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 10-Dec-04

Issue 09

Short days, long nights - and the good news is they're still getting shorter and longer respectively. Lots of scope for mischief then, starting with the THD party at the clubhouse this Saturday. But rein yourselves in and for the moment, savour the joy that is a point for the Women's 4s. All it takes is a little bit of magic. Christmas is coming early......

match reports by: Marie Smith, Tom Curry, Banners, James Terrett, Mark Jones, Graeme Evans, Chris Richman, Kath Sowter, Joanna Reynolds and Katherine Dixon.

Women's 4s vs. Epsom: DREW 0-0

We have broken the duck! We have a point and we definitely deserved it, in fact we should have had a win against this lot who are 3rd in our league! Just goes to prove - as we have maintained all along - we are a good team but there was something missing, and that something appears to have been discipline and structure. This week we had the lovely JT coaching us & whipping us into line and it made a massive difference. Everyone played really, really well and we had plenty of chances at goal with only their goalie keeping us out. Welcome to the team to Rona and Nikki both of whom had a storming games. Man of the match almost unanimously went to Isabel who excelled herself at right mid. Now we just have to keep it up! We want more points; we are point hungry; points are in our sight and we are walking into the light that surrounds the points. Thanks to Steve & Anna Barrett for umpiring, and huge thanks and many pints to be bought for JT who is now our hero and ladies 4's pin up of the year. (MS)

Team: Vicki Adkins (GK); Mel Rees; Anna Stuttard; Rosie Le Voir; Yorkie Soquar; Nikki Smithies; Helen Blake; Linds McLaren; Marie Smith; Is Drewe; Rona Francis; Claire Whitehead; Andrea Vicari.

Next match: we will be mostly beating Spencer who are top of the league.

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

With a small amount of light at the end of the M4 corridor, the 1st XI made their way down to Maidenhead and their delightful wet field pitch. The lads looked like internationals warming up on the tennis court whilst playing a spot of cricket (apart from one Muppet who is now writing this report). They looked evener sharper in the changing rooms, and could have been mistaken for Chelsea FC in the pre match warm up. The game, however, did not reflect this potential. THD started off well holding onto the possession and creating a few chances. Maidenhead were yet to penetrate the circle before a simple period of hockey finished off with a good shot from Felix Nurse, just inside the circle. We kept the pressure on and shortly put away a second goal after a good run from Andy Balchin, and great bit of individual skill from Will Brown on the baseline leaving a simple tap in for the striker goal-hanging on the far post. Moments later we could have made it 3, but then Maidenhead began to come back into the game. From here onwards our promising start began to drift away and a game of ping pong emerged as both sides gave away the ball. Rab again making some excellent saves in goal, kept us alive. Maidenhead created chances and if they had a striker who knew where the goal was the scoreline could have been very different. However we battled out the game with a couple of chances emerging before Maidenhead scored a late goal off a short corner to make the final score 2-1. With one more game till Xmas, the lads will be staying off the mince pies and mulled wine, to ensure a respectable half way position in the league. (TC)

Scorers: Felix Nurse, Tom Curry.

MOTM: Chris Robertson aka Rab.

TFC: Tom Curry aka Cuzza

Next match: Saturday 11th December vs. Slough - 14.00 @ Dulwich College

Mens 2s vs. Wimbledon 2s: lost 1-2

Although this result is one with which the team are bitterly disappointed, we never quite gained sufficient control of the game to warrant more than a point. Initially, we played with some degree of composure and were able to deal with the opposition's attacks without too much concern. Despite being without good possession of the ball for long periods of time we were always able to break dangerously and dislocate the Wimbledon midfield and defence with accurate passing and direct running. One such break lead to the only goal of the first half in our favour. However, apart from an attack straight from the restart, we seemed unable to establish any collective authority in the second half. The opposition made good use of the right hand side, eventually pegging us back. An equaliser mid-way through the second half was the result of sustained pressure and despite notable performances in goal by Collins and the defence generally, with 15 minutes to go we were hanging on. Following an individual outburst over a (harsh?) penalty corner decision against us, we finished those last minutes with 10 men. Wimbledon's winner came in the last 2 minutes after we failed to clear another attack. We must return with a good performance on Saturday and resume the passing game which has earned us many good results this year. (RB)

Team: Justin Collins, Mark Pulford, Ed Stevenson, Matt Groom, Ben Wright, Simon Glasson, Lee Snowden, Richard Banwell, Graeme Fotheringham, Chris Smith, Sam Hiley, Andrew Potapa, Pete Howland, David Casement (Love Rat).

