Match reports - February 23, 2008

Wanderers 2-2 1st XI By gum this was a good game of hockey and a fitting tribute to Roger Loveland. Thank you to the league, the umpires and Wanderers for agreeing to and taking part in the minute silence. At the start of the game a draw was not going to be good enough for us but with eight minutes to go it certainly was, and still gives us a chance to sneak into the play offs but in reality Wanderers are too good to slip up now having regard to their remaining fixtures and we still have a couple of tricky ones to play.

David and Rob whistled to a standard way above that we are used to and both teams repaid the compliment by playing an expansive attacking game with chances being created at either end. Either side could have gone in a couple of goals up at the break but whilst Mike was not called upon to do much – Wanderers missing a couple of gilt edged chances as the ball flashed across our circle – Murray in the Wanderers goal made three or four top-class saves and was a real nuisance with his domination of the circle. Perhaps with a little more poise he could have been by passed but his speed to close the ball down caused us problem. Wanderers soaked up the pressure well and had a release ball into our right hand defensive area by way of a chip or aerial which proved to be very effective.

Although scoreless at half time it was fairly evident that goals had to come. The game became a little stretched as both sides went for the win and again Murray dealt with all that came his way effectively. Wanderers took the lead with a powerful drag-flick that was kept low but we had to wonder why there was a gap on the post. Not daunted we pushed up and a quick interchange of incisive passes resulted in Smudger being illegally impeded and our being given an immediate lifeline with a stroke. Murray was again on hand to deny and from the ensuing break Wanderers won another short and Rippers took a break with a yellow. The ball was struck into Mike who made a fine save but one of three Wanderers players could have nudged the ball home but only one was required – 2-0. We were in trouble. Another short corner given away and now it was Mike’s turn to make a superb save from a really powerful drag-flick that would have buried us.

Our heads did not go down and just like last week we upped our pace of passing, made a couple of positional changes and began to press. Rippers came back on and their left midfielder went off for a bad tackle – more due to the pace of the attack rather than a malicious challenge. We pulled one back, Gavin deflecting a Smudger cross home – a breach in the Wanderers last line of defence at last. We were now making all the running and as we broke out of defence the Wanderer’s mainstay in defence earned himself a yellow for an unnecessary stick block right under David’s nose. Four minutes to go and this time Bruce crashed the ball into the D with a pin point hit onto Cato’s stick who deflected the ball high into the net – 2-2.

Three minutes to go and there was only going to be one winner as we pressed and pressed. Two top-drawer chances went begging with the Man of the Match making a save with his face mask from Smudger and our failing to follow through the corner routine that we had decide to use in our huddle. The final whistle went and that was that. In past seasons we would have capitulated and lost by three or four, but when everyone is available we have a super squad and can play in a number of different ways as today showed.

Our games against Merton have been wonderful games but this was a real credit to both sides with Wanderers in both games showing that they are by far and away the best side in the league. Although both side wanted the win to snuff out the other’s chances of making the play off Wanderers will be happier with the draw albeit pretty well handing the league to UCL. David Knapp

Ladies XI 3-1 Tulse Hill (Click here for match photos) Captain Jax steered her troops to yet another victory this weekend against a usually very strong Tulse Hill & Dulwich (THD). Following a rousing, but shorter than usual, team talk from Coach Motty, who was struggling to talk at all after receiving a ball in the face in the previous game, we set about taking on the three-point challenge against a team above us in the league.

It didn’t take us long to settle and fortunately last week’s break wasn’t showing in our play. We soon took control, working the ball well through the midfield of Jax, Manny and Nikki up to the forward line of Nina, Dora and Viks. The teamwork held good to see us go ahead within the first 10 minutes through a brilliant goal from Dora.

The strength across the squad showed as Motty’s rotation system worked wonders and we were able to dominate the first half. Unforced errors and lapses in THDs concentration allowed us to split the defence through May’s pace down the wing for goal No. 2 as Dora neatly slipped the ball past the keeper.

Going into the second half leading only presented us with one issue … don’t concede a goal! We started strongly but THD had woken up and wanted to started to push the defence of Tux, Mezzer, Hels and Ros hard as they broke from their back line as we were pushing up high for our 3rd. After some poor short-corner attempts, a strike from another botched corner saw the ball squeeze into the goal and with angle being so tight even Katy couldn’t reach it.

