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Newsletter 2007/08
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.
Thurs 12-Mar-08Issue 21
Bit of March madness this week – Scotland beat England (woo hoo), four Premiership teams through to the Champions’ League quarters, alcohol is to be taxed even more and 100mph gales rock the country. The most mystifying of all however was Alex Brown, the men’s 1s answer to Imelda Marcos, somehow omitting to pack any of his impressive shoe collection. Thus his usual post-match sartorial splendour was reduced to farce as he was forced to sport his astros alongside the finely tuned sports-casual-preppy look – a heinous fashion crime if ever I saw one. You’ve let yourself down, the side down and set Imelda spinning in her grave..!
Happier news from Wes: “Nick and Sarah Harris who have a new baby boy, born Friday 7th named Batman Sylvester Harris so congratulations to them. Although the 3s game was cancelled one hour before the start time, Nick was at the pitch, stick in hand, ready to play 24hrs after becoming a dad again. Now that's commitment!”
Both the Tornados and Diamonds are done and dusted for the season so well done to them, especially the Diamonds for a satisfying draw this week and a much better season than last year. The Men’s 2s showed true grit and secured a crucial victory while the Women’s 2s have been pondering over the calculations and worked out that they could still be promoted. That leaves an exciting weekend ahead – lots to play for across the club – so best of luck to everyone.
Remember to reserve your dinner places with your social champions soon – they need numbers by 25th March.
Reports by: Gemma Baker, Lucy Muldoon, Mo O’Brien, Anna Stuttard, Andrea Vicari, Clare Montagu, Alex Brown, Chris Coleman, Ram, Billy DowieMen’s 1s vs. Eastcote: Won 3–2
Then like in the previous game against Winchester, THD found themselves 2-1 down before half time. But also similarly to the previous week they rallied at half time. Another short corner mid way through the second half brought it back to 2-2, Gaz Weir scoring. Then Will N scored again to give THD the lead. Eastcote battled for the last ten minutes but THD maintained their focus and held out (the defence withstanding an aerial bombardment of its own). (AB)
Team - Will Pigden, Gareth Weir, Andrew Eames, Laurent Ferron, Gary Boucher, Chris Smith, Rob Heath, Jimmy Ireson, James Huntley, Andy Balchin, Dave Casement, Will Nurse, Alex Brown MOM - Will N
Next Match: 15th March versus Banbury (Away)
Men’s 2s vs. Surbiton 3s: Won 4-3
Some games are tagged as relegation 6 pointers. Well this was far bigger than that. Left in a position that if we lost we would have been destined for the drop, the code word was most definitely courage.
Entering half time two a piece after twice taking the lead through John Nurse and Timmy, the game was delicately poised. We started the second half well with James Vicary declaring "yoink" on their sweeper before rounding the keeper and slotting home. John Nurse then decided to do his best to decapitate their tricky centre forward, before both Dan and Chris went off with injuries. No matter, a lovely pass from Banners put JC through to make it 4-2. Despite them clawing a goal back and 2 goal line clearances we hung on and kept ourselves in the fight.
6 points needed from our last 2 games and we still need others to drop points. It’s win or go home from this point forward. Step forward and bring courage. (CC)
Umpire: Wes and Tobie Scorers: John Nurse, Timmy, James V, JC
Men’s 3s vs. St Albans: Game cancelled so 10-0 walkover
Next match: Saturday 15 th vs. Chiswick home
Tornados vs. Spencer 5s: Lost 2–3
The Tornados definitely know how to setup a nail-biting season finale. We went to The Crystal Palace needing one point to guarantee survival. Without “pivotal” players Aidan and Riley, who incidentally play in that position, it wasn’t going to be a walk in the park.
The game started off well. Both sides did their best to get stuck in but it was Spencer who drew first blood before half-time. A straight strike from a short corner came off Ram’s weak block and sailed over Alex, who was logging somewhere out in the West Country.
