Match Reports 2004/05

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

Mon 21-Feb-05

Issue 15 & 16

Half term week sees another bumper newsletter with two weeks worth of reports to distract you from the perils of a Monday morning. There's news of a glorious weekend (8 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss make the 5-6 February a THD date to remember), a welcome return to the fold for Shorty, a first ever goal for the lovely Hilary Collins and an equally fruitful foray up-front for a "pacy" Simon Wiltshire (additional adjectives appreciated). This edition, however, is dedicated to youth not misspent, as other teams cotton on to the Sophie Carter phenomenon currently in vogue amongst the Women's 3s. Sophie herself continued to show an admirable disrespect for reputations, taking her season's tally against Woking Vets to five, while THD U18 tyros, Jack Davidson and Simon Glasson, braved initiation into the Men's 1s and waltzed off with joint man of the match awards against Jersey. For the women, Emma Kitley and Rosie Carter, at 15 and 14 respectively, have bolstered a 1s squad beset by the twin age-related absences of weddings and injuries - but even they can't avoid looking over their shoulder as younger siblings loom. The future's red and green....

reports by: Joel Burrows, Dave Casement, Gareth Weir, Aidan Brock, Chris Coleman, James Terrett, Mark Jones, Chris Richman, Kath Sowter, Gemma Baker, EJ Barry, Kate Selway, Joanna Reynolds, Marie Smith, Katherine Dixon, Emma Gilchrist, Michelle Morgan.

5-6 February

Men's 1s vs. Staines: won 2-1

This was Boyzone boys own stuff. There were more casualties of war than after the first half hour of Saving Ryan's Privates when we turned up at a dark desolate Staines park to take on the west side posse ayyeeee! Gregory Arthur McAllister looked like a bad day in Bosnia and claimed to be suffering from flu - absolute bollocks - he just wanted to do an even shorter warm up than usual and managed to walk onto the pitch 2 mins before pass back . Pete, Andy and Rab looked like they had just been told on the Friday night that this was the last night ever that they were allowed to drink Tennents Super and were in less than sparkling form in the warm up. It was only the battle rousing Norn Irish cries of our skipper that kept us awake as we trudged to the pitch to take on me Julies from Staines. We started the game playing Ossie Ardiles' infamous Xmas tree formation with Dave Weir the key playmaker, Joel Burrows using his deceptive pace up front (he really is slower than he looks) and Tom Curry playing the David Batty role in midfield - it didn't work and we were soon behind to an outstanding strike from Staines Kazakhstan International Borat Zweterbolofski. He was sensational! We had to dig deep and we did, we went to the well , we knew from Commandant Banwell that it was all about the inches (if anyone's got any spare!?) and we opened up 2 bags of ssshhh and a 6 pack of whoop ass on the oppo. They crumbled, we scored, they fell to pieces, we scored again and it was all over red rover. (JB)

Men's 1s vs. Jersey (HA Trophy): won 5-2

Sunday morning dawned bright and warm and the squad arrived at HQ for our clash against Jersey in the HA Trophy in buoyant mood having taken all three points from Staines the day before. Reports that the opposition had taken the opportunity for a Saturday night out in London proved false and with only three other teams on the island to play against, Jersey were intent on taking a mainland scalp. We started strongly though and within five minutes a move down our right saw Olly Morgan driving into their D. The ball became loose, however we reacted first and Cuzza tucked away our first goal of the day. A period of solid possession followed but Jersey pressed and equalised and shortly afterwards took the lead. Losing not being part of our game plan we quickly took back control wining a short corner which Andy B slotted home with ease. Then came the turning point of the game. With players missing through injury, our new young guns, Jack and Simon, were called into the fray. A change of personnel up front saw Jack on his first full debut make an immediate impact. Latching on to a through ball, Jack turned and launched an unstoppable strike passed the keeper. Five minutes later and another rapier strike - this time on Jack's reverse side put us two ahead at the break. Jersey had no reply and the second half saw a solid team performance with the backs, midfield and forwards linking well. With ten to go a move up our right flank saw the ball flashed across the D where Jack narrowly missed his hat trick, but Cuzza was on hand to steer in our fifth and final goal. A great all round team performance and particular thanks to Morgs for his culinary skills. Bring on the next round on the 27th and fingers crossed a chance at a final and silverware where premiership footballer wristbands will be compulsory...(DC)

Team: Andrew Eames, Gareth Weir, Oliver Morgan, Andy Balchin, David Weir, Tom Curry, Dave Casement, Chris Roberts, Simon Glasson, Jack Davidson, Tim Howarth, Felix Nurse, John Craven.

