The final day at the EuroHockey Indoor CLub Challenge I in Oslo and whilst AD Lousada had secured their promotional slot, it was all to play for between Three Rock Rovers and Inverleith to see who would join them in the Trophy in 2020.
Roundup:
Match 17- Vinnitsa 13-1 Senkvice
A win for Vinnitsa would see them stay in the division and boy did they put on a show. 6 goals without reply in a fast and dominate first half performance. This included 3 field goals from the super-talented Yurii Dzemukh. The goals were shared around in the second half. In total Vinnitsa smashed away 11 field goals in the match securing top position in the relegation pool and cementing their place in challenge 1 for 2020
Match 18- Kringsja 1-3 Cardiff & Met
In a winner takes all encounter to remain in the division, Kringsja and Cardiff played out a fast, tactical game full of great goalkeeping by both teams. Evenly poised at half time thanks to goals by Arunpreet Garcha and Callum Mackenzie, Cardiff scored 2 quick second-half goals to leave Kringsja needing 3 goals in the final 6 minutes to avoid relegation. A flurry of attacks and 2 missed PC chances but still, the hosts could not find the back of the net. Cardiff stays up, Kringsja go down. What a game!
Match 19- Lousada 5-4 Bologna
Lousada were already guaranteed promotion thanks to 4 wins out of 4. But the Italian really gave the Portuguese good game in an attempt to end their 100% record for the tournament. Lousada were 4-0 up with 13 minutes to play but the Italians were not going to give in. A brace from Sergey Stasyuk, PC conversion from Pietro Lago and one from Mattia Amorosini made it 5-4. Despite the last play PC, Lousada hed out and finish the tournament with 5 wins from 5 games.
Match 20- Three Rock Rovers 3-3 Inverleith
The final match of the tournament was a nail biter. Inverleith needed to win to leapfrog their Irish opponents and earn promotion. The lead the game 3 times thanks to field goals from Stephen Dick, Patrick Christie and Aedan McCrossan. But it was Harry Morris who got the decisive PC conversion in the penultimate minute to earn Three Rock Rovers promotion to the Trophy division.