Improved Saints lose out
Northampton Saints 1 Khalsa 2: SAINTS produced a much-improved performance despite going down to defeat at the hands of unbeaten Khalsa.
For the first 15 minutes it was all Saints as the home side pressed Khalsa and kept them in their own half.
Saints took a well-deserved lead after great work down the right-hand side by Parker and Carlin which ended with captain Joe Colantonio firing in at the back post.
The game became more open towards the end of the half with both teams enjoying plenty of possession and chances.
A contentious short corner was drag flicked home by Khalsa to equalise just before the break.
The second half was extremely open with both teams counter-attacking at every opportunity.
Both team had further short corners and Saints failed to score any of their three. Five minutes from time, Khalsa won their fourth short corner and it was converted at the back post.
Northampton Saints IIs 2
Birmingham University IIs 2
SAINTS were pegged back in the closing stages and had to settle for a draw with Birmingham University.
Dan Rose gave Northampton a 1-0 lead before Saints were forced to spend the rest of the half doing much of the defending.
Birmingham were eventually rewarded, equalising through a well-worked penalty corner routine.
The second half and the game opened up with both teams keen to get the win. A couple of early chances fell to Saints with Rose narrowly missing the target and Tom Scott-Collins also going close.
With the game reaching its final quarter, Saints retook the lead. A penalty corner routine straight from the training ground saw Guy Roberts’ initial strike saved, but the rebound shot was brilliantly deflected in by Athiq Thamby.
Saints looked to be holding firm and hanging on for a crucial three points but Birmingham drew level with 10 minutes to go.
Squad: Ed Holt (GK), Guy Roberts (c), Matt Gausden, Tom Wightman, Matt Wilde, Dan Whittaker, Jon Noble, Lee O’Donnell, Sean Henry, Scott Mahoney, Andy Smith, Dan Rose, Athiq Thamby, Tom Scott-Collins.
Northampton Saints IIIs 2
Nottingham University 2
NORTHAMPTON started brightly against a strong Nottingham side, creating several chances through open play and penalty corners.
Pibworth missed a good chance after good play from Max Heaphy and Sam Mitchell, but it was Sam Bigley who was in the right place to blast the ball on the reverse stick past the keeper for the lead.
Nottingham looked dangerous on the break and eventually drew level to go into half-time on level terms.
In the second half Danny Whitfield, after a great block, was then dispossessed and Nottingham made Saints pay to take the lead.
As time was getting short, a shot in the D deflected into the air, and Luke Pibworth was on hand to flick it past the keeper. Rejuvenated Saints pressed hard and had chances to win the game but they can be satisfied with the draw.
Squad: Andy Dale (c), Simon Thompson (gk), Nigel Down, Evan Morris, Ian McIlwaine, Luke Pibworth, Adam Croutear, George Roberts, Danny Whitfield, James Millar, Sam Bigley, Sam Mitchell, Ally Rose, Max Heaphy, Pete Riches
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