Scorers: Jack (2) Cuzza (2) Andy B.

Men of the Match: Simon Glasson and Jack Davidson

Men's 2s vs. Maidenhead 2s: won 3-1

Having once again been ravaged by moves up to the 1's and work-related unavailability it was a relief to go have 13 players following the late cancellation of the 3's game. We started strongly, playing the best and most fluid 20 minutes of hockey it has been my pleasure to be involved in this season. However, after going 2 goals up (deflection into the roof of the net and goal mouth scramble respectively from Potty) we took our foot off the pedal and started dribbling far too much. Luckily we got away with it, but if we play like that against other teams we won't. Special thanks to Diesel (so called because he has been known to put diesel into petrol cars - don't let him loose in service stations), who after lulling the oppo into a false sense of security with his woodstockesque long hair and beard made some great intercepts and tackles at centre back, and to Neil, Paul and Nick from the 3's who made the trek across to help out and all acquitted themselves admirably. We have moved up to fifth in the league but with two games in hand if we carry on our winning ways second place beckons..... (AB)

Team: Wiggy, Aido, Neil Happs, Diesel, Matt Groom, Ferg, Bungle, Wardrobe, Timbo, Paul Harvey, Potty, Snowy, Nick Jacob.

Scorers: Potty (2), Nick Jacob

Men's 3s vs. Maidenhead: won 5-0 (walkover)

Yes - you guessed it, just like any horny teenager Maidenhead have pulled out at the last minute. We have claimed a five nil. And to make Nick Jacobs have something to aim for Chris Coleman has claimed all five goals! (CC)

Tornados vs. Maidenhead: won 1-0

It was the best of times and it was the worst of times. A match that clichés were quite literally invented for. A game of two halves - the half we should have scored in and the half we did! The fat lady was going through her vocal warm-ups within the first few minutes as the game could have been over sooner. The tornados ripped through the opposition like a... umm... tornado, I guess. Playing against almost certain candidates for the drop, the tornados showed why they wont be joining them. The scoreline flatters Maidenhead - with two disallowed goals and a missed penalty flick being the highlights of over 30 attempts on goal. A workmanlike display that showed why 4th XI hockey shouldn't be played on a water based pitch - although Nick Jones' Olympic dive/toboggan run goal would have resulted in severe skin-loss at Dulwich College. As the final whistle went there could be only one winner... they'll be partying in the streets of Dulwich tonite. (MJ)

Team: Lee Tearle (GK), Mark Jones, Neil Smith, Tom Alexander, Nick Jones, Rich Fenton, Si Riley, Warren Holme, Loz Mockery, Keith Mockery, Neil Gallagher, Dougal Davis, Dave Fogden, Thom Ruane & Will Atkinson.

Scorer: Nick Jones.

Man of the Match: Foggy.

Umpire: Simon Newell

Men's 6s vs. Maidenhead 3As: drew 1-1

Cow's a*se and banjo spring to mind. Failure to beat the bottom club and losing in the rugby, all adds up to one word: GUTTED. (CR)

Team: Tao McCloud, Will Pendrill, Fergus Johnson, Mike McKinnon, Andy Bond, Richard Mead, Colin Leeman, Stuart Craig, Mike Wright, Ian Roberts, Tim Smith, Chris Richman, Kim Keats, Nick Phipps.

Scorer: Chris Richman

Women's 1s vs. Teddington: won 3-2

Pink and Brown is only slightly worse than green and red and so it was proved on the day. We didn't play particularly well in the first half and went down to a soft goal in the first few minutes. Never mind, these days we seem to have worked out how to score at the other end and our heads did not go down. A new boyfriend on the sideline is never usually a bad thing to pull out a good performance and Rach worked tirelessly to display her hockey playing skills to her new beau! Good attacking play resulted in a corner and just like Bo Derek teasingly emerging from the sea, up stepped our very own blonde bombshell - the lovely Hils - to score her first ever...yes, her first ever, outdoor goal. After half time we started to take hold of the game, only to go behind again. Despite Charley's efforts, three of them hacking away at her was just about enough to force the ball home. But up stepped our gorgeous blonde for another corner, although this time she turned provider for Charley to deflect the ball into the net. From that point on we didn't look like losing, and with 10 minutes to go a superb shot by Martha from the edge of the D allowed EJ the simplest of tap ins for a well fought victory. (Kath)

Team: Pipes, Hilary Collins, Clare Byrne, Kath Sowter, Wardy, Charley Williams, Rachel Lander, Gemma Baker, Martha Harvey-Jones, Emma, EJ Barry, Sarah Longair.

