AFTER a strong pre-season campaign, new captain Stuart Clarke was keen for his Ely side to chalk up the first points of the season against Cambridge University 3rd XI.

Hockey

Ely 13

Cambridge University 1

And, they didn’t disappoint – with a thumping victory over a fledgling Cambridge side.

Dan Jolly opening the scoring for Ely just three minutes into the game with a deft flick from the top of the D, reaching high into the back of the Cambridge net. Nick Wells then marked his return to the club with a reverse stick strike from a short corner beating the University keeper.

The University side seemed to gather strength after their early setback and broke forward on a number of occasions, briefly testing the Ely defence, and eventually winning a short corner. The resultant shot flew high toward new keeper Stuart Parker and was given as a goal.

Ely looked slightly shaken by the Cambridge University goal, but held their nerve, and after a period of consolidation, Chris Vincett settled the team’s nerves, also marking his return to the club this season with a superb goal. Chris Purllant was to be next on the score sheet, and with a second goal from Vincett, Ely were in a commanding position 5-1 up at half-time.

The second half was merely a demonstration of Ely’s intentions for the season ahead. Solid midfield play provided the engine for an unstoppable Ely – a rout of goals followed, with the rampant Chris Purllant notching up four in total, Vincett claiming his third, Rob Radcliffe bagging one from right back and Jolly adding his second of the day.

However, it was Ely veteran Thomas Hugogu, playing his last game for Ely before heading back to warmer climes, that really stole the show – bursting through the blue and aubergine shirts of the university midfield and defence he charged into the D and unleashed a bullet of a shot that soared into the roof of the net, adding a second before the end of the game.

Captain Clarke said he was pleased with his team’s performance – “The pre-season effort was well worth it to see such an emphatic win in our first game,” he said.