The Cotswold Floorball League's 'A' Team competition continued tonight. It was hoped that a clear pair of finalists would emerge from what has been a very close competition. St James & Ebrington were well placed with a lot of games in hand over their rivals. They completed a clean sweep of wins and earned a place in the final. Goals by OB and OH gave them a 2-0 win over Willersey. Temple Guiting gave them a shock when a double power play was converted by BM. It took some time for Saints to respond, but two quick goals by JM and OB scraped a 2-1 win. St James & Ebrington sealed their place in the final with a brace of 2-0 wins. OH netted both against Blockley, JM doing the same against N Cotswold SF.
Having dropped points in several draws earlier in the season, St Catharines needed two wins to stand a chance of reaching the final. ES and MB each scored twice in a 4-1 victory over Temple Guiting, FK netting the consolation goal. MB also scored twice against Blockley, only for HC to pull one back. Blockley could not level, leaving St Catharines to see if other results went their way.
St Davids also needed two wins and favourable results elsewhere. They started brightly, superb goals by TC and LM giving them a 2-0 lead over Temple Guiting. JA pulled one back on the power play, but St Davids held out. A win over Blockley force a semi final play off at the least, but started badly when a shot from JS bounced off a defender and into goal. TC quickly levelled during a delayed penalty. It was Blockley who broke the deadlock when TA was left alone and flicked to the roof of the net.
Mickleton completed their programme with defeats against Dormer House (0-3, scorers WD, SC and SB), NCSF (0-1, scorer CG) and Bourton on the Water (0-4, all scored by LJ who is now on fifty one goals overall at a rate of 2.6 per match!). This game proved to be the one which clinched the remaining place in the final. St James & Ebrington (28 pts) and Bourton on the Water (24 pts) will contest the final on Tuesday 26th March at CCS. St Catharines (22 pts) are third, whilst St Davids and Ilmington are locked on 21 points, separated by the fact that St Davids won their match.
Next week the Girls' Team finalists should be decided, with Dormer House, Temple Guiting and St James & Ebrington seeking the chance to play against Bourton on the Water. It is hoped that some 'B' Team matches can also be played in an effort to find who will meet St James & Ebrington B in the final of that competition.
Today's B Team Results
St James & Ebrington 2-0 Willersey
Dormer House 3-0 Mickleton
Bourton on the Water 4-0 Mickleton
NCSF 1-0 Mickleton
St James & Ebrington 2-1 Temple Guiting
St Davids 2-1 Temple Guiting
St James & Ebrington 2-0 NCSF
St Davids 1-2 Blockley
St Catharines 4-1 Temple Guiting
St James & Ebrington 2-0 Blockley
St Catharines 2-1 Blockley