Teams: OSC Berlin, RHC Gera, Iserlohn, Heil-Bronn, Herne Bay United.
Herne Bay United took on the best veteran sides in Germany over the weekend at a tournament hosted by Olympic Sports Club Berlin.
HBU travelled with a full team, and were hopeful of putting on a good performance.
HBU are the reigning national veterans champions in this country, and were keen to show they are still a force in Europe.
Their first game was against the host side OSC Berlin, United started well, scoring after only 12 seconds, United were playing ok, and were 3-0 up at halftime. The second half saw the English side continue to dominate possession running out comfortable 8-0 winners.
The second game was a much tougher test for United as they took on Heil-Bronn, although United again dominated possession, they were struggling to break-down the German defence. Everytime United went ahead they were immediately pegged back. The first half ended at 2-2.
The second half picked up where the first half had finished. United had all the possession but could not break through the strong defence, then with 10 minutes left, Heil-Bronn scored to go 2-3 ahead, this galvanised United who picked up the pace of their game. With 5 minutes left United equalised, then with less than a minute left, United’s captain Nick Barton scored to put United 4-3 up. The Germans could not respond, and at the final whistle United had won 4-3.
United’s third game was against favourites, and perennial winners of the tournament Iserlohn. There has always been a fierce rivalry between the two teams going back over 25 years. Both sides have always been evenly matched. This game was no different. Iserlohn held the ball well for long periods, as did United. Whilst both teams created some chances, it was the defenders who were on top throughout. At halftime the score was 1-1.
United were beginning to tire as it was their 3rd game of the day, and Iserlohn had stepped up the pace, and were beginning to create a few chances. Iserlohn then went 1-2 up with 7 minutes left in the match. If United were going to get anything out of the game they had to dig deep. Their efforts appeared to have failed as their German opponents looked solid at the back. However, with only 90 seconds left Joe Wheatley beat 2 players and flicked the ball into the top corner of the German goal to tie the game at 2-2. The Germans were stunned by the goal, this cost them dear, as Wheatley forced his way through their defence to put United 3-2 up 20 seconds later. Somehow United had managed to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, and held on to win a thrilling contest.
Other results had gone United’s way so they knew the result in their last match against RHC Gera could not affect the result of the tournament. United had won. The English veterans were keen to put on a show and in the final match against Gera, they put on a stunning display of roller hockey, for a 10 minute period in the first half their opponents did not touch the ball more than a few times, as the English champions moved the ball around with some great 1 and 2 touch play. United ran out comfortable 5-1 winners.
The tournament was over. United had played 4 and won 4. Following the closing ceremony United captain Nick Barton said: “We are thrilled to have won the tournament, it was an honour to be invited to attend, to come here and win is a great achievement. We’ve met up with a lot of old friends, and we have made some new friends as well.”
Herne Bay United’s veteran’s have been making a name for themselves since their arrival on the European veterans scene last year. Immediately following this win, they have been invited to compete in the “European Veteran Rollerhockey Invitational Cup”. This is a competition held twice a year, a different country hosts each tournament, approximately 16 teams from Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, France, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland and now England compete at the highest level.
Club Coach Phil McVey said: “To win like we did in Berlin was exceptional. On top of that we are to compete in the EVRI Cup”. There isn’t a bigger competition anywhere in the world for the over 35’s. The standard of the hockey is incredible. Veteran’s hockey is very popular on the continent. With us joining such a prestigious competition, we are spreading the name of Herne Bay United to every corner of the roller hockey world.”
HBU Team – Garrett Priestley (gk) Nick Barton, Paul McVey, Phil McVey, Richard Walker, Nigel Mills, Jon Barton, Joe Wheatley, and guest player Peter Taylor.
