Unlucky Vixens caught by Cubs at their best

La Collinette Cubs 9, Vixens 1

WHAT started as a trickle turned into a deluge for La Collinette Cubs in the driving rain at Foote's Lane as they turned in their best performance of the season to claim a league and cup double. Despite awful weather, the Investec Women's Cup final went ahead, although Vixens probably wish it had not as they succumbed to a soggy 9-1 defeat at the hands of the league champions.

In the previous week's qualifying round Vixens had held Cubs for much of the game and only a sharp finish from Pip Bowyer had proved to be the difference between the two sides.

To go down by such a large margin will be disappointing for the Vixens side but missing Tina Smith, Jayne Carter and Gill Robinson it was always going to be a tall order to stem the dark blue tide.

Hilary Stokes, Vixens skipper, remained upbeat and encouraged by the performance of her youngsters.

'Cubs have seven island players in their side so we were really up against it from the start. Missing Jayne, Gill and Tina from our starting line up made the task an impossible one,' she said following the match.

Stokes was also delighted with the attitude of her players.

'We were really pleased to have made the final and our heads never went down despite the inexperience of the young players - they never ever gave up,' she added.

Cubs started the game at lightning pace and with Debbie Allen, Bowyer and Jo Bell combining pace and slick passing, it was a real pleasure to watch.

It was too much for the Vixens defence and Bell and Allen both bagged two goals early in the first period.

The goals themselves could be described as 'tap-ins' but it was the build-up play, particularly involving Bell, that was stunning.

Vixens were 4-0 down before they knew what had hit them but just before the break they gave themselves a glimmer of hope.

Cubs gave away a penalty corner and from the resulting move, Ellen Jones confidently swept the ball home for Vixens.

Cubs obviously felt threatened by this mini comeback and started the second half in the same all out attacking style.

The best goal of the game came from Ellie Knowelden - a wonder strike which left the goal rattling and the back board nearly requiring the services of a carpenter.

At 5-1 the cup was almost certainly in Cubs hands but Vixens missed an opportunity to claw their way back into contention. Katie Robinson's fine effort was foiled by a great save from Chloe Savident at point-blank range.

It was a short-lived respite for Vixens as Cubs upped the pace again. Allen increased her tally to four and Mandy Damerell and Bowyer each netted to take the total to nine for the league champions.

Double winning Cubs captain Elyse Dandeker was delighted with the result but felt that Vixens were unlucky to come across Cubs on a day when everything just gelled.

'We played the best hockey we have played all season for the first 20 minutes.

'Vixens were a little unlucky but everyone had a good game for us.

'It is really nice to be league and cup champions and we now just have to win the Upton,' she said.

To round off a perfect day for Cubs, veteran Ali Le Tocq was named as player of the year.