The opening match was between the touring side Sutchers vs. Truro, after a good start from Sutchers and final comeback from Truro the match finished 3 – 2 to the touring side. The second match was between Duchy and St. Austell, after a hard thought match the game ended a draw at 2 – 2 with Chris Pound and Ben “Kiwi” Noakes (we think) getting the goals for Duchy.

The third match of the day was between Truro and St. Austell, a regular rival match in the league produced a somewhat lack luster match with the final score 1 – 1. The next match saw Duchy up against Sutchers, the game started at a fast pass with both teams coming close, the final score was 3 – 1 to Duchy with Max Chippett, Martin Crump and Wayne Spargo getting the goals.

In the final round of matches it was St. Austell vs. Sutchers, but before that it was the big rival game between Duchy and Truro. The game started at a fast and both teams were creating chances, although Duchy had the majority but failed to take advantage of them, apart from Crump popping up to slot home a goal. With the score at 1 – 1, Truro scored a break away goal in the last 5 minutes and sealed a 2 – 1 victory, much to Duchy’s annoyance.

So it all came down to the last game on who would go through to the final, it was down to the touring side and St. Austell to decide who would be in the final. Both teams were showing tiredness, let alone the injured Sutchers keeper showing signs of his dodgy leg. Both teams got early goals but St. Austell pumped up the pressure and finally saw off the tourists 4 – 2.

This result meant that the final would be Duchy vs. St. Austell. The whistle blew and both teams started well, pressing and creating space. Duchy got he opening goal and soon after got a second, then St. Austell stepped up their game and with a couple of errors creeping into Duchy’s game St. Austell got one back, Duchy again failed to put away a couple of chances. With 5 minutes to go St. Austell got the equalizer they were after, much to the dismay of Duchy.

The final few minutes saw both teams pushing but the defensive qualities of both teams kept each other in the game, the final whistle blew 2 – 2. The match went to European Flicks here is a quick explanation, 5 players from each team, one at a time each player had one minute to score a goal, they started from the 25 line, as soon as they entered the D they couldn’t come back out, if the keeper got a touch on the ball it was over/saved.

Duchy won the toss and chose to go second, up stepped St. Austell’s first player, went in drew the keeper but shot wide. Tom Probst was up first for Duchy, stepped to the left of the keeper and put the ball in with his reverse stick. St. Austell’s second player stepped up; Andrew West in goal for Duchy came out and closed down the shot to put Duchy in a great position. Next up for Duchy was Mark Symons, similar to Probst he went to the left of the keeper but managed to put it in on his strong side to make sure of the goal, 2 – 0 Duchy.

Under pressure the third round started, St. Austell’s player came into the D with confidence, but again the reactions and speed of West put pressure on their player and Duchy were now in a position to win the match with the next flick. Up stepped Max Chippett, into the D, around the keeper and into the back of the goal, much to the relief of Martin Crump and Wayne Spargo. That was it the TSI Renewables Cup was won by Duchy Hockey Club, the first silverware for the club.

M.O.M – Pink Stick
D.O.D – Kiwi

A big thank you to TSI Renewables, St. Austell Hockey Club, Truro Hockey Club and HAC Sutchers, we hoped you all enjoyed the tournament, we certainly had fun. We’d also like to thank Ian Reynolds for umpiring on his dodgy leg and thank you to those who umpired at some point during the day.

You can visit the Duchy Hockey Club website here for news and results.