Warriors 1 at Kingston Tournament 2023
On the weekend of Saturday 10th June and Sunday 11th June 2023 our Warriors 1 team competed in the 15th annual Kingston Cobras tournament at Hull Arena for the second year running.
The team made their tournament debut at the same event last year and made the semi-final stage in what was a great weekend of hockey.
The tournament consisted of 10 teams, split into two groups.
The other competing teams were:
Kingston Cobras, Durham Dragons, Cleveland Comets, Don Valley Vikings, Blackburn Falcons, Dumfries Demons, Peterborough Dynamo, Paisley Blackhawks and Sheffield Samurai.
Games consisted of two x 17 minute periods with a running clock and in accordance with Jonkers rules.
Teams were awarded 2 points for a win and an extra point for a period win. Therefore, the maximum number of points per game was 4.
Time to get ready!
The team was allocated the skate-hire area of the rink as their changing room.
DAY 1
Game 1
The Warriors opening game was at 9.15am against the Dumfries Demons. A team that the Warriors had beaten last year, during the group stage.
Our guys got off to a strong start, winning the first period 3-2 and carried their dominance into the second half, also winning the period 2-1.
The game ended 5-3 to Warriors and the team picked up the maximum of 4 points, having won both periods..
Goals:
Ollie Gannon 2
Mitch White 2
Sam Forrester 1
Ollie Gannon
Player of the game with 2 goals on the rush from D.
The Warriors now had some time to kill before their next game, so headed off to the Marina for a mid-morning beer!
Breakfast beers at Hull Marina
Game 2
After the long wait, the next game was at 2pm against Blackburn Falcons. A familiar team to the Warriors, having played them quite a few times in the last 18 months. It’s always a tight game against the Falcons so the team knew this would be tough.
This game was the same. The Warriors won the first period 3-2 and picked up a point, but it was still anyone’s game. The Falcons came out strong in the second period and took a 5-4 lead towards the end of the game.
Thankfully, the Warriors kept their heads and got the equaliser before the buzzer.
Both teams took a period point as the Falcons won the second half 3-2.
Disappointing that the Warriors didn’t get the win, but it was still another 2 points in the bag.
Final score:
Warriors 5 Falcons 5
Goals:
Sam Cromack 1
Sam Forrester 1
Tom Gabbitas 1
Ollie Gamnon 1
Dylan Noonan 1
Lewis Pickering
Player of the game. Kept the team in the game with some great saves.
Game 3
The Warriors third game of the day was at 5.10pm against Peterborough Dynamo. A team unknown to the Warriors, as they play in the other conference of the Northern Recreational Hockey Cup (NRHC).
This was arguably the Warriors best hockey performance of the day. The team raced into the lead and never took their foot off the pedal, hungry for goals.
The team won the first period 3-0 and continued at the same level in the second period, also winning it 3-0.
Final score:
Warriors 6 Dynamo 0
Goals:
Sam Cromack 1
Sam Forrester 1
Tom Gabbitas 1
Si Morrow 1
Mitch White 2
Mitch White
Player of the game. Mitch scored twice, with one of the goals being outstanding.
Game 4
The Warriors final game of the first day was at 6.45pm against Don Valley Vikings.
A team the Warriors were yet to beat. This was sure to be the hardest game of the day.
The first period was intense, with both teams playing aggressively. Unfortunately, it was the Vikings that opened the scoring as they won the first period 0-1.
In the second period, the Warriors pushed hard for the equaliser and they eventually got their reward through a Mitch White goal.
At 1-1 it was all to play for. Both sides traded chances and felt the game was there for the taking. Unfortunately, the Vikings got their second goal of the game which turned out to be the winner. This meant the Warriors took no points away from the game.
Final score:
Warriors 1 Vikings 2
Goals:
Mitch White 1
Adam Gibbons
Player of the game. Adam worked extremely hard in defence.
DAY 2
Game 5
After a good first day where the team won two, lost two and drew one, they were on 10 points, but needed to win their final group game to have any chance of progressing to the semi-final stage.
The final group game was against Cleveland Comets. One of the strongest teams in the tournament.
The Comets had only played three games on day one and had played their fourth game earlier that morning, so were arguably in a better position for the game.
The Warriors started the game well, matching the Comets for possession and scoring chances. The first period ended 1-1 with Mitch White scoring the Warriors goal.
Going into the second and final period, the game could go either way.
It was the Warriors that started the quickest as White scored his second of the game within the first 2 minutes of the restart.
Things were looking good for the team. But, the physical exertion of non-stop hockey all weekend seemed to take it’s toll on the team’s legs, as the Comets roared back into the game.
The Warriors looked dead on their feet as the Comets scored six goals without reply, to make the final score 2-7. The Warriors came away from this battle with no points.
Progression to the semi-final stage was now impossible.
Final score:
Warriors 2 Comets 7
Goals:
Mitch White 2
Sam Cromack
Player of the game. Sam never gave up fighting and also made outstanding contributions in the previous game.
Tournament goal scorers
Mitch White 7
Sam Forrester 3
Ollie Gannon 3
Sam Cromack 2
Tom Gabbitas 2
Simon Morrow 1
Dylan Noonan 1
Despite not progressing to the semi-final stage, the Warriors picked up 10 points in 5 games, with 2 wins, 2 defeats and one tied game. The guys can be proud of themselves, having competed well against some of the best recreational teams in the country.
It was also a fun social weekend, being able to hang-out with team-mates, having some laughs and a few beers.
Thanks to Mike Forbes and the Kingston Cobras for hosting this tournament again and extending the invite to us.
See you next year!?
