Euro Hockey League - Round 1.2 Paris

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Euro Hockey League- Round 1

While their England Hockey League opponents were in domestic action around the country this weekend, Beeston were in Paris to secure their safe passage to the second round of the Euro Hockey League.

In Pool F, Beeston were playing in their first ever Euro Hockey League campaign and will be delighted at emerging from a tough group ahead of the hosts St Germain and last season's Euro Hockey League fourth placed side KHC Leuven of Belgium. On Saturday, the Nottingham-based side met a Leuven team fresh from a 7-1 defeat of St Germain and it was the European new boys, playing in Europe for the first time in nearly a decade, who emerged victorious thanks to goals from England & GB international Martin Jones (2) and Australian Andrew Monte. The Bees took the lead in the 24th minute when David Griffiths cut in from the left and his precision cross found Martin Jones on the right post and he deflected the cross past the stranded Leuven goalkeeper. Six minutes later Beeston were awarded their second penalty corner and Andrew Monte dispatched the corner high into the Belgium net. Beeston defended strongly and George Pinner was outstanding in goal.

Beeston secured a magnificent victory on foreign soil when Olympian, Alistair Wilson snaked into the Leuvan defence and his weighted pass beat the keeper and found Jones on the far post who scored from close range, much to the delight of the Beeston supporters.

There was drama in the final game of the weekend as St Germain and Beeston met to determine who would progress to Round Two. Cheered on by a loud and encouraging home support the French pressured the resolute and well-organised Beeston defence, but as the match wore on it was Beeston who looked more likely to score and so it was, with just over a minute remaining, that Wayne Rowland knocked the ball over the line from close range from a clever pass from Sam Ward, to send Beeston through to KO16.

Beeston and East Grinstead join Reading in the next round after Reading progressed from their pool in Round 1a a fortnight ago in Spain.

The venue for KO16 will be announced by the Euro Hockey League on its website (www.ehlhockey.tv) on Thursday 12 November 2009 with the draw following a week late on Thursday 19 November.

Highlights of Beeston's matches can be viewed on, www.ehlhockey.tv

Beeston return to National league duties when they meet Reading on Saturday (2.00pm) at Highfields Sports Club.