M1's have league title in their grasp

The M1's entertained Winchester on Wednesday evening in a game which could all but secure national league hockey for Hawks next season - barring their only challengers London Edwardians improving their goal difference by more than 30 goals in two games.  With a good crowd behind them, Hawks started brightly and soon settled the nerves when they won their first penalty corner in the second minute for Jack Biggs to convert.  Hawks play was brisk and on fifteen minutes Ted Bennett increased the lead.  Biggs had the chance to put the game beyond the visitors reach in the twenty second minute but his penalty stroke found the post rather than the backboard.  Hawks play was generally dominant but too often the ball was turned over high up the pitch and consequently Hawks first half domination was not quite reflected in the score line until the last minute before the half time break when Ted Bennett finished off a precise passing move.

The second half followed a similar pattern with the visitors offering little by way of threat to the Hawks goal.  Mike Cullimore got the score board ticking again with an excellent reverse stick finish eight minutes in, and when Jack Biggs converted his second penalty corner midway through the half, the result seemed to be beyond doubt.  Despite ample opportunities to add to their already impressive goals tally for the season, Hawks had to wait until the last minute of the game to complete the scoring courtesy of Will Heywood.

Hawks travel to Horsham on Saturday when a win or draw will render the London Eds mathematicians redundant.

A big 'thank you' to all those that turned up last night to help to push the team over the line.

Thank you too to Clive Jones for the excellent photos.