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.

Fri 13-Feb-04

Issue 17

Good wins for the Tornados and Women's 6s and some decent draws elsewhere saw THD regain that fighting spirit last weekend. The rounds are on Vishal Phakey with his first goal for the club, while Si Riley keeps sneaking up the scorers table with another two goals on Saturday - and both in the same match. Nothing though can quite draw the veil over Hounslow's humiliation of our leading ladies. Will's got to work some magic to get the girls fizzing again in time for another crucial league game this Saturday, but he can't do it all on his own. All support welcome this weekend.

Off the pitch, tickets have gone on sale for the end of season party. Names and cheques to captains, please. And we give a very big welcome to the newest member of the red and green family - Felix Taylor. Congratulations, Jean and Jules.

Reports by: Justin Collins, Aidan Brock, James Terrett, Will Morgan, Mark Jones, Kath Sowter, Kate Selway, Karen Dodds, Marie Smith, Frances Baker, Gigi Ho and Pully?

Men's 1s vs. Bournemouth: drew 2-2

A fair (to fortuitous) result for us this week against the team directly above us in the league. Before the match it looked like we might get a walkover, as they were lost in South London, we waived that possibility ( we are nice like that) the game starting 30 minutes late. However, the casual observer would have thought that it was us who had just traveled 3 hours to play as we were slow and sluggish. They played the ball around well ,and had a couple of speedy forwards who caused trouble all day. Despite that we took the lead, Alex Kew scoring for the 2nd week running, only to concede from a short corner late in the half. The 2nd half was much of the same. We had some good spells, but gave far too many chances to Bournemouth for anyone's liking. Again though we took the lead, Matt Groom rediscovering that scoring touch. For a while it looked like we might sneak another win, but from a short corner, one of ours this time, they broke and scored. We had a chance cleared off the line at the end, but that was that. 2-2 final score.

Team: Justin Collins, Clive Colloff, Matt Groom, Ed Stevenson, Joel Burrows, Andy Eames, Andy Balchin, Dave Casement, Tom Cross, Gareth Weir, Bill Pellett, Alex Kew, James Goldsmith

Scorers: Alex Kew, Matt Groom

Men's 2s vs. Oxford University : Lost 0-5

Another scratch team and another baffling result. In perfect, if a little chilly, conditions for hockey on a beautiful water based Astro the boys got stuck in from the off and after a few flat stick misses early on soon mastered the art of playing bouncy pitch hockey. Playing with three up front and three at the back we played the type of dominant, passing hockey that should have reaped rewards. I, along with the rest of the team, was therefore suitably stunned to go into half time 4-0 down (bad keeping and the fact that they were all break away goals against play notwithstanding). The second half saw TH&D dominate against a very useful Oxford team, with the forwards running purposefully, Graeme providing the pivot in midfield and Paul and Will marauding up and down the inside channels, tormenting their midfield opposite numbers. We won seven or eight short corners but with our two usual ball strikers absent we failed to find any consistency and convert them into goals. Even the goal scoring machine that is Si Riley (big thanks for helping out fella) had no cause to shout "how d'ya like them apples??!!" for the first time in living memory. I am not a scientific man but it is patently obvious to me that our missing prowess in front of goal was down to our uncharacteristic lack of team stubble (not intimidating enough, you see...), so put those razors away gents and lets get back on track this week.

Team: Aido Brock, Ferg Jagger, Neil Happs, Wes Cole, Paul Harvey, Graeme Fotheringham, Will Atkinson, Lee Snowden, Clifford Brown, Andy Potapa, Si Riley.

Next Match: Saturday 14 February vs. PHC Chiswick - 12:30 (H)

Men's 3s vs. Oxford University 3s: lost 1-2

A strong performance was all in vain as the work-shy tax dodgers arrived and were very keen to keep running around and causing problems for THD. Against the run of play Phil Hines swept in our opener after some excellent chasing and harrying from Duncan McCulloch. Oxford got their deserved equaliser through a slight defensive mishap but fingers were not pointed at either Pully or myself although we both gave each other that knowing look that says "idiots". We continued to push on in the second half, but that shameless little hussy Lady Luck was at it again helping them to clear our shots off the line and ensuring a deflected tackle fell kindly to give them their winner with 10 minutes to go. Cue a brave onslaught from everyone in red but we just couldn't score. Warren Holme slotted a beauty just wide where any deflection from the two THD players would have been a certain goal - I think I may have walked under a ladder with a black cat in front of me dodging the shards of glass from the mirror I have just broken. Next week everyone must bring a rabbit's foot, horseshoe and a piece of lucky heather brought from a gypsy (no need to get your drive tarmaced). Good performance - unfortunate result.

