Cubs' victory worth the wait

Cubs 1, Quackers 0

CUBS deservedly won the women's hockey 'Upton', a single goal scant reward for their domination of long periods of the match. But it was a match that seemed as if it would never start.

Even before the day, there were claims and counter-claims that the Jersey champions wanted the date changed - they had key players missing, notably the England-capped Beckie Herbert.

Quackers were late arriving, blaming a delayed plane and problems in getting taxis. They turned up in their kit and had to go straight onto the pitch and start within minutes of their arrival.

Cubs, meanwhile, had been waiting in the heat, keen to stay focused without tiring themselves physically or mentally.

When finally the match started, they were immediately on top, forcing their yellow-and-black-shirted opponents back. The Cubs midfield linked well, Elyse Dandeker, Michelle Gilson and Gill Doyle allowing Quackers little time and space on the ball.

In attack, the pace of Debbie Allen and Jo Hollyer-Hill regularly had the Jersey players in trouble.

Meanwhile, the backline, possibly underestimated by Quackers, held so firm that the Jersey team did not force one short corner in the match and keeper Gemma Duport was largely a spectator.

Six minutes after the break came the winning goal. Ali Le Tocq won the ball on the left of the Cubs' D before sending a fine crossfield ball to Hollyer-Hill. The winger tore down the right before pulling the ball back to the top of the D from where Allen crashed home a first-time shot.

Gilson, Hollyer-Hill and Allen all could have extended the lead.

Cubs maintained their stranglehold by using their substitutes effectively, rolling players on and off in the heat. The final whistle was greeted by huge cheers from the Guernsey side's supporters, rounding off a fine season for them.