Scorer: Graeme Fotheringham.

Next Match: Saturday 11th December vs. Hounslow & Ealing 2s - 16.00 @ Dukes Meadow

Men's 3s vs. Teddington 3s: Lost 2-3

After beating the top teams in the division, we expected a comfortable game against 3rd from bottom Teddington. It looked easy for the first 10 minutes, with Julian Taylor expertly slotting home and myself pushing in a rebound to take us 2-0 up. Unfortunately that was probably the last good bit of hockey we played in the match as Teddington hassled their way back to 2-1 at half time. The second half had an air of predictability as Teddington had all the play and we struggled to put two passes together. Only Jeremy in goal could be mildly happy with his performance as the wheels finally came off our excellent run and Teddington punished us for our sloppy play, scoring their decisive winner 5 minutes from time. In the absence of anyone's Mum from the sideline, we appeared to lose concentration this week although this defeat will give us the chance to show some of the much talked about "bouncebackability" prevalent in other teams in the club. I am a very poor loser and the result put a real dampener on my Saturday night and consequently my Saturday night banter. Even my dance moves looked a little depressed. Losing on a Saturday really is rubbish. To quote from Lamar "there's not much justice in the world". Oh." (JT)

Team: Jeremy Porter, James Terrett, Guy Hodgson, Simon Wilshire, Thom Ruane, Mike Tyrell, Wesley Cole, Chris Coleman, David Fogden, Paul Harvey, Mike Killen, Julian Taylor, Geoff Pritchard, Nick Jacob.

Scorers: Julian Taylor, James Terrett.

Umpires: Toby Wheadon, Bill Dowie

Next match: Saturday 11th December vs. St Albans - 15.30 Fortress Dulwich

Tornados vs. Teddington: lost 2-3

For the last few weeks we have been like Paul Daniels in Panto - tragic and not even slightly entertaining. This week saw a glimmer of hope as the, now well overdue, Tornados butterfly began to emerge from its chrysalis. Gone was the house of misery, despair & apathy to be replaced by the hypostyle pillars of skill, belief, desire, hunger & passion holding up the roof of hope! Rome wasn't built in a day and I suspect if it collapsed it couldn't be re-built in a day despite the obvious advances in technology. The 4s don't need rebuilding they just need re-modeling, re-scoping & re-energising. We have mastered encroach-backability and have to now prove bouncebackability - the first step on the path to enlightenment was taken on Saturday. In the New Year we will take the next step... armed with a whiteboard, a fresh perspective and a legendary post-match drinking reputation the Tornados will put Tulse Hill & Dulwich back on the map. forget the X-factor we will show you the XXXX-factor, the Stella-factor and the Purple-Nasty-factor. (MJ)

Team: Lee Tearle(GK), Mark Jones, Tom Alexander, Neil Smith, Rich Fenton, Dougal Davis, Neil Gallagher, Duncan McCulloch, Adrian Meredith, Mick Snowden, Nick Harris & Simon Riley.

Scorers: Si Riley & Neil Gallagher.

Man of the match: Neil Smith.

Umpire: Si Newell.

