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.

Fri 05-Nov-04

Issue 04

Back from the two week half term break - and what a fortnight it's been. Well for the men at least, who warmed up on the 23rd to triumph last weekend with 4 wins, no losses and a fourth game unbeaten for the rejuvenated 3s. Good to see the big men stand up and be counted - and 2 goal games for Andy Balchin, Lee Snowden, Nick Jacob and Chris Richman, topped off with three for Kim Keats. Across the gender divide, there was a little less to shout about, though our youngest member, Sophie Carter got a hat-trick to savour and the 4s came perilously close to winning just to remind us that we ain't see nothing yet. And so to Saturday night and a big hand to Mel Rees and JT who orchestrated a fabulous night at the clubhouse. Old friendships were rekindled, new ones tested, and Aidan Brock showed just why he so thoroughly deserved to be named clubperson of the year. The Men's 1s walked off with the President's Trophy for the 2003-4 team of the season while the individual player awards proved you can teach old dogs new tricks. Simon Wilshire and Kate Blumer were the women's and men's players of the season with Lee Snowden and Emily Tearle the most improved. And then, of course, there's leopards and spots. All too true. Will - you owe us one...

Dates for the diaries:

Quiz Night - Sat 20th Nov

Following on from last year's successful evening, TH&DHC return with another Quiz night. We welcome you to test your wits against the quiz master (Lee Tearle). Starting at 8pm, rounds include General Knowledge, Music Round and the "Hello Magazine" sponsored picture board for C-List celeb lovers. Feel free to invite any non-members to join in for £5 per team of 5. Payable on the night. Cash prizes.

Xmas party - Sat 11th Dec

Festive fun with food, Disco late bar and undoubtedly some mistletoe. In the stylish surroundings of the clubhouse, we are delighted to offer a Christmas celebration for a great night to remember. Your Christmas party will begin with guests being welcomed into the clubhouse lounge - a fabulous space bathed in rich colours and mood lighting. The pre-dinner reception mulled wine will allow you to relax and enjoy yourselves before moving on to enjoy a delicious buffet dinner. After dinner the mood moves up several paces with a lively disco and DJ playing Christmas classics from Slade and Wizard.

End of Season Dinner - 12th March 2005

Full details to follow but KEEP THIS DATE FREE. The perfect end to a perfect season.

Match reports by: Justin Collins, Andrew Eames, Aidan Brock, James Terrett, Mark Jones, Stuart Craig, Chris Richman, Charley Williams, Kate Blumer, Joanna Reynolds, Marie Smith and Katherine Dixon.

23-24 October 2004

Men's 1s vs. Brighton: lost 1-4

Brighton is meant to be the coolest, most happening place around. But people who think that have never visited the Stanley Deason Leisure Centre on a wet Saturday, sandwiched as it is between a recycling plant and some gas-holders. The view may have saved it, but there was bugger all to sea. And of the two pitches, we chose the more elevated to gain full advantage of the Force 10 gale driving sheets of rain inland. The first half was a scrappy affair. It finished 1 each: we scored straight after them, but those of us at the rear of the pitch couldn't see past half way, so I had no idea who scored. But to quote my unnamed source later: "it was Jim Ireson, but if you want, you can mention that he wouldn't have scored it if I hadn't taken the game to them immediately after we conceded, dribbled at them from the pushback, skinned four before unselfishly laying off at the top of the D to Ireson who only had the keeper to beat". The second half was similar, but for much we were on top without getting that killer blow. When Morgan went off it looked like things would improve up front, but that wasn't to be. Perhaps surprised that we weren't picking up yellow cards, Crossy tried to mug someone, shortly after they got a p flick and went 2 - 1 up with 10 minutes to play. They scored a fourth just before the end, and whilst I cant remember the third Gregg seemed quite annoyed about it. By way of clarification we regret any allegation made in the immediate aftermath of the game that some of the more crucial umpiring decisions may have gone against us. I now have it on good authority that all of them did. (JC)

Team: Justin Collins, Andy Eames, Gareth Weir, Joel Burrows, Gregg McAlister, Clive Colloff, Will Brown, Tom Cross, Pete Ellis, Will Brown, Andy Balchin, James Ireson, Olivia Morgan, Tom Curry.

