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.

Sat 13-Nov-04

Issue 05

It may be cold, miserable and November, but our Indian Summer on the astro isn't over yet. Well, at least for the men, with the 2s, 3s and 5s all continuing to hover perilously close to the top of their leagues. Chris Coleman led the way with a hat trick for the 3s who remain unbeaten in 5. Meanwhile, the women's 2s had a welcome win, buoyed by the return of a formidable duo of Alex's at the back (would you dare cross their path?). Team of the week though are the women's 6s, who became only the second side to score this season against their league's runaway leaders. There's glory in defeat too.

In other news, congratulations to Rob and Clare Levine on the birth of Holly. And to Lou Morgan for incurring the wrath of yet another umpire - but you're such a nice girl on the dance floor, Lulu..

PLAYERS NEEDED FOR SUNDAY MIXED HOCKEY - please contact Mark Jones to find out more.

Reports by: David Weir, Richard Banwell, Aidan Brock, James Terrett, Stuart Craig, EJ Barry, Kate Selway, Joanna Reynolds, Lindsey McLaren, Rachel Fallows, Michelle Morgan and Mark Jones.

All matches on 6 November unless otherwise stated.

Men's 1s vs. Sevenoaks: lost 3-4

A beautiful country drive, a game of hockey and a lovely 3-course liquid meal - Saturday 6 November will be one to never forget!! So, to the hockey. We played an in form Sevenoaks team on a slow and spongy pitch. We opened the scoring, but by the end of the game they had scored more goals than us (as per Rule 11B in the Australian Rules Handbook), and hence we lost the game 4 - 3. We did play particularly well and deserved at least a point. (DW)

Team: Gaz Weir, Andy Balchin, Andrew Eames, Justin Collins, Tom Curry, Olly Morgan, Jim Ireson, Joel Burrows, Will Brown, Will Brownsden, Pete Ellis, Gregg McAlister, Clive Colloff, David Weir, Tom Cross.

Scorers: Will Brown, Olly Morgan, Tom Curry.

Man of the Match: Will Brown

7/11/04 Mens 1s v Maidenhead 1s (Harrods UK Trophy, First Round): won 2-1

There is no doubt that this game had all the ingredients to make it a classic; bare 11 players, fresh-faced Svengali-like Captain, keeper making debut, new young players, old senior players trying to hold onto reality and (of course) the Aussie Coach. Regrettably the hockey was not quite up to scratch, but there was never a dull moment. Injuries (neck - fake, ankle - very serious) and some generous defending lead to an open game against a side from our own league with only 3 points so far this campaign. Fine saves from Roberts and the post ensured that scores were level at one apiece at halftime, our goal coming from a typically robust run and reverse stick shot from Morgan who at times looked like a torpedo-shaped loaf of bread. The second half was equally eventful. The winner scored by Ireson followed a flowing move down the right which was possibly the best move of the game. Rickmansworth and Chess Valley HC in the next round. 'Discovery' anyone? (RB)

Team: Chris Roberts, David Weir, Clive Colloff, Andrew Eames (c), Richard Banwell, Will Brownsden, Joel Burrows, Oliver Morgan, Gareth Weir, Tom Curry, James Ireson.

Scorers: Oliver Morgan, James Ireson.

Man of the Match: Morgan's Mobile

Next Match: Saturday 13th November vs. Bournemouth -14.00 @ Dulwich College

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

A great team performance, but a game of two halves. The tone was set early as we proceeded to play a strong Bromley outfit off the park for the first 10 minutes, never letting them settle. This initial dominance was rewarded with poachers goals from Potty and Fez. The second half saw a completely different game as Bromley brought their two 'wily old tricksters' (who had umpired the first half) on in the midfield. This put significantly more pressure on us, which was not helped by the fact that their replacement umpires seemed to have scant knowledge of the rules. To our credit we didn't moan (much! - well, yours truly was "allowed to", being skipper an' all) and stuck to the task well, Potty slotting another goal to settle us down. We lost our shape as fatigue set in, failing to keep the requisite width in midfield. Nevertheless another tenacious defensive performance from all ensured that the only chances they had all match were from 5 short corners, one of which they scored, much to Rab's chagrin - it is lucky Bungle and myself are the only others who can understand Aberdonian cursing, nuff said. Huge match this weekend at home against the undefeated league leaders, this where the season really starts........ (AB)

Team: Rab, Aido, Pully, Banners, Smudge, Snowy, Fez, Potty, Ferg, Pete Howland, Matt Groom, Ben Wright, Tim Davies.

