Hampton-in-Arden Mixed team – 4
Streetley Mixed team – 3
Hampton-in-Arden mixed team progressed into the final sixteen of the England Hockey National Mixed Trophy competition with a closely fought 4-3 victory over Streetley.
Vicky Woolford opened the scoring for Hampton with a precision shot but Streetley soon got back on an equal footing as they found the goal themselves. The rest of the first half was goalless, despite numerous efforts on goal from both sides, with neither team able to gain the upper hand.
The see-saw nature of the game continued in the second half, but as the game progressed both defences had lapses allowing the scoreline to creep up. Hampton took the lead again, Dafydd Bowles scoring a drag flick from a sharp penalty corner routine, but Streetley pulled level, in an emerging pattern for the game. For the third time Hampton took the lead, Bowles collecting his second with a well-taken penalty flick, earned by Chris Popplewell who was fouled when appearing to be clear through on goal. But again, Hampton allowed Streetley to equalise and it led to a tense final fifteen minutes as both sides pushed to find the all important winning goal.
Hampton’s attacking efforts were rewarded though as Woolford collected her second, and Hampton’s fourth, after a slickly delivered penalty corner routine. It was then critical that Hampton kept their defence tight and they did so, frustrating the Streetley attacks and gaining themselves a well-earned victory.
The next round of the cup will be played on April 15th (the day after our end-of-season dinner) against local rivals Olton.