Scorer: James Ireson.

Men's 3s vs. Old Loughtonians 3s: won 2-1

Taking on the League leaders was never going to be easy, but once again we forced and bullied a result out of the opposition. Starting excellently, we produced by far the better hockey and after Chris Coleman's shot rebounded of the post to give Will Atkinson a simple tap-in, I thought we would win comfortably. How wrong I was. Losing our shape and discipline, Old Loughts stepped up a gear in the second half and after a series of short corners, they scored. I needn't have worried, we went right back up the other end and Geoff Pritchard finished well after our short corner shot was initially blocked. Further indiscipline on our part led to a final 10 minute siege where we couldn't hold on to the ball for more than five seconds. Excellent defensive displays from a wound-up Simon Wilshire and Jeremy Porter in particular, ensured that at the final whistle we had amazingly just held on and Old Loughts couldn't believe they hadn't scored. The stats tell a different story, however: played three, won three. Look in the book. Gordon is now our Discipline Officer - he could well be getting familiar with certain players in our team. (JT)

Team: Jeremy Porter, Simon Wilshire, Guy Hodgson, James Terrett, Mark Pulford, Chris Coleman, Wesley Cole, Lee Snowden, Mike Killen, Nick Jacob, Will Atkinson, David Fogden, Geoff Pritchard.

Scorers: Will Atkinson, Geoff Pritchard.

Umpire: Aidan Brock (a peerless display)

Men's 4s (Tornados) vs. Old Loughtonians: lost 1-4

Fancy traveling into the middle of rural Essex in weather that would make Noah nervous for a 4pm pushback? Nope, nor did we. Add to that playing the league leaders who were bolstered by a couple of drag-flicking ringers and it was going to be a great game. It went according to script... yep, you guessed it - we went 4-1 down again! Except this time despite tireless working and some very good interplay in the second half that was where it stayed. It just wasn't our day. Problem is have a period each game where they are completely anonymous self-explode. As a team that should be looking to win the league we cannot give away four goals every week and expect to score 5... not even if we had David Copperfield and Paul Daniels up front. (MJ)

Team: Lee Tearle(GK), Mark Jones, Nick Thomson, Tom Alexander, Neil Smith, Nick Jones, Dougal Davis, Duncan McCulloch, Rich Fenton, Loz Mockery, Adrian Meredith & Simon Riley.

Scorer: Nick Jones.

Umpire: Toby Wheadon

Men's 5s vs. Southgate Goblets : won 2-0

Great result in difficult wet, slippery conditions against yet another young team full of running. Good passing and movement in the 1st half saw 2 excellent moves finished in style as Graeme Evans and then Gus Barnard stepped up to slot home. 2-0 HT The 2nd half proved tough as our opponents' young legs continued to be full of running, making us work hard for our points. But as in previous weeks our defence held firm and everyone contributed enormous effort to make it 3 wins in 3 and place us close to the top of the league (albeit 2nd on GD, and having played more games). Some more work on attacking short corners before matches will hopefully help us to exert even greater control in matches." (SC)

Team: Stuart Craig (C), Paul Reid (GK), Billy Dowie, Paul Miller, Vish Phakey, Graeme Evans, Rob Thomas, Simon Jones, Mark Lay, Gus Barnard, Paul Burrows, Richard Batty, Dom Peyton.

Scorers: Graeme Evans, Gus Barnard.

