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.

Wed 23-Mar-05

Issue 19

Forgive mus if it's taken a week to get news from 12-13 March out to you. Two matches were quite enough for one weekend without having the irresistible opportunity of getting wrecked at a dinner in between. It's taken some time for the match reports to drift in too. Of those that did, only the Men's 1s seemed to focus on the game in hand and not the night ahead, with Andy Balchin scoring all five in their win against Maidenhead. Elsewhere the Men's 2s' loss killed off their chances of promotion, but they remain in the hunt for their league Cup, as do the Men's 3s and the Men's 4s, while the Women somewhat remarkably march on to the semi-finals in the Trophy. But back to the dinner and what a good night it was - men in bow ties, girls in dresses, free wine all night, brownies and ice cream, ipods in the raffle, a great dance floor and top tables. The Men's 1s were a revelation, Team Five on fire and the Men's 2s just messy. There was gossip of course, but where's the fun in finding it out here? Suffice to say teamwork was the winner - a combination of Mel on the door, JT on the mike and Lucy P clearing up behind the scenes made it. A massive thank you to them.

match reports by: Maidenhead Hockey Club and Bubbles, Aidan Brock, Mark Jones, Graeme Evans, Kath Sowter, EJ Barry, Catherine Garvey and Anna Stuttard.

12/03/05

Men's 1s vs. Maidenhead: Won 5-3

It was always going to be a struggle to take full points off the Tulse Hill & Dulwich side, especially when they stole the ball off a Maidenhead 16 yard hit. The TH forward (Andy Balchin) made his way into the D and pushed the ball towards the goal which flicked up off a stick into the body of Alex Brown (who?), dropped down off his body, hitting his ankle and wrong footing the keeper to dribble over the goal line. Disappointed, but not disheartened Maidenhead worked hard and maintained good procession (?) and worked hard to level the goal deficit. The breakthrough came half way through the first half with a strong attack down the left hand side. The ball was taken around the keeper (Rab still lashed and with no contacts in!) and flicked on goal for a THD defender to stop the ball on the line with his body. The umpire had no option but to award the penalty flick, which was slotted. The second half saw THD start stronger and quicker (due to harsh words from Skips) than Maidenhead who could only defend strongly and attack on the break. THD pressure forced errors in the Maidenhead defence and a short corner. A well rehearsed drag flick (Andy B) routine left the defence stranded and only able to pick the ball out of the back of the net. Spurred on, THD maintained the pressure, but Maidenhead worked hard and started to get a grip back on the game, only to see another THD attack result in a short corner. Again it was worked well and the THD flicker (Andy again) was able to pick his spot and find the corner past the Maidenhead keeper. THD pushed higher, letting Maidenhead get the ball up to the forwards quickly to win a number of short corners which they were unable to convert into goals (good defending fellas). The Maidenhead attacks did eventually pay off when good interlinking play by the forwards saw them take the ball around the defence and Saleem was able to slot the ball home from a tight angle. THD picked up their game again (well done fellas) and Maidenhead were soon back under pressure and THD were able to move the ball across the pitch quickly (good work Joel, Olly and JC) and penetrate the Maidenhead 25 and D forcing fouls from Maidenhead resulting in short corners. Again the THD short corner routine was too good for Maidenhead's defence and they were able to score with a relative amount of ease. 5 - 2 down, Maidenhead continued to counter attack on the break when they could. With 4 minutes left a Maid was able to capitalise on a good break by the forwards to find space and time in the D to flick the ball over the diving THD keeper (Rabski). The last few minutes saw Maidenhead push hard to get the ball forward into dangerous positions, but it was too little too late. (MHC and Bubs)

Team: Andrew Eames, Gareth Weir, Chris Roberts, Oliver Morgan, Joel Burrows, James Ireson, Andy Balchin, David Weir, Tim Howarth, John Craven, Jack Davidson, Felix Nurse.

