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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 27-Feb-06Issue 19
A set of half decent results in a shortened programme for THD last weekend, but in truth this is a Tribune to skim not to study. There were two wins, two draws, two losses that wouldn't have been were hockey matches a few minutes shorter and two that definitely would have. All in all a weekend that has added reason to my nascent campaign for half terms for all - the Surrey Women's league administrators, who gave most of our girls some time off, know what they're doing. For now, though the battle for final league places is the immediate priority - the Tornados and the Diamonds are still in contention for promotion, while the Men's 1s find themselves too close to a relegation scuffle for comfort. Keep an eye on the Tribune to follow your favourites' fortunes. Issue 19 may not have brought you the brightest news, but it is a magic number....
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: Richard Banwell, James Terrett, Mark Jones, Graeme Evans, Gemma Baker and Victoria Wright.
Men's 1s vs. West Hampstead: Drew 3-3
This match was approached with a determined mental attitude which was slightly put out of step by the push back arriving a lot sooner than expected. That said, the opening minutes produced what was perhaps THD's most dominant passage of play, resulting in an early short corner conversion by Nurse. But then as the game developed it became clear that neither side were likely to walk away with three points unless each found some consistency in passing and retained possession for longer periods.
However, the importance of the game (we are now one point above West Hampstead who are just in relegation territory) clearly lead to some anxious moments when the game was in the balance. Yet, along with the incidents of desperate tackling and one or two pear-shaped moments in the 'D', there was the usual class from the THD midfield, but with a changing line up it was evident that any real authority would be difficult to achieve. This lead to frustration in the tackle, leading to cards and ultimately a short suspension for Balchin, then a penalty stroke for West Hampstead to take the lead 3-2. Amongst all the carnage, Young Chester made his 1st Team debut and should be congratulated on a solid performance higher up the pitch - which could have easily included a first half goal.
Restored to 11 players, there was then a consolidated assault on the West Hampstead goal for the final 10 mins, thankfully leading to an equalizer with 3 or 4 minutes to go. It was a disappointing result as three points were a must before the start but at the final whistle a draw was all that the game was worth. The squad will be slightly different again next week as people return and others are absent but the team must now focus on the next game and nothing else. Three points against the bottom team are now essential with only 5 games remaining. It will not be for the faint hearted. (Banners)
Team: Chris Roberts (GK), Andrew Eames, Chris Smith, Will Nurse, John Craven, Richard Banwell, James Ireson, Andrew Balchin, Andres Labourt, Laurent Ferron, Chester "The Kid" Wilson, John Drury.
Scorers: Will Nurse, Andy Balchin, James Ireson.
MOTM: Andrew Eames
Next Match: Saturday 25 February vs. PHC Chiswick - away
Men's 2s: No game
Next match: Saturday 25 February vs. London Wayfarers 2s - away
Men's 3s vs. Old Loughtonians 3s: Drew 1-1
Playing against the then second placed league Old Loughts, we got ourselves up to Essex noticing the exquisite mock Tudor, nouveau riche houses, buoyed by a few helping hands from the 2's. We started well, moving the ball around very quickly and created a few chances whilst keeping it very tight at the back. Our pressure told with a quickly taken free hit falling to Chris Coleman who slotted home. Regular readers will know that when Chris scores he tends to celebrate a bit, and was subsequently warned for winding up the opposition.
As the game continued Old Loughts started to exert more pressure and short corners. Before the game I had noticed our opponents practising a rather slick drag flick routine which had the worrying knack of finding the top corners of the net. As I walked over to the lads to talk tactics I knew I needed a fast brave idiot to run out and put his body in the way of the fearsome flicks. Step forward Lee "run down the barrel" Snowden. The plan worked really well for everybody (apart from Lee), and they eventually got frustrated pinging the ball into his midriff and legs and were forced to try other routines, all saved brilliantly by MOTM Jeremy Porter in an amazing goalkeeping performance.