Scorers: Hils, Charley, EJ.

Women's 2s vs. Wimbledon 2As: drew 1-1

You won't believe the superlative pre-match preparation for this week's game - Serra left herself an hour to get to DC from Wembley on a dodgy Jubilee line and didn't make it at all; Glamour Muldoon arrived in perfect time still beautifully made up from her morning's Channel 4 (5?) photo shoot; Denise marked the end of her 7 year hockey drought with the purchase of some space age silver astros that had the rest of the team reaching for their sunglasses; Emma had just played 70 minutes but was happy to do it all again; and Pipes thought she was umpiring but we shoved her up front at right wing instead. And that made 11. Just. At least that's what La Longair said, and she's just spent a week counting the words in the title of her MA thesis so she should know. This team beat us 4-0 in October (mainly as a result of a 15 minute nightmare in the first half) but, happily, this was not a repeat of that experience, although it certainly wasn't text book hockey: scrappy rather than pretty, gritty rather than graceful. We went 1-0 down as a result of ball-watching rather than marking, but Alex Crawford saved the day, scoring in her 4th successive game. We hung on for the draw, despite going down to 10 for the last 8 minutes after the ball claimed Alex Hardy's left cheekbone (apparently she's been hiding in her office all week - today's colour theme is yellow). All in all, on this occasion, a point did nicely thank you. (Kate)

This week's battling Berthas were: George Sykes, Jules Ingham, Kate Blumer, Alex Crawford, Alex Hardy, Lucy Muldoon, Sarah Longair, Liz Young, Emma Kitley, Denise Davis, Jo Malkin.

Scorer: Alex Crawford. Players of the match: Kate Blumer & Alex Hardy.

Umpire: Ferrett

Women's 3s vs. Woking Vets: won 3-1

What a difference a week makes. Last week fit, well drilled early 20 somethings. This week, slower, older 40 somethings. Difficult week getting a team together but in the end there were 11 of us, all there on time (just!) and all playing in positions we like. And it just got better from there. Sophie continued her scoring streak against Woking, slotting in the first goal from an excellent move down the right (Beth had already sent a number of fine crosses into the circle). We then withstood some pressure and helen and Lou combined in a left hand post scramble for Lou to score. Woking came out fighting in the second half and scored but we didn't panic. Instead we continued to play good hockey - especially as they tired - and Sophie struck once again. She had a great chance to buy a jug but her audacious shot went just wide of the post. Incredibly difficult to pick out a player. Krystyna had a quiet game (little to do) but what she did, she did excellently. Karen, Beth and Erica played great down the right. Anna was wonderfully controlled at CH and Cath never let her player past. Jo held the middle and set up some great moves and Lou seemed so happy to be back at LH she ran her socks off. Helen enjoyed playing her holding CF role and making Sophie and Erica run! ~But the player of the day goes to Sophie. Kind of Sophie 5, Woking Vets 1. She has beaten them single handedly, and not only did she score but she was all over the pitch, taking them on, running past them and playing her best hockey of the season. It was a joy to watch. big smiles all round. What a difference a win makes! (JR)

Team: Krystyna, Joanna Reynolds, Karen Dodds, Anna Stuttard, Cath Garvey, Beth Little, Jo De Silva, Lou Curry, Erica Goldsmith, Helen Singleton, Sophie Carter.

Scorers: Sophie Carter 2, Lou Curry.

Umps: all theirs and very good.