The second half started brightly and THD hit back with a typical Lozzer “individual effort”. Spencer kept much of the remaining possession and their second goal came as a result. The ball literally trickled past the outstretched keeper’s legs. Being a goal down was not unfamiliar territory for the Tornados, who quickly switched into a higher gear. Excellent use of space by MJ on the right led to a superb passing move within the opposition’s 25 involving 5 THD players. Gareth Norris topped it off with a calm flick over the diving Spencer keeper. With everything to play for, Spencer showed us why they are 3rd in the league and scored soon after that. The game went back and forth for the remaining 15 minutes but the score remained unchanged.
Back to the clubhouse to watch England lose to Scotland, and find out that Richmond had rescheduled their game. Crap.
On a personal note, I’d like to thank everyone for such an enjoyable season, especially to Mark “The Human Blackberry” Jones, who, at this rate, could even organize the restructuring of Northern Rock if he really tried.
My first season with the Tornados can be summed by the following quote, (originally used in a different context): “Welcome to South London’s friendliest hockey club.” Pulford M, 2008. (RT)
Team: Alex Timmer (GK), Alex Fishwick, MJ, Wilshire, Ram, Pulley, Judge, Vicar, Toby, Lozzer, Nozzer, Fat Slapper. Scorers: Lozzer and Nozzer Umpires: John from the 3’s MOTM: Ram (Cheers guys, this will definitely help with my asylum application) DOTD: Ram (having the most-fashionable jumper and scarf, sporting a beard, being the fattest on the team, being too quiet) Scribe: Ram (Delegated to, you can tell the team has a few middle-managers.)
Next match: End-of-Season Dinner, 5th April, Bankside Restaurant (guaranteed an All-Star turnout!)
Diamonds vs. London Wayfarers 4s: Drew 3-3
Last League game of the season this was, home to Wayfarers, who needed to win to have a chance of avoiding relegation. They came out of the starting blocks on fire, went 1-0 up after two minutes and 2-0 up after ten. We were at sixes and sevens till Stuart swapped some people round, plugging the hole down the middle. But we still had our heads down and went even further behind 10 minutes before the interval. All the goals were the result of giving the ball away cheaply, and, at 0-3, it looked like we were in for the sort of hammering that would ruin the whole sodding summer. Anyway, that was before the intervention of Adam, whose dislocated kneecap three weeks ago meant he had only planned to play a few minutes; but he came on before the break and his half-time talk rallied the troops. The second half saw Wayfarers up against a completely different team, unwilling to give them anything.
Their umpire had carded three of our boys in the first half (all green) over fairly innocuous issues, and yet when a Wayfarers forward flattened Stuart right in front of him, long after the ball had gone, he did nothing. The sense of blatant injustice spurred us on. Simon C ghosted into their D to slip one in and Bob got his stick first to a cross to deflect in a second. Same position as last week – 0-3 down at half time, pulled it back to 2-3, with the oppo now sweating. I would not be dragging this out so much, however, if there wasn't a happy ending! Last 20 seconds, cross from the right, JD two yards off the goal-line shaping up to slot it in, when their full back, in no position to play the ball, tackles through the back of him. I (as umpire) seriously considered a P flick, but decided the tension was too great to risk a potential riot, so awarded a short (and anyway, who do we have who can convert a flick? It would have been our first of the season). The question: "How long to go, ump?" was met with me blowing the final whistle... so just the short to go, then.
Ten TH&D players surrounded the D, Stuart slipped the ball right to Stephen who dummied to shoot, turned inside and flicked it in. 3-3.
OK, we didn't win, but that second half went a long way to improve the lasting memory of our season. Indian Gym beat Southgate 9-0 to secure their fourth place on 28 points, whether we'd won or not. We are in fifth on 23, equal on points with Surbiton, but with a better goal difference. They, however, have one more game, so we may end up sixth, but no worse. At the bottom, Old Loughts 5ths beat Wimbledon 4-3 to save themselves from relegation, no matter what Wayfarers did. But Spaniards lost 2-3 at Surbiton, and finished on 18 points, one ahead of Wayfarers on 17 – meaning that our last minute goal put Wayfarers down and kept Spaniards up. (BD)
Team: Simon Bailey, Stuart Craig, Graeme Evans, Simon Dawson, Tom Cooper, Simon Canter, Olly Walton, Stephen Ireton, Laurie Shotton, JD, Tim Harris, Bob Morris Umpire: Billy Dowie Scorers: Simon C, Bob, Stephen
Next match: Saturday 15th March, Goldsmiths College, 1.30 at DC (Friendly)
Royals vs. Spencer Titans: Lost 2–7
At 2-2 with 20 minutes to go, Spencer’s Titans apparently looked to each other and willed each other not to lose this match, to go out and win it and the division title in the same breath. Well done to them.
