Swindon Flames Match Reports
SWINDON FLAMES PEEWEES 13 v SUTTON VIPERS 5
(Peewee Flames qualify for 2007 BISHA British National Peewee Championship.)
Swindon Skater Hockey Club’s Peewee team (U-12s) returned to action this weekend as they faced-off against Sutton Vipers at the Farnborough Leisure Centre on Sunday in what was their first game since the SASH league resumed after the summer break.
Standing second in the table, behind Oxford Storm, The Flames were widely expected to easily beat bottom placed Sutton who they had already defeated twice in this season’s league fixtures and once in a summer break friendly.
True to form The Flames scorched their way to the half-time break with a commanding 7 –3 lead. The second period saw more of the same as The Flames cruised to a comfortable 13 – 5 win
The victory over the Vipers guarantees The Flames a place in the 2007 British National Peewee Championships and brings them within two points of league leaders, Oxford Storm, who they face in their next game on October 7th.
With a Championship place secured Peewee manager, Ian Walters said, “We’re thrilled to have qualified for the Nationals again and we’ll be using the few remaining league games as part of our preparations for the Championships. The whole team have played well throughout the season and hopefully we can carry our current form into the Nationals, where we’ll be hoping to improve on the 7th place we achieved in last year’s tournament.”
SWINDON FLAMES YOUTH 2 v READING RHINOS 8
The Swindon Flames Youth team (U-15s), currently 3rd in the SASH Youth league, were also in action on Sunday when they clashed with second placed Reading Rhinos. The Flames have suffered two heavy defeats in this year’s league games against the Reading side (11-0 and 10-1.) Keen to score an advantage going into the National Championships, both teams fielded strong sides determined to get the upper-hand in their last league meeting of the current season. Despite a determined effort by The Flames, the strength in depth of the Rhinos squad proved too much and Reading team maintained their undefeated league record against Swindon Youth as they powered their way to an 8-2 victory.
Chris Rose, Flames Youth manager, said, ”This was, by far, our best league performance against the Rhinos this season and despite the disappointing score line the team showed a lot of spirit and determination that will stand us in good stead for the upcoming Championships”
The Flames Youth side next take to the rink again on 07/10/07 for their league game against Sutton Vipers, a win in which would see the side make their place in the British National Youth Championships a certainty.
SWINDON FLAMES JUNIOR REDS 6 v SUTTON VIPERS 4
In the last fixture of the day involving a team from Swindon Skater Hockey Club the club’s junior development side The Reds faced-off against Sutton Vipers in a Junior “B” league match. In a very competitive and closely fought affair the Reds, who played a high tempo game against a shorthanded Sutton bench, were rewarded for their efforts with a well deserved 6- 4 win.
The Flames Junior Reds next see action on 30/09/07 when they again face-off against the Vipers at the Farnborough Leisure Centre.