Swindon Flames Match Reports
2007 BISHA BRITISH NATIONAL JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
(Top 3 finish for Swindon Junior Flames at National Championships)
The British Inline Skater Hockey Association’s 2007 Junior (U-18’s) National Championship took place over the weekend at the Lord Robert’s Sports Hall in Bisley, Surrey and, local side, The Swindon Junior Flames, were amongst the top 12 teams in the country competing at this prestigious event.
The BISHA National Championship is the flagship event for the sport in the UK, with the eventual winners not only being crowned National Champions but also claiming the honour of representing Great Britain at next year’s IISHF European Championships.
The opening stages of the competition saw The Flames grouped with this year’s Northern League Champions, Norton Cyclones and London & Eastern (LESHA) League runners-up, Stanstead Jets.
The Junior Flames kicked off their 2007 Championship campaign on Saturday morning when they faced off against the Jets. The Flames took to the rink determined to get their challenge of to a good start but within minutes found themselves one man down as they took a two-minute minor penalty. The Flames response was emphatic, with the team not only holding out to kill the penalty but scoring a short-handed goal when Tom Ireland fired a blistering shot from the halfway line that left the Jet’s netminder rooted to the spot as the ball flew into the back of the net. The Jets immediately mounted a counter-attack and, after hitting the Flame’s goalpost twice, they were rewarded for their efforts when they equalised through a power-play goal after the Flames had conceded another penalty. With 27 seconds left in the first period, a goalmouth scramble allowed the Jets to score again and snatch the lead 2-1 to take into the break.
The second period began with the Flames determined to wrestle back the deficit and The Jets equally determined not to hand over the advantage and although the equaliser came five minutes into the second half when Flames forward Tom Poole, assisted by team mate Craig Davies’ inch perfect pass, beat the Jets’ keeper it was not until three minutes from the end of play that the deadlock was finally broke when Tom Poole again found the back of the net to give the Flames a 3-2 lead. With only seconds of the game remaining The Jets pulled their goalie and added another forward in a desperate attempt to secure a draw but the game was wrapped up when Flames striker Drew Satchell latched on to a loose ball and coolly drove into the unguarded Jets goal to give the Flames their first win of the tournament, 4-2.
The Flames’ next game of the competition saw them up against Norton Cyclones, who, as undefeated winners of the Northern league, had conceded only 5 goals in the entire season. Undaunted, and buoyed by their earlier win, The Flames started brightly but where unable to convert any of their early chances and it was Norton who took the lead midway through the first half. Four minutes later, Norton struck again to give the Northern Champions a 2-0 lead at halftime. As the Cyclones began to increase the pressure through the second period, the Flames defence began tire and concede penalties and as a result the Cyclones were able to add two more power-play goals to the score-line before the game’s final whistle to give them a comfortable 4-0 victory over The Flames.
With one win and one loss, the Flames’ hopes of progressing to the knockout stages were dependant on the remaining group game between Stanstead Jets and Norton Cyclones. The team from the north ensured a quarterfinals place for the Swindon side when they cruised to a 6-2 win against the Jets thereby finishing top of the group with The Flames qualifying in second place.
The Flames opponents for the quarterfinal were group winners Redditch Rockets who had qualified with 2 wins from 2 games. Again, the Flames started the game brightly and when one of the Rocket’s first-line forwards was given a ten minute penalty for the use of illegal body armour the Swindon side seized upon the opportunity to convert the advantage into points when Flames forward Will Crowder’s shot beat the Redditch netminder to give the Swindon team a 1-0 lead just before half-time.
The Flames came out for the second period intent on a place in the semi-finals and immediately launched a blistering attack on the Rocket’s keeper, which resulted in a goal from Tom Ireland after only 48 seconds. Two minutes later, The Flames struck again when Will Crowder stuck a ferocious shot from the halfway line which left the shell-shocked Redditch keeper no chance for a save and put the Flames 3-0 up. The Flames maintained the pressure until the final few minutes of the game when a lapse in concentration gave the Rockets the chance to pull back a goal. Having scored once, the Rockets threw everything into attack and with only 1minute 35 seconds on the clock they managed to score again, bringing the score to 3-2.The Flames regrouped and managed to win the ball from the face-off and keep possession as the clock ticked down the remaining seconds to give them a much deserved 3-2 victory and a place in the final four.
