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News > Newsletter 2006/07
Newsletter 2006/07
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 09-Mar-07Issue 22
5… is the magic number. Both the Diamonds and T5 did THD proud this weekend, with stirring victories. The Diamonds now begin a tense few weeks with three must-win games, while T5 rejoiced, in song – see below, in their run of form. The women’s 1s need goals to secure the top spot in their league while also living the dream of the trophy/league double to add lustre to the THD trophy cabinet. Elsewhere, to quote renowned contemporary cultural commentator, Ricky from the Kaiser Chiefs, ‘everything is average nowadays’. Average indeed the rest of us were – not achieving greatness or disaster but some mediocre, purgatorial limbo in between. Several uninspiring draws and discouraging losses mean most teams seem to be trundling along until the end of the season. The Men’s 2s in fact are relinquishing all interest in hockey to focus on their heady aspirations to become South London Casanovas with Coleman their male Bridget Jones, diarising their exploits FHM style, heavily edited for public consumption I assure you.
On a more sobering note, our thoughts and best wishes are with Steve Reeves from the Men’s 3s who suffered a serious injury to his kneecap on Saturday. We wish him all the best for a full recovery.
Social administration time - forms for the dinner must be in ASAP to secure tables, which are being snapped up very fast.
Reports by: Billy Dowie, Faith Geraghty, R H Richard Banwell, Chris Coleman, Wes Cole, Mark Jones, Gemma Baker, Kate Selway, Karen Dodds, Claire Whitehead, Kate Leckie.
Diamonds vs. Spencer 6s: Won 2-1
What a result. We were hammered 5-1 by these guys before Xmas, and they turned up with a squad of 14 players looking like they wanted to do better this time. We were a completely different proposition, however. After 10 minutes on the back foot, we came out of our shells, passed the ball around and took the game to them. We have always been determined, but this time we had a structure and stuck to it.
Irfan & Andrew proved to be a successful short corner combo, with Andrew burying two of our four shorts. The result should not mask the fact that they fluffed two or three chances that they would probably have converted on another day, but, apart from six points worth of walkovers, we ourselves haven’t had too much luck this season.
We are now just above the relegation zone, three points ahead of Indian Gym, and with a better goal difference of 41. We have three games remaining, and they have two. They need four points from their two games just to overhaul our current tally, but the simple fact is that a total of three points from our three games will see us safe, no matter what they do. (BD)
Team: Paul Reid, Tom Illingworth, Billy Dowie, Gus Barnard, Andrew McConchie, Adam Smith, Warren Holme, Simon Canter, Oliver Walton, Bob Morris, Irfan Begg
Scorer: Andrew (2)
Umpires: Tim Sylvester & Mark Evans
Next game:
Saturday 10th March, away to Spencer 5s, 15.00
Women’s 5s vs. Reigate Priory Ladies 3s: Won 5-3
Ladies and Gentlemen, this is Team Number 5! One, two, three, four, five…..(goals) And jump and down
go and move the ball around And look around
twice
Chorus: A little bit of Fermor on the attack A little bit of Helen up the wing A little bit of Kristien taking a swing A little bit of Erica on the ball A little bit of Martina standing tall A little bit of Leckie taking shorts A little bit of Faith sporting skorts A little bit of T5 makes me your fan!
Fired up from last week’s win, T5 were ready to demolish the opposition! A couple of resourcing issues earlier in the week were resolved when Erica and Kristien stepped in at the last minute and played brilliantly. Right from the beginning we put pressure on Reigate, maintaining possession through team-work, control and accurate passing. An early goal was followed by a series of short and long corners, culminating in a fantastic aerial goal by Andrea B, set up by Helen F, making it 2-0 at half time. With some more short corner practice we could be very dangerous indeed!
Reigate came out strong in the second half, with a series of good chances on goal. Thanks to some excellent saves from Sally and close marking from the defence we managed to limit the damage. With a bit of tactical ‘rearrangement’ of the team by Ferrett we managed to score another couple of goals, one of which looked like it had come straight out of a Thursday night training session – Peter will be pleased, we thought to ourselves.