Next match: Saturday 6 November vs. St Albans Citizens - 14.00 DC

Men's 6s vs. Old Loughtonians Loppers: drew 3-3

To be honest after our performance against Hampstead & Westminster the previous week I wasn't holding out too much hope for a result. The Loppers were second having scored the most goals in the league so these two things and the fact that by the time we got to Essex the rain was horizontal contributed to my mood being as gloomy as when I have to speak to my mother. Anyway how wrong can you be. We competed well scored three goals which tripled our goals scored for the season to date and played passing hockey that had Tom Alexander commenting that we "didn't look like a 6th XI" though quite what we did look like is a question I didn't ask. In truth this game could have gone either way so it was probably a fair result but having said that their goals came from individual errors rather than good play whereas two of our goals came from good play. So onto next week without such a sense of dread. Thanks must go to Si Riley, MJ and Adrian Meredith for umpiring and playing to help us out. (CR)

Team: Tao McCloud, Andy Bond, Richard Mead, Mike McKinnon, Colin Leeman, Kim Keats, Si Riley/MJ, Adrian Meredith, James Kingdom, Tim Smith, Ben Lones and Chris Richman.

Scorer: (haven't had to fill this in for a while) Kim Keats (3)

30 -31 November

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

Within two minutes of the start of the game the opposition had been reduced to ten men after a malicious attack on the THD captain. Unfortunately, THD were unable to capitalise on this early advantage despite attempts at goal from Curry, Balchin, Brown and Brownsden. THD continued to apply pressure by attacking down both flanks, which resulted in a well-earned short corner. Balchin didn't hesitate in unleashing a powerful drag flick into the back of the net. Early in the second half, he then had a goal disallowed for apparently being outside the circle. Staines became inspired by their good fortune and for the first time in the game applied constant pressure to THD, which resulted in Staines scoring 2 goals. THD maintained their professional approach with a barrage of attacks. With ten minutes to go, Olly Morgan was rewarded for his hard work with a well-controlled goal. THD continued to drive at the opposition and with four minutes to go Andy Balchin displayed some great individual skills before shooting on the reverse and scoring the winner. A good performance from all the players including Peter Howland on his debut. (AE)

Team: Andrew Eames, Gareth Weir, Justin Collins, Oliver Morgan, Clive Colloff, Will Brownsden, Peter Ellis, Will Brown, James Ireson, Andy Balchin, David Weir, Tom Curry, Tom Cross, Richard Banwell, Peter Howland.

Scorers: Andy Balchin (2), Oliver Morgan.

Man of the Match: Andy Balchin

Next match: Saturday 6th November vs. Sevenoaks away

Men's 2s vs. Maidenhead: won 3-0

A great improvement on the last match saw a much more cohesive team performance from the 2s. Against a weak Maidenhead side anything but a win would have been disastrous, nevertheless the hockey we played in the first 20 minutes of both halves had the watching first team sitting up and taking notice. Three nil up after 11 minutes settled our nerves and although we became (understandably) a little headless, slick, quick passing and great movement meant we were able to exploit the extra space we made for ourselves out wide. It is testament to the defensive performance, which started with the front two, that they only had two short corners and a couple of shots on goal in the whole match. Rab, who was still sweating sambuca into his goalie kit as the final whistle blew (feeling the effects of his work's leaving do of the night before), was no doubt especially glad of this. Special mention goes to Snowy who came up from the 3's and played a blinder, scoring two, and to Pete for his outrageous goal. Great result, but no complacency as we need to play for the full 70 minutes and put away all our chances against teams like Bromley if we are to fulfill our top of the table aspirations. Speaking of missed opportunities, apologies to the 'lady in red' who I was cruelly whisked away from on Saturday night to go and deal with a catatonic 6'3" numpty - We didn't even get to re-enact the first verse, just my luck. Huge thanks to Si Riley for umpiring. (AB)

Team: Rab, Aido, Pully, Banners, Smudge, Snowy, Fez, Potty, Pete Howland, Matt Groom, Ed Stevenson, Tim Davies, Simon Glasson.

Scorers: Lee Snowden (2), Pete Howland, Tim Davies, Andy Potapa.

