They defeated Bloemendaal this season. Performed even towards Den Bosch and Oranje-Rood and misplaced by a hair from Kampong (1-2) and nationwide champion Amsterdam (3-4). However a slipshod mistake additionally pressured them to give up three factors. With these three factors added, SCHC’s males wouldn’t even have needed to play play-outs. To make issues worse, SCHC didn’t carry out in any respect in these play-outs towards Schaerweijde. After one yr the crew will likely be relegated again to the Promotion Division.
The Bilthoven males have been dejected on Sunday. Whereas the celebration at Schaerweijde erupted in all its depth, seven SCHC gamers seemed defeated within the dug-out. Some slapped their arms of their faces. Others blinked away a tear. Goalkeeper Fritz Schnoeckel furiously kicked away a ball that occurred to roll his approach. Raptor midfielder Sam Martens slumped to the bottom with bloodied chin, head shaking.
‘That is clearly not the tip we have been hoping for,’ Martens mentioned with a way of understatement. ‘It simply wasn’t ok immediately. Then you may play an entire yr of gorgeous discipline hockey and make it tough for prime groups, it didn’t come out this weekend. That’s extremely galling and disappointing. I’m additionally fucking unhappy that we at the moment are out and enjoying Promotion League subsequent yr. All credit to Schaerweijde, as a result of they only did very effectively, however for us that is very painful.’
Deeper downside
Martens can not put his finger on the place it went flawed within the playoffs. So did coach Jeroen Groenheijde: ‘I felt a bit powerless immediately. We have been match. Contemporary. Have been trying ahead to it. We actually gave it our all, identical to the remainder of this season. The blokes labored actually onerous. Regardless that we had by far the bottom funds within the large league, they went to the gymnasium and psychological teaching periods structurally. Have been they continuously engaged on their well being and sports activities. The plans have been additionally clear and everybody caught to them. It simply didn’t handle to actually push by way of this weekend.’
SCHC coach Jeroen Groenheijde Felt Powerless Sunday Afternoon. Picture: Bart Scheulderman
Groenheijde additionally recognized a deeper downside. ‘All season we heard that individuals favored to see us play. With vitality and exquisite discipline hockey. However we’ve additionally been struggling all yr that we don’t push by way of towards groups which have an identical degree to us. That’s the reason we ended up within the play-outs and at the moment are additionally shedding to Schaerweijde. Even when the sport had lasted sixty minutes longer, the ball wouldn’t have gone in immediately. We simply couldn’t get by way of. Then somebody can say that we belong within the large league, however that doesn’t purchase me shit. If we are able to’t win video games like this, perhaps you don’t belong there.’
The three-point deduction his crew obtained on the finish of the primary half of the season didn’t make the distinction, in keeping with Groenheijde. ‘That was a bitter week, particularly since we additionally misplaced to Hurley. However throughout the remainder of the season it hasn’t haunted my thoughts anymore, besides simply briefly. However we additionally misplaced these factors towards Hurley and HDM, within the video games the place it mattered. And no person says we’d have had such a very good second half of the season if we hadn’t had that three-point deduction.’
No matter SCHC tried, Schaerweijde did every part in its energy to maintain the crew from scoring. Picture: Bart Scheulderman
Promoted too quickly
For SCHC, there’s nothing left however to cry it out and begin once more. Martens: ‘It’s a bitter week for the membership. The women who didn’t turn out to be champions. Us flying out of the large league. The one constructive factor is that we just about keep collectively. Solely Steef Stroeken, Roger Figa and Maarten Bruisten are quitting. So we’ve got sufficient to construct on.’
Groenheijde can be not confused when interested by subsequent season. ‘We’ll proceed the road. The membership has dedicated gamers in time and I’ve additionally already signed for a yr. In line with the long-term plan we had in thoughts, we have been truly promoted a yr too early. Now we’re going to do every part we are able to to return to the large league subsequent season then.’
