Another sunny Sunday in Birmingham

On Sunday 25th March - another sunny Sunday - University of Birmingham played host to Lichfield Hockey Club in their last match of the England Hockey League's Conference West. Lichfield desperately needed a win if they were to stand a chance of avoiding the relegation play-off spot. If Birmingham won they could end up Runners Up - depending on the result in the Havant game.

Birmingham set off at a cracking pace ...

... and were three goals up in the first quarter of an hour

Peter (Jacko) Jackson opened the scoring then Rich grabbed two more goals

Aathavan (Aardy) Lingeswaran extended the lead to four by half time.

Two quick goals by Lichfield brought them into the game before Rich scored his third and Birmingham's fifth to make it 5-2.

However, two further Lichfield goals made for a tense final ten minutes ...

... until Will Byas eased the home fans' nerves with a strike in the final minute.

With Havant (surprisingly) losing 2-1 at Cheltenham, Birmingham finished 2nd in the League by a clear 2 points (albeit some 14 points behind Champions, Bath). Well done to the entire squad in what has been their best season for many years.

Well done and thanks to coach, Steve ...

... and manager, Norman

A sunny day in Birmingham

This afternoon, University of Birmingham Hockey Club played Havant HC in an England Hockey League Conference West clash at the University's Bournbrook Pitches.

Havant and Birmingham both had 27 points from 15 games - 13 points adrift of Conference Champions, Team Bath Buccaneers.

Havant, who were lying 2nd in the table at the start of the game, were quicker "out of the blocks" ...

... and were two goals up within 8 minutes against 3rd placed Birmingham.

After 12 minutes, Birmingham pulled one back. Rich - in only his second game since keyhole surgery on his knee about 6 weeks ago - latched on to a superb through ball from Will Byas and buried the ball in the net giving keeper Andy Isaacs no chance.

Birmingham continued to pile on the pressure ...

... and Ben Stoney grabbed a deserved equaliser from a penalty corner. So all square at half time.

Birmingham took the lead some 5 minutes into the second half. Captain Pete (Jacko) Jackson scored one of his trademark penalty corners

Birmingham ran out winners 3-2 and moved into second place in the league. A trip to champions Bath awaits them next week before the final match of the season on 25 March at home against Lichfield.

Well done Brum