Swindon Flames Match Reports
SASH LEAGUE RESULTS 28/10/07
SWINDON FLAMES PEEWEES 20 v ASH AVALANCHE RAGE 2
Swindon Skater Hockey Club’s Peewee Flames faced-off against Ash Avalanche Rage at the Farnborough Leisure Centre on Sunday, for what was the team’s final league game on the closing day of the 2007 SASH season.
With a place in the National Championships, taking place in Hastings, Sussex next weekend, already secured The Flames were determined to enjoy their last competitive match of the season and, in the process, help their forwards, Oliver Thompson and captain, Jack Townsend, improve on their individual game stats and in Jack’s case, possibly snatch the league’s trophy for top goal scorer. Going into the game Jack trailed the top spot by 7 points and Oliver required 3 points to improve on his 5th place. From the very first whistle the Flames surged forward and almost immediately the Swindon team took the lead as Oliver Thompson found the back of the net within the opening two minutes. Not to be outdone, Jack Townsend scored twice in quick succession as the Flames looked to find their opening pair of forwards at every opportunity. Combining well with each other and benefiting from a selfless service from the rest of the squad Jack and Oliver blitzed the Ash netminder mercilessly, with Jack scoring 4 more (+ 1 assist) and Oliver twice beating the Ash keeper. The first half drew to a close with a goal from Sam Nobbs, who then secured 7th place in the goal-scorer’s table, to give the Flames a commanding 10-2 lead.
The second half opened with the rest of the team keen to take advantage of a potential goal bonanza and a hat trick from Alex Baker, another 3 from Jack Townsend, 2 more from Oliver Thompson and goals Anthony Bayliss and Megan Salisbury completed the rout to give the Flames a 20-2 victory.
Flames captain Jack Townsend finished in the top spot for this year’s leading goal scorer with a total of 58 points (48+10) and Oliver Thompson claimed 4th place with 31 points (27+4).
After the game Flames manager Derek Thompson said, “ Hockey is a team sport, and although the main feature of today’s game was a chase for individual points the whole team performed selflessly and enabled our forwards to achieve. Their awards are a credit not only to themselves but to the whole team and the manner in which they have all played together as a team throughout the year.”
The Peewee Flames next take to the rink on Saturday 17th November in Hastings, East Sussex when they face off against Brighton Street Stormers , the South East league Champions, in their opening game of the 2007 British National Peewee Championships.