Sat 19-Dec-09
Issue 12
Match Reports | New Kit Discount | Quiz Night
It was the last week of games before the Christmas break for the remaining teams. The Women's side of the club were mostly putting their feet up this weekend, with only the 3s in league action and the 1s attending the South Clubs' Women's Indoor League. Click here to jump to the Women's 1s section. Unfortunately, they have not provided a match report yet; it may come in the next few weeks, so do check back!
All the Men's teams were in action. We only had 2 wins out of the 7 teams in action. The Men's 1s continue their recovery and get 3 points against Banbury. The Tornados maintain their hunt for a play-off place with a win over Surbiton. All the other teams lost unfortunately.
The holiday season looms and it is that time of year once again when stuffing a turkey, drinking boiled wine and running up a high credit card bill is considered acceptable. I hope everyone takes this time to rest, reflect on a good season so far and plan for a better second-half of the hockey season.
To all club members, friendly opponents and fellow Londoners, I hope you are spending some quality time with friends, family and loved ones. Don't be a Scrooge/Grinch. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah and Joyous Kwanzaa!
Ramana Thirumoorthy - Editor
Training has now ended for 2009 - Training starts again w/c 04-Jan-10
Back to top <<<
|
 |
30-Jan-10
Quiz Night
Test your knowledge against the finest brains in the land. Rounds include current affairs, Art and literature sport, the music round and the famous picture board.
Teams max 5, £3 per person.
For further information contact fundraising@thehockeyclub.co.uk |
Back to top <<<
|
Last chance for discount on New Club Kit...
The new kit is optional for the 2009/10 season & will become compulsory from the start of the 2010/11 season.
The kit is discounted until the end of 2009 to encourage people to make the switch as soon as possible - last cahnce to get your kit at a discount.
Purchasing Kit
To purchase any items....
Kit |
Price |
*New* Home Grays Shirt |
£24 |
*New* Away/Mixed/Dragons Shirt |
£24 |
|
Back to top <<<
This weeks match reports from the THD Teams in action.
Reports by: James Goldsmith, Andrew Potapa, James de Quirin, James Casey, Billy Dowie, Mark Annear, Ellie Johnston & MJ
Mens Section
Mens 1s vs. Banbury: Won 2-1
Foreword
Guys,
This is a crucial match, and the last before Christmas. It is also going to be my last match this season, as I'm off to China in the New Year. I love THD, and I'll be sad to leave this team behind. We've played some of the best hockey I've ever been a part of...
...but all that means nothing without a win on Saturday. All of my strength, all of my pride, all of my anger and all of my cunning will be put into this match. I expect the same from each of you. We live as a team or we die as a team. And we're all too young to die...
Can anyone give me a lift from Banbury Rail Station? Cheers,
Goldy
Match report
Tulse Hill & Dulwich have good reason to see Banbury as their close rivals. In recent years, matches between the sides have seen title hopes crushed and relegation narrowly avoided. THD had won the last battle in the HA cup in September, and eyed this match as a great opportunity to turn around their away form.
A certain player upped the ante further by announcing his last match of the season in THD colours. By the time the first whistle went, the men in white were ready for war. In the first five minutes, they had the opposition on the ropes and praying for respite. Unable to obtain possession, Banbury resorted to the ugly and the illegal, earning themselves several harsh words and two green cards from the umpires.
When the initial barrage resulted in many near-misses but no goals, THD lost some of their fire and allowed Banbury back into the match. But they were well blocked by our excellent defensive obstacles - Smudge and Jarratt. Never having seen Popeye make so many tackles, I can only assume that his swollen face put the fear of God into his opposite number.
Having found fitness just in time for the last match of the half-season, curly Joe was dominant in midfield. THD built some great attacks, as the forwards held the ball up and allowed the midfield to make some incisive runs. At half time, the 0-0 scoreline flattered the home team, sitting 4th in the league.
But after half time, THD again came out firing on all cylinders. It was the dynamic Joe Lyer who started off a perfect counter-attack, straight off the training field. The ball was fired in to James Huntley, who nonchalantly swept the ball high over the oncoming
keeper. As 22 men held their breath, the ball dropped and spun into the net. 1-0.
