Fri 08-Feb-08
Issue 16
So another week has passed and despite the Dragons having no game - which means no match report from me (woooo hooo) - I end up with the Tribune blurb... dammit! Sarah takes a well earned break to go and be just as posh but a little bit further away!
Speaking of posh, things are looking up in the posh end of the club... the M1s explosive clash saw them continue the march towards promotion - despite seeing more colour, and fortunately less nakedness, during the game than a Brazillian Carnival... the W1s progressed to the Quarter-Finals of the HA Trophy and nearly manage to halt Buckinghamshire's unbeaten run! Also The M2s turned their table on its head by leaping from the bottom of the table to beat league leaders, Spencer. While the W2s are only 1 point away from the top of the table and they didn't even play!
Back down in the business end of the club things were a little less rosy but there were stand-out performances from the W4s and T5 that secured the glory for the mighty Red & Green Army.
This weekend sees the Dragons re-enter the fray with an HA Trophy match away to Addiscombe, plus business as usual with all but the M2s & W4s in action. Good luck to all...
Mark Jones - Stand-in Editor
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Saturday 23-Feb-08
Race Night
All the fun and excitement of a day at the races on a giant screen. Even if you have never seen a horse race before you can't fail to understand what's going on!
All that you need to do is to pick a number between 1-8 and buy the corresponding ticket from the tote. The tote is then closed and a sealed race is chosen at random and shown. Plus you can become the 'owner' of a horse for a night, 'Sponsor' a race and take part in the final 'auction' race!
Quality fun for everyone as everyone is welcome - including friends, family and any other non-clubmembers, first race at 7pm - Admission £2 |
Reports by: Gemma Baker, Mo O'Brien, Lynne Ruddick, Kate Leckie, Claire Montaqu, Will Pigden, Chris Coleman, Si Riley
& Bill Dowie.
Women’s 1s vs. Womens 1s v Buckingham 1s: Lost 1-0
Anyone who has paid any attention to our league this year will have noticed that Buckingham have virtually obliterated everyone in their path this season. And our away game to them last October was no different when they flattened us 6-1. But with a virtually full strength side and an understanding of how we going to attempt to stop their skilful, youthful core, we emerged from the changing room with renewed vigour. Our forwards worked tirelessly to put pressure on their defence and they succeeded in disrupting Buckingham’s usual flowing game, while the defence marked tightly and reduced the chances the oppo had. Pipes, as ever, had a solid game in goal. However, despite them having a goal given and then disallowed (penalty corner struck too high), Buckingham eventually took the lead through another PC about halfway through the first half. Never known to get despondent, THD battled hard - EJ worked over their LB on a number of occasions and almost found Shazza on the far post to get the equaliser.
The second half continued much like the first…the pace of the game was high, with some decent end-to-end play. As the minutes ticked by, THD continued to press…it is fair to say that the percentage statistic for stick tackles throughout the game would have been high, but both sides were guilty of, and hampered by, this breaking down of play. But considering we had been unable to get out of our own half the last time we played this side, conceding just the one goal was a testament to the strength of our team and our desire to give Buckingham a run for their money. Did we deserve a draw? In all fairness we worked hard and defended well as a team, but our chances on goal were few….a point from the game would have been great, but knowing we played well and can hold our heads up high was, in this instance, sufficient.
Squad: Pipes, Alex Crawford, Clare Byrne, Rachel Lander, Jenny Thomas, Rachel Wheeler, Gemma Baker, Faye Billing, EJ Barry, Lou Morgan, Martha H-J, Sharon Smith & Jo Walker
Motm: Pipes
Next Fixture: (was) Sunday 3rd Feb v Henley (trophy)
Womens 1s v Henley 1s (Trophy Round 4): Won 5-1
Fair to say that after our encounter with Buckingham the day before, there were a few tired legs Sunday morning - and the first thing to get sorted was bargaining with Will over how much we should reduce the warm up by. We had met Henley in the trophy competition last year, so knew this wasn’t going to be an easy game – they were doing well in their league and were a tough oppo last time we played. And for the first 10 mins or so, they took the game to us. Jo Walker settled in at LB (in the absence of Jen) and soon we were into our game. Alex’s first goal must have been struck so sweetly because the Henley keeper barely moved. Rachel L struck the ball inside the circle for our second, but it took a deflection off the defender’s stick….but we gave it to Rach (unfortunately for her though, the umpires thought Lou got the last touch…I don’t know….these poaching centre forwards!!! J).
