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NEWI North Wales Cups 2007/08

North Wales Men’s Hockey held its inaugural NEWI North Wales Cup Finals’ weekend at NEWI on Saturday and Sunday where teams from around the region took part. This was the first time the region had held both the Semi Finals and Finals on the same weekend and it proved a big success with lots of good hockey played.

The Saturday semi finals saw a number of close games, the most notable in the Premier Cup where powerhouses Northop Hall were run close by Rhyl who are two divisions below the Flintshire team. Rhyl came from 3-0 to level with 7 minutes left only to be denied at the death by two set piece goals, one from a flick to end 5-3. Wrexham eased past Bangor University in the other semi final to set up an enthralling game between the two top teams in the region.

On Sunday, Wrexham edged Northop Hall 3-1 to take the Premier Cup in what proved to be an extremely close game between two evenly matched sides. Hall took the lead within the first five minutes from a powerful short corner strike form Paul Cochrane with Wrexham equalising from a well worked short corner move of their own 10 minutes later. The game hinged on a controversial umpiring decision that allowed Wrexham to take the lead mid way through the second half. Wrexham were then awarded a penalty flick that calmed their nerves and they held on to win the trophy. Wrexham now proceed to the national European Qualifiers’ tournament at Swansea on the 24th May.

The Shield competition saw Bangor City edge Newtown 2-1 and Northop Hall 2nds out-fight Wrexham 2nds 3-2 to set up an intriguing contest between two sides with recent history between them in this competition. The game proved to be enthralling with the lower league City taking the lead in the first stanza following a quick break. At the time, Northop Hall were struggling to break down a resolute defence but in the second half, Hall gelled as a team and put enormous pressure on Bangor and it was no surprise when Ben Watkiss netted a goal from a short corner move.

The game moved into extra time and Hall looked to have won the game when they were awarded a penalty flick which warhorse Kelvin Hughes dispatched. However, with the final move of the match, City showed their spirit and equalised with a neat short corner move as Hall failed to close the game down.

The game then went into the drama of penalty flicks and it all boiled down to City’s captain, Andy Gannon, having only to score to win with the final flick of the regulation five. His weak shot was easily saved by Chris Howells and the game went into sudden death. Hall scored, then Gannon stepped up again and this time missed the target completely sending Hall into ecstasy.

In the League Cup, Colwyn Bay 3s beat Wrexham 3s 5-2 to set up a clash with free-scoring Bangor University 2s who beat League holders Dysynni 8-1.

In another tense game, Bangor University came from 2-1 down to take the game into overtime. 10 minutes of end to end play failed to separate the two sides in extra time and the game went to penalties. Bangor’s keeper was the hero as he saved two of Colwyn Bay’s efforts and Bangor celebrated in style.

Results - 2007/08

Finals Day - Sunday, 27th April 2008

Semi Finals Day - Saturday, 26th April 2008

Premier Cup

Shield

League Cup

NEWI North Wales Cup - Important Info

Any premliminary rounds MUST be played before the Quarter Final/Semi Final dates.

North Wales Umpires will provide umpires for the Semi Finals and Finals only. For all quarter finals, club umpires must be provided.

Match sheets (downloadable in MS Word format) should be completed for all fixtures and returned within 24 hours of the match. Those clubs entering the premier competition MUST return a list of 10 named players who are first team players only and who, therefore, are ineligible to compete in the Shield or League competition.

Please send this list and completed match cards to Jonathan Upton, Vice Chair & Treasurer jon.upton@northophall.net