Match Reports 2003/04

Since 2003/04 the club has produced a weekly newsletter, during the season, containing match reports from each of the games played that weekend.

Thurs 30-Oct-03

Issue 05

So THD are finally cranking it up. Last weekend brought four victories in a day to shout about and a gargantuan defeat for the Men's 3s to keep the opposition interested and our reputation somewhat intact. Cooperman takes the player of the week award for his hat-trick leading the Men's 5s to a delicious win over Old Loughts. Equally inspired were the Men's 6s and friends who notched up their first win of the season, while the Women's 1s put their bodies on the line to gain more points and move into 3rd position in the league. The interclub table is beginning to look fine....

match reports by: Justin Collins, James Terrett, Simon Riley, Graeme Evans, Richard Taylor, Kath Sowter, Kate Selway, Lindsey McLaren, Gigi Ho and Claire Patterson.

Men's 1s vs. Bournemouth: lost 1-3

A long trip down to the South Coast was followed by a depressing defeat to newly promoted Bournemouth. We went into the break at nil all, having soaked up repeated Bournemouth attacks, whilst creating few chances of our own. The second half started well, but a yellow card to Andy Eames reduced us to 10 men. Despite this, we continued to take the game to Bournemouth and it was a breakdown from an attack that saw Bournemouth come forward, win a short, and open the scoring from the 3rd rebound. While still with a numerical advantage, they doubled their lead with a p flick, before Andy's return saw us attack with renewed vigour, and Bill Pellet scored his first senior goal for the club. As we pressed for the equalizer both Dave Casement and Andy Balchin came close. But with the latter then having to spend some time off the pitch at the umpire's request, Bournemouth made the game safe on the counter attack as we continued to press with 1 man down.

Team: Justin Collins, Clive Colloff, Chris Coleman, Ed Stevenson, Matt Groom, Joel Burrows, Tom Cross, Richard Banwell, Tom Matthews, Andy Balchin, Bill Pellett, Felix Nurse, Dave Casement, Alex Kew, Andy Eames.

Scorer: Bill Pellett

Next match: Saturday 1 November vs. Gore Court - 14.00 @ DC

Men's 2s vs. Beckenham: match rescheduled for Sunday 2 November

Next match: Saturday 1 November vs. Oxford University 2s - 12.30 @ DC

Men's 3s vs. Hampstead & Westminster ZH: lost 1-9

What makes this result more depressing is that for large periods of the game we played well. Our opponents were simply awesome, and sit proudly at the top of our division, although we gifted them four goals at the end of the second half in the ridiculous pursuit of another goal for ourselves. After stopping the relentless attacks in the first 15 minutes, we went into the break with no shame at 4-0 down. The second half started excellently. We scored a well-worked goal and held them for 20 minutes before fitness told and they battered our exhausted defence. I'm hoping the excellent new coach will turn our performances from mediocre to superb but as we came off the pitch on Saturday we simply had nothing left to give. It is matches like these that make me wonder whether I play the right sport. I am sure that losing 9-1 at, say, darts, wouldn't quite make me suffer the same emotional turmoil - but then I come back to the clubhouse, chat with the Women's 1s, have chicken supreme from Jackie and everything is right in the world once more.

Team: Lee Tearle, Ryan Hubbard, JT, Lee Snowden, Warren Holme, Julian Taylor, Duncan McCulloch, Aidan Brock, Mark Pulford, Nick Harris, Neil Happs, Irfan Begg, Guy Hodgson, Rob Levine.

Umpire: Simon Riley (thanks, pal)

Scorer: Julian Taylor

Next match: Saturday 1 November vs. Oxford University 3s - away

Men's 4As vs. Hampstead & Westminster: match postponed

Next match: Saturday 1 November vs. Guildford 4s - 15.30 @ DC

Tornados (Men's 4Bs) vs. Wimbledon: lost 1-3

I like yo-yo's. Back and forth, up and down. Just how we've been playing, charging up the pitch and scurrying back to defend. Repeat over the course of 70 minutes and you've got it. Another game dominating play for long periods, only for our hopes to be cruelly dashed. We were goalless at half time, with the boys attacking with speed and finesse (at times) but the play in the final third let us down and we had nowt to show for our endeavours. More haste, less speed? Nah, stuff that, all out attack. Great fun to play and watch when it works, not so good when the goals sneak in at the wrong end. The Wombles did not like it up 'em and we certainly gave them a right seeing-to in the first half. However, the engines ran out of fuel, and the oppo's umpteenth short corner finally bore fruit, twice. Bugger. Still, we got a goal, a reverse stick strike from the master of goals from impossible positions (Mark Beaney) and heads were lifted. Tom moved into the middle of the park, the ball was sprayed around and, again, like that cheap suit from Poundstretcher, we were all over them, only for the full-time whistle to blow. Too little, too late - a flattering scoreline for the oppo. We deserved a point just for our first-half dominance. Who would have thought that Lee Tearle would play two blinding games (for the 3s and us) only to concede 12 goals. It could only happen to THD....