As the game approached its last 10 minutes, tempers became frayed, with lots of insults and fouls and one particular Old Loughts player was at the centre of it all, with the entire THD team (and some Old Loughts players) having mostly two words to say to him. With 5 minutes the inevitable happened. A strike into the D took a ricochet and fell to everyone's favourite ****, who scored. In all honesty, we played very well, but Old Loughts deserved no less than the point, it was just an awful way to concede. (JT)
Team: Jeremy Porter, Wes Cole, Kieron Norris, Alex Brown, Thom Ruane, James Terrett, Graeme Lyness, Mike Killen, Will Atkinson, Lee Snowden, David Fogden, Fergus Jagger, Chris Coleman, Alex McDonald. Scorer: Chris Coleman
MOTM: Jeremy Porter
Next match: Saturday 25 February vs. Wayfarers 3s - 11:00 @ JAGS
THD Tornados vs OL Foresters: Lost 3-4
This game saw a performance so poor that Oliver Twist turned up to sell the Big Issue on our behalf. Seasons aren't lost on just one performance, but with so much to play for in the last four games it was as if the team had taken a bung. Old Loughts were spurred on by not bothering to supply an umpire and having a couple of first-teamers hold the midfield. The Tornados had the quality to get to a winning position with four minutes to play... sadly, though, not the quality to hold that position. Roll on Alzheimer's as this is one match I'd be happy to forget. As my old mate Bob Holness used to say, "I'm sorry but you haven't qualified for the Gold Run." (MJ)
Team: Lee Tearle (GK), MJ, Rolly Ferneaux, James Perrott, Dougal Davis, Dan Hopkins, Simon Wilshire, Nick Harris, Tom Alexander, Irfan Begg, Nick Jones, Rich Fenton, Geoff Pritchard & Loz Mockery.
Scorers: Nick Jones, Irfan Begg & Geoff Pritchard
Man of the Match: Lee Tearle
Umpires: Si Riley & Aidan Brock
Next match: Saturday 25 February vs. Wayfarers 4s - 10.00 @ Tiffin Girls School
THD Diamonds vs. Old Loughtonians Gunners: Lost 1-2
One goal and one short-corner was the pitiful haul at the end of a game THD dominated from start to finish and yet somehow managed to lose. Despite plenty of impressive approach play, the Diamonds lacked a cutting edge and were made to pay by the swift counter-attacking of a team wearing the colours of the Arsenal and with the combined age of THD's back-four! We were undone mid-way through each half after Tim Harris had dived in to secure an early lead following a swift move down the right flank. Numerous chances came and went and, while most of the umpiring decisions went against THD, there could be no excuse for allowing their playmaker to run most of the pitch before hitting an unstoppable shot into the corner. The Diamonds remain in the second promotion spot - by goal difference - but can't afford any slip-ups in the final three games. (GE)
Team: Paul Reid, Stuart Craig, Rob Thomas, Tom Chicken, Billy Dowie, Gus Barnard, Graeme Evans, Oliver Walton, Simon Canter, Dominic Peyton, Tim Harris, Paul Burrows
Scorer: Tim
Next match: Saturday 25 February vs. OL Gunners - 14.30 @ Dulwich College
THD Royals vs. OL Academy: Lost 1-7
Match report curtailed by break in at captains flat. Will fill you all in about our glorious loss next edition. (CR)
Next match: Saturday 15 February vs. Reading Royals - away
Women's 1s vs. Hampstead & Westminster 1s: Won 2-1
Most memorable things from Saturday's game:
But on to the game.......We had some good early pressure and scored after 3 minutes, with Faye claiming what could potentially be goal of the season. When i say 'goal' i mean it in the loosest sense of the word, as whether a ball crawling over the line at such a miniscule pace can be awarded that accolade leaves cause for some debate. It certainly fooled the oppo keeper, the umpire had to think about it and, to be honest, most of our team didn't quite believe it as the goal celebrations were done somewhat quietly as we chuckled our way back to the half way line. However, it seemed to be what H&W needed and they started attacking in force and generally making it very difficult for us - the equaliser came after 16 mins. While a lot of our play leaved something to be desired, we also had some flashes of brilliance - one such move resulting in goal number two on the stroke of half time - EJ linked up nicely with Lou, the ball fell to Martha who had a cracking strike on goal, the keeper got a foot to it, but it came to Gemma who slotted home from about a yard out. It was just a nicely worked goal. (ed - to elaborate on our modest captain's description, it may only been a yard out but she did it style: reverse stick, roof of the net, nice).