Women's 4s vs. Wimbledon 3s: lost 1-2

Yet another very unfortunate loss against what appeared to be a team consisting of mostly elbows who had clearly concentrated in their last training session on seminars in 'stick tackling - hear the whistle & do it anyway' and 'where to hit your opposition for maximum impact'. Not a single person on our team came away without bruises - the best being Linds M (ball in the head), Rosie (stick round the legs) & Marie (elbow in throat), not to mention the hundreds of near misses with their sticks swinging akimbo. Anyway, back to the game - we scored first as they were too busy concentrating on their sweepstake of who could break the first THD bone. A cross from Marie on the left was picked up by Lyns B and calmly slotted away. Then they scored - I can't remember it much, I had something in my eye - I think it was their centre back. Both teams had loads of chances and our landslide MOTM Vix in goal made some absolutely stupendous saves, bending like she has never bent before to keep them at bay, but unfortunately they managed to bag another in I think the second half - I cant remember that either, I had been hit on the head a lot by then. (MS)

Team: Vix (GK, MOTM); Anna Stuttard; Rosie Le Voir; Helen Clarke; Isabelle Drewe; Rona Francis; Adele; Linds McLaren; Lyns B; Emily Tearle; Andrea Vicari; Claire Whitehead; Marie Smith; Nikki Smithies; Mel Rees.

Scorer: Lynsey B.

Umpires: Steve P and Wendy.

Umpire last week: Riley (thanks for offering to cycle to our game to avoid the traffic to ensure you'd make your game!)

Women's 5s vs. Purley Walcountians 4: won 5-2

The game may have been inauspiciously scheduled to face stiff competition from The Six Nations Championship, Yet, less than five minutes into the match, and the crowds of spectators lining the pitch at nearly 5 o'clock in the suburbs of the Croydon metropolis knew they had made the right decision. With seven goals it was a thriller and Team Five were playing the hockey top scorer Ashley Macdonald had only dreamed of. The forwards were hungry, the halves inspirational, the defence solid. A frustrating 2-2 scoreline at half time pushed the team even harder. Three goals later and Team Five had secured a convincing and very well-deserved victory. Brilliant play from Kathryn Oliver on the right, an excellent performance from the whole team and an unfortunate bruised cheek for Sarah. (KD)

Team: Wendy Tang, Penny Ganser, Vicky, Sarah Smith, Ashley Macdonald, Kathryn Oliver, Rachael Fallows, Kathryn Farthing, Katherine Dixon, Jean Sutton, Alice Smith.

Scorers: Ashley Macdonald (2), Wendy, Penny, Sarah

Next match: Saturday 26th February vs. Epsom - away

Women's 6s vs. Byfleet Ramblers Won 5-1

With no goalie and no umpire and a two hour drive to find a game of hockey on a Saturday, the team pitched up early and raring to go. Laura offered to Umpire and Sue offered to have a shot in goals - big thank you to both girls. Our forward line was on great form and numerous attempts at goal from Pippa, Maurissa and Vicky during the first half took us to 3-1 up at half time. Lots of passing between the players ( even some passes backwards too!), and excellent marking ( if I do say so myself !) from defence put THD 6's in a strong position to win the game. So much so that a member of the oppo, in an attempt to gain on THD, shoved Maurissa in front of the umpire, had a couple of other argie bargies with the team, and then hit Hazel with her stick - it should have been a sending off - but he was keen to keep the team on a "friendly" level .... so then we scored a couple more, just to show them ! Many thanks to Isla for playing sweeper and also for her 2 touches of the ball when she saved 2 goals - it was worth the trip just for those 2 golden moments ! (EG)

Team: Mae Lynn MacDougall, Kate Straker, Vicki Wright, Isla McGregor, Emma Gilchrist(c), Hazel Dawson, Maurissa Allan, Claire Shirley, Gigi Ho, Pippa Haworth, Sue Sarker (G).

Scorers: Vicki Wright 2, Maurissa Allan 2, Pippa Haworth.

Umpire: Laura Matthews.

12-13 February

Men's 1s vs. Sevenoaks 1s: lost 1-5

'I have missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions I have been entrusted to take the game winning shot... and I missed. I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that's precisely why I succeed''. Michael Jordan/GW

Men's 2s vs. Bromley 2's (home): won 4-0

After much emphasis placed on meeting up early and getting in the right frame of mind, and thanks in no small measure to our erstwhile 6th team skipper, I skidded into Dulwich College car park 10 minutes before push-back sporting a monumental hangover. Luckily the boys had heeded my previous warnings to "do what I say and not what I do", were happily warming up and had already (much to my chagrin) picked a starting line-up that didn't include me. Needless to say I soon sorted that out and we proceeded to play a solid, but by no means exciting, 35 minutes of hockey against a young Bromley side. Luckily we came out of the traps a lot quicker in the second half and once the first goal went in the oppo crumbled, with first half (squaring up to a kid 10 years younger and two feet smaller than him) villain the Wardrobe scoring two. A satisfying performance which leaves us with a real chance of capturing second spot, making this week's game against the league leaders especially enticing. I cannot promise that no drink will pass my lips this Friday evening, so I am passing responsibility to everyone who has my number to phone me at 10am on Saturday and ensure I'm not late - you've been warned..... (AB)

Team: Wiggy, Aido, Simon, Ed, Pully, Matt, Ferg, Timbo, Wardrobe, Bungle, Potty, Snowy, Nick H.

