Staff vs students hockey match

A boiling hot day greeted a capacity crowd for the eagerly anticipated staff versus student hockey match at Oxford Brookes University. Two well matched teams took to the pitch, both fielding players with regional and national hockey experience.



After a close first half the Staff Team were 1-0 up after a smart finish from the hockey coach Charlie Bennett. The second half saw Matt Way double the advantage for the staff team. However, the students rallied to score twice in the second half – once through a superb finish from Matt Thorns, then (via an excellent cross from Sarah Pearson) Simon Wilkinson also slotted home.



Unfortunately for the students these goals were interspersed by a dubious goal for the staff team, in which the umpire seemed to miss an off the ball incident that should have led to a free hit for the student team. Much as in '66, though, any doubt was cast aside when Charlie Bennett smashed home the staff's fourth to complete his hatrick, lifting the ball into the top corner after some superb wing play from Paul Bailey.

A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon with the staff regaining the trophy – for this year at least ...

– Words by Johny Richards