Fri 27-Nov-09
Issue 09
Match Reports | Subs | Xmas Party
Another week to forget for many teams. THD was on the losing end of many close games, so I'll keep it short.
The future is looking bright for a few teams though. The Men's 1s are winning again, the Women's 2s break their losing streak and the Women's 3s extend their unbeaten run to 3 games.
Also, our very own Edward Taylor-Jones of the Royals has started his umpiring career. (see Women's 5s report.) Well done son. It's good to see people starting to pick up the whistle early on!
The Christmas season is almost upon us! See the advert below on details of our very own THD Hockey Xmas party. We hope to see as many of you there as possible!
Ramana Thirumoorthy - Editor
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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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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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This weeks match reports from the THD Teams in action.
Reports by: Rob Heath, Guy Huckvale, Nick Marsh, James Casey, Mark Annear, Tash Barnes, Katherine Anderson, Emily Cadman, Laura S, Lizzy Mallett & Oliver Clark.
Mens Section
Mens 1s vs. Staines: Won 3-1
Reflecting on this game is difficult. I was not involved in the normal on-field tussle. Last week my own teammate put me out of action for a month or more, so I had the pleasure of watching the game from the sideline and fulfilling the Arsene Wenger role. And the youngsters didn’t disappoint. THD started the game very positively and after ten minutes with the game goalless, realised that top of the table Staines were definitely vulnerable. A few close shaves at both ends, and THD opened up the scoring. Young Tom combining with the other sub 25 year olds to neatly slip the ball pas the oncoming keeper.
Further pressure and we converted a well worked short corner – the ball was sent to five other players, around the back of the umpire and finally above the keepers head with a reverse flick (well not really... But information in the league indicates that the oppo reads our match reports quite intently.... Hi all).
A further goal and we were 3-0 ahead with time running out for Staines. At this point in time it appears as if we wanted to play the game with fewer players. Not sure quite how this happened, but we played well with 9 men, only allowing Staines a consolation goal in the last few minutes. It was a good performance that we have been promising for a few weeks, and it was good to see things clicking into place.
Perhaps the most difficult thing about reflecting on this game is that it took place 6 days ago, and the person responsible for the match report has shirked his duties this week...
Team: M Pigden,
C Smith,
A Brown,
G Bewick,
J Lyes,
S Broadway,
T Alford,
N Gough,
F Foey,
M Hopkins,
W Nurse,
J Huntley,
A Jarratt,
J Goldsmith &
J Wilson
MOM: A Brown
TFC: T Alford
Scorers: T Alford, J Wilson, J Huntley
Next match: Away vs. Teddington
Mens 2s vs. Oxford University 2s: Lost 2-3
Under reasonably good weather for once at JAGs the 2s faced the challenge of either handing a lesson down in hockey to a future generation or chasing some 18 year olds around a pitch for 70 minutes. This was underlined in the warm up talk, when Mike pointed out that only 3 members of the team were born after 1980.
Unsurprisingly the game was a fast paced affair, with Oxford playing some ambitious yet impatient hockey meaning that the experience in midfield and defence kept the tide at bay from a skilful side. Though yet again the team was drawn into playing the oppositions game throughout the first half, trying to match the furious pace and not succeeding. A goal from a short corner before half time put a dampener on a positive first half from a defensive point of view.
Half time chat was very familiar, as the wise words of Composure, Patience, Our Game echoed around and as a result the team started the second half brightly. The ball was being switched across the back at pace, and after 3 crossings moved sharply up the right in a fast overload attack culminating in a penalty flick put away by coolly by Fez. Oxford then stepped up the pressure and went two goals ahead as the team appeared to lose their way again, before pulling one back in the final minutes. A short corner on the final whistle to THD gave the last gasp opportunity to equalise, but with both regular strikers off the field, the mantle fell to the experienced hands of Chris Coleman. A great strike that was probably going to clip the top of the backboard was well deflected over the bar by the lightening reactions of the child in padding between the posts and the 2s had to settle for the narrow loss.