The same was not at stake for THD’s faltering but well-meaning Royals side. With five brand new players in the line-up (making a current total of 53 so far for the season - which one match still to play), the spirit was nevertheless commendable and combative. We even took the lead when a penalty flick was awarded, after a Spencer outfield player lay down in front of the goal and waited for the ball to hit him. Commendable bravery, but playing a fine line with gamesmanship. Thanks to Laurie Mathers, lending himself from the 3s, for converting.
Latent talent is also in evidence in this side - the defence marshalled itself superbly in front of Matheu Chambers, who himself once more proved heroic in goal: Ollie Clark and Dave Battley, after long absences from hockey, finding their feet admirably against a well-practised attack. Our youngsters, Ed Taylor Jones and Obi Sargoni, proved similarly tireless on the left wing and in attack, Obi converting a superbly-timed sweep from the backline into goal - far more experienced players have struggled to do the same.
Indeed, it is hard to fault anyone who turned up for us on Saturday - we appeared more creative as a unit and worked harder than in recent weeks - and to that, credit is due to each in turn. Even our support - marshalled by Shona Chambers and increased in volume by the Indelible Slater - outwitted the Spencer ranks.
But, there the plaudits rest. Though we wanted it, Spencer desired it more. Though we introduced ourselves to each other before the match (“We find ourselves faced with some unfamiliar faces - as all good Saturday mornings ought to be”), Spencer have had a season in which to get to know their fellow players.
With thanks to The Team: Matheu Chambers; Ollie Clark, Dave Battley, Tom Cooper, Mark Annear; Laurie Mathers, Obi Sargoni, Ed Taylor Jones, Ben Slater, Jonas Schwan, JD, Adam Bond, TimTimTim Jones And Thanks also to: Billy Dowie for umpiring And also to: Shona Chambers for leading the support Yellow cards: Only given to one of their players
Next match: Saturday 15 th vs. Richmond Redoubtables away
Women’s 1s vs. Wanderers: Won 2-0
For some reason, the entire women’s section was short of players last weekend (too many skiing holidays?!?), so actually having 11 players to face Wanderers was a blessing (especially with 1 flat tyre to boot and Will having to make a dash to pick up a stranded Clare). And the fact that not everyone was playing where they normally would was beside the point and we rose to the challenge ahead of us. There was also the threat that the game would have to be postponed due to a lack of South umpires (again, too many skiing holidays?!?) but we fortunately avoided another future double header and the match went ahead as scheduled. The outcome of the match had little consequence too as neither team were getting promoted or relegated, so it came down to some good old local rivalry!
The game itself started fairly slowly for the THD side… Wanderers put on a tight press, giving our defence little time to get the ball out effectively; there was the obligatory pass to their centre forward (which came to nothing); our forwards were tightly marked and we generally made little impact in the opening 10 minutes. However, as we got into our stride, we started exploiting the gaps and playing the ball where the oppo weren’t. Jo Walker and Rachel W linked well on the left to put a stop to any right-sided Wanderers attack, while Alex, Rachel L and Eeej, started winning good ball and short corners down our right. At last the deadlock was broken as Sarah’s new found thirst for goals continued when she latched onto Gemma’s pass to poke the ball through the Wanderers keeper’s legs for yet another THD goal. Woohoo!
This lead was carried into half time and we came out determined to carry on where we left off. The defence were solid and gave Wanderers very few chances to get to the circle, let alone take a shot (we conceded just one short corner, which is a statistic we should aim for every week!). Up front, we continued to make a nuisance of ourselves and despite getting dumped on the floor a few times (Shazza!) our forwards kept pushing for the second goal. There was one hairy moment when Rach W went over on her ankle and I thought we may be down to 10 (but she’s a hard lass, and played on) and the second goal came from a fantastically worked short corner (actually, it went a bit tits-up, but the improvisation was good) when EJ’s pass to Alex was controlled beautifully into the top left corner.