Scorer and Man of the Match: Andy Balchin (5)

Men's 2s vs. Wimbledon : Lost 0-2

A disappointing result that means we can't gain promotion this season, however we were beaten by a better organised and more hungry team. Had we demonstrated a little more of the gusto shown in the pre-dinner drinks at Banner's cocktail bar (from which, I am glad to say, I managed to legitimately absent myself) and later on the dance floor then the result may have been different, nevertheless it is not all doom and gloom. We have had a very enjoyable season, the most successful 2's season in (even Wiggy's) memory, and there is still all to play for in our remaining 2 fixtures - two wins and we'll finish third and then we can go on to win the league cup to boot...... (AB)

Team: Wiggy, Aido, Ed, Matt Groom, Simon Glasson, Bungle, Ferg, Smudge, Wardrobe, Fez, Potty, Snowy, Nick Harris.

Men's 3s vs. Teddington: Won 5-0 (walkover)

Tornados vs. Teddington: Drew 0-0

The Tornados grab a point that may prove not to be enough. Masters of their own destiny still with two matches left to play and gaining all remaining six points would secure a cup slot. It is very tense but still possible... a double header weekend with matches against the top two teams on offer. Whatever happens, it'll be worth coming to watch...(MJ)

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

Man of the Match: Nick Jones.

Umpires: Aidan Brock & Richard Banwell.

Men's 5s vs. St Albans Tribunes: Drew 1-1

Don't moan about the lack of a 5th team player at the club dinner. We meantime were suffering as captain Stuart Craig warbled into a karaoke machine, but a late start and the last game of the season meant a night in the shires became the summit of our drinking ambitions. And at least there was something to celebrate. Such has been the progress this season that we more than held our own against the runaway leaders - the same team that thrashed us 7-1 at DC. Buoyed by two wins in a row, THD took the game to the "tangerine dream" - as they like to be known - and deservedly seized the lead, albeit in bizarre fashion, when top scorer Gus Barnard (with 5 goals!) pounced on a rebound, despite the earlier shot from outside the circle looking to have crossed the line and bounced back from well inside side of the post! That make any sense? The opposition needed a point to claim the title and got themselves back in it after the break when keeper Paul Reid could only blame jet lag for a strange mid-air kung fu kick that completely missed the ball! Both sides then had chances to win it, with Reidy performing heroics and Simon Canter executing a superb goal-line edge past the post and down to third man. A draw was a fair result - not enough to sneak us into the play-offs but a sign of how much progress we've made this season, particularly in shoring up midfield. Thanks from all of us go to the captain for his hard work in turning us into a much more organised team - on and off the pitch judging by the weekly circulation of his multi-coloured spread-sheets! (GE)

Team: Paul Reid, Richard Batty, Stuart Craig, Billy Dowie, Graeme Evans, Mark Lay, Simon Canter, Rob Thomas, Mark Annear, Gus Barnard, Oliver Walton, Harry Twort.

Scorer: Gus.

MoTM: Stuart

Women's 1s vs. Sunbury: Lost 1-3

There was a sign that this game would be different when Charley and Martha arrived in Sunbury 25 minutes ahead of schedule. It's unlikely to happen again, just as us throwing a game away in quite such spectacular fashion is also unlikely to happen again. We didn't play our best for the first hour, but the scoreline was still relatively respectable at 1-1. This was thanks to Charley for throwing herself, not for the first time this season, at a short corner strike. But games of hockey last for 70 minutes and maybe our minds were on dresses, boys, booze, or all three. Those last 10 minutes were pretty poor. Twice we gave away possession, twice their centre forward was in the D and twice she scored. Great finishing, but then we shouldn't have given her the opportunity... (KS)

Team: Jo Malkin, EJ Barry, Kath Sowter, Hilary Collins, Nicky Prior, Gemma Baker, Charley Williams, Lou Morgan, Martha Harvey-Jones, Bettina Wolff, Rosie Carter.

Scorer: Charley.

MotM: Lou.

Women's 3's vs. Reigate 2's Drew 1-1

Buoyed by the return of Lizzie from New Zealand, the 3's started well with some good passing and creative play, especially down the right with Tash working hard and putting in some good crosses, and Ros outfoxing their defence. Against the run of play, Reigate poached a goal, a zinger of a strike from someone who possibly isn't always in their team. We swiftly replied; an incisive pass from Joanna found Ros, who got past a couple of defenders and struck a lovely shot. After that it looked like we could have had a few more, with hard work and great play up front from Ros, Lizzie and Sophie, and Beth and Jo linking beautifully, however Reigate's keeper was very, very good and it proved impossible to put anything further past her despite some very close efforts. Lou, Joanna and Erica did sterling work keeping Reigate out, with perfectly-timed tackles and good clearances and Sarah's quick reactions were crucial. It looked like we could take all three points but it just wasn't to be. (CG)

Team : Sarah Dyke, Joanna Reynolds, Lou Curry, Erica Goldsmith, Cath Garvey, Tash Riordan-Eva, Jo de Silva, Beth Little, Ros Hornsby, Lizzie Gillett, Sophie Carter.

