BRACKNELL BEES claimed victory over Bracknell Hornets in a charity challenge match at The Hive.
The game was played in aid of Orchid, a charity which funds research into the causes, prevention and treatment of male cancers. Orchid has also found new ways to treat male cancers and seeks to improve understanding of how these cancers behave.
In a first meeting between the two sides, Bees underlined their National League credentials with their early pressure being rewarded when George Norcliffe struck home the opening goal.
Bees star player Frankie Bakrlik caused havoc for the Hornets defence, scoring a quick-fire double, either side of a well worked goal by Hornets player coach Danny Hughes.
Great Britain under 20 Josh Tetlow also netted a brace and after Bakrlik grabbed his third along with a score from Matt Foord, the 7-1 score-line outlined Bees’ dominance at the break.
Bees extended their lead in the second before bagging four goals without reply in the third to take their tally up to 15. Hughes secured a hat-trick in the third to restore some pride for Hornets with his fantastic solo effort splitting the Bees defence before smoothly firing the puck through goalie Mettam’s pads and into the net.
The game ended 15-3, with Bakrlik netting six times in total, but the score-line was secondary to the main focus of the evening which was the charitable fundraising.
It was a great night of fun for the Bracknell Hockey Club, which rounded off with the chance for fans to skate alongside the players.
“It was something that myself and Danny Hughes spoke about in the summer,” said Bees player-coach Scott Spearing.
“Something to try and get new fans in through the door and bring a bit more interest to the club and to show that if we’re all working as one unit now, between myself and the Hornets and the junior club.”
