James reinstated their intent of winning the college hockey league on the JLD this weekend with a comfortable 3-0 win over bitter rivals Halifax, for whom the latest defeat pretty much signals the end of their challenge for the title.
The opening 10 minutes was a cagey affair, with end to end hockey resulting in both teams running at the opposition defence, although neither side was playing with any real conviction. However James, who had 6 substitutes, were able to make some key changes, and Ladina finished beautifully after the ball had been driven down the right flank by Declan Hall and Dave Gopinath.
This spurred Halifax into life and they looked sharper on the attack, with Alex Francis’ pace and skill providing his side’s main threat. However, the James defence commanded by the impenetrable Emily Arter held firm, and James would have added to their lead but for the fantastic defensive work of Hermione Warmington, who was also instrumental in distributing the ball to her team’s strikers.
Halifax’s determination in defence was summed up by Sam Mackinnon, who threw himself into many tackles with great energy, until his eagerness got the better of him and he was shown a yellow card. James, sensing an opportunity to capitalise on their numerical superiority, pushed forwards, but Sally Dolton and her defence again held strong until a defensive lapse allowed Chris Butterworth to stroll into the D from a free hit and smash the ball into the far corner of the goal to put James 2-0 up mid way through the second half.
The game was by no means over, with Alex Francis looking almost certain to score as his mazy runs continued to cause the James defence problems, and only several crucial interceptions by captain Poppy Bullard and Arter maintained James’ lead.
The game looked set to end 2-0 until a ball played by Butterworth from deep within his own half found Joss Winter on the edge of the Halifax D, and she made no fuss of putting the ball in the back of the net for a resounding, if somewhat flattering scoreline of 3-0. The win extends James’ unbeaten start to the season, as we reach the mid way point, and strongly suggests that they are the team to beat this year.
Vision MOTM: Alex Francis