Devizes Hockey Club

The Marauding Moonrakers - Sponsored by Wadworth

In action!
DHC : Nunquam non paratus

Whitchurch B v. Devizes Mens Seonds

Saturday December 05 2009

Back

WET WALES DAMPENS DEVIZES ASPIRATIONS

Half way through the season Devizes Hockey CLub Men's B Team travelled to Cardiff to take on Whitchurch A Team in an attempt to move into second place in the league table and strengthen promotion aspirations.  The team were heartened by the return of the Captain, Neil Powell, from a 2 week absence and were all fired up to put in a good performance and get the required result.  Despite all the rain recently it was decided that the water-based astroturf pitch still needed an additional watering!   The pitch was wonderful, but slightly bouncier than the team were used to and good use was made of the warm-up period to get a feel for how the surface was going to play.  It clearly was not going to be an easy fixture.   In fact Devizes were still finding their feet when Whitchurch unleashed a powerful and focused attack right from the start and unsurprisingly went one goal up after a short period of time.  After his 2 week break Neil started from the sideline, but soon decided that enough was enough and rolled himself on.  It was an inspired substitution and Neil quickly linked with a superbly weighted through ball from the new team member, Geoff Ellis, and drove with conviction into the opposition D.  A truly delightful strike from Neil beat the keeper handsomely, only to hit the far post and be denied the goal.  The situation was saved with superb support from Jim Langan who picked up the rebound and comfortably put the ball in the goal to equal the score.  This brilliance of effort was matched and exceeded by the outstanding defensive work for the remainder of the half by Boma and George in the defence, backed up by sensational goal keeping from Steve Wells.  As the half drew to a conclusion Devizes were unlucky to concede a penalty corner which was superbly converted by Whitchurch who took the lead 2-1 going into the half-time break.  Devizes went into the second half with the notion that the game was not over; it is a common theme that Devizes play a stronger second half.  Sadly on the attacking front the team were unable to link together sufficiently well to pose a consistent threat, whilst the defence were working overtime to deny a very attacking Whitchurch.  The defence deserve recognition for making it extremely difficult for Whitchurch to have an easy shooting opportunity, whils Steve Wells  prowled his goal with feline agilty and reflexes to ensure that any half chances were well and truly denied.  Devizes had the opportunity to level the scores at a penalty corner with the last play of the game, but lady luck was not on their side.  A determined effort kept the final score at 2-1 to Whitchurch, but it is still all to play for in the second half of the season.  The Wadworth 6X Man of the Match was Steve 'Winco' Wells for a vintage performance from a vintage goalkeeper.