1sts Lift Indoor Trophy
Posted by Andy Darnley on 8 December 2013
Cannock Win Indoor Trophy and Promotion
Barrington Sports sponsored Cannock 1st Team Indoor Hockey squad spent the weekend competing in the Division 2 National Maxi 5s Indoor Hockey Championship. After several years in the lower reaches of the Indoor leagues, Cannock have made a concerted effort to progress up the divisions to compete at the same elite level as they do outdoors. Last winter saw them walk away with the North Region Division and be promoted to National Division 2. However, the postponement of this competition, due to the snow last year, meant that Cannock have had to wait until this weekend to see whether they could succeed at the higher level. They need not have been concerned as the Cannock lads dominated the Division 2 tournament going undefeated in all their five games. They started their campaign against Chelmsford with a 10-7 win. This was followed by a 10-3 victory against Cheltenham. At the end of the first day Cannock were second in the league, with Bath Buccaneers topping the table on goal difference. Sunday morning saw Cannock brush Preston aside with a 12-7 win. Then came the clash of the tournament against Team Bath. Cannock started very strongly and were 7 -2 up early in the second half. In a desperate attempt to get back in the game Bath took off their keeper and immediately started to unsettle Cannock and reduce the deficit. As the clock ran down Cannock held the lead 8-7. With less than two minutes to go Cannock were reduced to three players! Dogged determination and a pride in the Cannock badge saw keeper Paddy Smith, Captain Marc Edwards and coach and goal machine Dave Beckett repel several attacks and two penalty corners to seal the victory. Cannock went on win their final game 5-1 against West Herts to secure the Championship. This tournament win has promoted Cannock to the Maxi 5s First Division which will be played at the University of Western England over two weekends at the beginning of January and February.
Scorers Dave Beckett 14 goals, Chris Darnley 9, Chris Beck 7, Marc Edwards & Pete Jackson 6, Andy Appleton & Louie Morris 2.
