One penalty-shoot out in a day is enough to test the nerves of any team. But how do you cope with TWO? That was the question for Polytechnic after a couple of magnificent, high-octane men's Super 5s matches at Aldershot today.
Poly had opened up at the start of play by drawing 10-10 with London rivals Penguin. Their penalty-taking was almost perfect - they won the shoot-out 4-2 and so pocketed two points from a 14-12 win.
Their second challenge of the day was against Welsh Wanderers, always a tough nut to crack these days. Poly were 8-5 up at one point but in the end were held at 14-14, failing to shoot in the final seconds when a winning goal might have resulted.
And so we moved to a repeat penalty shoot-out show. And this time it was Poly who felt the pressure. Wanderers, boosted by one terrific save by goalie Tim Marshall, won easily, 4-1 - giving a match score of 18-15.
A penalty shoot-out looked a possibility as Cheltenham recovered from 10-8 down after three periods against City of Manchester to level at 11-11. They then missed a penalty - giving Manchester the opportunity to hit back with goals by Ben Grech (2) and Dan Paddon for a 14-12 win.
With games like this coming thick and fast, a wonderful men's Super 5s campaign is in store.
Photo (Trevor Hyde): Penguin under heavy pressure against Poly at Aldershot today.
Poly had opened up at the start of play by drawing 10-10 with London rivals Penguin. Their penalty-taking was almost perfect - they won the shoot-out 4-2 and so pocketed two points from a 14-12 win.
Their second challenge of the day was against Welsh Wanderers, always a tough nut to crack these days. Poly were 8-5 up at one point but in the end were held at 14-14, failing to shoot in the final seconds when a winning goal might have resulted.
And so we moved to a repeat penalty shoot-out show. And this time it was Poly who felt the pressure. Wanderers, boosted by one terrific save by goalie Tim Marshall, won easily, 4-1 - giving a match score of 18-15.
A penalty shoot-out looked a possibility as Cheltenham recovered from 10-8 down after three periods against City of Manchester to level at 11-11. They then missed a penalty - giving Manchester the opportunity to hit back with goals by Ben Grech (2) and Dan Paddon for a 14-12 win.
With games like this coming thick and fast, a wonderful men's Super 5s campaign is in store.
Photo (Trevor Hyde): Penguin under heavy pressure against Poly at Aldershot today.
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