THE Ladies Division took a break last weekend, with the exception of a friendly between defending champions Quackers and a mixed “Rest of the league” side.
The contest ended 1-1, serving as a useful exercise for Quackers ahead of their trip to Guernsey this weekend to face Colombians.
However, at the time of print, Caesarean Flames were set to take on Caesarean Dragons yesterday evening.
Meanwhile, there was plenty going on at Les Quennevais in Men’s Division One and Two, with five games in total.
In Division One, Crusaders kept up their solid start to the season with a hard-fought win over Hautlieu 1st XI.
Goals from the experienced duo of Bill Millar and Bobby Minty lifted the side to victory, while Hautlieu’s goal came from South African Tiaan Kruger via a penalty flick.
Meanwhile OV Convicts had to settle for a 1-1 draw against JHC Leopards off the back of their game one victory.
The goals were scored by Barney Aston and Pete Millar.
Our game of the week came in Division 2 as OV Victoriana were edged out 1-2 by Affinity JHC Lions.
Report by Stephen Moore…
Jersey Hockey Club Affinity Lions started brightly, with solid basics on display, and for 15 minutes were the better side.
The Lions showed their teeth, dominating between the two D’s but the final pass wasn’t finding its target.
An excellent holding midfield performance from Jake Thomas set the foundations for the big cats. Victoriana grew into the game and, with growing confidence, started to find their groove.
After sustained pressure and multiple attacking short corners for the Victoriana, Charlie Reid found himself free on the right-hand side.
Driving into the D, Reid held his composure and sent a powerful push shot across Paul Duckworth into the bottom left-hand corner.
An even game had its first goal, the Lions could feel aggrieved but instead they set about finding a way back into the game.
The crowd watching on from the clubhouse balcony did not have to wait long as a positive attacking move from Lions saw forward Matt Clegg linking up with his strike partner Richard Laignel, the former sending a vicious cross into the D and Laignel was there to apply the finish, high into the roof of the net leaving goalkeeper Andy Brown with no chance.
The goal saw Lions tails go up and momentum swung back their favour, creating a series of chances from open play but struggling to apply the finish.
The game was in limbo, defences were on top and it felt like both teams would settle for a draw.
Step up vice-captain James Wetherall. Lions had won a short corner and after a well-worked move unleashed a shot on target.
Victoriana defender Hugo Gomersall produced an excellent block on the line but Wetherall was too quick, throwing himself at the loose ball and squeezing it over the line to spark celebrations.
The inevitable pressure came as Victoriana tried to fight back, but time was against them and the Lions pack defence, marshalled by Ade Heelis & Ed Loader, would not be breached again.
Elsewhere, in Division 2, Affinity JHC Panthers now reside on maximum points from their two games played after a commanding 6-0 victory over Jersey Ladies 1st XI, who sat atop the table before the Friday evening contest.
Stuart Gower and Riley Brennan both scored twice, while Rufus Aston and Steve Ritzema grabbed one apiece.
Meanwhile, on Monday evening, VC Colts rounded out 4-1 victors over VC 2nd XI, in their opening game of the Division 2 campaign.
This weekend sees VC 2nd XI take on Panthers and VC Colts face JHC Lions in Men’s Division 2, while JHC Leopards square off against Hautlieu 1st XI in Division One.
