Slazengers faced a tough task against a fast, skillful Leeds University side for their latest division 5 fixture. They knew they would have to play with lots of energy and great determination. So it was pleasing when for the first 20 minutes of the match they were the dominant team, playing good passing, aggressive hockey. The Horbury team created several decent scoring chances without managing to convert any of these chances.
Leeds Gryphons were too good a team not to fight their way back into the match and for the rest of the 1st half put Slazengers under the cosh. Rich Smyth, the home keeper had to be on his guard to prevent the opposition from scoring.
Second half was more of the same with the university side looking the more mobile and better organised team. It was no surprise when they eventually took the lead after some concerted pressure, but it was disappointing when they quickly scored two further goals to take a 3-0 lead.
Once again the Horbury side showed their character by refusing to accept defeat and for the last quarter of the match, took the game to the opposition once again, winning penalty corner after penalty corner.
It was from one of these corners that man of the match Luke Gueli stroked the ball over the keeper for a goal. Slazengers continued to look to score, skipper Andy Fisher had a snap shot from the top of the goalmouth saved by the Leeds keeper and defender Tony Walker made the score more respectable when he converted another penalty corner with the last hit of the game.
Final score 3-2 to Leeds Gryphons.