We took this comfortable lead into half time. Sharon had to make a dash for it as the pistes of Europe somewhere were calling her and she had to get the train to Gatwick, plus Will planned our tactical substitutions knowing that Lou had to also shoot off and get back to work. But goal number 3 came just after half time, Gemma getting onto a loose ball in the circle and firing home into the bottom corner. Henley got one back – slight lack of marking at the back left a couple of the oppo to scramble the ball over the line. But our fourth was soon to follow, Martha slotting home a rebound from Gem’s ‘reverse stick’ effort before Alex got our final goal, with an exact replica of her first. Thanks to our supporters who came down – we’ve been drawn at home again on Feb 24th….all support is gratefully appreciated!!
Squad: Pipes, Alex Crawford, Rachel Lander, Clare Byrne, Jo Walker, Rachel Wheeler, Gemma Baker, Faye Billing, EJ Barry, Lou Morgan, Martha H-J, Sharon Smith & Bettina Wolff
Scorers: Alex (2), Rachel L, Gemma & Martha
Motm: Rachel Lander
Next match: Saturday 9th Feb v Maidenhead (away)
Women’s 2s– No game
Next match: 9th Feb vs. Spencer 2s @ JAGs
Women’s 3s vs. Raynes Park 1’s: Lost 5-1
Raynes Park have won this division every year the 3 years I have played and they still haven’t lost a game this season so going into this game was never going to be a case of winning it but more trying to keep the score line fairly respectable (previous thrashings being 7-1). We lost 3-1 before Christmas so we were hoping for something reasonably close. As predicated they came out quite strong but we held as well as we could. We did get caught playing their game quite a bit and as a result they had put away three unstoppable goals in the first half. We managed to get one back just before half time after a short resulted in a bit of a scramble in the d, for the ball to fall neatly at yours truly feet for a neat flick into the corner.
In the second half, once Parky had decided that playing with her bandana tucked behind her shin guards was much more effective than on her head, we started to play our own game and gave as good as we got. We had some really good goal opportunities and put plenty of pressure on them to gain 3 short corners which unfortunately went astray. They managed another two which put the game well and truly out of our reach however the score line didn’t really reflect the effort we put in against such a strong opposition and without the commendable Dulcie it would have been worse. Hopefully next year they will finally be promoted to a higher division where they really ought to be.
Team: Rachael Biggs, Lou Curry, Dulcie Davies, Erica Goldsmith, Georgie Hills, Jena Kitley, Rosie Le Voir, Beth Little, Mo O'Brien, Emma Parker, Julie Rhodes, Helen Shackleton
Scorer(s): Mo
MOTM: Rosie Le Voir (very close second Rachael Biggs)
Umpire: Gemma Baker
Next Match: Woking Vets @11:30pm (away)
Women's 4s vs. London Wayfarers: Won 2-0
Despite beautiful sunny skies Saturday’s game against London Wayfarers nearly didn’t go ahead due to a frozen pitch. However, following an intense inspection by both umpires and team captain’s all four decided that the pitch was safe enough to play on.
Once the game was underway Tulse Hill showed their dominance right from the start. THD passed the ball confidently around the pitch and had most of the possession for the first 20 minutes, hardly giving Wayfarers a chance to break in to their half. After several impressive attacking phases THD finally made a break through with Claire latching on to a rebound from the Wayfarers goal keeper. Further shots on goal followed as a result of some slick attacks down the right and left wings especially by Emma and Charlie but unfortunately none of these efforts were able to penetrate the Wayfarers goal and the first half finish 1-0.
As the second half commenced Wayfarers found another gear and began to put THD and their defence under a great deal of pressure. Each wave of attack by Wayfarers appeared to get more and more intense as the match progressed and the poor THD supporters on the side line were frantically jumping up and down, urging the defence to keep the ball out of their goal. Although Wayfarers had most of the possession in the second half they were unable to capitalise on this. The THD defence were tested to the full and worked hard to protect their 1-0 lead. Most impressive was Lucy who gained man of the match following her constant battling and support throughout the game. Despite all the pressure they were under THD had a rare opportunity to break in to the Wayfarers half against the run of play. This resulted in a much needed THD goal by Ash to relieve the pressure down the other end of the pitch.
Overall it was a gritty performance from THD who as a result of their 2-0 win have now pushed up to 3rd place! (CJ)
Team: Claire, Ash, Julia, Emma, Mary, Charlie, Kath, Lucy, Michelle, Linds, Olivia, Anna, Spanna.
