Fri 29-Jan-10
Issue 14
Match Reports | Haiti Earthquake Appeal | Quiz Night
This week, it was an excellent week for THD! So many wins on the board, with the pick of the bunch being the Men's 3s 6-0 drubbing of Reading and the Women's 3s 8-0 beating of Old Georgians.
The Women's 1s are still on Christmas break/skiing holiday, so the Women's 2s lead the way by winning 2-1 at Fortress DC. The Women's 3s and 4s also scored 10 goals between them and conceded none. Unfortunately, the Women's 6s lost 1-7 to Old Freemen's Women's 1s. It was always going to be a difficult tie with Old Freemen's Women's being top of the league as well as being a 1st XI.
The Men's side also performed well statistically. Only 12 goals were conceded by the 7 teams in action. The Men's 3s started the second half of their season well with a big win over Reading. The Men's 1s beat Ashford 1-0 and the Diamonds widened the gap over close rivals Wimbledon with a 2-0 win.
The New Year is looking rosy for THD. Let's hope that luck continues to be with us, and may the Red and Green army go marching confidently into 2010!
Lastly, don't forget Quiz Night this weekend!
Ramana Thirumoorthy - Editor
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30-Jan-10
Quiz Night
Test your knowledge against the finest brains in the land. Rounds include current affairs, Art and literature sport, the music round and the famous picture board.
Teams max 5, £3 per person.
For further information contact fundraising@thehockeyclub.co.uk |
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The devastating earthquake which struck Haiti on 12 January has shattered the lives of over one million people, with hundreds of thousands in need of urgent help. It is estimated that at least 50,000 people died.
The British Red Cross, as part of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), has launched an appeal for those affected by the earthquake.
The Red Cross has deployed seventeen emergency response units with experts in water and sanitation, logistics, IT and telecommunications, and healthcare.
We are providing medical aid and distributing vital supplies, such as shelter kits, personal hygiene kits, blankets and containers for storing drinking water to tens of thousands of people. So far, more than 220,000 litres of water have been distributed to around 24,000 people. Latrines have been built for 1,000 people.
Aid is getting through, but more is urgently needed.
You can make a donation to either the DEC appeal which fundraises on behalf of its 13 member agencies or directly to the British Red Cross Haiti Earthquake Appeal. You can also call our donation line on 0845 053 5353.
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This weeks match reports from the THD Teams in action.
Reports by: Fred, Nick Marsh, Charles Krasun, Billy Dowie, Mark Annear, Oliver Clark, Rachel Trafford, Anna Spencer, Emily Cadman, Bridget Easton
Mens Section
Mens 1s vs Ashford (Middlesex): Won 1-0
The 1st XI stepped out onto the pitch knowing that only a win would do against bottom of the league Ashford, but they also knew that the opposition would fill the D with 11 players and attempt to hit us on the counter. We started off well by keeping composure on the ball and moving it around efficiently (Hoppo didn't even need to count how many passes we completed this week). Our hard work finally paying off with a quick first touch pass into the area by Will, which was neatly put into the net by Bino. Our midfield continually bossed the game, providing the defence and the forwards with some great support and although going into half time only 1-0 up, we felt that we were dominating the game.
The second half proved to be a scrappy affair, with Ashford trying to break up our play and hit us on the counter but being met by stern resistance and some great tackles from the defence. Slowly, we began to put into practice everything we had done in training on the prior Tuesday, allowing us to change the angles and providing us with some fantastic opportunities, but there keeper managed to pull off some last minute saves. Although the game finished 1-0, we put in a good performance and something to build upon for the coming weeks. Time to turn this into the start of the legendary THD second half of the season run. (FF)
Team: Piggy, Hoppo, Banners, Browny, Jarratt, Mowser, Matt, Joe L, Joe W, Gavin, Bino, Tom, Fred, Simon, Will N.
Scorer: Bino
MoM: Simon (though I may have just made that up)
TFC: Fred - for getting injured.
Next match: Away vs. Purley Walcountians
Mens 2s vs. Reading 2As: Won 3-1
When you're on the back of 5 straight losses what you want is a nice soft option at home, not a competent Reading outfit looking to avenge defeat. And so it looked to be as the oppo impressed with skills we still only have in development: running, passing, dribbling and peppering the keeper. It's a funny old world though and as THD clicked through their gears so Reading ran out of ideas, and all in the first half.
