Attractive style gives Churchers the advantage

College U14s 0, Churchers College 3

CHURCHERS COLLEGE have enjoyed a fair degree of success during their sporting visit to play the island's best juniors. The 28-strong party, from Petersfield in Hampshire, have played Elizabeth and Ladies' Colleges, the Grammar School and island select sides at hockey and netball during this, the latest of their annual trips to Guernsey.

The link is a strong one - Marc and Cathy Eaton are long-time friends of Elizabeth College sports master David Wray, the two men having played together at Chichester Hockey Club in Sussex.

The sides the visiting college have brought play with an attractive, attacking style, as was very much in evidence during the 3-0 defeat of Elizabeth College Under-14s at Memorial Field on Saturday morning.

At the centre of most of Churchers' attacks was Rory Andrews, a strong, quick and talented player.

He was ably aided by Ali Lewis, another who played intelligent, head-up hockey.

And until he was forced off the pitch with an injury to his left hand that required an ice pack, tall centre back Stefan Cook controlled the back line and made several finely-timed challenges.

Not that Elizabeth College were played off the park. The scoreline does no justice to their attacking play and territorial advantage at the start of both halves.

With Tim Ravenscroft adding a classy touch in midfield, the home side kept the visitors pinned back for long periods, but could not find the breakthrough they deserved. Churchers, in red and royal blue, soaked up the pressure then pounced when their opportunities came.

Andrews collected the ball 10 yards inside his own half, drove powerfully past two men, beat another crossing into the 25, skipped past a fourth and fifth in the home D, and slipped the ball past the advancing keeper.

It was a goal worthy of winning any match.

Two minutes later the advantage was doubled, as Churchers prevented Elizabeth from clearing, the ball was returned into the circle and a first-time shot caught the home side by surprise.

Again after the break, Elizabeth College had the better chances initially, though keeper Sam Herbert was not unduly tested. Andrews fizzed two shots past the post before the third was made to count, a cracker from the top of the D.

But even his scoring exploits were bettered by Daisy Kemp, who netted five times as Churchers' girls beat Ladies' College 5-0 and the Grammar School 4-1.

'We're lucky; we have a group of players who can produce attractive hockey,' said team coach Richard Hoe.