Season opener!

The return of the hockey season saw Bourne Deeping 1st XI travel south to face Letchworth, recently relegated from East Premier A, on the opening match day. The game started at high speed despite the equally high temperatures and Letchworth took the lead from an early short corner, drag-flicking successfully.
The rest of the first half was dominated by the two teams’ reactions to contentious umpiring decisions, but Bourne Deeping grew into the game and found some joy down the left hand side through Simon Shorter and Will Cook.
Despite winning a number of short corners, this good play didn’t result in a goal and Letchworth soon made their opponents pay for their wastefulness, sweeping home from eight yards out after a quick counter-attack down their right hand side to make it 2-0. The half finished with more Letchworth pressure but Bourne Deeping held out to make it to half-time still with a chance in the game.
The pace of the game showed no early signs of slowing down as the second half began, and Bourne Deeping continued to threaten despite losing four men to yellow and green cards during the half. Despite the numerical disadvantage, the visitors struck next, Will Cook tapping in at the back post after good work down the right from Rafa Parker-Humby.
This spurred Letchworth back into action and they responded soon after, using a well-executed short corner routine to deflect in at the right-hand post.
Chasing the game, Bourne Deeping pushed forward and committed men to attack but could not break through and a late goal on the counter-attack sealed a 4-1 victory for the home side. Two late goals may have flattered Letchworth but they worthy winners and Bourne Deeping must now move on and prepare for their first double header of the season next weekend.