By half time THD was positively purring as everyone contributed a genuine 100%, in particular our captain's appetite for expletives. Stirring. 3-0 up with 10 to go, our front line with is beginning to carve out a niche in comedy attacking styles and finishes, but they all count. Reading nick one back but it's too little too late, the game's up. The new year momentum is started, the fightback starts here and it's up the league positions we go. Next stop, mid-table mediocracy please.
Scorers: Nick J (2) & Timmy
Next match: Away vs. Wimbledon 2s
Mens 3s vs. Reading 3s: Won 6-0
An effective 6-pointer, the bottom two teams went head-to-head at Reading in a must-win for both sides if they wanted to resurrect a poor season. We were playing against a side who we felt on last showing did not deserve to be in the bottom half of the league, let alone rock bottom. We knew a tough game was ahead and a strong start was necessary, so a short corner within 30 seconds was exactly the remedy to cure the nerves. However, short corners have been our Achilles heel all season, and it was of little surprise that we didn't convert our 1st, 2nd or 3rd short corners within the space of 3 minutes! On the 4th attempt, it broke down and open play resulted in a shot being cleared off the line by Ducky - not ideal! The right start, but couldn't convert our chances - same old, same old!
Perseverence paid off, and a good move down the left opened up Potty at the top of the D to slot in past their flailing keeper and put us into a deserved lead. They never really threatened in the 1st half, and a cracker-jack ball from Joe straight up the middle to a lonely Potty at the top of the D showed what we were capable of with a little patience, breaking them down and then scoring as a result. Some more solid counter attacking, this time down the right, started from the stout defending of Rob, lead to Sparky running into the D and attempting a cross, only to beat the now dejected keeper at the near post. A 4th nearly followed, only for Andy to take a particular disliking to one of the tennis players, and as a result took out his sand-wedge and tried to concuss him, with time having to be stopped due to the ball having been dispatched that far away! A relatively one-sided half saw us go in 3-0 up, and for once cheery!
The half-time chat was about much of the same being needed, with more patience and not becoming cocky and taking on too many players single-handedly, something which was becoming all too apparent towards the end of the first half. A lazy 10 minutes after half time saw Reading come at us hard and we did well to keep them out, again with some solid clearing off the line by the back 4 and Steve. We struggled at times to clear the ball from our 16's, but again our counter-attacking was too strong for them and another 3 goals were scored in the 2nd half, Potty completing his hat-trick and Joe and Andy having tap ins at the rear post due to some simple short passes which out-foxed them completely. We did score off a short eventually but for the Umpire to disallow a drag flick off the underside of the cross bar from Ducky due to the defence leaving the line too early!
All in all, we were by far the better side out there, and fully deserved to be run-away winners. However, most other teams that we now have to face will not have such a bad keeper and our lack of converting shorts is starting to become a worrying statistic. We need to take every chance given to us from now on if we are to stay in this league, but this was the perfect way to get the post-Christmas season going again. (NM)
Squad: Steve, Alex McD, John, Tim, Rob Hues, Joe, Foggy, Sparky, Potty, Ducky, Andy
Scorers: Potty (3), Joe, Sparky, Andy
MOTM: Rob Hues
TFC: Nick Marsh
Umpires: Theirs
Next match: Home vs. Reading Refills, 1100hrs, JAGS
Tornados vs. Reading Renegades: Drew 4-4
It was cold lunchtime at JAGS and the Tornados never looked like repeating the gutsy performance of last week in Battersea Park's version of the UK seaside (cold, rainy and awfully sandy) against a veteran Reading side long on stick skills and sense and short on sportsmanship or respect for the rules.
The game details don't deserve a rehash. But we never pressurised them, failed to deal with their quality on the counter and gave the ball away again and again. We looked good occasionally on the counter and showed them what some ball pace and effort could do. But it was these little flashes so frustrating. Their equaliser in the final minute was par for the course.
Least said, soonest mended. A poor performance and a poor result, but other results went our way and we have a week off to recharge for a late start at Harris Academy in a fortnight.
All still to play for... (CK)
Squad: Bailey, Rich, Tom, Aido, Pully, MJ, Fish, Little Fish, Rob, Zesh, Harro, Ben, James Casey
Scorers: James Casey (2), Zesh, Rob Tuer
MOTM: Hard to tell. Maybe Rob
TFC: Again, unfair to single one out, but possibly Phil for another little lash out with the stick...
