Tournament action for Buccs
As the wait for a return to league action goes on for the Men’s Hockey League and the Vitality Women’s Hockey League, which isn’t scheduled to continue until January 20, Team Bath Buccaneers’ senior sides have been taking part in the Super 6s Championships.
In the Women’s Division Two over the weekend, Buccs finished fifth with just one win from their four matches. That came in their opening game against the British Army, where Buccs won 9-4.
Emily Maclean opened the scoring inside two minutes, which opened the floodgates early on as Annabel Wilson, Emma Hamilton and Sophie Franklin-adams also all found the net inside the opening seven minutes. Wilson added her second and Buccs’ fifth in the 13th minute.
Ella Bromley pulled one back for the Army on 20 minutes, however Buccs quickly responded with two goals in as many minutes from Katie Partridge and Wilson who secured her hat-trick. Nic George managed a second for the Army on 22 minutes, but another quick double from Franklin-adams and Wilson left Buccs in cruise control. George and Lucy Reading managed to score again for the Army, but the damage had already been done as Buccs ran out winners.
Despite the confidence boosting win, Buccs’ second game on Saturday saw them fall to a 4-2 loss at Lansdown. Emma Howitt gave Lansdown the lead on four minutes, before Wilson equalised four minutes later.
Two goals in as many minutes from Megan Brazil and Howitt left Lansdown 3-1 ahead after 18 minutes. Maclean managed to pull a goal back on 28 minutes, however Brazil ensured Lansdown of victory seven minutes later.
Buccs’ opening game on Sunday proved a tight affair, before they were edge out 2-1 against Old Georgians. It took until the 17th minute for Nikki Lloyd to open the scoring for Georgians and, despite having Rosie Pickersgill green carded, Felicity Scutter made it 2-0 just after the half-hour mark.
Wilson managed to pull a goal back on 39 minutes, but it proved too little too late for Buccs.
Buccs fell to another 2-1 loss against Southgate. Ami Robinson gave Southgate a 12th minute lead before Hamilton managed to equalise five minutes later. Charlotte Kelly moved Southgate back in front on 23 minutes and, although they had Milly Powers green-carded five minutes later, they were able to hold on for victory.
Their final game of the competition at UWE ended in a 3-0 defeat against Clifton Robinsons.
As for the men, they currently sit third in the Premier Division after their first weekend of games. They didn’t start the competition well as they were beaten 6-1 by Hampstead & Westminster, who had a two-goal lead before Hywel Jones was green carded on six minutes. Buccs’ Alex Haywood was also green carded on nine minutes, just before Hampstead scored their third.
Another three goals followed, despite another green card to Joe Hillyer, before Buccs’ consolation arrived with virtually the last touch through Jacob Edwards.
Buccs responded well and ground out a 5-4 win over Surbiton, having come from 4-0 down. Buccs were staring at a second defeat after 25 minutes, but three goals in as many minutes from captain Ben Stone, Josh Heyworth and Edwards made 4-3 on the half-hour mark.
Heyworth managed to level things two minutes, before the crucial winner came in the 35th minute through Edwards.
Buccs edged another tight contest against Ashmoor, winning 3-2. Having fallen behind to Jack Dinnie’s opener in the first minute, both he and Buccs’ Dylan Holland were green carded seven minutes later. Danny Rawlings equalised on 16 minutes, however Ashmoor retook the lead through captain Jamie Bishop.
This time, Buccs were only behind for a minute before Stone made it 2-2, before he then scored the winner with the last touch despite Heyworth’s green card two minutes earlier.
Buccs’ final game of the weekend proved much more comfortable with a 5-0 thrashing of Holcombe. Stone and Graham Davies netted inside the opening ten minutes, before the latter was shown a green card.
Edwards scored twice in three minutes to make it 4-0 after 16 minutes, with Alex Haywood rounding things off on 27 minutes.
This weekend sees Buccs face Sevenoaks, East Grinstead, Old Georgians and Wimbledon.