Men’s PB v Boro (R11)
PB Lost 2 – 5 to Greensborough
From the heat of Mumbai to a bitterly cold day at Elgar, Chris Harpers first outing as PB coach unfortunately did not end with a win. However Harps did bring a stability to the team that has been missing over the past month and this will no doubt have a positive impact on a young and developing PB team.
More changes to the squad meant another reshuffle with two experienced players brought in, one for the back line and one for the forward line. This had a positive impact as we started the game well with plenty of possession which resulted in a goal around the ten minute mark. Unfortunately there were not too many more positives that came from the first half. Windy conditions made it difficult to communicate, combined with some slack marking and soft turn overs we were down 4-1 at half time.
After a frustrating first half players regrouped during the break and in the second half we began using their strengths (speed, skill and endurance) to good effect. Combined with some innovative defending including one full back picking up an oppositions stick and throwing it away to try and slow his player down, we eventually got on top. During the last fifteen minutes of the game we again possessed the ball and played some better quality hockey.
Although a disappointing result, the second half showed that if we play to our strengths which include speed and skill and continue to work on holding the ball and playing with a set structure, we can have an exciting end to the season.
