Report Author: Alex Wilmshurst

Game: SUWPC Men’s vs Portsmouth

Competition: Hampshire League

Location: Mountbatten Centre

Date: 24/10/23

With 3 games already under the 23/24 men’s squad belt, the biggest of boys were looking to put in a good performance against a Portsmouth side who humbled us twice in last year’s Hants league campaign. Travelling to Mountbatten was a strong squad of 12 also hoping to put the previous week’s result behind them.

From our previous encounters, we knew that they were a strong swimming side who would look to press and counter us at every opportunity. With this is mind we were cautious to not lose the ball at silly points.

Shaping up in the first quarter, SUWPC took a nervy but controlled approach to the quarter. Looking mainly to move the ball around the arc and place shots past the goal keeper. This came with success with three goals coming from 3 captains of various years: Daniel Ammon (2022/23), Finn Thomas (2023/24), and Sam Dalton (2020/21). Points of lack of concentration lead to goals being conceded, often from misplaced passes or sloppiness when holding the ball. However, for many of Portsmouth’s attempts on goal, strong defence and superb shot blocking limited Portsmouth to just 5 goals themselves.

As we reached the end of the first quarter, the cogs had begin to spin and as a collective it was realised that putting balls into Sam D at centre forward was reaping rewards, so we should continue to look to do that. As a consequence, Sam earned himself a goal and 3 ejections in one quarter. Another two goals, one from Finn – from one of the aforementioned kick-outs – and an audacious 7 metre lob from yours truly took us into half time at 11-6 down.

The third quarter held more of the same story. Another 3 goals from the same 3 goal scorers as quarter 2 and plenty more kick outs earned also. The team getting more comfortable in their play style and making movement to stun Portsmouth’s defence. Our defence themselves growing wise to Portsmouth’s attack and beginning to limit their centre forward to just one goal, instead of his 7 across the first two quarters. Heading into the final quarter 14-9 down.

Despite the workout Portsmouth were giving us, SUWPC still remained fresh. Their final quarter being the strongest of the lot, putting away 5 goals. Finn and Sam completed their 4 consecutive quarters of scoring one goal or more, whilst Woody also notched up 2 goals. The score ended 20-14 to Portsmouth.

By far the best performance of the boys this year. Facing up against a team that had caused us real problems in the past, the progress seen over the first few weeks of the year had been fantastic and has them perfectly aligned to have a great BUCS campaign this year.

Man of the Match: Finn Thomas – a true captain’s display popping up with goals all over the place.

Player/Majors/Goals

Luke Bennalick – 0 – 0

Michael Scott – 1 – 0

George Lea – 0 – 0

Finn Thomas – 0 – 4

Noah Boelmann – 0 – 0

Samuel Dalton – 0 – 5

Daniel Ammon – 1 – 1

Jack James – 0 – 0

Alex Wilmshurst – 0 – 2

Woody Cho – 0 – 2

Qi Zhe Kau – 1 – 0

Samuel Ellis – 0 – 0