Cardiff University hockey rounded off a remarkable season by winning a domestic treble. After promotion in both leagues, Cardiff reached the climax of the season and clinched all three Welsh Cup competitions, including a 2-1 win over Wrexham in the Welsh Cup Final.
The Cup final weekend got off to a flying start, with a 3-1 victory over Bridgend, claiming from them the Welsh Shield. With the two sides locked in a 0-0 stalemate, spectators and players prepared for a dramatic finish. Bridgend stunned the Cardiff defence with a goal in the final ten minutes. Cardiff won a short corner in the dying seconds and as the final whistle blew, the score stood 1-0 to Bridgend, with the penalty corner still to play. This left Cardiff one final chance to take the game into extra time. It was captain Paul Hayes who found himself space at the corner and his first time strike found the back board giving the students an equaliser with the final touch of normal time. Gavin Vollmer scored in the first half of extra time and then Tom Nicholas sealed the win with a fantastic reverse stick finish after a wonderful cross from Henry Cole.
After winning the Welsh Shield on Saturday morning, Cardiff had to put their celebrations on hold as they prepared for the biggest match in Welsh hockey. After defeating the favourites Cardiff City in the semi final, the University first XI were confident of becoming the first student team to win the National Cup. With a spot in the 2007 European Cup Winners Cup at stake, Cardiff began in nervous fashion. Wrexham took an early lead and dominated the match for the first twenty minutes.
Wrexham were unable to capitalise further, mainly thanks to Dai McGahon’s heroic defending and some fine saves from ‘keeper Ian Ferguson. Despite not creating any real scoring opportunities, Cardiff found themselves on level terms on the half-hour mark. A mistake by the Wrexham defender was pounced upon by Paul Hayes who scored his 41st goal of the season.
The Cardiff team looked disappointed at half time and were determined to command the game in the second half. White, Hayes and Gough all came close but Wrexham managed to keep the score at one apiece. The final was to go to extra time once again.
Despite playing 90 minutes of furious hockey the day before, Cardiff’s fitness was still superior. A string of short corners followed a passage of Cardiff possession.
It was Courtney who made the breakthrough in the 75th minute. A well-planned short corner switched the ball across the D and back to the Cardiff skipper, who swept the ball past the Wrexham ‘keeper. Cardiff played out the match in professional fashion, with the solid defensive line of McGahon, Tom Moore, Gareth Owen and Tony Gough keeping the Wrexham attack away from Ferguson’s goal.
Cardiff University were crowned champions of Wales and booked their ticket to the European competition next year. Captain and goal-scoring hero Duncan Courtney spoke to the gair rhydd after the game.
“It’s been a superb season; we have won every competition that we have entered. Now we have won the Welsh Cup and found ourselves traveling to represent Wales next season in Europe. We are the TNS of hockey”.
Cardiff completed their domestic treble on Wednesday with a 6-2 rout over arch rivals Swansea in the Welsh Universities Cup.