More drama followed quickly as Banbury won a short, but Goldy ran it down and the ball was worked to Tom who created a corner at our end. As the ball rebounded from a Bino special, Hoppo pounced. 2-0.
Finally, with 10 minutes left, THD relaxed and concentrated on seeing out the match. All except one player that is, who reacted to a decision like a Banbury centre-forward and was promptly sin-binned. We hate clean sheets and goal difference, so decided to let one in with 10 men, but the result was never in doubt. A great team performance from a great team. 2-1. (JG)
Squad: Piggy, Mark Hopwood, Jarratt, Smudge, Goldy, Curly Joe, Joe Lyer, Bino, Goughy, Tom, Fred, Matt, Gavin
Scorers: James Huntley, Mark Hopkins
MOTM: Mark Hopwood (ninja reflexes and 70 mins without a suicide pass)
Honourable mention: Bino (1 goal, 1 assist)
TFC: James Goldsmith (card)
Dishonourable mention: Tom (no goals, no shower, no match report, GAY)
Next match: 16 January, Away vs. Chichester
Mens 2s vs. Surbiton 3s: Lost 2-3
On Saturday the 2's faced Surbiton. The fixture was the last before Christmas and signalled the midway point of the season.
After recent home fixtures at JAGS it was a welcome return to the familiarity of DC and consequently spirits were high. The only issue with the pitch was the small deposit left by a fox during the night (identification was confirmed by amateur scatologist Mad Dog Casement). Thankfully though, Dave Casement and Car Wash Jacobs did sterling work to ensure that the offending deposit was removed from the pitch before the game. Thanks gents.
Recent results have not truly reflected our performances. We were confident that if we played our game and used our considerable experience we could beat anyone in the league, including Surbiton. However, in order to win it was imperative that we hunt in pairs.
The Surbiton side was much changed from the team we faced earlier in the season and despite a good start we went a goal down. Fortunately heads did not drop and we continued to compete and after a sustained period of pressure we won a short corner. We have spent many happy Tuesday nights practicing our short corner routines but we have seldom converted enough of them. Not today. The ball was injected to the top of the D, slipped left and then drilled at the far post. The Surbiton defence thought that they had it covered but somehow (don't ask me how) Ginge (aka Potty) managed to deflect the ball past the 'keeper to draw the teams level. Those cold, repetitive but happy nights were worth it! THD continued to pile on the pressure and it wasn't long before we went 2-1 up thanks to Seamus.
The direction of the game changed dramatically when Nick Jacob was shoved to the floor in the D. Nothing was given and moments later Surbiton leveled. THD deserved at least a point from the game but, with confidence sapped, Surbiton got the sucker punch and the game was lost. After the game Steve Butts' whole body ached but was comforted with a beer and one of Jackie's famous teas. Merry Christmas one and all. (Potty)
Squad: You know who you are.
Scorers: Ginge, Seamus
MOTM: Laurent
BOG: Butty
TFC: Ginge
Next match: Home vs. Wimbledon 3s, 1300hrs
Mens 3s vs. PHC Chiswick 2s: Lost 1-2
Our last game of the season saw us against Chiswick. This was a game which we needed to win if we were to avoid relegation. What was to unfold both on and off the pitch was a real drama. Firstly the on pitch antics.
Yours truly was out the night before and finds himself in a bit of a muddle to recall the main events of the game but shall endeavour to produce a very brief summary. The 1st half saw THD with numerous attacking chances led by Andy and Darren. Eventually a goal came which was then followed up by an easy equaliser. Some solid passing and defending from the midfield and defence had kept us in it till half-time. A point was in reach! The half-time talk was of keeping our cool with the umpires remembering what had happened the week before.
Unfortunately the umpires seemed to have developed a real dislike for us, in particular Snowy, during the half-time Chiswick team talk. This was demonstrated in many decisions, notably the multiple short corners given against us, some justified many unjustified and the bit of play where a Chiswick player hit the ball off the other side of the pitch only for the Umpire to give it against THD! They say having the Umpire on your side acts as an extra player and this rings true in this case. Chiswick had won a battle with the Umpires decisions! Another goal game from scrappy play and we were now in our usual position of chasing the game. Final whistle blows for a two nil loss.