Umpire: Si Riley

Next Match: Saturday 6th November vs. Bromley - 11:30 away at BHS

Men's 3s vs. Maidenhead 3s: drew 2-2

Unbeaten in four, we were, however, very disappointed not to have won this game. Maidenhead had the better of the start, but were very fortunate to be awarded a penalty stroke for at best a 50-50 challenge by Jeremy (GK) on a Maidenhead forward. Unfortunately, the debatable decisions and subsequent arguments with the umpire (not Toby) cost both teams as the match descended into more of a "whinge-off." In between whinges, Geoff Pritchard and Nick Jacob were outstanding up front, threatening every time and collaborating to score two excellent goals either side of half time. Maidenhead had also scored their second from a short corner before half time. The second half and last fifteen minutes in particular saw THD lay siege to the Maidenhead half. Excellent work from Mike Killen in the middle meant that they survived numerous chances, short corners, debatable decisions, the kitchen sink and a partridge in a pear tree to leave us with just the point. Apart from our loss of discipline (3 yellows in 3 games) our work-rate and desire to win was first class and I felt we were unlucky not to grab a winner. Nick Jacob was almost unanimously voted MOTM in the bar for his efforts although I felt that the entire team had given it their all - I can't ask for more. (JT)

Team: Jeremy Porter, Mike Tyrell, Nick Harris, James Terrett, Wesley Cole, Mike Killen, Nick Jacob, Neil Happs, David Fogden, Guy Hodgson, Geoff Pritchard, Simon Wilshire.

Scorer and Man of the Match: Nick Jacob (2).

Umpire: Tobes Wheadon

Next match: Saturday 6th November vs. Bromley 3s - 12.30 @ Dulwich College

Men's 4s (Tornados) vs. Maidenhead: won 3-0

Three more points in the bag - the result was never in doubt and went very much to form. Although the Tornados were like a three-wheeled car - does the same job as a four wheeler just much less impressive. This match was just about the points and enough was done... no more. Not great, not pretty but professional. Lee Tearle worked hard in goal but shouldn't have needed to. If the opposition had been better the 4s would have raised their game - they weren't so we didn't... a stroll in the park. However, nice not to go down 4-1 in the early stages like the last three consecutive weeks, but much less exciting. (MJ)

Team: Lee Tearle(GK), Mark Jones, Mark Beaney, Tom Alexander, Neil Smith, Dougal Davis, Duncan McCulloch, Rich Fenton, Loz Mockery, Clifford Brown, Adrian Meredith & Simon Riley.

Scorers: Mark Beaney, Tom Alexander & Clifford Brown.

Umpire: Si Newell

Next match: Saturday 6th November vs. Wimbledon 6s - away

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

This one meant a lot to me. There are two teams in this league I really want to beat. Firstly Reading because I used to play for them and it is always good to get one over your old team. The other team I really wanted to beat this year was Maidenhead. I have my reasons and if anyone wants to know why then just ask. So there we go, we beat Maidenhead. For the first ten minutes of the game they barely got the ball, we kept it, passed it well and when they did get it they were harried until they lost it an excellent start that culminated in a well deserved goal. Even though they came more into the game we held the lead until half time. After the break we started very much like the first half but didn't get the reward of the goal. Then disaster we conceded a goal just at the wrong time when they were beginning to get back into the game, ok I know there is never a good time to concede a goal but this was bad timing and Maidenhead set about us with a renewed purpose directly after the restart. As everyone knows there are defining moments in games and seasons, which I hope this was one. We didn't buckle we defended stoutly and shortly after scored from a straight strike from a short corner. Thereafter the game became stretched and with Maidenhead pressing to get back on level terms we scored a third wrapping the game up. Hopefully we are now beginning to play a brand and level of hockey that can get us consistent results in this league. Anyway bring on Reading next week and thanks to Aido for umpiring. (CR)

Team: Tao McCloud, Andy Bond, James Kingdom, Mike McKinnon, Richard Mead, Colin Leeman, Ben Lones, Adam Greaves, Ian, Mark, Tim Smith, Ed Allen, Mehraab Nazir and Chris Richman.

