Results – 12 February
Today’s results, and the Men’s 2s are on fine form…
Men’s 1 lost 1-6 away to Repton 2
Goal: Mateusz Hodgson
WIN – Men’s 2 won 8-0 at home to Rugby & East Warwickshire 6
Goals: Ben Sleeman (3), Nick Hall (2), Josh Osborne, Elliott Roper & Luke van Diepen
Men’s 4 lost 1-9 away to Towcester Cobras
Goal: Owen Arthur
Player of the Match: Jack Batkin
Men’s 4s, fielding at least seven players who are still eligible to play Badgers, arrived at the league leaders, Towcester Cobras for a midday pushback. Another exposed hockey field with a cold wind blowing straight across the pitch and the sun directly behind the goal. Towcester are not top without good reason and fielded a strong team of ex- county and national players, who are quick on the ball and physical with it.
The game started quickly with Towcester coming fast out of the blocks and scoring with just a few minutes on the clock. This was followed quickly by another before some fine attacking play saw Harborough win a penalty corner and Owen Arthur scoring from the ensuing open play. Towcester remonstrated, licked their wounds and added two more before the break.
The second half started quickly, Towcester mounted attack after attack but Harborough repelled them before some quick play saw the opposition add three more. Harborough endured sustained physical attacks interspersed with the odd opportunistic venture into the opponent’s half but Towcester always seems to have an extra defender when they needed it.
Some more physical exchanges and interesting interpretation of the rules (with added honesty from the Harborough defence) saw the home side add two more before the final whistle. Final score Towcester Cobras 9 Harborough 1.
We may have lost but we can hold our heads high. Harborough played some good hockey with a much changed side against a team worthy of promotion. A shout out for Haydn and George who did step up from Badgers, I hope you enjoyed the match guys? Time for ice packs and hot baths.
Player of the match, Jack Batkin for what leaving what felt like several pints of blood and several yards of skin on the pitch. Enjoy the break, we go again in two weeks time.
Women’s 1 lost 0-2 away to Towcester 2
