Fri 20-Nov-09
Issue 08
Match Reports | Subs | Xmas Party
It was a weekend to forget (or build on if the glass is half full) for most of the THD teams. Only 2 teams won, and another got a draw.
The positives were that the Tornados extend their unbeaten streak in the league, and the Men's 2s get 3 more points in their extremely competitive league.
Anyway, we can put this week behind us ad look forward to next!
Ramana Thirumoorthy - Editor
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FINAL NOTICE
Subs are OVERDUE
Anyone with unpaid subs CANNOT play!
The deadline for subs has now passed. Anyone who has still not paid their subs needs to contact their respective club captain.
Full details at http://www.thehockeyclub.co.uk/aboutus/fees.shtml
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28-Nov-09
Pre-Xmas Social
The fun, frivolity and funkiness happens in the Clubhouse 7.30 til late. This is the Last Hockey night before the Christmas Break.
Live State of the Art Disco
Superb Buffet Dinner
Late Bar
Good-Looking People
and Free Car Parking!
£10
Everyone Welcome - including non-clubmembers, so first come first served! |
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This weeks match reports from the THD Teams in action.
Reports by: Will Pigden, John Nurse, Steve Butcher, James Casey, Billy Dowie, Mark Annear, Oliver Clark, EJB, Traffs, Anna Spencer, Lucy Heggarty, Jenna Edebohls & Ellie Cottam.
Mens Section
Mens 1s vs. Brighton & Hove: Lost 0-4
Playing an outdoor sport, you get used to facing the elements from time to time, and the January training turnout is testament to the love we have for the winter attrition. However, Saturday happened to be one of the windiest and wettest days of the year, the perfect time to play Brighton right on the south coast on top of a hill facing the sea and the epicenter of the storm.
So an even newer and younger looking team set foot on the field, looking like they had just been through a monsoon and were now facing the hairdryer. Brighton chose to play into the wind in the first half, a decision that paid dividends. THD started strongly with Simon Broadway hitting the bar after a great move and THD generally were in charge.
However then came the 7 minutes that changed the game. 3 short corner goals and a tap in out of nowhere saw a dominant THD concede 4 in that time and we were in a state of shock.
We battled back and were unlucky not to score a few in a game that in no way resembled the scoreline... wind battered, bruised and, in Rob's case, broken, a youthful THD (average age 25) have a huge home game against league leaders Staines this weekend in which to bounce back. (MWP)
Squad: Pigden, Smith, Brown, Goldsmith, Jarrett, Heath, Hann, Broadway, Alford, Jacob, Huntley, Joe, Fred
Next match: Home vs. Staines
Mens 2s vs. Hampstead & Westminster 3s: Won 2-1
Incident Report: 16/11/2009
This Morning police are hunting a south london gang who attacked a group of
locals at Paddington Rec. last Saturday 14th November, approx. 3pm.
The gang, of 14 men, wearing a bizarre uniform of red, green and blue,
arrived under cover of the weekend storms. They proceeded to rape
and pillage a local gang wearing blue and white, leaving several locals,
who had forgotten their body armour, with bruised shins.
2 bemused witnesses, strangely wearing yellow, commented, "They appeared to
get what they came for and then leave without trace, despite one gang
member, who was hiding his face behind a hockey goal keepers mask, who
appeared immobile, as his feet looked like they were packed in cement.".
Police currently have no leads and are appealing for witnesses.
Also on Saturday afternoon, THD 2's went to Hampstead and Westminster and
beat their 3rd XI, 2-1.
Sheldon was asked to comment on the first goal. "I didn't know which foot
to move", he remarked. After a sustained period of pressure, a reverse
stick shot from an absurd angle raced between Sheldon's feet, opening the H
& W score sheet.
Sheldon made amends as time again him and Robbie Layton made a mockery of
the H & W penalty corner routine. After finally stringing together some passes and doing something similar to what we do in training, Butty nearly failed to finished off a conclusive passage of Hockey, with a far post tap-in.
Thankfully the 30 minutes of penalty corner practice from Tuesday paid off,
as we got 100% record this week with our well drilled routines. We got our
first and only corner with 5 minutes to go. A well worked routine,
involving a devastating Tim Sylvester dragflick, the pace totally baffled
the keeper, allowing the Fezzer's quick reactions to mop-up the rebound
into the back of the net.
In the dying minutes John Nurse felt sorry for the Home team and thought
they deserved one last attempt at goal, so passed to their centre forward,
only for the final whistle to go as they fluffed another good chance.
