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 01-Apr-04

Issue 22

Message from the Editor - very sorry for the delay in the match reports. Just imagine you've been asleep for three weeks - it's a rude awakening.....

match reports by: Justin Collins, Aidan Brock, James Terrett, Will Morgan, Mark Jones, Ian Cooper, Richard Taylor, Kate Selway, Joanna Reynolds and Marie Smith.

Mens 1's vs. Maidenhead: drew 1-1

A point away at Maidenhead ensured we were safe from relegation and whilst that has looked increasingly unlikely as the season has worn on, it is a relief to make it a mathematical certainty. With 2 games still to play, we have avoided the rigours of seasons past in having to win the last 2 games to stay up. It is encouraging that we can look back on games like this, and others, not with relief at avoiding defeat, but with frustration, that we should and could have got more. We dominated much of the game, taking a 1-0 half-time lead, with Joel at last finding that scoring touch. We had many more chances though and really should have put the game to bed early doors, following their early penalty flick miss. This dominance continued for much of the 2nd period. We missed a couple of open goals, and paid for our profligacy as Maidenhead took hold of the game for the last 15 minutes or so, equalising and coming close on a couple of other occasions. By that stage though their goal should have been nothing more than consolation. So far then, a season of light, interspersed with the occasional dark patch, but looking to prolonged bright spells in the future. Whilst you cannot change the nature of the beast, we have to repeat our glimpses of brilliance, as the scorpion said to the fox, after eating its last meal (with apologies, Olly, the most profound thinker in any long away trip car journey since Ed Stevenson).

Scorer: Joel Burrows

Men's 2s vs. Wayfarers: lost 3-4

In the words of Sir Winston Churchill, "No one can guarantee success in war, but only deserve it". We certainly deserved to win this particular battle. Wayfarers may have expected an easy ride against the second from bottom team in the league but they, like many before them, discovered how dangerous it is to underestimate us. We played direct, attractive hockey from the outset and Wayfarers were lucky to go into an early lead from their first short corner after 10 minutes. We have learned not to panic in these situations and were rewarded when Pully equalised from a short 5 minutes later - the ball took the keeper with it into the net such was the ferocity of the strike. Cue sublime open play goal # 1. Graeme picks the ball up in our half, swivels and lays the ball to Nick Harris, tracking back from the right wing. Nick pushes a beautifully weighted ball between the advancing defenders towards the corner flag. Chris shoots after the ball and hits an awesome first time cross just as it neared the backline for Lee to slide in and finish at the far post. Jaw dropping silence followed and then a lot of THD whooping. Wayfarers were stunned and started running into each other and arguing amongst themselves. Then I let in a soft open play goal to make it 2-2 at half time. In the second half. we continued to play beautiful passing hockey with Mark W, Graeme and Ferg pulling the strings in the middle. Cue sublime open play goal #2. Pully has the ball between our 25 and half way line. Yours truly, his outfield instincts still sharp (pity his goalkeeping ones weren't) spots a defence splitting pass and is about to shout, but too late, Pully has already obliged by hitting a bullet of a pass through aforementioned gap to Clifford, who is one-on-one with the keeper. Their keeper saves but Nick J follows up for 3-2. Then we concede two soft short corner goals and all is lost. Nevertheless, as our die hard touch line manager Chris Richman pointed out, it was the best hockey we played all season and although we lost, it was a very enjoyable game - if it weren't for that pesky keeper (me) we would have deservedly won. Sorry chaps.

Team: Aido, Neil Happs, Ferg Jagger, Mark Pulford, Chris Coleman, Graeme Fotheringham, Mark Williams, Lee Snowden, Clifford Brown, Wes Cole, Nick Harris, Nick Jacob.

Scorers: Pully, Lee S, Nick J.

Men's 3s vs. Wayfarers: won 4-0

A pulsating match saw the 3s finish their season on a high, and in a respectable 7th position in the league when a few matches ago, it seemed we would finish an embarrassing 9th. A re-jigged back line held firm throughout the match (technically we have now gone over 140mins without conceding a goal) and to be frank they didn't ever look like they could weasel a goal out of us. It didn't help their cause when one of their forwards dislocated his shoulder after a tumble in the "D". Apparently this once happened to Julian and he said he put it straight back in place by hitting the ball very hard. The opposing player said he'd rather take his chances at the hospital - wimp. A quickly taken free-hit and cool finish by Geoff gave us our lead but we couldn't convert any other chances in the first half. In the second, we soaked up some Wayfarers pressure before Phil stroked another home to bring us back into control after a fine break away through Julian and then on to me. The halves worked relentlessly, in particular Dougal, who as Man of the Match showed more energy than the rest of the team put together. Duncan bashed home a further strike after out-sprinting the Wayfarers defence and Geoff capped off a clinical display by roofing a flick five minutes from the end. An uncompromising performance that has made this season very enjoyable and it has been a pleasure to captain the team in dogged pursuit of total hockey.

Team: Lee Tearle, Guy Hodgson, Stuart Craig, Mark Jones, Julian Taylor, James Terrett, Duncan McCulloch, Graeme Evans, Geoff Pritchard, Dougal Davis, Phil Hines, Simon Wilshire.

