Lewis Heaven-Gandy and Dutch star Charlotte Heuvelings do battle. Picture by Robin Crossley.
HOCKEY
IW Mixed 0, Hampstead and Westminster Mixed 9
IW PUT up a spirited performance but found Premier League club Hampstead and Westminster too strong in the second round of the England Hockey Board Mixed Trophy.
The visitors brought with them a strong team, with international players from England, Holland and New Zealand, so it was always going to prove a difficult day for the home side, which was only formed at the start of the season.
For the first ten minutes, IW held their own and didn’t allow Hampstead a shot on goal, but they were constantly on the back foot against their vastly superior opponents.
Gradually, the mainlanders made their pressure tell, not allowing the Island close to the ball as they moved it around the pitch at pace.
The first goal came after 12 minutes when the visitor’s Dutch star, Charlotte Heuvelings, evaded a couple of challenges and slotted under youngster Tom Speer in goal.
More chances were created by the visitors, and they scored twice more before half time to give them a commanding lead although the IW had done well to keep the score low.
The second half saw the floodgates open, as the visitor’s players ran riot, firstly scoring after only a few minutes before adding a fifth soon after.
An unfortunate own goal by Lewis Heaven-Gandy saw Hampstead pull away further, and the team from London would add two more before the end.
The IW did create one or two chances, with Michelle Hughes going closest with a rising shot that the keeper palmed over.
Although losing by a large score, IW in no way disgraced themselves in only their second match as a mixed team, and the visitors applauded the efforts of the side, who the following day e-mailed the club to show their appreciation for the game and the spirit it was played in.
IW: Tom Speer, Tom Butt, Stuart Allen, Lewis Heaven-Gandy, Simon Butler, Richard Reynolds, James Liddiard, John Kirby, Liz Williams, Hannah Seaman, Janet Fletcher, Jaimie Unsworth, Kirsty Fraser, Michelle Hughes, Ollie Stubbings.