Convicts took an early lead through James O’Garra although this was soon cancelled out by Colombians, following an unlucky deflection deep in the Convicts half.After some indiscipline, Convicts were then reduced to ten men as Finch was sin-binned for five minutes.
They soon restored their advantage, however, with an excellent drag flick from Mark Dicker.Colombians equalised again following a mix-up in the Convicts’ defence before Dicker scored with another drag flick but once again Colombians hit back to level the game at 3-3 shortly before half time.Finch restored Convicts’ lead at the start of the second half before two goals in five minutes seemed to give Colombians the advantage.However, Convicts dug deep and constantly threatened the Colombians circle for the last 20 minutes as their opponents tried desperately to run down the clock.Convicts created a number of chances and won several penalty corners but couldn’t beat the impressive Kees Jager in the Colombians goal – and the Guernsey side hung on to their lead to win the CI Championship.Convicts had started their campaign the day before, against a JMHA select XI, a side mainly made up of Division II players from Crusaders and Hautlieu hockey clubs.
Despite a spirited display from the Division II players Convicts eventually won 6-0 with goals from Jon Cartmell (2), Rich Finch, Bobby Minty, Mark Dicker and Mike James, although the result was somewhat flattering as they had only led 4-0 with five minutes to go.Convicts’ second game was a much more intense encounter against Guernsey league leaders, Tigers.
Both sides were missing key players but it was the Convicts who looked more determined and capitalised on their chances running away with a 7-2 victory with goals from Cartmell (3), Dicker, James, Finch and Richard White.This set up a fiery semi-final between Jersey championship rivals OV Convicts and JHC Gobis.
Both sides looked tired and were suffering as a result of their small squads, Gobis starting with just nine men.
The hockey was scrappy at times and it was Gobis who had the better of the first half, taking a two-goal lead before Finch pulled a goal back from the penalty spot shortly before the break.
Convicts looked sharper in the second half and eventually equalised with a well-taken finish from Matt Smith to take the game to penalty strokes.Finch and Ross Collins both converted their efforts and, after Garret O’Brien had made an excellent save for Convicts from Matt Harris’s effort, Dicker scored to win the match.Colombians’ goals in the final were scored by Adam Kitching (two), Tristan Cairns, Chris Gill and T J Ozanne.
