BLACKPOOL'S West Coast Wasps roller hockey team were on the road again during the Bank Holiday weekend (August 26/27), playing in the annual Cullercoats Summer Tournament on the North East Coast.
The Wasps, playing at full strength, went through to the final by winning four games and drawing one.
They started with a convincing 5-2 win against Welsh side Howardians 2000.Then Redditch Rockets proved no match for them, going down 7-0, and host team Cullercoats put on a brave show but Wasps did it again to win 3-0.
A fast-paced game with Leasowes Sharks ended 1-0 to Wasps. Newcastle's Morpeth Mohawks managed to rattle the Wasps by taking the lead after 30 seconds, but the team got themselves back on course by forcing a draw 2-2 to win a place in the final againstsecond-placed Sharks from the Midlands. The team was now buzzing and, with a packed stand, certainly rose to the occasion in the final. Harry Hall was first to score, with Bobby Chaunce making it two before the half time break. In the first minute of the second period Richard Bentham let go a slap-shot which almost burst the net, followed by another from team captain Oliver Lomax.
Sharks were struggling to cope with the relentless pace of the Wasps but managed a lucky consolation goal after netminder Greg Ruxton fumbled a shot.
But it was too late for the Sharks and the goals were flying in with six in the last seven minutes -- three from Andy Clark, one from Chris Arnone and another two from captain Lomax to make the final score 10-1.
The West Coast Skater Hockey Club will soon be looking for new players for next season when they will have Under 9s, Under 12s, Under 15s, Under 18s and Seniors. Details of new training times and venue will be announced soon.
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