Plymouth College 3-3 Mount Kelly

Having scraped a narrow 3-2 victory away from home, earlier in the season, Plymouth College entertained Mount Kelly to round of their 2017 Hockey campaign. The hosts started the game the brightest, with some good opportunities being created in and around the circle and some calm and composed passing from the midfield and back 4. After a period of dominance, the Ford Park outfit took the lead, when a goal mouth scramble enabled Peter Loxdale to continue his prolific scoring run and notch the opening goal. A hard ball into the circle crashed into the goalkeeper's pads, and Loxdale was on hand to tuck it home on his reverse side. The game continued to be hotly contested, with both sides looking to gain a foothold, and a number of good saving tackles were made by players on both sides, knowing that the second goal was likely to prove crucial. Unfortunately for the hosts, the visitors equalised when a poor lapse in defence allowed an unmarked player to slot home. After another couple of chances which came and went, both sides went into the half-time break in the running.

The second period proved to be a scrappy affair, with both sides carrying the ball into contact too much to allow the game to flow. With neither side able to establish control, chances were few and far between, however, it was Plymouth College who seized the initiative when a hard ball into the circle from Ollie Dinnis was cleverly deflected home by Paddy James at the back post. The goal seemed to spur Mount Kelly into life, however, and another series of lapses at the back enabled them to first equalise, and then take the lead within 15 minutes of the restart. Plymouth was not to be undone however and some persistent work from Ollie Dinnis saw him win a penalty corner. The resulting set piece saw the same player flick the ball high into the Mount Kelly net to restore parity. With time running out, however, Plymouth College looked the more likely to snatch a winner, and an overtime corner saw them have a chance to snatch the win. The resulting goal mouth scramble saw Mount Kelly successfully resist the onslaught and the game ended in an entertaining stalemate.

With the season now at an end, it is important to thank all the players who have been involved in the program this season. It is also an opportune time to wish those who are leaving us this Summer all the very best for the future and to thank them for the significant contribution they have made to Hockey during their time at Plymouth College. Each and every one of them has been a credit to both the school and themselves.