Team: Sheldon, Coleman, Matt, Robby, Guy, John, Mike, Bungle, Paul, Fez,
Potty,
Timmy, Butty, Darren, Nick
MoM: None
TFC: None
Scorers: Fez and John Nurse
Next match: Away vs. East Grinstead 3s
Mens 3s vs. Teddington Saplings: Lost 2-3
All in all this was a game against comfortably the worst team in our league, and how we gave up a 2-1 half-time lead to eventually lose 3-2 no one quite knows, and the stupefied faces mixed with anger at the end summed up how people felt. A first half of hockey where we looked threatening became a second half of hockey where we struggled to stamp our dominance on the game.
We started brightly, only for them to score a lucky short corner, their shot bobbling over the prone Steve in goal, for their guy to tap it in on the left post. We came back with a lot of strength and proved that we were by far the better team, passing the ball around them with extreme confidence, looking like we deserved to be higher than them in the league. We scored 2 simple goals, both tap-ins - one from a short, another from open play - making things look very easy and showing our dominance on the pitch. We went into half time 2-1 up confident of being able to put another 4 or 5 past them.
Perhaps this was our problem – being too cocky – but either way, we proceeded to play by far the worst hockey of the season to date. We couldn’t string enough passes together, short corners went against us and Snowy – even though he looked like the village people – couldn’t convince the umpire that he had in fact taken the ball out of the 25 from the 5 yard circle from a free hit, and this was when everyone realised it wasn’t to be our day! They managed to bundle in a couple more scrappy goals, including one which was helped on its way into the goal via John’s head, reminiscent of Ricketts at the weekend compounding Wigan’s miserable day.
This was the perfect example of lowering your standard of hockey to that of your inferior opponent. A lot of hard work is ahead of us now to convert those 1 goal losses into 3 points. (NM)
Team: Steve (GK), John, Tim, Wes, Felix, Snowy, Foggy, Frankie, Ducky, Sparky, Matt, Alex, Rob, Joe, Andy & James.
Scorers: Foggy & Ducky
MOTM: John
TFC: Ducky (for being too honest - shinned a goal in and admitted to it!)
Next match: Away vs. Old Loughtonians 3s (Foresters)
Tornados vs. Old Loughtonians Gunners: Lost 2-3
Old Loughtonians Gunners were a blunt instrument. Unfortunately THD Tornadoes only achieved razor sharp status for fifteen minutes of the game. When we did play properly we cut them to ribbons, causing infighting amongst the Gunners and leading to one of the best passing goals we've scored this season. Alas it that was one of the two goals we scored to their three.
First blood went to Old Loughts as we conceded a flick. It was converted into one - nil and the home side were up against it. The first half offered little else. THD built reasonably well from the back but lacked patience at the front.
The Tornados were hoping to rely on a characteristically gritty performance in the second half. The Gunners bludgeoned a second; Bailey's best seal pup impression could not stop us going two zip down. In adversity, however, comes inspiration and the score line seemed to inspire the 14 man Tornados squad.
Fifteen minutes of good hockey ensued. Rob and Zesh combined brilliantly to take the score to 2-1. Endeavour brought the second from Nemo who ran hard all game and deserved some reward.
The game stood poised and Zesh tempted fate with the sentence: "this will be the third game we draw 2-2 at home this season."
Sure enough the powers that be conspired against us. The opposition centre forward clattered clumsily through to score their third.
Game over. 3-2 Old Loughts. A bitter disappointment. Every cloud has a silver lining and hopefully this lining will give us fire going into our game at Richmond this weekend. (JC)
Squad: Bailey, Pully, Tom, Toby, Fents, Fish, Wilsh, Rob, MJ (c), Zesh, Ben, Little Fish, Charlie, Bristles, Aido
Scorers: Zesh, Alex Fishwick
MOTM: Aido's tackling and general work at the back was invaluable; the score line would have made much worse reading for want of his services.
TFC: Phil Fishwick
Umpires: Guy and Coleman
Next match: Away vs. Richmond Lions
Diamonds: No match.
Next match: Home vs. Richmond Stags, 1100hrs, DC
Royals vs. Spencer Spitfires: Lost 0-6
A poor performance was presented by the Royals, lacking in spirit and competitiveness in the face of what was ultimately another strong Spencer side.