THD heads sank and off to the pub we trotted. A few Xmas drinks were downed. There was talk of Sparky and his drunken phone call to Steve on Friday in which he praised Darren for his stick skills only for it to be made into an elaborate story which won him TFC! The real talk of the day though was about Tim. Bailing out on drinks because he had "dinner" to attend. well my sources tell me that he was actually off into Hammersmith to meet "the girl of his dreams."
Could this have been the girl that hustled him outside the garage at White City tube station? The usual sob story. "I have broken down in Westfield shopping centre and need to buy a petrol canister. Can I borrow a fiver? Give me your card and I will get in contact to pay you back". Now may I just point something out before I go on...
-
She had house keys not car keys as her evidence for owning a car
-
Look at those track marks!
-
Probably the most important bit of our story. she needs a petrol canister costing £5 but where is she going to buy the petrol from!
Unfortunately Tim was forlorn. I watched on and it was like looking at those two skunks out of Bambi. Tim without a thought opened his wallet and hands over the dinero. A certain TFC nomination for next season. A season in which we must win focus and win some games!
Squad: Steve, Alex McDonald, Wes Cole, Tim Jones, John Holmes, Snowy, Foggy, Joe Griffiths, Sparky, Andy Gandell, Darren Murphy
Scorers: Lee Snowden
MOTM: David Fogden
TFC: James de Quirin
Umpires: Theirs
Next match: Home vs. St Albans Senators, 1100hrs, JAGS
Tornados vs. Surbiton 5s: Won 3-0
The Tornados strode into the second half of the season.
We hosted a very different Surbiton side at Dulwich College . They had changed in age and consequently experience. This only hindered the 4th XI for 15 minutes and Ben took a one-on-one chance with a very cool head.
Rob added to the scoring as we acclimatised to the quicker DC pitch. Rob's goal tally is looking increasingly impressive. Pully belted one into the D for James to get a stick on which took us to 3-0 in a perfunctory performance.
The Tornados played reasonably well and were rewarded with a reasonable result. An impressive piece of honesty from Surbiton stopped the score going to 3-1.
The run up to Christmas sees a festive grudge match this weekend against the Diamonds. (JC)
Squad: Si (GK), MJ (c),Tom, Charlie, Wilsh, Pully, Bristles, Fents, Fishy, Little Fishy, JC, Ben, Rob & Aido
Scorers: Ben Protheroe, Rob Tuer, James Casey
MOTM: Bristles
Umpires: Tim & Coleman (many thanks)
Next match: Home vs. THD Diamonds, 1100hrs, DC (Ed - postponed now!)
Diamonds vs. Old Loughtonians 4s: Lost 4-6
Second week with our new formation, but loads of different faces playing it. We were 0-2 down before we sorted out any sort of pattern to our marking at the back, but the last 15 mins of the first half saw us find our feet and score three goals - including Joe's first of the season - to go in even at 3-3 at half time.
But in the second half we never managed to find the sort of cohesion we needed to impose ourselves on the game. Despite shipping six, James had an outstanding game - they had a couple of ringers, including an ex-England player who continually opened us up only to see James smother his shots. Highlight of the game was Joe finally notching up his maiden goal for the Diamonds, from a chance that was harder than some he has missed; we're all looking forward to this proving to be the opening of the floodgates (no pressure, Joe). And Trem (home nursing a sore leg) would have wept to see our third goal, a short corner injected by Jon, stopped by Adam and struck by Matt - so fast and true that OLs had hardly left the goal-line before the satisfying smack of ball against back-board.
But none of that should detract from the stark truth that we failed to build on our strengths, and we'd better start doing so soon. (BD)
Squad: James Fuller, Jon Barley, Rob Patrick, Ben Salsbury, Graeme Evans, Olly Walton, Marc Antoine, Adam Smith, Matt Grumball, Sam Younger, Irfan Begg, Joe Del Greco
Scorers: Irfan (2), Joe, Matt
Umpires: Billy Dowie
Next match: Away vs. THD Tornados, 1100hrs, DC (Ed - postponed now!)
Royals vs. Southgate Goblets: Lost 0-7
We lost.
