Cup Final Report - Sheffield Telegraph

Comeback kings in sudden-death glory

What a day ... what a performance... what a team!

Take a bow Sheffield Hallam men's second team who won the England Hockey 2nd XI Cup in amazing style after a sudden-death penalty shoot-out at Southgate.

The fact that they even got that far was due to the comeback-of-all-comebacks which saw them snuff out a three goal first half reverse.

Balls of Sheffield steel, you'd better believe it.

Incredible team spirit and a never-say-die attitude have been key second team 'ingredients' this season and it showed in the second half as Ben Farrar's close range rebound after great work by Alex Bailey and Andy Mills down the right, brought them back into the match. Mid-way through the half they added a second courtesy of a penalty corner by Nick Sims and then two minutes from time Sims' reverse stick shot from a tight angle gave them the equaliser they so richly deserved.

Hallam could have won it with a penalty corner on the final whistle as it was the game went into 15 minutes of extra-time and then to penalties.

In the first bank of five, each team scored four - Jon Bray, Brett Holland, Jim Tasker, Ben Farrar were on target for Hallam - which brought about sudden death. Bray held his nerve to make it 5-4, Southgate missed theirs and it was party time! All the sweeter after losing last season's final in extra-time."

It was an unbelievable performance," said skipper Jim Tasker, who, despite being sidelined by a knee injury, slotted home one of the penalties."

This ranks even higher that winning the National Club KO cricket trophy with Collegiate back in 2000. The way the team battled back was just incredible; their team spirit and will to win is second to none.

"I'm really proud of them and let's not forget that Southgate are one of the leading club's in the country and this was our second match of the weekend," he added.