Newsletter 2005/06

Since 2003/04 the club has produced weekly match reports. From the start of the 2005/06 season this became a weekly newsletter, distributed during the season, containing match reports from each of the games played that weekend as well as other key information and a selection of adverts and offers.

Fri 14-Oct-05

Issue 03

The reports are mixed up this week, or at least the top three are, in honour of a first win for a few weekends for the Women's 4s, a massive result for Billy and the Diamonds and the verbosity of certain members of the Women's 2s. And because I'm beginning to have favourite match reports. The results are continuing to improve all round, though the Tornados may dispute that as they lost out to the Royals in a THD head to head. It's not that easy to topple a monarchy nor perhaps is it wise to try to.

The Awards Dinner beckons on Saturday night and for those of you who haven't yet got a ticket - you are too late! A massive night of fun, frivolity, dancing, drinking and silverware... For those of you who do have tickets its time to run a sweep stake on who's going to win what? It all kicks off from 7.30pm in the clubhouse.

reports by: Claire Whitehead, Graeme Evans, Sarah Longair, Jon Drury, James Terrett, Mark Jones, Graeme Evans, James Kingdom, Gemma Baker, Stacey Sellman, Rachel Fallows and Maurissa Allen.

Women's 4s vs. University of Surrey Ladies 1s: WON 2-0

Amazing. We won. For the first time in over a season. And it was even quite stylish, and we could have won by more. They may have been a bunch of hung-over students, complete with surf dude boyfriends and hecklers on the side of the pitch, but a win is a win. 4 points now! Everyone played brilliantly - from Jess making storming saves in goal to tireless defending and midfield action and some superb finishing by the forwards (!!). Let's try and do it again - it certainly made my weekend. No-one at work can believe it!

Team: Jess Sillman, Nikki Smithies, Helen Clark, Anna Stuttard, Kate Silsbury, Rona Francis, Rosie Le Voir (debut in midfield!), Lynne Ruddick, Gaby Bishop, Jenna Kitley, Emily Tearle, Claire Whitehead, Lynsey Bilsland.

MOTM: Too much celebration - we forgot to vote - so maybe all of us??!

Scorer: Claire Whitehead (2) (yay!)

Umpire: Steve Powell

Next Match: vs Purley Walcountians - away

THD Diamonds vs. Bromley & Beckenham Weazels: won 4-0

Early days... but THD Diamonds hit the heights on Saturday with some superb hockey and a result that propelled the team to the top of the table with a 100% record after three games. Some of the hockey in the first half was a joy to watch, with the Diamonds three up in 25 minutes. It was all in the preparation of course, as, with jumpers for goal posts and a warm up that brought tears to the eyes of the local groundsman, the Diamonds were fired up from the off. The combined might of Bromley and Beckenham Weazels barely got a touch in that first 25 minutes, and it was no surprise when Rob Giret opened the scoring, a minute after he had a similar effort disallowed. Goal poacher Dominic Peyton doubled the lead before midfield general Warren Holme stepped up to dispatch a penalty stroke, just as it seemed no-one else fancied the responsibility. B&B rallied after the break, but there was no way past the telescopic reach of defender Tom Chicken or goalie Paul Reid, who proved particularly effective outside the circle. Star of the show though was Nick Hart, whose efforts tormenting B&B down the right were rewarded with an accidental black eye to go with a late goal and the man-of-the-match award. (GE)

Team: Paul Reid, Graeme Evans, Richard Batty, Tom Chicken, Rob Thomas, Gus Barnard, Rob Giret, Warren Holme, Paul Burrows, Nick Hart (MOTM), Tim Harris, Dominic Peyton, Oliver Walton, Peter Berman

