Worcester Pippins 1 : 0 Droitwich HC

The Worcester Pippins managed to uphold their 100% league record against Droitwich, but in doing so fell well short of their normal high standards. Playing at home, high on confidence and with the majority of possession the Pippins dictated play in the first half. Unfortunately they didn’t bring their shooting boots with them as chance after chance came & went without unduly troubling their goal-keeper. The match became a lesson in the importance of maintaining focus and belief, instead, as frustration mounted their performance deteriorated. The one-bright spot was what turned out to be the winning goal, a beautifully crafted attack, with quick interplay before Ethan McDonald-Smith was released to guide the ball past the goal-keeper.

Luke Bowerman had to leave the field in the 1st half having been the innocent bystander when a collision of players left him at the bottom of a pile of bodies having received a hefty blow to his knee. Happily, after treatment and encouragement from the Pippins “Ultras” on the side line he bravely resumed playing later in the 2nd half.

Into the 2nd half and the mood of the Coach deepened as the Pippins began to lose shape, discipline and the ruthless touch that has so often been their forte. Simon, the Droitwich adult was producing a master class in reading the game, positional sense and organisational skills as wave after wave of Pippins attacks were blunted by his talent. The mantra of “Avoid the Adult” is a key lesson to learn in Badgers hockey – unfortunately the Pippins were showing why!

At full time the Pippins ran out 1:0 winners, but this could and should have been a whole lot more resounding.

Worcester Scorer: Ethan McDonald-Smith

Man of the Match: Luke Bowerman

Pippins Squad: Jazmyn Ball, Bella Fielden, Ben Lawrence, Alastair Borwell-Fox, Stuart Boocock, Matthew Boulton, Luke Bowerman, Dan Rickman, Alex Byng, Eliot Turner, Ethan McDonald-Smith, Nick Power, Tom Scotson