And then there were none.
Britain’s last remaining representatives in the EuroHockey League went out in heroic style to the Dutch from
Rotterdam this afternoon.
Reading started the match in defensive style, seldom straying over their opponents twenty-five.
It was a tactic which got them to the break without conceding a goal but the second half was barely two minutes old before Rotterdam were awarded a penalty corner, which was converted by their Phil Burrows.
Ten minutes later they had made it two, from a field goal from Jeroen Hertzberger.
The match entered its third quarter with Reading looking for goals and one was soon to come from a penalty corner conversion from Richard Mantell.
A minute later
Rotterdam scored a goal which caused some controversy.
A penalty corner was awarded and as the ball was in mid flight towards the goal the hooter sounded for the end of the third quarter.
Everyone knows the rules about corners at half-time and full-time, but what about the end of quarters – something which is unique to this competition?
The ball crashed into the back of the
Reading net and immediately a gaggle of Reading players gather around umpire Requena.
No end of protesting would change his mind and the goal stood.
But at 3-1 down
Reading were not leaving this competition without a fight.
With ten minutes left,
Reading were awarded another penalty corner and Richard Mantell struck home again.
Final score 3-2 to
Rotterdam.
Earlier today the host club, Club Egara, won through to the last four with a 4-0 win over St Germain. Rotterdam, Club Egara, Uhlenhorster and HGC go through to the semi finals, which will almost certainly be played in Rotterdam.
Our photographs show Richard Mantell striking his first penalty corner goal.
