Youth Nationals in Blackpool - November 16/17/18th 2001
Wadda Weekend!
This was the long weekend that would show us how good our Youth team is. The Tornadoes were undefeated in the league, and so we expected some good results from the nationals.But, things didn't go right from the very first. Sam Bourgein, the top goal scorer in the team broke his arm the Sunday before , playing Ice hockey! Richard Grandi, our number one goalie, couldn't make it. Things weren't looking too good.
Aldie took 6 players down in his van , and it broke down! Luckily within a few miles of the venue. What else could go wrong?
The venue was like nothing else. Imagine chicken-run meets the wild west. It is a equestrian (horses) center and wild-west themed restaurant that has been converted to skater hockey! Tucked away in a place completely unlike anything that the supplied map might resemble and no signs to indicate its new function.
.
They had the nerve to then charge us £2 per day per spectator , and kept checking our tickets during the day.
The rink was big, with a painted tarmac surface. Kids used to street sports would be used to this, but it was not like any other sports hall. The ball did not run flat along the ground, and stopping was a bit hit and miss.
We knew the first game against he Wakefield warriors would be tough. We conceded 4 goals in the first half, with only 4 shots on goal ourselves. The second half, we got one goal each, bringing the final score to 5:1.
The refs were encouraging a 'flowing game' and not calling all fouls. This probably worked in our favour!
The second game against the N.W Vikings looked better. We went into the lead (2:1). But the Vikings seemed a better match to the conditions and used lobs effectively to cover the ground. One of their players went coast to coast with a top left finish, twice in succession with carbon copy moves. Their breaks scored, ours didn't. Easy took a penalty shot, but didn't manage to defeat the goalie.The final score 6:2 to the Vikings, did not reflect the play.
The next day was against the Checkers. This game had a Freddie in the Sin bin too often. We had the ball in the opponents half most of the game, but only managed to draw 2:2.
The checkers had conceded more goals than us in the group, so the draw meant we ranked 3rd out of the 4 in our group.
The fourth game against the Basildon bulldogs, saw two of our goals disallowed! One because of our players occupying the crease (allegedly) and another free hit disallowed for the minor technical reason that the whistle hadn't been blown yet! Louis got tripped while going for a position in slot, and damaged his ribs, stopping play for a minute. This game should have been ours, but went to the Bulldogs 3:1.
5th game.. Cant remember much about this game. Perhaps it was the 9 O'clock start. We lost. The last game was against Blackpool Hotshots. This was a fight for last place. We lost 3:1 OK!? Lets just not talk about it......
Wadda Weekend.
Still smiling.......