Masters Match Reports
Henley Masters 3-2 Northampton Saints Masters
Goals: Max Darby, Dave Wennington
Saints travelled to the current holders of the trophy in what was a rematch of last years semi-final in which the Saints lost 6-1. Saints started sluggishly and were punished twice in the first 20 minutes by the excellent forward interplay of Henley. Saints slowly started to get into the match and with the forward line of Darby, Brown & Ellis started to create chances of their own. Despite a concerted period of pressure in the last 10 minutes of the first half in which Saints went close on a number of occaisions half time arrived with Henley 2 goals to the good. The second half became a really open affair with Saints on the one hand indebted to Pete Adey in goal who thwarted numerous attempts by Henley and on the other creating some excellent chances of their own.
A superb free flowing passing move 10 minutes into the second resulted in Max Darby reducing the arrerars. Still the game continued to ebb and flow, a glorious chance came to Ian “Macca” Mcilwane who was unable to convert – then with 15 minutes to go Saints drew level – again a great move by Askew & Ellis presented a great chance to Dave Wennington who coolly slotted home. At this stage despite Henleys glut of chances and the brilliance of Pete “the wall” Adey – Saints looked the more likely to force the result. But with just 5 minutes left a short corner to Henley, multiple stops by “the wall” shot stopped on the line by Steve Morrises thumb – stroke which was coolly converted by the Henley forward. Saints threw on all of their flair players to try and salvage a late equaliser but it was to no avail. A great game of hockey in which Saints pushed the existing holders Henley all the way. Henley Masters are an extremely strong Masters side made up of 5 local clubs and will take some stopping from retaining their trophy
Side: Pete Adey (gk), Jim Phipps, Guy Roberts, Mike Darbyshire, Tim Daverson, Steve Morris, Jason Hillier, Ian Mcilwane, Dave Wennington, James Askew, Nigel Downs, Trevor Fidler, Max Darby, Pete Ellis, John Brown, Paul Denton
MOTM: Pete Adey – outstanding game
Whites 4-1 Blacks (Finally Inter club Mixed Masters)
A combined 26 masters from the mens & ladies sections fought a close fought battle with much good hockey interspersed by some moments of pure humour (Trev). The superior fire power of the whites ensured that the margin of victory appeared somewhat greater than the actual match merited – allowing Jez Deekes to catch a bad case of jug avoidance. Hopefully this will be the start of a regular inter club match and will attract even more interest in the future.
Great game – enjoyed by all !!