Men's 2XI Vs Team Bath Buccs F

West Wilts played at a soggy and sandy Kingdown pitch against a mid-table Bath Buccs team this weekend. Wilts were keen to continue to develop their hockey and build on last weeks’ performance.

It was clear within minutes that this was going to be a hard-fought game for both sides. The first half was relatively uneventful, ending 0-0, and really reflected the weather that the game was being played in – a little bit dreary, soggy and not fun for anyone. The opponents probed each other, had chances here and there, and started to settle by half time.

Presumably the Buccs team talk was like the Wilts one – battling the elements to come out in the second half and show the oppo ‘what for’.

Both teams started the second half several gears above the first. Faster passing, faster moving, structured patterns of play – it was a joy to watch. The joy was short lived for Wilts though, as the ball was swept past the outstretched hands of goal-keeper Clive Nash (who had a stand out performance in goal). Down 1-0 Wilts had even more energy about them. Nathan Ellis, the midfield dynamo, found himself on a mazy run through the Buccs ranks and found James Baker in the oppo D. Baker was able to hit home to draw the teams level.

Next it was Buccs turn, and they netted once more through the same striker who got himself a brace. Ant Crosbie, a Wilts ‘wide man’, took matters into his own hands from then on. He pushed the tempo and dragged the rest of the Wilts squad with him. Fantastic and intricate play out wide culminated in a short corner for Wilts. Baker stepped up and found the back of the net one more time for his brace.

With only a matter of minutes to go, and Wilts with all the momentum, it looked possible that Wilts could complete a ‘smash and grab’ and walk home with all three points. Lovely passages of play, built from the Wilts defence and through the midfield, opened a few holes in the Buccs stalwart defence, but to no avail. Wilts couldn’t find the killer pass and had to settle for the draw.

All-in-all, a fair but disappointing result. Wilts now look forward to next week way to City of Bath and how they need to adapt to get those all-important 3 points.