Croydon KC1 13 v 23 Invicta KC1 The Sportspark, University of East Anglia, Norwich hosted this season's BKA Cup Final between Croydon and Invicta. Croydon came into the game hoping for some cup glory after a disappointing season. Invicta, meanwhile, were crowned League champions the week before after a controlled performance against Mitcham and so were seeking their 2nd double. Invicta lined up without two of their star names with Dave Buckland and Robbie Williams relegated to the bench (along with Sarah Jane Hubbard and Rachel Olding). In their place were Michael Beckett and Mark Hickey. Croydon fielded an experienced side with Steve Jones and Dave Butters partnering Ali Rotheram and Jennie Allen in attack, whilst Paul Jeanes and Ivan Aquino joined Kim Jones and Kat van der Buntova in defence. The referee was Dave Bond with Bobby Allen running the line. With the start delayed, Invicta were more quickly out of the traps as they built a 5 goal lead in as many minutes with Steve Green slotting twice and long shots from Scott Brooker, Corinne Buckland and Beckett. Croydon got into their game with a well taken drop off from Allen and a Jeanes shot from distance, however a running-in shot from youngster Charmagne Francis saw the favourites up 6-2 after 10 minutes. Steve Jones brought his side closer with a one-hander but Croydon were unable to nullify Invicta's open play in the large Sportspark arena as Beckett netted another long shot. Some sloppy play from Green when bringing the ball out of defence gifted Croydon a Jeanes penalty and a further Jeanes running-in shot brought the game to 7-5 but this was to be the closest Croydon would get to overhauling the league champions as they scored the next four goals in quick succession. Croydon did make a further comeback after another two penalties were converted interspersed with a Butters long shot but they never really looked like taking the lead as another Beckett long shot brought the game to 13-8 in Invicta's favour at half time. The 2nd half saw 4 substitutions for Invicta as their "second string" of Williams, Dave Buckland, Olding and Hubbard were brought on. Hubbard got off to a great start with a well-taken long shot despite very good defensive pressure from van der Buntova. After another penalty was conceded by Green and converted by Jeanes, Invicta never looked back as they took the next 5 goals from all around the team and put the result beyond doubt. After a trademark one handed free-throw conversion from Steve Jones and a wide open long shot from Rotheram, Croydon coach Ronald van der Bunt took the opportunity to bring on his four subs as he replaced more experienced members with Sarah George, Andy Withers, Nigel Hudspith and junior, Mandy Furlano. These four got stuck in quickly with a penalty from Withers and some over-exuberance from Hudspith which referee Bond harshly rewarded with a penalty but by this stage the match was won and lost as Invicta took the cup with a 23-13 victory. Invicta will have been pleased to lift the cup without having to field their strongest side from the start, therefore giving some of their lesser names a half. They were comprehensive and deserved winners in this match. Croydon will have been disappointed not to have been at least level with Invicta going into half time but despite some dogged fighting and well-taken goals, they were not able to prevent their opponents from scoring some superb long-shots in the first half and looked a touch weary when the big names came on in the 2nd. Croydon scorers: S Jones (3), D Butters (1), A Rotheram (1), J Allen (1), P Jeanes (5), I Aquino (1), K van der Buntova, K Jones, S George (sub), A Withers (sub, 1), N Hudspith (sub), A Furlano (sub) Download a Paul Jeanes penalty... Match Report by Andy Final Score: Croydon 1 13 vs 23 Invicta 1There were no Croydon scorers in this game.Submitted by on 23 Oct 05
