Cheltenham retained the men's Super 5s title at Ponds Forge, Sheffield, today after a gripping final match against City of Manchester
The challenge was clear for both sides at the start. Cheltenham needed a point to finish in top spot; Manchester, two points adrift, would have triumphed had they won, having beaten their rivals when they met earlier in the campaign.
It all ended in a nervy 5-5 draw, Cheltenham missing more chances than their opponents, but edging it at the death. It was tight from start to finish - 1-1 after the first period, 2-2 after two and 4-3 to Cheltenham after three.
Manchester equalised halfway through the final period with a man-up goal from Joe O'Regan. And it wasn't until 43 seconds from the end that Jake Vincent reclaimed a crucial lead for Cheltenham. Manchester's final goal came with only 14 seconds left - from Aaron Winstanley.
To mark his retirement, Cheltenham's David Taylor received the trophy from BWPL President Pippa Jones. Cheltenham coach James Ross said: "I think perhaps we missed four or five chances in the first quarter and the nerves set in a bit after that. We've attacked more effectively than we have defended for much of this season but fortunately on this occasion we shut Manchester out really well in the final period."
Earlier, Invicta ended their season with a thrilling 12-11 victory over Lancaster, featuring six goals by Jack Waller - including two stunning back-handers under heavy pressure in the pit.
Picture (by Trevor Hyde): Cheltenham players with their trophy and medals at Ponds Forge. Interestingly, every player with the exception of Max Gerasimov and Julian Bewley represented the club as juniors. Back row, L-R: Will Rayson, Rudi Polster, Jake Vincent, James Ross (coach), Nick Armitage-Bond, Rob Parker, Sam Legge, Mark Banwell. Front: Jerry Birmingham (assistant coach), Jules Bewley, Adam Legge, Max Gerasimov, David Taylor (captain), Mike Thomas, Joel Thomas.
It all ended in a nervy 5-5 draw, Cheltenham missing more chances than their opponents, but edging it at the death. It was tight from start to finish - 1-1 after the first period, 2-2 after two and 4-3 to Cheltenham after three.
Manchester equalised halfway through the final period with a man-up goal from Joe O'Regan. And it wasn't until 43 seconds from the end that Jake Vincent reclaimed a crucial lead for Cheltenham. Manchester's final goal came with only 14 seconds left - from Aaron Winstanley.
To mark his retirement, Cheltenham's David Taylor received the trophy from BWPL President Pippa Jones. Cheltenham coach James Ross said: "I think perhaps we missed four or five chances in the first quarter and the nerves set in a bit after that. We've attacked more effectively than we have defended for much of this season but fortunately on this occasion we shut Manchester out really well in the final period."
Earlier, Invicta ended their season with a thrilling 12-11 victory over Lancaster, featuring six goals by Jack Waller - including two stunning back-handers under heavy pressure in the pit.
Picture (by Trevor Hyde): Cheltenham players with their trophy and medals at Ponds Forge. Interestingly, every player with the exception of Max Gerasimov and Julian Bewley represented the club as juniors. Back row, L-R: Will Rayson, Rudi Polster, Jake Vincent, James Ross (coach), Nick Armitage-Bond, Rob Parker, Sam Legge, Mark Banwell. Front: Jerry Birmingham (assistant coach), Jules Bewley, Adam Legge, Max Gerasimov, David Taylor (captain), Mike Thomas, Joel Thomas.
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