Umpires: Simon Newell and Toby Wheadon

Scorers: Geoff Pritchard 2, Phil Hines, Duncan McCulloch.

Men's 4As vs. London Wayfarers: lost 3-4

It took an extremely resilient and fortunate Wayfarers side to pick up the 3 points here. They couldn't argue they were a better team on the day, nor could we say that we wasted our chances. Rather this was a seriously good contest that would have ended in no worse than a draw but for a fortunate ricochet off a foot and an uncharacteristic mistake on a hit out. We led this game all the way until the final 10 minutes. But it was one of our last games of the season and perhaps it was a question of confidence more than anything else. Either way, we played some good hockey aided by a cameo appearance from none other than the Camel and welcoming back some notable absentees from the last few games. There were plenty of good individual performances but perhaps the most encouraging thing was that all 3 goals came from open play - while , there's no denying that short corners have not been our speciality, it's much more satisfying to score from free play after all. The first goal came after 2 good attempts on goal were blocked (illegally), a good advantage was played and Clifford made no mistake in thumping it home. Our next involved some good passing play and a decent thwack into the D from Adrian which was instinctively diverted past the keeper from Clifford. Our third again came from a decent passage of play with Ed receiving and going for goal and me goal-hanging in order make sure the ball hit home. Another earlier chance bounced off the post and could have been followed up while we had quite a few attempts blocked or saved. It was end to end stuff and we even denied them a weakly taken p flick given because someone hit the ball at Grant! Bring on the derby...

Team: Gavin (GK), Tim Parker, Vishal Phakey, Mark Jones, Grant Spencer, Adrian Meredith, Will Morgan, Dave Eacott, The Camel, Rich Fenton, Norm Doyle, Ed Standring, Clifford Brown.

Umpire: Aidan Brock

Scorers: Clifford (2), Will (1)

Tornados (Men's 4Bs) vs. Hampstead & Westminster: lost 1-3

This was always going to be a very hard game as Hampstead needed the points to secure their top spot. Then imagine their surprise when a rare Conor Macklin goal put them one down within the first 10 minutes. Shortly after they were reeling when Mark Beaney nearly doubled the lead with a carbon copy of the previous goal... bar it actually going in. It was about this point in the game when Hampstead got their act together and the balance of power shifted in their favour. Incessant attacks resulted in an onslaught of short-corners. Many were repulsed, but their routines were so well drilled that it was only a matter of time until they scored. 3 goals later and after a commendable performance, the full time whistle went. It was a dogged and well fought showing that was worthy of the 4Bs, but the winners deserved it. Hampstead will get promoted and rightly so.

Team: Lee Tearle(GK), Mark Jones, Tom Alexander, Neil Gallagher, Nick Thomson, JT, Mark Pulford, Dougal Davis, Mark Beaney, Conor Macklin, Richard Taylor, Lee Snowden & Simon Riley.

Umpire: Simon Newell

Scorer: Conor Macklin

Men's 5s vs. London Wayfarers: lost 2-6

Last game of a difficult season of our stay in the A league (for which thanks to all for persevering) and of the general passing of time. Having attracted our largest crowd for decades (nearly double figures), things seemed somewhat different to normal. Indeed with a spare pitch beforehand and, even more bizarrely a full complement of players, we were able to start the game ten minutes early. Alas, by the correct (scheduled) start time we were 4-0 down. The right of any writer and teller of great stories, is the option to start his (or her) fable when it feels most correct to do. So the correct start time it is, and a score of 2-2. For sixty minutes the opposition had their backs to the wall and were wondering what hit them. As indeed it did, when Stuart quite literally walked the ball in to the net from a short corner and Mark lashed a rasper in from the edge of the area. God, we were good. They may have seen the back of us, but no one can fault the team for effort and application this season. Stirring echoes of days gone by. Thanks everyone.

Team: Paul Reid, Bill Dowie, Stuart Craig, Vadim Jean, Thom Ruane, Graeme Evans, Ian Cooper, Richard Batty, Matt Ruane, Si Riley, Mark Smith, Tom Alexander.

Umpire: Jonathan

Scorers: Stuart Craig, Mark Smith

Men's 6s vs. Hampstead & Westminster: Won 3-1

A very good performance all round and a well deserved victory for us. A tough match on the best of days, we seemed to be up for this match psychologically. The first half was goalless but not without incident. H&W hit the post on one occasion and had other scoring opportunities that Peter managed to keep out. We had our chances in open play and some short corners but couldn't convert them either. The second half saw us go down 1-0 with in 5 mins of the restart. Our response was superb. We battled well and played a more physical game. Tommy equalised with a fine finish to draw the score levels and, not content with one goal, we went straight back to cause more trouble for their defenders. It was not long later that Tommy put away his second goal. With this, H&W heads went down and Conor put the icing on the cake with our third goal. A fine victory. Thanks to Conor for umpiring the first half and playing the second, also to Richard M for umpiring the second half.