Where we lacked intelligent game-thinking, solid passing and intuition, they clearly did not and it was impressive to see how quickly they learned from any mistakes they might have made. If this was not the same team that we so impressively drew with only seven weeks ago, then it is perhaps only because they have clearly played together and improved in the interim. The same cannot be said for us. (MA)
Squad: Jon Bayliss (c), Adam Bond, Ed Taylor Jones, Joe Boylan, Stephen Ireton, Steve Walsh, Ali Bulloch, Robbie Fleck, Ben Slater, Oli Carruthers, Ollie Norris, Ollie Furlong, Keith Howick (13)
Scorers: None of ours
MOTM: Robbie Fleck gained most plaudits even in this most poor of performances, but there were votes also for the stand-in umpire, and Steve, Ed, Ali and Ollie Furlong won some recognition for having some guts. To be honest, we could be surprised that a defender could take anything from such an overwhelmingly disappointing team performance.
Special moments of the day: No one escaped criticism after this performance, and accordingly all had "special mentions". Extra-special mentions though for Ben Slater (paddy at the umpire earning a surprising ten yard punishment), Adam Bond, Joe "soiled sheet" Boylan, and Keith Howick's "Worst Game in 34 years". Billy Dowie also earned surprising votes after dropping out from umpiring us with illness on the morning of the match, only to be spotted at 10.55am at Dulwich College having an argument with another umpire. The winner though was Ed Taylor Jones, who sent one of theirs to hospital. Poor chap. Beaten up by a teenager.
Umpires: Mark Annear and one of theirs
Next match: Away vs. Indian Gymkhana 4s, 1330hrs
Saracens: No match.
Next match: Home vs. Richmond Redoubtables, 1230hrs, DC
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Womens Section
Womens 1s vs. Maidenhead 1s: Lost 2-3
Maidenhead arrived and scored 2 goals during the warm up and so we started the match 2-nil down. Well that was how it felt anyway, as due to appalling availability yet again we had lots of people in different positions and so we spent the first half trying to work out who, what and where. And while we were doing that they were executing penalty corners with precision.
However, we were delighted to have Kath back from injury and we totally controlled the game for the second half, just unfortunately we managed to give them another goal at some point. Finally our penalties corners worked and Bee scored two fantastic goals so we finished on a very positive note. We were definately worth a point but when we got back to the clubhouse we realised that losing 3-2 was what everyone else had done so I felt relieved we fitted in.
We play Guildford next week who are totally unbeaten so far this year but I am very optimistic that next week is going to be the week that everything suddenly works! (EJB)
Team: Dulcie, Alex, Kath, Clare, Jen, Angela, Sophie, Bee, EJ, Traffs, Cathy, Harriet, Biba and Chloe
Scorers: Beeeeeee x 2
Player of the match: Beeeeeeeee
TFC: All the lazy toads who did not come back for teas...
Next match: Away vs. Guildford 1s
Womens 2s vs. Merton 1s: Won 3-2
It would be fair to say that the Ladies 2's did not go into the game against Merton on the back of a top run of form. Four defeats in our last four games was hardly the table-topping form we had been hoping for! However, team performances had improved in recent weeks and we were convinced it was only a matter of time before things started to turn around.
We started strongly: the defence were moving it around and out from the back with confidence and we appeared far slicker than we had in recent weeks in the final 1/3 of our attacking pitch. Pressure soon started to build on the Merton goal and we took the lead after a barnstorming run into the D and smart shot into the left hand corner from Beddoes. Unfortunately the scores were levelled shortly before half time as a Merton player was allowed to run into the D unchallenged before steering her shot beyond Olivia.
Determined to go out and ensure 3 points in the second half we again started strongly and scored via a very well-taken goal by Sarah Buxton (possibly from a short corner; mine and Traffs' joint memory escapes us.apologies). At times our play was glorious: Chloe looked like she'd never been away from our defence, Lucy pulled off a heroic save on the line whilst the midfield and attack were dovetailing and linking with ease. We went 3-1 up after Beddoes again charged into the D and her shot was deflected into the goal by the prolific and ruthless centre forward that is Tash Barnes.
Keen not to enjoy our first victory since the beginning of October without a breath of self-doubt, we allowed Merton to put us under a sustained period of pressure. With 10 minutes to go, Merton pulled one back leaving a nervy end to the game as they forced a succession of short corners. However, we withstood the pressure and emerged victorious, 3-2.