A good 3 points for us – keeps us in 4th place… with one more league game left a win can get us to 2nd (although that’s kind of dependent on other results going our way!). (GB)
Team: Pipes, Alex, Kath, Clare, Jo W, Rachel W, Gem, Rachel L, Eeej, Sarah and Shazza Scorers: Sarah & Alex MotM: 3-way tie… Jo W, Rachel W & Alex
Next match: Saturday 15 th v Sunbury (away)
Women’s 2s vs. Old Georgians Ladies 1’s: Won 3-2
Woo hoo, another win for the 2s. We made it look very easy at the start with a wonderful/fantastic/brilliant goal from Emma K right inside the first 5 minutes and then a quick follow up goal by Sarah. Great start, and a good first half.
Yikes the second half came and they overloaded their forward line and scored. If I dare say it, they scored a lovely simple goal that made us in defence look fairly silly. We were shocked into working very hard and but never fear Jo Walford sped up the RW and created some lovely passes and great skill into the D. Sarah B kept her tally up on the goal front and put another goal away with a little help from the mighty Kato. Yikes again they came back at us and scored off a short corner. The last 9 minutes were upon us and all we had to do was hold them off and we did it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Cheers all round.
What is more important in this match report though is how Biba got on meeting the in-laws. Did you wear your twin set and pearls? Were they nice, are you going to arrange for them to meet your parents? When is the wedding? Are you moving out of London to a delightful county retreat? Please tell us all or should we ask Rowen?!!!!!!! How I'll make you pay for missing a game!!!!!!!!!! I think I have got off lightly when I have been away!! (LM)
Team: Lucy, Kato, RR, Jo, Jenna, Sarah B, Sarah, Emma Kitley, Jo Walford, George, Chloe, Umpire: Trem (always love having you there) MOM: Jo Walford Scorers: Sarah (1), Emma K (1), Jo Walford (1)
Women’s 3s vs. Old Kingstonians’ 1s: Lost 2-1
Old K’s lie second from top having only being beaten by the leaders Raynes Park. After suffering a previous slaughtering of 7-0 this was definitely going to be something of a David and Goliath. However with early signs of the impending weather above we braved the storm ahead of us and by god did we fight! Our determination to get to the ball was astounding and we won most of the 50/50 balls which made such a huge impact on the game that the difference between us was negligible. A bit of a stalemate ensued in the first half with both sides having close calls and without the excellent Ellie on top form we could have easily gone down a couple of goals. With 34 minutes and 40 seconds on the clock we made a beautiful break up the pitch, resulting in a bit of a scramble in the D. The ball came back to Jena on top D who reverse-sticked it to Clarkie, who seemed to come flying in from nowhere, to latch onto an already raising ball and hook it into the net. A beautifully taken goal right on half time. A special congrats to Clarkie as this was her first goal for the team and club… and what a beautie.
With a sense of determination we started the second half as we knew they would come out hard. Yet again we held our ground and unfortunately due to a pretty unstoppable short from them the levelled after 10 minutes. The battle for possession ensued and it seemed as if the match would finish as a well deserved draw until… they gained another short and after an appalling decision by their umpire gifted them a goal that quite clearly shouldn’t have been. Having the reputation as the friendliest club around didn’t stop us, for the first time, appealing at the outrageous decision to the extent that Lou got sent to the sin bin for 5minutes! Not our style but fair play was clearly overlooked. Well unfortunately these things happen and that’s how it finished. We played so well and absolutely deserved the draw but the elements (!) conspired against us. (MO’B)
Team: Rachael Biggs ,Jo Clarke, Lou Curry, Erica Goldsmith, Georgie Hills, Ellie Johnston – GK, Jena Kitley, Beth Little, Mo O'Brien, Emma Parker, Julie Rhodes. Rhianna, Karen Dodds Scorer: Jo Clarke
Next match: Saturday 15th March v Wanderers @ 12:00 Crystal Palace
Women's 4s vs. London Edwardians: Lost 0-1
One to forget... a strange early afternoon trip out to our old haunt, the Bar pitch, saw us watch the end of a feisty Men’s 4s game where sticks were being thrown and fights broken up. Everyone seemed to be seeing red mist amidst the wind and drizzle on Saturday. Spanna even declared ‘why do we live on this stupid little island’ – not a good start to a game.
