The wonderful thing about the National Cup competitions is that you really do no know what to expect. The oppositions come from far and wide and you have to be on your metal to ensure you are not caught out by any surprise packages. After jaunts road trips in the last two rounds to Guernsey HC (expelling the memories of last seasons heartbreaking final defeat with a terrify victory) and to Gloucestershire to face the resilient Wotton-under-edge HC the club were more than happy to welcome Norwich HC to The Meadow and capitalise on some fantastic home support.
Unlike last years blazing sunshine for the Semi Final vs Didsbury Northern HC (who will be our opponents in this years final) it was overcast, windy and a fraction chilly, but from start to finish the game would ebb and flow to the sound of attack attack attack. The game began ferociously and BOE were on the back foot from minute 1 as Norwich came flying out of the blocks. BOE saw off the first few breaks from the Canaries but were unable to keep out their first penalty corner as a rebound found its way to the top of the D where it was lashed home by the Norwich No 18. This sprung BOE into life. It was the wake up call they needed and suddenly the legs found some extra zip and the passes some extra ping. Michael Lawrence, fresh off the plane from a South African mini break, took control and demonstrated his wealth of tricks. Collecting the ball on the halfway line Mike beat 3 players inside the half and drove towards goal, two more defenders would attempt to close him down but he waltzed past both of them as if they weren't there to reach the top of the D. He stepped inside and rifled an unstoppable strike to the top right hand corner 1-1. What a finish. Game on. BOE had done well to weather the early Norwich storm and were beginning to overcome their East Anglian opponents.

The team were getting better and better with Tom Archer expertly pulling the strings in the middle. Archers turnover and quick pass to the inside left channel was met with an erroneous foot at the top of the D and from the resulting penalty corner, Skipper Chris Harden would flick the reds in front and into a 2-1 lead. The next goal was a real thing of beauty. Another fast counter attack started by the mercurial Tanner Bottomley at left half who beat 2 players before feeding David Lawrence who also burst through 3 poor challenges down the left touch line. He found some space and fed Chris Harden who smashed the ball towards goal where Lewis Lawrence was on hand to deflect it goal wards but the ball crashed into the post! However, in true predator style, Lewis pounced on the rebound and calmly put BOE 3-1 up at the break.

The 2nd half also got off to a flyer but this time it was BOE seizing the initiative. Just 45 seconds in and the man of the moment Michael Lawrence found himself in acres of space just outside the D. He drove hard left before slamming a dreamy reverse stick strike into the goal off the far post. wonderful strike. 4-1 to The Club and the flood gates might now just open.
But to Norwich's credit they did not sit down and let this happen. Instead, they really started to trouble the BOE boys as fatigue (second tough game of the weekend) and rash challenges started to slip into the game. A number of green and yellow cards for both sides were handed out and, with 15mins to play, Norwich found a second goal thanks to a reverse upright finish. This could get messy and there was every chance the game could get a little fractious but BOE found another mature gear and settled into a rhythm. Tired legs meant lots of good ball pace, better possession and less running. The lads did a superb job of controlling the rest of the game and not allowing Norwich back into it. Smart hockey.

Last seasons Semi-Final was all about 5 goal hero Chris Harden who single handedly dispatched Didsbury in a crushing 6-0 victory. It was terrific to see 'Magic' Michael Lawrence step into the light and take the plaudits for two exceptional individual goals. It's a great reward for a player who scored an amazing goal 30 goals last season including the pick of the bunch in last seasons Trophy Final.

After a solid season in a much tougher league the team is much improved with many players able to score from open play as well as the continued threat of an excellent and varied penalty corner set-up. A richly deserved final appearance following a tough cup campaign against some quality sides along the way.

So, for the second consecutive year, a fine victory takes us to Lee Valley where we will play Didsbury Northern in the Final. This time the team aims to go one better and banish the ghosts of Guernsey. Come on the Club!

EH TROPHY FINAL
Didsbury Northern vs Blackheath & OE
29th April 2017
5:00pm
Lee Valley HTC