Despite losing their first game to Durham, Lincolnshire came good and went on to secure three wins and establish the top spot in Pool C of the England Hockey National Championships – Preliminary Round. They now go to Abbeydale in Sheffield on Saturday 26th May to contest, firstly, one of the two semi-finals, and then hopefully the Final. Two years ago Lincs won the play-offs in Division C and were promoted, as overall champions, to the B division. Mixed results last year saw them established in the B division but, rather unfortunately, they were not quite strong enough to go straight through. This year, with the team strengthened in various positions, County manager Tony Perrin (of Lincoln Hockey Club), was able to produce a team capable of performing well and challenging for a Finals day slot at Sheffield.
But things did not go to plan, as in their opening match, they came across Pool favourites, Durham, and with Lincs starting nervously and with a little hesitation, Durham wrapped up the game 3 – 1 to leave the Lincs side a little dejected. Results were favouring no team, as Durham went on to drop points in their next game with Gloucestershire. So with Northumberland having secured a first match win against the host team Cheshire, it was important that Lincs played well and secured maximum points against them and they did just that. Netting five goals with only two in reply, Lincs dominated most of the game and took their chances well and did not want a repeat of last year when they gave away a two goal lead and lost to their northern neighbours. The shell shocked Northumberland side could never get into the game and Lincs won it comfortably in the end.
In the third game, on the Sunday, a young and well rested Lincsside, took on the mights of Gloucestershire who, rather surprisingly, had been propping up the Round-Robin league from day one. Lincolnshire took the game firmly to them and it was no surprise to see them come off with a 3– 0 win. By now spirits were high and the team could hardly wait for their final match against Cheshire, who’s players were too tired and downhearted. Lincs piled on the pressure and went on an eight goal scoring spree, totally annihilating the opposition, and blowing them away with an 8 – 2 win. Lincolnshire finished level on points with Northumberland, but with a far superior goal difference of +10, as opposed to +3.
The winner of the other Pool D in Division B was Norfolk, followed by the Channel Islands. Lincs, as winners of their group play the runners-up, so they will play the Channel Islands and Norfolk will play Northumberland. Lincolnshire are hoping that success at Sheffield in less than two weeks time, will secure them a place in the A Division for the first time in their history, all they need to do is reach the final, but knowing Lincs, they will want the B Division Champions title too.