Scorers: Potty (2), Fez.

Next Match: Saturday 13th November vs. Spencer -12:30 @ Dulwich College

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

Another tense encounter, another well fought three points. Bromley were top of the League and for the first ten minutes it showed. Their two centre midfielders were extremely talented and it looked like we might not get much of the ball. That said, the best chance still fell to us with a two on one breakaway that we put just wide. After finally gaining some possession, we scored from a short corner, Chris Coleman's flick following up Guy Hodgson's shot. Bromley came back at us again, scoring a penalty stroke after three consecutive short corners. The second half typified our fighting performances this year. Lee Snowden scored after a mix-up in the Bromley "D" and Chris Coleman slipped in a diving shot after a brilliant passing move through the middle. 3-1 up with fifteen to go I fancied our chances, but Bromley came at us again, scoring a break-away goal and then from a short corner. I thought we had thrown it away, but Bromley seemed to tire slightly and we created more chances for a winner. Two minutes from time Chris Coleman completed his hat-trick scoring off both posts to secure the points and the adulation of the masses (I'm sure I heard the chant "There's only one Chris Coleman" from the 5ths?). Great to see almost the entire team back at the bar listening to each other tell us how amazing we are. We've now won too many to be lucky, we are just really good. (JT)

Team: Jeremy Porter, Simon Wilshire, Thom Ruane, Neil Happs, Guy Hodgson, James Terrett, Chris Coleman, Wesley Cole, Lee Snowden, Mike Killen, Nick Jacob, Nick Harris, Will Atkinson, David Fogden.

Umpire: Toby Wheadon.

Scorers: Lee Snowden, Chris Coleman (3 & MOTM).

Next match: Saturday 13th November vs. Beckenham 3s - away

Men's 5s vs. St Albans Citizens: won 4-2

After such a successful run in October with 3 wins in 3 games this would surely be a walk in the park against a lower placed team? Or maybe not. A lack of players saw a very different looking Mens 5s take to the astro against St Albans, albeit thankfully bolstered by club members from the 3s and 4s. Indeed an uncertain opening 10 mins cost dearly, mistakes allowing St Albans to take the advantage and grab a surprise 2-0 lead. The match was very much on. Gradually however, the new look team began to settle and as soon as Nick Jacobs had pounced on the rebound from a short corner strike by the Capt and Simon Riley had stunned the visitors with a roaring thunderbolt there was no going back. A further strike before half time left us much happier at 3-2 up but we still had work to do. 3-2 HT. Continuing where we left off in the 2nd half, Nick Jacobs produced a sweeping reverse stick strike to place daylight between the teams within minutes of the restart. Further tidal waves of attack kept our opponents under pressure for much of the 2nd half and should have resulted in more goals. However, an excellent display with a spirited comeback saw us deservedly grab all 3 points. Thanks to everyone for helping out! (SC)

Team: Stuart Craig (C), Paul Reid (GK), Richard Batty, Vish Phakey, Simon Riley, Simon Jones, Gus Barnard, Lee Snowden, Nick Jacobs, Rob Thomas, Mark Annear, Dominic Peyton, Nick Thomson.

Umpire: Aidan Brock.

Scorers: Nick Jacobs (2), Simon Riley, Dominic Peyton

Next match: Saturday 20 November vs. PHC Chiswick - 12.30 @ Dulwich College

Men's 6s vs. Reading Rovers: lost 0-4

Women's 1s vs. Sunbury: lost 0-1

Still reeling from the previous week's defeat and also the near death experiences of some of the team at the dinner (not to mention the coach), we made a shaky start against Sunbury. Plenty of goal scoring chances were missed at both ends during the first half, however Sunbury's were more clear cut and Pipes made some very fine saves to keep us in it. At half time it was nil all (that good old Burds-Hockey-Scoreline) and there was everything to play for. We began to dominate the game but were unfortunately faced with an umpire who has interpreted the new "Play Advantage Rule" as a way of getting out of blowing her whistle altogether. If you also consider that we were playing at Alleyn's with no floodlights late in the afternoon it is no wonder tempers became frayed - we were basically playing in the dark with an umpire refusing to get involved. Against the run of play they scored half way through the second half, which really annoyed us and our play became rather frantic. We retained possession for the rest of the match but couldn't make the one penalty corner we were awarded work or convince the umpire that she should be giving us more free hits. Three green cards later (Burds hockey - we don't get yellows), there was a lot of blood lost but no love. (EJB)

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

Scorer: Nobody during the game but we were very successful at the dinner.