Hard to give anything in mitigation - if it's worth much their manager (an ex-Dulwich 1s coach) suggested that they might try to enter the league at Men's 3s level next year. They certainly looked quite handy. (MA)
Squad: Jon Bayliss (c), Ed Taylor Jones, Oli Carruthers, Ollie Norris, Keith Howick, Adrian Leung, Tim Smith, Steve Walsh, Robbie Fleck, Ben Slater, Joe Boylan, Mark Annear (12)
Scorers: all from Southgate
MOTM: Some surprising votes in this category. Most of the defence, despite conceding seven goals, won recognition - Keith foremost among them for confounding attackers by dribbling in his own D, although admittedly without their collective efforts it might have been much more. And yet, Steve won - despite not scoring any goals.
Special Moment of The Day: Votes for all in this category, as it was a poor game had by all. Particularly special mentions went to: Ed for railing against the voting system, Nozza for missing an open goal, Mark for missing a pass that might have led to an open goal, and Steve for not only railing against the system but also not noticing that he'd been shown a green card (a special attention to detail). Joint winners though were Oli C and Robbie (partly for being extra special and voting for everyone in this category).
Umpires: all from Southgate
Next match: Home vs. Hampstead and Westminster Thirsts, 1530hrs, DC
Saracens vs. Spencer Spitfires: Lost 0-8
No match report.
Next match: Away vs. Indian Gymkhana 4s
Back to top <<<
Womens Section
South Clubs' Women's Indoor League
Womens 1s
vs. Havant 1s: Lost 1-3
vs. Horsham 1s: Lost 0-2
vs. Guildford 1s: Lost 0-2
vs. City of Oxford 1s: Won 3-0
vs. Southampton 1s: Won 1-0
No match reports.
Next match: Friendly, Home vs. Spencer 1s
Womens 2: No match
Next match: Friendly, 9 January 2010, Away vs London Wayfarers 2s, 1030hrs
Womens 3s vs old Cranleighans 1s: Lost 1-5
This week didn't start well, when I arrived there was only me, Helen and the entire opposition complete with matching tracksuits, water bottles and a coach. The situation wasn't improved much when the rest of the team arrived complete with our hung over captain.
Meanwhile the oppo had gone to have a team talk, probably with a whiteboard. It then got worse when they got out cones for their warm up..we decided that our tactic would be to 'take them by surprise'. We walked on after a shout of 'mincepies!' but it didn't really go to plan...
The second half started quite well but then Helen was brutally attacked by one of their players and Lindsey went to get ice so we were down to 10 players for a bit...that didn't really go very well either. All in all it wasn't the best match we've had but we've decided on a new shout of 'kill!' for the next match so it can only get better from here.
(EJ)
Squad: Ellie, Anna, Linds, Kat, Emma P, Georgie, Helen S, Helen M, Kate, Emma B, Julia and Jena
Scorers: Kate
MOTM: Anna
Next match: Away vs. Old Cranleighans 1s
Womens 4s: No match.
Next match: Home vs. Old Kingstonian 2s, 1230hrs, DC
Womens 5s: No match.
Next match: Home vs. Purley Walcountians 2s, 1200hrs, Crystal Palace
Womens 6s: No match.
Next match: Away vs. Surbiton 7s
Back to top <<<
Mixed Section
Dragons vs. London Edwardians: Won 7-5
If every there was a pre-Xmas relaxed match then this was it... such was the class of the Dragons that they played total Chumbawumba hockey! Allowing the oppo to score in reply each time as they new that they would 'always score one more' than them! Comedic defending with the odd bit of awesomeness was the order of the day. Up front we were clinical... at times. In the midfield we were... there. Plus the most bizarre circular run from defence you are ever likely to see!
In short, we came, we tried a bit, we won and were quite pleased with ourselves... the HA Trophy beckons in Feb... can't help but think that is going to be harder work! (MJ)
Squad: Piggy (GK), MJ (c), Timmy, Fez, Oli, Ben, Vadim, Hattie, Susannah, Alanna, Parker, Miskers & Helen Shackleton
Scorers: Fez (2), Parker (2), Tim, Hattie & Alanna
Umpire: Mark Annear
Next match: Home vs. Wanderers Optimists, 1230hrs, BP
Back to top <<<
|
General News
