Kelburne got the Tempest Trophy off to a stylish start as they showed their EHL credentials with a 10-1 over YMCA. With seven full internationals and every single member of their starting level having played some form of national level hockey, Kelburne were always likely to be a handful and proved it when Michael Christie fired in a reverse in the sixth minute.
They racked up four goals in each half with 16-year-old Josh Cairns firing in four in the second period. The youngster recently banged in five in the European A division under-21 competition for Scotland while skipper Gareth Hall (pictured), Jonny Christie, Michael Christie, Chris Nelson and Iain Scholefield were also on the mark.
The other tie pitted Leinster and Munster champions with a young C of I selection coming out on top over Three Rock. After a very low-key, structured first half, Rovers looked to have gained the upper hand, winning a number of corners but Peter Blakeney's radar was well off.
Malcolm Coombes brilliant base-line run set up Ben Dobbs in the third quarter for 1-0 and John Jermyn made it 2-0 with a power-flick. Blakeney hit a post and had one disallowed but Rovers struggled to create many clear-cut chances.
One of the highlights of the evening was the use of the EHL rules, the most eye-catching of which is the ability to play the ball to yourself from frees. The rule speeds the game up no end and reduces the value of breaking the game down with the added advantage there is little time for players to complain.
4 comments:
3 rock brought down to size by what I saw tonight. I hope the success of last season hasn't gone to there heads!
Good positive reinforcement for Leinster hockey there! Glad to see so much can be read into the result of one pre-season game.
that rule is so stupid
how exactly does it work, I'm kinda confused
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