RYE – Field Hockey New York

Rye FHC – GFHC II 9:0

Rye ended their 16 year wait for a title by wrapping up the 2009/10 NEFHA championship with a 9-0 victory over Greenwich II in their penultimate league game. It has been a long wait for the core of the team who got their first taste of NEFHA success with a playoff victory last season but had only been able to finish as runners up to Greenwich I in the previous three campaigns. It was especially satisfying for goalkeeper Milan Tyburec and veteran defender Peter Jones who are the only remaining members of the Rye team that won three consecutive league titles from1992 to 1994.

As for the game, a potentially tricky encounter quickly turned into a victory parade for Rye. On a warm day that will no doubt be a precursor for the playoffs, Rye dominated possession and territory and quickly opened the scoring with Cheetham converting two penalty corners and Tabassam adding a third by quickly reacting to a loose ball in front of the Greenwich goalkeeper. Rye continued to look sharp as the game progressed, perhaps the reward of a title or the thought of the approaching playoffs snapped them out of their recent lethargy but it was pleasing to see higher energy levels and better execution that has been missing in recent weeks. With a tiring Greenwich offering little resistance, Cheetham completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot and Tabassam and Geertz both converted opportunities. With victory now in sight, the second half provided more of the same and fittingly, captain Patrick Stutz put the icing on the cake with the final goal of the game.

Rye will now look forward to their final league game on June 6th against Greenwich I and the playoffs the weekend of June 20th where they will attempt to repeat last seasons triumph.