Alcuin soar to summit
Alcuin 1st soared to the top of group 1, with victories over both of the Goodricke sides on Sunday. After overcoming James 1sts 4-3 in a crucial encounter last week, Alcuin continued their excellent start to the tournament, moving three points clear at the top of the group.
Despite the best efforts of Alex McDonald, Goodricke 3rds were unable to prevent Alcuin surging to a 9-5 victory, courtesy of the predatory finishing of Lucinda Cowling, in the opening round of matches of the day.
However they fared better than Goodricke 1sts, who succumbed to a 9-0 defeat against the same opposition, despite some valiant defending by Aidan Pilgrim and Ben Crawley. Goodricke battled wilfully, but were unable to counteract the fluent passing style of an Alcuin side, who were at their very best.
With a host of University players including Robin Willows and Katie Penrose, Alcuin appear to be one of the strongest sides in this year’s competition, but unavailability could yet blight the side, as it has done all season. The 9-0 victory also marked the first time in College Cup hockey history that a side had kept a clean sheet; such is the goal scoring nature of the competition.
Despite the loss Goodricke 1sts still have every chance of finishing in the top two, after winning their opening two games, and will be looking to bounce back next time they take to the pitch. Indeed their 4-3 victory over Derwent 2nds in the day’s early matches was one of the most enthralling contests of the morning.
Derwent though recovered from that loss, by overcoming Halifax 2nds 7-6 in a tight encounter, which leaves them second in the table; however they do have some challenging encounters to come in the forthcoming weeks. Halifax meanwhile have made a disappointing start to the tournament with two narrow losses, but could still influence proceedings over coming weeks.
Finally James 1sts must not be discounted, as they surged to a 14-2 win over a bewildered Langwith 2nds side. Joss Winter led the way with five goals, whilst Chris Butterworth and Declan Hall both bagged hattricks to propel their side to a convincing victory.
‘Fax outfox James
BOTH DERWENT 1sts and Halifax 1sts demonstrated their credentials with multiple victories on Sunday, which propelled them to the upper echelons of the table. Derwent 1sts sit top on goal difference, after scoring 56 goals in only three games, although arguably Halifax have faced more daunting challenges to date.
The highlight of the day was Halifax’s game against James 2nds, two teams tipped to thrive in this year’s competition. In a thrilling contest, in which either team could easily have emerged victorious, Halifax eventually prevailed 4-3. Alex Francis scored twice for Halifax, whilst Danny Williams and James McNeill also impressed, and despite excellent performances from Jambo Talbot and Izi Hutchinson, James were finally consigned to defeat.
The victory was Halifax’s second of the day, as they had earlier hammered Vanbrugh 1sts 16-4, in a game in which Hannah Boyne displayed her goalscoring instincts with numerous deft finishes, whilst Sally Dolton proved to be resolute in defence.
All in all it was a miserable day for Vanbrugh as they were later trounced 19-2 by Derwent 1sts, who look to be the side to beat. James Ramm scored a remarkable nine goals, whilst Jack Bradshaw and Phil Hammick added four-a-piece in a scintillating performance.
Earlier Derwent had defeated Langwith 1sts 10-2, but neither victory eclipsed the 27 goals that they put past Alcuin 2nds in the opening week
Alcuin 2nds improved slightly this week, but they still conceded 23 times again Langwith, who bounced back from two losses.
Langwith sit third on goal difference, with three points, just ahead of James 2nds and Goodricke 2nds who have each recorded one win. On Sunday James defeated Goodricke 9-3, but the Black Swans have a great deal of work to do over the coming weeks if they are to catch the top two teams in group two, due to their narrow loss against Halifax.
Both James and Goodricke have a game in hand on their rivals, and will be looking to string a series of good results together over the coming weeks, whilst Langwith will hope that their thumping 23-1 victory over Alcuin 2nds proves the catalyst for their season.
I would like to say that I played very well in both games and probably was the star player for that day. I have a great first touch, nimble, quick and made two great saves off the line. I am hockey.