The Veterans travelled north this weekend to play the Oporto Club in their two annual cup games. In yesterday’s Dawson Cup men’s match, Casuals opened the scoring early on. Despite keeping up the pressure and being awarded a series of penalty corners, outstanding saves from the Oporto keeper and a shot off the post kept the visitors’ lead to 1-0. It seemed that Oporto’s dogged defense would pay off, when they equalised from a counter attack late in the game. But the Casuals still had time to make it 2-1 from another penalty corner.

Today’s Mixed match for the Seadon Cup was a more even encounter. A good strike from an early penalty corner was to prove Casuals’ only goal: with both sides finding it difficult to create scoring chances, it was Oporto who found an equaliser 2 minutes from the end. But the 1-1 draw left both trophies in the Casuals’ hands. It is worth mentioning the fine hospitality Oporto provided on the Saturday evening, and the excellent spirit in which both games were played.