The best thing about the match was the fantastic teamwork and support that we all gave each other. With a performance like that, I think we’re set for some more wins before the season is out. (KL)
Team: Kristien, Erica, Martina, Len, Faith, Helen F, Helen C, Andrea B, Stephie, Kate, Sally, Fatima
Scorers: Helen C, Andrea B, Stephie, Kate (2)
PoMs: Kate and Sally
Next match: Saturday 10th March vs. Byfleet Ramblers Ladies 2s away
Men’s 1s vs. Trojans: Drew 2-2
The first of four remaining fixtures was a difficult trip to the third place team, looking to pick up points in a chase for second place and promotion. For ourselves, the battle against Slough seemed to generate a quiet confidence and it was an assured performance in the first half which lead to good deal of possession and pressure. A short corner conversion by Balchin gave THD the lead at half time. Not that the early part of our day was without incident; Hiley had fallen ill and did not make the trip and Balchin’s footwear split. Curiously he decided to substitute what appeared to be a ‘Green Flash’ dap on one foot for the remainder of the game.
Hard running was the name of the game in the second half throughout the side. It was an afternoon where the Poise and Confidence in the first period was matched by the Honesty and Integrity in the second. Everyone delivered. Everyone ‘dug’ and then when the question was asked - ‘dug’ again. However, as our pattern of play became more defensive, we had difficulty in retaining the ball leading to more frequent attacks by the opposition. A stroke was conceded and converted by Trojans early in the second half and late on an unsighted Holmes was beaten by a drilled shot from top ‘D’. Trailing at that point was very tough. It had not been beyond us to take all three points in this game on the basis of the first half, but now we faced defeat. We decided that we didn’t much care for that.
An attack down the right (such attacks now sporadic at best) led to neat work towards the baseline by Huntley followed by a bullet cross from Glasson. A Trojan’s stick deflected the ball in a harmless loop to just beyond the far post. It was Casement, as ever, who was waiting to dispatch the ball on the half volley into the net. Another vital goal by the man-boy they call ‘Fez’.
After such a performance it was an honour to wash the shirts - or at least pay someone to do so. As for the writer – age doesn’t matter unless you’re a cheese. (RB)
Team: Holmes D, Boucher G, Smith C, Weir G, Banwell R, Ireson J, Balchin A, Brown A, Glasson S, Huntley J, Heath R, Casement D
Scorers: Balchin, Casement
MOTM: Brown (solid performance)
TFC: Banwell (various matters)
Next game: Saturday 10th March v Barnes, Dulwich College 2.30pm
Men’s 2s vs. Richmond 2s: Lost 1-4
Like a night with a THD lad after the Awards Dinner, Saturday ended in nothing but empty promises, being slightly weak in the tackle and overall a disappointing result all round.
And where would we be with our Eddy who, when he isn’t busy playing hockey, attempts to seduce girls who are on the side of the pitch! Goldilocks and the Scot are very happy so I’m told. And where would a match report about love lives be without mentioning the illustrious Mr. Nurse. With his brother getting engaged he didn’t want to be out of the spot light so has manage to get himself his very own restraining order from a girl. I tried to get one for the whole ladies club but unfortunately they only give them out on a case by case basis!
If any other members of the club would like their love life advertised in the tribune then feel free to contact me at mens2@thehockeyclub.co.uk. Start your emails “Dear Chris” (CC)
Team: Coleman, Laurent, Ferg, Nurse, Mike K, Jacob, Paul H, Potty, Tom M, Piggy, Ed
Umpire: Mark Jones
Scorers: Ferg (and Piggy!)
Men's 3s vs. Richmond 2As: Lost 3-0
Our unpredictable end to the season continues with more drama. A 3 -0 loss fairly academic with Ben having his wallet, phone, keys and laptop stolen from the side of the pitch after Steve was taken to hospital after shattering his knee cap, maybe never to return to the hockey pitch. Thought are with him, he's having ops this week. (WC)
Team: Jeremy Porter , Wes Cole, Robbie Layton, Rob Glavin, Adam Taylor, Jo Griffiths, John Holmes, Tim Sylvester, Steeve Reeves, Nick Harris
Umpire: Arthur Mitchell
Next match: Saturday 10 March vs. Spencer 4's Away
Tornados vs. Richmond Deerstalkers: Lost 2-6
One of the most tragic errors that William Tecumseh Sherman made during the four years of fighting in the American Civil War was his order to initiate a frontal assault on Kennesaw Mountain. On the 27th of June, 1864, the red-haired Ohioan ordered two simultaneous assaults and both failed, leaving an aggregate loss of nearly three thousand men, whereas the losses in Hardee's and Loring's corps, by which the brunt of the assault was sustained, were reported by Confederate General Joseph Johnston to be about five hundred and forty. Sherman in his official report stated "Failure as it was, and for which I assume the entire responsibility, I yet claim it produced good fruits, as it demonstrated to General Johnston that I would assault, and that boldly." So clearly that explains what happened last Saturday. (MJ)
Team: Will Pigden (GK), MJ, Roland Ferneaux, Nick Jones, Jon Kirby, Charlie Krasun, James Perrott, Si Riley, Si Wilshire, Tom Alexander & Alex Fishwick.
