THE hockey season is well underway and all the early signs point to a highly competitive campaign, with the points table looking tight in the respective men’s and women’s top flights.
A total of nine games took place across four different flights, with JHC Leopards kicking things off and enjoying victory over VC 1st XI in the Men’s Division 1 on Friday evening.
Nick Pearce reports …
JHC Affinity Leopards claimed their first win of the season with a dominant 5-1 display against VC 1st XI.
Despite a significant age gap between the two teams, the wily Leopards frustrated the youthful school contingent and raced into the lead after an incisive counter-attack from Sam Dunstan and Rory Baines and some clinical drag flicks from Nick Pearce.
The experienced campaigners went in at half-time 3-1 up with Edo van Eijden pulling one back for the school after pouncing on a loose ball.
The second-half was more of the same. With Leopards refusing to open the game up, the school became ever more ragged and Pearce was able to add two more drag flicks to his account and seal a dominant win.
The following day, two of the early frontrunners squared off, as OV Convicts assumed top spot from Crusaders after defeating them 5-3.
Sam Habin scored twice, with one apiece for Chris Thomas, Jack Tait and Charlie Reid.
Tom Millar, Tom Boarer and Nat Watkins were on target for Crusaders, but were unable to avoid their first defeat from the opening four.
Meanwhile, in the Ladies’ top flight, Walkers Dragons took full advantage of a short-handed Quackers side, who were fresh off the back of victory in the Ladies Upton in Guernsey.
Bill Aston reports …
Quackers were missing key players and fielded a young but dynamic side to face the Dragons who were looking to bounce back from defeat last week.
It was Dragons who started strongest, playing composed, flowing hockey and took the early lead when Sam Le Boutillier got on the end of a searching ball deep in the Quackers area from Rufus Aston.
A first-time deflection beat the Quackers goalkeeper.
The boys maintained pressure and continued to control possession.
Rex Frigot worked tirelessly off the ball with the other Dragons midfield and used both wide channels well.
Their second goal came in similar fashion with an intelligent ball in from Aston and Le Boutillier got on the end of it to poke home.
Quackers came back well and did not let their heads drop.
Anais McDermott and Bella Woodruff stepped on the boys in midfield and Zoe Higgins provided a good target upfront.
The defending champions started getting in behind the Dragons defence but solid covering tackles saw out the threat.
Dragons extended their lead to three in similar fashion with Le Boutillier once again on the end of a probing ball, this time from Zane Simpson.
At half-time, Dragons looked in control but Quackers, despite lacking their senior players, did not get disheartened.
They challenged more in midfield and were defensively disciplined.
After a number of penalty corners, the pressure on Dragons ultimately told and Quackers scored through Hannah Scriven following a well-worked short corner.
The game opened up with both sides attacking, but neither could make a breakthrough and it finished 3-1 to Dragons.
Elsewhere in the division, Pastella JLHC 1s and JTC RWB had to settle for a 1-1 draw, after a highly-competitive tussle.
Chrissie Helmholt-Kneisel scored for RWB from open play after an impressive dribble through the defence.
Her strike was cancelled out by JLHC’s Emma Bower from a short corner.
In Ladies Division 2, Walkers Eagles comprehensively beat Pastella JLHC 2s 6-0, behind two goals apiece from Zak Irtizaali and George Cartmell, while Beau Brennan and Indy Simpson grabbed one each, which lifted their side into top spot.
Walkers Falcons were also successful in a much tighter game, edging a 3-2 win over Quackers 2nd XI.
Rafi Hern, Lewis Kemble and Noah O’Brien were all on target, while Isla Rafferty and Bella Woodruff scored for Quackers.
Meanwhile, there were a trio of games across Men’s Division 2, where Jersey Ladies picked up their second win of the season to go top, defeating winless Victoriana 2-1.
Chloe Cutting and Chrissie Helmholt-Kneisel got the goals, while Victoriana’s was scored by Louis Bell.
VC Second XI edged past Hunters 2-1 behind a Sunny Reid double, while on Monday evening Affinity JHC Panthers put eight unanswered goals beyond VC Colts.
Rob Hurry, Raph Hern and Sean Bilson all grabbed two, while Sean O’Flaherty and Pete Taylor also scored.
