Last weekend saw the men’s team return from London after defeating Raptors, with a triumphant comeback win... with just ONE pole and ONE sub.
This weekend, Cheltenham felt politely smug that fortune would favour them; with their nicely full subs bench and requisite numbers of poles. So they welcomed Walcountians with open arms, who arrived with 10 players and no substitutes...

Well you know what they say about Karma right?

Walcountians, after being relegated from the Premiership last season, have such a dislike for Division 1, they are lobbying to return by winning every game they play, but the home team indeed made it very difficult for them on the day.

The first quarter was an entertaining game at the fortress of CACSSA. The Cougars' defence was locked in and pressed well to keep the 'Counts at bay - they struck twice but the Cougars clawed one back with a fine finish from the pilgrim himself Joel Matthews to end the quarter.

2nd quarter was a very interesting one and although looking at the scorecard... nothing really happened... a lot of defending took place by Cheltenham! The visitors kept pressing but couldn’t get through the unit of Stephen Kwong, Gary Wood, James Cole, Ben Bevan and James Lloyd in goal.

The game was end to end with scrappy ground balls, turn overs, opportunities stopped by keepers and shots going wide, but it was the Walcountians who increased their lead by one goal to end the first half 3-1.

The home team were disappointed but knew they were firmly in this fixture.

The second half began and Cheltenham came out swinging, knocking on the door of the Walcountians goal many times but it was the visitors again who came up trumps with another goal.

The Cheltenham defence tightened up with slides, clears, saves and crashes to keep the visitors out and sacrificing a d pole

*A moment of silence for Ben’s pole…*

Cheltenham sensed the visitors were showing fatigue and pounced at the opportunity with a smart goal from Tyler Rodberg and a trademark goal from Max Biddlestone to end the quarter at 4-3. Was another comeback on for Cheltenham?

The 4th quarter began and Cheltenham pressed for an equaliser but couldn’t crack the Walcountians defence; who showed experience in seeing the game through.
After a timeout by Cheltenham, the visitors immediately called for a time out… annoyingly clever to get a breather!

Cheltenham kept pushing but Walcountians broke the hearts of the home team with a bounce shot on a fast break to increase their lead with less than 10 minutes to go.

Shots were saved, shots went wide but it wasn’t Cheltenham’s day. The game finished 5-3, but the home team held their heads high going toe to toe against a team who competed in the Prem and have not lost a Division 1 game as of yet.

A great effort by Cheltenham who will look to bring the momentum to next week hosting M5 neighbours Bristol Bombers,who gave yet to taste victory in Division 1 this season... But beating Raptors away isn’t for everyone right?

Goal scorers:
Joel Matthews - 1
Tyler Rodberg - 1
Max Biddlestone - 1

Player of the Match - James Cole with a great display in defence.