Latest News
Venom 12s Take the High Road and win.
14th Apr, 2008
Telford Venom Junior Ice Hockey Under 12’s made the long journey to Kirkcaldy in Scotland for the UK Hockey 08 tournament last weekend. This 2 day competition was preparation for their appearance in the English Play Off finals next month. The event had attracted some stiff opposition with the top 2 teams in Scotland (Dundee and Kirkcaldy) being joined by Whitley and Milton Keynes from England and fellow play off qualifiers Guildford Fireflies.
Venom’s first match in the league phase was an early morning clash with Guildford which Telford won 1-0 thanks to a goal from sole guest player Cameron Brownley. Cameron provided support, replacing a number of Telford forwards unable to make the trip. Buoyed by this success Telford took on Dundee Stars in the next match. The contrast could not have been more striking with Venom being 3-2 down, until with 5 seconds left Oliver Hunt scored a vital equaliser. This result was all the more unexpected as it was the only point secured by Dundee in the group stage. However the experience galvanised the team as they swept aside Kirkcaldy Redskins, Whitley Arrows and Milton Keynes Storm with emphatic wins to secure first place with 9 points from 10 in the league stage scoring 23 goals whilst conceding only 7.
The tournament progressed to the semi finals where Telford played home team Kirkcaldy. The Scots raised their game and fought hard but Venom prevailed 2-0 with the second goal being a rink long solo skate by defenceman Nicolas Oliver. Fellow defenceman Rhys Barlow had earlier been carried off the ice with a knee injury which led to a concerning time for his team mates and the supporters.
Guildford beat Milton Keynes in the other semi final to face Telford in the final. Venom took an early lead through Cameron Brownley, but Guildford replied quickly. Telford reinstated their lead when Joshua Holden slid the puck under the netminders pads for 2-1.Rhys Barlow made a brave recovery to rejoin the team for the final and his shot just before half time should have put Telford further ahead as photographic evidence proved that it hit the roof of the net before returning into play. However , the officials, having to decide in realtime, deemed that it had rebounded from the cross bar. Guildford counter attacked in a bid to equalise forcing Telford Netminder Callum Steventon to pull off a series off excellent saves. However, Venom sealed victory with a third goal from Joshua Holden to take the trophy.
Every player made a contribution to the success of the weekend. The goals were well spread around the team from forwards to defence. Joshua Holden, Macaulay Heywood (who made defences dizzy most of the weekend with an excellent puck handling display), Oliver Hunt (including a hat trick), Matt Price, Rhys Barlow, Nicholas Oliver, Jack Meadows and Cameron Brownley all troubled the scorer supported by Ben Washburn and Thomas Roycroft. Solid defensive work was provided by Matt Lees, Courtney Clay, Ollie Ward and Daniel Devey in front of excellent net minding from both Callum Steventon and Kyle Macfarlane.
Joshua Holden and Cameron Brownley both made the tournament All Star team.
Telford Venom can take great heart from the weekend’s achievements as they go into the build up for the National play off’s in Sheffield in May.
