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Photos by Adam Green
Halifax 1sts secured a crucial victory over Derwent 1sts to move clear at the top of group one, whilst there were also commanding wins for Alcuin 1sts and James 2nds.
It was a day where records would come to an end; where the unbeaten would fall. The captains of Derwent and Halifax both offered a silent prayer that it would be their side preserving their winning run.
The crowd was treated to an evanescent half of hockey, as both sides displayed their credentials. A brace from Alex Francis provided Halifax with first blood, but revenge was swiftly extracted as Mathew Leech slotted home. Phil Hammick offered the brawn to Leechs’ grace, moments later supplying a goal of crude effectiveness. In seconds Derwent were in the lead, Leech once more evading tackles to make the score 3-2, at half-time.
What followed was a massacre. A flagging Derwent seemed a shadow of their former selves and first half performance; Halifax completed an 8-3 rout with Francis completing his hat trick, Craig Dickinson and Chloe Quilliam both scoring two apiece and Cat Johnson finishing off an intricate move to end any hopes of a Derwent fight back. For Derwent the sun has set on their unbeaten run, but for Halifax it continues to burn as brightly as ever.
In the boiling conditions, James 2nds got back to winning ways against Goodricke 1sts. James started brightly and quickly went ahead, with the forwards linking well, and despite a single Goodricke goal, James led 3-1 at half time. James continued to dominate after the break, and fantastic defensive work by Becky Hall ensured Goodricke were limited to only two further breakaway goals, while Robin White orchestrated the James attacks, resulting in an emphatic 7-3 win.
Ashley Emmett scored five goals as Alcuin 1sts turned in a dominant performance against Langwith 2nds. Alex Wilson opened the scoring for Alcuin, and they extended their lead to three by the break. Alcuin increased the pressure, constantly peppering the Langwith goal, to end the match as a contest. Langwith almost pulled one back when Craig Burnell somehow missed from a yard out. Alcuin reached double figures before Jed Warwick-Mooney scored two consolation goals to reduce the arrears. Alcuin, however, were too good and victory was never in doubt as the final score read 11-2.
Halifax now remain the only unbeaten side, but Alcuin and Derwent sit close behind on two wins a piece. In other news, after the controversy of week one, the Alcuin-Derwent game has resulted in Alcuin being forced to forfeit, handing Derwent a 1-0 victory.