Players of the Match: Gemma and Rachel

Next match: Sunday 14th November (HA Trophy) vs. Newquay - 13.00 @ Dulwich College

Women's 2s vs. Croydon MO 1: won 1-0

So who said 13 was an unlucky number?! The crocks and the crips and the just plain out of breath rallied to the cause after last week's miserable debacle, and - whaddyaknow - we did it - four minutes before the end, but more of that later. The interchangeable and ever versatile So Solid Crew at the back (Jules Wardy Kato Alex Alex Lucy, Cuthbert Dibble Grubb*) generally got the marking spot on at most of the crucial moments and when they didn't, Alex The Foghorn and Alex The Voice, blasted their eardrums with the necessary verbals. SO good to have them both back! And so refreshing to see us taking a bit more care of the ball than in recent weeks, which gave us the confidence to believe we could play as an effective unit rather than a bunch of isolated individuals. Admittedly there were some thoroughly scary moments in our D, some crappy faffing about in places, and one hideous one-on-one moment when, for a long freeze-frame moment, it looked like George had stepped in a quagmire of superglue. Liz gets the biggest fine for the most unsympathetic pass of the match which the fat pregnant one had no chance of getting. There were short corners all round but George was on excellent form and ensured that today Croydon MO stood for Missed Opportunities. Four minutes before full time this week's only teenager sent a superlative pass flying across to Wardy who found the onion bag with style. This was a cracking win against a side several places higher in the league. Love it. (*Youngsters, if you don't get this one check out some Trumpton on DVD). (KS)

This week's all stars were: George Sykes, Jules Ingham, Alex Hardy, Alex Crawford, Kate Selway, Emma Ward, Lucy Muldoon, Serra Tezisler, Liz Young, Bettina Wolff, Emma Kitley, Sarah Conibear, Julie Ferrett.

Scorer: Wardy.

Umpire: Si Riley.

Next match: Saturday 13th November vs. London Edwardians - 16.30 @ Battersea Park

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

The 3s have been playing really well all season - even when we have lost - but not this week. In the first 15 minutes we were all over them - Rosanna scored a lovely goal from a great cross by Sonya and we looked like we could sit in their 25 for the entire match. And then something happened. Not sure what. Overwhelmed by the environment (why don't we have somebody leave us bucket loads of money so we can build such a facility?!), stars in our eyes from the fireworks, hung over? Who knows, but we lost all shape, stopped tackling, slowed down and let them back in to the game. At half time the score was 2-4 and we were disheartened. The second half was marginally better (kept them to one goal) but still not our usual selves. But hey, these things happen and we can make sure we beat them at home. If crystal palace can go from 20th in the old div 1 at this time last season to drawing with arsenal (what a match, the crowd went wild!) then we can recover to win next week! Thanks to Alice for playing in goal and congrats to Rosanna for being the player of the match - you will notice that the Carter family continue to score all our goals! (JR)

Team: Alice smith, Nikki smithies, Catherine Garvey, Karen Dodds, Lou Curry, Joanna Reynolds, Sonya Kwok, Jo de Silva, Roseanna Carter, Lizzie Gillett, Helen Singleton, Rona Francis, Sophie Carter.

Scorer and player of the match: Rosie Carter (2)

Next Match: Saturday 13th November vs. Old Cranleighans - 14.30 @ Alleyn's

Women's 4s vs. University of Surrey: lost 0-5

Spirits were high - aggression levels were rising and we had all recited to ourselves "Losing is dull - winning is good" ten times before we went to bed - but cabin fever set in somewhere on the road to sunny Guildford and the mighty 4s, once again, failed to win any points. We were hoping for a bunch of hungover, unfit students but it seems they don't do it like we did and they were actually quite fit. The first 5 minutes we were great - our passing was slick and we looked like we could have them but then they started to fight back and most of us seemed to give up. Our youngsters kept battling with Rosie defending well at the back and Tash (our man of the match)showing them who's boss on the wing. But unfortunately it wasn't to be - they scored 5 and us none - boo. It was dull. Next week, though, will be different - I can feel it. No 3am text message call offs this week (or there will be trouble)! (LM)

Team: Vix Streatfield, Mel Rees, Lindsey McLaren, Yorkie Soquar, Rosie La Voir, Adele Harrison, Ruth Pratt, Emma Billsdon, Lynsey Bilsland, Tash Riordan-Eva, Andrea Vicari.

