Rotherham Metro staged a brilliant recovery to beat Cheltenham Spartans 15-14 in men's Championship 3 at Haberdasher's Aske's School today. But defeat did not prevent Spartans clinching the trophy. After winning their first five matches, Cheltenham began the weekend four points clear of their nearest rivals - and guaranteed to retain top spot as they will claim two more points tomorrow from the non-appearance of scheduled opponents York City.
Cheltenham were never behind against Rotherham - until the last 27 seconds of the match.
Spartans seemed to be cruising to victory as they went 11-7 up in the third period. Then Rotherham hit back, pulling up to a goal adrift at 12-11 with goals by Oliver Vodden (2) and Craig Mellors (2). Cheltenham rallied again, a couple of goals by Michael Thomas and Rob Parker's seventh of the match establishing a 14-12 lead.
Back, once again, came Rotherham. Mellors scored, then Vodden claimed his seventh of the game from a man-up to make it 14-14. Just 27 seconds remained when Sam Swainson hit a winner.
Whether Rotherham will claim one of the three promotion places is still open to question - it will be decided on the final day tomorrow. Croydon kept themselves in the hunt by defeating Bridgefield 10-7, including two goals each from Jon Cannon, Kevin Steele, Ben Dubben and Sam Adamson.
Photo (Trevor Hyde): Cheltenham celebrate. L-R: David Taylor, Stuart McKie, Will Cook, Michael Thomas, Daniel Day, James Willis, George Glover, Luke Tubby, Henry Redman, Taylor Walsh, David Edwards, Xander McKie, James Ross, James Walsh (assistant coach) and Rob Parker.
Cheltenham were never behind against Rotherham - until the last 27 seconds of the match.
Spartans seemed to be cruising to victory as they went 11-7 up in the third period. Then Rotherham hit back, pulling up to a goal adrift at 12-11 with goals by Oliver Vodden (2) and Craig Mellors (2). Cheltenham rallied again, a couple of goals by Michael Thomas and Rob Parker's seventh of the match establishing a 14-12 lead.
Back, once again, came Rotherham. Mellors scored, then Vodden claimed his seventh of the game from a man-up to make it 14-14. Just 27 seconds remained when Sam Swainson hit a winner.
Whether Rotherham will claim one of the three promotion places is still open to question - it will be decided on the final day tomorrow. Croydon kept themselves in the hunt by defeating Bridgefield 10-7, including two goals each from Jon Cannon, Kevin Steele, Ben Dubben and Sam Adamson.
Photo (Trevor Hyde): Cheltenham celebrate. L-R: David Taylor, Stuart McKie, Will Cook, Michael Thomas, Daniel Day, James Willis, George Glover, Luke Tubby, Henry Redman, Taylor Walsh, David Edwards, Xander McKie, James Ross, James Walsh (assistant coach) and Rob Parker.
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