Men's 1st Team Vs Old Wulfrunians

Old Wulfrunians    3      Yardley  0

Yardley began their league campaign with a tough away game against Old Wulfrunians. Old Wulfs have been known to score lots of goals in this fixture in the Warwick Printing MRHA West Midlands Division 1. Yardley arrived with the bare bones of a team. The line-up was intentionally quite defensive to start, beginning the game with a half court press. Old Wulfs were well drilled, and clearly had been practising the art of running off a defender into space to receive the ball. This was causing havoc for Yardley’s defence; a few poorly marked players quickly led to Old Wulfs getting onto the score sheet.  The remainder of the first  half was a game of defence for Yardley, with only a few attacks on the break from long balls through, or over the midfield. Special mentions should  go to youngsters Noah Jarvis  and Kyle Letts who were the team’s legs on the wings, constantly racing up the pitch to try to get onto the end of these hopeful attempts.

However, it was during the second half when Yardley came to life. A change of tactics involved choosing to take the fight to the opposition. Yardley were able to keep most of the game in the opposing half, making use of the interplay of passes. Unfortunately, Yardley couldn't convert any of their many chances into goals.  Old Wulfs were not happy to have only won 3-0, based on previous results.  Yardley however, will be encouraged by excellent decorum of teamwork and communication.

Yardley’s week-end did not get any better when on Sunday they entertained Sutton at home in the England Hockey Championships, a team three divisions above them. There was to be no giant killing act as the visitors ran out very comfortable winners and into the next round.

Report by Peter Brainch

(Club Secretary and Publicity Officer)