The Men’s 4s travelled to Clayesmore School to take on Blandford and Sturminster. Blandford and Salisbury have been the standout teams in Forest 1 this season, and a win would guarantee promotion for Salisbury.
The pre-match talk was about it just being another game, have fun, and it doesn’t matter what the result was, promotion would come.
However, everyone knew it wasn't just another game, but perhaps the talk had the desired effect, and Salisbury came out calm and focused on the job at hand.
Clearly, Blandford were a strong side, but they were pushed back by the 4s, and much of the early game was played in the Blandford half.
Salisbury went close with a short corner from David Hillier. In the 18th minute, Andy Cowling won another short corner, and from that, he slipped the ball to Max Hamer, who dispatched the ball with aplomb.
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Salisbury had much of the game, but Blandford were lively and a danger, but this was largely snuffed out by the defence with special mention to Harry Williams, who marked their most dangerous player single-mindedly and to Julian Wilson, who does not give his opponent any time on the ball. Blandford did get a short corner that was saved and cleared.
Action shot of the Men's 4s vs Blandford and Sturminster (Image: Matt Salmon) Shortly after, the 4s won another short corner, and Dave Hillier slammed the ball home to make it 2-0. Late on, Colin Perkins got a disappointing green card, Graham Dean moved into Perkins's position in central defence, and Dean, who had another excellent performance, ensured it remained 2-0 at half time.
The game resumed with a similar pattern to the first with Salisbury taking the majority of possession but Blandford always being a danger but extinguished by a great defence. Blandford won a few penalty corners, but with player of the match Rhys Jones running one and the fearless Harry Williams, they could not get through.
The second half saw the introduction of James Harradon in only his second hockey game, but you wouldn't have known it from the composure and skill he showed.
Dave Hillier received a green card late in the game, but that didn't have a bearing on the game, and Salisbury won 2-0.
A great win means that with two promotion places confirmed, Salisbury are promoted and are seven points clear with five games left to play.
The Ladies 1’s had no game this weekend, but the Men’s 1’s had a fantastic win against league leaders Havant, winning 2-1.
