Old Hales show potential with Sils hammering (From Dudley News)

Old Hales show potential with Sils hammering

5:52pm Wednesday 17th October 2012 in Sport

OLD Halesonians HC continued their resurgence with a 7-1 hammering of Old Silhillians.

The visitors had beaten Old Hales twice last season but it was obvious from the first whistle history was not going to repeat itself.

Graham Knight thought he had fired the hosts in front from their first penalty corner but the goal was disallowed due to the keeper being impeded.

This only served as motivation for Old Hales who soon scored an opener through Doug Houghton.

Tom Bulteel made it two soon after and grabbed a third from a penalty corner, before Tom Bolton scored his first goal for the club to give his side a 4-0 lead at the break.

Old Hales were twice down to 10 men through poor tackles but this did not stop the flow of goals as Bulteel claimed his hat-trick.

Silhillians notched a neat consolation but further goals from Mark Curzeon and Knight completed the rout.

It was a different story for the seconds who could not recover from a dreadful start as they lost 5-1 at North Staffs. Mark Rigby’s young side found themselves three goals down early on after a series of defensive errors and clinical finishing from the hosts.

Mick Wattley missed a penalty flick as Hales looked to reduce their arrears but the impressive Nathan Whitehouse did score soon after.

The visitors began the second-half with renewed vigour but an error by keeper Steve Charlton helped Staffs to a fourth and their fifth soon followed, though the keeper redeemed himself by saving a penalty stroke at the death.

Old Hales Ladies also found themselves three down early on against Kings Heath.

Annie Smith managed to score two goals but they were unable to mount a comeback, eventually losing 5-2.

The thirds suffered an 8-1 defeat at Sutton Coldfield while the fifths drew 0-0 with Rugby and East Warwick. There was joy for the Badgers who won a 4-3 thriller at Lichfield.