Scorers: Rob G, Dom, Warren, Nick

Umpire: Billy Dowie

Next Match: Hampstead & Westminster Spaniards, away, October 22nd

Women's 2s v.s London Edwardians 1s: won 1-0

If this were a chapter in a 19th century novel, the subtitle would be thus: "In which our plucky heroines belie their meagre table position to trounce the league leaders (for illustrations, please see the website photo gallery). Rarely in our times has the college astro been witness to such a giant-toppling extravaganza. As David was to Goliath, Henry V at Agincourt, England to Australia in 2005, the Ladies 2s underdogs seized the initiative with what can only be described as some sensational hockey, for which the author is currently struggling to find sufficient superlatives. The trauma and frustration of the last fortnight were set aside to produce a performance of quality and composure. Admirably rising sky high above the opposition's ire and violent disposition, we responded in the best possible way - by actually playing rather well. As ever, it's all a bit of a blur but a particular highlight was George taking the metaphorical call to stamp our authority on the game rather literally by stepping on a rowdy attacker's face (after squaring up to Partington, she got little sympathy). Both Lucies excelled in the wing back positions, Alex H gleefully dominated the midfield over another moody Edwardian and Hannah was clear player of the match with pinpoint accurate tackling and forays up the pitch. The goal was extremely well-deserved but probably the less said about the ball's actual contact with a THD stick in the D, the better.! As prophesised last week, this is the beginning of something special.

Team: George Sykes, Shorty Deverill, Kate Selway, Hannah Cooke (MOTM), Lucy Muldoon, Sarah Longair, Alex Hardy, Liz Young, Emma Kitley, Harriet Gallagher-Powell, Oriane Abbonoizio

Scorer: Oz Next match: Saturday 29 October vs. Barnes, Hounslow, Ealing 4s - DC 11:00

Umpire: Mark Jones

Men's 1s vs. Gore Court 1s: lost 1-3

It all started brightly at first, And we played pretty well (in short bursts). But we lost it 3-1 When we ought to have won - In a scrappy match, we came off worst. To begin with, we outplayed our hosts. Of the chances, Tulse Hill had the most. The crowd were agape as a huge reverse shape Flew like lightning inside their left post. On a pitch that had sand like a beach, Further chances slipped just out of reach. Gore Court pulled one back In a lucky attack And we finished the half one goal each. Second half we had chances galore, But Gore Court, on the break, scored two more. The result would have changed Had the team found their range And converted their chances to score. It's hard not to dwell on defeat, When you play sloppy teams and get beat. As the weather gets wetter, We'll have to play better - It's time now to turn up the heat.... (JD)

Team: Tim Howarth (c), Jimmy Ireson, Graeme Fotheringham, Chris Roberts, Andrew Eames, Sam Hiley, Dave Hancock, Simon Garfunkel, Jon Drury, Dave Casement, John Craven, Andy Balchin, Laurent Bacall, Joe Cole

Scorer: Graeme Fotheringham

Men's 2s vs. Bromley & Beckenham 2s: Lost 0-2

Men's 3s vs. Bromley & Beckenham 3As: Drew 2-2

A rather disappointing performance given our last two results although we still remain undefeated. Good early pressure and the welcome return of Chris Coleman in the middle meant a short corner then a well-struck goal from the James Huntley scoring textbook. B&BAs then countered with a short corner of their own before we asserted ourselves and after much pressure James scored from another short corner. Half-time came at the wrong time. The second half descended into poor hockey on our part. Far too often we tried to play the killer ball through three sticks rather than move the ball around as we did earlier in the game. Trying to string more than three passes together became a joke, although it wasn't very funny. Why we did it - I don't know but I felt like a hapless Sven-Goran Eriksson unable to get the best out of his team. Sure enough, the opposition equalised with five minutes to go from another short corner. To add insult to injury, no-one stood out as MOTM this week and an organised mutiny occurred in the bar (I must have "lost the dressing room" ) where I was awarded the golden pint MOTM award for my umpiring.

Team: Justin Lawson, Simon Wilshire, Alex Brown, Rob Glavin, Wes Cole, Graeme Lyness, Alex McDonald, Chris Coleman, James Terrett, Mike Killen, Carl Hagger, David Fogden, Nick Jacob, James Huntley.

