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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 17-Feb-06Issue 18
Games, goals, champagne and chocolate - it's a love in. Read on for news of another more than satisfactory weekend for THD as the girls moved into the quarter final of the cup, the Tornados closed out another win, and both sexes sixes brought back the points. Amidst the mayhem there were hattricks for Lou Morgan and Andy Balchin and the Dragons warmed up for this weekend's Trophy match against Wimbledon with a last minute clincher at Battersea. Turn up and cheer them on at the College on Sunday and you might have a chance of usurping Simon Riley as the current ladies favourite. Garters given to truly dedicated supporters, possibly....
Don't forget to get your End of Season Dinner (18-Mar-06) tickets. Click here for more information and to download a ticket request form.
reports by: Jon Drury, Aidan Brock, Will Atkinson, Mark Jones, Graeme Evans, Chris Richman, Gemma Baker, Kath Sowter, George Sykes, Karen Dodds, Claire Whitehead, Penny Ganser and Victoria Wright.
Men's 1s vs. Staines: Drew 5-5
On Saturday, Tulse Ill and Dulwich bruvers's firsts travelled to me turf. Much was made before da push back of da need fa composure and initial focus, but an opportunistic start from da westside crew saw us go behind in da first minute, afta some scottish snoozing.
Scorers: Andy Balchin 3, Dave Casement 2
Men's 2s (South London's friendliest team?) vs. Richmond 2s: Drew 0-0
A goalless draw is not a scoreline that any of us had ever experienced in our Tulse Hill & Dulwich, Tulse Hill or Dulwich careers (that covers a lotta years, believe you me) and the wierdness didn't end there. What we lacked in goals we certainly made up for in yellow cards, with five being dished out to THD and one to Richmond. Maybe it was the touch rugby warm up, maybe it was the fact that it was a full moon (the first two cards were received by the team's 'hair bear bunch' of Ferg and Nursey), who knows?. This was by no means an inherently dirty or ill tempered game, but a lack of consistency from the men with the whistles did cause a certain amount of consternation from both sides. This is not sour grapes as 3 of our cards were well deserved, but on the postive side we 'battled' well when faced with 3 separate periods when we were reduced to 9 men, Chris Coleman scoring (which was subsequently, and correctly, disallowed) during one such interlude. Quite what a right back was doing in the 'D' when we were two men down I'll never know but the initial euphoria and his Gladiator quote of "are you not entertained?" as he ran back to the half way line is an enduring memory. We had loads of short corners and should have converted at least one, but only one loss in the last ten games is testament to how far we have come as a team - think we may need to turn some of our fighters into lovers tho': c'mon ladies, help me out here please.......
Huge Performances from: Wiggy (MOTM), Alex Brown, Paul Harvey
Huge thanks to: Will Atkinson & Snowy for battling across from South London to prove us with last minute cover
Tackling classes for: Ferg, Chris Coleman
Anger Management/'shut your mouth' classes for: Matt Groom, Nursey, Laurent
Men's 3s vs. Southgate 3As: Lost 0-7
The absence of our talismanic leader, our pugilistic centre forward and number of other greats did nothing to rock the resilience of this team. Tearing into Southgate from the start, we suffocated the opposition's evident talent with a pillow case full of pace and creativity. Displaying levels of fitness rarely seen in amateur sport, and determination grittier than a naked road digger's helmet, the scarlet and green shirts of THD waltzed around the opposition, transforming them from a well-drilled unit sitting handsomely at the top of the league into of a random sprinkling of embarrassed training ground cones. Individuals can't, and won't, be singled out when a team achieves heights such as these.
Given the above performance, imagine our sense of injustice when the final whistle went and the opposition had put seven past us with no reply. (WA)
Team: Not really.
MOTM: Anyone who wasn't playing.
Umpire: The only member of THD not to disgrace himself.
Scorers: Southgate.
Next match: Too soon.
Tornados vs. Richmond Stags: Won 2-0
This season, like a piece of cheese, is going to go right to the wire. With less points than blunt star between first and third in the table it means that - unless the league secretary discovers a way to make two divisible by three - someone is gonna miss out on promotion by a margin tighter than an ID card vote. For our part the Tornados are hell bent on burying every team that we come across. Richmond got blown away this week and Old Loughts get a shooing on the 18 Feb. Four games remaining. if you see the part of the clubhouse where we keep our points then make sure there's space for another twelve. Even my old mate Michael Fish could predict these Tornados! (MJ)
Team: Lee Tearle (GK), MJ, Tom Alexander, Si Wilshire, Dougal Davis, Nick Harris (MOTM), James Perrott, Nick Jones, Rich Fenton, Rolly Ferneaux, Dan Hopkins, Loz Mockery & Geoff Pritchard.
