Cardiff & UWIC ‘A’(2nds) – vs – University of Exeter ‘C’

Away – Sunday 19 February 2012

Result – Drawn 2-2

Goal Scorers: Matt Martin, Chris James

The seconds travelled to Exeter on Sunday in the second part of their double header. The Exeter Uni. side had a very formidable home record after winning all 8 of their home games this season very convincingly. However, the seconds were in confident mood after a string of superb results post Christmas, and they knew a win would maintain their 2 point advantage even if Exeter won their game in hand.

The game started at a very frenetic pace as both sides looked to stamp their authority in this top of the table clash, but the away side soon took control, as they maintained possession and created a few early chances. Cardiff then got the breakthrough courtesy of a training ground short corner routine where Matt Martin deflected in on the left post after a pin point drag flick from Chris James. However, to their credit, Exeter soon got back into the game, as they bombarded the away side with aerial passes and pressurised the ball continuously all over the pitch. This pressure soon took its toll, as an aerial was poorly defended, allowing the unmarked Exeter centre forward to finish into an empty net. No further goals followed in the first half, as both sides went into the break relatively satisfied with the score line.

The second half was just as frenetic as the first, as both sides strived for the winning goal that would have almost effectively ended the losers title hopes. Exeter then got their noses in front after a drag flick was thundered into the roof of the net, leaving keeper Justin Metcalfe completely helpless. However, to their credit, Cardiff kept going and showed the fighting spirit and character that has underpinned their season, and got the equaliser that they deserved thanks to a Chris James drag flick. Cardiff ended the game on the front, and saw chances go agonisingly past each post, as they couldn’t quite find the winner that would have given them the edge in the title race.

All in all, a draw was probably a fair result, although it leaves Exeter in poll position for the title if they win their remaining games. The seconds know that they must continue in the same vein for the rest of the season, and aim to win every game they have left in the chance of an Exeter slip up.

Cardiff & UWIC ‘A’(2nds) – vs – Plymouth Marjon ‘A’

Home – Saturday 18 February 2012

Result – Won 6-0

Goal Scorers –  Anthony Barber 2, Jay Wilyman 2, Matt Martin 1, Sam Rust 1.

The seconds got the first part of their weekend double-header underway well, thanks to a convincing 6-0 victory at home against a hard working Marjons side. The early exchanges were fairly even, as the away side defended stoutly looking to hit Cardiff on the break as they invited pressure onto them. Cardiff failed to find any real fluidity as they looked to be too forceful, often looking for the killer pass too early which played into the away sides’ hands. However, as has been the story for much of the season, the home side found the breakthrough; thanks to a well worked move which resulted in Anthony Barber coolly slotting home past the keeper. Jay Wilyman soon added a second, as a rather scrappy first half was bought to an end at 2-0 to the home side.

The second half was a far better performance from the second XI, as they controlled the game, stringing moves together in excess of 30 passes for long periods. The away side could not live with this increased intensity and speed of pass, as the superior fitness levels of the home side began to take their toll. 4 goals were added in the second half thanks to Matt Martin and Sam Rust, and one more each for Jay Wilyman and Anthony Barber. A fine second half performance from the second XI, however attention immediately turns to tomorrow’s top of the table clash away at Exeter.

Cardiff & UWIC 6th (E) – vs – Pembroke County

Away – Saturday 18 February 2012

Result – Lost 0-4

We needed a result today to do the 5ths a favour in the title race but more importantly for our own survival. We started reasonably, moving the ball around well but the longer we held the ball and didn’t go anywhere with it the more frantic and wasteful we became. We survived a few early short corners but eventually we conceded an unlucky goal after a great save by Ben Aldous but the ball fell straight to the Pembroke forward.

Soon another goal went in under similar circumstances.

After half time we stepped up and created some more chances and eventually won a short. From the short we won a flick, but Jon Chadwick put it too close to the lanky keeper’s right hand, who swatted the ball away with ease. Pembroke took this as a wake up call and stepped up the pressure, soon it was 3 and then 4-0. We were still getting in their 25 a lot, but circle entries and more importantly shots at goal were still just not coming.

Cardiff & UWIC ‘B’ (3rds) – vs – Bristol UWE ‘A’

Away – Saturday 18 February 2012

Result – Won 3-2

Goal Scorers - Sam Morris, Scott Adeyman, Ben Eaton

Cardiff & UWIC showed up at impressive Bristol University sporting facilities on a cold, miserable day hoping to keep their 100% unbeaten record this season. Their opponents, Bristol UWE, gave the impression they were focused and up for the challenge ahead. We soon demolished Bristol’s focus with an early 3-0 lead into the first half. Goals from Sam Morris with his fine short corner drag kissing the crossbar and into the net, Scott Addymen with his quick thinking from a rebounded shot during a short corner, and finally Ben’s goal from open play off Scott’s break away pass. Bristol were clearly bemused, asking questions between themselves and their defensive strategy. Late in the first half, Bristol did manage to find luck and were able to come back with 2 goals of their own, one coming from a penalty flick which slipped past Comforts stick. The first half ended with the score at 3-2 to Cardiff & UWIC.