Squad: Sheldon, Robby, Matt, John, Coleman, Laurent, Mike, Gavin, Potty,
Snowy, Butty, Fez, Darren, Timmy
Scorers: Stephen Butt, Dave Casement
MOTM: no vote - John Nurse - only man to play 70 minutes and great match report
TFC: no vote - (Chris ' the dictator ' Colman - voted John Nurse ) - In my defence I was quite tired by the end of the game
Umpires: Theirs
Next match: Home vs. Oxford University 2s, 1100hrs, JAGS
Mens 3s vs. Hampstead & Westminster 4s: Lost 0-2
On a wind & rain swept DC Tulse Hill 3s took on Hampstead & Westiminster 4s. From what this author has been told Tulse Hill looked dangerous from the start but could not convert their chances. Hampstead then scored a well worked short corner & a second soon followed. Tulse Hill continued to dominate but still could not score, despite winning their first short corners for the past 3 games!
Points of note included Wes almost scoring after a defense mystifying dummying (Wes's words) from Tim (who later admitted he just missed it!). What the author wants to know is why 2 of his defenders were in the opposition D?
Ducky also continued his fine form in front of goal by killing a passing bird with his closest effort to hitting a target of sorts.
In addition the author would like it noted that England are rubbish at rugby & despite pitch side seats his girlfriend has decided never to watch the sport again!
Team: James Fuller (GK), John Holmes, Tim Jones, Guy, Wes Cole, Foggy, Joe Griffiths, Ducky, Matt Grumble, Bungle, Rob Patrick, Frankie Whitwell & Potty
MOTM: James Fuller
TFC: Steve Butcher
Next match: Away vs. Teddington Saplings
Tornados vs. Blackheath Heathens: Won 5-0
Blackheath made Saturday's match look more like a scene from 'Rambo' than a hockey match. Weather and skill contributed to the utter dejection of Blackheath on a quick, if muddy, pitch. The fourth team of our illustrious hockey club displayed a clinical professionalism for c. 60 minutes of an impressive 5 zip victory. The importance of maintaining this new found facet can not be emphasised enough.
Rob Tuer's consistently admirable performances are depriving him of the man of the match award; his hard work has become a part of the team. Rewards came in another form though as Rob set up Ben P's first goal with some aplomb. A very positive mention should also go to our noble skipper who had a good game. His passing was excellent and he gained a couple of goals as remuneration - the second coming from an excellent cross from Pully. Ben grabbed a second to complete a good game up front and Pully converted a short corner. The straight strike success of Pully's goal was symptomatic of the general THD T performance; we did the simple things well on a day where we could have lost concentration. Save for a period of lethargy and some exotic passes from Fents the 4s really ran Blackheath into the ground.
The defence had a good game all round and this was reflected in the clean sheet. One rather maverick vote (Whitebait) for Si as man of the match was dismissed pretty quickly and praise was quickly, and correctly, reallocated to the back four.
Thanks must also go to Coleman for umpiring. The weather was inclement to say the least and Coleman looked fairly miserable as rain streamed into his boots. This may have lead to Tom Alexander's five minute cooling period which I know the bench at Blackheath didn't appreciate too much. Nemo also got himself a green.
There are however some lessons to be taken from Saturday. We must not take our foot off the gas. Saturday was a good performance but it only represents a base from which to build. There are some fairly flamboyant results knocking around in our league and we need to make sure we are on the enforcing end of some of these 8 goal drubbings. (JC)
Squad: Si Bailey (GK), Fents, Tom, Pully, Fish, Wilsh, Rob, MJ, Little Fish, Zesh, Ben, Aido + JC watching
Scorers: Ben Protheroe (2), MJ (2), Mark Pulford
MOTM: Fents
TFC: Rob Tuer
Next match: Home vs. Old Loughtonians Gunners, 1230hrs, JAGS
Diamonds vs. Spencer 6s: Lost 0-2
Sitting precisely mid-table before this game, we were nevertheless in the lower half of the division, with a massive five points between us and the team above us. And when you need points, Spencer are not the team to come up against. Always a good game, but it's usually us battling for a well-earned draw. Not on this occasion, though.
This was undoubtedly our toughest game of the season to date - unsurprising, then, that they are up at the top of the division with the Tornados. Both their goals came in the first half, when they took us apart pretty comprehensively, both by spotting & exposing gaps we had left open, and by beating us individually with the ball.
