Harlequins Mens Hockey Match Report

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Sunday 27 March 2005

Mens European Cup Winners Trophy 

Harlequins   1  -  2   Kelburne (SCO)

Harlequins entered this game knowing they had already retained B Division status for next years Irish representatives, after their two impressive wins so far in the tournament. Their opposition, Kelburne from Scotland had also done the same so today’s game was going to tell who won the group, with Harlequins knowing that a draw wasn’t enough as Kelburne had a better goal difference of 2 goals after they defeated Collegians 9- 0 and Olten 5 -1.

Both teams began strongly and were determined to win. The initial few minutes were played at a fierce tempo, with Kelburne lucky not to be down to 10 men after two minutes, when one of their midfielders blatantly hit John Aherne across his lower back, right in front of the TD’s bench. The foul that could be punished with a red card [or at least yellow] was completely ignored and just a free awarded. After this three players received green cards for minor infringements. In the 4th minute Quins won their first corner when Mark Black combined well with David Egner to find a foot, but Dave Eakins flick was turned away by a defender. The rest of the half was played competitively, with Kelburne finding it hard to get past the Quins press, and hard to penetrate the Quins defense.

In the 34th minute Kelburne were awarded their first corner of the match, when the referee a made poor decision, after John Hobbs had been hit just below the knee inside the Quins circle. Jason Black charged this down excellently, but a second corner was awarded, and from this Kelburne found the net with a wel taken drag flick.

Half-time Cork Harlequins 0 Kelburne 1

In the start of the second half Quins found themselves 2 down after another Kelburne drag flick from a short corner. This spurred Quins into life and the rest of the half was mainly played in the Kelburne half. Although Quins had most of the possession, they found it hard to penetrate the circle. However, the Quins counter attack worked well at points and the Quins forwards were able to exploit the lack of pace at the back to win free hits and wait for support from the midfield. Early into the second half Quins created a golden opportunity when a David Eakins overhead found David Egner on the top of the Kelburne circle with no defenders near him, but unfortunately Egners control let him down and the ball went over the end line for a Kelburne hit out. Midway through the second half Richard Gash found himself 1 on 1 with the last remaining defender but this chance was once again spurned. Quins were awarded a few penalty corners during this spell, which they were unlucky not to convert. Mark Black had two good chances to score but his fist deflection just shaved the crossbar and the second was saved by the keeper. Quins finally scored in the 60th minute when David Eakins converted another drag flick powerfully into the net. Sadly this was to be Quins only goal, despite pushing to four upfront in the last 10 minutes, and the result means they finish 2nd in the group. Tomorrow’s crossover game to determine whether Ireland stay in the B division or get promoted to the A. This is against the Royal Antwerp Dragons [from Belgium].

Final Score Cork Harlequins 1 Kelburne 2

Squad: Wes Bateman, Sean Nicholson, John Hobbs, Conor Harte, Jason Black, Mark Black, Richard Leonard, David Lombard, Paul Lombard, David Eakins, Richard Gash, David Egner, Philip McLaughlin, Brian Hayes-Curtin, Philip Chambers, John Aherne, David Harte, Lee d’Alton