The second day of the Championship weekend saw The Swindon Junior Flames take to the rink in a semi-final clash with local rivals Oxford Hurricanes. Having been defeated by Oxford in their last three league encounters (9-1, 7-3 and most recently 5-2) The Flames went into the game as confirmed underdogs but when the Swindon side hit the rink it was obvious from the first whistle that The Flames gave scant regard to the form book and were intent on staking a claim to a place in the finals. The game that followed proved to be one of the highlights of the Championship weekend as both teams engaged in a thrilling, end-to-end battle to secure National honours. Oxford secured the first advantage of the game when The Flames were reduced to 3 outfield players through a questionable penalty but, despite hitting the metalwork, a magnificent display by Flames defenders James Bayliss, Tom Ireland and Shaun Davies saw the Hurricanes unable to break through to convert their advantage into points. Seconds after being restored to full strength the tables were turned as Oxford conceded a penalty and Swindon’s captain Shaun Davies broke from the Flames defence on a power-play to attack the Oxford net and rifle the ball past the keeper to take the lead 1-0.With both teams again at full strength the Oxford Hurricanes launched a counter and snatched an equaliser 60 seconds later to take the teams into the half time break tying at 1-1.
The second period saw an enthralling contest as both teams fought to break the deadlock, an outstanding period by Flames netmider Rebecca Lewis saw the Hurricanes denied time after time whilst at the other end, despite their best efforts the Flames forwards were unable to unlock the Hurricanes defence. As the clock ticked down the pace became even more frenetic and Luke Swaby’s and Luke Vincent’s contributions to the Swindon team became increasingly important as they battled bravely for every loose ball as they sought to provide the pass that would turn the game. With 4 minutes 57 on the clock the Flames at last managed to undo the Oxford defence when Chris Adamson rocketed the ball into the back of the Oxford net to take the Flames into the lead and within 5 minutes of a place in the National Finals.
The Hurricanes immediately launched a ferocious all out attack on the Flames goals in an effort to claw themselves back into contention and despite a fantastic effort by the Flames keeper and defence they were unable to hold back the Hurricanes who snatched the equaliser with only 1minute 37 second of time remaining. As the game seemed destined to go to extra-time it was the Oxford side that seized the initiative from the face off when, buoyed by their late comeback, they stormed the Flames goalmouth in a last effort to secure the win and managed to steal the winning goal with only 70 seconds left on the clock. The narrow 3-2 victory for the Hurricanes put them through to the final and left The Flames to contest the third place playoff.
Immediately after the thrilling semi-final junior Flames coach Ian Houston, said, “I know that all of our players are disappointed not to have won this game but they really shouldn’t be. Every single one of our players gave 110% and they should all be really proud of what they’ve achieved. This was the best ever performance by this Flames team and our team can rightfully be proud of their fantastic effort, throughout the weekend they’ve all showed tremendous courage, commitment and skill and have more than done themselves justice”.
After their defeat in the semi-finals the Junior Flames had to pick themselves up and face another regular SASH league opponent when they faced off in the third place playoff against Shene Youngbloods. The Flames have had mixed fortunes against the Youngbloods in this year’s league, winning their last encounter 4-3 but suffering defeats in their previous two games (5-4 and 9-3) but the Swindon side were determined to end their Championship on a high. The Flames took the bull by the horns and certainly looked the hungrier of the two side but it wasn’t until the last minute of the first period that the Flames where able to convert their dominance into points when Drew Satchell fired a scorching shot past the Shene keeper to take the Flames to the halftime whistle 1-0 up.
The Flames started the second period where they left off in the first and within the opening minute Drew Satchell again found the back of the net and when Will Crowder added goal number 3 to the score-sheet the Shene Youngbloods were well and truly beat. Goal number four from the Flames came 8 minutes from time when Tom Ireland’s shot beat the Youngblood’s keeper and despite a late consolation goal by Shene in the last 5 minutes The Flames cruised to a convincing 4-1 win and claimed 3rd place in the Championship.
Following the presentation, were Norton Cyclones were crowned British national Champions after defeating Oxford 5-2 in the finals, Swindon Flames Junior manager Nina Hawkins, said,” Finishing in third place is a fantastic achievement for the team and exceeded any of our expectations, it’s the best result in the Nationals for any of our club teams for several years and we’re all really proud of the team. It’s a credit to their hard work and commitment throughout the entire season , including Miles Bailey who has been an invaluable team member but who couldn’t take part in the finals due to injury, that we are now ranked in the top three junior teams in the whole country”
The Flames picked up their final honour of the weekend at the presentation ceremony when their Captain Shaun Davies was selected for the National “dream team” and was presented with that award as well as the team’s medals and third place trophy.
Swindon Junior Flames 2007 Dream Team - Captain Shaun Davies in full flight
Shaun Davies & James Bayliss congratulate Tom James Bayliss and netminder Rebbecca Lewis
Ireland on scoring the opening goal against the Jets foil another Jets attack.