Harlequins Mens Hockey Match Report

Club Championships 2005

Harlequins 1 - 3 Lisnagarvey
Harlequins 1 - 1 Aer Lingus
Harlequins 2 - 2 Annadale

Saturday 30th April 2005 - Monday 02 May 2005

Having finished as runners-up in 2004, Quins hoped to make a very strong challenge for the Club Championship title in 2005. The squad failed to play to the level anticipated of them over the weekend & finished in 3rd place behind winners Lisnagarvey, with Annadale 2nd & Aer Lingus 4th.

Quins got off to a very good start in their opening match against Lisgnagarvey & were a goal up after just 9 minutes when David Eakins successfully converted a penalty stroke. Lisnagarvey pressed forward strongly after this but Quins with Wesley Bateman making a couple of excellent saves held a 1-0 lead at half time. Into the second half & poor defending from a free inside the 25, allowed I. Steen time to turn to easily score the equalising goal. Soon after this the same player gave Lisnagarvey the lead with a powerful strike from the edge of the circle. There was some debate as to whether the ball was struck from outside the circle but the goal stood. Quins were unlucky not to equalise from Mark Black's corner deflection but the ball went wide of the target. Lisnagarvey scored their 3rd goal with a strike by M. Raphael.

On the second day Quins began the match against Aer Lingus looking for a big improvement in performance. David Eakins opened the scoring in the 9th minute giving the keeper no chance from the penalty spot. The stroke was awarded when Richard Gash had his goal bound deflection from a corner illegally stopped by a defender. Quins were well on top at this stage but failed to add any further goals. A. Sweeney equalised for Aer Lingus when he reacted well to a bouncing ball & crashed it powerfully to the net. In the second half Quins had some great chances, none more so than a 3 on 1 against the keeper in the last minute. However, the opportunity was spurned and a 1-1 draw the final result.

Quins went into the last match of the tournament against an Annadale side looking to win by 5 goals to win the tournament. Quins gave their most spirited & committed performance in this match. Annadale began the stronger but couldn't break down a Quins defence in which Wesley Bateman & John Hobbs were outstanding. Eventually Annadale broke the deadlock in the 29th minute from a miss hit I. Hamilton short corner. Quins began the 2nd half in very determined fashion & equalised after some excellent work from David Eakins. Eaks won the ball 35 yards from goal & attacked the circle at pace. With the defender closing from behind Eaks produced a clinical finish from close range. Annadale pushed forward immediately but in spite of creating chances from play & corners couldn't beat an inspired Wesley Bateman. Two minutes from time Richard Gash picked up the ball & taking on a number of defenders forced the keeper into a save. The ball broke to Eaks & he drove a powerful shot to the back on the net. It seemed Quins had picked up their first win but Annadale had the final say scoring from a corner after the final hooter.

W. Bateman, J. Hobbs, P. Chambers, S. Nicholson, C. Harte, J. Black, B. Hayes Curtin, P. O'Driscoll, L. d'Alton, M. Black, J. Aherne, D. Lombard, P. Lombard, R. Gash, D. Eakins, D. Egner, P. McLaughlin, D. Harte

Manager: D. Kingston
Coaches: S. Dale & D. Passmore
Physio: S. Sweeney