Bronze for Grange in Vienna

Grange picked up the bronze medal and some valuable EHL ranking points after a 5-4 win over Swiss champions Grasshopper Club Zurich on the final day of the EuroHockey Club Trophy in Vienna.

Grange manager Martin Shepherdson remarked: “It was a tough game, but we took our early chances to get ahead. Grasshoppers fought back well, but Grange took two chances on the break to get ahead again.

“Overall we are happy with the performance over the weekend – we know we could have done better but good effort all round.”

All seemed very routine when Grange took a two goal lead into the interval, Dylan Bean opened from the spot and then Albert Rowling added a second at a penalty corner.

But a minute into the second half Lucas Harte pulled one back for the Swiss at a penalty corner.

Then came a crazy four minutes with four goals. Dylan Bean sunk a penalty corner for his fourth of the tournament, followed swiftly by an open play goal from Duncan Riddell for 4-1. Then Grasshopper`s Harte pulled the score back to 4-2 with another penalty corner strike, and the quick-fire scoring was completed by Rory McCann to give Grange a commanding 5-2 lead.

All seemed to be going swimmingly well in the final quarter, but then Artur von Ruffer and Oliver Haberthur, both from penalty corners, scored for the Swiss, and now it was only 5-4…and a few final nervy minutes – but Grange hung on for the victory and the bronze.

 

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