Umpire: JT & Chris Coleman (half-each)

Scorers: James Huntley (2)

Next match: Saturday 15th October vs. Maidenhead - Dulwich College 12:30

Tornados vs. Royals: lost 2-3

The Tornados were like Oliver Twist... very very poor and naive. It was a game we should have won but deserved to lose. But like my old friend the sex worker used to say "if you perform like that you've got to be disappointed."

Team: Lee Tearle (GK), MJ, Nick Thomson, Robby Layton (MoTM), Rolly Ferneaux, James Perrott, Rich Fenton, Nick Jones, Dougal Davis, Nick Harris, Loz Mockery & Irfan Begg.

Scorers: Nick Thomson & Irfan Begg

Umpires: Si Newell & Si 'stationary' Riley.

Royals vs. Tornados: won 3-2

With our fixture against Indian Gym cancelled and courtesy of Doug's big gob after the Blackheath game, the Royals faced a stiff inter club "friendly" against the Tornados. With one of our number previously saying that "we could have the 4s", both teams went into the game determined not to lose face. Starting at a brisk pace, the game was an even sided affair in the first half with both teams creating plenty of chances. However, despite the Royals best efforts, we were two nil down after 25 minutes, although the score was no reflection on the game. Our saviour came in the form of Ferg, who at our 4th short corner, picked the ball up at the top of the D, weaved neatly through two tackles and sweetly tapped the ball into the deck, arcing over a prostrate keeper and hitting the back board. In the second half, we made sure we kept our shape and we were soon rewarded for our efforts. A good passage of play was spectacularly finished when T-Rex Richman sweetly volleyed the ball into the corner of the goal, much to his amazement and our delight. Five minutes later, a quick counter attack saw some clinical passing result in another well taken goal by Ollie to put the Royals 3-2 up. Despite the Tornados efforts, the Royals held out to win the contest. Although some were more vocal after the game than others, the only real difference between the two teams was that the Royals stuck to their instructions and kept by their game plan that we know can work so well for us, whilst the Tornados didn't. This week end, an early trip to Maidenhead beckons. The Royals still remain undefeated this season and hopefully won't let this result go to our heads. Promotion is our main concern this year..

Team: Ports (GK), T-Rex, Ferg Johnson, Ollie, Kim Keats, Doug Heard, Bondy, Mike Wright, Keith Howick, Chris de Souza, Richard Mead, Ben Lones, Ed Allen

Women's 1s vs. Hampstead & Westminster 1s: won 3-1

We were in good spirits going into this game (yes, we met in a pub) - no-one was late, Jen was back, Faye had been reunited with her stick (although her car (and astros) were stolen midweek and she was, subsequently, the trendiest person on the pitch in her DKNY trainers), Clare discovered she was 'Miss Average 1st XI', and we were all entertained by a middle aged woman running round Paddington Rec with wild flowing locks and a small football.Hockey-wise, this was going to be a big match....Hampstead & West were second in the table having won both their previous games, and we were starting to find our feet after a good performance last week. Will had done his homework on the oppo and had come up with some cunning tactics to counter theirs. Unfortunately, it didn't go quite to plan.....not only did we give them too much space, we didn't seem confident in going forward, Charley went in for a 50/50 ball and came out more 30/70 and Nicky had to dash to the girls room mid way through the half. All this culminated in us conceding a soft goal when a pass across the back was intercepted and the Hampstead forwards queued up to put the ball in the net. So, at 1-0 down, Will had had enough and decided to leave (actually he had a game to play in Canterbury!), and he left us to our own devices. Half time brought some soul-searching, we decided to play our own game rather than theirs, and what could have been viewed as a brand new 11 players stepped up for the second half. And what a difference. The equaliser came after about 10 minutes - a perfect short corner routine gave Rach enough time (and some more) to slot the ball past the keeper. Another 10 minutes and it was 2-1, Lou getting on the end of a free hit to deflect the ball into the top of the net (although Lou was the last person on the team to realised she'd actually scored). H&W came back strongly....putting us under the kind of pressure they had in the first half. Pipes did some great work to keep the score as it was but despite some great defending by Kath, their forward did enough to win a pentaly stroke after Kath's foot prevented them from scoring. But up stepped Pipes, who, undaunted, also prevented them from scoring with a perfectly placed left pad. With less than 10 minutes to go, Lou did a great steal from the oppo defender and passed to Martha, who drew the keeper and very unselfishly passed to Gem who found the back of the net. A fantastic team effort - sorry to those who didn't get a mention above.....it was a great performance by all.....

