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News > Newsletter 2007/08
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 03-Apr-08Issue 23
In a week when the media toys with our national gullibility and latent desire to believe in the extraordinary – April 1 st gave us everything from flying penguins to Carla’s new post as style adviser to the PM to add a little French ‘je ne said quoi’ to government - one overriding fact remained steadfastly true – the Men’s 1s finally did it. Phew, I hear you cry. After keeping us on tenterhooks for the last fortnight, the Men’s 1s synergised, stayed on task, took their game plan forward, pushed the envelope and closed the deal. The game and the tale of the season is detailed below by elder statesman of the team, Mr Richard Banwell Esq, but to Capt Balchin and his mighty crew a hearty congratulations from the whole club for maintaining momentum and securing their place in the top flight of the South League. Expect many a toast to their sterling efforts on Saturday night.
And let’s not forget the Women’s 2s who are still in it too – their fate is only half in their hands – a cracking win against Croydon leaves them with Richmond to beat this weekend, and will be promoted if Wimbledon simultaneously beat Croydon. PLEASE if you’re anywhere near the Dulwich area, go along to DC at 11am to cheer on the 2s Allstars and then the women’s 3s and 4s to follow – a veritable feast of hockey. The women’s 6s also had a cracker this weekend and like the Men’s 3s, retain a solid mid-table position. The women’s 1s battled hard against Buckingham, their league leaders by a mile, but lost in the semi-final of the cup so the title moves on, but well done to them on the last few years of consistently doing so impressively in the knock-out competition.
And so we’ve got, in the powerful and emotive words of Boyz II Men, to the end of the road – well, nearly, last games this weekend and the End of Season dinner. The red and green socks will be hung up for another season but don’t forget there are summer tours a-plenty to keep your eye in and your purple intake steady – see the website for more details.
Reports by: Richard Banwell, Tim Sylvester, Wes Cole, Sharon Smith, Lucy Muldoon, Mo O’Brien, Lucy Snell, Clare Montagu, Kate Leckie & Mark JonesMen’s 1s vs. Rover Oxford: Won 5-1
The opposition, already placed in the final automatic relegation place, started strongly and took the lead from the breakdown of a THD short corner which should have been avoided. In a game where a win for Oxford would have provided a chance of a play-off place rather than relegation, THD were not surprised at their intensity but still required a good deal of the first half to establish superiority. Goals by Huntley and Balchin ensured a lead at half time.
In the second half, evidently more relaxed and composed, THD eased away with further goals by Balchin, Nurse and Weir. With victory required to ensure promotion THD were determined not to be known as the team which had missed its chance and finished strongly in a game where Oxford had truly come to force a slip up. Although there were many other chances which could have extended the scoreline further, there was a mixture of jubilation and relief when the final whistle drew to a close an exceptional season.
It is fitting that the bulk of the squad this year were involved in the play-offs at the end of last season. In preserving our status it provided the chance for others, perhaps some time in the future, to press for promotion. It only became clear at Christmas that the opportunity might well come sooner rather than later. Since January, there have been a series of massive results, in particular where 3 points were taken from the teams around us away from home. These games and others revealed the immense spirit, integrity and self-belief of the squad, which no doubt was formed in part within the crucible of last season’s agonising endgame.
It is an honour to captain a side but not an honour to do it badly. Balchin has always been a proper leader of this side, rather than one who simply enjoys the title of leadership. Finally, it is fitting in two seasons which has had just about everything that there were even one or two tears of pride from our player/coach Boucher at the end. The progress made could not have been achieved without him and we wish him well in retirement. As for the immediate future: the Mens 1s do not have a game after the End of Season Dinner. (RB)
Scorers: Huntley, Balchin (2), Nurse, Weir Team: Pigden M(gk), Boucher G, Eames A, Banwell R, Smith C, Brown A, Weir G, Nurse W, Ireson J, Casement D, Balchin A (c), Huntley J, Speculand A
Next match: South-Hockey League, Premier 1
Men’s 2s vs. Reading: Lost 3-1
And so with the winding down of the season comes a season-typifying performance. We were ok. Maybe better than that sometimes. But overall, regrettably average. Felix put us in front, and we were definitely looking the stronger team to start with – but ending a disappointing season on a high was apparently not to be.
There are consolations to be taken from the season, make no mistake – our new tactics worked well against teams like Spencer, Surbiton and East Grinstead, and we found out just how hard we could push ourselves when we needed to. At the end of the day though, it was too little too late. 1 point from two games against bottom of the league Teddington, and losing to Wayfarers when we had to get the points cost us our safety this year.
There’s not a lot else to say. We’ll hopefully be heading straight back up in 12 months’ time, and the match report will have an altogether more jubilant tone to it – but for now, my friends – Thank you, and good night. (TS)
Team: Piglet, Dan E, Chris C, Robbie L, John N, Paul H, Felix N, James V, James H, Aidan B, Dave C, Nick H, Tim S Umpires: Jonesy and James P Scorer: Felix Nurse
Men’s 3s (4s) vs. Maidenhead: Lost 5-0
We live in changing times.
