GU16 Calypsos Lose Out in T2 Final
By Manfred Lam
Springlike weather finally arrived at the National Stadium of hockey at Lee Valley for a jamboree programme that had both boys and girls of SHC U16s contesting the T2 playoff finals for the season.
A 4-2 semi-final win over Sunbury & Walton Hawks, with goals from Winter (2), Byrne and Thomas, saw the Calypsos pitched against their nemesis, Brom Becks, the fourth encounter in the current season. Apart from getting the opportunity to have a crack at the top prize, the semi offered Surbiton a chance to try out different match play strategies, a variation of short corners and a warm up to their shooting skills. On the wrong side of ledger, our girls gave away perhaps two disputed goals after establishing a seemingly unassailable 3-0 lead with a lapse of focus.
The final had pitched together the top two sides of this six month long T2 league programme in what was effectively a cup final. Staying in the present was key as opposed to the run in form guide. With a changed green strip, Calypsos started the match on the back foot – play was static and there was a feel of a genuine fear factor, across the team, permeating in the background for the opening ten minutes. Brom Becks took advantage of that and played to their aggressive strength and tacit gamesmanship. They capitalised on some basic mistakes as a result of the greens’ indecisive plays by storming into a two goal lead during that time. Little Lamb, our evergreen GK, couldn’t stop the exquisite shots in very acute angles.
Nerves began to settle and beliefs resurfaced saw a well-constructed team goal to narrow the deficit for the greens as Bryer shot past a crowded opposition. The air of positivity was cruelly punctuated with Brom Becks launching a solo counter - sprinting from the back and finishing with a top right corner beyond the reach of Lamb.
The half time team talk was all about getting our girls doing the basics right. Calypsos’ play improved after the break as a result and were chasing the game as the clock ran down. The greens tried to piece together some penetrative runs but were increasingly put out by undisciplined minor fouls. These saw Brom Becks green carded on a handful of occasions.
As the urgency took hold with ten minutes remaining, Woods, the Calypsos coach, replaced Lamb with an additional outfield player. A bold move, perhaps, but it shifted the energy and play to the level that we have become accustomed to seeing from our girls throughout the season. Our offensive pressure dialled up with a series of short corners and wide position plays, one of which resulted in a goal mouth scramble that saw Barwell, our dependable centre back, strike past the opposition GK.
A moment to savour with the score at 2-3 but there was not enough time (120 seconds left on the clock) for the playoff/final to draw level as the umpire blew the final whistle shortly afterwards. So it was not meant to be, and the Calypsos came away with a silver medal.
A disappointing game maybe, but Calypsos should be proud of their endeavours and look back at their achievements in all competitions this season – P14 W11 L3* F62 A21 (*one shoot out).
Scorer: Bryer, Barwell
Result: 1-3 (HT), 2-3 (FT)