More than 1,200 spectators packed into the Riverside Ice and Leisure Centre in Chelmsford on Saturday for the culmination of the Riverdome 2000 celebrations where all facilities, including entrance to the ice hockey match, were free.

The massive crowd were treated to a feast of fine hockey and superb goalmouth action. Chieftains were quickest to settle and were soon in front.

A sharp break saw a deft Jamie Randall backhand pass picked up and tucked neatly away by Jon Cotton on 2.49.

Within two minutes Chieftains had extended their lead, when pressure on the GB zone saw Richard Gunn's pass slid home with ease by Duane Ward.

The GB squad gradually found their rhythm and started to frustrate Chieftains forwards and, well coached by Darryl Easson, created seceral goalscoring opportunities.

However, they found young Paul Wilcock in the Chieftains' net in good form to keep them at bay.

Amazingly, given the extent and quality of the attacking play the period saw no further goals, ending with Chieftains retaining their 2-0 lead.

Following a scoreless second period, the third burst into life on 43.02 when a fine move by Randall and Jon Cotton left Billy Price to turn and hit a well taken shot past Alan Levers in the GB net.

The goal stung the GB side, and at 45.32, a breakaway by Paul Stanley left Neil Adams to beat Wilcock with some aplomb.

Just over a minute later, at 46.46, Russell Cowley beat the Chieftains' defence and hit a fine back-hand goal, assisted by Ross Jones.

With only one goal in the game, Chieftains stepped up a gear and at 48.13, Tari Suwari set up Craig Metcalf to hit a strong first-timer to restore the two goal lead.

Chieftains took the opportunity to replace their netminder, giving Carl Ambler, 13, his first taste of senior hockey.

However, the youngster could do little to stop the GB third goal as Paul Moran and Cowley conspired for Romford's Ross Jones to score on 50.49.

Once again Chieftains responded to the GB threat and at 52.06 a superb Andy Hannah pass was collected and well-despatched for his second goal by Metcalf.

Chieftains' sixth goal followed good foraging by Karl Rogers and Carl Greenhous which left Ross Mackintosh to find the net at 53.34.

Arguably the best goal of the night was reserved to the last, when after good work by Chris McEwan, the puck fell to Jones who hit a superb strike across Ambler at 53.40.

A hugely entertaining match was complimented in the first interval by a 'mini-match' by the Cherokees, Chelmsford's under 10s team and the 'Chieftains of the future'.

In the second interval, the crowd were treated to a demonstration of sledge hockey from members of the London Ravens team (all disabled).

This superb night's entertainment saw Chieftains' man-of-the-match award going to Craig Metcalf and for the GB side, two-goal hero Ross Jones picked up the trophy.

To round the evening off, Riverside manager Kevin Reed was on hand to make a special presentation to Pepsico International's Director Kyle Whitehill for the company's support of the whole event.

The Challenge Match scorers were: (Chieftains): Craig Metcalf 2+0, Jon Cotton 1+1, Billy Price 1+0, Duane Ward 1+0, Ross Mackintosh 1+0, Jamie Randall 0+2, Carl Greenhous 0+1, Karl Rogers 0+1, Tari Suwari 0+1, Andy Hannah 0+1, Richard Gunn 0+1. (Great Britain under 18s): Ross Jones 2+1, Russell Cowley 1+1, Neil Adams 1+0, Adam Radmill 0+1, Paul Moran 0+1, Paul Stanley 0+1, Chris McEwan0+1.

Sliding along . . action from Saturday's Challenge Match between Chelmsford Chieftains (white shirts) and and Great Britain under 18s at the Riverside Ice & Leisure Centre in Chelmsford.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.