Last updated 15:10, Thursday, 20 November 2008

Tynedale Men’s Hockey Club 1st XI 2, Northumbria St George's 2nd XI 3TYNEDALE men’s reign at the top of the league came to an end after a narrow defeat to the students from Northumbria St George's.

Fielding their strongest side, Tynedale started the match impressively, controlling play and leaving Northumbria chasing the ball.

The pressure eventually told when Northumbria conceded a penalty corner.

For once, Tynedale’s routine was precise with a good injection and stop allowing captain Sean Cunningham to strike the ball firmly past the keeper.

Northumbria responded to this setback well, using their youth and energy to unsettle Tynedale, who seemed happy to drop deep.

In one attack, the students’ skilful centre forward managed to evade his marker, Jonny Best, and get a clean shot to level the match at 1-1.

The second half was an open game with Tynedale needing to match the speed of the student side.

Tynedale’s superior passing and movement was effective in creating some half chances with Dan Burns forcing a save after a mazy run.

The game remained even until Richard Gibson chased down a long ball, forcing the defender into a mistake before accurately passing to Mark Robinson at the far post to hit the ball home.

Northumbria again fought back to force a penalty corner, and despite the best efforts of keeper Alex Tortice, they equalised with a fierce shot high into the goal.

A few minutes later and the university side were jumping with joy after a mis-hit shot from another penalty corner bounced fortuitously back off a post into a forward’s path to claim the winning goal.