MEN'S EUROHOCKEY INDOOR CLUB CHAMPIONS CHALLENGE
Cambrai (FRA), 13-15 February 2009
Pool A
Cambrai HC (FRA)
Racing Club de Bruxelles (BEL)
SK Senkvice (SVK)
Swansea Bay (WAL)
Pool B
HAHK Mladost (CRO)
Rosco Budapest (HUN)
Three Rock Rovers (IRL)
HC Pliva Lipovci (SLO)
DAY 1: Friday 13 February 2009
Swansea suffer double defeat
Swansea lost their opening match against hosts Cambrai (FRA) in front of a 1500 partisan crowd 4-8 with a further defeat against Racing Club Bruxelles (BEL) 3-9 in the afternoon's match. The 'Bay' now need to get a result against SK Senkivice (SLO) in their final pool match to give themselves a chance in the relegation pool.
In front of a full house, Swansea opened their European Indoor campaign against the hosts Cambrai (FRA) in what was always going to be a difficult fixture in a very noisy and intimidating atmosphere. Cambrai made their intentions clear from the start in using a full press to reduce the 'Bay's options which resulted in an goal to the hosts after 3' and with Jon Gordon and Clive Hardy under constant pressure in defence other goals followed at regular intervals before Richard Jones gave Swansea some hope in touching in just before the break to leave his team behind 1-4. Cambrai started the second half as they had the first in quickly building a 6-1 lead before Chris Nelson pulled one back from the penalty stroke spot. Errors were now creeping in and a further 2 goals for the hosts were scored before Jones scored his second, much to the vocal dismay of the crowd! Swansea had the final say, leaving their best until last with a skillful passing move resulting in a fine goal; however Cambrai were worthy winners at 8-4.
In their afternoon match the 'Bay' faced Racing Club Bruxelles (BEL) who had won their first match 8-7. Again Swansea faced a team in form and although holding the Belgians for the first 8', conceded 4 goals in 5 minutes before Tom Viney pulled one back just before the break. Richard Jones finished off an excellent move to bring the 'Bay' back to 2-4 but Racing took immediate revenge in converting a penalty stroke after 24'. A desperate last ditch save off the line prevented Jones from adding to his total but two quick breaks enabled Racing to extend their lead before James Kyriakides scored in the last minute. Racing were not to be denied and scored their final goal in literally the last second to leave Swansea 3-9 down.
| B | HAHK Mladost | 6 | HC Pliva Lipovci | 2 |
| B | Rosco Budapest | 5 | Three Rock Rovers | 5 |
| A | Cambrai HC | 8 | Swansea Bay | 4 |
| A | Racing Club de Bruxelles | 8 | SK Senkvice | 7 |
| B | HAHK Mladost | 5 | Three Rock Rovers | 5 |
| B | Rosco Budapest | 2 | HC Pliva Lipovci | 4 |
| A | Racing Club de Bruxelles | 9 | Swansea Bay | 3 |
| A | Cambrai HC | 4 | SK Senkvice | 3 |
DAY 2: Saturday 14 February 2009
Swansea suffer two further defeats
The 'Bay' came unstuck in their final pool match against SK Senkvice (SLO) 0-9 before being defeated by Rosco Budapest (HUN) 3-9, a result which condems next seasons representatives, Cardiff University to the Callenge II division.
Despite a fairly even first 10', Swansea conceded 2 penalty corner goals in the 11' minute against SK Senkvice before some slack marking and quick thinking by their oppostion left Swansea 0-6 behind at the break. They played with a little more consistancy in the first part of the 2nd half but tired legs and a missed penalty stroke ensured the score remained one sided despite Chris Nelson coming close, Senkvice eventually running out winners 9-0.
In the first of their relegation pool matches, despite having by far the better of the early exchanges, the Bay fell behind to a follow up to a first shot well initially saved by keeper Billy Brarletta. A second goal from a quick break followed by a converted penalty stroke left Swansea 5-0 behind after two more well taken goals. James Kyriakides pulled a goal back just before the break and with Richard Jones slipping the ball past the Hungarian goalkeeper early in the second half it looked as though a come back was on its way. It was not to be however as Rosco scored two of their own to establish what was to be an unassailable lead. Chris Nelson converted a retaken penalty corner but a further 2 Rosco goals left Swansea defeated by 3-9. In their final match tomorrow (Sunday) they face Three Rock Rovers (IRE) who will desperate to win to retain their own position in this division.
| B | Three Rock Rovers | 2 | HC Pliva Lipovci | 7 |
| B | HAHK Mladost | 5 | Rosco Budapest | 2 |
| A | SK Senkvice | 9 | Swansea Bay | 0 |
| A | Cambrai HC | 3 | Racing Club de Bruxelles | 5 |
| D | 4th Pool A Swansea Bay |
3 | 3rd Pool B Rosco Budapest |
9 |
| D | 3rd Pool A SK Senkvice |
2 | 4th Pool B Three Rock Rovers |
3 |
| C | 2nd Pool A Cambrai HC |
2 | 1st Pool B HAHK Mladost |
1 |
| C | 1st Pool A Racing Club de Bruxelles |
6 | 2nd Pool B HC Pliva Lipovci |
4 |
DAY 3: 15 February 2009
Swansea finish tournament with a 1-8 defeat to Three Rock Rovers
Swansea completed their European tournament with a defeat to Three Rock Rovers (IRE), a result that maintains Irelands place in next years tournament.
Swansea more than held their own in the initial exchanges but after two saves in as many seconds, Billy Barletta was defeated by the follow-up after 4'. A somewhat harsh penalty stroke followed and despite having chances themselves, it was Rovers who scored twice before halftime. Although tired, Swansea were playing some of their best hockey of the weekend and it was a little against the run of play that Rovers continued to score at regular intervals. Tom Viney scored what was to be the last goal of the match to restore a little pride for the 'Bay' to leave the Irish winners at 8-1.
| 10.30 | D | Swansea Bay | 1 | Three Rock Rovers | 8 |
| 11.30 | D | SK Senkvice | 4 | Rosco Budapest | 6 |
| 13.00 | C | Cambrai HC | 3 | HC Pliva Lipovci | 1 |
| 14.00 | C | Racing Club de Bruxelles | 6 | HAHK Mladost | 5 |
Final Placings
1st: Racing Club Bruxelles (Promoted)
2nd: Cambrai (Promoted)
3rd: HAHK Mladost
4th: HC Pliva Lipovci
5th: Rosco Budapest
6th: Three Rock Rovers
7th: SK Senkvice (Relegated)
8th: Swansea Bay (Relegated
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