Weekend Hockey Match Reports
The Bermuda Hockey League match reports from this past weekend [Dec.3/4] follow below:
Women’s A Division
Ravens 0 Budgies 0
The 0-0 score line did not reflect the excitement this game produced. With Ravens missing 4 of their usual players and no substitutes on the bench, they expected a tough, hard match against a full squad of very determined Budgies. Ravens adjusted their game plan in the first half by placing their ace defender, Kirsten Faria, on the right to nix any attempt from Budgies playmaker, Lakae Tavares to advance the play. In spite of 7 short corners being awarded to Budgies in the first half, they failed to convert any of them with some excellent defensive counter moves by Ravens.
The second half was one way traffic with Budgies showing some fine link up play between Keishae Robinson and Alex Francis, with each able to get several shots off but none of them making it past Ravens keeper, Jen Adderley who gave an outstanding performance and made some key saves throughout the match. With Budgies applying most of the pressure, their persistence was rewarded with a further 10 short corners being given throughout the remaining 35 minutes, however they were still unable to penetrate the Ravens defence. Some gutsy play during the final 10 minutes by Ravens defenders, Cara Johnson, Laura West-Burt, Kristen Alexander, Kirsten Faria and Kerry Davies caused nothing but frustration to Budgies as they were able to prevent the elusive goal that Budgies so desperately wanted.
Canaries 0 Wildcats 3
Wildcats came back with avengance from their loss last week and defeated Canaries with three goals from Alecia Holder, Danielle Williams and Elizabeth Stewart.
Women’s B Division
Budgies 6 Canaries 1
Canaries took the lead in the 5th minute when Georgi Drover scored a field goal with Budgie, Melanie Fullerton, replying minutes later with a goal from a penalty corner. Stacey Paynter put the Budgies ahead in the final minutes of the first half and Jaselle Smith increased the score to 3-1 in the opening few minutes of the second half. In the closing 10 minutes of the game, Budgies were able to put away 3 more goals, courtesy of Tracy Stewart, Azari Thomas and Alex Francis.
Cardinals 0 Wildcats 2
Ashley Steede put Wildcats in the lead with a goal in the 27th minute with Cerepha Bridgeman netting another goal in the 67th minute as they defeated the Cardinals 2 – 0.
Bluebirds 2 Longtail Canaries 1
Rebecca Gibbons gave the Longtail Canaries the lead in the 20th minute when she scored a field goal with Bluebird, Deborah Sagurs, equalizing a little while later from a penalty corner. Denise O’Donoghue sealed the victory for Bluebirds with a final goal being scored just before half time.
Ravens 1 Swallows 1
The Ravens took the early lead with Georgia Harris scoring within the first 2 minutes of the game. Swallows equalized with Danielle Williams scoring from a penalty corner in the final minute of the first half.
Men’s Division
Upstarts 2 Chameleons 3
A number of last minute injuries saw Chameleons forced to take the field with only 10 players and no Goal keeper. Despite this, the team worked very hard to nullify the Upstarts direct play, and in turn, created a number of flowing, first touch passes forcing the Upstarts defence to concede short corners, 2 of which were duly dispatched. A mazy run with lots of individual skill from Mark Finnegan saw a penalty stroke awarded to the Chameleons, which was comfortably scored by Richard Cox. The Chameleons defence made two uncharacteristic slips to allow the Upstarts 2 goals, but the Chameleons held on for victory.
Polecats 5 Spartans 0
Shannon Simons scored within the opening minutes of the game giving Polecats the lead against this young but fast Spartans team. Donnie Simmons doubled the lead in the 22nd minute with a field goal and Tim Stewart made it 3 – 0 to Polecats with a goal in the 33rd minute. In second half action, Dennis Joel made it 4 – 0 with Simmons scoring his second goal of the day leaving the score at 5-0.
