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Photos: Jack Western
With Halifax 1sts enjoying a week off, Derwent 1sts were handed the opportunity to move back to the top of Group 2, and they duly obliged with a thumping 15-4 win over a Goodricke 2nds side, who will be cursing the draw they were provided with.
Over the course of the past four weeks Group 2 has emerged as comfortably the stronger of the two groups, with the trio of Derwent 1sts, Halifax 1sts and James 2nds all excelling. Heading into the final round of matches all three teams possess a realistic chance of finishing in the top two and progressing through to the Cup competition.
This morning Derwent were back to their usual best after last week’s disappointing defeat against James 2nds, and the goals constantly flew in as the team in Blue proved too strong for their opposition. Goodricke battled wilfully in the blazing heat, but Derwent simply possessed too much quality, with Chris Daniel and Phil Hammick dictating play. James Ramm also impressed on his return, bagging a number of goals making a series of important interventions to stifle Tom Merriman’s Goodricke side, whilst Jack Bradshaw also netted four times.
Whilst Derwent are looking to progress through to the Cup semi-finals, Goodricke are struggling in a lowly sixth position, but will be looking for improved results in next week’s double header as they try to surge up the table.
James 2nds meanwhile once more impressed, as they routed Alcuin 2nds 24-0, adding to the latter’s miserable goal difference. Indeed at the other end of the table goal difference could be crucial, and could end up being the factor which determines who progresses through this group. Interestingly, James’ clean sheet was only the third in cup history, and two of them have occurred this morning with Halifax 2nds also shutting out their opponents.
James possessed seven University players in their ranks, and the gulf in class showed, as James cruised to a dominant victory. Hugh Markham and Nick Mitchell were particularly clinical in front of goal, whilst the likes of Jambo Talbot and Ellie Redwood dazzled Alcuin with their skill. The performance was then capped off by a surging run by captain Ollie McGaw, who waltzed through the Alcuin side to bag a superb solo goal. Tougher tasks though will await a James side, whose progress is far from assured.
In the final game Vanbrugh 1sts defeated Langwith 1sts 3-1, to leapfrog them in the table, adding to the woes of Langwith, who have endured a miserable campaign after an otherwise impressive year. The final round of fixtures will be played next Sunday, in a double header, as teams look to cement their place in the table and progress through to the semi-finals. An enthralling day awaits, don’t miss it!
| Group 2 |
Pld |
W |
D |
L |
GD |
PTS |
| Derwent 1sts |
5 |
4 |
0 |
1 |
58 |
12 |
| Halifax 1sts |
4 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
24 |
12 |
| James 2nds |
4 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
33 |
9 |
| Vanbrugh 1sts |
5 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
-22 |
6 |
| Langwith 1sts |
4 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
5 |
3 |
| Goodricke 2nds |
4 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
-19 |
3 |
| Alcuin 2nds |
4 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
-81 |
0 |