City of Peterborough's National League campaign ended in disappointment, but star veterans have impressed at a World Cup
There was a disappointing end to the National League season for City of Peterborough at Bretton Gate on Sunday.
The city side went down 3-1 to next-to-bottom University of Birmingham seconds in their final game, but a sixth-place finish can be seen as a success for a side who were relegated the last time they played at Midlands Conference level.
A strong start to the season meant that was never likely this time around, although two defeats at the hands of Birmingham students who only won four games all season was a frustration.
Final standings (all played 18): 1 Leek 44pts, 2 Oxford Hawks 40pts, 3 St Albans 32pts, 4 Norwich City 25pts, 5 Barford Tigers 25pts, 6 City of Peterborough 23pts, 7 Banbury 20pts, 8 University of Nottingham 2nds 19pts, 9 University of Birmingham 14pts, 10 Stourport 7pts.
After a goalless first quarter, the university team opened the scoring with a field goal on 25 minutes and took this lead into half-time.
City were briefly reduced to 10 men after a careless tackle on 44 minutes and the visitors took advantage and doubled the lead a minute later.
They then made it 3-0 after 50 minutes before Joe Finding pulled a goal back for City on 54 minutes with a penalty stroke.
City were proud to field three Under 16s in their National League games. Oliver Drake, Harry Raybould and Josh Harriss.
INDOOR INTERNATIONALS
City have a number of club representatives in the Masters Hockey Indoor World Cup in Nottingham
Adam Drake (over 50s), Gareth Andrew (over 45s) and Sanjay Dhanani (over 45s) are representing England, while Claire Bowtell (over 55s) was part of an Alliance England side.
Jonathan Short and Sue McNaughton are representing Wales in the Over 60s.
Drake scored twice in a 10-1 win over Guyana in a pool match, but his England side went down 6-2 to a superb Spain side in their semi-final. They play Netherlands in a bronze medal play-off match on Tuesday.
Andrew scored seven goals in his England side’s first three pool matches including a hat-trick against Wales.
UPCOMING MATCH City’s over 45s men are playing in the National Vase semi final at home April 19. A win will secure them a place in the final in May at Lee Valley.