Scorer(s): Nick Jones & Si Riley
Umpire: Chris Coleman.
Next game: Saturday 10 March vs. Richmond Stags, home 12.00 CPB
Men’s 6s: No game
Next game: Saturday 10 March vs. PHC Chiswick 4s away
Women’s 1s v Sunbury 1s: Won 2-0
The race to the finish has begun. Needing a win from all remaining fixtures, the 1s ventured to one of the many schools/colleges along Hampton road in Sunbury, although not all of us made it to the right college - some could see the pitch, others could hear it, but not all could get to it, signs should be erected to the college so that the poor person working at the school didn't have to keep explaining our mistakes. Our track record against this team (and at this pitch) isn't anything to write home about, and normally this fixture coincides with a THD social event where we have to admit to everyone that we lost to Sunbury....again....! So, perhaps no social fixture was laying the way for a victory. It also meant we could, for once, go back for teas, which it has to be said are the spiciest teas within the south league, regardless of the option chosen.
With Pipes missing due to a family knees-up, we welcomed Dulcie into the team and she certainly lived up to all the great things we'd heard about her. We looked pretty sharp from the start, which makes a change, and a number of chances were created. A 'was it / wasn't it' penalty stoke debate ended up in Sunbury's favour, so Kath retreated back to her end of the pitch, Martha did a great long ball thru to Eeej, who somehow managed to kick it with both feet and the whole right hand side of the pitch kept trying to penetrate, but were prevented from doing so by a resilient Sunbury defence. Lou broke the deadlock with a well taken pass from Gemma and slotted home to open the scoring.
Sunbury looked dangerous on the break but the defence & Dulcie dealt with the pressure well and the midfield battled hard - Faye having to deal with a feisty left mid!! Sharon managed to rid Sunbury of one of their defenders...payback perhaps for wearing a rather hard shot on the foot earlier in the game?....and by the latter part of the second half the game had really opened up and THD were able to play some of the sexy hockey we so often strive for. the second goal came near the end - EJ picking up a spilled ball from a short corner to seal the victory. Just need more of the same next week :-) (GB)
Team: Dulcie, Alex, Kath, Hils, Clare, Jen, Lisa, Gem, Faye, Ej, Lou, Martha & Sharon
Scorers: Lou & EJ
Motm: Gemma
Supporter: B
Next Matches: Saturday 10 March: Buckingham @ DC 1pm start Sunday 11 March: Away v Sunbury (again) - Trophy QF: 1.30pm start
Women’s 2s vs. Purley Walcountians 2s: Lost 1-0
What led our heroines astray this week? Purley "away" encounters have been a jinxed fixture for us for several seasons. In past years this fixture has taken place in December when, in a bid to escape relegation, Purley have used several of their off duty 1st XI players to inflict defeat upon us. This was also the pitch where Nicky Prior broke her jaw, and was the scene of 2nd XI disaster 4 years ago when Charley's XI, joint top of Surrey Prem with Purley 1s, suffered a crushing 4-1 blow, thus handing a South League play-off place to Purley on a plate. Events were not nearly as dramatic this week, but scored high on the frustration scale.
We had 75% of the possession. They scored in the first half from a short corner deflected in from the right post. We struck home a textbook short corner on the half time whistle but it was disallowed because of an encroaching attacker's foot 3 miles away. Our main problem appeared to be getting sucked into a swirling vortex of activity at the top of the D. There must be some black-hole gravitational pull thing going on there. Either that or we were collectively rubbish and utterly lacking in tactical awareness. Guess which theory I had to listen to all the way home? Anyway, feelings of deflation have caused a 1 week moratorium on Player of the Match, but I predict far spicier things next week!
This week's losers were: Dulcie, Kato, Shorty, Muldoon, Lucy May, Biba, Loggers, Hannah, Emma, Sarah B, Claire and Rosie
Ump: Lou Campbell, much appreciated
Next match: Saturday 10 March vs. London Eds away
Women’s 3s vs. Old Kingstonians 1's: Lost 4–0
We had 3 subs and they only had one but numerical supremacy didn’t make a big difference. Our fantastically sprightly start should have had some impact but sadly we didn’t manage to convert pressure to goals. They found a bit of space to attack and converted a short corner, but enough of the game - we lost. We let four goals in and had to ponder why, after it was all so good last week, why it so wasn’t this week.
