Won 4-3
Scorers: A.Dunn, M.Messenger, M.Sabine, S.Buckingham
MoM: A.Dunn
DoD: O.Curtiss
With thanks to team sponsor MPil http://www.ideaworks.co.uk
Torrential rain was promised by the MET office, and as pushback against a strong Eastbourne side grew closer, in rolled the threatening clouds. A bedraggled bunch of white and green appeared – with Freddie clutching an ice pack to his face from an accident that very morning, and Hursty not feeling well for “unknown” reasons, but boasting of a brand-new Lego set which he had acquired late the night before. No player was spared from a showering of rain in the warm-up, but this was a mere fraction of what was to come. The foreshadowing of dreary weather, however, was countered by a blistering start by Canterbury, with debutant Dunny slotting one away in the breakdown of a corner 5 minutes in. Canterbury continued their attack, with Max scoring another early in the first half. By now the elements had been unleashed upon Polo Farm; every shirt was drenched, every grip slippery and every cricket player wishing they were tucking into an early tea.
The Eastbourne team – second in the league and 14 games unbeaten – were clearly taken aback by the rapid start, but soon began to show their quality, building attacks and looking more dangerous. Pressure continued and Eastbourne scored from a rebound off our post – making the score 2-1 going into the break. Everyone tried to dry themselves somewhat in the shelter of the dugout as Jack gave some words of wisdom – this match was clearly not going to be plain sailing.
The away team showed some grit in the second half, and equalised. Here was an opportunity for the game to be ran away with, but Canterbury pulled together and led by Dunny’s solid and skilful defence and by Max’s stylish and direct runs up the field, we started banging on their door once again. Short corners rained down upon the Sussex team, but Gadget’s drag flicks were denied by the waterlogged astro, until eventually Michael found a way round, and make it 3-2 going into the last 15 minutes.
Eastbourne wanted this game badly, and won and scored a P-flick with 5 minutes to go, after Brad “got the ball” on a 1v1. Canterbury wanted it more though, and the very will of Polo Farm and the spirits of past hockey performances guided the ball past the opposition, from stick to stick, to skipper Bucks who clinically knocked in the winner. The brave few who had ventured out of the clubhouse made up for their numbers with noise, and soon the final whistle was blown – sealing an incredible win. Charlie even got so excited that he decided to give an additional three cheers to Eastbourne as he got carried away in the moment, but the real DoD was Olly for a couple of terribly executed aerials in the second half. Congratulations to Will G for a good game on debut, and to Dunny for MoM.
We look ahead to next week vs Ashford 1s, where we will try to continue our winning ways.