Team: Pipes (MOTM), Clare Byrne, Kath Sowter, Jenni Martin, Nicky Prior, Charley Williams, Faye Billing, Rachel Lander, Gemma Baker, Bettina Wolff, Lou Morgan, EJ Barry and Martha Harvey-Jones.

Scorers: Rachel, Lou & Gemma.

Next match: West Witney (away) 12.30pm

Women's 3s vs. Spencer: lost 1-3

After a week of rest we were all ready to get back on the pitch to put our theories and tactics into practice. In the first half everything was going very well and even though some people had never met, play was quite fluid and 25 minutes into the first half we were rewarded with a fantastic goal scored by Erica after a wonderful cross from Rosie. We came out in the second half in very much the same manor but after 15 minutes there was nothing that could be done about a beautifully struck short corner 1-1. We werent giving up and were rewarded a handful of short corners but were unable to convert and the opposition took advantage of having so many people forward and struck again 2-1 and some heads went down and we lost another goal 3-1. In all there were a few things to work on but dont be disheartened we can rebuild. (SS)

Team: Dulcie, Stacey Sellman, Kate, Emma, Karen Dodds, Sabrina, Roz Hornsby, Nens Corran, Ashley, Erica Goldsmith, Rosie, Olivia

Scorer: Erica Goldsmith

Women's 5s vs Richmond 4s: lost 2-3

Richmond began their psychological warfare early, with the gates to the sports ground being locked upon our arrival, ensuring that there would be no time for T5's usual, highly charged pre match warm-up. And then there were the lights in the change rooms, only remaining on for 10 mins, leaving several T5 girls in the dark, with only half their kit on and no time to do their hair. The result was an anxious and unsettled T5, who struggled in the face of a sleek and highly skilled opposition. Panic set in with Richmond up 2 nil by half time. Somehow, after a fiery half team huddle we managed to pull ourselves together for the second half. An early short corner with a couple of quick, sharp passes resulted in goal #1 from 'killer Carmel', who not long after returned to the goal circle on a solo effort for goal #2. With Richmond only scoring 1 goal this half, we like to consider that T5 did at least manage to win the 2nd half of the match.

Team: Vix Streatfield, Jean Sutton, Bridget Morley, Nicole Yost, Martina Van Der Leij, Clare Montagu, Emma Gilchrist, Rachael Fallows, Andrea Beattie, Carmel Longley (WOTM), Penny Gasner, Wendy Tang

Scorer: Carmel Longley

Next match: Saturday 15th October 2005

Women's 6s v Kenley at Monks Hill Lost 0-2

The sixes are certainly feeling the pace of moving up a league, and it was another difficult game. The defence were (wo)men of the match and hats off to Kate, Michelle T, Jess and Jo for a stomping performance. Unfortunately, not quite so organised at the other end of the pitch - despite a couple of great crosses from Maurissa, and a close call by Michelle M at goal, there wasn't enough sensible passing from attack to get Kenley too worried. Though we were certainly not helped by lots of random whistle blowing from their confused looking umpire - and even more random whistle blowing from the netball game next to the pitch - created a lovely carnival atmosphere, but not conducive to understanding what the hell is going on. If we want to continue with excuses, Pippa was distracted by the old man on the side (?!) and some of us were suffering from sleep deprivation, monster hangovers and possibly still a little drunk. The new season is proving to be like a new pair of Jimmy Choo's - quite painful to break them in and get comfortable, but in no time will be firm favourites.

Umpires: Ian Wright & someone else.

MOTM: Kayte, Jo, Michelle T & Jess!

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