Weds 19-Dec-07
Issue 12
So the sun sets on 2007, quite a year for THD what with our centenary
celebrations, some silverware to shout about (the shrieks of the women’s
1s at the dinner still ringing in many ears..!) and our 5th year as
a merged and now fully integrated club. Christmas must be around the
corner with our TV screens awash with sequins and glitz or bonnets
and britches - seemingly not an evening passes without a celebrity
dance-off or adaptation of a classic novel, reflecting the 21st century
love of all things tacky and celebrity and all things nostalgic. (apologies,
enough inane popular culture commentary from your weary editor…)
Back to the matter in hand, whilst some spent Saturday recovering
from festive overindulgence and others faced the hell that is Christmas
shopping (or their lazy/sensible counterparts ordered the Amazon elves
to shop on their behalf), those cursed by the fixture list were actually
playing hockey last Saturday – freezing temperatures and mixed
results. The women’s 2s and 3s both won convincingly, although
not without a fight. The women’s 5s and 6s and men’s 3s
battled hard but were unable to come away with wins.
Now the collective focus is on yuletide celebrations and welcoming
in 2008, with plenty of teams still in contention for honours in the
next half of the season. A hearty Merry Christmas to everyone and
particular thanks from me to all those who’ve contributed reports
this season – your insightful match analysis and entertaining
digressions are much enjoyed by all.
Sarah Longair - Editor
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Saturday
26-Jan-08
Kurry-Oke
It is back after
a few years off the calendar... one of the most popular events from
the Old Tulse Hill HC. A night combining the excellence of Indian
cuisine with the atrocity of South London singing.
Yes... have a
curry while Kara-oke is performed around you. This is NOT a poor attempt
at combining two irrelevant activities but a rich cultural experience
that pits Far East against further Far East!
Unparalleled fun for
everyone as all are welcome - including friends, family and any
other non-clubmembers, event begins at 7pm - Admission £10. |
Reports by: Biba Tunnicliffe, Monique O’Brien, Rachael Fallows,
Katie Stone (and Kate Stracker) & Wes Cole.
Women’s 2s vs. Richmond: Won 3–0
Comfortable victory one might think - another win for the increasingly
mighty 2s. However, the score of the game does not quite reflect a)
the stress of getting the team together b) how hard we had to work
for the three goals c) how key our Man of the Match proved to be!
To deal with each in turn.
a) It is never easy for captains Muldoon and Tunnicliffe and this
Saturday was no exception. We were down to 10 players until EJ emerged
from the pub, charged her phone and took pity on the pleas of help.
We were then back to 10 again at 0930 on Saturday as poor Emma was
struck down with a bug. Another flurry of calls commenced and blood
pressures were only reduced when Helen Shackleton, repacked her bag
at Crystal Palace (she was due to play for the 3s) and drove to Richmond
to help us out. 5 mins before the game we were still kitted up in
tracksuits and hadn't got the practice balls out, but the 2s spirit
was riding high.
b) Despite the strength of the opposition mid field, the work rate
of THD was excellent. The forwards closed down the ball as soon as
it was cleared by the Richmond defence and as ever our backs were
rocks in defence. There was some lovely play between Rachel and EJ
down the right, which ultimately lead to the first and second short
corners. Corner one saw a straight (and ever so carefully placed)
strike from the top of the D, being loving tipped into the goal by
Helen. The second was the now tried and tested EJ/Biba duo. So we
went 2-0 up, but the pressure from Richmond remained constant. Ten
minutes before the end of the game however, Richmond's death nell
tolled. Receiving the ball with her back to goal, Helen skilfully
turned the ball and goal number three was clocked on the score board.
c) HOWEVER, despite the solid passing and general tenacity of the
outfield players, we must take a few moments to acknowledge Pipes'
truly awesome game. As unanimous Man of the Match, she did not make
a bad decision all game and on several occasions saved shots on goals
from two attackers who had broken through the defence.
Well done to everyone who worked so hard and especially to Pipes,
EJ and Helen for helping us out. As the first half of the season draws
to a close, the top of the table is ever closer - promotion is now
a very real possibility if we can maintain this form! (BT)
Team: Pipes, Kato, Lou G, Sophie, Jo Walker, Sarah,
Biba, Rachel, Traffs, Helen and EJ
Scorers: Helen (2), Biba
MOTM: Pipes
Next Game: 12th January vs. Merton 1s (away)
Women’s 3s vs. University of London 1s: Won 3-0
What an early Christmas present for the 3’s! Finally crawling
our way back from relegation oblivion we managed to pull out another
superb win. Yet again we had the luxury of extra players and Kath
from the 1’s once more rolling our subs for us. Pressure was
equally constant on both sides and for a while it looked dangerously
close to slipping away with from us with some good attacks from UL
but as always the fabulous Dulcie saving our skins. Finally towards
the end of the second half after a bit of scramble in the D, Beth
managed a short strike from an impossible angle to make it 1-0.
For the rest of the 1st half and midway through the second half we
struggled to try and retain the lead and UL did manage to score from
a short, but much to our delight it was overruled by Jonesy as their
first strike didn’t hit the back board.
