Premier Division Playoff v Bath
Purley dodged the relegation bullet with a gutsy display to see off Bath’s challenge in the driving wind and rain of a bleak Saturday.
A hat-trick from stalwart Mike Barrett, two clinical strikes from Matt Payne and a Justin Baranowski crease goal were enough to defeat the West Country team 6-3, at Walcountians’ ground.
It was a tough, uncompromising game with both teams struggling to play quality lacrosse in difficult conditions.
The result was everything. Purley faced their first relegation from the top level in the club’s 107-year history while Bath were pushing for a Premier League slot after a memorable season.
Bath made their third long trip in three weeks for this date with destiny and the club’s enthusiasm and commitment was evidenced by a 16-man squad. Purley, who will want to forget this season as swiftly as possible, only had 11 players as squad members were at European tournaments.
The purple machine started brightly but Bath soon dominated the possession. Neither team was giving an inch but Barrett broke the deadlock with a trademark roll-dodge around the pipe. A deserved equalizer came from Matt King after a well-worked possession.
Bath turned the screw but found a Purley defence in no mood to allow any clear chances. When they did breakthrough, Tyler Handley was inspired in goal.
A rare Purley attack resulted in a carbon-copy move from Barrett and they finished the quarter 2-1.
The second quarter was a battle of attrition between Bath’s energetic attack and Purley’s brick-wall defence, with Andy Booth the keystone. Shots rained down on the goal but defective radar and Handley’s lightning reflexes kept them scoreless.
Again it was Barrett who broke through and Purley had breathing space at 3-1 at the half.
It didn’t last long as Doug Mackay finished off a sweet move to make it a one-goal game.
The pattern was clear with Purley holding possession and slowing the game while Bath’s athletic line-up endeavoured to keep the tempo high and move them around the pitch.
Several chances went begging and Purley made them pay when Payne found an acute angle to fire in a low-to-high shot.
There was little to choose between the teams but Purley’s Prem experience helped them take the sting out waves of Bath attacks. But there was no stopping Pete Short as he rounded the goal and fired in an impudent over the shoulder shot.
Bath, fielding four excellent teenage prospects, continued to attack and were creating more chances.
Going into the final quarter with a slender 4-3 lead, Purley needed to again take the heat out of the game and did it in style with Payne getting his second just a minute in.
Bath were chasing and double-teaming Purley at every opportunity and destabilising their previous effective clear. Barrett’s post-moves were snuffed out and they powered back into the game. Handley saved spectacularly from Short, shouldering a goal-bound shot onto the crossbar.
A crucial moment came with ten minutes left when Purley’s Alamo defence repelled a man-up minute and then Dan Taylor worked the X under intense pressure to feed Baranowski to score from close range with five minutes to go.
Both teams were muddied and bloodied after a Herculean effort but Purley managed to hang on for the victory and their Premier League place. Their celebrations were muted as the stark fact remains that much needs to be done to avoid being in a similar position in 2013.
Bath were bitterly disappointed they didn’t convert their opportunities but take great comfort from coming close, the progress of their youngsters and a great Intermediate Flags Win.
Team Purley
Goal: Tyler Handley
Defence: Andy Booth, Dave Copple, Hamish Dickson, Dave Slaughter
Midfield: Mike Barrett (3), Andy Fernando, Dave Cluney
Attack: Justin Baranowski (1), Matt Payne (2), Dan Taylor
Refs: Simon Peach, Debbie Field, Hazel Wisbey