Scorers: Mark, Chris Richman (2)

Next match: Saturday 6th November vs. Reading Rovers - away

Women's 1s vs. Purley Walcountians 1s: lost 0-4

No more wins on the bounce for the Women's 1s as a second half thumping brought us all too literally back to earth - and in Purley of all places. It's nigh impossible to emerge from there cleaner than you arrived (if you find it at all), but three points would have been a sweetener. And those looked on the cards for the first 25 minutes at least as we had pegged them in their own half and had three or four decent chances. But we lacked a little nous and played it too straight and direct. Once they'd rattled the umpires into taking regular 5 minute time-outs, and taken our midfield out with a bash to the head, hand and legs respectively, they had us sussed. Their first was a gem, but the three in the second pure comedy and there was no coming back. No wonder Will performed with such aplomb in the evening. It was enough to drive anyone to double vodkas and cider, three shots of gin in a pint, whisky and red bull, a bottle of wine in one, the car park, the women's changing room floor - well, maybe not anyone. (CW)

Team: Jo Malkin, Emma Ward, Kath Sowter, Hils Collins, Nicky Prior, Gemma Baker, Rachel Lander, Charley Williams, EJ Barry, Louise Morgan, Martha Harvey-Jones.

Next match: Saturday 6th November vs. Sunbury - 14.30 @ Alleyn's

Women's 2s vs. Wimbledon 2As: lost 0-4

No Kato today, but the result may mean she hauls herself back on to the pitch next week. We had high hopes with Wimbledon on equal points with us, though they're never easy. A few heavy hangovers affected some more than others: hardened boozer Jules was unphased; Nicky was fighting the sweats and shakes less well, while Tezisler, the civilised civil servant, took the softly, softly approach - something that does not register with all of us! They found the back of our net within minutes of the start after some smooth passing. Sloppy passing from us and heads down summed us up for the rest of the half, though we did some good work down the right. But there was a basic lack of communication and plenty of room going backwards to go forwards which was ignored. A dodgy umpiring decision (a Wimbledon foot) saw a definite short become their hit out and within seconds, they were down our end, threatening to score, and did. 2-0, heads started to drop and in went a short corner. No amount of diving from the acrobatic Tammy could stop the goal. We defended a lot of corners with determination but went into half time 3-0 down. Half time talk was let's win the second half - and we nearly did. More talking at the back and we actually passed the ball around. A short corner gave me a clear strike - no goal, but at least we were in their half and we stayed up there with the Sarah's, Claudy and Nat working tirelessly to create something. Jules ran around a lot with her hangover, Emma worked hard on the left accompanied by our new recruit (lucky she made it I believe - being a newly qualified driver and map reader in London is not a good combination!), but she knew where she was going on the pitch and slotted in nicely, a real asset. Sadly one more goal went in before the whistle blew, again a well worked outfield manoeuvre that we just failed to keep out. Tammy was kept busy and did a fantastic job in the face of onslaught! I don't like to talk about myself, much, but I blame Claudy. She said that someone had upset her whilst we were lined up for another short corner so I said I would sort them out (only a joke). Not sure if it was the right person, but I did manage to mow someone down unintentionally, she moved when I was running full pace, her fault. She did nearly kneecap me on the retake so guess she got her own back, and I lost some cartilage and the last 5 minutes of the game. Onwards and upwards. (KB)

Team: Tammy Mattinson, Claudy Sellers, Nikki Smithies, Nat Shur, Kate Blumer, Emma Kitley, Lucy Muldoon, Serra Tezisler, Sarah Longair, Sarah Conibear, Jules Ingham, Rhona Francis.

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

This was a great result and Sophie is a star. We went 1-0 down in the first 15 minutes but then stormed back to 2-1 at half time. This was achieved through hard work and by Sophie standing on their left post shouting for the ball. We managed to get it to her twice - and we were 2-1 up, but it was the first 15 minutes of the second half which made the difference. We played really well and they lost all confidence. Karen returned from injury and had a startlingly good reintroduction - which steadied the defence and turned their pressure into our attack. Although we didn't score until later in the half this is when we won the game. Everybody played well and kept going until the end - we battled and battled. but the player of the match had to be Sophie. (JR)

Team: Vicky Adkins, Joanna Reynolds, Lou Curry, Adele Harrison, Karen Dodds, Catherine Garvey, Sonya Kwok, Jo de Silva, Beth, Sophie Carter, Helen Singleton, Roz Hornsby.

