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Northern Cyclones Invitation Cup

Bangor – Northern Ireland

 

The Team

 

Jae Paxman (C ), Lee Hounslow (AC)  Mike Lucas (GK) ,

Kevin Betts, Tom Nuytten, Dillan Dulabh, Andy Cownden (Lamie),

Sharon Hounslow (Manager), Carl Toppin (Player Coach), Bob Hounslow.

 

The Competition

 

Northern Cyclones, Northern Cyclones A, East Coast Lightning (Scotland),

Cwmbran (Wales),  Armagh Stars,  Ballmoney Badgers,  East Coast Blaze.

 

Unfortunately Titans could only field 7 team players, but we assembled at Stansted Airport on 1^st November at 6.45am in anticipation of a weekend of hockey, the short flight landed at George Best Airport and we were quickly greeted by June and The Northern Cyclones – hosts – to transport us to the rink.

 

Mike Lucas – Our new Goal Keeper was meeting us at the rink.

 

This was the first game this season for the Titans with new keeper Mike Lucas and two new signings, Tom Nuytten and Andy Cownden. – these guys fitted into the team like a glove!. Dillan Dulabh was a guest player for Titans.

 

With the defence holding solid , Lee Hounslow set the pace with the first 3 goals, assisted by Jae and Betsy and a shut out by Mike Lucas. Titans Left Antrim Blaze trailing 9-0.

 

Team Badgers in game 2 saw Lee shut down , leaving space for Jae Paxman and Betsy to make it a 6-1 win.

 

Game 3 was a hard fought contest against the Hosts Northern Cyclones, a few beers the  previous night saw a sluggish Titans narrowly win the game 3-2 after conceding the first 2 goals. The Defence of Tom Nuyyten, Dillan Dublah, Lamie and Carl Toppin soaked up the pressure leaving Jae Paxman to score all 3 goals assisted by Lee and Betsy.

 

Topping Group A – Titans were drawn against the Northern Cyclones A – who gave Titans a good game but eventually Titans won 11 -0

 

A fantastic display of keeping by Mike Lucas helped Titans beat Welsh Team Cwmbran  6 – 2 with the defence absorbing the powerful slap shots of Mikes Brother Tim Lucas, -  Betsy blocking a superb shot by Tim which would have been a certain goal. Titans going through to the Final.

 

Unfortunately due to flight schedules,  two Titan players had to leave before the final, the other finalists,  East Coast Lightning from Scotland and the organisers kindly agreed to play the final early so that the two players could make the game before departing home.

 

With East Coast Lightning scoring the first goal, Titans dug in and stepped up a gear, with superb goal keeping from Mike,  Lee and Jae put Titans ahead 2 -1 –a slap shot from Carl Toppin saw the Lightning heads drop allowing Betsy and Tom to get on the score sheet, a late rally from Lightning pushed Titans back, but with Lamie, Tom and Dillan forming a granite like defence, Titans won the Final  8-1.

 

Titans Players Jae Paxman and Lee Hounslow were also nominated for Dream Team,

 

 

Top 3 point scorers were:- Jae Paxman 24 points Lee Hounslow 23 points and Kevin Betts 16 points.

 

We would like to Thank Dillan and wish him all the best for 2009

 

The Northern Ireland guys and gals made us feel special they were so friendly, helpful and very well organised that it was an absolute pleasure to play there and we didn’t want to come home!! – We are already looking forward to next year and would recommend to any team – if you get an invite to play in Northern Ireland  - take it with both hands you will really enjoy yourselves.!

 

Sharon, Carl, Jae, Lee, Tom, Dillan, Mike, Kevin, Lamie and Bob would like to thank Northern Cyclones, June and all the players for a great weekend where we made lots more good friends! – thank you.