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Photos: Tom Wooldridge
It had been two different routes to the semi-finals for these two talented teams. Derwent racked up the goals in each of their encounters to finish top in their group whereas Halifax had a bumpier route – losing their first match to James but eventually coming second.
Derwent started the game faster and with more urgency than Halifax. Greg McDonald had a fantastic chance at goal, as he streaked through three Halifax players and toward goal. Isaac Barker chased him down and saved his shot at goal with a brilliant dive that just knocked the ball wide of the post.
It was to be indicative of the play in the first half. Derwent were very quick in attack, and played the ball around the Halifax midfield who were slower on the uptake. Nick Finill, who was superb as the last man back, saved many goal attempts with his precisely timed tackles.
Derwent were first to put a mark on the score sheet. Their first shot on goal bounced off the post, before James Ramm seized the rebound and slotted it home. The assembled Derwent masses cheered wildly on the sideline, the grim weather certainly not dampening their spirits.
Soon afterwards they got their second as Greg McDonald neatly finished a perfect square ball across the area.
Halifax were not without their chances, Graeme Osborn’s honed positioning of high forward wasn’t achieving him the success he has been experiencing in this tournament. The well positioned Derwent defence saw off any passes in Osborn’s direction.
The first half did not show Halifax’s full potential, while Derwent had shown strong positioning and teamwork and were definitely the stronger side.
The second half was far more even, Halifax came out with a renewed vigour and made some great runs at goal but so did Derwent.
Their better play in the second half showed in Halifax’s first goal of the match when Isaac Barker scored a cheeky goal through Jack Bradshaw’s legs.
Shortly after, Osborn’s high positioning paid off after he scored from a brilliant pass from birthday boy, James McNeill.
With the score level pegging, both teams stepped up their game. Halifax got their third from the same McNeill-to-Osborn move, this time from a long range through ball. Halifax were in the lead for the first time.
Derwent would not let them hold onto it for long. Greg McDonald proved his status as one of Derwent’s top scorers, his penetrating run up the right wing ended with a sizzling shot at goal that hit a defender’s shot and rebounded in. They had a second chance soon afterwards but Jack Bradshaw’s shot was saved perfectly by Nick Finill.
The clock was ticking down and talk at the side lines had turned to extra time and penalties. Barker received the ball in Halifax’s defensive quarter and stormed up the pitch. Osborn was in his usual position in the D and, receiving Barker’s ball, turned and popped it in.
The score stood at 4-3 and with mere minutes yet, Derwent pulled out all the stops. Sam Geoghegan and Andy Cox on the sideline commented on the general atmosphere on the JLD, that it was “the best sports event ever”.
Derwent had a goal disallowed due to a shot being taken outside the D and they remained on the attack for the rest of the game. Twenty seconds before time ended, McDonald fumbled a pass and missed a goal on the post. It was soon over and an all-Halifax final was the result.
Halifax captain Helen Marston commented: “Derwent were really showing strong positioning and its so good to have such a high quality match from both teams in college hockey”.
Vision MOTM: Nick Finill/Greg McDonald