Next match: 6 February, Home vs. Wimbledon 6s, 1500hrs, Harris Academy Merton
Diamonds vs. Wimbledon 6s: Won 2-0
We won, we won, we won. It has to be said that they allowed us to play our own game, but then, faced with that opportunity in the past, we have struggled to know what to do with it.
This time, we moved for each other and passed the ball around - showing that we really did take something from last week's defeat. Adam did a great job closing down their playmaker (putting up with an earful of whinging for 70 minutes in the process), and they struggled to make an impact.
Own goals officially don't exist in hockey, hence it was Nick who opened the scoring a mere four minutes in - controlling a pass inside the D, he was sizing up what to do next when their defender swept it into the goal past a forgivably static goalie. Highlight of the game, though, was Joe's effort five minutes before the break, running the ball from wide right, past their defender, to crack it beyond the keeper.
We had weathered some severe pressure between those two scores, with goalie Paul making a wonderful double save at one point, but the second half saw us control the game and keep Wimbledon's threat to a minimum by counter-attacking quickly whenever they committed men forward.
Back to winning ways after a long dry spell; let's keep it up.(BD)
Squad: Paul Reid, Tom Illingworth, Rob Patrick, Ben Salsbury, Graeme Evans, Simon Canter, Olly Walton, Marc Antoine, Adam Smith, Nick Allen, Irfan Begg, Joe Del Greco, Tim Harris
Scorers: Nick Allen, Joe del Greco
Umpires: Billy Dowie
Next match: Home vs. Blackheath Heathens, 1230hrs, JAGS
Royals vs. Richmond Redoubtables: Drew 1-1
I guess we must take these things in our collective stride. So frustrating the early goal conceded; so frustrating the constant chances at redemption spurned; so frustrating to turn around one goal in the red; so relief-filled the strike that levelled the scores a mere fifteen minutes from the end; so frustrating once more the litany of short corners left unconverted; so frustration-tinged the relief that echoed around our bare eleven as that final whistle blew.
Relief in that we had avoided the fate we befell against our own Saracens - where we had laid siege for great swathes of the final sixty minutes, but failed to overturn a two-goal deficit. Frustration in that of the ten or so short corners our effervescent forward-line had won, just one was buried; frustration in that as a Richmond heel flicked the ball off the Richmond goal-line, it went unnoticed; frustration in that no matter how we dominated possession, dominated territory, tackles made, passes completed, interceptions won, mistakes forced, dominated in every sphere but that which makes its way onto the scoresheet.
But then again, as we stride onward, the challenge is to build on the elements of this frustration, note that frustrating feeling of relief, and make ourselves the better for it. There is much to build on, as ever - but here, now, a display that lays bare the truth that we have the ability to adapt our game, but desperately lack the skill to exploit it. In short, we need to think more. There is indeed much to build on. (MA)
Squad: Jon Bayliss (c), Ben Slater, Ed Taylor Jones, Adam Bond, Ollie Norris, Steve Walsh, Ollie Furlong, Ali Bulloch, Ben Langford, Joe Boylan, Mark Annear (11)
Scorers: Ben Langford
MOTM: Several mentions here: Joe displayed excellent ball retrieval when it was continually fired off the pitch; Steve and Nozza had some recognition for a litany of well-won (though ultimately spurned) short corners; Ben Langford opened his account on debut for the Royals (showing how a Matches to Goals ratio should work); as well as Furlong and your correspondent. The honourable mention went to Slater, for a good game in defensive centre midfield, but the winner by a narrow margin was Ed "Westlife Side Story" Taylor Jones - a constant threat on the left, though failing narrowly to continue his scoring run.
Special Moment of the Day: A sweeping group of spurious votes: Slater, Ali and your correspondent all had mentions for playing - or at least were meant to be playing - in defensive positions when a "special" soft goal was conceded. A similar comment applied to Ed (who has managed to find a "special" something else to do for a few weekends), and to our goalie Joe, who also had a rather disturbing - and I mean disturbing - fixation on camels (perhaps the legendary dromedary was on his mind when a ball came softly knocking at his goal...). The dishonourable mention went to Jon (playing in a defensive position etc) who not only failed at the secret ballot but did so rather too ambiguously, but the winner was Adam, who coincidentally won a point for every graphic "visit" he made in the immediate lead up to the match - from the waterfall right through to the pellets. What a delightful image.