It appears the Ladies 2's are back in business. (TB)
Squad Olivia, Kato, Ellie, Lucy, Chloe, Kath (thanks, it was great to have you - glad the hamstring survived!), Biba, Traffs, Beddoes, Jo, Sarah, Tash
Scorers: Sarah Beddoes, Sarah Buxton, Tash Barnes
MOTM: Lucy Muldoon
TFC: All our supporters (especially Biba and Claire)
Umpires: Mark Annear
Next match: Away vs. Richmond 2s
Womens 3s vs Cheam 2s: Won 3-0
We all set out raring to go with the aim to score 24 goals (to mark the 24th birthday of yours truly) and a crazy new celebratory goal dance. With the rain holding off, we were all in high spirits.
Julia started us off with scoring a strong goal within the first few minutes – our aim was in sight! Our first half was fast and determined, with lots of great 2 on 1s between Georgie and the left and right midfields getting the ball all the way up the pitch. One of these turned into a goal – it was crossed into the D by Helen M and popped into the goal by a perfectly placed Sunny. At the end of the first half we were feeling positive.
Cheam started to fight back in the second half, with one particular player trying to stop our attackers getting through. But our relentless midfields and forwards always got past her. Our solid defence prevented Cheam from scoring any goals and played a much more attacking game. Anna had some great attacking break-throughs, causing us to have a frustrating 10 or so short corners. Finally determined Georgie had a clear shot into the goal on the final corner. The rain started as soon as we finished – perfect timing.
The Ladies 3’s has now been christened the Dream Team by our skipper. Over the last few weeks we have improved beyond belief, play together as a team, communicate on the pitch and get results. Bring on Epsom next week! (KA)
Team: Anna, Lindsey, Kat, Helen McG, Helen S, Georgie, Sunny, Emma P, Kate, Julia, Lucy & Ellie (GK)
MOTM: Anna
Scorers: Julia, Sunny, Georgie
Next match: Home vs. Epsom 2s, 1100hrs, JAGS
Womens 4s vs. Barnes Hounslow Ealing 4s: Lost 2-4
On paper it all looked good. We were playing a team just off the relegation zone, who turned up without a keeper. A chance to put goals on the board you'd of thought, but it all went horribly wrong.
We never quite dealt with their tactic of using the spare outfield player to overload the forwards, and they always seemed to have a spare player in the D. Still, one nil down at half time and it wasn't looking too bad.
But we were missing two key players in the middle, and as darkness fell, a torturous 5 minute spell saw Barnes waltz straight through and score another three, leaving us with a mountain to climb.
We finally started to get a grip, with Abbey making some strong runs up the left, and we got two in reply, but ran out of time to claw any more back.
All together disappointing, and we'll have to do much better this week, as we are away to the runaway league leaders Kenley.
Squad: Lucy, Abbey, Emily, Helen F, Mary, Alanna, Ash, Kirsty, Suzi, Susannah, Helen B, Cat, Ali
Scorers: Susannah and Alanna
Next match: Away vs. Kenley SP 1s
Womens 5s vs. Oxted 2s: Drew 2-2
Great result for the 5's!
Last Saturday the 5's were all thankful for the decent weather oppose to the nightmare the previous week before. We played against Oxted Ladies 2 who have had a very strong season so far, which did not knock our performance whatsoever.
Within the first few minutes our goalie had already taken out one of Oxted's forwards with a superb save. The aggression and strength from the opposition was felt so we knew straight away this wasn't going to be an easy match. We put our aggression and determination into action to show them what THD can do. Many of our players really put their heart into this game, giving so many tremendous performances all round. A goal was later scored in the first half by Vicky which equalised the game to 1-1 at half time.
By this time it was all agreed that superb hockey was being played and it was a merely a case of maintaining our performance which would be mostly down to fitness in the second half. We came on again strong however it was a battle against the opponent's strength, aggression and questionable legality upfront. Many of our women had been hit, knocked, bashed or felled as a result of their dedication to this match. Unfortunately another goal was conceded leaving us 2-1 down.
