division 1 News
PENGUIN WIN PLAY-OFF CHALLENGE
West London Penguin held on to their place in the National League top flight when they defeated Division Two runners-up Polytechnic 13-7 in the play-off at Loughborough University (12 December).
The game was fairly even during the first two quarters, when Penguin led 5-3. But Penguin then eased clear by winning the third, 6-1. Their star was Peter Csorgo, who finished with six goals.
Penguin's success means they retain an unbroken presence in Division One dating back to 1982. Poly must spend another year in Division Two.
PORTOBELLO STAR IN THE GREAT ESCAPE
With Lancaster already crowned champions (picturre above), the relegation issue inevitably took centre stage during the final Division One weekend of the season at Lancaster (5/6 December).
For Portobello, everything went perfectly to plan. To avoid a relegation play-off - or even automatic relegation - the Scots knew they had to target wins in remaining fixtures against Penguin and Tyldesley and then hope their rivals dropped vital points.
That's exactly how it worked out. They beat Penguin 15-11, pulling clear after leading 7-6 at the halfway point. Neilson Rutherford (4) and Alan Anderson (3) were the chief Portobello scorers, while Penguin's Tom Grace had the unlucky experience of netting eight and still ending on the losing side.
Then Portobello hammered Tyldesley 19-6, with Neilson Rutherford and his brother Fraser both scoring six.
Portobello's four points meant they overhauled Penguin, who were only 4-3 down to Invicta after two periods, but then collapsed completely and were thrashed 17-3. To retain their Division One place, Penguin must now win a challenge match against Division Two runners-up Polytechnic at Loughborough University next Saturday.
Tyldesley are automatically relegated. that's despite a 16-15 victory over Welsh Wanderers in which Mike Cowburn scored ten of the winners' goals.
Tom Curwen (6) and Alex Parsonage (4) were on target for Lancaster in a 14-13 win over Rotherham. Rotherham led 4-1 early on but the home side hit back to lead 13-9 and 14-11 before Rotherham claimed a couple of goals in the last minute.
Later, Parsonage scored eight against his former club, Cheltenham, in a 20-13 Lancaster victory.
There was plenty of last period drama. A Matt Thresher goal with 11 seconds to go clinched Bristol's 12-11 success against Cheltenham, who led 10-8 at the start of the last period. Rotherham recovered from 5-4 down at the start of the final quarter before recovering to beat Manchester 9-8. And Welsh Wanderers edged out Invicta 10-9 thanks to an Andy Holt goal with 43 seconds remaining.
During this season, Wanderers have drawn twice and been involved in six matches settled by a single goal.
Manchester's Sean Ryder scored five in his team's 16-7 defeat of Bristol.
LANCASTER CELEBRATE WITH FIVE-STAR SHOW
Lancaster were determined to make certain of an 11th National League title with a quality performance - and they did so in a 15-7 defeat of nearest challengers City of Manchester at Loughborough University.
Alex Parsonage and Ciaran James led the scoring with four each. Later, Parsonage bagged six in a 16-8 defeat of Bristol, for whom Brad Poole was on target three times.
Manchester's consolation was a 9-4 victory over Cheltenham, featuring four goals by Sean Ryder.
Bristol were 4-0 down to Rotherham at the end of the first period but gradually battled their way back into the game with goals by John Sissons (2) and Poole (2). But three goals by Jake Vincent and three more from Adam Scholefield ensured a narrow 7-6 win for Rotherham.
Rotherham and Cheltenham were locked at 11-11 at the start of the final period. Then goals by Paul Floyd, Jerome Gabberretta and Vincent turned the match, earning Rotherham the points at 14-12.
There were celebrations for Tyldesley who, after losing every match this season, bounced back with an 11-9 defeat of Invicta and an 18-11 success against Penguin. The return of Mike Cowburn after missing several recent matches clearly had a major impact - he scored ten against Penguin.
