Hockey Luke strikes twice to give students derby win against Clifton Robinsons
IN the derby between Clifton Robinsons and University of Bristol the bragging rights went to the students who moved to the top of National Conference West with a 2-1 win.
With about five minutes remaining, Luke Crocker scrambled in his second goal of the game from a penalty corner melee to give his side the lead. Clifton Robinsons were slightly aggrieved as moments earlier they had been denied what appeared to be a penalty corner only for the umpire to adjudge a shoulder barge on Jakob Spzarowich was nothing more than a free hit.
Bill Springett had earlier equalised for the home team, setting up the tense finale.
Clifton Robinsons visit Plymouth Marjon on Sunday, while the students host Cardiff University at Coombe Dingle.
In Women’s National Conference West, Clifton Robinsons 2nds went down 4-0 at Oxford Hawks, Firebrands drew 1-1 at Exe and University of Bristol lost 4-3 to Team Bath in a thriller.
Clifton Robinsons, who had a blank league date last weekend, return to action when they host University of Birmingham at Coombe Dingle on Saturday. Clifton Robinsons 2nds host Team Bath, while Firebrands and University of Bristol meet in a derby at Failand.
In local matches, man of the match, 16-year-old Bristol Gram
mar School student Josh Dell scored a hat-trick as Clifton Robinsons 3rds beat a spirited UWE Bristol 5-1, while Clifton Robinsons men’s 2s and men’s 4s kept up their bids for promotion with 11-1 and 9-0 wins away at Swansea 2s and Firebrands 4s, respectively. There was also a hat-trick for veteran Simon Sharp, who helped Clifton Robinsons ease into round two of the EH Over 50s Cup with a 3-1 win over Old Bristolians, while the club’s Under-18 boys won away at Oxford Hawks 2-1.
In local women’s games, Wick lost against Keynsham, Wick 2nds went down against BAC 2nds and Wick 3rds lost 11-0 against Thornbury.
Corinne Deas was in sparkling form for the winners, scoring five goals. Connie Talbot grabbed a hattrick, with Jo Deas, Summer Johnson and Ella Clark also on target for Thornbury.