TORBAY REPORT 2019
Posted by Peter Brainch on 27 April 2019
TORBAY TOUR REPORT 2019
Our annual touring party headed down to Torbay, once again, over the Easter weekend and were treated to some lovely weather, though at times a bit too hot for hockey. With games starting on Good Friday, the Normans, got their tour off to an exciting start as always, another 8 goal thriller against the West Brom Stags, a game which ended 4-4. 2 Short corner goals from James Livingston and 2 from Jeevan earned the Normans a draw. With a gap between games, the Normans headed off towards Goodrington Sands to make the most of the weather, and the pub! Friday afternoon and a game against local friends Buffaloes also from the Midlands though this time a heavy 7-1 defeat, James again getting a goal from a short corner.
Saturday morning and a much later start to the day, an 11:30 game against Old Gobblers. You could be forgiven thinking a later game is always good, but this one was close. Normans 1-0 going into the break, Jacob drew us back level with a penalty flick, with the Old Gobblers pressing to win the game 3-1. Another trip to the pub for many, then a return to the pitch for an afternoon game against Bluebottles. Normans took an early lead with Olivia tapping the ball through the keeper’s legs. Doc and Lizzie also arrived in time for the game and enjoyed some combinations down the right side. Bluebottles took a hold of the game before Jeevan swept in for another equaliser. With Rob stepping in as kicking back after an injury to our keeper, it looked set for another draw. But in the final moments, Bluebottles managed to get the ball to trickle in after some splendid interceptions from Rob, meaning Normans lost 3-2.
Sunday morning was another later game, this time against host team Oddfellows. Last time out, Normans beat the Oddfellows 2-1 and they were determined to overturn the result with a win this weekend. Oddfellows took control of the game early on, getting into the lead quite comfortably in the opening minutes. Normans won 3 consecutive short corners from which Jeevan guided into the far post. But unlike last year, it was the Oddfellows who got back in front, 3-1 the score at the interval. With some port and oranges offered to the Normans, they clawed back the advantage again through Jeevan. The defence remained strong and kept away the chances, Jacob making a fine sliding tackling to win the ball at the top of our “D” to set us on the counter. But the Oddfellows were a bit too strong and scored the final goal to win 4-2. With one of the shortest breaks yet, within the hour Normans turned around heading over to Torquay for their final game against the Midwives. Quickly falling behind by 2 goals, Normans won another short corner, again deflected and converted by Jeevan. Midwives with fresh legs, lots of energy kept running at a tired Normans team and took a 4-1 lead into the break. Second half and Midwives added 2 more before some lovely hockey saw Alex coolly slot home Normans’ final goal for Torbay 2019 with a cheeky reverse flick.
Huge thanks go out to umpires Jon Smith, Neil Toye and Rob McGuigan for umpiring games for the Normans. It was an enjoyable weekend of hockey with some great weather, here’s hoping that 2020 will have weather much the same for our touring group.
Report sent in by Jeevan