In the last 5 minutes there was a great stress to score and prevent any goals, however Oxted seemed to be taking this lightly and dallying with the ball, but our defence maintained focus and managed to get the ball up the pitch. Our midfield immediately took this chance to carry on fighting for a goal. With literally 2 minutes left the ball was up high on the right wing and it went from Sarah to Vicky to Emily who got the ball back round to Sarah who took a superb shot at goal which went through all of Oxted's defence, landing the ball into the far left of the goal. This remarkable goal put us back into the game ending with a great result of 2-2 which all of the THD 5's were immensely pleased with, especially since this match had been so eventful, memorable, hard and really fun. (LS)
ve/p>
Squad: Ali, Sarah N, Clare, Rachael, Lucy, Katie, Sarah W, Heidi, Laura, Erica, Lynne, Vicky, Emily, Andrea
Scorers: Vicky Stanley, Sarah
MOTM: Ali Cowley
Umpires: Ed Taylor Jones
Next match: Away vs. Wanderers 6s
Womens 6s vs. Bank of England 2s: Lost 2-3
Pre-match warm up started with some not so promising short corner practices, not one got through our formidable goal keeper Emily. Nevertheless team spirits were high and we were convinced this was going to be the big win we'd been building up to since the start of the season.
The first half of the match gave us hope with THD players moving into spaces and looking up to make clean passes to one another. Unfortunately two goals got past us due to some lucky breaks by the opposition, The Bank of England.
After half time oranges, the team felt energised and ready to even up and surpass the opposition's score. Strong play by THD meant that position was kept in our half with lots of close shots on goal. Our time came when we were awarded a short corner that came together better than one could ever imagine, with Jenna directing the winning shot into the back corner of the goal. Spirits were high and that's when it happened...most players only aware something wasn't right when the air turned blue. Jess took one for the team whilst defending our goal, no one's quite sure what or how it happened, all we knew was that her wrist was no longer wrist shaped. Luckily for Jess a nice Doctor from a men's team waiting to play next was on hand to help her through the pain. The match resumed and Sinead scored a belter just as the Ambulance drove off with Jess in tow, very happy on gas and air, slurring a little while quizzing the medics on their training schemes, qualifications and filling them in on the rules and ways of hockey! With the possibility of a couple of new members (!) Jess requested a lifetime supply of gas and air in return...
No We tried to hold it together but unfortunately one last goal from Bank of England meant the final score was 3-2 to them. Disappointing we didn't put an end to our losing streak but there was definitely more promising play (except for the accident) by the team. I'm positive our time will come next week. Get well soon Jess. (LM)
Squad: Emily, Sinead, Jess, Len, Sarah, Hannah, Claire, Katie, Lizzy, Bridget, Gemma, Jenna
Scorers: Jenna, Sinead
MOTM: Jess for being a brave soldier
Next match: Home vs. Cheam 4s, 1230hrs, JAGS
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Mixed Section
Dragons vs. Old Midwhitgiftians: Won 9-3
They say that hockey is a game of two halves, and Sunday's match was no exception. There were two halves, and the Dragons dominated both of them. Within 10 minutes we were 2 goals up and showed no signs of slowing down. Silky passing around the middle of the pitch and trademark selfish penetrating runs from Nick J gave us lots attacking chances, which a multitude of players duly converted.
The remaining detail of the match can be condensed into an Oscar's style series of highlights/awards:
Best life-flashing-before-your-eyes moment: Bino, when defending a short corner and George went to save the ball by booting it into the post about an inch from his left ear.
"Tactical brilliance" award: MJ, for informing us that when you shoot it is a good idea to shout "Whamo!" as it really annoys the keeper.
All round work effort: Sunny, for excellent work rate on the wing (we never seem to have a MoM vote, but as I'm writing the match report I think she deserves it)
Most blatant shoulder charge: Bino, followed by loud protestations of innocence and self righteousness
Inappropriate use of technology award: Cat, for using her iPhone to look up "Elf Sex" in the clubhouse after the game.
Special mention section: Alanna for showing brilliant awareness and getting herself into fantastic positions time and again for the mid-field to feed passes through to her. Unfortunately as soon as she got anywhere near the D she also seemed to forget how to operate her stick, and it took until about the 60th minute before she finally converted one of her (many, many) chances.
Anyway, top performances all round and that makes 3 wins in a row for the Mighty Dragons, so let's keep the form up when we return to league fixtures next week! (OC)
Squad: George (GK), MJ (C), Bino, Tim, Nick J, Oli, AJ, Sunny, Ellie (team defector), Cat, Susannah, Helen and Alanna
Scorers: Susannah (2), Jacobs (2), AJ (2), Alanna (2) & Tim
Next match: Home vs. Spencer, 1300hrs, BP
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