Perfect end to the year for Men's 1st XI

Halifax Hockey Club Mens 1st X1 finished their 1st half of the season with a tremendous performance against an inform 2nd place Hull University.

The 7-3 score line was the result of a good team attitude and some excellent attacking play.

The pre match talk was about adopting a positive and determined attitude and the team obliged with the attacking flair of Matthew Graham, Jake Bamforth, Matthew Bairstow and Michael Jones soon in evidence.

Bairstow opened the scoring with a fine run down the right and a powerful shot. This was followed by Graham who fired in from a tight angle.

Jones made it 3 from a penalty corner. The skilful Hull students were not fazed as they then launched their own attacks with Matthew Metcalf at his best to save when 1 on 1 with the Hull centre forward.

However, Hull then had a purple patch scoring 2 quick goals to get themselves back into the match just before 1/2 time.

Bamforth restored the 2 goal lead following up after his initial shot was saved and Graham made it 5-2 with a composed finish when he found himself one on one with the keeper.

Hull tried to get back into the game but Leigh Walker, Josh Barron and Henry Shelton were having a good game in defence, working hard and covering each other to thwart the dangerous University forwards.

Graham got his hatrick after some great interplay with Bamforth and Jones smashed the ball into the roof of the net to put the game to bed at 7-2.

Hull got a consolation late on but the 3 points were Halifax's.