Umpires: Charles Norris and one of theirs
Next match: Home vs. PHC Chiswick 5s, 1400hrs, Dulwich College
Saracens vs. PHC Chiswick 5s: Lost 1-6
They say that hockey is a game of 2 halves and that has never been more apparent to me than on Saturday. In the first half Chiswick were forcing us to play their game and try to drive the ball tight up the middle. With no wide options we were making 50:50 passes which mean we lost the ball a lot and let Chiswick come at us time and again. They were good at getting the ball across our D and then converting the resulting scramble into a goal. Special mention has to go to Tim for saving a shot on the line with his arse. Unfortunately Chiswick converting the resulting flick and it was 5 - 0 at halftime.
During the halftime chat we talked about keeping our shape and not being forced into playing Chiswick's game, and so we came out firing. James S and Duncan sat out wide and James T went up high which spread the field and created gaping holes in the middle. We shook off the Christmas cobwebs and remembered how to pass the ball and suddenly we were a different team and very much in the match. Nick eventually converted a chance created by an excellent attack from Duncan to spare our blushes somewhat.
If we play like that from the off next week then we can beat any team in the league. (OC)
Squad: Aido (GK), Mark, Oli (c), Niteen, Tim, Michael, James S, Deepak, Jonesy, Duncan, Nick, James T
MOTM: We didn't have a proper vote, but in the post match discussion in the bar special mentions were given to Mark and Tim for their excellent defensive efforts, and to James and Duncan for their work up the wings
Scorers: Nick Weller
TFC: No deserving candidates, so shared between the whole team for taking 35 minutes to remember how to play hockey and not just twat the ball up the pitch
Next match: Away vs. Southgate Goblets
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Womens Section
Womens 1s: No match
Next match: Away vs. Eastcote 1s
Womens 2s vs Wanderer 3s: Won 4-2
Following a hugely unlucky 1-0 defeat in the first half of the season, THD Ladies 2s were keen to reverse this and overcome their recent run of poor form with a victory over Wanderers on the return fixture at DC.
We started brightly, with everyone keen to run off the Christmas excesses and get stuck into a competitive match and our forward line of Tash, Cathy and Jo looked ever threatening, drawing several saves from Wanderers' keeper. Cathy's determination and eye for goal was rewarded within the first quarter and we breathed a sigh of relief - probably a slightly too big sigh - as following a couple of lapses in concentration at the back and a very well-taken short corner strike we found ourselves 2-1 down. We piled on as much pressure as we could and managed to win several short corners, from one of which I slotted in a rebound from a few yards outside the left post.
Some Hard work by Biba, Beddoes and Jeavons in various combinations in midfield kept Wanderers guessing, though not without several hair-raising moments at the back and some outstanding saves from Ellie. A hard fought, well-deserved and decisive victory sees us climb a couple of points in the league and back (at least temporarily) to the relative safety of the middle of the table.
(RT)
Some wise words from Will at half time provided the catalyst we needed for a commanding second half performance, scoring via Jo within the first 5 minutes (sorry can't remember the goal at all), and confirming victory through a textbook back-to-the-injector short corner later in the half.
Squad Ellie, Kato, Traffs, Garvin, Ellie, Biba, Beddoes, Jeavons, Jo, Tash, Cathy
Scorers: Cathy Volsteedt, Rachel Trafford (2), Jo
MOTM:
TFC: All our supporters
Umpires: Lou Campbell
Next match: Away vs. Oxted 1s
Womens 3s vs Old Georgians 1s: Won 8-0
The score line would suggest a complete whitewash of the oppo, which it was, but what we have to remember is that we lost 2-0 to this team at the beginning of the season so it shows just how far the Ladies 3's have come on!
There was an upbeat mood in the air when we all rocked up for the game despite the very grey and dreary morning at a grey and very dreary Crystal Palace Bar pitch. We started late as Old Georgians had forgot to bring an umpire with them so big big thanks goes to Lucy Hiley who sacrificed playing to umpire (and what a good job she did!).and before I forget many thanks to Mark again for umpiring and to Katie Stone who rushed up to CP to help us out for the 2nd half!
So we were dominant from the start, and we had so much energy from weeks of not playing that it was all just very text book. We held possession, played the ball round the back, did lots of one-two's and generally looked amazing - everyone had a stormer! It was 4-0 at half time and we decided to set ourselves a target of scoring another 4 and keeping a clean sheet, as well as deciding that Georgie and Helen McG should score next. This is exactly what we did and managed to have all our forwards and midfields on the score sheet!