Team: Richard Knight, Graeme Evans, Simon Wilshire, Guy Hodgson, Mark Pulford, Ryan Hubbard, Warren Holme, JT, Nick Harris, Phil Hines, Duncan McCulloch, Geoff Pritchard.

Umpire: Toby Wheadon

Scorer: Phil Hines

Next match: vs. St Albans - away

Men's 4As vs. Guildford: drew 2-2

It was a glorious winter's day until we hit traffic and rain but after a short while things brightened up although some overhead clouds remained as we comfortably reached the pitch with plenty of time to spare. In a strange way the journey there brings to mind how this match developed over 70 minutes. We were fired up, warmed up and raring to go, we had far better possession than they did for 10/15 minutes and could have been many goals to the good if that final pass had been right or the ball hadn't been deflected behind... and so on. Sadly, as many a Ron Atkinson of this world might put it - 'they may regret not taking those chances'. And so we did, a hopeful ball was thumped straight up the middle past 3 Tulse Hill sticks wafting around in mid-air to their no. 10 who promptly spun and stuck it past the surprised Gavin in one go. It was well taken but very badly defended. Stung by the embarrassment of letting ourselves fall behind we showed a renewed vigour in attacking their goal and finally pulled off the move of the match which left the oppo stranded in no mans land while Adrian fed the ball to Dave who neatly passed it into the path of Bruce's stick and the welcoming thud of the backboard brought us level. We were winning individual battles all over the pitch but somehow we thought there was time to go and argue with the umpire over a free hit, pity it was our centre back and sweeper coz the wily captain then passed the ball to the top of the D as we stood and stared as Guildford went 2-1 up shortly before half time. Cue much swearing effing and blinding by yours truly but no change there! As for the 2nd half, we kept on pounding away at them and despite losing all sense of shape and position we had them on the back foot for most of it, so it is with great pleasure that the 4As man of the match and best play of the day goes to the ever reliable Vish who turned a very bad push out into a brilliant short corner routine when he thumped it at the goal and one of theirs helped it into the roof of the net. Cue much swearing, effing and blinding by Guildford - ha! Oh and that was Vish's first ever goal for the club so if he hasn't bought you a drink yet, he owes you one!

Team: Gavin Lawson, Tim Parker, Vishal Phakey, Mark Jones, John, Paul Kirkland, Dave Eacott, Adrian Meredith, Will Morgan, Bruce Haines, Rich Fenton, Barny Day, Norman Doyle.

Umpires: Norm & Dave

Scorers: Bruce & Vish

Tornados (Men's 4Bs) vs. Wayfarers: won 2-1

It was like something form the Bible - maybe playing on a Sunday is the way forward... as the word spread, locals streamed out of the nearby Church to witness the second coming of hockey. It seems that watching 13 Gods on the pitch has a greater pull than listening about one ancient god with a penchant for natural disasters. It was a thoroughly professional performance... the stuff of legends. It was like the 4s of old. Crisp, fast passing that clinically dissected the opposition - who only got to play when we chose the give the ball away. We 'flooded' into their half and continually 'plagued' their defence. In short, we 'crucified' them! Two-ton Riley weighed in with his weight in goals (presuming that a goal weighs a ton) and Gus did his best to devastate the housing estate behind the goal. A brilliant performance from everyone - without exception. With no game next week I suggest the team wanders off into the desert for 40 days and nights and then rocks up with a few miracles against Richmond on the 21-Feb.

Team: Lee Tearle(GK), Mark Jones, Simon Wilshire, Tom Alexander, Nick Thomson, Adrian Barnardo, Conor Macklin, Loz Mockery, Gus Barnard, Neil Gallagher, Dougal Davis, Paul Burrows, Simon Riley.

Umpire: Marilyn Walker

Scorer: Simon Riley (2)

Next Match: Saturday 21st February vs. Richmond - away

Men's 5s vs. Southgate Goblets: won 5-0

Opposition couldn't raise a team.

Next game: Saturday 14th February vs. St Albans - 14.30 away

Men's 6s: no game

Women's 1's vs. Hounslow & Ealing: Lost 0-7

Question: How do you score 3 goals away from home and still lose? Answer: When you score for the opposition. Oh, and they also put 4 past us all by themselves. We were as awful as they were good and we need to get back to basics.

