IT might have been bitterly cold over the weekend, but the hockey leagues enjoyed bright sunshine and calm conditions as their seasons wrapped around into 2025.
You did not have to look far for storylines, as top-of-the-table clashes headlined both the men’s and ladies’ top flights.
Convicts, occupying top spot, were desperate to repel the challenge of Crusaders, who, with a win, would have jumped ahead of their Men’s Division 1 rivals.
Peter Millar reports…
In a highly anticipated top-of-the-table clash, league leaders Convicts took on second-placed Crusaders in a match that lived up to its billing.
Convicts, the current title holders, came out strong and dominated possession from the outset.
The breakthrough came midway through the first-half when Will Hodgson capitalised on sustained pressure.
A deflected cross found its way through the Crusaders keeper’s legs, giving Convicts a deserved 1-0 lead.
Despite their dominance, Convicts struggled to extend the advantage, with Crusaders showing resilience and flashes of danger on the counter-attack, led by the ever-threatening Tom Millar.
As the game wore on, Crusaders found their rhythm, growing into the contest with periods of solid positional play.
Their persistence paid off with around 20 minutes remaining, as a deflected short-corner routine fell to Bobby Minty.
Demonstrating quick reflexes, Minty volleyed the ball into the net to bring the game level, sparking jubilation among the Crusaders’ ranks.
The equaliser set the stage for a tense final phase, with both teams pushing for a decisive goal. Convicts, while applying pressure, had to remain cautious of Crusaders’ counter-attacking potential.
Their perseverance was rewarded ten minutes from time when they earned a short corner.
A well-rehearsed routine saw the ball returned to injector Robbie Forrest, who delivered a superb reverse stick deflection to restore the Convicts’ lead.
The 2-1 victory not only cements Convicts’ position at the top of the table but also extends their lead to nine points. However, the title race remains alive, with both second and third-placed challengers holding games in hand.
This encounter was a showcase of skill, strategy, and determination, with Convicts demonstrating why they are the team to beat, while Crusaders proved they remain a formidable force in the top flight.
Meanwhile, in Ladies Division 1, the battle of the leaders also proved an enthralling affair, with both JLHC 1s and RWB eager to stamp their title credentials early in 2025.
Emma Bower reports…
In a thrilling and tightly contested match, Jersey Ladies Hockey Club emerged victorious against RWB with a 3-1 scoreline.
The match began with both teams displaying high energy, but it was Jersey Ladies who broke the deadlock.
Farrah Firby charged down the right wing, using her speed to outpace the RWB defence before delivering a perfectly timed cross to Maddie Edward. Edward, positioned in front of goal, calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net to put Jersey Ladies 1-0 ahead.
RWB’s attacking strength resulted in plenty of opportunities in front of the Jersey Ladies goal but some solid defending stopped them from converting.
Jersey Ladies continued to press, and their attacking intent paid off.
A well-coordinated attacking sequence involving the midfielders and forwards culminated in Lottie James finishing at the back post with textbook precision, doubling the lead.
At half-time, Jersey Ladies held a 2-0 advantage, but RWB came out firing in the second half.
Their efforts were rewarded when they executed a perfectly rehearsed short-corner routine. Chrissie Helmholt-Kneisel’s shot was deftly deflected into the goal by Kelly Cutting at the left post, bringing the visitors back into contention.
The match then turned into a tense, end-to-end battle as both sides sought the critical next goal.
Jersey Ladies, however, had the final say.
A short corner of their own saw Harley Cadoret’s precise shot across goal squeezed in through a deflection from Kerry Rogers, sealing the result at 3-1.
RWB’s determination and tactical play kept the match competitive throughout, but Jersey Ladies’ clinical edge in key moments ensured the victory.
Elsewhere across the ladies divisions, Walkers Eagles defeated Affinity Nomads 5-2 behind a pair of braces from Charlie Bore and Henry Rigby, with Beau Brennan also on target.
Lizzie Tucker and Melinda Douglas got the goals for Nomads.
Walkers Falcons enjoyed a solid 4-1 victory over JLHC2s in the Ladies Minor Cup, behind a brilliant Lex Helmhold-Kneisel hat-trick and a single from Rafi Hern.
Lexi Edward was the lone scorer for JLHC2s.
In Men’s Division 1, Affinity JHC Leopards kept up the pressure on the top two with a commanding 6-1 win over VC 1st XI.
Sam Dunstan and Stuart Ramskill both scored twice, while Nick Pearce and Tom Bolton also found the target.
Jake Le Boutillier’s strike was the only bright spark for VC on a challenging day.
Meanwhile, there was a trio of tight games in Division 2.
Victoriana and VC 2nd XI played out a 4-4 thriller.
Charlie Reid (2), Joe Gower and John Cartmel were on target for Victoriana, while Sunny Reid’s hat-trick stole the show for VC 2nd XI along with Louis Bell’s goal.
VC 2nd XI had also played a Men’s Minor Cup fixture earlier in the week, with another draw, this time 2-2 against Affinity JHC Lions.
Robin Carnegie and Matt Clegg were on target for Lions, while Henry Johnson and Jake Le Boutillier scored for VC 2nd XI.
Meanwhile, Victoriana coasted to a 5-0 victory over Affinity JHC Panthers, behind a James Le Cuirot hat-trick and singles from Louis Bell and Robbie Mossop.
Also in Division 2, Jersey Ladies 1st XI edged past Hunters 4-3, with goals from Aimee Aikenhead, Emma Bower and two from Jamey Henderson.
A Rupert Lee double and one from Ben Doops, proved to be in vain for Hunters.