Scorers: Pully, Wardrobe (2), Timbo.

Men's 3s vs. Bromley 3s: Won 6-4

Magnificent. Our tactics at the start were to challenge very hard in the middle, mark tightly at the back and use our pace and skill up-front to hit the ageing Bromley defence. Apart from the opening 10 minutes, it worked a treat. The two colossi Paul Harvey and Mike Killen thwarted the Bromley midfield with excellent tackling and harrying from TH&D back four. Upfront we excelled, with David Fogden, Nick Jacob and Geoff Pritchard causing mayhem through continually breaking into the opponents "D". After conceding an early goal, we hit Bromley on the counter with Nick Jacob pushing in a very well worked goal. Our first short corner followed soon after with David Fogden firing in the rebound. Bromley scored again, but we immediately scored from another short, with Geoff Pritchard helping in David Fogden's push. With a few minutes left in the half, a well executed hit in the "D" was deflected into the roof by Geoff again. In the second half we really showed our resilience, with Simon "utility" Wiltshire having a spell upfront and creating the cross for JT to stab home. There then followed a goal from Wilsh that will live long in the memory. Taking the ball at the half-way line he outpaced (yes, outpaced) the Bromley defence and fired home from the edge of the "D". Delirium. We then had a minor scare with two goals from Bromley and an incredible save off the line from Neil Happs. We never looked like losing, however, with the team holding firm and tackling brilliantly, especially the defenders, Thom Ruane, Wes Cole and Ben Lewis. We are two points from the top of the league with two games in hand. Cue Martine McCutcheon "This is my moment.this is my perfect moment." (JT)

Team: Jeremy Porter, Simon Wiltshire, Ben Lewis, Thom Ruane, Neil Happs, Paul Harvey, James Terrett, Wes Cole, Mike Killen, Nick Jacob, David Fogden, Geoff Pritchard.

Scorers: Nick Jacob, Geoff Pritchard (2), David Fogden, James Terrett, Simon Wiltshire. MOTM: Every single one of us.

Umpire: Toby Wheadon.

Tornados vs. Wimbledon: drew 3-3

They came, they saw, they drew. Taking the unbeaten league leaders down a peg or two surely is satisfying. Wimbledon rocked up laughing and unconcerned. Arrogance is a good quality in sport but only if you have the substance to back it up. Arriving with the belief that arriving in itself will secure you three points soon results in a wake-up call... or in the case of Wimbledon - nearly getting beaten, ending up with a draw and leaving as a bunch of bitterly disappointed, moaning saffers. The Tornados, at times, flatter to deceive but this game was all about being team and playing every second, chasing every ball & making every tackle. If I could cash my team in for money, I'd be the richest man in the club.

Team: Lee Tearle (GK), MJ, Tom Alexander, Neil Smith, Nick Thomson, Nick Jones, Ben Udy, Rich Fenton, Will Morgan, Dougal Davis, Warren Holme, Si Riley & Loz Mockery.

Scorers: Loz Mockery (2) & Si Riley.

Man of the Match: Loz Mockery.

Umpire: Si Newell.

Men's 5s vs. St Albans Citizens: lost 1-4

Men's 6s vs. Reading Rovers: lost 1-2

Team: Aidan Brock, Fergus Johnson, Richard Mead, Andy Bond, Colin Leeman, Doug Heard, Ollie Blaydon, Chris Richman, Tim Smith, Ian Roberts, Mark Jones, Mike Wright.