Undeterred and with sideline support encouragement, we set about lifting our game and piling the pressure back on THD. Eventually the third goal came though a free hit just outside the D with Viks neatly placing the ball onto Dora’s stick … the shot came off the keepers pads and ‘poacher’ Caz nailed the ball home. Rumours are circulating that Dora could have got a third goal but ‘jug avoidance’ deterred her … where’s the commitment!

The final minutes of the game saw THD have a number of short-corner opportunities but Katy and Ros worked to keep THD’s strikers out as they cleared the ball away from the goal line. The final score ended 3-1 and 3 points secured.

Celebrations went on late into the evening as the girls took on the bars of Surbiton which oddly ended with two players at Kingston Police station following an altercation with a dumb taxi driver and another stranded in Hersham … I’ll let them explain! Helen Hawes


2nd XI 2-0 Surbiton For the second week in succession we played one of the two sides underneath us. Last week we beat Epsom 3-1, but a Surbiton side that boasted Pies, woefully underused in the event, in their front line were always going to be a tough proposition, and so it proved. We fielded about as good a side as we have all season and played some lovely hockey, but much of the game was played in the midfield with neither goalkeeper overworked – the match’s only short corner came in stoppage time at the end of the second half. We took the lead on 22 minutes with a scrappy goal after a slick move left the defence at full stretch, but Surbiton also had chances, hitting the post from an acute angle and forcing Kelson into a good save. We all but sealed the game when Neil Grimes’s shot from a rebound squeezed over the line eight minutes from time, and that it was out day was underlined two minutes later when Surbiton’s striker rounded Kelson and then blasted wide with the goal at his mercy. There was still time for us to make life difficult for ourselves as yellow cards reduced us to nine men for the final minutes, but we held on for a deserved win.


Sanderstead 3-2 3rd XI We went to some godforsaken place beyond Croydon to play Sanderstead and were unfortunate not to take a point with a 2-3 loss. Sanderstead had the lion's share of the start of the game and with strong runs up our left flank, an early cross within a couple of minutes from the left of the D took a cruel defection off the inside of the keeper’s foot and deflected into the goal. An event that no one likes to see was when a ball deflected high and with a stomach churning 'clonk', hit Adam in the head in open play. With a great deal of help and patience from Sanderstead, Adam made his way to the A&E department.

Able to stay with 11 men, the game restarted but a tactical change from Stu Steele (are we sure about that?) allowed us to step the game up. Some lovely passes up the flanks through Chaz and Tim started to show promise. A through ball from Armo to Preston let loose an excellent shot that was unlucky not to even the scores. As we started to press the advantage, Dave was creating problems up front and from that, a short corner game. With a clean injection, clean stop, Chaz struck cleanly to even the scores. The game started to find a steady pattern and the defence was stretched and Stu became a pivotal figure in the centre of the field tackling and distributing effectively and dangerously.

Short corners against us came, however Sanderstead couldn't breach the defence although a clearance off the line kept us even. A clean passage of play and strong movements started to wane in the last five minutes as Sanderstead started to find their feet, but it was even at half time. The second half started with Sanderstead pressuring the right and left backs of Robin Crumby and Nick Aston and moving the ball tightly and switching play started to draw our play. Our defence was holding well however a loose left winger found a lot of space and slotted home to take Sanderstead back into the lead.

The game continued but we began to find our feet again. Stu continued to control the centre of the park but strong runs through the left wing of Chaz and strong control in the centre of midfield by Preston started to create Sanderstead problems. A running ball which was going off was kept on by Armo and put onto the defender's foot to win a short corner. The resulting play was textbook, injected, stopped, slipped to Preston, drew the defensive runners, slipped the ball across the top of the D to Armo, who with far too much space drew the game level with a clean strike, textbook, kinda!

We held our own well and some excellent attacks up both flanks and through route one was escalated with Preston's distribution. The key however was Stu and Tim's defensive duties that kept Sanderstead's exceptionally gobby and generally unpleasant attacker (No. 34 and an individual we have been unfortunate enough to meet before) in check although his language was more appropriate to the football stands of Millwall than a hockey field. We wouldn't use the adjective Chav but pikey would be appropriate.

