After a roller coaster of a season it all came down to Super Sunday on 29th June. The National Finals. With the Barbarians only able to field a team on Sunday due to a scheduling mistake by BIPHA, it was all or nothing for a Barbarians team lacking some influential players.
First up was Kernow Wizards in the group stages of the competition at 8am. Usually the Barbarians struggle early mornings but were up for this one. After a positive start and plenty of possession the deadlock was broken with 1.31 remaining in the 12 minute period. Kernow replied quickly and levelled the score going into half time. The second half was all Barbarians. Two goals a minute a part in the middle of the period sealed the victory, followed by a fourth with 1.53 remaining completed the score line. final score 4-1, this guaranteed a place in the quarter finals as Kernow had lost heavily 6-0 to SE Steamrollers the previous evening.
Second group game was against SE Steamrollers. A very well organised group of players that had plenty of energy and this showed. They sprinted out to a 2 goal lead in the first period and the Barbarians had their backs to the wall. After a stern word from Coach Coote the second period was more even and mid way through the half Barbarians cut their deficit to one. With a minute remaining a well deserved equaliser came. Making the final score 2-2. This left the Barbarians second in group having conceded one goal more than SE Steamrollers.
Quarter final was against Central rivals The Chiefs. After a 2-1 lose and a 4-4 draw during the league season it was always going to be a close affair. From the off their was plenty of chances at both ends with Cusick (ex Chiefs) netminder making a number of saves. With 3 minutes remaining in the period the Barbarians opened the scoring making it 1-0 at half time. The second period however was only a minute old when chiefs jumped on a rebound to make it 1-1. Only a minute later the tie turned on its head as the line of Wilson Clapham Sanderson and Chambers ripped open the Chiefs defence three times in a minute and half. The drama wasn't over as the Chiefs scored with a minute to go and then again with 11 seconds remain whilst on the powerplay. The Barbarians hug on for a 4-3 victory.
Semi final against York. Once again another team from our league. The league matches this season has seen 2 hard fought battles with close games and plenty of penalty minutes. Barbarians taking 3 out of a possible 4 points. This however was different, a cup game to take use to the National finals.
Nerves kicked in early on and the Barbarians were struggling to create any offence. Once again the Barbarians went behind again before the break and then further behind 2 minutes into the second half. The clock was ticking down and with 4 minutes remaining Sanderson took a penalty to make things harder for the Barbarians and the prospect of elimination was looming. With 3.28 remaining that prospect changed and the next couple of minutes will go down in history for the Barbarians. Wilson made it 1-2 shorthanded, then Lloyd equalised with a sensational goal with 1.20 remaining. The tie looked like going to overtime until Bradley sneaked in nicked the puck from the advancing York netminder and slotted home the winner on a very tight angle with only 5 seconds remaining. What a come back!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Final score 3-2 and the Barbarians had advanced to final for the first time in the clubs history.
The final was against SE Steamrollers which the Barbarians had played earlier in the day. It wasn't to be for the Barbarians as a dominate Steamrollers hit 3 unanswered goals in the first period and were happy to sit on the lead. Try as they might the Barbarians had hit the wall, with nerves playing a big part as most players had not experienced a major final before. Final score 3-0.
So it was the silver medal for the Barbarians, which surprised plenty of people over the course of the day. Congratulations to the SE Steamrollers on colleting the cup.
Preparations for next seasons Barbarians are already underway. News will be filtering through the blog in the next month or so.
Who will be in black and red next season???????????????
