Hockey: Hat-trick sets up victory that aids Old Malton promotion bid (From Gazette & Herald)

Hockey: Hat-trick sets up victory that aids Old Malton promotion bid

3:36pm Wednesday 13th March 2013 in Sport

OLD Malton remain in the hunt for promotion from Yorkshire Men’s League division one after James Tindall hit a first-half hat-trick to send them to a 5-2 win at Sheffield University Bankers.

City of York II are the runaway champions and Kingston-upon-Hull II are second but Malton are only three points back with four games left compared to Hull’s two.

On a cold, wet Saturday in Sheffield, Malt’s spirts where lifted when, with the game only five minutes old, a swift move down the left saw the ball crossed into the ‘D’ where Tindall thumped the ball against the backboard.

Malton continued to press and, after a seemingly lost cause ball was chased down by youngster Joshua Kirk, he got the ball back into centrefield and Tindall took command to score his second.

The hosts were rocked and could not contain Malton, who continued to use their pace and power to overrun the students. Tindall completed his hat-trick on 31 minutes following Adam Freer’s fantastic run from half-way into the ‘D’.

The home team used interchanges and reshuffled for the second half, and Malton found themselves pinned back for 15 minutes.

Some firm tackles and committed defence kept the visitors’ lead intact, though, and a breakaway move was finished well by Henry Harrison.

The next seven minutes were frenetic to say the least. Sheffield began to pass and move at pace and a slip at the back let them get a goal back.

Malton’s response was instant when smart interpassing by Tom Brough and Tindall down the right saw them outpace five opponents, with Brough making it 5-1.

The students took only two minutes to reply but, while Malt began to tire and give the ball away too easily, they regained composure and saw the game out.

Pickering I lost 1-0 to Legiolians to remain in relegation danger in Yorkshire Women’s League division five.

The visitors attacked from the outset, dominating the first 10 minutes. Pickering defended well but were unable to stop a well-struck penalty corner, which gave Legiolians the early advantage.

Play was equally matched for the remainder of the first half while Pickering took control in the second half with some creative play from Sian King and player of the match Megan Williams down the right opening up the defence.

However, despite numerous chances and short corners, the home team were unable to score.

The sides meet again this coming weekend.

Pickering II need only one more win to be guaranteed the division six Yorkshire title after a 4-0 win at Horsforth II.