The game continued with some moments of flair and Sanderstead were switching the ball well. They broke up the right although an excellent tackle by Stu put the ball onto the attackers foot, it was missed by the umpires and across the D, the keeper was drawn and a well-flicked ball gave Sanderstead into the lead again. Some excellent attacks followed from us and Dave twice found himself with space, and time at the top of the D however defensive duties of the keeper kept the ball out. The final play came with a slipped ball up the right wing to Armo, passed across to the top of the D to Preston who was desperately unlucky not to bring the game level with an excellent piece of keeping which about summed up our season.

A hard-fought game from a physical Sanderstead and a draw would have been fair. Man of the Match was without question, Stu Steele. James Armitage

McIlroy on the mend

We are pleased to report that Adam McIlroy is on the mend after his stomach-turning injury against Sanderstead.

"Just to let you know I am OK," he grimaced. "Nine stitches in my left eyebrow and a mild concussion. It doesn't really hurt too much though and probably could have been a lot worse."

As a warning to anyone planning an injury, he has a salutary lesson regarding Saturday in any A&E department. "I spent six hours in the Mayday hospital with the biggest bunch of chavs I have ever seen including some bloke in a wheelchair that they had to put outside the building in the freezing cold because he stank so much, an Asian knife wielding gang (average age 14) and two idiots - one with a broken hand who did it after his mate pushed him over when he was having a piss in the corner of the beer garden. I have nothing but admiration for the poor nurses.

"I felt fairly safe though, there were four security guards hanging around at all times. I finally got home at 11.00pm."

We wish Adam well and point out that he has been fined for leaving the game without paying his match fee.

Roger Loveland

It is with great sadness that we have to report that Roger Loveland died at his home on Tuesday, February 19, He was 67. For half a century Roger was indelibly linked with the OCHC among Cranleighans and opponents and was a much-loved figure.

Roger’s popularity stemmed from the way he played the game. Skillful – even when in his sixties he shamed players a third of his age with his touch, not to mention availability - he never lost his temper with opponents or umpires, and was renowned for playing unquestionably by the rules. Off the field he was a gentleman through and through with a wicked sense of humour who encouraged generations of Cranleigh hockey players.

"The OC club of today owes a huge debt of gratitude to Roger and would not be on such a secure footing as is currently the case without the effort and support put in by him over the last 50 years,” wrote club captain David Knapp in a tribute on his blog. “Sadly the club never made him aware of their gratitude in a formal way, but knowing Roger who did not crave for any recognition he would not have expected any such attention doing what he did out of the kindness of his heart."

Chris Burton, the long-serving umpire and administrator, said: "I will remember Roger as always being the perfect gentleman in every sense of the word. He had a wicked sense of humour, played the game hard but was always the first person to shake the umpires' hands and buy them a drink. Along with his brother Tony, he was one of the old stalwarts of the OCs."

Roger first turned out for the club in 1957, a year before he left Cranleigh, and played every season through to the end of 2005-06.

The funeral is on Friday, February 29 at St Mary's Caterham-on-the-Hill at 3pm and it follows a family-only cremation.

Match reports - February 16, 2008

The 1st XI came from two goals down to thrash London University 9-2, and with other results going our way we can move into second place if we beat Wanderers next week. The 2nd XI leapfrogged Epsom with a 3-1 win in a relegation six-pointer, but the 3rd XIs woes increased as they went down 1-3 to Addiscombe. The 4th XI secured a 2-2 draw with Old Reigatians thanks to a scrambled equaliser three minutes from time.

1st XI 9-2 London University (Click here for match photos)
A game in which the score line does not tell the story in a game where our opposition were the team that started the pre Christmas rot. Against a side of 10 we started by playing some pretty hockey but were far from incisive, squandering a great deal of possession and two short corners. A double wake-up call put us two down five minutes before half time - the first from poor marking and the second from a crisp short-corner strike. A rapid change of formation however saw Smudger – the unquestionable man of the match – set up Rippers with the easiest of tap-ins and the Knapp latched on to a loose ball in the D to level on the stroke of half time.