Scorer: Tim Smith

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

West Witney is a very long way away, and much too far away to go to lose. Unfortunately the way we started and played for most of the first half, you would have thought that losing was what we were aiming for. We let them score (a good goal to be fair) early on in the game and absorbed an amazing amount of pressure. They should have scored many more, but some superb defending kept us in it. There were stern words from The Nurse at half time (we do love it when he gets all authoritative) and we were a much better team in the second half. Claire marked her wing out of the game and we won a few penalty corners and had a lot more possession. However, we still didn't really look like scoring and so it was a complete surprise when suddenly we equalized through Rachel. Perhaps it was the fact that she simply pushed the ball at the goal, which meant that West Witney ignored it, but somehow her shot rolled across the circle into the goal. The rest of the game continued in a similar pattern and strangely all the umpiring decisions went our way, but it seemed that the fact that we had equalized rather took the wind out of their sails and they lost concentration. Ten minutes from time we rolled the ball at the goal again and EJ threw herself horizontal to score from 2 and half centimetres out, keeper already beaten. Not a great performance. We might say we deserved a draw but to win was pure robbery. (EJB)

Team: Pipes, Emma Wards, Clare Bryne, Kath Sowter, Hilary Collins, Gemma Baker, Rachel Lander, Charley Williams, EJ Barry, Martha Harvey-Jones, Emma Kitley.

Scorers: Rachel Lander and EJ Barry.

MOM: Kath Sowter.

Women's 1s vs. Yeovil & Sherbourne (HA Trophy 4th Round): won 2-0

A grueling slog of a game on Saturday, a 40 minute warm up (Yeovil were a bit late), and bitterly cold temperatures (including snow) didn't dampen our spirits or hamper our continued march towards Trophy glory. And suffering the South Circ all the way from West London must have broken the opposition as they didn't seem to put up too much of a fight either. Missing personnel meant reinforcements arrived in the form of B and Rosie, and after a bit of position re-arranging we threw all we had at making it through to the quarterfinals. While there were some good spells in the first half, we seemed to spend most of it playing in a narrow channel down the middle of the pitch and ignoring anything we'd been coached all season. However, good work from EJ, B and Martha resulted in numerous short corners, but with a No.1 runner similar to a greyhound out the traps, Yeovil succeeded in spoiling our fun. The best chance of the half fell to Charley, who was unlucky to see her deflection ricochet wickedly off the crossbar. But after a few stern words to ourselves at half time (and with the thought of a return fixture to Yeovil at the back of our minds) we set about breaking the deadlock. We spread the ball wide, we kept possession and we left Pipes to keep herself amused while we camped in Yeovil's half of the pitch. And it was an EJ special that got the crowds to their feet as her dribbling left the oppo in a tangled mess and the subsequent shot flew into the top corner. But it didn't stop there. Despite allowing Yeovil to break a couple of times (just to make sure Pipes was awake), everyone wanted a piece of the action - Martha and B came close several times until some good hassling from the forwards found Gemma at the top of the circle who slotted the ball past the keeper. Quarterfinals here we come... (GB)

Team: Pipes, Emma Ward, Kath Sowter, Hils Collins, Clare Byrne, EJ Barry, Gemma Baker, Charley Williams, Emma Kitley, Bettina Wolff, Martha Harvey-Jones & Rosie Carter.

Scorers: EJ Barry and Gemma Baker.

MOM: Gemma

Women's 2s vs. Croydon MO (away): drew 0-0

On a windswept afternoon the Motley Crue found its way to a ramshackle light industrial estate off Purley Way and eventually stumbled across an Astroturf where the slowest match in the world was drawing mercifully to a close. The Captain's availability book this week had more crossings-out in it than a completed Christmas shopping list for an extended family of Catholics, and that was before poor Jules did her back in on Saturday morning picking up a cup of tea off the floor! But the frenetic texting eventually paid off. Hardy looked in the mirror on Saturday morning and found she could see out of both eyes again and her stick bag was in the car within minutes. Ex-Tulse Hill star (and more recent Tae-Kwon-Do phenomenon) Shorty was lured away from her garden renovations in Sydenham for her 1st game since the inaugural Old TH vs. Old Dulwich game in 2002 and vows to return for more. Sarah C made a welcome return from injury and young Jenna Kitley stepped into the breach and persevered up front despite nearly getting whisked away by a horizontal rain storm. With another week and another new line up to contend with, this was never going to be perfect hockey, but the defence were stalwart and kept out a number of potentially dangerous attacks. Our main problem was a lack of persistent incisiveness in the top third of the pitch, so although everyone worked very hard, the real chances were hard to come by. Special mention though for Erica at right back - the Danger Woman lurking at the top of their D; and Alex Hardy in the middle, pirouetting past dozens. And not forgetting Alex Crawford and her many marvelous tackles. We had a healthy cluster of short corners but couldn't convert. Nil-nil sounds dull, but unbeaten since December sounds better! Thanks to Ferrett for umpiring and Bettina for some Quality Supporting. (Kate)

Team: George Sykes, Erica Goldsmith, Lucy Muldoon, Alex Crawford, Shorty, Alex Hardy, Sarah Longair, Liz Young, Sarah Conibear, Serra Tezisler, Jenna Kitley.

