In the Premiership, Bacchas A held on through a tense second-half fightback from Harlequins to keep their unbeaten run alive, while Vikings A put on a clinical display to sweep past Valkyrs B. Over in the lunchtime division 2 fixture, Castletown Cosney and Ramsey Ravens battled out a tight, hard-fought draw.
Ramsey Crookall Cronkbourne Bacchas Mixed A continued their unbeaten league run with a hard-fought 4–3 victory over Harlequins Mixed A in an entertaining end-to-end encounter.
Bacchas made a flying start, playing composed, disciplined hockey and taking control of the game from the outset. Their positive approach paid off as they raced into a 3–0 lead by half-time, putting themselves in a commanding position.
Zeta Group Harlequins came out fighting after the break, but Bacchas initially maintained their momentum, extending their advantage to 4–0. Elliot Reid led the scoring with an impressive brace, while Andy Whiting and Tom Lothian also found the back of the net.
However, Harlequins refused to give up. Macey Crellin got them on the scoresheet before Alfie Swales struck twice to complete the comeback threat. Some slick passing hockey helped Harlequins build momentum, with their late push bringing the score back to 4–3 and setting up a tense final ten minutes.
With the pressure mounting, Bacchas showed resilience and determination, regaining their composure to manage the closing stages and see out the victory.
The final whistle confirmed a 4–3 win and another valuable three points for Bacchas, who maintain their unbeaten league record so far to top the Premiership.
PoTM – Tom Lothian (Bacchas A) and Alfie Swales (Harlequins A)
The mid-afternoon fixture at QE2 was sunny but breezy. Vikings A won the toss and chose to take the sun on their back and wind advantage in the first half.
The strategy was a simple one for Vikings A, let’s play hard from the off and not wait half a game to get into it. This seemed to land well with the team, and Vikings, sponsored by Canaccord Wealth and Appleby, took control whilst Valkyrs B were trying to settle into the game. Within 10 minutes Dom Hubble had put 2 in the back of the net and Molly Wheeler a third. A short-corner for Vikings came not long after and Tom Evans stepped up and converted. Haldane Fisher Valkyrs B tightened their formation and made it a lot more difficult for Vikings to attack, taking the score at half time to 4-0.
The second half was well played hockey from both teams, this may have been due to both teams tiring and realising the ball needed to do the work. All players linked up well and the Vikings forward Dom went on the hunt again, a well worked solo effort created the fifth goal. As the full time whistle got ever closer, Vikings managed to maintain form and with in the last ten minutes, Nathan Evans and yet again Dom converted another one a piece, finishing the game as 7-0 to Vikings.
PoTM – Dominic Hubble (Vikings A) and Amy Speed (Valkyrs B)
Qualtroughs Castletown Cosney made the long trip north to face ATLA RDA Ramsey Ravens on a sunny but blustery Saturday for the lunchtime push back. Ravens have had the better start to the season putting together some good results, Cosney have had good performances but the results haven’t gone their way.
Ravens came out of the gates quickly with early pressure on the Cosney goal which continued for much of the half resulting in a number of short corners that just didn’t find the backboard. Cosney still had their time and made some good breakaways but a strong performance by Ravens’ Flo Bailey at the back broke down the Castletown attack whilst also making good distribution. Half time came around with the sides locked at 0-0.
Second half started with a much more even game with Cosney finally finding their rhythm. A break down the left allowed Barnaby Phythian to pick up a cross and find the back of the net for his first goal of the season, making it 1-0 to Cosney.
Ravens having had the upper hand for the majority went up another gear and the short corner barrage continued however a solid performance from Ryan Cadamy like being a deciding factor in keeping then score down. A Ravens goal followed shortly after coming from some strong pressure down the left finding Gwyn Davies in the D to battle at short range to round the keeper.
A strong half of hockey with both sides pressing to find the moment to make the difference, unfortunately neither side could break the deadlock with the game finishing 1-1.
Ravens would feel they should have taken more from the game with Cosney taking a lot of learning from a tough opposition
PoTM – Ryan Cadamy (Castletown Cosney) and Flo Bailey (Ramsey Ravens)
Thank you to the captains for submitting their match reports.
Photos – Paul Hatton Photography
