MENS 1ST XI RETAIN DIVISION 1 PLACE
Wisbech Town Hockey Club wrapped up their season with a series of impressive performances from their Senior sides at the weekend. The Men’s first team travelled to last placed Sudbury knowing that a win would be enough to keep them in Division 1 North for another season. Despite a nervy start, with Wisbech giving away possession cheaply on several occasions, Dominic Stannard put the Fenland side ahead from a short corner. Wisbech remained vulnerable on the counter attack however, and conceded an equaliser before half time.
Improved ball movement in the second half saw Wisbech stretch Sudbury, before pulling away thanks to three well executed short corner routines, with Sam Markillie scoring to make it 2-1, before a brace from Tom Jupp took the lead to 4-1. Markillie added his second of the game later in the half, before Josh Bell completed the victory.
“It was a thoroughly deserved win,” Head Coach Charlie Baxter said following the game. “It has been an extremely enjoyable, but at times difficult season for the Men’s first team; but remaining in Division 1 is no less than the team deserves”.
With their own place in the Women’s Division 1 North secure for another season, the Ladies 1st XI took on a Cambridge City 3rd team eyeing promotion at the upper end of the table; but a fast start from Wisbech, following an energetic team talk from outgoing captain Jo Bland, saw the Fenland side take the lead when Jo Gomm fed Jane Peggs - playing her final game for the club after more than 40-years - to open the scoring. Goalkeeper Lexie Klibanecz made a brilliant double save shortly after to keep Wisbech ahead, with Bland leading from the front as the home side looked to control the middle of the pitch, and keep Cambridge at bay.
WTHC LADIES 1ST XI
After using the half time break as a much needed opportunity to refuel and rehydrate in the hot conditions, Wisbech continued to defend with conviction in the second half, but eventually conceded against the run of play. Cambridge pushed hard for a second goal late in the game, even opting to swap their goalkeeper out for an extra on field player for the final five minutes, but Wisbech’s defence remained firm and celebrated a hard earned draw against one of the Division’s top sides to finish the season.
“Every one of our 14-players put in a great shift on Saturday,” Team Manager John Sullivan said. “It was a great way to finish the campaign; and it’s been a really good first season back in Division 1 North, which gives us a strong foundation for next year.”
The Men’s 2nd XI took on local rivals March in their final game of the season, with the visitors jumping out to an early lead after converting a penalty flick, before adding a second goal soon after to leave Wisbech on the back foot after just five minutes. Captain Jonathan Shippey helped get his side back on form, scoring from a short corner, before Mike Lawrence and Scott Welcher found the back of the net to give Wisbech a slender lead heading into the break.
Shippey’s side kept the momentum with them in the second half, increasing their lead through Drew Harvey, before Nick Osborn scored his first goal of the season to make it 5-2. Forward Josh Porter then scored a straight hat trick to round out an 8-2 win for Wisbech. The result still leaves Wisbech in with a chance of being promoted from Division 3 North West, with Wisbech sitting 1-point ahead of Cambridge South. The city side play their final game this coming weekend against March.
WTHC MENS 2ND XI
The Ladies second team travelled Wilberforce Road Sports Ground to take on Cambridge City’s 5th team, unsure what to expect from their opponents after the home fixture had been forfeited by the city side. After a hard fought first half the score remained 0-0, but a series of short corner opportunities, and attacking plays in the second half eventually saw Cambridge beat Player of the Game Ali Beel in the Wisbech goal. It proved decisive, despite Wisbech going close late in the game.
“I’m extremely proud to have captained this team this year,” skipper Harriet Bateman said following the game. “We finished mid-table in the end, we perhaps deserved to finish a little higher, but we’ve put in so much effort this season that I am optimistic, and excited for our chances next year.”
Lily Cooper netted a hat trick for the Ladies 3rd XI, who marked the end of their season with a 7-4 win away at Newmarket’s 3rd team. Captain Nicola Greville, Andrea Eggleton, Oliwia Bolka, and Sarah Champion were also on target for Wisbech, who finished the season with two wins and a draw from their final three games to finish in sixth place in Division 5 North West.
The Mens 3rd team travelled to second placed Cambridge South 4th XI; with neither side able to alter their standing in the league, the game was played in good spirits, with the home side claiming a 5-0 win; the Wisbech XI were able to leave with their heads held high however, after putting in a hard working performance against the city side.