It was a great feeling to win and play so well. It is a shame we've not got a game for a couple of weeks but hopefully this win will give us the confidence to take on the rest of the league and set us up for a respectable position at the end of the season!
I love hockey! (AS)
Squad: Ellie (GK), Anna, Lindsey, Kat, Lucy S, Lucy H, Georgie, Helen S, Helen McG, Julia, Kate, Emma P
Scorers: Julia (x2), Helen S (x2), Emma Parker, Kate, Helen McGuinness, Georgie Phillips
MOTM: Kate
Umpires: Mark Annear, Lucy H & Katie Stone
Next match: 6 February, Home vs. Reigate Priory 2s, 1200hrs Crystal Palace Bar
Womens 4s vs. Epsom 4s: Won 3-1
The 4s are back to winning ways again! Saturday saw our first win since November and very welcome it was too.
The foundations had been built with two solid draws in previous weeks, and a strong midfield performance saw us go one better.
But as has been frustratingly the case this season, we made heavy weather of it! Thank God Will wasn't watching, as after repeated training sessions focusing on tapping in crosses, I can't even count how many were missed!
The break through came early on after one of their defenders managed to get herself sin-binned - the only card I've seen at this level. Arguing twice with the umpire after repeated warnings, probably wasn't the most sensible thing to do!
Anyway, we took advantage of being a man up with a well taken goal from Vicky. But we didn't enjoy the lead for too long, as some sloppy defending left their striker with a one on one with the keeper, and an unfortunate slip by Ali left her marooned.
Eventually we struck back, as a defending foot on the line gave us a penalty stroke - which was coolly taken by Michelle. Finally, a tap in from Helen B gave us a little more breathing space.
Well played everyone! (EC)
Squad: Hattie, Emily, Kat, Abbie, Helen F, Ash, Kath, Helen B, Suzi T, Suzanna, Alanna, Ali, Michelle, Vicky
Scorers: Michelle, Vicky, Helen B
Next match: Away vs. Richmond 4s
Womens 5s: No match
Next match: Away vs. London Wayfarers 4s
Womens 6s vs. Old Freemen's Women's 1s: Lost 1-7
I think it's important to start by focusing on the positives of this weeks game and point out that for the first 17 minutes of the match, the score was 0-0 and everyone had a great game and put in 100%! After the high of winning last week, we all hoped for a repeat performance but probably knew deep down that this week was going to be our toughest match of the season, especially as Old Freemans (OF) are top of our league.
The mids worked really hard and did some great passing and feeding the ball through, whilst the backs put up a strong front defending our circle. We had to really concentrate on the two-on-one passing to get through OF's solid defense, and there were some brilliant passing moments throughout the game, switching the play across the pitch and supporting each other to drive forward. Unfortunately, shortly after the 17th minute, OF got a couple of goals which to be fair, were good goals and deserved. The next few after that were unlucky and by half-time we were down 4-0.
We came out fighting again in the second half and held them at bay again for a bit, but sadly their fitness and aggression won and they got another 3 goals. However, we can still hold our heads high as it was not a clean sweep with Rachel and Katie scoring a fantastic goal. Rachel playing mid drove the ball up the right wing, and smashed the ball across the circle with Katie S waiting in anticipation to knock it in. It was a very nice and impressive goal.
I know I speak for everyone as well when I say Emily did some amazing saves during the game, no matter how hard they tried she just kept kicking them back and frustrating them even more as I think they were expecting quite an easy win! There was a point in the last 5 minutes when our lack of fitness became painfully clear and they had a number of short corners (and failed to score on these thanks to Emily) and even the opposition were saying to us 'Your goalie is amazing!!'
Overall, despite the score it was one of our better games with everyone really thinking about the passes, running to every ball and fighting to get the ball back in our possession. If we play like that again the next six matches then we can really make a go of the second half of the season and finish the season on a high. (BE)
Squad: Emily, Clare M, Hannah, Len, Olivia, Rachel, Lucy, Mags, Katie M, Katie S, Jenna, Claire D, Bridget
Scorers: Katie Stone
MOTM: Emily!
Umpires: Andrea +1
Next match: Away vs. UCL Academicals 2s
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Mixed Section
Dragons: No match.
Next match: Home vs. Wanderers Optimists, 1400hrs, BP
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