Bruck ready to up the ante
ing our dominant performance into goals. We’re looking forward to the semi-finals.” RJC joint-manager Sam Rank described the result as “a massive wake-up call”. He said: “We go into next few games knowing we must up the ante to achieve our targets of league and cup success.”
MGBSFL PREMIER DIVISION
Max Kyte described goalkeeper Jack Franks as MLL’s match-winner as they beat stablemates Brady in a seven-goal thriller. Jamie Cohen (2) and Ollie Craig (2) settled the Rowley Lane derby as the Lions came from a goal down to win. Josh Curtis had given Brady an early advantage. Lions then opened a 3-1 lead before goals from Scott Gordon and Dan Cohen hauled Brady level before the Lions secured the points in the final minute. Lions joint-manager Max Kyte said: “We needed to bounce back from our loss to HMH and we were very pleased to claim the points. We were far from our best and if it wasn’t for the incredible reflexes and penalty save from Jack, we would have lost. He’s like Messi with a pair of gloves.” Brady boss Joel Nathan expressed “disappointment” and said: “We bossed the first half but again failed to convert our chances and were made to pay. The challenge now is to pick ourselves up for Sunday’s cup quarter-final against Hendon.”
DIVISION ONE
●Jewdinese boss Darren Lawrence insists Jewdinese will go into Sunday’s cup clash against Oakwood full of confidence following the victory over Bayern. Sam Stern and James Ross fired Jewdinese to their sixth win of the season as they closed the gap on the top three to boost their promotion hopes. Darren Lawrence said: “Bayern dominated the second half and had it not been for some great goalkeeping from Ben Halmer and solid defending from James Ross and Adam Gold, the scoreline could’ve been very different. Alon Pinhas scored from 30 yards for Bayern and joint-manager Daniel Holder said: “We were missing four regulars from our starting XI, including Adam Ellis. We performed well and I felt we deserved something from the game but sometimes it doesn’t always go the way we want.” DIVISION TWO
James Cartmell was “delighted to finish the league season on a winning note” as he was joined on the scoresheet by Michael Field in a hardearned win. Tim Levene replied. GARSTON VETS LEAGUE
FOOTBALL SECOND half strikes from Mike Pearson, Craig Pearl and Paul Hakim sent Lions four points clear at the top of the Garston Vets League as they earned an impressive win over an excellent Bushey Side.
Missing top-scorer Lee Cash and Ben Lauffer, a strong Lions side featured a centre-back pairing of Guy Morris and David Soutar, who gave them a solid base, with the tenacious Alex Levack setting the tone in midfield. Paul Lenchner worked tirelessly as the target man, with the team using the pace of Saul Conway and Pearson to deny Bushey time on the ball.
Lions created several openings in the first half, with Pearson, Conway and Pearl all going close.
The second half was a full-blooded and competitive affair, with Lions replacing Lenchner with Paul Hakim.
However, it needed a magnificent
ATHLETICS WITH an enthusiasm for the ageing process probably shared by few outside masters athletics, Roger Bruck has been looking forward to his 80th birthday ever since he turned 76.
It means that this summer he will again be the youngest in his age category and will no doubt be adding a string of further titles to his already long list of track and field records.
One of his first V80 meetings will be the European Masters Athlet- ics Champion- ships in Venice one-handed save from Rob Abrahams to deny Bushey the opening goal.
Lions broke the deadlock on 75 minutes when Levack’s corner was powered home at the near post by the head of Pearson.
Levack and the outstanding Daniel Stanton were forced off through injury but this did not affect Lions’ rhythm. They doubled their lead when Pearl controlled the ball on the edge of the penalty area before lashing a left-footed effort into the bottom corner.
Lions added a third on the break late on, with Tony Gold sending Conway away and although his effort was saved by the keeper, Hakim was on hand to tap in the rebound.
Lions travel to reigning champions Winchmore Hill on Sunday.
LIONS: Rob Abrahams, Jon Rayner, Tony Gold, David Soutar, Guy Morris, Alex Levack, Craig Pearl, Daniel Stanton, Saul Conway, Mike Pearson, Paul Lenchner. Subs: Paul Hakim, Max Radford, Rob Glass in September, where he plans to run in the 4x100m relay.
But for now, Bruck is focusing on his final few months of V75 competition, starting with victories in both the high jump and the long jump at the Southern Counties veterans indoor championships held at Lee Valley.
“I am glad to have the first meeting behind me, because I feel it sets me up for the season,” said Bruck. “I was particularly pleased with 1.20m in the high jump, which was only 1cm below my own record for these championships.“He added: “With my only attempt above this height, I did manage 1.24m (Bruck’s season’s best in 2018) without touching the bar. But the judges ruled that I should have gone over it!”