MOM: Lucy Snell
Scorers: Claire & Ash
Supporters: Rona, Lynne, Chloe
Next game: Byfleet 16thFeb WCS 10.30
Women's 5s vs. Epsom 5s: Won 4-0
T5 arrived bright and early at Epsom College on Saturday for our return match against Epsom. The sub-zero temperatures and frozen pitch added a certain tennis-like element to the warm-up which was interesting. We got off to a really strong start, dominating the game with quick, accurate passing, and solid defending. Alanna scored a fantastic early goal, followed quickly by a skillful second from Del, making it 2-0 at half-time. Epsom barely got a look-in in the second half, with T5's defence blocking their every move, and working the ball around the back and up the pitch again. Nearly all the play was in our attacking half, with constant pressure from the forwards and mids. Hayley scored a great goal off the left post, with Faith driving another one home to fulfil her own prediction of a 4-0 scoreline. A great result and fantastic teamwork - no POTM this week as everyone played so well! (KL)
Team: Sally, Louise, Rachael, Martina, Helen Fermor, Alanna, Andrea, Faith, Hayley, Jacqui, Del, Kate
Scorers: Del, Faith, Alanna, Hayley Smith
Next match: Saturday 9th February vs. Reigate 3s - 12:00 DC
Women’s 6s vs. Richmond 5s: Lost 0-6
The scoreline says it all really. We'd put up a good fight against second-placed Richmond when we played them during the first half of the season but the team we played on Saturday was significantly better in pace, skills and goals and there were a number of new faces. Ringers, maybe, or the prospect of promotion acts as a spur (we wouldn't know). At least their attack kept us on our toes in freezing temperatures. It wasn't all doom and gloom from our side though: as always Charlotte made some cracking saves, we defended (mostly) successfully against the onslaught of short corners and when we broke free, the forwards and halves had some great attacking play and solid passing up the pitch. We just need to forget about this result and concentrate on regaining our winning streak.
Team: Charlotte, Sinead, Clare, Shona, Len, Andrea, Helen, Katie, Mags, Claire, Lex, Sarah. Extra marks to supporters Kate and Ollie, especially given the Arctic temperatures.
Umpires: both theirs
Next match: Saturday 9 February vs Reigate Priory 4s, 1.30pm DC
Men’s 1s vs. Henley: Won 4-3
On paper, this match had it all; seven goals, seven yellow cards, seven supporters. In reality, it lurched from the ridiculous to the even more ridiculous as both teams tried, and for the most part failed, to reach top form over the course of the hundred or so minutes that the game was played.
The tone was set early on as both teams exchanged identikit goals entirely of the opposing defences’ making. It seems that the tactic of passing to the opposition from defensive sixteens, whilst popular, is not without its risks. The remainder of the first half was mostly forgettable but for Mark’s foraging runs forward from right back, that elicited varying degrees of panic from both sides, and Henley‘s second goal. The latter coming after another rare defensive lapse and another converted one-on-one opportunity. Two, one down, at half time.
After a justifiably forthright team talk, the second half started far more brightly for TH&D as they went back to basics and grabbed an early equaliser; Alex Speculand converting from close range to claim his first goal for the club. With the scores tied at two apiece, the game took a turn for the surreal as the awarding of an innocuous free hit was enough to see two of the Henley players talk themselves into an unscheduled spell on the sideline. Perhaps surprisingly, this did not serve as a catalyst for the home side and Henley were soon back to full strength without facing so much as a shot at goal. Tulse Hill did take the lead shortly afterwards, however, through Andy’s precise finish, off the top edge of his stick, from a broken down short corner. Three, two Tulse Hill.
The events of the following five minutes were so confusing that the whole game was halted whilst everyone tried to work out what exactly had taken place. Once the dust had settled, not to mention everyone’s afternoon tea, the facts were thus; there had been no head injury, there had definitely (and correctly) been no red card, and Will was a big bully. Bizarrely, the ten-a-side hockey that resulted, whilst being no more entertaining than that of the past fifty minutes, all became a bit too much for Banners and he was promptly told to calm down.
When the teams did finally return to full strength (and Banners was quiet), it was Henley who made the breakthrough, scoring with an accurate drag-push into the bottom corner. Fortunately, there was still time remaining for Tulse Hill to grab a late winner courtesy of Rob Heath, a further three yellow cards to be shown and Henley to have a potential, last-gasp equaliser disallowed.
And so it finished, Tulse Hill and Dulwich, four, Henley, three. A win that, while by no means comfortable, does take the Men’s 1s to seven games unbeaten, a feat unheard of since the heady days of 2000-2001, I‘m reliably informed. Roll on West Hampstead. (MWP)
Team: Will Pigden, Mark Hopkins, Gary Boucher, Laurent Ferron, Chris Smith, Jimmy Ireson, Will Nurse, Alex Speculand, Rob Heath, Andy Balchin, James Huntley, Richard Banwell, Dave Casement.
