Slazenger’s Men’s 1st’s failed to capitalise on a strong performance the previous week and went down 4 – 3 to Richmond Men’s 1st XI, and only have themselves to blame.
The game was littered with indiscipline throughout and the Slazenger’s player’s inability to control their emotions inevitably led to the loss. Richmond took the lead through a penalty stroke only for Slazenger’s to show the sort of game they are capable of to hit back with 2 quick goals, Mark Swindon converting a penalty stroke and Rich Hutchins finishing well after a flowing move.
The indiscipline began to surface though with Slazenger’s players beginning to concentrate more on the umpires decisions rather than their own game and went in at the half 3-2 down. The second half began much as the first had ended; Slazenger’s failing to make any impact on the game and Richmond happy to sit back with no real threat being posed. Slazenger’s were reduced to ten men when Ivan Wood saw yellow and were lucky not to be reduced further, a number of players were walking a very thin line by the end of the game.
Richmond added a fourth half way through the half and with Rich Hutchins grabbing his second towards the end, a neat individual goal which showed the talent which Slazenger’s posses. Richard Whawell took the man of the match award on his return to the club after a few seasons away. Slazenger’s are at home to City of York II next week and will certainly hope to produce a vastly improved performance, something they are more than capable of.
