Reading began their match with great promise and an exciting first quarter saw them launch several attacks on the Dragons’ goal. Early in the second quarter, Simon Mantell received a green card and while Reading were down to ten men, an unmarked Stephen Butler lurking in the ‘D’ behind the defence struck the ball past Nick Brothers to give Dragons a 1-0 lead. Andy Watts’ field goal levelled the scores in the 44th minute, and the score remained at 1-1 at the end of normal time.
It was not until the second period of extra time that Dragons edged ahead again thanks to a shot at goal by Jeffrey Thys. With two minutes remaining, Reading brought on a kicking back (Rhys Joyce donning the orange vest), and in the final minute Renaud Pangrazio headed towards the open Reading goal with the ball. A desperate lunging tackle from Richard Mantell was unable to stop him and he easily slotted in the third goal for the Dragons, bringing the final score to 3-1
Following the disappointment of Reading’s exit, East Grinstead faced the hosts. Rotterdam were first on the scoreboard with a shot in the 15th minute from just inside the D by their captain (Jeroen Hertzberger) who added another seven minutes later.
East Grinstead played well and had several opportunities to score, including a good attempt by Danny Hall and a strike from Glenn Kirkham hitting the crossbar. Mark Gleghorne converted a penalty corner in the 52nd minute to bring his team back into contention, and the fourth quarter began with the score at 1-2 with all to play for.
Roderick Weusthof’s successful shot at goal moved Rotterdam ahead again in the 67th minute, after which East Grinstead brought on a kicking back (Adamson Harper) as a last throw of the dice. The final score was 1-3 to Rotterdam.
With Beeston, Reading and East Grinstead falling at the quarter final stage, the teams who move through to the semis to be played on 26th May (venue to be announced) are UHC Hamburg, Amsterdam, KHC Dragons and Rotterdam.