Peter Berman's observations at half time proved priceless, allowing us to close off their main lines of attack, and gradually we started to impose ourselves on the game. We managed to open them up a couple of times for Joe to see his close-range shots saved; but equally, we were grateful for James' acrobatics at the other end, where Trem, Olly & Simon helped keep a clean sheet (this is the second half we're talking about here). So, whilst the result was a disappointment, our recovery holds out some promise. (BD)
Squad: James Fuller, Olly Walton, Trem Parvin, Graeme Evans, Simon Canter, Nick Harris, Marc Antoine, Stephen Ireton, Sam Younger, Nick Allen, Irfan Begg, Joe Del Greco
Umpires: Wes Cole & David Fogden
Next match: Home vs. Richmond Stags, 1100hrs, DC
Royals vs. PHC Chiswick 5s: Lost 1-3
Direct, aggressive to the point of the other side of the fine line, and occasionally susceptible at the back, Chiswick are top of our league and eminently beatable. Alas, and such is the way with things, just five players from our first encounter with these opponents - from whence we could have learned these lessons of Chiswick's playing style - took the field in the windswept and isolated Wormwood Scrubs. Earlier lessons were not instantly heeded and earlier experience left unused. Our opponents on the other hand guessed where our hinges creaked most, and charged at them with steely determination.
Surprised we may have been that they could get away with as much as they did, but still: Chiswick knew their limits, knew their strengths, and did just enough - and early enough - to take, seize and hold the initiative in this match. By the time we were switched on enough to play, the score was 3-0 and just half an hour was left to run.
It was impressive enough to watch us when we were playing to our potential, as we passed, switched, threaded, and ran the ball from all angles toward our opponents' goal. Countless were the opportunities we created, and equally countless were the opportunities we somehow squandered. We had attacking advantage through swathes of the half, won four short corners to our opponents' none - but somehow did not find the heart and strength to take us from worthy battlers to serious contenders. That we had by far the majority of possession in the second half perhaps points to another of our shortcomings and of our opponents' playing to their goal - for as long as we did not score, they saw no need to have the ball and were content instead to play out time giving match experience to their defence.
Such is the pity - had we scored one in the first half, or at least not mournfully conceded in the opening gambit of the second - it could have been so much more interesting. (MA)
Squad: Jon Bayliss (c), Adrian Leung, Adam Bond, Rob Thomas, Ed Taylor Jones, Joe Boylan, Stephen Ireton, Steve Walsh, Ali Bulloch, Robbie Fleck, Mark Annear (11)
Scorers: Steve Walsh
MOTM: A good game in midfield for Stephen Ireton, controlling and pulling strings, and a creditable game for yours truly in defence. TJ was incisive and consistently threatening on the left. Special mentions also to Steve Walsh, Adrian Leung and Robbie Fleck
TFC: Awarded to Steve Walsh and his inability to stay upright at crucial moments in attack, and Mark Annear for an interesting way to encourage voting on the tube home. Adam Bond also won recognition (playing up front and not scoring with a sitter), and the teenagers Joe Boylan, Ed Taylor Jones and Robbie Fleck were penalised for railing against the system. Revolution has not yet come to the Royals.
Umpires: Much as I dislike travelling to away matches without one of our own, they were both theirs
Next match: Home vs. Spencer Spitfires, 1330hrs, CPB
Saracens vs. Southgate Goblets: Lost 0-5
It was a dark and stormy day in all senses for the Saracens on Saturday. A brief burst of sunshine during the warm up temporarily lifted us - was this an omen? A sign of impending victory? In a word, no. They were young, quick and skilful. We were not. They won. As Mark said in the clubhouse "5-0 is an ironic score line, given that the average age of their team is 5." Still, even though we lost on the pitch, we won the drink off in the bar as we were the only team old enough to buy beers.
Anyway, some positives to take away; "Grandad" Tim had a solid game at right back in his first ever game of hockey! Aido was mighty in defence as ever, but maybe next time a little less dribbling out of our own D? Lee the keeper made some cracking saves in his first game back after 3 years and last but not least Nick W for getting close to scoring with a reverse stick half volley. Next time boys. (OC)
Squad: Lee (GK), Oli, Tim, Aido, Mark, Niteen, MJ, Ben, Nick, Nick, Ladi, James
MOTM: Aido, for his defensive work
TFC: Aido, for dribbling out of the D (a lot), Charlie for breaking his finger in a pub in Friday night and not being able to play, and Ladi for the usual tardy arrival
Special mention: Pully, who deserves special mention for keeping MJ in check and stopping him breaking a 14 year old
Next match: 28 November, Home vs. Richmond Redoubtables, 1230hrs, DC
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Womens Section
Womens 1s vs. Teddington 1s: Lost 1-3
It didn't bode well that there was so much water on the Teddington pitch that the umpire lost the coin instantly in a muddy puddle shortly after I had called "heads". As we splashed through several inches of water in the warm up I was actually sad I had not brought my wellies. Oh the fun I could have had. The match got going in hurricane conditions and we had a clear "it is the same for both teams mentality" while Teddington had clearly assumed it would be called off. The short story is THD were magnificent in the opening 20 mins and should have scored a lot of goals but clearly scoring goals is "so last season" and just not something we have the nack for. But nevermind Teddington suddenly remembered they are top of the league this season and took their chances as the tide began to subside.