Scorer: Geoff Pritchard (2)
Umpire: Si Riley
Next match: Saturday 18 February vs. Old Loughtonian Foresters - 12.30 @ JAGS
THD Diamonds vs. Richmond Lions: Lost 2-4
Maybe it was the pressure of performing in front of the THD camera (pictures on the website), but the Diamonds did little to enhance their promotion credentials when mid-table Richmond came to Dulwich College. The opposition were far stronger than their league position suggested, controlling much of the game as second-placed Diamonds struggled to come to terms with the absence of so many key players. A squad of 14 was the norm earlier in the season, but injuries and other commitments have left captain Billy Dowie battling to muster the bare minimum - not ideal when the team stands a good chance of promotion or a play-off spot at the very least.
The game itself started in rollercoaster fashion with Richmond taking an early lead, only for Oliver Walton to hit a thunderous equaliser following a fine cross-field pass from Dominic Peyton. The latest in a series of short-corner strikes from Warren Holme put THD in the lead before Richmond took advantage of some sloppy defending to draw level. Barely 15 minutes had passed and it looked like being a ten goal thriller. THD created chances at regular intervals but it was Richmond who scored two more goals and could have got more without some excellent defending from Stuart Craig and Gus Barnard. (GE)
Team: Paul Reid, Stuart Craig, Rob Thomas, Gus Barnard, Graeme Evans, Will Morgan, Warren Holme, Oliver Walton, Dominic Peyton, Tim Harris, Paul Burrows
Scorers: Oliver & Warren
Umpires: Wes Cole, Robby Layton & Mark Jones.
Next Match: Saturday 18 February vs. OL Gunners - 11:30 away
THD Royals vs. Richmond Redoubtables: Won 5-1
After spending much of the two days before this game trying to ensure we had enough players to play the game, I was a little worried that we would end up travelling depleted to the team at the bottom of league who haven't got any points this season and struggle. But my fears were allayed by a great team performance. I think the only person who didn't contribute was our stand in keeper Alex and that was only because the defence only allowed him to see the ball three times, two of which he dealt with brilliantly. Unfortunately the third was getting the ball out of the net, but no blame could be attached for what was an excellent finish.
Basically we dominated this game in the same way that Dick Cheney dominates his friends on hunting trips. Although we only scored once in the first half we were never in any real trouble and so it came as no real supprise that we streatched away in the second half with a combination of good quick passing hockey and good finishing. So top of the league at home next, hopefully we can continue this form. Also with a bit of luck we may have a team member joining the cast of Hollyoaks by next week's game. (CR)
Team: Mark Annear, Doug Heard, Nick Jones, Mike McKinnon, Mike Wright, Andy Bond, Mehraab Nazir, Ed Allen, Kim Keats, Ollie De La Fosse , Alex (the Keeper) and myself.
Scorers: Nick Jones (2), Ed Allen, Mehraab Nazir, Chris Richman
Next match: Saturday 18 February vs. Old Loughtonians Academy - 13:30 @ CPB
Women's 1s vs. Basingstoke: Won 5-0
The weekend has become a bit of a blur after our 9-goal frenzy (see trophy game report) so i'm afraid the specifics of Saturdays game are a little fuzzy. However, I do remember that Basingstoke's water supply was up and running in the changing rooms this year, so the trip to the local Homebase to use the loo was not required; and that we s cored 5 goals in one game, all of top quality - 3 from penalty corners and 2 open play, with Faye, Martha and Lou sharing the spoils. Apologies that i can't remember who did what and in which order, but they were all blinding goals nonetheless. Basingstoke, to their credit, kept at us and didn't make it an easy win - but for the first time we really look like putting the ball away when we get our chances. Great team effort and great preparation for the next days trophy game!
Team: Pipes, Alex Crawford, Kath Sowter, Clare Byrne, Hannah Cooke, Charley Williams, Gemma Baker (motm), Faye Billing, EJ Barry, Lou Morgan & Martha Harvey-Jones.
Scorers: Faye Billing (2), Martha Harvey-Jones (2) and Lou Morgan
Next game (league): Saturday 18 February vs. Hampstead & Westminster - 11am start @ Dulwich College
Women's 1s vs Maidenhead (HA Trophy): Won 4-2
Maybe the bubbles in the champagne were responsible for the sparkle in Lou's hat trick performance? They were at least partly responsible for a very weary and hungover coach and definitely played a part in Gemma having to change bedding at 4am - oh dear, some of us just never learn.! Despite the hangovers and the rain, we set about our task of making it through to the next round of the Trophy against tough opposition. The first 10 minutes were all Maidenhead, but we soon settled down and an interception by Penny and sharp finish by Martha saw us take the lead. Clare played a blinder and stopped their very skilful centre forward from playing and we went in at half time 1-0 up. Shortly after the break Lou set off on her goal fest. The first was swept in from Alex's short corner strike and the second came minutes later when Gemma played a perfect pass through to Lou for a first time strike. Maidenhead then scored from a short corner and their centre forward won a penalty stroke after Charley literally threw herself in front of goal. Pipes almost saved a well taken stroke, but with 10 minutes to go Maidenhead had brought the score back to 3-2. We have been known to press the self destruct button, but a determined side worked tirelessly to keep the ball in our attacking half and we won several short corners to run down the clock. Despite a few examples of hat trick avoidance, Lou finally completed her awesome display by securing a 4-2 win.
