In the final week of the season in PWC Mixed Division One, Harlequins started the day a single point below Vikings C at the foot of the table.
It has been a most unfortunate season for Harlequins in which they haven’t lost by more than a couple of goals in a high-scoring league since the opening week of the contest.
With fixtures at Castle Rushen called off because of the strong winds, Harlequins had an opportunity to raise themselves one point above Vikings C and leave the relegation fight in the hands of the latter.
A pre-match discussion about the windy conditions between both captains and the umpires led to a decision to attempt to play the fixture, the line of trees on the southern side of the QEII pitch offering a small amount of protection from the wind at one end of the pitch.
In a game strongly affected by the conditions, Harlequins started with the wind advantage. In a very even first half, ‘Quins were able to take advantage with a Sam Hassell goal after 20 minutes, set up by a superb Tim Sowerby pass.
Harlequins maintained the advantage at half-time, desperate to hold onto their position in the higher league and not to see the game postponed as a result of a couple of occasions where the goal posts were blown from the line.
The second half saw plenty of chances at both ends. Initially, it was Valkyrs who took the advantage - the wind effectively providing them with a 12fth man, and enabling Vic Ferns to use his trademark aerials from 16s to catapult the ball immediately into an attacking position.
Around 12 minutes into the second half, Valkyrs found their equaliser with a penalty corner, a cleanly struck Ashley Hall ball finding the back of the net. Valkyrs maintained their pressure. Ten minutes later, their efforts were rewarded after a defensive error led to Mark Moyer getting loose with the ball and finding the backboard once again.
Shortly later, Simon Sheath found a deflected ball from the ‘keeper lying in front of him, allowing him to scoop the ball over him. It rebounded from the post at such an angle that it crossed the back line, hitting the sideboard at the far end of the goal.
At that point, the game could have been over, but a feisty Harlequins never gave up the fight. Peter Foxton was instrumental in midfield, keeping the pace of the game fast, taking free hits at the first possible opportunity.
Their efforts were rewarded five minutes from time. A controversial free hit decision led to a crossing over incident, resulting in a yellow card for Valkyrs, providing Foxton with a free hit just outside the ‘D’. He passed, the ball was crossed in and swept into the goal at the back post by perennial scorer Nick Hamer.
Harlequins had two further goal attempts, either of which could have changed the fate of their season. Within the last two minutes, Quins were unlucky in hitting the back post, and the very last shot of the game was a well saved Harlequins shot.
Valkyrs’ captain Vic Ferns shared the thoughts of many, stating in post-match correspondence that Harlequins were once again unlucky, and their drop into the lower division will be noted as unfortunate by many in Manx hockey.
Saturday’s results
PwC Mixed Division One
Paragon Valkyrs C 3-2 HQ Harlequins A
LJ Skye Ravens 5-0 IOMA Group Bacchas C Walkover
Vikings C P-P Fearless Sabres
Castletown Cammags P-P Bacchas Colts
PwC Mixed Division Two
IOMA Group Bacchas D 3-3 HQ Harlequins B
Vikings D 2-2 Paragon Valkyrs D
Celton Manx Cushags P-P LJ Skye Rookies
Celton Manx S’ners 5-0 LJ Skye Robins Walkover
PwC Mixed Under-16s
HQ Harlequins 2-0 IOMA Group Bacchas B
Paragon Valkyrs 4-0 LJ Skye Rogues & Rascals
Bridgewaters Plate Final
Bacchas C 4-3 Saracens Sabres