Team: Lee Tearle, Nick Thomson, Tom Alexander, Si 'ladies goalie' Wilshire, Angus Barnard, northern monkey (still fat), Will Atkinson, Dougal Davis, Conor Macklin, Paul Burrows, Geoff Pritchard, Mark Beaney.

Merry whistle-blower: JT

Scorer: Mark Beaney

Next match: Saturday 1 November vs. Wayfarers - 15.30 @ Kennington Park - come along for champagne hockey

Men's 5s vs. Old Loughtonians Foresters: won 4-0

Fresh from his efforts on the dance floor a week earlier, Ian Cooper rolled back the years once more on Saturday. Another hat-trick from the silver fox, this time bringing sweet revenge against a side more used to handing out beatings to THD 5s than receiving them. He was at his determined best in front of the goal, feasting on the plentiful supplies laid on by an eager midfield and forward line. Coops even held his nerve to bag his hat-trick from the penalty spot - then later let himself down by begging to write the match report! No doubt, he'd been keen to rave about the crisp passing hockey, the rare clean sheet and Paul Reid's superb penalty save. Aside from Coops' heroics - for which I've spared you the details - this was a fantastic team performance and sets the benchmark for the rest of the season

Team: Paul Reid, Stuart Craig, Rich Batty, Thom Ruane, Graeme Evans, Dave Eacott, Nick Harris, Mark Smith, Ian Cooper, Rupert Grass, Stephen Ireton

Scorers: Mark Smith, Coops (3, plus another 1 mistakenly given to Lawrence a week earlier)

Next match: Saturday 1 November vs. Southgate 5s - 13.30 away

Men's 6s vs. Blackheath: won 5-1

Buoyed by a win for the 5s who played before us and with guest appearances from JT, Tom and Clifford, we started positively, controlling and passing the ball well, and looking dangerous in attack. Amazingly we followed the game plan -get the ball wide, drive down the line and put in a hard cross for us to run on to - and within 10 minutes we scored through Gin's excellent flick into the top right hand corner. Our confidence began to tell as we continued to pressurise the Blackheath goal and got a second. When they managed to break, JT stood firm, Mike Mc covered well and Peter made a fine save to keep the ball out of our net. Blackheath made a good start to the second half and managed to pull one back, but we responded, upping the pace with renewed vigour, with most of the play in their half. Tom scored from a short corner, Jake put one in and Gin put another past the keeper. We should had two more but some fortunate umpiring saw the goals disallowed or short corners not given. All in all it was a much improved performance all round. Mike Mc defended well and Colin stuck to his task in marking one of Blackheath's key players out of the game.

Team: Peter Adams, Richard Mead, JT, Mike McKinnon, Mike Wright, Jake Downing, Richard Taylor, Matt Crane, Mehraab Nazir, Gin Lee, Clifford, Colin Leeman and Tom Alexander.

Umpire: Simon Wilshire

Scorers: Gin (2), Jake, Clifford, Tom

Next match: Saturday 1 November vs. Indian Gym - 16.30 away

Women's 1's vs. West Witney: won 3-2

So normal service has resumed - we won, Charley's knees took a bashing, as did Bettina's body, and Spence's use of the back pass was at times imaginative! We started well and scored early on in the first half after Charley swept home from a well worked move down the right. A defensive lapse led to us conceding shortly afterwards, although it was a shame the umpire failed to spot the foot, or the use of the back of the stick. EJ seems to pull out all the stops against the girls from Witney, and her man of the match performance was well rewarded with a goal to take us 2-1 up. More excellent play led to a superb goal from Amy and although we conceded from a corner with 10 mins to go, we held on for a well earned 3 points. We are now third in the league and already have 2 more points than we had at Christmas last season.

Team: Jo Malkin, Clare Spencer, Kath Sowter, Hilary Collins, Emma Ward, Lou Morgan, Ali Rendu, Rachel Lander, Charley Williams, Jacqs Broers, Amy Gardiner, Bettina Wolff, EJ Barry

Scorers: Charley Williams, EJ Barry, Amy Gardiner

Next Match: Saturday 1st November vs. Woking - 11:30 @ Alleyn's

Women's 2s vs. London Wayfarers 1s (friendly): won 4-2

El Capitano's late decision to nurse some old war wounds on the sidelines could have seen a nervy start to this not so friendly engagement, but apparently the first 15 minutes were a dream to watch. Inevitably (since the attainment of perfection is only ever theoretical) the next phase of the game saw us return to earth with a bump. Fortunately, George emerged through the foggy haze of her night before to make a series of fine saves (not counting the one that narrowly missed my skull). Alex (The Voice) Crawford kept us solid at the back when we threatened indiscipline and cracked in a beauty from a short. We then let in a pretty weak effort - to be erased from the collective memory banks. Things were tense until, oh moment of moments, the Swan glided in to the top of the D with grace, elegance, and a fluidity of motion most of us can only dream about. The ball was in the back of the goal before anyone could say Margot Fonteyn. And she gave a repeat performance in the second half - dazzling! Meanwhile, trench warfare was ensuing on the right flank: Sarah was seen digging out the ball from uncanny angles and yours truly abruptly parted company with those who lingered too long in the channels (they fell, I never pushed). Oh yeah, they scored again - can't remember that one either. Sarah then topped off our tally with a goal mouth excavation of McAlpine proportions. Movement up front is improving with Zoey in particular demonstrating that triangles are beautiful things. Lucy & Liz got some good things going on the left. And young Catherine (I can say that now I'm 32) is in danger of becoming a star in the making. I look forward to crushing our next victims to a pulp (and, if ever invited back to this slot, taking more pleasure than Quentin Tarantino in telling the tale).

