University of Bristol Mens 1st XI vs Cardiff

Bristol secured BUCS Premiership hockey for another season on Wednesday
with a crushing 4-0 victory over Cardiff, relegating the Welsh side in the
process.

In a match that further emphasised the gulf between the standard of hockey
on either side of the Servern, (as already proved by Bristol's own Welsh
"International", Stacey) the visitors travelled to Fortress Dingle knowing
only a win would keep their slim chances of survival alive. Nevertheless,
despite not having Great Britain Goal-Keeping "Ace" James Bailey
available, (due to a Valentine's mini-break to Venice with girlfriend) the
result never looked in doubt.

Bristol, buoyed by the return of Finn Hoolahan to the team following his
release from a high security unit in Shepton Mallet, started brightly and
soon went 1-0 up when the rather rotund fresher Malthouse got his
considerable weight and momentum behind the ball and converted a short
corner rebound.

Ben Porter, who earlier in the week went on record as saying "I just love
watching Eugene play", clearly drew inspiration from his chubby hero's
opener and soon made it 2-0 with a fine deflection, earning him a much
savoured warm embrace from our very own Henry VIII lookalike.

Much to Wheezy Wyatt's relief, half time was just around the corner and
Bristol went into the break with their 2-0 lead in tact. After an
ear-bashing from Führer Phillips that warned against the kind of
complacency that saw Bristol squander a 2 goal lead in the reverse fixture
before Christmas, Bristol started the second half determined to take all
three points.

However, knowing that only a win would be enough to save them, Cardiff
started the second half in an aggressive and desperate manner, throwing
everything they had at the Bristol defence in search of an early goal. The
Bristol back four held firm though, with Charlie Fry looking particularly
impressive. The aforementioned Fry did however have an ulterior motive for
ensuring victory against the side who's supporters mercilessly ridiculed
him for his receding hairline.

The Cardiff gamble soon backfired as a free-flowing Bristol counter attack
was finished clinically with an excellent reverse stick goal from the top
of the D courtesy of the Führer. The game then descended into a scrappy
affair as the petulant Cardiff side, now destined for League 1 hockey,
threw their toys out of the pram. This only played into Bristol's favour,
and just before the final whistle veteran left-half Nick Gregory displayed
lightening fast reactions to add a fourth and final goal with a pull shot
Sachin Tendulkar would have been proud of, following a wayward slash from
fresher-loving Ben Porter that was almost certainly destined for the
corner flag.

Only one question now remains this season, and given the current odds it
is a question that bookmakers seem unable to answer; Which drought will
end first? Eugene's Sahara-esque efforts in the bedroom, or Ricky's
Gobi-esque efforts in front of goal...

This entry was posted on 07 March 2012 at 21:21. You can leave a response here.

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