Anyone who stayed behind after the Men’s Cup Semi-Final at Sonning Lane were in for a real treat. The men’s semi was a bit of a done deal. No matter how worthy a side Fareham are, they were always up against it facing a team of Reading’s calibre. For a real thriller you had to wait for the Women’s Semi Final that followed it. I haven’t checked the record books but I would think it must be a first to have both the men’s and women’s team of a club playing in a Cup semi-final on the same ground on the same afternoon. Having just seen their men overcome Fareham 7-1, it was the turn of Reading’s women to make a bid for cup glory in their match against the University of Birmingham. And cup glory seemed very much on the cards as Reading took the lead through a Clare Kerr penalty stroke midway through the first half. But in a terrible spell, lasting no more than five minutes, the students struck three times, the first from Jo Turnbull, the second from Suzi Gilbert and the third from Turnbull again. Vicky Bryant managed to pull one back for Reading just before half time and the match went into the break at 3-2 in the University’s favour.
The second half seemed very much a stalemate until two Beckys got on the scoresheet. Reading’s Becky Odlin equalised with 13 minutes left on the clock, with Becky Dru converting a penalty corner six minutes later, putting Reading in front. But the real drama was left to come. An overtime penalty corner was converted by Tina Evans to put the score at 4-4 during normal time. The first half of extra time went without the matter being decided but Reading’s Emily Maldon provided the golden goal to give her side a place in the final.
Their final place will be – and there is no surprise here – against Bowdon Hightown, who overcame Barnes Hounslow Ealing 6-0.
The other men’s semi final, between Canterbury and Beeston, finished 5-1 in Beeston’s favour.
