Game 8 : Greenfriars 1 Whitefriars 0
Game 8 in the Centenary Challenge Trophy was a ‘must win’ match for the Greens. Behind in the series they were desperate to get back on level terms and fielded their strongest side to date. The effect was instantaneous with the Whites under heavy pressure from the start. The Greens mid-field, pushed forward in wave after wave of well-connected attacks. The White’s defended desperately, literally putting their bodies on the line with veteran Paul Sidwell taking one for the team and denying Aamir Lockhat-Clegg a shot on goal by deflecting the ball off his knuckles. Sadly for Paul, the injury sustained took him off for an early shower, though thankfully, not a trip to A&E. As the first half drew towards a close, Lockhat-Clegg again found himself in a goal scoring position, this time rifling the ball into the net for his 4th goal of the competition.
The second half mirrored the first, a kind of attack versus defence game and although the Whites did break out to win a couple of penalty corners, they failed to seriously test Green’s keeper Matt Pearce. Credit must go to the Whites for their defensive effort and for keeping the score line so low, but the honours must go to the Greens. With a minimum of 3 games still to be played the teams are now all square in the series as competition for the 100 year old trophy intensifies.