PBHC Mixed Summer League is proving to be very popular this year.
Bar turned out a team of 7 ladies and 9 men this week.
Including ladies from the 1's and 2's, and men from the 2's, 3's and 4's made it a social occasion as well as a fun competition.
After last week's two wins in the short-format (30 minute) matches against Harpenden and St Albans, PBHC were the team to beat.

This week, the games were regular 35-minute each way matches, and the Harpenden opposition had turned out in force with one or two very skilful and fast paced players (… ringers).
Bar pushed back, giving the ball straight to the Harpenden opposition, as is customary at the start of a mixed summer league friendly.
However, that's where the friendliness stopped, as Harpenden started a strong attack with enthusiasm and pace.

The Bar team gelled well, and held out against a spirited onslaught from Harpenden until mid-way through the first half.
Harpenden 1 – PBHC 0.
The play wasn’t all one-sided however, with Bar running hard into the Harpenden half and testing their defence.
Bar had a number of shots into the Harpenden D, but frustratingly the Harpenden goal had its deflector shields on full power and the ball failed to cross the goal line. The Harpenden defence were very determined, as their keeper was a stand-in who hadn’t played goalie before. There’s nothing like a newbie keeper to motivate a defence!

Trying your luck at a new position is one of the joys of summer league – but it’s a brave(?) person who “volunteers” for goalie!
Harpenden kept coming, and by half time the score line had drifted to Harpenden 2 – PBHC 0.

The Bar half time team talk was very positive, as Bar knew they were playing good hockey, and had been unlucky to concede the second goal just before half time. A sugar boost from the half time jelly babies and wine gums fired up the Bar team to go again.

The second half began enthusiastically, with the Bar team digging in for a tough battle and desperate for a goal.
Passes started to connect, interceptions were made successfully, and some skilful play combined … and the strike rate at goal went through the roof. The Harpenden defence held out, the ball went wide of the goal posts, and was dragged off the line more than once … and some words were heard from the Bar forwards!

Bar redoubled efforts and had Harpenden pinned in their own half for a good 5 minutes soon after the restart, and then suddenly it came … the goal Bar were looking for. Having found a way to outsmart the Harpenden defence, Bar pressed again, and again and won short corners but didn’t score. The team spirit was evident as the whole Bar team raised their game, sensing a draw was possible and a 2 -2 outcome would be a fair result given the strength and tenacity of both teams’ play.

Bar goal number 2 was only a matter of time… and eventually it happened. Justice was done. A fair score line.
Harpenden 2 – PBHC 2.

However, Harpenden were tiring and Bar spirits were still rising on the back of 2 second half goals.
The jelly babies were also doing their thing, sustaining Bar team energy levels.
A win was in sight, and there was time to make it happen.
With 3 minutes to go Bar stormed the Harpenden D and from somewhere in a goal mouth skirmish with sticks flailing came that sound we all know and love – the hockey ball hitting the back board.
Harpenden 2 – PBHC 3.

Bar held out confidently for another 2 minutes to the end of the match, and left the pitch victorious and very happy.

Next week, this observer will attempt to remember who scored the Bar goals!
(Apologies to goal scorers!)

It was such a huge team effort that the whole Bar team deserve a pat on the back.
Well done TEAM!

Go Bar!