Men's 5s vs. St Albans Tribunes: lost 1-7

Oh, what a nightmare! The post-match inquest in the bar afterwards left no stone unturned, but while the performance was, er, sub standard, it's worth remembering our high-flying opponents appear destined for the shortest of stays in division 5B. They even turned up 15 minutes late after an arduous journey, but it was TH&D who looked heavy-legged after being out passed and out-thought by a well-drilled team. Four or five goals by half-time - it's all a blur - but at least the game ended on a positive note when Simon Jones finished off the best, possibly only, TH&D move of the day. Let's hope for better things against Indian Gym. It was only a few weeks ago that we won four in a row, but the goals have dried up to such an extent that anyone with a goal this season is in the hunt for the 5th team golden stick award. Thanks to JT and Bruce Haines for umpiring such rubbish fare. (GE)

Team: Paul Reid, Billy Dowie, Stuart Craig, Vish Phakey, Graeme Evans, Richard Batty, Mark Annear, Mark Lay, Simon Jones, Gus Barnard, Dominic Peyton, Paul Burrows, Simon Canter.

Scorer: Simon Jones

Next match: Saturday 11th December vs. Indian Gymkhana - 12.30 @ Dulwich College

Men's 6s vs. Blackheath Heathens: won 4-0

So hopefully success breeds success. Two wins, two clean sheets and 12 goals scored and even my reintroduction into the team didn't have an adverse effect.thank God! I don't think it would be unfair if I said that neither team were looking forward to this game just because of the surface: when was the last time people played a competitive game on grass? (No, tournaments don't count). Still we adapted better than our opponents and totally dominated the first half scoring twice, goals that really came more from perseverance and determination than any good play. Blackheath were a lot more fired up in the second half and pressed early on, but we hung in there and pulled away, making the game safe with two more open play goals midway through the half. This game left me thinking several things - yes, dangerous I know and I also appreciate that this rarely happens. But to indulge me - firstly, why when you play on grass does everybody suddenly become Carlton Palmer with a hockey stick? And secondly, did we really have Mr Magoo umpiring the game (honestly his glasses were several inch's thick)? And finally how can anybody threaten Richard Mead as their left wing did in the second half? We'll have to make sure he is crucified in the return game. (CR)

Team: Tao McCloud, Andy Bond, Mike McKinnon, Ferg Johnson, Richard Mead, Nick Phipps, Nick Wright, James Kingdom, Colin Leeman, Ian Roberts, Mehraab Nazir, Kim Keats, Chris Richman.

Scorers: Kim Keats, Ian Roberts, Mehraab Nazir, Chris Richman.

Women's 1s vs. Oxford Hawks: won 5-1

This game would be a measure of how we had developed since we played Oxford Hawks at the beginning of the season. Then the result was a 1-1 draw when we were lucky to come away with a point thanks to Rachel's pass for B's wonder goal. We have improved considerably as a team since then and having played well for the last few games, we went into the game confident we could secure a vital 3 points. Things started reasonably well for us, but it wasn't long before tight marking by Wards and a slip by their right winger led to a penalty flick being awarded against us. Strange, but then we were to gain revenge on the umpire later on in the half by yelling very loudly at him (sorry Pipes). Our legendary goalkeeper made an awesome save, diving athletically to her right. Had it not been for that save, the game may have developed differently, but it was to be our day and shortly afterwards Rach scored from a short corner to put us 1-0 up. Gemma then added a second from another corner, before Martha put one in before half time to put us 3-0 up. In the second half the quote of the match came from Will..."Nicky get some shoes" rang out as a slip from our otherwise fantastic left back combined with sloppy defending to allow Oxford in for a goal. For the next 15 minutes the dynamics of the game changed. Playing with more confidence, Oxford surged into our D, but despite winning several short corners (mostly off the hard-working Charley, who was always in the right place to break down their attacks) they failed to score. Resilient defending, a fantastic work rate and our desire to win pulled us through a difficult period and we managed to regroup. Some great attacking play saw Lulu add another to relieve the pressure before the lively B added a fifth from Martha's cross. (KS)

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

Scorers: Rachel, Gemma, Charley, Martha, B

Next match: Saturday 11th December vs. Staines - 11.15 away

Women's 2s vs. Surbiton 2s: lost 0-1

The girls were robbed.

