Leicester Men’s 1 vs Cambridge Men’s 1: Act II

31th January 2024.

The CULC rung in Lent term by facing Leicester 1’s, away. As Leicester were to learn, a lot has changed since the start of Michaelmas, which saw a 5-5 draw at home. 

Adnan Siddiquei was clinical at the face-off X and won the first face with grace: going on to win every challenge to come. Jacob Powell delivered soon after with the first points of the game, his silky mitts and his underhand snipe proving too good for the Leicester defenders and goalkeeper.

Tensions ran high and so did the penalty count. Particularly physical ground balls and some contentious calls by the referee (both on and off the pitch…) resulted in the penalty box being visited more often than a curry house bogs. What was less contentious was attackman Ernest Pretzlik’s absent minded decision to check the goal keeper in the crease. Despite impressive outside shots and 2 goals to boot, he received a combined two minute penalty and two further calls of slashing. 

Offensive performances of note were Ed Wakefield’s hat-trick including some high IQ finishes on the crease and Jacob Powell continuing to pick corners on the run for his 3. American Sam Fiske showed the club owners what we paid all the money for with his two goals, the second of which was possibly the shot of the day. A sidearm rocket on man-up played pinball with the Leicester goalkeeper, pinging both posts before hitting the top left corner. 

Mark Brandstaetter decided to dance through the defence with some impressive left handed play and face-off assistances. All this left Kman (Sivaloganathan Kumaran) to his favourite pastime: feeding and chasing shots behind the goal.

The defence, who had so far had a quiet season showed they had not got complacent and shut down the Leicester attack. The low total of two goals conceded is testament to Benjy Tremelling’s performance in net, one of those goals the result of an unlucky deflection off a teammate. He also showed his quality clearing the ball – not a single clear was turned over.

American and LSM Theo Clement proved his two way ability, and was unbeatable in defence. David Vahey was a moving wall to all those who crossed him. James Skinner threw lethal checks, and was clinical and physical in equal measure. Naturally we were all astonished when he was booked for laying out flat one of the Leicester players entirely within the rules and spirit of the game… Atticus Jackson, your calming leadership was missed!

After the game, the boys got steamy in the Leicester tubs – Joe Fordham proved his commitment and keenness and was always the first to pick up the soap. Cambridge headed back home, after a clean, decisive 10-2 win.

Match report by Ernest Pretzlik