Cowburn's tally wasn't the biggest for a single player during the weekend - Dan Laxton (pictured) helped himself to eleven as Welsh Wanderers beat GB Juniors 15-9.
It was a weekend to forget for Portobello. Despite five goals by Fraser Rutherford, they lost 11-10 to the Wanderers, who went from 7-7 in the last period to 10-7 with goals by Andy Holt, Charlie Hinder and Chris Taylor. Then Portobello lost 11-10 for a second time - to Invicta. This time, a goal by Sean King 18 seconds from the end took Invicta home.
BATTLING CHELTENHAM OVERHAULED
Cheltenham gave champions-in-waiting Lancaster something of a shock when goals by Will Middleton (2), David Taylor, Shaun Hotchkiss and Mark Banwell built a 5-1 first period lead at the latest Division One weekend at the University of Bath (7/8 November).
By the end of the second quarter, however, normal service had been restored. By then, Lancaster were 6-5 ahead and Cheltenham,losing pit forward Banwell to a misconduct offence, were never able to recapture their early momentum. Lancaster eventually won 11-9 with goals by Tom Curwen (4), Alex Parsonage (2), Glen Robinson (2), Colin Burgess (2) and Andrew Squires.
Lancaster now need only two points from four remaining fixtures to ensure an 11th title in 14 seasons. Only Manchester - their next opponents at Loughborough University on 21/22 November - have a mathematical chance of overhauling them. Another title would give particular satisfaction the Lancaster's Italian coach, Alberto Bertolloti, originally from Genoa.
In their other fixture at Bath, Lancaster were 5-4 down to Rotherham at the end of the second period before overwhelming the opposition with seven goals in the third and another six in the last for a 17-7 victory. Parsonage (6), Curwen (5) and Robinson (4) were the main marksmen.
It was a mixed weekend for Manchester. They lost 7-5 to Bristol - who clinched the points with last period goals by Jez Sherman and Sean Coles - but then beat Rotherham 13-10. Manchester were always ahead although Rotherham cut the advantage to a single goal at 11-10 three minutes from the end. Andrew Darlington scored four for Manchester and Jerome Gabarretta four for Rotherham.
There was no shortage of drama in the Cheltenham-Bristol derby. Cheltenham led 4-2 after the first period - all scored by Joel Thomas (pictured) - but Bristol hit back to lead 8-6 at the halfway stage and 10-7 towards the end of the third. Cheltenham then launched a victory charge, drawing level with goals by Middleton, Mike Thomas and Banwell and then grabbing an 11-10 advantage with Joel Thomas's fifth goal. That's how it stayed, despite three time-outs in the last, all-action minute.
There was a similar story in the clash between Invicta and Welsh Wanderers. Invicta, led from the front by six-goal Jack Waller, looked well set when four goals without reply in the third period gave them a 10-7 lead. However, the loss of Sean King and Scot Martin to misconduct offences, gave the Wanderers a chance to hit back, which they did superbly, clinching an 11-10 victory when Dan Laxton scored his fifth goal from a man-up just six seconds from the end.
Invicta's consolation was a 12-10 win over Penguin - potentially a key result in the battle for the sixth qualifying place at next year's GB Championships.
GB Juniors won both their matches - 14-12 against Portobello, including six goals by Manchester's Dean Smith, and 21-12 against Penguin.
Penguin beat Portobello 9-4 with goals by Bruce Elder (3), Mike Bond (3), Tim Grace (2) and Paul Skerm while Laxton scored nine in Welsh Wanderers' 20-7 defeat of luckless Tyldesley.
LANCASTER POWER AHEAD
The second phase of the Division One programme is only just under way, yet already Lancaster, seeking an 11th NWPL title, are five points clear of their nearest rivals in the key "top five" mini league.
Their matches at the Army pool in Aldershot (31 October/1 November) followed a remarkably similar pattern.