Umpire: Mark Jones

Scorer: We didn't have one!

Next match: Saturday 13th November vs. Wanderers 15.30 @ Dulwich College

Women's 5s vs. Epsom 5s: won 1-0

Team 5 gathered at Dulwich College, promptly at 2.45pm to begin their intensive pre-match warm-up session in preparation for the big challenge ahead - taking on of the top team of the league, well known to have a fearsome goal-scoring ability. I must confess there were a few niggling concerns hovering at the back of my mind, like our lack of goalkeeper and our as yet unconfirmed second umpire for the match. However with 3.30pm rapidly approaching, I wasn't prepared for disaster of an even bigger scale - where were the opposition? Somehow we managed to track down the Epsom girls who were just a little further down the road waiting for us at the Crystal Palace pitch. With some over the phone negotiations, we managed to convince them and their umpire to make their way to DC. With Wendy having volunteered to kit up in goal, having let slip that she had previous goalkeeping experience, the first half proved to be tight competition. It was pleasing to see the Team 5 girls playing some solid hockey with sharp, accurate passing and following on from our warm-up, trying extra hard to not directly give the ball away to the opposition. Half-time found the score nil all. We were playing well but we all needed to put in that little bit extra to ensure that we won more of those 50-50 balls. Our forwards in particular took on the suggestions from the half time pep talk and lifted their fighting game to a level previously unseen. Attack and more attack. Suddenly Faith, while hovering in the circle was within reach of the ball and with power and prowess, struck the ball landing it high in the back of the net. There was much excitement from the girls in red - we had finally scored. The final 15 mins saw the Epsom girls fight back but our experienced defence managed to hold it together working hard to back each other up and ensure that the victory would be ours. It was a fantastic win for Team 5 and it was reassuring to see that we have the potential class and skill that could take us all the way to the top. (RF)

Team: Wendy Tang (GK), Jean Sutton, Bridget Morley, Nicole Yost, Kathryn Farthing, Rachael Fallows, Kathryn Oliver, Penny Ganser, Sarah Smith, Kate Fuller, Andrea Beattie, Faith Geraghty.

Scorer: Faith.

Umpire: Tim Clackson

Next Match: Saturday 13th November vs. Wayfarers - 10.30 away.

Women's 6s vs. Old Georgians 2s: lost 1-4

Well, we anticipated a very tough game against the top side in our league having lost to them 8-0 at the end of last season - but in the end it was a very fun (& exhausting!) game with a respectable even if losing scoreline ! The game commenced with much enthusiasm from the sixes - good passing, battling defence and thankfully a very useful goalie (thanks Tammy, particularly for surviving the penalty flick). It was clear that the OG's had been used to 'walking' all their games and while they took their time to wake up we had a good few attacks in the D resulting in the first goal of the match neatly tucked away by Vicki Wright! Needless to say the oppo did wake up after that and scored 4 tremendous goals but not without having to deal with continued breaking runs from THD. Thanks to everyone who played - it was a great team effort. And we're proud to be only the second team to score against them this season! (MM)

Team: Tammy Mattinson (GK), Jo Hillyer, Laura Matthews, Michelle Morgan, Jackie Monk, Claire Shirley, Kate Anderson, Hazel Dawson, Sam Ratnayake, Isla MacGregor, Vicki Wright, Pippa Haworth, Marissa Allan.

Scorer: Vicki Wright

Next match: Saturday 20th November vs. Croydon MO3 - away (time tbc)

Dragons vs. Optimists: lost 0-4

Bad day at the office... a face that launched a thousand ships... it's better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all... a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush... it ain't over until the fat lady sings... three strikes you're out... people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones... red sky at night, shepherd's delight... all well known phrases. To this collection we can now add... ohmigod, how can you lose 4-0 to a team after working that hard... the scoreline doesn't reflect the gameplay... it's just not clicking today... arrrgghhh so nearly a goal... AND b*llocks let's go to the pub!

Team: Aidan Brock, Mark Jones, Mike Wright, Simon Riley, JC, Gareth Norris, Louise Morgan, Louise Curry, Jules Ingham, Natacha Simon & Jackie Monk.

Umpire: Simon Newell

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