Finally the deadlock was broken with Parky “firing” in
a shot from outside the D and Mo very neatly latching on to it to
tuck it away.
Once again Parky was involved with a lovely cross into the D where
Jena came thundering into to fire it home.
A lovely finish to an otherwise disappointing season so far. But onwards
and upwards and hopefully our winning run will continue in the New
Year.
“Merry Christmas to everyone!!” (MO’B)
Team: Rachel Biggs, Jo Clarke, Lou Curry, Erica
Goldsmith, Georgie Hills, Jena Kitley, Rosie Le Voir, Beth Little,
Mo O'Brien, Emma Parker, Julie Rhodes, Helen Shackleton, Dulcie Davies.
Goal Scorers: Beth, Mo, Jena
Umpires: Mark Jones, Anna Barrett
Next game: 12 Jan vs. Surbiton 3s (away)
Women’s 4s - Cancelled due to frozen pitch
Next game: 12 Jan vs. Horley 1s (home)
Women’s Team 5 vs. UCL Academicals Ladies 1’s: Lost
3-0
We were desperately hoping to continue our winning streak but it
was always going to be a challenge taking on the top team who have
yet to lose a match, especially with the majority of Team 5 sporting
serious hangovers post Christmas parties. Team 5 put in a big effort
however the Academicals proved to be dangerous the moment that their
forwards managed to touch the ball. They managed to put away 3 goals
in the first half including a very classy penalty corner conversion.
However after the half time break Team 5 managed to summon their last
bit of energy to keep the 2nd half goal-less.
The Team 5 Christmas lunch at Martina’s on the following day
was yet another hilarious and drunken celebration. There must have
been a lot of sore heads and queasy stomachs (due to the tequila not
the delicious food) on Monday – did anyone manage to make it
into work? (RF)
Team: Sally Goalkeeper, Nicole Yost, Fatima Donofrio,
Sioned Horton Evans, Helen Fermor, Rachael Fallows, Faith Geraghty,
Alannah MacIntosh, Hayley Smith, Sarah Newton, Kate Leckie, Jacqui
Kemp and Del Van Eden
Players of the Match: Sally Goalkeeper and Rachael
Fallows
Umpires: Old Georgians
Next match: 19th Jan vs Wayfarers at Crystal Palace
Women’s 6s vs. Spencer 5s: Lost 6-1
Last match of this half of the season and we were up against top
of the league, with their rather impressive goal difference. We were
in high spirits and with Gemma's advice being passed round the team
and a rousing speech from Kate we were underway. The first 15 mins
were kept at 0-0 and we battled hard unfortunately leaving the pitch
at half time 3 goals down. The second half saw us in their D a lot
more having won a few shorts corners (one of which our very own Umpire
disallowed; too cruel!). Talking of short corners, the oppo's defender
running one wore a very professional looking face mask which left
our attack in stitches (clearly affecting our goalscoring ability);
at our level I think she needed more protection around the ankles
not the face! So with Helen receiving a ball in the cheek, Kate taking
out their left wing and then me scoring my first goal of the season
we finished a disappointing 6 -1 and consoled ourselves with mulled
wine, mince pies and chocolate log at the side of the pitch. (KS)
[To put it in context, everyone else has lost by this much too.
And it would have been more if Char hadn't made some great saves.
Four of their goals were scored by the same girl so I obviously took
out the wrong forward - will try harder in the rematch. - KStr(C)]
Team: Charlotte, Sinead, Clare, Kate, Len, Jess,
Helen, Andrea, Katie, Mags, Lex, Vicky, Gigi
Scorer: Katie
Next Match: Sat 12th Jan vs. London Edwardians 4's
(away)
Men’s 2s - Our game was postponed.
Next game: 12 Jan vs. Hampstead and Westminster 3s
(away)
Men's 3s vs. Reading 3As: Lost 2-3
Hohoho and all that. Playing the week before Christmas is always tough
with people being away and skiing etc etc. Fortunately we managed
to pull a team together with a little help from the 4s again and put
out a decent performance. In the freezing arctic winds of a 3pm start
15th December we started really strongly with Timmy having a goal
line flap pushed wide but two in ten minutes gave us some breathing
space with Timmy netting two including a good short corner flick.
As always we conceded just before half time, much our own fault for
not killing off the game in the first half.
Two more from Reading made it 3-2 and with 2 minutes to go Timmy drag
flick clipped the bar and sailed over, the last chance of the game.
A really enjoyable game, high quality and evenly matched but one we
needed to win.
So to turkey and stuffing, and we look forward to next year.
Team: Jez, Wes, Tim J, Seamus, Bino, Joe, John Homer,
Will, Conor, George, Nick Harris, Timmy
Umpire: Oppo
Scorer: Tim x 2
Next match: 2008
Social Events
2007/08
Regardless of what happens on the pitch this season we have a massive
amount of social stuff already planned to help you celebrate/commiserate
away from the pitch.
Kurry-Oke Night
Saturday 26 January
Race Night
Saturday 23 Februrary
End of Season Dinner
April
see www.thehockeyclub.co.uk/social/events.shtml
for more details... |
General News
