Updated February 22.HOCKEY THE IW Hockey Club is preparing for possibly the biggest game in its history later this week, in a national cup competition.
The club’s mixed team, only formed this season, have been drawn against England Premier League opposition in the England Hockey Board National Mixed League Cup.
The team made it through to the second round after beating Southampton University 5-1, and have been rewarded for their bright start with a second-round tie against Hampstead and Westminster.
Hampstead’s men’s team play in the Premier League, around ten divisions higher than the IW.
While the IW currently runs four teams within its set up, Hampstead runs 19, meaning there is a wealth of talent to bring to Smallbrook.
Simon Butler and Jaimie Unsworth jointly captain the mixed side.
Jaimie said; "We had never played as a mixed team before and thought it would be good to enter the competition, more as a social thing so members who don’t usually play alongside each other had the chance to do so. To be honest when we saw we were playing Southampton in the first round, who regularly play mixed hockey, we thought we wouldn’t get through but instead we put in a great performance."
In the game against Southampton, IW took control with Hannah Seaman sweeping home after Colin Simmonds’s shot. Simmonds grabbed the second before an excellent cross by Liz Williams was diverted in by a Southampton defender.
Second half goals from Butler and Lewis Heaven-Gandy sealed a great win.
Jaimie added: "To be drawn against a Premier League club in only our second ever match together is unreal and we are really looking forward to the game."
Simon said: "On paper we don’t have a hope of beating them but we are looking forward to it and testing ourselves whatever the result. It’s great for the IW as a whole because it’s not every day the Island welcomes a Premier League club in a mainstream sport."
The match is expected to be played at Smallbrook on Sunday, February 24 at 1.30pm.
Reporter: sport@iwcpmail.co.uk