Scorer: Ros Hornsby. Umpires: Aidan Brock, Mark Jones

Women's 4s vs. Woking 2As: Lost 1-7

Erm, my memory is fairly vague about this game - it wasn't nice but at the same time it was very amusing. Vix had a legendary game in goal and was justly awarded man of the match (not sure if it was for the many great saves or the fact she let an absolute bobbler in as she thought it was going wide...hmm never mind). (AS)

Team: Vix Streatfield, Linds McLaren, Anna Stuttard, Yorkie Soquar, Nikki Smithies, Rona Francis, Emma Bilsden, Andrea Vicari, Claire Whitehead, Helen Clarke, Adele Harrison.

Scorer: Andrea Vicari.

Umpire: Si Riley

13/03/05

Women's 1s vs. Wrekin (HA Trophy 5th round): Won 1-0

By some cruel twist of fate the Ones were in action against Wrekin on the Sunday after the dinner. Due to excessive amounts of champagne amongst other things the night before, most of the team were feeling rather bubbly leading to a bunch of giggling unfocused idiots taking to the pitch. Most of us didn't start too badly and were swinging the ball well from left to right and back again, the notable exception being Charley who was displaying as much passing ability and skill as a piece of furniture for the first 5 mins. We missed quite a few chances from open play and they looked dangerous on the break, but Pipes was resolute in goal and they never really looked like scoring. Finally we broke the deadlock with a beautifully executed penalty corner, Hils striking from the top finding Charley on the spot for a deflection. The score remained 1 nil and the second half became rather ragged but we battled through the hangovers to move through to the semi finals, which is actually pretty impressive all things considered. Thanks to all those who turned up to watch and to the rest of you who didn't bother even though you had emotionally promised me at the dinner - I guess you never really loved me anyway. The semi final will be played on Sunday 3rd April away against Sonning - there is still a glimmer of silverware for THD this year. (EJB)

Team: Pipes, EJ Barry, Kath Sowter, Hilary Collins, Nicky Prior, Lou Morgan, Gemma Baker, Charley Williams, Bettina Wolff, Rachel Lander, Martha Harvey-Jones, Clare Byrne, Liz Young.

Scorer: Charley (who also remarkably won MOTM)

Next match: Saturday 2nd April vs. Windsor - 11.30 @ Dulwich College 13/03/05

Women's 4s vs. Surrey Uni: Drew 2-2

2nd point of the season...c'mon! Thanks to all who played and all who were there in spirit ( + red bull!). It has become very much clear, after a season of losses, that in fact we are a team of show-offs and can only get points when trying to impress the lads...so please more support next year! Great game by everyone but man of match was awarded to Tash for her tireless effort on the wing...we'll miss you to the 3's ! (AS)

Team: George, Linds Mclaren, Anna Stuttard, Rona Francis, Helen Clarke, Rosie le Voir, Tash R-E, Lynsey Bilsland, Emily Tearle, Andrea Vicari, Mel Rees.

Scorer: Lindsey McL x 2.

Umpires: Si Riley, Mark Jones & Aidan Brock (coach)

Dragons vs. Optimists: Lost 1-5

Playing the morning after the end of season dinner is stupid. As is playing with only 10 people, two of which are keepers. The dragons couldn't even lay claim to a pyrrhic victory... it was a bridge too far, one wafer thin mint too many... even Custer would have withdrawn! The mixed season has drawn to a close - only three weeks until touring starts! (MJ)

Team: Aido Brock (GK), George Sykes (GK), MJ, Will Morgan, Nick Jacobs, Mike Wright, Michelle Morgan, Lou Curry, Yorkie Soquar & Linds McLaren.

Scorer: Will Morgan.

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