Even Ros turning up with wise words at half time didn’t change things. Player of the match went to Captain Lou with exciting race commentary from George, adding spice to the competition. The other hot topic of conversation was if 98% of people say red hammer to a quiz why only one of our team (Rachel) was in that 98%. We weren’t far off with lots of blue hammers and spanners, and Lou digging up a spade. Other mysteries were how can Sophie hit the ball so hard when she is half the size of some of us, and what was Emma going to do that evening? (KD)
Team: Rachel Biggs, Sophie Carter, Lou Curry, Karen Dodds, George Hills, Beth Little, Emma Matabalawu, Lucy Gaskin, Mo O'Brien, Emma Parker, Olivia Salau, Stacey Sellman, Helen Shackleton, Jo Walford, Jen Watson
POTM: LOU
Umpire: Bill Dowie
Next winning game: 10 March Wanderers 2's away 15.00 at Battersea Park
Women’s 4s vs. Leatherhead 1s: Lost 5-3
This match was all too exiting – especially from the sidelines (still). There was pre match drama and injuries, mid match excitement and a goal scoring fest, and then unluckily a post match come down as we had to face the fact that we’d lost. Huh.
So – Pre match drama: Despite all carefully made mid week arrangements Lucy’s brain finally got eaten by gin and in her hungover state she forgot the goalie kit. Not a good start when you live 15 minutes away and there are roadworks. Whilst Olga raced Lucy home to retrieve the kit, the over enthusiastic warm up resulted in Selina getting clonked on the head. Ooops. Then we could wait no longer so had to start the game with 11 field players. Worryingly our trusty ump had not heard of this new rule. Steve – download here: http://www.englandhockey.co.uk/core_files/fileDownload(593).pdf
Mid match excitement: Ok so it started badly – the 11 field players thing was a bit weird and easy to forget about (it seemed), and Leatherhead took advantage of the empty goal. Then Lucy arrived with the kit, and things started to get better, the first half ending with us 3-2 up!!! Hurrah!! Then boo – Leatherhead (again – I’ve said this before about our league – they are a blooming first team so actually they should be embarrassed about themselves!!!) managed to score twice, despite all our best attempts to decapitate them.
Post match come down: Baked potatoes and rumination about where it all went wrong. We did really well, they just took it too seriously. We won’t meet again as they’re going up anyway. Then more important matters such as Emma organising an advanture mini break for us took over conversation....... (CW)
Team: Selina Leleu, Nikki Smithies, Anna Stuttard, Lindsey Mclaren, Lucy Snell, Sarah Anderson, Suzy Medcalf, Lynne Ruddick, Jena Kitley, Kate Lievesley, Emma Billsdon, Ash McDonald
Women’s 6s vs. Guildford 4s: Lost 10-0
Next game: Saturday 10 March vs. Bank of England 2s, home
Dragons vs. UCL Academicals: Won 7-1
I can't be doing with writing another match report about just how awesome we are... so, instead, here is a handy reference guide on how to play dominoes.
Starting: Put the dominoes face down on the table and mix them up. Each player takes 6 dominos; for a game with more than 3 players, each player should draw 3 dominos. The remaining dominoes are left on the table (these are the "sleeping" dominoes). Don't let the other players see your dominos. The youngest player goes first (or you can go in alphabetical or reverse alphabetical order). In traditional dominoes, the person with the highest double starts.
Playing: The first player places one of their dominoes (right-side up) on the table. The second player tries to put a domino on the table that matches one side of what's already there. If a player cannot go, the player picks a domino from the pile and skips that turn. The chain of the played dominoes develops randomly, and can look a lot like a snake. Continue taking turns putting dominoes on the board (or picking one from the pile if you cannot go) until someone wins. In regular dominoes, the best strategy is to get rid of doubles first.
Winning: The winner is the first person to get rid of all of their dominoes. But if no one can go out, then the person with the fewest dominos left is the winner. (MJ)
Team: Piggy (GK), MJ, Si Riley, Nick Jacob, Tim Sylvester, Wes Cole, Mike Wright, Chris Richman, JC, Snellers, Selina, Lucy Muldoon, Alanna Macintosh, Vicky Wright, Lou Curry & Cat Dwyer.
Scorer(s): Vicky (3), Alanna, Lucy M, Tim & MJ
Umpire: Wes Cole, Nick Jacob & Si Riley.
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On
the up side though the 2nd XI boys love lives are going from strength
to strength. Now where do we start. Well why not with Mr Pigden who
made the glorious journey on the P13 bus from Streatham to his home
at 10am on Saturday morning in full tuxedo after spending a very pleasant
evening with a lovely young lady …ITS NIIIIIIIIIICCCCCCCCEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