The sub - prime mortgage lending crisis has created a veritable air of uncertainty across the worlds financial markets for the first time in 20 years; rising C02 emissions from China and India have caused a major shift in global temperatures sparking a polar crisis; Zimbabwe is about to over turn years of dictatorship; America is about to elect its first non-white male President; Laurie has a new jumper from Next's spring knitwear collection.
Times are indeed changing. And in these times of uncertainty and turmoil, it's the constants in life that will pull society through and make a better world. And where better to look for consistency and stability than the men's 3's! Bang on mid table for the 5th year running. Can't get more consistent than that.
So in the off season I'm running for Mayor, Lauire for US president, Harrow for Chair of the National Celibacy Association and we're going to bring some consistency and stability to this world, before September when we'll go out and finish 5/ 6th again in the London 3B Pizza Hut Hockey League. Love it. Wes.
Team: Jez, Laurie, Tim J, JP, George, Nick, Conor, Will Lucas, Tom, Ram, Mark, Aidan Umpire: Seamus, Steeve, cheers lads
Next match: Sometime in September
Tornados - No game
Diamonds - No game
Royals - No game
HA Trophy Semi Finals: Women’s 1s vs. Buckingham: Lost 4-1
The draw for the HA semi finals did not go entirely as we would have liked…Buckingham, Away, 11.30am Push Back with the clocks going forward which basically meant embarking on a 2 hour journey out of London at 7am on a Sunday!!
With this aside we really hoped this would be our day, 3rd time lucky, we wanted to go out and feed Buckingham a big can of ‘whoop ass’.
As we passed the M25 the cloud and rain seemed to lift, the sun started to shine, the caffeine kicked in and it felt like we really could do it. This was our last game of the season and for some key players the final game for THD. Before the whistle we gathered for our usual team huddle, emotions and adrenalin were running high, yes we talked tactics but we also talked about guts, determination and pride, we all wanted this win badly and were prepared to take the game to Buckingham and fight for our lives to get through to the final round of the trophy.
We started out hard but also absorbed some early pressure from a couple of early Buck’s penalty corners, but the defence held strong. Unfortunately our squad of players was a little thin with just one substitute; 8 minutes into the first half Shazza badly twisted her knee, despite trying to continue playing she had to be substituted, so we had our only 11 fit players on the pitch.
We battled through the first 20 mins, EJ picked up some great balls down the right flank from Alex and Faye and worked her way round the oppo into the D. For an EJ-created short corner, Will made the call Rachel Lander to strike, which she did amazingly from the right slip and launched the ball into the back of Buckingham’s net, so there we were 1 nil up, maybe this was going to be our day!!
We managed to hold on to our 1 goal lead going into half time… but shortly coming back after the break a bit of confusion in front of goal resulted in Bucks slotting the ball past a stranded Pipes. Still we battled – Buckingham threw everything they had at us and won a short corner… Gemma managed to block the strike, but the ball fell nicely for the oppo’s striker to pounce and sweep the ball into the top of the net. We were 2-1 down, but Buckingham didn’t have it all their own way. Rachel Wheeler nearly managed to pull back an equaliser with a great strike when the ball fell loose at the top of the D, unfortunately this missed the top right hand corner by a matter of centimetres!! Rachel W worked tirelessly against her opposite number (an England U18 so we believe, who can also run the 800m in sub 2min 20 and just missed out on the Junior Triple As championship) and Kath had a great game at LB. In our determination to pull back a goal we threw players forward which left us a bit vulnerable at the back – Buckingham took full advantage and hit us on the break… with 10 minutes to go in went goal number 3 before they scored a final one in the final minute.
The result in no way reflected the game – in fact, the umpires said afterwards that the standard of hockey was higher than in the National League she had umpired the day before – everyone played incredibly hard and well and we can hold our heads up high - we gave Buckingham a run for their money! (SS)
Team: Pipes, Alex, Clare, Rachel L, Kath, Rachel W, Gem, Faye, EJ, Lou, Shaz & Martha Scorer: Rachel Lander MotM: Pipes
Women’s 2s vs. Croydon: Won 2-1
Ummmmmmmmm what can I say great games girls and a good win, if not a bit of a lucky one!! Not going to talk to much hockey well maybe a little, but here is a run down of what happened. Croydon scored, how I will ever know how they got it passed Jo as she was simply ace in goal.
We were not worried and when it came to our first short corner Rachel Wheeler took full control and gave us a wonderful equaliser. I manage to convert a 2 nd short corner and put one away right under the goal keepers nose, ha,ha. I am glad I got that goal as I did give the team some scary moments when passing to their CF, whoops!!!! Sorry about that.
Lots of votes of MOM this week and so it should have been. Chloe did not put a foot wrong the whole game. Kato had a stomer at RB also running 1 at short corners and most certainly gave it the best commitment of her life and also risking a bit of it too. I am told she is full of bruises on her leg stopping some fierce hits from the oppo. Sarah J weaving in and out of the terrifying Croydon defenders and deserves a medal for keeping her cool. Rachel Trafford and Sarah Beddoes AMAZING, no more said there! Emma K and Jo Walford running off down the wings with votes as well.
