Brilliant Buccs reach Jaffa Super 6s indoor hockey final during unforgettable day at Copper Box Arena
Team Bath Buccaneers Hockey Club achieved their best-ever Jaffa Super 6s result as the men’s team finished runners-up in the national indoor competition.
After qualifying from the league stage for the first time, Buccs treated the sell-out crowd at London’s Copper Box Arena and a television audience watching live coverage on BBC Sport to two tremendous performances.
They overcame Wimbledon in the semi-finals after a dramatic penalty shoot-out, then pushed East Grinstead all the way before being edged out 4-3 by the 13-time indoor champions.
Wimbledon had beaten Buccs 6-0 on their way to topping the league standings and took an early lead in Sunday’s semi-final before Andrew Eversden quickly restored parity from a penalty corner.
A wonderful angled finish from Rio 2016 Olympian John Jackson and Ben Mackey’s shot through the goalkeeper’s legs then gave Buccs a 3-1 lead in the second half before late goals from former Team Bath players Phil Ball and Ed Horler took the game to penalties.
Keepers Stephen West – a Research Programme in Health PhD student at the University of Bath – and James Bailey, another ex-Buccs player, were both in fine form during a tense shoot-out but it was Eversden who got the decisive goal to spark scenes of wild celebration on and off the pitch.
Loving this celebration from @TBBHockey today at the #JaffaSuper6s
Thanks to everyone who came to the event or watched online today! @jaffafruit pic.twitter.com/yRFSmnp8MP
— England Hockey (@EnglandHockey) January 28, 2018
That put them through to the showpiece final where a Toby Vaughan double cancelled out Ben Allberry’s opener to give Buccs, coached by Tom Skinner, a 2-1 lead.
East Grinstead responded through Wes Jackson, Josh Coniglio and Ashley Jackson but a fine solo effort from John Jackson saw Buccs take the game to the wire.
The Buccs squad also included Liam King and Matthew Simonds plus University of Bath students Adam Croutear, Cam Heald, Josh Mardell, Oliver Wickens and Peter Scott, who is supported by a Trendell Sports Scholarship.
What a journey! From 3 seasons ago in the tier below, to pushing the 12 time winners to the wire in a close final! So proud to be part of this group of lads and to put @TBBHockey on the map! @TKHockeyUK @nedstarhockey #thecanaries 📷: @smifsports pic.twitter.com/g2sxZxzEak
— Stephen West (@westy160991) January 30, 2018
Visit www.teambathbuccaneers.co.uk for further details on the Buccs and www.teambath.com/hockey for more information about the hockey programme at the University of Bath.
You can watch the Jaffa Super 6s action again on the England Hockey Facebook page – click here for the semi-final and here for the final.
