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Photos: Tom Wooldridge
A Greg MacDonald-inspired Derwent 1sts claimed third place in the College Hockey Cup after dismantling a below-par James.
After losing narrowly yesterday to a strong Halifax 1sts, Derwent were the favourites going into today’s clash and they didn’t disappoint, as the impressive MacDonald hit five goals.
Today’s result demonstrates just how far Derwent have come in college hockey terms over the last few months, as last term’s league winners were made to look ordinary.
Events were set in motion within the first minute. Simon Varley made a wonderful tackle in midfield and sprayed a pass to MacDonald, who subsequently barged his way through the James defence to stroke home.
James were immediately required to come out and play on the front foot, while Derwent successfully held off their opponents and hit them on the counter-attack.
Kathy Cox was James’ best player in the first half thanks to her midfield energy and eye for a pass. But Derwent were remained extremely solid defensively.
James almost grabbed an equaliser but Jack Bradshaw made a sensational tackle to deny David Gopinath a yard out.
Straight afterwards, Derwent doubled their lead in sucker-punch fashion.
Bradshaw took a corner to himself and weaved his way through the James defence before knocking the ball in.
From this point on, James lost whatever foothold they had in the game as Derwent poured forward in search of more goals.
Greg MacDonald bagged his second when a James attack involving Declan Hall and Gopinath broke down, before Will Harndon’s brilliant, long raking pass was tapped in by Bradshaw.
Much to everyone’s surprise, James were granted a lifeline with seconds remaining of the first half.
Gopinath found himself in acres of space on the right wing and his neat cross to Hall was thwacked home with aplomb, as the score at the interval read 4-1.
However, the goal probably came at the wrong time for James, who were unable to carry the momentum through into the second half.
MacDonald quickly restored the four-goal cushion with a simple finish after Varley’s initial pass was deflected off Kathy Cox.
James netted their second, and final, goal through Brownwell after being found with a perfect Gopinath switch.
As the game drifted towards a predictable conclusion, the lively Varley hit the post twice in as many minutes for Derwent, but on the second occasion MacDonald was on hand to pounce and make it 6-2.
MacDonald scored his fifth in the final moments to conclude a good day’s work, as well as the college hockey season.
Derwent skipper Nicky Johnston beamed: “We can claim that we are the second best college after Halifax.”
James captain Gareth Purvis was gracious in defeat: “James’ ethos is to play for fun. But congratulations to Derwent.”
Vision MOTM: Greg MacDonald