Watt's lights up Reading HC's Euro campaign
Sportsdesk • Published 27 Oct 2011 09:30
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READING moved into the second round of the European Hockey League (EHL) after a 5-0 win over Cookstown and a 2-1 loss to Dutch champions Amsterdam in Antwerp.
Reading are playing their 17th successive year in top European competition and they maintained their record of always making at least the second round of the EHL.
Irish cup winners Cookstown, on the other hand, were making their European debut and they posed few problems for Reading.
While the Sonning Lane side were not at their best, two drag flicks from Richard Mantell gave them a comfortable lead and made him the competition's record penalty corner scorer.
Reading started the second half strongly and a fluid move ended with Andy Watts beating the goalkeeper to make it 3-0.
Watts got two more goals in the last quarter to complete the scoring and goalkeeper Nick Brothers kept out a couple of short corners to maintain his clean sheet.
The result ensured Reading would make the last 16 as long as Cookstown did not manage a better result against one of the pre-tournament favourites Amsterdam.
In front of a packed house in Antwerp, both Reading and Amsterdam played some scintillating hockey and it was the Dutch side who went ahead through Stephen Tigge.
Reading pushed forward, dominating possession and territory, and drew level with a powerful shot from Simon Mantell from a well-worked short corner.
The lead was short-lived as Dutch veteran Taeke Taekema scored for Amsterdam and ensured Reading qualified as runners-up for the last 16 stage, which will be played in Easter.
Reading are without a league fixture this weekend but return home for Super Sunday on November 6 (see below).
Ladies
AFTER two weekends on the road, Reading returned home with a bang as they crushed Sutton Coldfield 9-2 to extend their lead at the top of the Premier Division to five points.
Jess Brooker got Reading off to a perfect start with a goal in the third minute but Olympic bronze medallist Jane Sixsmith equalised for newly-promoted Sutton.
Reading were quick to respond and Kate Walsh struck a sweet shot into the bottom corner before Liana Smith carried on her good form with the third goal.
Smith made it 4-1 after good work by Alex Danson, who deservedly got on the scoresheet before half-time with a well-timed forehand shot.
Reading were quick out of the blocks in the second-half and Danson showed off her full repertoire as she scored the next three goals.
A backhand into the roof of the net in the 38th minute, a tap in two minutes later and a powerful forehand shot took the tally to eight.
Emma Thomas got the final Reading goal in the 59th minute, pushing the ball into an empty goal following a rebound off the goalkeeper.
Sixsmith grabbed a consolation for Sutton late on but it was not to matter as Reading held on for a comfortable win.
Reading are not in action this weekend but return for Super Sunday on November 6 when they host Cannock, with the game starting at 1pm and then followed by the men against the same opponents.
The ladies 1sts are also hosting a bonfire party on Saturday, November 5, starting at 6.30pm and tickets are available at www.readinghockeyclub.org.uk/tickets.
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