Scorer: Sophie Carter (3)

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

I know I have said this every week but for the last few weeks at least it has been true. We SO should have beaten these guys or at least we deserved a draw! We were the first to score with a great short corner routine in which Claire took the strike and Left Post Stuttard was in her usual place to slot it home and so we went into half time 1-0 up. This week everyone turned up; in fact we had 14 players which gave us the sheer novelty of substitutes. The oppo weren't particularly better than us but they were more confident in their possession. Despite a fantastic debut from Tomi at the back, a goal line clearance from our Le Voir and some cracking (and I mean buttock clenchingly special) saves from Man of the Match Krystyna in goal, we somehow got caught napping and they scored the same goal twice within 15 minutes. Gutted. We kept our heads up however and soldiered on, especially Is and the club's most improved player Mrs Tearle (well done Em, truly deserved). We had loads of chances that we couldn't bag but even a backboard cracker from Marie from a shortie right on the final whistle couldn't make it better. We lost again, albeit by a narrow margin. We WILL however win games this season. We're just lulling the league into a false sense of security. We just need some more tiger in our tank - aggression is the way ahead. Grrrr.... (MS)

Team: Krystyna (GK); Lindsey McLaren; Anna LPS Stuttard; Mel Social Animal Rees; Tomi Isaacs, Rose Le Voir; Mrs. clever girl Tearle; Isabelle Drewe; Yorkie Soquar; Lynsey Bilsland; Helen; Claire Whitehead; Andrea Vicari; Marie Smith.

Scorers: LPS; Marie.

Player of the Match: Krystyna

Umpire: Steven Powell

Next match: Saturday 6th November vs. Surrey University - away

Women's 5s vs. Purley 4s: Lost 0-1

With a cast of thousands (well 14), the 5s made a confident start to the game. The crisp shine of the winter sun was matched only by the sparkle of our midfield play. We were great - passing and talking - it looked like a win was surely ours. Commitment was high as we constantly reached the ball first, exhibited excellent team play with lots of movement. And finally considering the effort and much improved aggression, the 5's certainly should have won at least 2-0. (KD)

Team: Alice Smith, Sarah Smith, Amy, Katherine Dixon. Kathryn Oliver, Kathryn Farthing, Nicole Yost, Jean Sutton, Andrea Beattie, Penny Gasner, Ashley McDonald, Vicky, Rachel Fallows, Wendy Tang, Faith Gerachty.

Umpire: Michelle Morgan

Next match: Saturday 6th November vs. Epsom 5 - 15.30 home

Dragons vs. Sinners: won 4-3

"Cry Havoc, and Let Slip The Dogs of War"... losing is something we don't do. Sinners were in for one HELL of a game. Like a collection of modern day Frankenstein's the team began by taking the opposition to pieces, sucking the life out of the tackles and howling up and down the pitch... all the oppo could do was wail like banshees as our goals kept rolling in. The second half saw a brief rally against the Dragons as the opposition came out Van Helsing stylee brandishing silver hockey sticks sharpened into points like stakes - but this was no match for the Hammer House of Dulwich. With the Dragons attack goblin up the pitch to secure another goal... Sinners were left coffin and spluttering with the grave realisation that they were totally and utterly defeated. (MJ)

Team: George Sykes (GK), Mark Jones, Simon Riley, Simon Wilshire, Fez, Nick Jacobs, Mike Smith, Holly Sardeson, Mel Rees, Verity King, Natacha Simon, Laura Sorenson & Emma Gilchrist.

Scorers: Emma Gilchrist, Nick Jacobs (2) & Fez.

Next match: Sunday 7th November vs. Optimists - 14.00 @ Battersea Park

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