Solihull picked up their third men's Super 5s win - and remain the only team with a 100 per cent record - when they edged out City of Manchester 5-4 at Ponds Forge today.
The Midlanders dominated most of the early exchanges but were unable to beat Ed Scott, GB's 2012 Olympics goalkeeper, who pulled off several fine saves. The first period ended goalless. And Manchester missed a golden chance to take the lead three minutes into the second quarter when a penalty smacked against the crossbar.
It was 1-1 after two closely-fought quarters and Solihull went 3-2 up in the third with goals by Nick Beard and Matt Kelly, who scooped in a close-range backhander after a shot had been blocked by the Manchester defence.
Solihull appeared to have the points in the bag as Polish international Pawal Wielogorski scored a fine back-hand shot from the pit and Beard added another from a bounce shot. But Manchester weren't finished - goals by Dan Paddon and Spilios Kaloudis brought the score up to 5-4 - and guaranteed a tense finale in the last three minutes.
Later, Cheltenham pipped Polytechnic 8-7 in a thriller. Cheltenham went 3-0 up in the first period only to be brought back to 3-3 after the second. It was 6-6 after three. Cheltenham's strong start to the final period then produced two quick goals - both man-up conversions by Michael Thomas. Peter Benedek scored for Poly with 2.39 remaining, but Cheltenham held on for the points.
Photo (Trevor Hyde): Jake Vincent (white cap), outstanding in defence for Solihull, offers an attacking threat today against Manchester's Joel Leighton and goalkeeper Ed Scott.
The Midlanders dominated most of the early exchanges but were unable to beat Ed Scott, GB's 2012 Olympics goalkeeper, who pulled off several fine saves. The first period ended goalless. And Manchester missed a golden chance to take the lead three minutes into the second quarter when a penalty smacked against the crossbar.
It was 1-1 after two closely-fought quarters and Solihull went 3-2 up in the third with goals by Nick Beard and Matt Kelly, who scooped in a close-range backhander after a shot had been blocked by the Manchester defence.
Solihull appeared to have the points in the bag as Polish international Pawal Wielogorski scored a fine back-hand shot from the pit and Beard added another from a bounce shot. But Manchester weren't finished - goals by Dan Paddon and Spilios Kaloudis brought the score up to 5-4 - and guaranteed a tense finale in the last three minutes.
Later, Cheltenham pipped Polytechnic 8-7 in a thriller. Cheltenham went 3-0 up in the first period only to be brought back to 3-3 after the second. It was 6-6 after three. Cheltenham's strong start to the final period then produced two quick goals - both man-up conversions by Michael Thomas. Peter Benedek scored for Poly with 2.39 remaining, but Cheltenham held on for the points.
Photo (Trevor Hyde): Jake Vincent (white cap), outstanding in defence for Solihull, offers an attacking threat today against Manchester's Joel Leighton and goalkeeper Ed Scott.
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