TUNBRIDGE WELLS Men ended their league season on a high at Tonbridge School with their third win in a row in the South Premier League Division One.
The game started at a frantic pace with chances coming at both ends. A turnover deep in Wells’ defensive third allowed the home side to counter-attack.
An aerial ball from Ian Harvey put Ben Allberry through on goal and the latter calmly rounded the keeper and finished low on the backhand.
In an open game, equalised with a counterattacking goal of their own to see the scores level at half-time.
The second half started in much the same pattern as the first. Chances were squandered by both sides with goalkeepers making excellent saves and defences making last-ditch tackles.
Some superb build-up play from Wells led to a first penalty corner for the home side, and Harvey found space to finish smartly into the far bottom corner and restore Wells’ lead.
Wells worked a good chance on the baseline for Ben Brandt to square to Connor Poulain who pounced for an easy deflection into the corner.
A Banbury player then received a yellow card, after which a pull-back from the baseline allowed Sam George to extend the lead.
So Wells finished the campaign with 10 points from their final four games to finish eighth – an example of what the team is capable after a difficult first half of the season.
Wells can now prepare for their Kent Cup semi-final against Canterbury at Tonbridge School on Sunday [April 7, 1.30 start].
Milestone for Flyerz’ Chatfield
ONE of Tunbridge Wells Hockey Club’s TW Flyerz, Jack Chatfield, made his debut in goal for the Fourth XI against Sevenoaks Acorns in Kent Open Premier C. He kept a clean sheet while he was on the field in a 2-2 draw.
TW Flyerz, which started in 2017, provides hockey for those with physical or learning disabilities. Jack was a founder of the scheme, and was one of three Flyerz who represented England at the European Para Hockey Tournament in Barcelona last summer.