All now rides on the last game, we can beat Richmond but can Wimbledon beat Croydon which is what we need for the big P?? (LM)
Team: Lucy, Kato, Chloe, Sarah Jeavons, Biba, Rachel Wheeler, Rachel Trafford, Emma K,, Sarah Beddoes, Jo Walford, Jo Malkin Umpire: Simon Reily (FANTASTIC) MOM: Kato Scorers: Rachel wheeler and Lucy Muldoon
Women’s 3s vs. Mid Surrey Ladies 1st XI: Drew 2-2
This week saw us down at a very wet Kingston. We had managed to beat Surrey 5-0 at our previous encounter so were expecting a good result. To our dismay within the first 20 minutes we found ourselves 2-0 down. We definitely didn’t have our usual oomph in the first half and let Surrey make us play their game. During the course of the game there were a few goal scrambles of note, and one of these ensued in us gaining a flick. Beth gallantly stepped up and with a beautifully lifted ball, managed to hit the post.
Undeterred and with the skies beginning to open at the start of the second half we recharged ourselves and came out with vigor. Really good movement around the back and with two forwards hanging very high and virtually unmarked for the long ball through, we managed to stretch their defense very effectively. So in this fashion we attacked them and gained several shorts most of which unfortunately went unconverted. We finally got the break off one of these shorts with a straight strike from your truly to gain one back. By now conditions were becoming a little slippery but we pressed on. Trying again for the long ball through I latched on to a superb hit down the line. Managing to beat my player I looked up to find Bronwyn and Helen sitting alone and unmarked in the D. It was a case of not would we score but who, and it was Bronwyn who managed to put away the sitter. We did have more opportunities to put away the game and with a superb strike from Parky. We thought it was in the bag, only to find it was an inch outside the D. That’s the way it finished but it was a really good sign of our determination to crawl back from 2-0 down to level it.
Team: Rachael Biggs, Lou Curry, Georgie Hills, Jena Kitley, Beth Little, Mo O'Brien, Emma Parker, Helen Shackleton, George Sykes, Kat Dwyer, Bronwyn MOTM: Rachael Biggs Goal Scorers: Mo, Bronwyn
Next match: Saturday 5th April v University of London Ladies 1’s home 12.30
Women's 4s vs. Cranleigh: Lost 1-3
To be honest I completely forgot about the match report so you’re going to get a few jumbled memories of it (LS)...
It started off with the team present and correct but no sign of our umpire. Now you have to understand that it is usual for him not to turn up until 5 minutes before so as soon as it got to that time we were starting to worry – and although we had time, it eventually was down to a supporter to step in (many thanks again). I think that we started off ok with some good pressure but Cranleigh were far more aggressive. Although we earned a number of short corners, we were unfortunately not able to capitalise on them. Sadly I can’t remember how the oppo scored their first or second goals?! So we went in to the break 2-nil down (I think). There was then a debate as to who should umpire the second half. The gentleman who had stepped in to help out, gracefully stepped down and Steve took over.
Half time also saw a rejig with Katie moving to centre mid, Kath on the right, Lindsey in at left back and snellers taking up a position on the sideline to cheer like a lunatic (that is according to the supporters stood near me). During that half it appeared to be more in our favour this half. We played far more attacking moves, more opportunities, not to mention plenty of solid defending and eventually we managed a goal-mouth scramble (I think or that could have been a few minutes before) which resulted in Katie putting it in the back of the net . . . it looked like we might make a come back but slightly over half way through the second half Cranleigh scored again. It ended up 3-1 to them.
Players: Olivia, Anna S, Linds, Spanna, Lou R, Snellers, Katie G, Kath, Mary, Claire, Em and Ash. Scorers: Katie MOM: Lou
Next match: 5 April vs. Byfleet Ramblers @ Home
Women's 5s vs. Old Georgians: Lost 2-3
With seven consecutive wins under our belt we were really hoping for another win, to take us to third place in the division. We'd beaten the Old Georgians before Christmas but their squad seemed to have doubled in size and they came out really strong, and dominated the first quarter of the game, scoring an early goal which caught us off guard. Things soon picked up though, we managed to settle into the game and had some good breaks and opportunities, one of which was converted by Del. It was a closely fought game all the way through, with some good teamwork and passing, but despite a second great goal from Helen, we just couldn't quite match the Old Georgians on the day.
Next match: 5 April vs. UCL Academicals @ JAGS
Women’s 6s vs. Thames Valley 2s: Won 5-0
Dragons vs. Sinners: Lost 0-8
It was like the ghost of the Dragons... at the end of a hard season and a large night out - the pitch was full of a mere shadow of the players. No-one had the legs, the heart or the energy. But then the match was pretty much a dead rubber anyhow. Time to mothball the sticks and fold away the kit... unless you fancy a tour or four! Either way, a few weeks off will be very very welcome!
Team: Piggy (GK), MJ, Tom, Riley, Tim, Aido, Will, Mark Annear, Pang, Snellers, George, Cat & Katie Scorers: N/a Umpire: Wes Cole
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... |
