Almost continuous rain failed to dampen spirits on the pitch
at Reading this afternoon, as the
NOW:Pensions Promotion Play-offs and Championship Finals were played.
In the Promotion Play-offs, it was rumoured that already
promoted Southgate had been celebrating last night, and their performance
against Brooklands MU showed every symptom of an early morning hangover. Brooklands, who needed a draw or a win to be
guaranteed promotion, gratefully accepted what was on offer and came away with
a 1-3 win, all three of their goals coming from their Peter Flanagan. Southgate’s goal was scored by Rick Gay. As a result of the match, Brooklands finish
top of the play-off pool and are promoted to the Premier Division alongside
Southgate next season.
Although Brooklands’ win had meant that the match between
Sheffield Hallam and Cardiff & Met was a dead rubber, the match turned out
to be much the better of the two Promotion Play-off matches today. However, although
the match never appeared to get out of control,
some of the tackling was a little agricultural, which resulted in six
yellow cards being shown, four to Sheffield Hallam and two to Cardiff &
Met. Sheffield can add that to the three they picked up yesterday, a total
which might raise an eyebrow or two. The
match was won by Cardiff 2-5, two of the goals coming from penalty strokes
converted by Mark Watling, with Luke Hawker scoring two and Rupert Shipperly
scoring the fifth. Sheffield Hallam’s
goals came from David Goodfield and David Bond.
The result of the match means that Sheffield Hallam is relegated to the
Conferences, and Cardiff & Met remain in the Conference West.
Final positions in play-offs: 1. Brooklands MU 7 pts (+3),
2. Southgate 6 pts (+2), 3. Cardiff & Met 3 pts (+1), 4. Sheffield Hallam 1
pt (-6).
There was no dead rubber In the NOW: Pensions League
Championship Play-offs, with three European places on offer for the last four.
Reading made history, but not in a positive way, by failing
to qualify for the Euro Hockey League for the first time since the League’s
inception. It’s actually the first time
they have failed to qualify for a European outdoor club place since 2006. Playing
for third place against Surbiton, Reading got off the best possible start with
an early goal from Jonty Clarke. But a penalty stroke conversion from Alan
Forsyth forced the match to a shoot-out which was won by Surbiton 3-2.
Surbiton are currently playing their first Euro Hockey League
season and will shortly be travelling to Eindhoven for the KO16. Their qualification for the 2014-15
competition is dependent on England retaining its three places.
The Championship Finals, between two sides who have been
neck and neck all season, was an entertaining affair, if a little lacking in skilful
play. Perhaps the performance of George
Pinner in the Beeston goal just gave them the edge against East Grinstead But
first blood went to Beeston when Sam Ward found the net in the fifth minute. East
Grinstead lost little time in returning the compliment, thanks to their Andy
Piper, but the match eventually finished in normal time at 1-1.
Both goalkeepers put in fine performances in the subsequent
shoot-out, although Pinner perhaps had just the edge, with the result that
Beeston won that phase of the match 1-3, and were crowned the 2013-2014
Champions.
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