London Uni could have scored in the first minute of the second period but Bruce cleared off the line and after that we upped the ball speed, used Smudger to emphatic purpose and he set up three goals from Gavin and one for Eds C and was instrumental in the play leading to ECs second and the short corner converted by Rippers. Arguably we could have scored more but the LU keeper made a number of fine saves and towards the end we made the wrong choice in front of goal. Good to have Gavin back scoring his goals and matching his pre Christmas strike rate of a 25% goal to chances ratio – sorry, 20%.

An added bonus came our way late on Saturday afternoon with the news that Bank and Wanderers drew which means that for the first time since November getting promotion is once again back in our hands. Next week’s game now takes on monumental importance. David Knapp



3rd XI 1-3 Addiscombe
We went down 3-1 in a hard fought game that could easily have gone the other way. Electing to play into the sun in the first half, Addiscombe pushed back to start the game off. Some early good passing led to some build up play, it took 10 minutes for either team to settle. It was Addiscombe that looked more threatening in the first ten with a deflection off Kelson's pads glancing the ball left of the goal keeping the scores level. We started to move the ball fluidly and as the game unravelled, Neil and Preston started to pick apart the Addiscombe defence with some clever skills. We started to pin the game in their half and it looked only a matter of time before we were to score. Preston actually got the ball into the goal … well, half of it, as it split in half as he hit it leaving the keeper bewildered, but it was disallowed. The keeper then pulled off two very good saves.

However, against the run of play, Addiscombe broke free and in a muddled clearance that was not effectively dealt with an Addiscombe player picked the ball of a deflection from the keeper with a lot of time and space, took the lead. The game continued with us pressing home against a technically weaker team however even with the ball going across the face of the goal on no less than four occasions and some good keeping, we couldn't take advantage. Short corners occurred however we just couldn't capitalise on our pressing advantage.

Half time came and a focus on a hard 10 minutes was nulled by a defensive communication break down and Addiscombe capitalising and putting a second in within a minute of the restart. With great credit, the team kept fighting for the game and a tireless effort by Chris and Andy in the centre and Chaz up the left kept attacks flowing. Although we once again were pressing the Addiscombe half, there were more breaks against us occurring with CD and Adam cleaning up as effectively as possible. Chaz's attacks combined with Preston and Neil leading the attack finally came to fruition and Neil scored to bring the game back into reach.

The game became tighter as Addiscombe defended in numbers and breaching this was becoming more challenging. A moment of 'surging' attack came from skipper Armitage who was unceremoniously taken out putting him on the floor but the nail in the coffin came where Addiscombe sent the ball into the D and a deft deflection past the keeper and two defenders took the game out of reach.

Although we fought on, with five minutes left and a tight Addiscombe defence to breach, the game concluded with a loss that could easily have gone another way. Four games remain, three teams are fighting to avoid relegation with two of those still to play, all to play for, nothing to lose! Man of the match, Chaz and some serious thinking to be had over the week. James Armitage

4th XI 2-2 Old Reigatians
A draw left us without a win since Christmas, but it could have been much worse but for a scrambled equaliser – deserved after ten minutes of incessant pressure – three minutes from time. We will play far worse and win, but although we controlled a good-spirited game and dominated the midfield, we were behind after 64 seconds when our defence was caught cold, equalised, only to go behind against 12 minutes from the end with a well-placed flick off a short corner.

Match reports - February 9, 2008

The 1st XI kick-started their promotion chase with a battling 1-0 win at Merton, a result which lifts us into third place, four points off the lead and one behind second-placed UCL. The Ladies scored all four of their goals in seven first-half minutes to beat Purley but there were defeats for the 2nd XI, 3rd XI and 4th XIs.

Merton 0-1 1st XI
This was an important indeed vital win against one of the five teams vying for the two promotion places. Both sides realised that losing the game would signal the end of any promotion hopes barring a series of odd results. Our fate may well be in the hands of goal difference even if we win all the remaining games to play and currently we are well behind those ahead of us.