Despite this, our hockey was surprisingly good in the first half; Eds are a strong team looking for promotion (as were we) and we competed well as they swarmed round us like bees not allowing us to make any mistakes. Katie deserved man of the match as she held the centre of the pitch and delivered good balls relentlessly. Good runs from Emma up the right, aggression from Mary on the left and overall good team play resulted in a 0-0 draw after 35minutes.
In the second half there was less to shout about… lots of stop-starting as people got clobbered, especially Olivia in goal, as their ump/player watched on in bemusement – she was shortly sacked off as both teams decided she was utterly useless! A few minutes later Eds managed to score a decent reverse stick sweep of a goal... and we couldn’t lift ourselves to retaliate. Eds took away our chance of getting promoted according to Linds McStatto but a goal fest next week against Purley should hopefully set us in good stead for our best season yet. (AS)
Team: Olivia, Anna, Lucy, Rona, Louise, Spanna, Katie, Ash, Mary, Emma, Claire, Julia MOTM: Katie Thaks for supporting – Lynne and Linds
Next match: Saturday 15 March vs. Purley away
Women's 5s vs. Cheam 3s: Won 1-0
Some classic hockey with quite an evenly matched first half. The second half saw a domination by us and we clinched the day with a goal from Del. Some outstanding play from Martina who kept hitting out from the back with precision and strength. Rachel played a storming defensive game and was instrumental in keeping the ball from heading to their D. Nicole defied the doctors and managed to run on an ankle injury that had kept her on crutches a month ago. Thankfully she had her lucky new silver astros which kept her from slipping and dazzled the opposition. Injuries were the theme of the match and Del didn't show any signs of pain despite her shoulder problem- even when she tumbled over a player plus Sarah's back was fine. It was only Alanna with her broken toes who was unable to play but I think she's defying doctors for the next match and will make a comeback. Wow- what a team! (AV)
Team: Rachael, Helen F, Helen B, Sioned, Sarah, Sally, Del, Martina, Nicole, Andrea, Jacqui, Charlie Scorer: Del MOTM: Andrea Vicari
Next match: Saturday 15th March vs. University of Surrey - 12:30 home
Women’s 6s vs. Berrylands 1: Lost 0-4
This fixture has never been blessed. Berrylands are a team propped up by a single family: three generations of women on the pitch is cute; the father who simultaneously coaches while umpiring is not. They play on a grass pitch with an incline and dubious line markings. Even those of us old enough to have learned on grass find the surface a struggle, and as always we take half a game to get used to the ball not stopping where we expected and bobbing over divots. This year, our squad was somewhat depleted and we found ourselves with 7 defenders in the side - cue a perspective-changing run in the midfield for three of us (all still recovering!). And it was raining. So this is one big excuse for a scoreline that doesn't actually reflect the teams' relative abilities. We played really well in the second half and showed Berrylands the kind of hockey that enabled us to beat them on our home (astro)turf in the first half of the season. If grass were outlawed we'd regularly draw or beat this team both halves of the season. Still, it was better than last year when we went down to a cricket score and I wrote my car off in a crash en route. Maybe next year we'll even score a goal... (CM)
Team: Charlotte, Sinead, Natalie, Jess, Shona, Clare, Kate, Len, Kathy, Gigi, Bridget, Vicky Umpire: Ian Wright
Next match: Saturday 15 March vs. Addiscombe 2s, CPB
Dragons - No game
Next match: vs. Oldsmiths 16-March @ Battersea Park
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.
End of Season Dinner Saturday 5th April
see www.thehockeyclub.co.uk/social/events.shtml for more details... |
