Cardiff University 1 Carew 1st XI 4

The students started the game with some really fast moving hockey, making the Carew back four of Johnson, Head, Pritchard and Cole work hard and bringing goalkeeper Thomas into action from the start.

The Rooks were simply still on the motorway as they struggled to get their game together. The students took advantage of the situation and with 15 minutes on the clock scored with a tap-in, having penetrated the Rooks defence.

Mason and Smith had few chances to put shots on goal, with the students defending well and holding the ball in midfield, making it difficult for the Rooks to get their game together.

From one of the few attacking runs Williams was able to make down the right, Mason latched on to the ball and swept it into the goal for the teams to turn around 1-1 at half-time.

A change of formation in defence saw Carew come out for the second half with the midfield duo of Kendrick and Wheeler starting to press up the pitch, releasing Smith and Mason for them to put pressure on the students' goal and Clements able to push forward down the left and get crosses into the circle.

It did not take long for a through ball from Wheeler to Williams to find Smith in position to lob the 'keeper and Kendrick to pick up on another Williams run and strike the ball home to make it 3-1.

The students continued to play their possession hockey, but it rarely came to fruition. Thomas was rarely called into action, but cleared any attempts on his goal. Head marked the centre forward out of the game, Pritchard, Cole and Clements were on top of their game in the wide defensive areas and Johnson was making some impressive interceptions and clearancse as sweeper.

As the game entered the final quarter, Wheeler picked out Williams's run from wide for him to 'roof' the pass into the net for a superb finish to an entertaining game.

Team: L. Thomas, S. Kendrick (capt.), J. Smith, J. Mason, B. Wheeler, E. Williams, O. Johnson, T. Pritchard, M. Clements, G. Cole, D. Head.

Whitchurch 2

Carew 2nd XI 0

Carew 2nd XI travelled up to Cardiff to play Whitchurch and started the game with eight players, as one car was delayed. However, within five minutes they were up to full strength.

Carew dominated the possession during the first half, with Andrew Baker making a particular nuisance of himself alongside M. Fieldhouse in attack.

The Rooks attacked strongly from the off and earned a penalty corner within the first couple of minutes, but unfortunately could not capitalise on it.

Despite repeated attacks and good runs down the wings from Jon Evans, the Whitchurch defence held firm.

It was from two of the Carew attacks that Whitchurch recovered the ball and from fast counter-attacks found the back of the goal, making the score 2-0 at half-time.

Whitchurch took the game to Carew at the beginning of the second half, but with D. Ferguson leaving to go to the rugby, the visitors were down to 10 men. From this point, they struggled to make any attacking movements, although Zac Cole provided a constant threat on the counter.

However, excellent defensive performances from the Rooks' back three, with P. Baker making several stops on the line and stand-in 'keeper Ollie Johnson producing a series of excellent saves, they held out until the end of the game, rounding off a gritty second half performance and keeping the scoreline at a respectable 2-0.

Team: O. Johnson, M. Fieldhouse, I. Baker, P. Baker, A. Baker, J. Evans, Z. Cole, J. Moore, R. Fieldhouse, D. Ferguson, D. Wood.