GAME REVIEWS
REPORTS FROM NATIONAL LEAUGE 2005
Warley began the Walsall weekend slowly, only managing to beat a determined Newcastle side 10-9. But they looked a very different team in a 12-7 success against South Derbyshire followed by a 13-6 victory over Sheffield, Nick Covington scoring four in each of these games.
Biggest surprise was South Derbyshire’s 19-8 thumping by Sheffield, who scored eight times in the final period and also defeated Invicta Marlins and Newcastle to strengthen their position in third place.
Four goals by Paterson ensured Newcastle’s 6-4 success against Basingstoke, the host club rallying from 5-1 down to 5-4 at one stage. Bristol University must wonder what they have to do to win another match! They led until late on in all three fixtures at Grantham, yet ended the weekend with just a single point.
Against Newcastle, Bristol began the final period with a 10-9 advantage, mainly courtesy of six-goal Ivan Drinkwater, only to lose 11-10 through late scores by Newcastle’s "old hands", Richard MacAlister and Carl Watson.
Weekend 3 National league 2006
Although Newcastle lost their three matches, they gave Newton Abbot a run for their money before losing 20-17. Richard MacAlister contributed six of the Newcastle goals but couldn’t quite keep pace with the prolific Steve Margetts, who netted nine.
NATIONAL LEAUGE 2007
Four goals by Holland helped Newcastle secure a 6-5 victory over Cambridge, who fought back from 5-2 down at one stage.
NATIONAL LEAUGE 2008
Some players never retire . . . as proved by Newcastle's Carl Watson, scorer of two goals in his side's defeat by Swindon. The booklet which chronicled the 40-year history of the league revealed that Carl was second top marksman in Division Three for Plymouth - in 1976!
Cambridge also won three matches - Newcastle (10-8), RAF (11-3) and Grantham (15-7) - to keep the pressure on Swindon. Simon Gregory's four goals accounted for spirited Newcastle, who were very much in the match until the final period. Gregory also bagged five against the RAF, who are still without a point despite the outstanding goalkeeping of Chris Jones.
Grantham fared much better against Bedford, winning 15-11. Dan Taylor and Will Betts were both on target with four goals and Hall scored three. Newcastle doubled their points tally for the season, beating the RAF 14-8 and Bedford 13-9. John Whitaker scored four in each game.
