Godden ensures cup final glory for Dolphin

Event: Bristol and West 2006 Knock out cup final

Teams: Swindon Dolphin v Exeter

Location: Millfield Pool Street

Date: Saturday 10th February 2007

Swindon Dolphin pulled off a brilliant victory in a well-fought battle against Exeter in the Bristol and West knockout cup final held at Millfield on Saturday.

Dolphin started the fixture well and took the lead in the first minute of the match through Michal Trzeciak. This was soon followed up with a strike from Andy Snowball. Exeter started to fight there way back into the match and scored twice to level things up. Andy Hicks then missed a penalty, Exeter seized on the miss and took the lead for the first time in the encounter a minute later. Before the end of the quarter Dolphin created a number of good opportunities, three of these were taken by Matt James, Darryl Pye and Hicks that left Dolphins with a strong 5-3 advantage at the end of the quarter.

Exeter started the second period well and scored following a penalty. The lead was soon extended by Dolphin though following a strike from coach David Quinlivan and another by James. Dolphin clearly thought they already had one hand on the trophy and it showed. Some poor defensive play allowed Exeter to claw their way back into the fixture, they scored on four occasions, which compared to one solitary effort from captain Hicks for Dolphin. The match was evenly poised at 8 all at half time.

Dolphin are renowned for performing poorly in the third quarter of matches, however they were determined not to let this happen in this fixture. Trzeciak converted a penalty won by Hicks. Exeter soon replied, but goals by Trzeciak and James extended the lead to two. Exeter scored another, but Trzeciak scored his third of the quarter and fourth of the match to ensure Dolphin had a two goal lead going into the final period.

The final period started poorly for Dolphin. Exeter scored within a minute of the restart, and then Matt James received his third personal major foul, which meant he would have to watch the rest of the encounter from the side of the pool. Worse followed for Dolphin as Exeter scored twice to give them a lead for the first time in the match. Darryl Pye then hit some form, he scored a brilliant long-range effort when the team were looking down. He then followed this up with two close range goals to put Dolphin two goals up. Hicks then exchanged goals with Exeter, Dolphin were two goals up with a minute of the Half to play. The victory was ensured when James Godden swan past two defenders and finished neatly in the corner.

Coach David Quinlivan said I am proud of every single player in the team. When we were up against it we did not lie down and always managed to battle our way back. Our goal scorers all took their opportunities that was pleasing, and our bench players all contributed well when they got in. I have to say Andy Watts our goalkeeper made a number of huge saves, and its not often he gets the recognition he deserves.

Result: Swindon Dolphin 17 – 14 Exeter

Team: Andy Watts, David Quinlivan (1 goal, 2 majors), Anthony Gingell, Andy Hicks (3 goals), Andy Prowse, Darryl Pye (4 goals, 1 major), Chris McConnell, Ian Brewer, Matt James (3 goals, 3 majors), Dom Illansky, Andy Snowball (1 goal, 2 majors), Michal Trzeciak (4 goals, 1 major), James Godden (1 goal, 2 majors).