Dolphin’s winning run comes to an end

Event: Bristol and West Division One Teams: Bath University v Swindon Dolphin Venue: Bath University Date: 20th April 2013

A goal in the final 30 seconds of the game saw Swindon Dolphin’s unbeaten start to the season inning come to an end at Bath University where they were narrowly beaten 10 – 9 by the students.

Dolphin were again slow starters and Bath opened up an early two goal lead before Chris Selby scored from distance to reduce the arrears by the end of the first period.  The game became much tighter in the second quarter as the visitors upped their game and the teams traded goals with Michal Trzeciak, Andy Strong and Selby on target for Dolphin.  At the half way point Bath still held the advantage leading 5 – 4.

The third quarter saw Swindon’s best spell of the game so far and strikes from Matt James, Ian Brewer and David Quinlivan were enough to level the scores at 7 – 7 with one period to play.  Things could have been better had Dolphin capitalised on a number of man up situations but the visitors still entered the final phase of the game with the momentum.  The final period was as tight and exciting as the previous three. The University side started well scoring from a long range strike and following this up with a goal from their centre forward, but Dolphin came back strongly.  Selby completed his hat trick from a man up situation before Strong won a penalty which Trzeciak converted to bring the scores level with just one minute to play.  Unlike recent games though it was not Dolphin that snatched the last gasp winner as the students manufactured a situation from which they won the game at the death.

Coach for the day Andy Hicks felt that Dolphin were unlucky to not get more out of the game.  “I felt that a draw would have been a fair result but we must dust ourselves down and come back stronger. The game today was played in a much bigger pool than we are used to and the youngsters Fraser Durston and Dan Dixon played extremely well in an environment that they will not be used to and this all adds to their development.”

Team: David Quinlivan (1 goal 1major), Chris Selby (3 goals), Will Smith, Andy Strong (1 goal), Michal Trzeciak (2 goals), Ian Brewer (1 goal), Matt James (1 goal), Dan Dixon, Fraser Durston

Dolphin’s next game is away at Frome on 16th May.  Their next home fixture is at Milton Road on 2nd June versus Bristol Central II, 8.30pm start.