The first match against Merton proved to be a scintillating game of hockey and the first half followed suit on a warm winter’s day with Merton having the chance to wrap the game up in the first eight minutes forcing three short corners following some serious defensive aberrations. However our defence held firm and although having a large percentage of the play the home side were unable to create any real chances and leaving us space up front we created the best of the chances in the first period. Cookiey got the deftest of touches to a Bruce Davies crashed ball to put us one up and Knapp should have doubled the lead when going round the goalkeeper but firing wide of an empty goal. Fortunately the miss did not cost any points. Robbo was called upon to make an outstanding save at the top of the D to keep our lead and was on hand to repel a Merton corner routine that was not firing on all cylinders. Bruce coolly took one off the line. The half came to a close with the game being played from end to end and with some quality hockey being played.

Tiredness set in for both sides as the second period progressed with less chances being created even though the pendulum swung as the game switched from end to end. Merton forced more short corners but were unable to convert any of the chances on offer whilst at the other end we had the opportunity to kill the game off when a Cook cross flashed across the goal. Merton will be frustrated at not creating any real open play chances having as they did the majority of the possession in the final 35 minutes, their slick and pacey passing coming to nothing as the final pass was lacking. Indeed, the game followed the pattern of the last three meetings when we have played half court more by necessity rather than design.

Next week we face our nemesis London University with our having the same number of points – 13 – from the first five games of this half of the season as we did after five before Christmas. The next three games produced zero points whilst on this occasion nine is the minimum we need to keep us on the leading teams' heels. David Knapp

2nd XI 1-5 Reigate Priory
Another frustrating week for the 2nds, another performance that was largely good but after which we ended up on the receiving end of a sound defeat. For the first 15 minutes we outplayed a strong Reigate side only to go one down from a stroke which neither umpire was in a position to give but which was awarded after Rob Merry asked for it! Salt was rubbed in the wound when a minute later a speculative cross was slotted home from close distance. We had a gilt-edged chance which Bruce spurned before Doug cracked home a well-taken strike. Trailing 1-2 at the break, we conceded a third 13 minutes from time, but when Reigate were reduced to ten men we had a glimmer; a minute later Tissy got himself yellow carded for a finger gesture and our heads dropped. Two goals in the final five minutes gave the scoreline a distorted look. Reigate were superb on the counterattack, and but for some outstanding tackles from Jon Heard we might well have shipped even more.

Ladies XI 4-0 Purley
A beautiful winter’s afternoon saw the arrival of Purley to the mighty TD. Having already beaten them in the away leg, we knew they would be coming out strongly and so knew we couldn’t sit back. We started the game well, our defence of Katy, Ros, Mez, Tux and international jetsetter Rosie were all working very well, picking up their players, extinguishing any attacks and then distributing the ball to the midfield of Captain Jax, Vikki, Nikki and Dora. The forwards of Nina, Caz and May were running their socks off causing the Purley defence plenty of problems and we were pressing hard for the opening goal. A through ball saw Vikki pick up the ball in the D and reverse tap it past their keeper, 1-0 (Vikki is too modest to add a description of her Alan Sheareresque celebration). We then played our best hockey of the match, Nikki was making some excellent runs, passing the ball to the forwards who were creating some great chances. A ball saw Dora pick it up in the D and drive it home for her first and our second. Dora’s second goal, two minutes later, was superb, picking up the ball near to the top of the D, she undercut it in to the top right-hand corner, giving their keeper no chance. We had settled in to a rhythm and were even passing the ball pack to Ros to create new options through different channels (we do listen in training honest Coach!) and a goal straight from the training ground saw the ball go from defence to attack in four quick passes, May running on to an excellent cross and coolly slotting the ball home left hand corner to give us a commanding lead and our fourth goal in seven minutes. We continued to press and Nina, Caz and May were chasing the ball down and forcing the oppo in to unforced errors. The midfield were distributing the ball well and the defence were keeping the oppo at bay. The half time whistle went and we were all very grateful for our orange quarter (a great tradition!) and water. Knowing Purley would be coming out hard in the second half, we were focused in raising our game and increasing our goal difference, unfortunately, this didn’t quite happen and we didn’t have our best attacking 35 minutes. Our defence held very firm, determined to keep a clean sheet and were all making excellent tackles with Katy making some excellent saves. Rosie, having backpacked around New Zealand for two weeks with nothing so much as a scratch, came off injured after her hand was caught between the ball and stick. We battled hard in searching for another goal but nothing was coming, (Dora the things you’ll do to avoid buying a hat-trick jug!!) and when the final whistle went, we knew we had done enough, and went inside for teas. It was only then we learned of Ros’s hidden talents as a campanologist – we sat and listened about the dynamics of the church bell, the order you ring in and that you have a Tower Captain!! A great result, lets keep the momentum going for the visit of Tulse Hill in two weeks time who we know will be tough. Vikki Mottram