Next league match: Saturday 26 February vs. London Edwardians: 10.30 @ CP Bar pitch

Women's 3s vs. Guildford: lost 2-5

Mostly in life we get what we deserve. But not on this Saturday morning (morning - is that the common theme?) It was a lovely winter day at Alleyn's and we arrived to see Guildford warming up - bit keen - but not scary. We then played lovely hockey but sadly were 2-0 down at half time. But we knew we were playing well and that this wasn't a fair reflection of the game. So we felt encouraged to continue as we were. And it paid off. They scored again but then we scored 2 great goals via Tash and Sophie. So it was 2-3 and we really believed we could do it. But somehow it slipped away and the game ended 2-5. Huge thanks to everyone 'cos many people drafted in at the end of the week. Everybody played well so difficult to pick a player. Good to see Anna for another week and welcome Nikki and Claire. I thought Rosie and Jo were great in midfield, Karen put her potential new job preparation behind her to be her usual solid self at RB, it was good stuff. But think the player has to be Tash. She ran like mad and crossed the ball like a demon then scored. What an afternoon! (JR)

Team: Krystyna, Joanna Reynolds, Karen Dodds, Anna Stuttard, Nikki Smithies, Ros Hornsby, Jo de Silva, Rosie Carter, Erica Goldsmith, Tash Riordan-Eva, Claire Whitehead, Sophie Carter.

Scorers: Tash, Sophie.

Umpire: Julie Ferrett

Next match(es): Saturday 26th February vs. Old Cranleighans - 10.00 start away. Sunday 27th February12.30 start at Dulwich college

Women's 6s vs. Old Georgians 2: lost 1-5

I think there is now a general consensus that this oppo be renamed old Amazonians - there being at least one lady who is about 6 ft and very scary! Well, this started in similar fashion to last time - we knew it was going to be really tough against top of the league who frankly beat us on both skill and probably fitness too. Again, the 6s started like troopers holding them to nil all until WE scored the first goal - Maurissa nipping in with sneaky push which seemed to just stutter past their goalie. However, chaos ensued as Sue injured her foot (toes broken in 2 places !), Hazel had a bit of a concussion, Claire injured her knee (?) and last but not least Jo (our sweeper) suffered blows to the knee and face giving her a corking shiner ! So, it was pretty much like the dodgems with people swapping and off the pitch all game, and losing 2 players mid-way through. We worked really hard and got in some really good passing - and big cheers to the defence who really tried to keep all those short corners out. So sadly, victory was not to be ours. Guess it's onwards for us and upwards for the OG's (OA's?!). (MM)

Team: Vicki Wright, Pippa Haworth, Isla MacGregor, Michelle Morgan, Sue Sarkar, Maurissa Allan, Gigi Ho, Claire Shirley, Hazel Dawson, Jo Hillyer, Laura Matthews, Kate Straker, Krystyna.

Scorer: Maurissa Allan.

Umpire: Si Riley.

Next match: Saturday 5th March vs. Croydon MO 3s - time/venue tbc

Dragons vs. Sinners: won 5-2

It was only a matter of time until the sleeping giant awoke. The Dragons are back to the skill of old and the Sinners took a thrashing to mark the moment. On a Sunday afternoon that was more chilling than the thought of Ann Widdicombe naked in your bed holding a rose in between her teeth, the Dragons emerged victorious in a way that Patton & Churchill could only learn from. With only three games left before the end of the season it means that your chance to come and watch a master class in hockey is running out - still we've got the whole touring season about to start, and it takes real skill to drink until 3am, pass out in a tent and then thrash a team at 9am on grass. But if hockey was religion, we'd be its god. (MJ)

Team: Tao Mack (GK), MJ, JT, JC, Nick Jacobs, Si Riley, Mike Wright, Rebecca Ridgeway, Michelle Morgan, Yorkie Soquar & Lindsey McLaren.

Scorers: Nick Jacobs (2), Si Riley, JC & Michelle Morgan.

Back to top <<<