Hampstead 3 Reading Men 7
By Reading Hockey Club • Sep 25th, 2012 • Category: M1, Match Reports, NewsSaturday 15th September 2012
This weekend saw the commencement of the 2012/13 Men’s National Premier League and sent the reigning Champions Reading HC to Hampstead and Westminster to get their title defence started. With an influx of fresh talent into the RHC 1st team squad and having said goodbye to a few very talented players this match was incredibly important in setting the tone for this new look RHC squad – and it did not disappoint.
A strong start by the Sonning Lane team led to the first penalty corner of the season, and up steps the ever reliable Richard Mantell who fires it home to make it 1-0. This was quickly followed by a second from the ever present Andy Watts.
This however only seemed to kick H&W into action and they bounced back with 2 goals of their own to bring the scoreline level. Though this was short lived and a beautifully worked move up the right flank led to debutant Darren Cheesman sliding in to finish a superb goal before half time.
Following some wise words at the half time break Reading came out flying in the second half. Improving their work rate, ball retention and team shape with immediate rewards. Through some brilliant periods of play the boys from the Ding took the game away from the opposition with goals from debutant Craig Peel, Jack Hardy, and two more from Rich Mantell.
Despite a consolation strike from H&W Reading saw the game out and take a very encouraging 3 points into week 2 of the league and their grudge match against rivals East Grinstead.
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