The GB Super League has many detractors, and I will admit that there have been occasions when I have been one of them, but the two finals today produced matches worthy of the ‘Super League’ title.
Saxon Tigers women had a closely fought match against Pennine Pumas, with Tigers taking an early lead through a penalty stroke conversion by Cathy Gilliat-Smith. A second penalty stroke award to Tigers was saved and a penalty corner shot was disallowed for being high, and it was not until the fifth minute of the second half that Tigers found the net again, with Katie Maltman scoring from open play. The match had always been finely balanced and in the space of two minutes the Pumas were able to put the side’s on equal terms, the first goal coming from a corner scored by Sarah Page, and the second from a field goal by Katie Long. With two minutes left on the clock, Tigers scored the winning goal, Lucy Brown the scorer.
Chris Pryce upset the form book by scoring an early goal from a penalty corner in the men’s match between the Pumas and the Tigers. It was not until early in the second half that the Tigers were able to equalise but the Pumas were back in the lead second later thanks to a Nick Catlin field goal. Gareth Andrew was finally able to equalise for the Tigers, forcing the match to a penalty stroke decider. Unfortunately, the Pumas prowess seemed to desert them when faced with the penalty spot and the Tigers won the penalty stroke barrage 3-0.
In the other matches, Celtic Panthers women beat Caledonian Cougars 3-2. In the men’s version of the same match, the Panthers emerged winners 3-1.
IN THE OLYMPIC QUALIFIER IN KAZAN the final was won by the