Team: Jo Malkin, Emma Ward, Alex Crawford, Kath Sowter, Hilary Collins, Clare Spencer, Rachel Lander, Ali Rendu, Charley Williams, Martha Harvey-Jones, EJ Barry, Mary Clark, Dani Every, Bettina Wolff

Scorers: Kath, Spence, Hils

Next Match: Saturday 14 February vs. Reading - 14:30pm @ Alleyn's

Women's 2s vs. Spencer: lost 2-1

Possibly our most frustrating game of the season so far. Could have. Should have. Didn't. Had the coach, had the players, had the subs, had the possession, had the shots on goal, had the short corners .......... zzzz !! It was a parade ground of missed opportunities - except for the marvelous corner Sarah scored (a replica of Wednesday night's drilling) ruinously disallowed by the umpire. (He was later overheard admitting his error to the opposition. Thanks for that, Cyclops.) They scored first in the first 15: a quick break and George was cut adrift from her defence. Bravely she pressed forward, but the jammy dodger slipped passed her and well, you know how the story goes. Some deft passing through midfield and up front saw several opportunities for us in the D. (I'll come back to that later). We then managed to score from one of our 2 zillion short corners (nice one Marth). Half time, 1-1, looking good. But another quick break goal from them 10 minutes into the 2nd half, and a series of barren short corners from us, saw the pressure valve tightening. We had the rest of the possession, even more short corners, but none of the luck. Want to hear Selway's Top Sporting Tip Number 503. All those who failed to score (me, big time) line up together against the fence at DC and listen to your teammates sing repeatedly, to the tune of Why Are We Waiting?, "How many chances, How-ow many chances, Oh how many chances, Do you need?". Kill or cure.

Your hard luck Hannahs were: George Sykes, Kate Blumer, Jo de Silva, Alex Hardy, Emma Matebalavu, Emma Ward, Karen Milburn, Martha Harvey-Jones, Sarah Longair, Liz Young, Bettina Wolff, Zoey Handforth, Kate Selway.

Scorer: Martha Harvey-Jones

Next league match: Saturday 28 February vs. Wimbledon - away (friendly at home this weekend)

Women's 3s vs. Surbiton 3s: lost 1-2

This game was billed as a six pointer between the bottom teams in the division, but you might not have spotted that from THD's casual response in the first half. We have taken the idea of having a goalkeeper seriously and want her to feel very much involved, so Jenny rose to the occasion. In many ways we were lucky to be only 1 down at half time. A re-organisation and some stern words from Jules O'H provided a bit more spirit during the second half, although when Jules declared in frustration that she might have to take herself off I wasn't expecting her to go the route of the yellow card - we did have a sub! This led to some more re-organisation which saw Frances move from sweeper to centre forward. A lovely move through the 25 and into the "D" from Ruth saw Frances with the ball with an impossibly acute angle to shoot from, but Frances made it look easy and it was fantastic hearing the ball hit the backboard - its been a while! At 1-1 the spirit was definitely there to win but allowing a cross into the D to reach one of their forwards unmarked and two yards out can have devastating results. So close and yet nul points.

Team: Anna Barrett; Frances Bowen; Charlotte Rayner; Erica Goldsmith; Joanna Reynolds; Karen Dodds; Lou Curry; Ruth Pratt; Janine Nicholls; Jules Ingham; Jenny Wilkins; Julie O'Hara.

Umpire: Steve Powell

Scorer: Frances Bowen

Next game: Epsom 3s away - billed as a friendly but that's not going to be our attitude!!

Women's 4s vs. Wanderers: drew 0-0

Our new found arrogance suits us it seems. We rocked up in dribs and drabs and in various states of hangover to play the top of the league at the ill fated Crystal Palace Bar pitch - not a flying pooch in sight this week, thankfully. Our slight sense of trepidation was exacerbated by the sight of approximately 100 identically track suited professional looking girls in a military style warm up which lasted almost 20 mins!! Anyway when we had finished watching and wondering how come they weren't going to be too tired to play at this rate the game got underway. And we were excellent - our marking was impeccable and we had them under pressure from the start. They were good too (about an eighth as good as us I would say) and Mel B got her first clean sheet in goal with some truly excellent keeping - there was just no way they were going past her! We had plenty of chances and depending on who you are and at what angle you were standing to the goal we actually scored one in a goalmouth scramble for which the umpire gave us a short corner instead of a goal. The game flowed nicely as the umpires played some often very interesting advantage but it gave us the chance to really get into it instead of merely stopping and starting. Anyway that is by the by - did I mention how good we were? In case I didn't, we were brilliant. Everyone played really well, Esther made some storming runs and was named well deserved Man of the Match followed closely by Mel B and LPS. In fact everyone had to have two votes for Man of the Match because everyone was just too damned good! No game next week and then something pointless like a friendly the week after. Just hope we can keep up the arrogance! Shouldn't be too much of a problem as quite frankly, we are.

Team: Mel Bastin; Catherine Garvey; LP Stuttard; Esther; Linds McLaren; Kate Fuller; Emily Halliday; Isabel Drewe; Emma Billsdon; Claire Whitehead; Andrea Vicari; Marie Smith.