The second half looked to be promising for the spectators watching in the shelters. Both teams found the Umpires’ decision making amusing as well as frustrating to say the least!! With both teams receiving a yellow card (Rhys Edwards!!), and JC injuring himself, we were forced to play with 10 men, therefore, playing more defensively rather than attacking for the remainder of the second half to hold their 1 goal lead. Our defence was second to none, preventing Bristol to counter attack into the scoring zone and having any shots at goal. Overall, the game ended at 3-2. All players gave 100% during the game and worked well as a team.

Cardiff & UWIC keep their 100% winning record in the league and hope to maintain this till the end.

Cardiff & UWIC – vs – Cardiff Medics

Away – Sunday 19 February 2012

Result – Lost 1-3

Goal Scorer - Sam Morris

8.00pm – Thursday 23 February -

Venue – WIS, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff.

1st Team Manager Ben Eaton writes ;

Cardiff & UWIC first team will be taking on the “Old Enemy” aka Whitchurch HC, at Sophia Gardensat 8.00pm, next Thursday.Please come and support the lads (as vocally as possible) in their quest to maintain the No.1 spot in Welsh Hockey and strive for a top 3 position in EHL Conference West League.

Bring your voices and your beers.

A Poker Night fund raiser has been organised in aid of the 1st team European trip.

Venue – Beverley Hotel, Cathedral Rd

Date – Friday 23rd March 2012

Time – from 7.30pm 

Please support your Club and attend the event and promote it amongst your friends and family.

Contacts for further information;

Mark Shelton

Stephen Darwent

Ben Eaton

Cardiff & UWIC 6th (E) – vs – Cardiff & UWIC 5th (D)

Home – Saturday 11 February 2012

Result – Lost 2-10

Scorers - Colin Chapman, Alex Spyropolous

Today to be honest, was in everyone’s minds, more about local bragging rights, beating ‘them’ and raw aggression than playing hockey so it was a shame that relegation and title battles got in the way of it all. The game didn’t start in the best of fashions with a reverse shot rolling across the goal at turtle speed, bumping off the post and into our goal. Minutes later Colin finished up a great attack to level it, and from the celebration you could tell what that meant to him. Unfortunately a 2nd and a 3rd soon went in our goal and heads started to dip. Spyro however gambled on a ball smashed through their defence, rounded the keeper and drilled the ball home to make it 3-2.

At half time we were upbeat that we were still in it but that quickly changed as it soon became 4 and then 5-2. Two yellows in quick succession killed any chance we had to our horror the clinical finishing of ‘the Shelton XI’ made it a very, very flattering 10-2!

Must do better next week, must start winning again.

Cardiff and UWIC 2^nd XI -vs -Plymouth University

Home – Saturday 11th February 2012

Result – Won 6-0

Scorers: Anthony Barber 2,Sam Rust,Matt Martin,Morgan Harries,Jay Wileyman

Cardiff and UWIC 2^nd XI continued their fantastic start to 2012 with an emphatic victory over a hard working Plymouth Uni side.  The early stages were very frenetic as both sides looked to put early pressure on the opponents defence. However, Cardiff soon established control of the game as they made the breakthrough courtesy of Anthony Barber prodding in at the back post after a mazy run from Jamie Mortimore.  Jay Wileyman then added a second after deflecting in a penetrative pass from Chris James, and a third quickly followed as Anthony Barber fired home for his second of the match. The home side were then reduced to ten men when Phil Walden received a yellow for a late tackle. The ten minute passage of play that followed was ironically Cardiff’s best of the game. Possession was monopolised by the home side, as they ran the Plymouth side ragged moving the ball around with quality and pace. A fourth goal before half-time followed, thanks to Sam Rust rounding the keeper and cooly slotting home, as his fantastic run of form on and off the pitch continued, meaning the home side went into the break 4-0 up.

The second half was more of a scrappy affair, as the home side eased off the gas allowing the away side back into the game slightly. However, no goals were conceded by the home side, even when reduced to 9 men, as they maintained their impressive record of not conceding in 2012. 2 further goals were added to the tally thanks to Matt Martin and Morgan Harries, as the seconds romped to a 6-0 victory.    This result has added yet more momentum to the seconds title challenge, ahead of a big double header next weekend.  The postponement of Exeter uni’s match see’s the seconds move back to the top of the league, where they hope to remain for the rest of the season.

All Members of  the Club are covered by Lloyds insurance effected through Sportscover Europe Limited when they are registered with the WHU.

Please note that you have to have paid your membership before you get registered with WHU.

Copy of the policy can be seen at

http://hockeywales.org.uk/downloads/insurance/General_Liability_Lloyds_UK_YOA2009_1408%2009.pdf

If the insurance policy is inadequate to your requirements, it is your responsibility to ensure that you have other cover in place.