Against Bristol, they were 6-1 up at the end of the first period before easing through to a 13-7 victory, including six goals from Tom Curwen.
Then it was the turn of Manchester. Once again, Lancaster moved into cruise control after leading 6-1 in the opening quarter. Glen Robinson scored four while Manchester's main marksman was Richard Lawlor with three.
Rotherham got the better of their West Country rivals Bristol and Cheltenham. Richard Leighton (6) starred in a 14-8 defeat of Bristol. Adam Scholefield (4) and Jerome Gabarretta (3) led the scoring against Cheltenham, who went down 12-9.
Manchester led 4-1 early on against Cheltenham but were pegged back to 5-4 half way through the third period. Goals by Sean Ryder (2) and Kevin Williams then put Manchester back on course and they won 9-6.
In the lower half of the table, Penguin made a positive start with victories over Tyldesley (19-8) and Welsh Wanderers (12-11). Wanderers hit back from 11-5 down to 11-10 in the last period with goals by Dan Laxton (2), Chris Taylor (2) and Charlie Hinder, but a late goal by Ron Mosseri made the game safe for the London side.
Laxton scored eight to earn consolation for the Wanderers in a 13-9 defeat of Portobello.
Invicta's Jack Waller also bagged eight in his team's 15-10 defeat of Portobello - and another five against Tyldesley, who battled hard before going under 13-7.
GB Juniors opened their new National League campaign, with wins over Welsh Wanderers (15-6) and Tyldesley (17-5).
RAE FIRES UP MANCHESTER
City of Manchester came within two minutes of robbing champions Lancaster of their unbeaten record in an exciting clash at Cardiff's International Pool (10/11 October).
Lancaster were 4-3 up after two periods but, with Rob Rae (pictured) leading the charge, Manchester dominated the third quarter to build a 7-5 lead. The advantage was 8-6 at one point towards the end, but then Lancaster clawed their way back into the match, snatching an 8-8 draw when Colin Burgess levelled. Alex Parsonage scored four for Lancaster. Rae was Manchester's leading marksman with three.
Earlier Lancaster, missing the firepower of Scott Carpenter and Tom Curwen, struggled to overcome a spirited Invicta side, who were hoping for a chance to squeeze into the top five for the first time.
Invicta led 6-5 at the halfway stage and began the final period all square at 7-7. Once again, however, Lancaster showed champion qualities in the key final minutes, edging to an 10-8 success thanks to goals by Burgess, Parsonage and Ciaran James. Will Liddie notched three of the Invicta goals.
Cheltenham also went down 10-8 to Lancaster. At one point, Cheltenham wiped out a 5-3 deficit to lead 6-5 with goals by Joel Thomas, David Taylor and Max Gerasimov. But again, Lancaster, inspired by six-goal Parsonage, took control at the death.
Lancaster, Manchester, Rotherham, Bristol and Cheltenham form the top five in the second phase of the season. Cheltenham, beaten by Invicta earlier in the campaign, made their place secure with a 23-9 defeat of Portobello and a 13-13 draw with Welsh Wanderers - the latter game settled when Mark Banwell levelled for Cheltenham with two and half minutes remaining.
Bristol trailed 6-2 after the first period against Manchester and never managed to make up ground, finally losing 14-10. Fast-improving youngster Joe O'Regan netted four and Sean Ryder three for the winners.
Rotherham won their three matches - against Tyldesley (21-7), Welsh Wanderers (14-8) and Portobello (15-6). Wanderers managed to prevent Adam Scholefield featuring on the score sheet - but with Richard Leighton bagging seven, it hardly mattered.
For details about the second phase, see the Latest News and Fixtures pages.
LANCASTER'S LATE SURGE EDGES OUT BRISTOL
Champions Lancaster lead the Division One table with a 100 per cent record from six matches after surviving a real scare against old rivals Bristol Central at Ponds Forge, Sheffield (26/27 September).