However, despite a stern talking to from Will at half time, we were unable to improve in the second half - there was a lot of big hitting going around and running from one end of the pitch to another, but no goals. Although H&W came closest and nearly equalised from a corner - fortunately for us they put the ball over the crossbar from 2 yards out. Phew. Not the prettiest hockey we have ever played, but it was still 3 points and thankfully we have a later start next week.
Team: Pipes, Alex Crawford, Kath Sowter, Clare Byrne, Hannah Cooke, Nicky Prior, Faye Billing, Gemma Baker, Charley Williams, Martha Harvey-Jones, Lou Morgan & EJ Barry.
Scorers: Faye & Gemma
MOTM: Split between Pipes, Alex and Kath
Next match: Saturday 25 February vs. West Witney - 13.00 @ Dulwich College
Women's 2s: No game
Next match: Saturday 25 February vs. Thames Valley 1s @ JAGS
Women's 3s: No game
Next match: Saturday 25 February vs. Guildford 2s @ CPB
Women's 4s: No game
Next match: Saturday 25 February vs. South Godstone 1s @ CPB
Women's 5s: No game
Next match: Saturday 25 February vs. Wanderers 5s - away
Women's 6s v Reigate Priory 4s: Lost 1-8
Well both teams were at the same place at the same time this week for our rearranged game. We left in sunshine to play and arrived in pouring rain - having to play in white shirts - it turned out to be a wet t-shirt competition. With a depleted squad again this week due to holidays, dances and various other commitments there were no subs. Amazing since apart from us only the 1s were playing. It was a great game with good team spirit. Reigate were quicker to the ball and intercepted virtually every free hit we tried to get through. We did have some tremendous breaks at the other end of the pitch but their goalie was having none of it. Alice made some fantastic saves - she should be a gymnast. An unfortunate penalty (not against Alice) saw us go 6-0 down at half time. We recovered as much composure as we could being soaking wet and hardly able to see to keep it to 8 goals by putting Shona marking number 38 who was giving everyone trouble and Katie picking up 52. Some fantastic passing among the forwards (Vicky, Wendy, Pippa, Penny) saw Penny eventually put it in the back of the net. Pippa played a fantastic game at both ends of the pitch and we felt sure she would score, but Reigate denied her every time. We didn't deserve to lose by so many! We face them on home territory next week - as the song goes things can only get better. (VW)
Team: Alice Smith, Clare Montagu, Pippa Haworth, Shona Welch, Victoria Wright, Jo Hillyer, Jess Beach, Michelle Terry, Katie Stone, Penny Ganser and Wendy Tang
Scorer: Penny Ganser
MOTM: Pippa Haworth
Umpire: Ian Wright
Next match: Saturday 25 February vs. Reigate Priory 4s - 16.00 @ Dulwich College
THD Dragons vs. Wimbledon (HA Mixed Trophy R2): Won 2-0
On a day that would have had Noah running for the lifeboats, the Dragons took to the pitch against an under-strength Wimbledon team that only avoided a default by the lucky interjection of Lee Tearle's goalie helmet! With such an auspicious start there was little surprise that the Wimbledon kicking back had to endure more shots than a Whiskey Factory testing room. Fortunately for him they were as accurate as a Rubik's cube bowling ball. Still determination, if nothing else, won out... and although the sun refused to shine then Dragons were happy to. With a goal in either half, progression was assured. But as my old mate Roy Walker (from Catchphrase) used to say "it's good, but it's not quite right..." (MJ)
Team: Jeremy Porter (GK), MJ, Ratty, Will Nurse, Aidan Brock, Chris Coleman, Snowy, Gemma Baker, Charley Williams, Hannah Cooke, EJ Barry, Lucy Muldoon, Lou Curry & Kath Sowter.
Scorers: EJ & Will Nurse
Umpire: Si Riley & Pipes.
Next match: Sunday 5 March vs. Spencer - 14.00 @ Battersea Park |
