Buckingham Qualify For Jaffa Super 6's Finals For The Second Year Running

Ladies 1st XI
Following two weekends of unrelenting indoor hockey action, Buckingham have once again qualified for the Jaffa Super 6's Finals Day at the Copper Box Arena on Sunday the second of February.
On the opening weekend, despite not converting a high proportion of their chances, Buckingham got of to a good start with a comfortable 4-0 win against Clifton Robinsons. In their second match, they took on 2018 champions Bowdon Hightown who they defeated in last years semi final. However, they started lethargically and found themselves 4-0 down shortly after half time. Mid way through the third quarter Buckingham began to find their rhythm and brought the score back to 5-3 with two minutes remaining but two goals in the final minute resulted in a disappointing 7-3 loss.
On the first Sunday, Buckingham played in the first match of the day against Sutton Coldfield and found themselves 1-0 down after six minutes. In a game disrupted by numerous temporary suspensions, the girls really struggled to find any rhythm but to their credit stuck to their task. Maddy Newlyn brought and when Lottie Porter put Buckingham ahead with five minutes remaining it looked like a second win was on the cards. However, a late goal from Sutton ensured the game ended with honours even and a frustrating draw. In their final match of the first weekend, Buckingham took on Leicester. Despite being in the driving seat for the majority of the match, Buckingham couldn't quite pull away and a late goal resulted in a nervy final few minutes of the 4-3 victory.
Having put themselves in a good position going into the second weekend, Buckingham first game was against reigning champions East Grinstead. Buckingham started well and raced into an early 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Lottie Porter and Rebecca van Arrowsmith but a couple of lapses in concentration meant East Grinstead were back on level terms early in the second quarter. The remainder of the match was a high quality affair but despite chances for both sides, nether could find a winner and the game ended 2-2. In their second match of the day Buckingham took on Surbiton,and played well to earn a 7-5 win with Porter netting a hattrick.
Buckingham went into the final Sunday knowing that they would need a minimum of a win and a draw to ensure a top four finish and in the event, that is exactly what they achieved. In their first match of the day they took on Holcombe and produced a fantastic performance, playing some superb indoor hockey to run out 8-2 winners. Maddy Newlyn scoring four! With all the other matches complete, Buckingham went into the last match of the competition knowing that a draw would be enough, whilst their opponents Slough knew that if they could emerge victorious then Buckingham would miss out. As expected, it was a tight and physical encounter. In a very good game of indoor hockey, Slough took the lead at the end of the first quarter but van Arrowsmith brought the scores level early in the third quarter and Katrina Nicholson gave Buckingham the lead shortly afterwards. Buckingham retained that lead until Slough removed their goalkeeper near the end of the match. With Slough pushing forward Buckingham missed a couple of guilt edged chances to go 3-1 and 4-1 and kill the game but failed to convert and slow pulled one back with just under ninety seconds to go which resulted in a nervy final minute. However, Buckingham showed immense character to see the game out and secure their place in the Jaffa Super 6's finals day, one of the England Hockey's most high profile events for the second year running.