Despite the best half of hockey produced all season, Team BC were unlucky to lose to regional champions Exeter College.

Despite a shaky start to the first half, Team BC enjoyed near domination for the remainder, with Exeter unable to cope with the forward movement of Connor Gilliespie, Sam Beasley and Sean Hedaux and the driving runs from midfield of Liam Pigden. It was from one such run that produced the first goal of the game, with Pigden scoring a powerful reverse strike and giving Team BC the lead they deserved.

As the half progressed, Team BC had a number of chances to increase their lead, but failed to convert their short corners, and Will Osmand was unlucky not to finish off a good team move. The competitive nature of the game increased as the game progressed, with both teams reduced to ten men at some stage.

With much of the same wanted in the second half, Team BC again started off shaky and were indebted to keeper Bayley Chatwin for keeping them in the game. With Exeter beginning to press higher and rotating their forward line, the away side’s fresher players caused the Team BC defence more problems.

The scores were levelled when Will Lawton blocked a short corner, only for it to fall back to the striker who smashed it in to the roof of the net. With the scores level and momentum now with Exeter, Team BC found chances hard to come by but were still competing against the regional champions. With ten minutes to go, a penalty kick was awarded to Exeter and expertly put away, leaving Chatwin no chance. With both sides now going for the attack, Team BC finally ran out of steam, and with a minute to go Exeter killed the game off with their third and final goal of the match. 

Rob Morrish, Team BC coach said,

“I can’t fault the players today. The first half was the best half of hockey I have seen them play, with every member of the side contributing and playing to the best of their potential. If we had put away all our chances in the first half, I think we would have had enough to win the match, but sadly Exeter regrouped brilliantly in the second half and we ran out of steam come the end of the second half when we could have done with pushing on. However, if we can put in that sort of performance every week, I will be very pleased.”

Final score: Team BC 1 – 3 Exeter College