Canterbury fight back for point

Canterbury men’s 1sts drew 3-3 at Oxford Hawks in National Division 1 South on Saturday.

Puzey converted an early penalty corner, an advantage they held at the break thanks to keeper Rea. Oxford hit back to open up a 3-1 lead after the interval but Canterbury rescued a point in the final quarter. They pulled one back through a Valentine deflection and Laslett equalised with minutes to play. The ladies’ 1sts lost 1-0 at Surbiton 2nds in National Division 1 South. Canterbury had a couple of early breaks, while both teams took turns to defend as the first half ended goalless. Player-of-the-match Aurora Mears made a brilliant save from a penalty flick in the third quarter.

The visitors pushed hard but conceded the only goal from a short corner. Canterbury Friars skipper Tony Jones celebrated his 80th birthday by leading his side to a 6-0 win at Tunbridge Wells Hoppers in South East Division 8 Invicta.

He’s also been picked for England over-80s.

Alex Ricketts scored from a short corner inside two minutes and it was 3-0 at half-time with father-and-son duo John and Arthur Aikin on target for the dominant Friars.

Mark Lister added number four, followed by another goal apiece for Aikin and Aikin, while young Tom Rogers’ long passes earned the player-of-the-match award. Canterbury Millers “remembered how to play hockey” in a 5-2 win over Blackheath & Elthamians in SE Division 2 Invicta.

The Millers, boosted by the return from injury of midfield duo Simon Hurlow and Paul Sharratt, scored all their goals from open play in the first half.

There were doubles for Ollie Neal and Robin Cox, backed up by a fine strike from Freddie Phillips.

Cox and Will Adams shared the player-of-the-match award. Canterbury ladies’ 2nds lost 3-1 at Maidstone in the SE Premier Division. They put Maidstone under plenty of pressure but conceded from a short corner before half-time and a second goal followed after the break. Player-of-the-match Kayla Pollard pulled a goal back as Canterbury continued to press aggressively but Maidstone completed the scoring from another short corner. Canterbury ladies’ 3rds edged Marden 1sts 2-1 in SE Division 1 East. Vicky O’sullivan dribbled around the goalkeeper for an early opener but Marden levelled before half-time. A well-worked short corner was finished by player-of-the-match Eleni Godwin for the winner.

The ladies’ 5ths drew 1-1 with Ashford 4ths in SE Division 3 Invicta. Canterbury enjoyed good early possession, with several shots, but had to come from behind for a point.