Goldsmith
Williams and Wafty Crankers both went into their
fixtures with a 1 game, 1 win record. A second
win would elevate them to 6 points to go joint
top with DHL Prague (although DHL Prague were
yet to play this round). Goldsmith Will iams started
the stronger of the two teams and went on to prove
they had the greater firepower. Goals from Chris
Williams , Kevin Smith , Adam Spicer and David
Lowry were enough to send them on their way to
a 4-1 victory. James Rowland's goal for Wafty
Crankers was a mere consolation.
Wafty
Crankers next match was against DHL Prague, one
of their closest rivals for Cup qualification.
Following the defeat against Goldsmith Will iams
things were not looking good for the English team
as DHL Prague raced into a 4-0 lead. Goals from
Gareth Evers, Leo Echeverria, Brian Grabowski
and Tomas Jerabek looked to have put DHL Prague
in an unassailable position. The English team
from Blackpool had other ideas though as they
came storming back in the last five minutes. James
Rowland gave them hope with a double strike. Neill
Fraser made it 4-3 to really put the pressure
on the Czechs. Then Michael Phillips made the
comeback complete by adding a fourth to make it
4-4 and earn a vital point for Wafty Crankers.
Not only earning a point for themselves but pegging
back DHL Prague from 3 points to 1 point to keep
it close at the top.
In
the final game of the round Kehar Club were hoping
their comeback against Real Apsley would kickstart
their campaign. Up next for them were Lucky Leprechauns
who were looking for their first points. Kehar
Club must have fancied their chances but the Irish
were not to be brushed aside easily and upset
Kehar Club to make it a horrible title defence
for the current title holders. The Lucky Leprechauns
claimed their first victory in an end-to-end 6-4
victory. Hugh O Donnell and Thomas Jennings scored
their first goals of the tournament before Steve
McNamara scored four to take his personal tally
to six for the competition.
The
win gave Lucky Leprechauns hope of Plate qualification
and the defeat of Kehar Club meant the Czechs
could no longer defend their title. A Plate semi-final
was still not mathematically beyond them but with
one group game to go time was running out.
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