Scorers: Rob Heath x2, Andy Balchin, Alex Speculand
Yellow Cards: Will Nurse (bully), Laurent Ferron (inappropriate), Chris Smith (misguided)
MoM: Rob Heath
TFC: Will Pigden
Men’s 2s vs. Spencer 3s Won 1-0
Walking into the match on the back of, quite frankly, a drubbing from bottom of the league side Teddington, it would be fair to say that that hopes were not at their highest finding ourselves away at the league leaders. Unlike Ashley Cole, our form away from home hasn’t been great this season but just like that scuzzy little scum bucket we were looking for a good performance after leaving the WAGS at home. A good performance she wanted, a Vodka, Bailey, Kahlua and Amaretto base cocktail she got (look it up or ask a barman). With new strategies carefully drawn out in the dressing room it was like a new team was gracing the red and green (or white in this case) of Tulse Hill and Dulwich. Early in the game we found ourselves dominating the play and creating far more chances on goal than Spencer but still ended up going into the half time team talk with the scores level.
But cometh the hour, cometh the youngster!!!! In a team known more for age and experience than youth and enthusiasm, Arthur Mitchell was on hand midway through the second half to finish a nice move down the right and lift the ball over the keeper and make the scores 1-0. Alan Hansen would have been physically excited by the level of defending that went on throughout the game with Nathan only having to make one save and even with Spencer pressing in the final few minutes, we well deserved the 3 points and it does make you wonder what has been going wrong all season. Week off next week for the old legs to recover then non stop to 3 point city at East Grinstead. Be afraid boys. The Mighty 2s have remember to play hockey again!
Team: Nath, Dan, Ferg , Chris C, Robby L, Felix, Arthur, Nick J, Banners , Nick H, James V , Sir Ed the Goalshy.
Scorer: Arthur
Umpires: Them
Next Game: February 16th – East Grinstead away
Men’s 3s vs. Maidenhead Mystics - Postponed
Next game: 9th Feb vs. Richmond Griffins (Away)
Tornados vs. Reading 4s: Lost 0-3
I'm getting bored with this. We lost again. England lost to Wales. City lost to Arsenal. What's going on? Is the world going mad? Dogs and cats living together. MASS HYSTERIA!
So, instead, lets dwell on the positives of 2nd February.
1653: New Amsterdam (later New York) founded.
1914: Cub Scouts founded in England. Thanks Baden-Powell, I too can now tie knots and put up a tent. All those tours... all that purple... mmmm purple
1650: Birth of Nell Gwynne, actress, comedian, Royal Mistress (Charles 2nd)
1882: Birth of James Joyce, Irish writer.
So, 4 (ish) positives from the day. 3 negatives (sloppy team play for all 3). I make that a win overall. Sadly, that won't prevent us from being relegated though, of which we're definitely in danger.
Squad: Alex (GK), Aido, MJ, Ram, Riley, Pully, Tom C, Tom A, Graeme, Lozzer, James, Nick
Umpires: Huge thanks to Wilsh and Pipes for a splendid umpiring performance.
Next match: The rearranged time of 15:00 DC, vs Hampstead and Westminster something-or-others
Diamonds vs. Surbiton 5ths: Lost 0-3
Undoubtedly our most disheartening performance of the season. OK, Surbiton were a well organised side, working in small triangles and passing impressively. They opened us up far too easily; it was 0-2 after less than 20 minutes, and our heads dropped. We completely ignored the lessons of last week and never found the shape that would allow us to pass comfortably and build our own attacks – hence we reverted to trying to blast balls upfield. We know that doesn’t work as a game plan.
Having said some weeks ago that we could relax and concentrate on the top of the Division, we are now back in a tricky position. We have lost four of our last five games, and are only four points ahead of the team occupying the second relegation spot at the moment. Plenty of time to put things right................(BD)
Team: Simon Bailey, Stuart Craig, Olly Walton, Rob Thomas, Graeme Evans, JD, Bobby Abdulla, Laurie Shotton, Stephen Ireton, Irfan Begg, Bob Morris, Tim Harris
Umpire: Billy Dowie
Next game: Saturday 9th February, Home to Hampstead & Westminster Spaniards, 12.30 at JAGS
Royals - No game
Next match: 9th feb vs. HA Sutlers
Dragons - No game
Next match: HA Trophy Round 2: 10th Feb vs. Addiscombe (Away)
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.
Race Night
Saturday 23rd Februrary
End of Season Dinner
Saturday 5th April
see www.thehockeyclub.co.uk/social/events.shtml
for more details... |
General News
