TEMPEST TEAMS WIN ENHLAND HOCKEY CUPS!
For the first time in the history of the EH Cup, two teams kitted in Tempest Hockey's clothing have won domestic titles!
Leicester, boosted by the return of their GB internationals, beat Slough 1-0 in a game for the hardened hockey watcher. Anne Panter scored after 11 minutesand chances were few and far between for the rest of the match.
Beeston HC, on the back of signing a new four season deal with Tempest won out in the be game of the day, beating fellow Tempest kitted club Bowdon in a classic 4-3 encounter.
Beeston captain David Griffiths was the saviour for his side as he scored a 66th minute winner in a nail biting Men’s Cup Final which saw the host side squander a 3-0 lead to let Bowdon back into the game.
The Cup Finals have been a major part of the YAZOO National Youth Hockey Festival at Highfields Sports Club in Nottingham – also the home venue for finalists Beeston. Of course Tempest was the official clothing supplier to that event as well!
Buoyed on by the home crowd, Chris Seddon opened the scoring for Beeston early in the first half when he drew and rounded Bowdon goalkeeper Rob Turner and flicked the ball into an unguarded net.
Chances were few and far between with resolute defending by Bowdon Captain Steve Smith and Beeston’s Stephen Lawrence keeping the forwards under wraps.
In the 20th minute Bowdon conceded a free hit on the edge of their defending circle. Ex-Beeston captain Steven Wood, making his 50th appearance in the cup for Beeston, smashed the ball across goal which Mark Wadsley was able to deflect high into the roof of the net to increase his teams lead.
Bowdon responded with an improved passage of play and Simon Egerton worked well down the left creating a number of chances for his side. Bowdon found Beeston goal keeper Tom Skinner in inspired form, thwarting Pakistan drag-flicker Ali Ghanzafar’s penalty corners on a number of occasions.
The second half began well for Beeston when Seddon scored his second goal of the match following up a blocked shot from a James McBlane penalty corner to the delight of the large Beeston crowd.
Within 18 minutes, Bowdon had turned the game on it's head. Alistair Brogdon won a penalty corner which Ghanzafar flung high into the net to give his side hope. Minutes later Ghanzafar’s next flick was well saved by Skinner, but the Pakistani international was on hand to strike an unstoppable shot into the top stanchion of the goal.
In an almost carbon copy of the Wadsley goal, Ghanzafar completed his hat trick with a deflection into the side netting.
Beeston responded within seconds and a won the match when Wayne Rowland’s cross found Beeston Captain David Griffiths who coolly finished through the legs of Turner to send the crowd into raptures.
Despite a couple of late penalty corners for Bowdon as the clock ticked down, Beeston held firm to record their first ever Cup title.
As well as the team kits on show, the cup umpires will be wearing thier official NPUA Tempest kit.
There was also an opportunity to purchase Tempest replica kit and clothing and many people took their chance!
Congratulations to all the players who took part.
