12 teams where to play over the weekend, with four groups of three and 2x15 minute periods. We had commandeered a whole hotel for the weekend, a hockey ball's throw from the leisure centre and overlooking Goodrington sands. It would have been quite picturesque - but for the almost continuous rain.

The lads where full of energy the night before. They where seen break dancing on the dance floor - but no bones broken, they retired, full of hope, for an early start the next day.

The wasps have a lovely line in coordinated kit. Yellow helmets, and tracksuit tops finish off a delightful ensemble - OK, we were dead jealous and wonder how we may get our kids all kitted up the same - except in blue of course (with maybe a hint of yellow?). They were rumoured to be playing a diamond formation. They certainly played a very tight team game. The Storm are not used to loosing, and so sometimes forget the basics of good defence. They would have to hold tight formation in this game to do well.

The game got off to a great start - within just a few seconds, the ball was in the Wasps net. But, disallowed because it came off our players boot. We looked the stronger team and managed to put the ball in the wasps nest(net) two more times. This time they counted. 2:0 to the Oxford storm. If only we could have stopped there and called the tournament ours. But there was a lot more work to do...The Wasps looked beatable, but they slowly got their act together, and pulled back to 2:2 at half time.

We had some power plays against them, but did not manage to make them count. In the second half, the wasps came out fighting and got a further 4 goals to our one before the two minute bell.

During our power play, a wasp player got a slap shot in the stomach, and flipped the ball out of play before going down on the deck. It looked like deliberate time wasting and the referee agreed. As it was in the last two minutes, this meant a penalty shot AND two minutes in the bin. Karim was nominated to take the shot, but he had to wait what must have seemed like forever for the injured player to get off.

This penalty has been described by the Wasps on their website. They say that their goal minder had saved it, and that Karim knocked the ball into the goal, dislodging the goal in the process. I would like to put the record straight here. I have video footage clearly showing what happened. Karim skated up to the goalie and managed to slip the ball into the bottom right of the goal, just under the goalie's stick. The goalie went down into a bundle in the bottom right, knocking the goal backwards. The goalie then hit the ball back out of the net with his stick in frustration as Karim lifted his arms above his head in triumph. Karim did not touch the goalie or the net. The goal was good.

The wasps now had two in the sin bin, but because of the successful penalty, one was allowed back on. We needed two goals in a minute. We played hard, but could not change the score. Final score 6:4 to the wasps. Although we hadn't expected to be able to beat them, they looked beatable. The wasps clearly took time to warm up - giving us the opportunity to get the initial 2:0 lead. Both sides had many shots on goal and many scary moments.

Oxford Vs Decorum Wildcards.

Who are they? No one knew. They looked very weak. This would be our chance to relax and enjoy the game. We pulled some nice plays, and the score line rose and rose. The scary line and Daniel got some good time on, and looked very good against this team.

The final score was 10:1 to Oxford. This now put us second in our group, and due to play the winner of group D. Group D did not look like a very strong group, so we had a fighting chance of staying in the competition. Our game was the last of the day (8:30). Meanwhile, the roof had sprung a leak, and puddles where forming on the rink!

Wigan Warlords won group D. If we could beat them, then it looked like we would be playing Borehamwood in the semi finals. We had beaten Borehamwood at the Titans tournament, so if we can win this one, we have a chance of getting to the finals.

Meanwhile, the Wasps had won through to their semi-finals, against the Norton Cyclones. The Wasps and the Cyclones where the two teams that we did not want to play. If we get to the semis then we would have had the easier path.

While we were waiting for our game, Borehamwood played against Shene Youngbloods for their place in the semis. Boreham wood had beaten Shene at the Titans tournament and we were not expecting anything different. BUT, Shene managed a magnificent effort, and beat Boreham wood 4:3! So, our semi-final would be against shene youngbloods - our SASH league runners up who we have never lost to before! But first, we had to beat the Wigan warlords.

Oxford Vs Wigan Warlords.