We have been drawn away in the quarter finals against Wisbech in Cambridgeshire. Let's hope they sell champagne up in the Fens...
Team: Jo Malkin, Alex Crawford, Kath Sowter, Clare Byrne, Hannah Cooke, Faye Billing, Gemma Baker, Charley Williams, EJ Barry, Lou Morgan, Martha Harvey-Jones, Penny Stephens
Scorers: Martha Harvey-Jones, Lou Morgan (3)
MOTM: Clare Byrne
Next match (HA Trophy quarter-finals): Sunday 12 March vs. Wisbech - away @ time tbc
Women's 2s vs. Barnes Hounslow & Ealing 4s: Won 4-1
Oh the wonder of a 3pm game in Sheen! We all got through the joy of the Wandsworth one way system feeling suitably aggressive for our game with bottom of the table BHE. We only had 11 players and knew it wasn't going to be a walk in the park. Unfortunately for us they were also suitably aggressive about being the eternal losers and were prepared to play dirty!
It didn't help that we scored in the first 3 minutes! I thought I was in for a spectacle of champagne hockey especially with so many goal hungry forwards.but then their centre mid decided to mistake Sarah's head for the ball at the top of our 'D' 2 minutes later. blood everywhere & a delicate yelp from the brave Sarah -who wanted to play on but due to the hole in her face got planted on the sidelines for the whole game (later to have 3 stitches on chin and 2 inside her mouth I believe!)
So down to 10 men as obviously we had no sub and the 5 minutes of madness began, i.e. they scored. Awful scrappy goal. Less said the better. But somehow we managed to turn this around, sorted out our structure and began to take control. Some of the goals were magnificent - Emma scored a corker and Penny (MOTM) annoyed the hell out of their defence. At half time we were 3-1 up with 10 players!
In the second half, after some sound words from Gordon & Kate, we scored again, although BHE had rallied a bit and there were some dubious tackles inflicted on us. many thanks to Riley who somehow managed to keep the tempers subdued. Lucy M, Blumes & Lucy P stopped anything coming near me which was great as I was a tad cold by the end. All in all a great result and we are back up to 5 th in the league but not a game we will look back upon with fondness!
N.B. Even with her stitched up face Sarah was the first to Lucy P's Bday party that evening and one of the last to leave - Now there's stamina! (GS)
Team: George Sykes, Kate Selway, Kate Blumer, Lucy Muldoon, Rosie Carter, Harriet Gallagher-Powell, Emma Kitley, Oz, Penny Stephens, Sarah Longair, Lucy Partington.
Scorers: Not sure but think Emma (2), Penny, Oz (I'm at the other end!)
Women's 3s vs. Woking Vets: Drew 0-0
Bliss, I love playing Woking Vets as I can see a whole team of people my age, rather than a whole opposition of huge blonde young people (perhaps they aren't all blonde). Not sure what the rest of the team's reasons were but Woking inspired us to play a rather lovely swift passing game of hockey, with fast moves, good support, and a determination to win the ball. The short corner routine looked impressive and Mo (flying in from Austr ali a specially, or perhaps she had always planned to come back from holiday then) and Beth were unlucky not to score. At the other end Ferret had volunteered to do her poorly back no end of damage by playing in goal and deciding to save everything that came her way. Lizzie as stand in sweeper was rather a star and in true sweeper fashion carried the ball strongly out of our D. In the end a draw was probably a fair result (I say that very grudgingly as obviously we always deserve to win really). (KD)
Team: Ferret , Tash , Karen, Lizzy, Julie, Fatima, Nens, Erica, Beth, Lucy , Mo
Player of the match: Beth W... of the match (Ferret has forbidden use of the full word): a new game introduced by Nens and earning her a nomination, went to Ferret for a range of reasons too numerous to mention but could possibly be construed as her being picked on, although in fairness getting lost on your 6th trip to Woking in the season does deserve it.
Umpires: all three were theirs - one was substituted following failing concentration.
Next match: Saturday 25 February vs. Guildford 2s @ CPB
Women's 4s vs. London Edwardians 2s: Lost 1-4
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