St IVES HC MEN 1 Vs BOURNE DEEPING HC MEN’S 1ST XI

The game started positively for the visiting side who were keen to better the result from the previous week with some nice interplay between the midfield and the forwards. It didn’t take long before their efforts were rewarded with a string of penalty corners. The dragons were able to capitalise and take the lead through one of these with Ben Slack finding the back of the net. Soon after the goal the dragons were able to keep on the pressure and soon found the ball back in the opposition D and with the keeper beaten a stretching Alex Glover was unable to direct the ball into the open goal. Some nifty footwork from defender Andy Briault prevented a breakaway effort from the home side and was there to clear the ball off the line from the resulting penalty corner. The Dragon’s were able to hold onto the lead going into half time and remained upbeat that they could finish the job and take all 3 points

Half Time: St Ives 0 – 1 BDHC

As soon as the second half whistle blew the ball found its way to Andy Kind who was allowed to drive his way into the opposing D. Then unselfishly sliding the ball to Ben Slack for him to bag his 2nd of the game with less than 30 seconds on the clock expired. 0-2 to the Dragons. Unfortunately for the visitors they were unable to hold on to the lead after a well taken penalty corner was able to beat keeper Page. Still remaining positive the visitors continued to probe and test the home defence but a breakaway allowed a saints player into the D who then went on to score. 2-2. The dragons after being 2 goals up were not going to admit they had thrown away anther opportunity to take the points, keeping the pressure on more penalty corners were awarded to the away side. A deflected effort from Phil Arnold saw Ben Slack with the ball once again who was able to bag his hat-trick from a very narrow angle. 2-3 to the dragons with very few minutes left on the clock. With the clock running down all the impetus was with the home side, piling on the pressure they were awarded more penalty corners. Another drag flick was dealt with by Page but then after another corner the home side were able to find the equaliser. 3-3. There was only just enough time to restart the game and the honours were shared at the final whistle.

Final score St Ives 3 – 3 BDHC

It was a well earned draw this week with everybody playing great hockey and giving everything to the game. The draw and other results saw the dragons claw their way back up a place in the Div. 1 ladder and now sit 7th, still only 7 points off a promotion place.

The silver wand for man of the match was awarded to Jimmy Dodworth as he had stood out the most doing a great job up front.

The wand of the week went to captain Page for a string of misdemeanours and because nobody else did anything of note so it was a case of pick on the captain .

Next week the Dragons welcome league strugglers Upminster to the Arthur Mellows ground, 12:30 start.