Women's 5s vs. Addiscombe : lost 1-2

We had a fight on our hands just to get on to the pitch when we arrived at DC on Saturday morning. There was a rank of squeaky-voiced schoolboys on the sidelines (who should plainly have been in detention) claiming that the pitch was booked for them. But we saw them off without any problems - if only I could say the same about Addiscombe. We were level pegging in the league, with everything to play for, but they dominated the first half, and we were soon 1-0 down. Our chance came with a penalty flick just before the break.Captain Ash stepped up for the challenge, and using all her ex-goalie insider knowledge, she slipped it past the keeper. It wasn't flashy or showy, but it was in the back of the net, right where it counted. With a minute to go, the score was still 1-1. Then their umpire gave a short corner off a dodgy decision. Even though the backs were exhausted after their ferocious battle, they managed to prevent a goal. But there was another short corner, and this time Addiscombe weren't going to miss. The whistle blew, and in spite of my promises last week, the 5s had lost again. But the scoreline is an improvement - largely thanks to tireless defending by Vicky, Katherine, Jean, Nicole and Rachel, with special praise going to those who laid their lives on the line against the mighty power of number 65 (I bet she was a ringer). And, now I come to think about it, Tash had a great game too. No match next week, but the week after we're coming back with a vengeance. And we WILL win.

Team: Vicky Adkins, Jean Sutton, Nicole Yost , Rachel Fallows, Katherine Dixon, Elizabeth Hibbard, Frances Barber, Sarah Smith, Tash Riordan-Eva, Steph Kee, Ashley McDonald.

Scorer: Ash McDonald

Women's 6s vs. Old Kingstonians 3s: won 5-3

Forget the 'we played excellently and should have won' routine. This was silky, creaseless, 110% full fat hockey. Surprises and the unexpected were the mainstay of this week's game. For many players, this was our first game since Xmas so we were expecting to need resuscitation by half time. Far from it as we were 2-1 up having played our best hockey for a while. We played as a team, spoke to each other on pitch and deserved the lead. We dominated possession easily with good tackling and fluid passing between midfield and forwards. The first goal from me (!!) after a superb cross by Michelle across an open goal, and the second from Jocelyn within minutes of coming on pitch. OKs scored several minutes later but the half time whistle gave us a chance to regroup. If we thought we played well in the first half, then the second was Dom Perignon hockey. Superb, accurate passes from Hilary and Martina at the back to the forwards saw a second goal for Jocelyn who slammed it passed the keeper, but OKs came back with a penalty corner and a well worked goal. Claire was unlucky, and had made excellent saves earlier on. At 3-2 and with OKs threatening an equaliser by working their way down their wings, I thought we were going to say our usual 'thanks very much for having us to play. we don't really want to win, here....have a few goals', but our goals kept coming! A second one for me from the top of D from a pass by Jo in the middle let us breathe a little easier at 4-2 That was short-lived as a fast break by OKs and a cracking shot saw them pull it back to 4-3. The final 10 minutes lasted forever, and we had several more shots blocked - it could have been 8-3 by now had all our shots gone in! Our final goal was courtesy of Hazel, who did brilliantly running away down the right wing to cross to Vicky who gave it back to hazel for our fifth. Thrilling stuff.

Team: Claire Bell., Martina van de Leij., Kate Straker, Claudine Ratnayake, Jo Hillyer. Sveta Patel,. Gigi Ho. Hazel Dawson, Jocelyn Maximé, Hilary Fielding, Wendy Tang., Vicky Wright, Michelle Morgan

Scorers: Gigi Ho 2, Jocelyn Maximé 2, Hazel Dawson

Next match: Saturday 14th February vs. Mid Surrey - 11.30 @ Alleyn's

Dragons vs. Real Battersea: drew 2-2

Having lost heavily to Real last time, there was a definite need to show them that the Dragons were far from a push over. After a scrappy first half the score remained at 0-0 although THD had squandered the best of the chances to take a lead. Real, obviously confused as to why they were not leading, put all their play makers on the pitch at the same time and promptly went down a goal from the old fashioned routine of the ball being leathered into the D at Mach 1 and the very brave Jules putting all on the line to get to the ball. The level of greed and arrogance of Real, instead of being diminished, rose and they promptly scored two goals. But with 10 minutes to go and an unmistakable desire to at least return to parity, THD stepped it up and JT did the honours in levelling the score. All in all, a fair result in a game we certainly could have lost (I've edited that....it was a top result).

Team: Charley Williams, Alex Hardy, Jules Ingham, George Sykes, Michelle Morgan, Louise Curry, Aidan Brock, Will Morgan, Simon Wilshire (briefly), James Terrett, Mark Pulford, Gareth Norris, John Craven, John Kirby.

Scorers: Jules Ingham, JT

Next match: Sunday 15th February vs. Daiquiris - 12.30 @ Battersea Park

Back to top <<<