Women's 3s vs. Old Kingstonians: lost 2-3

This was a cracking game with the top of the table team. In the first half everything was very even - other than OKs being 2-0 up due to a goal in the first minute and another in the 36th (don't you just hate that!). But at half time we knew we were better than the scoreline suggested and were determined to do better. So we came out fighting - aided by the vocal support on the side line. This was the best hockey that the THD 3s have played since inception - great passing, enormous work rate, tough and uncompromising tackling and real class. And we got 2 back, both scored by Lizzie who thoroughly deserved it - she is playing better and better. It only took us 3 seasons to find her correct position! It really looked like we were going to hang on for a draw and then lost to a late goal from a short corner. But this was fantastic and we should no be downhearted. It's hugely difficult to single anybody out. Welcome to Emma and Krystyna and welcome back to Rosie - all of whom played really well. Beth was fab, Jo hugely competitive (bundling people over!), Lou ran and ran after this madly fast person, Karen solid as always, Erica scampering around, Sophie shining on the right wing, Rosie tying them in knots and Lizzie just a star. But our player of the match was Sonya - if we had known how well she would play at CB she would have been there all season. She was our best player in her first match back and is again in her last. Good luck. You will be missed. (JR)

Team: Krystyna, Joanna Reynolds, Karen Dodds, Erica Goldsmith, Lou Curry, Sonya Kwok, Jo de Silva, Rosie Carter, Roz Hornsby, Sophie Carter, Lizzie Gillett, Emma Kitley, Beth Little.

Scorer: Lizzie Gillett (2).

Umpires: Ferrett and Anna Barrett (thanks to both for calmness in the growing gloom!)

Next match: Saturday 11th December vs. Phoenix (our favourites) - 14.15 @ Alleyn's

Women's 5s vs. Mid Surrey: drew 2-2

After some sharp crisp passing, we scored to take well-deserved lead within just 5 minutes of the start. Team 5 continued to demonstrate their silky skills but unfortunately a lucky goal by mid-surrey ended the first half at 1-1. We continued to dominate in the second half with lots of shots at goal but after a controversial foot incident the opposition sneaked another goal. Team 5 battled hard and a strong team effort led to another superb goal. The game ended 2-2. But we'll beat them next season. (KD)

Team: Alice Smith Katherine Dixon, Kathryn Farthing, Jean Sutton, Bridget Morley, Ashley MacDonald, Kathryn Oliver, Rachael Farthing, Sarah Smith, Penny Ganser, Wendy Tang, Faith Geraghty. Scorers: Ashley Macdonald, Wendy Tang

Umpire: Geoff Legend

Women's 6s: won 5-1

Dragons vs. Eds: won 2-0

What a game! Right from the start the Dragons had 'Monopoly'ised the play leaving the opposition without a 'Cluedo' ... two goals 'Ker-plunk'ed against the backboard with no reply. Eds talk a good game but no way those 'Buckaroos' were going to beat us, in fact their 'Pursuit' of the ball was, at times 'Trivial'. The crisp game play and passing of the Dragons left Eds racked with 'Frustration'. It was a clinical 'Operation' across the whole of the team. A sound performance where (in Hertfordshire y'know, its only a small town apparently!) no unnecessary 'Risk's were taken and 'Guess Who' scored? 'Chess'ty Morgan who 'Scrabble'd one in and 'Mr Potato Head' - no need to reach for your 'Pictionary' to work out who that is! Anyone who thinks we couldn't win the league is clearly talking 'Balderdash' as the Dragons really are 'Top Trumps'! (MJ)

Team: Jeremy Porter (GK), Mark Jones, JC, JT, Matt Groom, Nick Jacobs, Gareth Norris, Lou Morgan, Louise Curry, Natacha Simon, Alex Hardy & Lindsey McLaren.

Scorers: Spud Norris & Loopy Lou M. Party

Planner: Lucy P

No show due to still being in bed in a poncho with a bottle of Tequila: Verity King.

Umpire: Simon Riley & Banners

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