Kelburne were given a harsh lesson by a classy Rot Weiss side in the opening fixture of the EHL Round 1.2 at East Grinstead Hockey Club.

The German side totally dominated the match, running up an impressive eight goals whilst allowing Kelburne mere half chances and only one goal of their own.

Rot Weiss took the lead when Arnaud Becuwe showed terrific skill to rob the defender in the D, in the same movement popping the ball over their stick and sweeping a lovely finish into the bottom corner.

There was no let up and Marcel Meurer was denied moments later by a good sprawling save from Fergus Barrows in the Kelburne goal.

With time running out in the quarter Moritz Trompertz was allowed to carry the ball a long way, breaking from inside his own half. His pass into the D was deflected home by Marco Miltkau to make the score 2-0.

The second quarter resumed the same pattern. Kelburne were working hard to keep Rot Weiss at bay whilst the Germans were content to keep the ball, probing for an opening.

Barrows did well to keep out a Christopher Zeller penalty corner and a clever deflection from the same player before Martin Chorus saw his effort go just over the top. The score remained at 2-0 but it looked like only a matter of time before the lead would be increased.  Jan-Marco Montag scored the first of his three goals with a fierce drag-flick early in the quarter.

Kelburne forced their first penalty corner of the match right on the stroke of half time. The inital strike was charged down, but David Forsyth showed great composure to control the ball, slip it Ben Peterson who slapped home to reduce the deficit.

At the very start of the third quarter Rot Weiss almost scored again. A sweeping move found Miltkau who hit a reverse stick shot just wide of the far post. Miltkau had the simpler task moments later after Zeller drew the goalkeeper and squared the ball to the No22 who slotted home from close range.

Jan-Marco Montag notched his second from a well taken penalty corner which beat Barrows to his right  before Zeller got in on the act, calmly rounding the defender and lashing a blistering strike past the helpless Barrows. Zeller was denied by the goalkeeper after good work from Stefan Menke but the German international had his say in the 58th as his excellent faked drag flick set up his captain, Montag to complete his hat-trick and make it 7-1. Montag blazed another flick wide and was kept out by Barrows but Rot Weiss were not done. An outrageous through the legs pass from Miltkau was missed completely by Barrows allowing Alexander Schollkopf the simplest of finishes for 8-1.

Kelburne forced a late penalty corner but Peter Schlich, a replacement goalkeeper for Max Weinhold kept it out and the game ended 8-1.

Kelburne will need to bounce back for tomorrow’s clash with AHTC Wien tomorrow, whilst Rot Weiss look in good form for their Sunday clash with the same side.