Team: George Sykes, Lucy Partington, Catherine Gillard, Alex Crawford, Kate Selway, Liz Young, Martha Harvey-Jones (The Swan), Sarah Longair, Josie Sanders, Ruth Pratt, Zoey Handforth

Scorers: Alex Crawford, Martha Harvey-Jones (2), Sarah Longair

Next match: Saturday 1 November vs. Wimbledon 2 - 14.30 @ Alleyn's

Women's 3s: no game

Next match: Saturday 1 November vs. London Edwardians 1 - away

Women's 4s: no game

Next match: Saturday 1 November vs. Bank of England - 15.00 @ CBP. All support welcome - this game should be a good one!

Women's 5s: no game

Next match: Saturday 1 November vs. Croydon MO2 - 11.00 @ DC

Women's 6s vs. Mid-Surrey (friendly): lost 1-7

We started the game late with only 7 players - with 3 on their way from the wrong venue, at least 3 downed by illness and 3 others mysteriously missing. As it was, we were disorganised, cold and put out by the 'friendly' opposition who had told us to play in navy as their home colours were red, but appeared clad in navy themselves. So we played in a mixture of borrowed red. white and black shirts. Nonetheless we put up a brave fight 'til the cavalry appeared 15 minutes into the game. We conceded a goal within 5 minutes and a further 4 by half-time, but it could have been more had Jo not put in a brilliant effort in goal. We started the second half well with great play down the left by Vicky and Susannah and had a goal by Sam disallowed as it was not stopped outside the D. They really only had a few star players but with Kate injured 10 minutes into second half by a hit on the lower shin heard all over Kingston, we were down to 8 on field. We did have our breaks, with Susannah scoring a much-needed goal for morale, while Fee as goalie made a few good saves. However the 2 division gap between Mid Surrey and us showed. Next week should see a friendlier match and improved performance.

Team: Jo Hillyer, Fee Mullinder, Gigi Ho, Kate, Nicola Cook, Vicky Bentley. Sam Soquar, Susannah Harvey-Jones, Emma Gilchrist, Claudine Ratnayake.

Umpire: Marilyn Walker

Scorer: Susannah Harvey-Jones

Next match: Saturday 1st November vs. Thames Valley - away

Women's Vets vs. Reigate 2s: drew 1-1

In the absence of stalwart Vets leader Joanna Reynolds, Claire Patterson stepped into the breach. It was perhaps not the best game in the world, but we did very well to stay level. They were a lot younger than us but we had better overall stick skills (in fact some dribbles from Anna Barrett were embarrassingly easy as she confidently took the ball out of our D). In the first half we had a fair amount of possession but went 1 nil down against the run of play. But over time and in the second half in particular we were defending like mad! Anna scored from a great short corner direct shot in the first half to level. She came up from sweeper to take the strikes. The opposition shot off after the game, (after being 15 minutes late in the first place) but most of the rest of us went back for tea. Roz & all family were there watching which was good.

Team: George Sykes (not a vet), Anna Barrett, Claire Patterson, Jean Sutton, Ella Hunt, Janine Nicholls, Karen Dodds, Lou Curry (almost but not quite a vet), Erica Goldsmith, Helen Singleton, Charlotte Rayner

Scorer: Anna Barrett

Next match: Saturday 6 December vs. Barnes Vets

Surrey Cup Round 1 - Women's 4s/5s/6s vs. Byfleet Ramblers 1s: lost 2-0

Having struggled to find 9 players we didn't have high hopes for this game. These were subsequently tested when at 1:30pm, when the game was due to start, only 6 had arrived, four of which had decided to drink through the extra hour of sleep and weren't feeling too chipper (including Ms Halliday - think she might be being led astray!). When we actually got started we played very well - managed to keep the score 0-0 at half time, Jean picking up the loose ball and Anna not having much to do in goal. But once again, the first minute after half time, they scored, the fourth time this season we have lost a goal just after half time. We struggled on - hangovers and colds were really kicking in - but Isabel kept running round them, Claire W had a great shot on goal which rattled them. Man of the match Catherine was working very well up the left with Emily and similarly Lindsey and Emma G up the right. We won several short corners but we just couldn't get that equaliser. We eventually ran out of steam and they managed to get their second - game over.

Team: Anna Stuttard (in goal), Jean Sutton, Lindsey McLaren, Sophie, Catherine Garvey, Emma Gilchrist, Isabel Drewe, Emily Halliday, Claire Whitehead

Next game (plate): Sunday 23rd November

Back to top <<<