The rest of the game was really odd. One of the umpires was driven mad by the rain and gave out about 6 yellow cards, so Teddington never seemed to have more than 9 on the pitch during the second half. We always threatened to score and got a flick 10 mins from the end, but unfort it was a case of what might have been. Many thanks to Biba who moved heaven and earth to play for us and make sure we had 11. Muldoon, you are dead. (EJB)
Team: Olivia (totally fabulous), Alex, Clare, Sophie, Jen, Annabel, Wheels, EJ, Rebecca, Sharon, Cathy, Biba
Scorers: EJ (penalty stroke)
Player of the match: EJ (with Wheels a very close second)
Thanks for coming: Jen for being ridiculous
Next match: Home vs. Maidenhead 1s, 1230hrs, DC
Womens 2s vs Guildford 2s: Lost 0-3
Having enjoyed watching the last quarter of a match during which Oxford Uni got thrashed 11-0 by an impressive Guildford side captained by a former Cambridge team-mate of ours, the Light Blues amongst us (who actually accounted for half the team this week!) were inspired to reproduce this match-winning form and find the 3 points that have alluded us for several weeks now. We knew, however, that this would be a tough test on the bouncy, leaf-littered water-based pitch on a stormy day in Godalming.
We started brightly and, though Guildford looked their usual well-drilled selves, we looked more solid at the back, thanks to the addition of Louise Garvin’s commanding presence. However, despite an incisive, determined run by Tash into Guildford ’s “D, we were unable to capitalise on the resulting short corner. Soon afterwards a well-worked move pulled our defence out of position enough for Guildford to fire a very well-taken goal against the backboard.
The game continued in much the same vein, with THD looking good going forwards and managing to maintain the majority of possession. However, despite some great link up play between Beddoes and Alice on the left hand side, we struggled to convert it into clear-cut chances. Despite feeling relatively confident going into half-time 1-0 down that we could get something out of the game, as we tired in the second half, Guildford’s persistence rewarded them with 2 further goals to which we failed to find a reply. We now find ourselves at 9th in the league so look forward to Saturday’s crucial game against 8th placed Merton. (RT)
Team: Ellie, Kate, Ellie, Traffs, Louise, Biba, Beddoes, Jeavons, Jo, Tash, Alice
Umpire: Lou
MOTM: Alice
Next match: Saturday 21st November, 11am, DC vs Merton
Womens 3s vs. Surbiton Ladies 3s: Drew 2-2
Always up for a challenge the Ladies 3's were raring to go after beating the top of the table last week - this week the challenge was playing on a very, very wet pitch with a bit of driving rain and gale force winds thrown in.
Surbiton are a strong and aggressive team and it took us a while to get into the game and discover that the ball had to be chased down as it hardly ever managed to make it off the pitch due to the amount of puddles. As the season progresses we are improving every week and this week was without exception. We scored first with a big hit from our half from Anna which Sarah B skillfully picked up and distributed to Julia who wiggled her way around the defence and had a straight strike on goal - genius! Surbiton managed to get one back before half time despite the gallant efforts of Ali in goal and some great defending by Helen S, Kat, Linds and Lucy.
The second half was full of emotion and we were determined not to be beaten up by the oppo (they were bigger than us but we were more skilful!). Surbiton scored fairly early on but we fought back and Emma, the most determined of all as she only managed to arrive at half time, scooped one in from the edge of the D to bring us back into the game.
It was a great effort by all the team, especially the mids, Sunny, Helen McG and Georgie who ran around continuously in bad conditions and helped us get our well needed one point to take us out of the relegation zone! (AS)
Squad Ali (GK), Anna, Lindsey, Kat, Emma B, Georgie, Helen S, Helen McG, Julia, Sunny, Sarah, Snellers
Scorers: Emma Billsdon, Julia Butler
MOTM: Julia
Umpires: Mark Annear
Next match: Away vs. Cheam 2s
Womens 4s vs. Camberley and Farnborough 2s: Match cancelled.
Bad weather.
