The Men’s 3s travelled to Leominster for their first match of the new league season eager to make the long drive and extortionate parking fees worthwhile.
Our resident spy Rich Hitchiner reported that the opposition had some M1s candidates in their ranks, and early Leominster pressure seemed to suggest this, however most attacks were dealt with by Hitchiner and fellow Defensive mid James Scarrott, and on the turnover, our young arsenal of James (guns) Thomson, Soni (the whippet) Maidment and George (silky smooth) Elkins were able to exploit a slower back line with speedy counter attacks. Debutant Matt (baby J) Jeffries, playing a high forward position gave the Leominster defence and his marker, with near 40 year age gap something to think about, and it was his space creation that allowed Elkins and Maidment to link up producing a close range tap in after a sprint and cut in down the right wing.
This spurred Leominster into action but Gloucester weathered the storm with Declan (Clintons) Rosser employing perhaps unintentionally the dark arts and earning himself and his victim a green card.
Half time 0-1.
The second half went much the same as the first, unfortunately early Leominster pressure eventually led to a penalty corner which was converted but for a good ten minutes after it was all Gloucester, with the press consistently forcing Leominster to cede possession.
A resulting penalty corner was majestically converted by Hitchiner low into the corner before Leominster again converted theirs to set up the final 15 minutes. The same two players found themselves receiving harsh cards from the enthusiastic umpire again but this did little to dampen Gloucesters spirits with both Jeffries, Maidment, Captain Rich (hoppalong)Mobberley and Rob (nosebleed)Fielder having opportunities to score which were parried away by an increasingly flappy Leominster keeper who kept the score level and won their MoM in the process.
Result: 2-2 and no parking tickets.
DoD – Declan Rosser
MoM – James Scarrott