Stratford 3rd X1 – 3; Solihull Blossomfield – 1

Stratford 3^rd X1 – 3; Solihull Blossomfield – 1

Stratford hosted fellow promotees Solihull Blossomfield at the weekend and it was the local side that showed they were the ones that had adapted best to the higher league. They were more organised from the outset as they set about playing the 11 man hockey that has characterised their season to date.

Make no mistake Solihull Blossomfield are a good side. They pushed hard at the Stratford defence who stood firm, buoyed by some fine saves by keeper purser and some excellent marking form the back three of McBride, Austin and Dix.

Bird silenced the opposition playmaker from the outset and with the defence organised, Stratford started to make some telling attacks.

It was nil - nil at half time but Stratford had saved their best for a Golden patch in the first 20 minutes. If Solihull had their finger in the dyke for the first half then in 20 minutes they were blown away by a dominant display of passing Hockey. Coaché was tormentor in chief and set up Black with a beautiful reverse pass on the head of the D that opened the flood gates. A second for Black followed when released from midfield by Hugo Bates. Bates snaffled another moments later when Solihull got confused in defence and he pounced on the loose ball.

There were a number of hairy moments for Stratford as Solihull tried to force their way back into the game through a series of short corners but only managed the one gaol reply. Stratford are an improving side and are starting to feel confident at this new, higher level.