Next match: Home vs. Barnes Hounslow Ealing 4s, 1530hrs, DC
Womens 5s vs. Croydon 2s: Lost 0-3
It was all about the weather this Saturday. On the drive down to Harris Academy, there were glimpses of blue sky but the rain and gales were back just in time for our warm up. There was no let up as our match began on the rather exposed pitch. Being British I'm of course more than capable of discussing the weather which is lucky as we were playing into the driving rain for the first half so I can't be entirely sure what was happening further up the pitch.
We began well and put together some nice play despite the atrocious conditions. Croydon 2s (currently very near the top of the league) soon began to pile on the pressure and we unfortunately were caught on the break and conceded a goal, with another following shortly afterwards.
Croydon didn't have all the play though and we ventured up into their D and managed to create a few chances, the most notable being from a short corner just before half time. Unfortunately, as it came back from the top of the D, Rachael sent it just wide of the left post. (Terrible conditions and slippery gloves is her defence for missing 'a sitter' as the umpire described it!)
The rain didn't ease up at all in the second half and by this point we had soaked up so much extra water (feet sloshing nicely in our astros) that our morale was waning and Croydon got another goal. The score remained 3-0 at full time and it could have easily been a much worse score line had it not been for all the great saves by our goalie Phoebe. Despite being the youngest player on the pitch by some considerable way, she showed no fear and did a great job. A deserved MOTM.
It was a valiant effort by all of the team in what were extremely miserable and difficult conditions. Well done to everyone, and I hope you have all dried out now. (LH)
Squad: Lucy Heggarty, Phoebe, Laura Seale, Rachael, Katie Stone, Sarah Riggs, Clare Montague, Emily, Zoe, Vicky, Sarah Wykes, Heidi, Flo.
MOTM: Phoebe
Umpires: James Perrot and someone from Croydon
Next match: Home vs. Oxted 2s 1200hrs, CPB
Womens 6s vs. Reigate Priory 4s: Lost 0-4
After the disappointment of finding our form too late in the day in last weeks game, we had renewed confidence in ourselves this week and after a quick download from Mags of skills learnt at training last week, we were ready and waiting when Reigate, and a massive downpour arrived at JAGS simultaneously.
We managed to retain possession of the ball for the majority of the match and through a strong defence, didn't allow Reigate any straight shots on goal, only giving away 2 short corners which we were able to successfully defend. Unfortunately Reigate managed to score 4 times, all through unlucky messy scrapping in their D.
Although we were unable to convert any of our hard work into goals, we had the ball in our attacking D more than any game so far this season and just need to be a little more aggressive when attacking the goals. Our on field passing, communication and ability to slow down, switch the play etc has vastly improved in the past few games (as has our off field use of the bar facilities post game!) and as Christmas approaches, we are looking forward to celebrating some big goal scores and a WIN or two!!!(JE)
Squad: Emily, Jess, Sinead, Alison, Olivia, Lizzy, Mags, Ellie, Kate, Gemma, Bridget, Jenna, Claire
MOTM: A sterling effort by a hungover Mags in the centre and some great skills shown by Olivia in defence
Next match: Aways vs. Bank of England 2s
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Mixed Section
Dragons vs. Wanderers Daiquiris: Won 1-0.
Firstly.... we're TOP OF THE LEAGUE!!*.
After a few wusses (? How do you spell that?) cancelled matches on Saturday, many of the dragons were raring to get back on the pitch by Sunday. It was a closely fought battle for most of the match, but a half-time team chat did the business. "Let's do what we're doing, but better." Half-time inspiration from our captain!
The second half saw more of the trade-marked one-handed dribbling up the wings from Jonesy, which totally flummoxed the opposition. Sterling defence from Susannah kept Wanderers wondering... Piggy was diving like Daly and running like Rudolph, maybe... (Anyone know any runners beginning with R?). What I mean is he didn't let any goals in, despite Wanderers trying very, very hard. Nice one Piggy.
Endless breakaways from Ratty, Tim, Sunny, Helen and Alanna eventually led to a painful goal. There was true dedication and commitment from one female member of the opposition, in her attempts to keep the ball out of the net/wood. Unfortunately, she failed. Instead she ended up straddling the goal post.... owwwwwww! Hard core girl remained on the pitch trying to fight back. They failed and the Dragons left Battersea victorious once more, woooo hoooo!
No chundering mid-match yet this season, will aim for some this Sunday. (EC)
*11 results outstanding, damn.
Squad: Piggy (GK), Oli C, Ratty, Tim S, MJ, Sunny, Furlong, Ellie, Alanna, Susannah, Phil + Guy.
Scorers: Alanna
Umpires: Boys, boys, boys
Next match: Home vs. Old Midwhitgiftians Mixeds, 1230hrs, Dulwich College
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