In this week’s thrilling hockey action at Cantley Park, South Berkshire’s Veterans delivered a gripping 5-5 draw against British Airways in the opening match of the day, setting the stage for an exciting lineup of games.
The Men’s Second Team followed, locking horns with Newbury in a fiercely contested match that unfortunately ended 0-1 in favor of the opponents. The game was a tightly fought battle from start to finish.
Next up, the Men’s Third Team stepped onto the field, securing a hard-fought 3-2 victory against Wootton Wanderers in a mid-table clash. The goals came courtesy of Steven Bearwood, Tom Ellwood, and Andy Sonden, showcasing their skill and determination.
The highlight of the day featured South Berkshire’s Ladies First Team facing off against second-placed Winchester. It was an intense match that saw Liz Zutshi equalizing with her third consecutive goal after falling behind to an early penalty flick. The game continued to see-saw as both teams exchanged goals, including penalty flicks, with Bee Rooke making her mark on the score sheet.
Despite some contentious moments, Winchester managed to edge past South Berkshire with a final score of 2-3, marking the end of South Berks’ unbeaten start to the season.
In the final match of the day, the Men’s Sixth Team battled Wallingford under the floodlights amidst mist and fog, ultimately ending in a hard-fought 1-1 draw. Jack Hithens’ late goal secured a well-deserved point for Berks.
In away fixtures, South Berkshire’s Men’s First Team faced off against league leaders Reading. A quick early goal by Josh Cowel gave South Berks the lead, but Reading fought back, eventually securing a 4-2 victory. Sam Fox Harvey’s penalty flick and subsequent goal provided a glimmer of hope, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the determined Reading side.
The Men’s Fourth Team engaged in an entertaining clash at Abingdon, finishing with a thrilling 3-3 draw, thanks to goals from Duncan Clarke, Justin Paterson, and Mike Baylis.
Meanwhile, the Men’s Fifth Team suffered a narrow 1-2 defeat against Newbury, with Oliver Field netting the lone goal.
On the ladies’ side, the second and third teams faced tough challenges, losing 0-3 to Oxford Hawks and 0-2 to Amersham, respectively.
In contrast, South Berkshire’s Ladies Fourth Team continued their dominance with a convincing 5-0 win against Windsor, maintaining their unbeaten status at the top of the league. Claire Owen’s brace, along with goals from Emily McCulloch and Sophie McCullock, further solidified their impressive season.
