SATURDAY 11TH Apriul saw the club men's first and second teams play out the last games of the 2014/15 season. Coming in to this game Thirsk men’s 1st team knew they could finish no lower than 5th or higher than 4th, so with nothing on the line Thirsk Captain Jono Sharman decided to mix the team up with all playing in different positions.  The match started in good humour from Thirsk, the ball being passed around and at times it was not obvious that people were playing out of position. Thirsk won a short corner and with the usual takers being in nets and sweeper respectively, an impromptu short corner routine was organised. The ball was spread to the right for Tom/Luke to hit the ball back across the D and in to the far corner for Thirsk to take the lead.  The defence were generally well organised with Jono called on infrequently to somehow get in the way of the ball and stop it going in. However Bingley did have something to fight for, their survival in the league, and still came at the Thirsk defence. A through ball, that was going clear, was beautifully controlled in to the path of the Bingley centre forward by Dan Lawson. The centre forward kept his cool and slipped it past Jono for a trickler into the goal to draw the game level at 1-1.  At half time there was only a small amount of tactical talk with the majority of talk being aimed at BEN ‘I’ll score a bag full’ Scaling, who had fewer shots on target than Luke and Tom.  As the second half got under way, Bingley pushed forward and started to play 3 up front trying to get the winner that would secure their survival, however Thirsk were not in the mood to allow them to score and Jono pulled off a couple of saves, Doyle threw in some neat tackling and interceptions and Phil Ratcliff, who was fed up of the nose bleed having been played so high up the pitch, decided to join the defence as Sam Gardiner disappeared up the pitch, lent a hand with some nice tackles and interceptions too.  Doyle even started annoying the Bingley attack with some lovely aerials from 16’s through to try and set up an attack for ‘I’d score a bag full’ Scaling. These aerials even inspired Luke to attempt an aerial of his own; it started out lovely as he worked the space to attempt one, however it then looped up and over his shoulder and ended up hitting the top of the fence on the sideline, just behind level with where he was standing.  The second half continued with chances being created at either end, however neither team being able to convert them and so the game ended 1-1, lowering Thirsk to 5th in the League (Bradford won their game to go above them) and sadly condemning Bingley Bees to relegation.  Man of the match was awarded as a leaving present to Paul Doyle, who according to the vice-captain is not only the best centre-forward in the team, but also the best centre-back, which captain Jono regretfully agreed with seeing as that was normally where he played.  A BIG thank you to Captain Jono Sharman for organising the team each week, this reporter is talking from experience when I say it is not easy. But most of all a massive thank you to the umpires who have travelled home and away with the team and allow this amateur sport to continue (mainly a big thank you to Richard Taylor, although thanks to Andrew McCann, Andrew Young, Neil Collinson, Dick Edwards, Paul Doyle and anyone else that I have forgotten has umpired for the 1st’s this season). Although at times a thankless task it is, I can assure you, very welcome that you give up your Saturday to allow 22 people to run around a hockey pitch on a weekend.

The men’s 2nd team also played their final match against Bradford.  Bradford were already confirmed as runners up in the league, so this was a top of the table clash. Thirsk started well with fine slick passing causing havoc in the Bradford defence.  It wasn’t long before the deadlock was broken with Oliver Houseman scoring from a narrow angle. Thirsk played some very attractive passing hockey during the first half, and Bradford were not able to prevent goals from Tom Westgate and Arthur Hunt. The speed of passing from defence, through midfield and up front probably deserved more goals, but Bradford’s goalkeeper was having a fine game.  Thirsk continued to dominate in the second half, a fourth goal scored by Tom Westgate, following a move down the left with Sam Bosomworth and Josh Dale inter-linking, and Tom neatly putting away the rebound from Mark’s attempt. Oliver got his second goal bursting into the D from Otis William’s pass, beating the defender before slotting the ball inside the far post. Bradford did play better in the second half, so Nick Lane, Andrew Young and Alex Docherty at times were stretched in defence, and made several telling tackles, and interceptions. When they were breached, Mason Fenlon in goal did make a fine save, but was unable to get another clean sheet, as their centre forward confidently put away his fortunate chance. But it was Thirsk who scored the last goal of the game, and their 125th in the 17 games they have actually played this season. It would have been fitting for Arthur to score the final goal of the season and add to the 45 he has scored, but it wasn’t to be, and it was Oliver who completed his hat-trick, with another accomplished finish following good link up play with Harry Goodall. So a final score of Bradford 1-6 Thirsk.  Congratulations to the team for winning the league, and gaining promotion. An unbeaten season is always an impressive feat and couple that with being 18 points clear at the top of the league. The fact that the 4 players to play every game this season are only 14 years old suggests that more success is likely in the future. Thank you also to those who have umpired for the team this season, particularly Neil Collinson.

Submitted by Local Correspondant.