Bristol, inspired early on by a brilliant four-goal burst from GB captain Craig Figes, were 2-0 up after the first period, 5-3 after two and then 8-7 as the game entered its final quarter. By then, however, Figes was out of the water on three majors and Lancaster grabbed their chance to steal victory.
An Alex Parsonage goal with five minutes left gave Lancaster the lead for the first time and they went on to win 13-10, including five goals from Tom Curwen and three from Parsonage.
Lancaster also defeated Rotherham 12-9 and Welsh Wanderers 20-9. Parsonage (7) and Tom Curwen (6) enjoyed plenty of shooting opportunities against the Wanderers.
Perhaps the shock result of the weekend was Invicta's 14-13 defeat of Cheltenham. The sides were level at 11-11 after three periods and swapped goals in the last until Callum Bailey's fifth strike settled the points three minutes from the end.
The boot was on the other foot for Invicta against Welsh Wanderers. At the start of the final period, Invicta were 12-10 up. But the Welsh, led by six-goal Chris Taylor, fought back and eventually clinched a nail-biting 13-12 victory with an Andy Holt goal three minutes from the final whistle.
It was an excellent weekend for City of Manchester, who leapfrogged Bristol and Cheltenham into second place thanks to three good wins - against Rotherham (10-6), Portobello (15-6) and Tyldesley (13-1). Rob Rae claimed five of the goals in the Portobello match.
Cheltenham's Rob Parker scored nine in his side's 25-4 stroll against Tyldesley, who were without their leading marksman Mike Cowburn. There were five more for Parker against Bristol, but it was Bristol who claimed the honours with a 16-10 win, including four goals each for Figes and John Sissons.
Portobello, who narrowly avoided relegation last season, picked up three valuable points by defeating Tyldesley 15-9 - including five goals by Neilson Rutherford - and drawing 9-9 with struggling Penguin. There were less than two minutes remaining when Bruce Elder, once of Portobello, earned Penguin a point with the final goal. Penguin's Tom Grace, a recent recruit from Otter, scored three.
Our picture shows Bristol's John Sissons battling in the pit with Adam Legge, of Cheltenham. Photo: Mike Coles
PARKER INSPIRES CHELTENHAM'S FINE START
Cheltenham are clearly determined to avoid last year's blunder of missing out on a top five place in the first phase of this season's Division One programme.
The opening weekend at Cardiff International Pool (19/20 September) saw Cheltenham chalk up three good wins - two of them, significantly, against teams that finished second and third at the end of 2008, Rotherham Metro and City of Manchester.
Cheltenham's 16-14 victory over Rotherham was all the more creditable because they trailed 8-3 at one point and 10-6 at the half way stage. Key turning point came towards the end of the third period when three goals in the space of three minutes by GB forward Rob Parker (pictured) gave Cheltenham the lead for the first time at 11-10.
Parker was again in fine form against Manchester. He scored five and Mark Banwell three to earn Cheltenham a 12-11 victory in a match that was close all the way through.
Champions Lancaster made another imposing start, amassing 71 goals in wins against Penguin (22-5), Portobello (30-5) and newly-promoted Tyldesley (19-8). Tom Curwen bagged ten against Penguin and eight against Portobello.
Welsh Wanderers opened with an 18-9 victory over Tyldesley but then were completely bemused by Manchester's drop defence and crashed 16-1. Later, the Welsh side shared the points with Portobello, trailing 7-2 before recovering to level at 9-9.
In the final match of the weekend, Invicta recovered from 3-0 down in the second quarter to earn perhaps an unexpected point in a 5-5 draw with Manchester. Alex Murphy equalised for Invicta with two minutes left.
Three goals apiece from Adam Scholefield and Richard Leighton helped Rotherham to a 14-7 win over Bristol, who were 5-4 ahead after two periods. Bristol's consolation was comfortable wins over Portobello (10-6) and Penguin (18-3).
