This was a game that meant more than just 3 points, it was for bragging rights over the other club. Every player at Brooklands MUHC lives for the Bowdon derby.
The game started off well with series of early circle penetrations from the mid-field and forward lines only lacking the final end product. However disaster struck mid way through the first half when Bowdon scored through a lucky attack. From that point on Brooklands gave everything to get back into the match.
We went in to half-time behind, the team talk consisted of a tactical adjustment from Peter Mulford (coach) and a few braveheart-esc speeches from a few of the more senior players.
Second half seemed to flow better and we were comfortable on the ball, workhorse Steve Andrews appeared everywhere on the pitch putting in a great shift, you could tell this derby was in his blood. We were getting closer and closer with Nick Jeffs coming close a few times after a few mazey runs through the Bowdon defence. Eventually we scored through the clinical finish of Matt Lakin-Hall to draw level.
From then on we did well to defend a few quick counter attacks with last ditch challenges coming in from Darius Virabi, Graeme Wolfenden and Louis Weir. Brooklands then regained control of the game through the calmness of Tristan Gilbody and captain Nick Little, who had a pass completion rate of 98%.
As the game was nearing to a close Brooklands won a short corner after a fine run by Rory Capper. Graeme Wolfenden (Wolfy) stepped up to the top of the D to take the short. Steve Andrews injected the ball for Louis weir to trap for Wolfy to bury in the bottom left. The thud of the back-board (something Wolfy has become accustomed to in recent games) was music to Peter Mulford’s ears. Shortly after that the final whistle went. The result meant Brooklands remain top of the league with a game in hand, a great win off a gritty performance.
Report by Matt Leigh