They only had 6 players, but had not lost a game to this point. They could string together some good moves, so we must not let up our guard. We went up 1:0 quite quickly, but then dropped two and where loosing 2:1. We kept up the pressure and warlords started to tire. They where giving away penalties, giving us lots of power plays. We pulled ourselves level, then Joe got one more and then Andrew popped one in 'on the volley'.

They didn't like loosing. One of their kids kicked Joe and got sent off. He then proceeded to kick the box of spare balls, smashing the plastic box and all the balls spilled out. He got black carded and left the rink in disgrace. Then there where 5.

We held them off at 5:3, and got the scary line on for a minute. We had done it. We now only (!) had Shene to beat to get a place in the final.

Shene Youngbloods vs Oxford.

Bruce rotated the players into Dax's position, but unfortunately, the new lines didn't seem to jell properly. We went 2:0 down in the first few minutes!

We had plenty of opportunities, but no goals to show for it. Our spectators had gone deathly quite. Just when the lads need their support, we were looking on in shocked horror as the realisation that a place in the finals could slip away to Shene Youngbloods. However, despite this the lads played on.

Joe's shots weren't quite coming off at first, but then we got one goal, then another and we started to breath easier. At 3:2 Shene saw their chance slip away and let us go 5:2 up at the end of play.

Not the prettiest of games and some heart stopping moments, but... WE ARE IN THE FINALS. 2nd place at least and a position in the European championships. Damn. This means that we will have to get same coloured helmets and trousers. MORE expense...!

Dax, still too ill to play, lead out the Team with Max Florey, our Maxscot. We would play the 3x15 minute final without Dax. The rest of the team would be playing that bit extra to make up for his absence from the rink.

The final started, and Wasps got an early goal, despite having an even trade of shots and chances. Joe equalised with one of his classic shots, with Andrew screening. 1 all.

Wasps replied with a good individual move and took it to 2:1. Shaun then got fouled in the corner and we had a power play, despite some close calls, it wouldn't go in.

Next it was Karim's turn in the bin and we had a power kill. We held them off until they fouled us, and it was 3 on 3. We looked the stronger threesome, but at the end of the first period the score remained 2:1 to the wasps.

2nd half and Karim sunk one in to take it 2 all and we were now really motoring. But now having got some confidence, we dropped our defence and let one through.

Karim pulled off a beautiful steal, one on one, then deked the goalie to put us 3:3. Again the wasps exploited our weak defence and replied with a 2 on 1 goal. Our defence really does go to pieces when we get too confident!

Sean, Joe and Karim pulled a great set of passes leaving an open goal for Karim. Somehow the goalie got a hand to the ball, it sailed up into the air and was hit out by a wasps player - above shoulder height - penalty shot! Karim took it, he kept marvellous composure and managed to pop it in through the 5-hole under the goalies stick - almost a carbon copy of his penalty in the first game against the wasps. 4 all!

But again the wasps replied, 5:4 at the end of the second period. This game was going to be a match of endurance. Both sides making opportunities, some succeeding, some not. Trading goals, and having lots of close calls. It was still anyone's game.

The third period started. Karim did a sloppy check (Your supposed to use your upper arm, not your chest Karim!) and gave away a power play - wasps scored - 6:4.

Josh.K then pulled out a miracle goal. Going down the left wing and with a very narrow angle on goal, he shot a back hand pass across the goal, across the goalie (who was behind his goal line) and into the bottom right of the goal. 6:5. Well, every one counts!

The Final 2 minute bell rang with the storm pounding the wasp's goal, but not being able to put one in. Josh.K left his stick out for a wasp to trip over and got binned - another power kill.

With only a minute to go, the scary line was put out. They had enough unspent energy to hold the power play off, but the 7:5 score remained at the final whistle. We had come a very close second in the National Championships.

Interestingly, we never managed to score during our power plays, whereas the wasps got 2 of their goals during their power plays. I think we have something to work on there - amongst MANY other things!