Match reports 03/03/2013 . . .

Sunday was the start of this year’s UK Skater Hockey Season with Junior and Pee Wee teams from Banbury Bulldogs Skater Hockey Club playing in the opening weekend’s fixtures.

Junior League
Swindon Flames 10 - Bulldogs 1
Oxford 9 - Bulldogs 0

Bulldog’s Junior squad were left to count the cost (and goal tally) of some impressive passing from Swindon. The teams looked pretty equal in the match’s opening exchanges but with Banbury squandering some of their early possession due to some below par passing, Swindon took the opportunity to press forward, and after being kept at bay for a while by Banbury’s defence and some top drawer saves from their keeper Dave Ballaam, Swindon’s persistence paid off breaking the deadlock then taking the advantage by swiftly extending their lead. Banbury dug deep but as the game progressed Swindon steadily extended their lead, the only consolation for Banbury being a goal from their captain, Ricci Capel.
The Junior’s second match was a much more evenly contested match, with both teams having shots on goal and fiercely challenging the other for possession. In the end, the deciding factor was a match winning performance by two Oxford players.

Pee Wee League
Oxford Storm 1 - Bulldogs 0
Ash Avalanche Freeze 1 - Bulldogs 2

The two opening matches for Banbury’s Pee Wee team were both thrillers. Banbury’s team which included some new recruits playing in a competitive match for the first time, gave it their all and they should be proud of the effort they put in and how they rose to the occasion.Their first game against Oxford was balanced on a knife edge for minute after minute with both teams coming close to scoring. When eventually the deadlock was broken, Banbury kept attacking and were unlucky not to have scored.
Banbury’s will to win was rewarded in their second match - coming from a goal down to beat Ash thanks to a great team performance, goals from Tom and Ted Allen and an impressive leading display from captain Aimee Wakelin who lead her team to victory.

GO BULLDOGS!