The weekend of round robin games got off to a tense start, narrowly beating Chipping Trixsters 4-3 in a dramatic game that saw Gregor McAllan being taken to hospital after a very physical challenge, and a penalty shot scored by Owen Dell with 4 seconds remaining to break the deadlock and take the 4-3 win. The other 3 goals were scored by Cameron Peachey, Owen Rider and Jack Middleton.
Gregor McAllan would return later in the day but would join Matthew Laming (collarbone) on the injured reserve list.
The 2nd game was against Borehamwood Crusaders and after facing each other 4 times during the season and winning 2 each, everyone knew this was going to be a hard fought challenge. The Assassins were great from the start and never gave up, creating chances and battling hard in defence to halt the Crusaders attack. However it was the Assassins that were victorious winning 2-0 with goals coming from James Laming and Rowan Moule.
With the games between the other teams all being draws on Saturday and the Assassins with 2 wins, the Assassins had already qualified for Sundays final.
First up on Sunday was the remaining group game against Oxford Blues. The Assassins battled hard and won 2-1 with goals from Owen Dell and James Laming to take a 100% record into the final.
After a long weekend the final took place between Medway Assassins and Borehamwood Crusaders, 2 teams who were equal all season in the league this was a battle of pride. Both teams skated out and lined up for the National Anthem and the game began. The first half was end to end and nothing to show between the teams and remained 0-0 after the first 15 minutes.
With the Assassins battling hard in the 2nd, James Laming broke the deadlock and the Assassins took the lead. Owen Dell made it 2 shortly after and with the game still end to end, this was going to go to the wire until with 2 minutes remaining, James and Owen broke through and Owen passed to James who shot the ball straight into the top corner to send the Assassins fans and players wild and give the Assassins a 3-0 win and be crowned 2017 National Champions!
The Assassins also had Great Britain players Kieran Wyatt and James Laming named in the Dream Team, selected by coaches from the other teams throughout the weekend.
A great weekend by the whole team; James Laming, Rowan Moule, Kieran Wyatt, Cameron Peachey, Jack Middleton, Jacob Carter, Joe Huffam, Kane Peachey, Jake Mannering, Matthew Laming, Owen Rider, Owen Dell, Gregor McAllan.
The Assassins Youth also took part in the Nationals and finished a credible 3rd place after losing Gregor and Matthew due to injury. The young team battled hard all weekend against older and bigger opponents securing victories against Oxford Blues to take 3rd place!
The Assassins Youth Team; Owen Rider, Archie Bentley, Lewis Carter, Callum Mills, Calum Evans, Gregor McAllan, Harvey Bryden, Keilly Evans, Matthew Bell, Matthew Laming, Oliver Dicker, Owen Dell.