Team: Peter Adams, Andy Bond, Mike McKinnon, Richard Mead, Mike Wright, Tim Smith, RT, Nick Phipps, Ben Lones, Conor (Macklin?), Tommy Cairns, Al Fraser.

Scorers: Tommy Cairns 2, Conor

Men's 6s vs. St Albans Citizens: lost 4-0 (Sunday 14th March)

On a very wet and windy afternoon miles away form home, the 6ths once again went to battle, albeit knackered from the day before match. But a new voice in Aido seemed to lift our game. With only 11 players and playing the second from top team we were always going to struggle, yet the first 20 mins saw us play extremely well. The passing was excellent and interplay between the whole team was some of the best we have done all season. We soaked up the pressure very well but eventually St Albans got a goal past us. The second goal came within minutes. However, our heads didn't go down and we kept passing the ball around. We continued to play well for the first 20 minutes of the second half but then the back to back games began to take their toll. Our attacking moves dwindled and the defence became more frantic. St Albans scored twice more, one from a very well struck short corner, the other from open play, but despite the scoreline, it was an extremely good performance under the circumstance. Two games in one weekend is tough. Thanks to Aido for helping out.

Team: Peter Adams, Andy Bond, Mike McKinnon, Richard Mead, Mike Wright, Tim Smith, RT, Nick Phipps, Ben Lones, Aidan Brock, Al Fraser

Women's 1s vs. Epsom: drew 1-1

Team: Jo Malkin, Emma Ward, Alex Crawford, Hilary Collins, Clare Spencer, Rachel Lander, Ali Rendu, Charley Williams, Danielle Every, Bettina Wolff, Martha Harvey-Jones, EJ Barry, Amy Gardiner

Scorer: Rachel Lander

Women's 2s vs. Richmond on 6 March at DC, lost 1-0.

On paper, something of a David & Goliath clash. League leaders Richmond have won every game so far this season, and now have a stupendous tally of goals and a massive goal difference. To be blunt, we were expecting a sound thrashing. But, as Tolkien reminds us, if you are dare to hope when hope has surely gone, then the most unexpected things can happen. And at some strange metamorphic moment approximately 11.5 minutes into the first half there was a palpable surge of THD self-belief and we began to think that we actually might triumph, never mind escape the inevitable Richmond goal-fest. We soon realised they'd come visiting without their classiest player but we were still surprised to be retaining so much possession in our attacking half and giving them what might well turn out to be their closest game of the season. The back four played with a determination normally only seen in gerbils on exercise wheels (except for a slight blip late in the second half when Jo quietly clocked out to go to the theatre!), the midfield played with flair and stamina, and the forwards all worked creatively to vex the Richmond defenders. Yes, okay, we slipped into the fairly mediocre for patches of the game, and our short corners certainly weren't all they could have been, but they didn't score until minutes before the end. And are we proud of that? Damn right!

Team: George Sykes, Jo de Silva, Alex Hardy, Kate Selway, Emma Matebalavu, Amy Gardiner, Martha Harvey-Jones, Louise Morgan, Karen Milburn, Bettina Wolff, Liz Young, Jacqs Broers.

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

It was a tough old game against a well organised side with fit, fast and skilful forwards. We were under loads of pressure in the first half - despite an excellent first 15 where we could have scored - and conceded 2 goals before the break. We weren't playing terribly but neither were we playing well. After half time we came out with more determination and were the better team, getting a deserved goal: Sarah hit out the short corner and deflected the return from Frances in from the post. But sadly, despite our pressure, that was it. But remember Wayfarers are 4th and earlier in the season a 2-1 defeat when we weren't at our best would have been great. Julie scared Pam Gregory (and that was just her name!) and is playing better and better and Jules continues to delight. Huge thanks to Jo de Silva and Sarah for coming to play and to Claire for her first game in goal - what a storming second half. All we have to do is beat Phoenix this Saturday and we can go to the dinner happy...

Team: Claire Leung, Claire Paterson, Joanna Reynolds, Charlotte Bowen-Rayner, Jo de Silva, Julie O'Hara, Frances Bowen-Rayner, Sarah Longair, Erica Goldsmith, Jules Ingham, Ruth Pratt, Rosie Hornsby

Scorer: Sarah Longair

Women's 4s vs. Ladies 4's v. Richmond Lost 1-2

Players came from miles around to take on Richmond, a big thank you to everyone who volunteered and also to Anna B and Alex for their support from the side-line. It was end to end stuff with a lot of commitment from everyone, special mention to Emma who ran her socks off and got on to every long ball that came her way. The first half saw a 2-0 defeat but by the second half we'd learnt each others names and gelled to form some good passing play leading to a 1-0 win. So, having never played together as a team, and it being on the bobbliest of bobbly water based, I think 2-1 wasn't all that bad. Our goal was cunningly engineered by Mel and her magic walloping stick and LPS was born again from a short corner. Vix made a welcome return in goal and showed that she hadn't lost it with some great saves and Mel as sweeper did her job to perfection combining vision with awesome hit-outs! Joint Man-of the match goes to these two.