There was a certain predictability in the results in Pool A today in the EuroHockey Indoor Club Championships in Perth this afternoon. As reported earlier, the Poles from Pocztoweic Poznan saw off Canterbury 7-4, although the Kent side had briefly held the lead in the second half. Also in Pool A the Germans from Crefelder took three points off Danish side Orient Lyngby, although the Danes put up a good fight, going down 9-4. Later in the afternoon the Danes met the Poles and lost 9-3. One almost hesitates to mention the remaining Pool A match but to repeat our earlier report, Crefelder beat Canterbury 18-1. This leaves Crefelder and Poznan, who will meet in their final pool match tomorrow, on six points apiece. Canterbury’s hopes will rest on their match against Orient Lyngby tomorrow. Although clearly destined to finish the Championships in the lower half of the final table, they need to pick up some points to take with them into the so-called relegation pool.
If Pool A was predicable, Pool B was far from. Luzerner, from newly promoted Switzerland, seemed to outclass Wiener and put six passed them for no reply. British hopes rested on the fortunes of Scots side Menzieshill, who came from behind to snatch a 5-4 win against Club de Campo de Madrid. Based on those results one could have second guessed the results of the next two matches in the pool. If you had tried, you would have been wrong. It was Club de Campo’s turn to come from behind against Luzerner, eventually winning 5-3. In the final match of the day Menzieshill showed little enterprise and Wiener defended well and the Austrians emerged the 3-2 winners in a game that should get the award for the dullest game of the day. So, whereas Pool A is clear cut, we have all four teams on Pool B on three points. Based on goal difference the table reads 1. Luzerner (+4), 2. Club de Campo (+1), 3. Menzieshill (+0), 4. Wiener (-5). Wiener play Club de Campo and Menzieshill play Luzener tomorrow morning. It would be a very brave person who predicted the outcome.
Our photographs show Andrew Dunn (in white shirt) making a last ditch tackle for Canterbury in their match against Pocztoweic Poznan, David Matthews and the Canterbury goalkeeper get up close and personal in against a Polish attacker in the same match, and finally action from the match between Menzieshill (dark shirts) and Club de Campo.
