On Saturday the Northwood 1st XI played Kearsney on Northwood’s Old Boys’ Day. The match started with both teams playing within themselves somewhat. However it was Kearsney who drew first blood shortly after they defended a Northwood penalty corner by forcing a PC of their own. Daniel de Kock made no mistake as he blasted home a straight hit. The match continued to be played between the 23m lines with neither team being able to break down each others superb defensive shapes. However, as the half progressed, Northwood started to capitalise on some poor discipline from Kearsney to start creating some excellent chances. After several PC attacks and Nick Wright smashing the upright from close range, Kearsney somehow were able to go into half time with their 1-0 lead in tact.
The second half played out in a much different fashion with Northwood dominating the stats and having the better of the chances. Eventually Northwood walked through the Kearsney defence with an outlet of dreams which lead to Brent ‘Fireball’ Van Der Linde tapping home on far post to level the scores. However their comeback was short lived as Kearsney were awarded a penalty stroke after a messy goal mouth scrap and they regained their lead. From that point on, Northwood got stronger and stronger and the Kearsney boys struggled to keep the waves of attacks at bay and it wasn’t long until Northwood equalised early in the fourth quarter. Nick Wright made up for his first half miss when he crashed a backhand into the Kearnsey backboard to level the match once again.
Northwood finished the stronger of the two teams but a draw was probably a just result with both teams doing enough in the match not to deserve a loss.
Well done gents on a fine season.
