On a day when even the Cherries match against Exeter City was called off thanks to some truly chilly weather, all credit should be given to Bournemouth Hockey Club 3rds and Poole Hockey Club 1sts for soldiering on.
Indeed, we might forgive each side for taking a little while to warm up during this weekend’s game at Bournemouth Sports Club. The first half was slow – with each side fielding only a few attempts on goal, and none of them successful.
Although Bournemouth seemed to have the edge in terms of possession, they let themselves down by losing the ball easily and frequently.
But following a terse half-time speech by Captain James Davenport, they began to show a lot more promise, putting the pressure on Poole more consistently, passing more skillfully and making far fewer mistakes. It was only a matter of time before Poole’s defences yielded.
And yield they did. Tim Wood sank one past Smith in the 58th minute, following a prolonged scuffle in the box. Wood scored an almost identical goal in the 71st minute, and victory was all but assure by a third goal from Bournemouth, this time by Tim Stainer, in the 86th minute.
And although Poole did in fact manage to sink one past Bournemouth a few minutes before the final whistle, it was still far too late to make a difference to the result – BHC 3, PHC 1.
To hear a post match interview with BHC’s Captain James Davenport, click play below.
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