HOCKEY Nick Speight Shield
Despite the recent form of the 1st XI, the Old Boys dominated the early play squandering several one-on-one attacks for want of supporting players, then it was all College, playing lovely short and long passing hockey. After a good period of pressure, they converted a PC with a beautifully worked move to lead 1–nil.
A period of very good attacking and defensive hockey by both teams created and thwarted lots of promising chances, with both Will Hurst and College keeper Louis Beckert making outstanding saves. In the end, it was the Old Boys that were the more ruthless finishers with three well-taken first half goals to Benji Andrews (after a lovely pass from Martyn Roe), Andrew Curtis (supported by Sam Mark), and Sam Mark off the reverse stick. It was obvious from the half-time talks that the College team were annoyed with themselves to be behind, and captain Llewey Heale left no doubt that he expected a huge effort in the next 35 minutes in his last match for College.
College certainly upped the pace and passes were trapped much more cleanly despite the looming pressure of the taller, more physical, Old Boy marking. After 15 minutes, a killer through-ball from Will Duston to Nick Lidstone set up a slick series of passes, before Henry Phelps scored the best goal of the match. This was followed 10 minutes later by a stroke converted by Nick Lidstone, after a shot at goal hit Kieren Roe in the chest. At this point, a betting man would have thought the fitter College XI would score another couple of goals, but again, Will Hurst in goal made miraculous saves. With three minutes to go another great long ball found Benji Andrews in
space and he deftly beat the last defender to blast a reverse stick shot through a disappointed Louis Beckert’s pads. College remained calm though and had all the play, and several good shots at goal, culminating in a PC with one minute to go. This was another brilliantly worked variation leaving a point-blank shot, but Will made the most important and impressive save of the match, denying College a deserved draw to finish 4–3. In the presentation following, GJW congratulated the College XI on their skilful, positive play, and reminded them that of the 16 Old Boys playing, only one – Humphrey Tapper – has ever won the Rankin Cup. It is something that the College XI this year will always
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Christ’s College Canterbury
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