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Photos: Philip Mourdjis
Derwent 1sts eased to victory over a spirited Alcuin 1sts this morning on the JLD to be crowned College Hockey Cup Champions 2013.
They put in an impressive performance, never looking back after running up a 5-0 lead in the first half.
Alcuin fought back, but never reduced the deficit, Derwent maintaining a lead of at least three goals throughout the second period, and ending 9-4 victors.
It was a strong start for Derwent, who opened the scoring within two minutes. Alcuin had been encamped in their own D and, after a free hit given when the ball hit an Alcuin foot, Matthew Leech was set up to smash the ball in off the post at the back of the D.
Alcuin had a couple of attempts disallowed for being outside of the D, and settled in the game, although Derwent remained in the ascendancy in terms of possession and territory.
After 12 minutes they doubled their lead. Linny Simpson’s cross would have been tapped into the goal by Phil Hammick, but Robin Willows of Alcuin turned it into his own goal instead as he attempted to prevent Derwent from scoring.
It was almost three moments later, but Jack Bradshaw’s good work came to nothing as the ball hit his foot shortly before he placed it into the goal.
But three goals in three minutes near the end of the half put Derwent well and truly in control. The first was another own goal, Chris Daniel’s powerful cross ricocheting of an Alcuin stick and into the net.
Bradshaw then created a great individual goal of his own, this time making no mistake after beating two challenges. The fifth was turned in by Sam Richardsom after some good play by James Ramm to set it up.
Alcuin were reeling, and hadn’t really had any substantive play to speak of. They did pull one back on the stroke of half time, though, Dave Washington hitting a shot from just inside the crowded D which missed everybody and found its way into the goal.
Despite that, half time couldn’t come soon enough for the beleaguered Alcuin who, despite their best efforts, couldn’t come to terms with the strong Derwent outfit. The second half saw them match Derwent for long periods, but they never really challenged Derwent’s imposing lead.
It took only two minutes for Derwent to score in the second half, Richardson scoring a stunning individual goal. Still, Alcuin got one back two minutes later as a smash across the D took a deflection and found its way into the goal.
Alcuin then got another to make it 6-3, giving them momentary hope of a legendary comeback. Willows hit a powerful ball into the D which found Alex Wilson loitering on the line, and he made no mistake in tapping the ball into the goal.
But the fast paced start to the first half was brought to end by Derwent as they re-established a four goal lead, seven minutes into the second period. It was Bradshaw again who was the scorer, firing in off the post.
The rapid start to the half now settled, Derwent remaining the stronger side but Alcuin causing a few more problems for their opponents than they had earlier in the match. Alcuin had to wait until four minutes from time for their next goal, a Willows shot finding the net off a Derwent stick.
But the men and women in blue finished the match off in style with two late goals, rounding off their College Cup victory. The first saw Bradshaw convert from close range after Richardson’s effort had smashed against the post.
Then in the final minutes, Derwent’s two third years playing their final game for the college connected to make it 9-4. Hammick’s buccaneering run up the left hand side allowing him to set up Ramm for the easy finish.
Alcuin had been the only side to remain undefeated in the Cup up to this point, but Derwent were more than worthy champions after a dominant performance
Meanwhile James 2nds lifted the plate by beating Goodricke 1sts 2-1 in a closely fought encounter, but there was some joy for Goodricke, as their 3rd team completed a memorable campaign by defeating Halifax 2nds 5-3 in a dramatic vase final.