The Assassins arrived at Hastings with great expectations for the day ahead, on this occasion challenging Eastbourne Edge in the morning and duelling the local rivals Hastings Crazy Bones in the afternoon.

Game 1 v Eastbourne Edge

With the return of Alix Deviell and Stewart Manser back from injury the defence was running strong, although missing key player Luke Fitzgerald the pair knuckled down to partner Jake Mills and Jack Middleton who in recent weeks have stepped up to the plate admirably. However Eastbourne’s experience shone through early as two goals in quick succession were a wake up call for the team. Despite battling hard, with numerous saves from Lucy Gruber, who has only recently took up the net minder mantle, the team could not break through and turn their fortune, at half time having to settle for a 4 – 0 scoreline.

Coach Barry Smith focused the teams efforts at half time, emphasising the need for Forwards James Laming, Kieran Wyatt, Ben Fisher and Samuel Wyatt to continue their pressure on the Eastbourne defence with their shots on goal and by following up every rebound in order for the team to get back in the game.

James came out of the blocks fast, chasing every ball rocketed forward by Stewart and Alix, while Samuel’s positional play meant he was there to pick up the clearances by Jake and support Jack when he capitalised on any breakaway opportunity which came their way. Jake’s confidence grows week on week clearly enjoying the games as he repeatedly found Ben waiting up front for any rebound ball, however it was Kieran though who got the all important goal which the team hoped would unlock the goal flood gates but despite throwing himself into every effort on the day it was not meant to be. Lucy Gruber kept the team in single figures with the help of both of her defence lines and as the forwards each took their turn to chase back to assist but Eastbourne had smelt victory from the start and settled for the final score 7 – 1 to them.
Game 2 v Hastings Crazy Bones

Following Samuel & Jack’s Pee Wee fixture, the Assassins were pitched against a shortened Hastings bench who were clearly older in roller years than their guests.

Following the hard game and result in the morning Coach was eager for the team to re focus on the game play required for the second league action of the day drawing on the positives they took away from their last encounter with Hastings. The team needed to replicate the close result recently enjoyed when they last met the Crazy Bones and the eight Skaters knuckled down to business hopeful that this time the scoreline would go their way.

With an injured knee Goalie Lucy still managed to prove an irritation to the Hastings forwards while Stewart and Alix repeatedly forged the ball forward looking for the chink in the oppositions defence. During each surge forward, Samuel and Jack worked tirelessly, determined, despite their height difference, to halt the Hastings Forwards while Jake was unfailingly resolute and strong as Lucy’s ‘right hand man’. Ben got stuck in too, playing mainly an offensive role but relishing the challenge of defensive play as the ball passed up and down the boards as he helped the game unfold and switch from Left to Right. james and Kieran enjoyed a couple of shifts together both trying to convert slap shots and wrap arounds eventually rewarded for their efforts James scoring two clean goals in open play and Kieran managed to convert a penalty shot.

Unfortunately it was Hastings day today and final score was 6 – 3 to Hastings, the scores in both games not reflective of the team’s effort, as the Assassin’s take their first league journey each week they take away something new as they learn to play competitive Skater Hockey as a cohesive unit.

The Youth team are back in League action next weekend when they challenge Eastbourne Cruisers a game which is sure to be full of end to end action.

Pee Wee Assassins under pressure!

With a broad skill set from youngest player Callum age 6 through to Jack Middleton who will be moving on to youth at the end of the season the Medway Asssassins gave the game their all, missing D man Luke Fitgerald it was up to the more experienced players to work with the attributes of the younger players to try to upset the Eastbourne game plan.

Jack Middleton’s phenomenal commitment driving hard both defensively and on the offense was the backbone connecting the other skaters together. from setting up the first goal to creating play following a slashing call and although he was unable to find the net on a subsequent penalty shot Jack also achieved goal glory late on in the game.

That said, Jack’s team mates were not to be out done. Rob Blackwell from the off was attacking the opposition’s defence despite his small frame while Ryan Blackwell, gliding effortlessly on the forward line looking for the rebounds, ensured his line held it’s width and was not drawn into following the ball, a strategy which would have left the young Owen Rider vunerable in goal.

Owen, a goalie who seems much older than his actual years, stayed sharp during several long periods of inactivity that the final score line was later to belie, making several key saves through the game. Meanwhile his defence, Gregor McAllan and Joshua Rose upped their game and proved to be more of a handful than the Eastbourne team had bargained for as their confidence continues to grow through this first season they deftly took the game into the offensive zone trying to force the play to go their way. As the team rallied round supporting each other Matthew Laming saw an opportunity as the ball came his way from the teams backbone and deftly found the Eastbourne goal! Game on!

Callum made several appearances proving an annoyance for the hosts as he repeatedly positioned himself in front of the net to try and pick up any rebounds. Throughout the whole game the Pee Wee team excellently squeezed the opposition wide keeping the pressure up whenever possible to ensure they had as little time as possible on the ball. Samuel Wyatt worked like a Trojan throughout the day and was rewarded for his efforts with a breakaway goal.

Thirty seconds before ‘Time’ Matthew took a penalty for checking but the lads never faltered right to the last dying seconds as Gregor took a final shot on goal but it was not meant to be, Eastbourne edge utilised their league experience to the full, eventually wearing down a young side – the final score 10-3 in their favour although the scoreline does not reflect the amount of time spent in the attacking zone which bodes well for the return games.

Assassins Pee Wees see league action again next weekend against Eastbourne but back to full strength and with half a season under their belt they are eager for Sunday to arrive.