JCB, Sure Thing and Ideagen.
It was the teams from HRC Recruitment, Thomson Gray, Mears and Scot JCB who made their way to the semis and secured their passage to the national final in the process.
The final between defending champions Mears Group and Scot JCB was a tight affair with both keepers making a string of stellar saves as the match drew level at 3-3. Step-up top goal scorer Donnie McDonald who found the net with the last kick of the match to seal a hard fought 4-3 win for Mears, another McNificent Moment.
In the Europa League section Siemens, William Duncan & Co, Aspen Solutions and GAP Group completed the semi final line up.
It was the William Duncan team who held their nerve to overcome Aspen Solutions 2-1 in the final and book their place in April.
The action continues in Scotland after the Christmas break in February with events in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Tayside, Aberdeen and Forth Valley before the national final.