Match reports - February 2, 2008

The 1st XI's top-of-the-table clash with UCL Academicals ended in a fairly turgid 0-0 stalemate with neither side creating many meaningful chances, but the 3rd XI eased relegation worries with their second win of the season over leaders Old Reigatiansm and the Ladies defeated Old Georgians 2-1. The 2nd XI went down 1-3 to UCL while the 4th XI lost to Reigate Priory 5-1.

UCL 0-0 1st XI
Click here for match photos. When we played UCL earlier in the season a tight 1-0 win took us top. For the return fixture it was UCL who came into the game as leaders while we were clinging on to promotion in fourth. Neither side had been in good form of late and that was evident in what turned out to be a dull encounter devoid of more than a handful of chances.

The first half was littered with mistakes from both sides and almost no scoring chances, the one on-target strike from a UCL short-corner well cleared off the line by Bruce. The bumpy pitch, worsened by underlying frost, hardly helped, but there were more chances after the break. Our short-corner routines were not at their best, but neither were UCL’s. In the last ten minutes UCL came the closest to breaking the deadlock when they hit the post and forced two good saves, but we finished the stronger after they were forced to play the final six minutes with ten men.

The result did neither side any favours. UCL slipped to second while we dropped to fifth, although only four points separates first and fifth.


UCL 3-1 2nd XI
Bottom side UCL dumped us back into relegation trouble with a 3-1 defeat. The game was all but settled after we fell behind to two soft goals inside 20 minutes, and we should have been three down but for a premature whistle from our umpire seconds before the ball was slotted home. We gradually started creating chances, inspired by Neil Grimes, and Bruce came within an inch of pulling one back. However, a third goal ten minutes from time appeared to have settled matters but it actually galvanised us into our best hockey of the game. Bruce scored with a well-struck goal seven minutes from the end and then seconds later Tissy could have had a second but his shot squeezed just wide.

3rd XI 1-0 Old Reigatians
Click here for match photos, The 3rd XI took another three points off top the league Old Reigatians with an exceptionally well played 1-0 victory. At home, where we were yet to take any points this season, and drafting in Grant Archer from the 4th XI to hold the left line, we were feeling optimistic with a strong win last week and an almost win against Wanders two weeks ago. The game started with us playing into the low sun. We started moving the ball well and passing effectively as a team. ORs moved the ball well themselves and effective attacks came into the game. The defensive presence of Stu which had been missed in recent games proved invaluable with some key tackles keeping the game flowing. ORs got a few shots off but Kelson proved his worth and with Grant and Adam keeping the flanks in check, threatening attacks became less frequent. As we became more accustomed to our own pitch, a clean strike from a free hit took a fine defection from Rich L to take us into the lead.

The game opened up and strong attacks up our left flank from Chaz and Dave and up the right from Tim J proving that the league table proves nothing this season. Chris and Preston held the central midfield and with effective communication of marking and play from Stu and Armo, ORs attacks didn't come to fruition.

Half time came with arguably the best half of play that we had had this season. With the second half in play, Chaz and Tim J made themselves exceptionally unhelpful to the OR midfield and this continued through the game as OR failed to take dominance of the game. Chris and Preston moved the ball effectively and tackled and marked the OR midfield out of most attacks. Some exceptional tackling from the defence at short corners especially Adam and Stu and a great save from Kelson kept us in the lead.

As the final 10 minutes played out, ORs brought 11 outfield players on, sacrificing their keeper. With a pressed defence, the midfield excelled themselves with excellent play and tackles. Short corners came and we actually had a break with Dave L taking the ball to the far right corner wasting their time, genius play.

The game closed out with a mastered defence by Stu and also a hard working midfield, especially Chris B, which both were to share the MOM although any other day, either would have walked the title. Great play from Chaz as well and Rich's goal now opens up the goal of the season competition.

4th XI 1-5 Reigate Priory
It was a day for us to play league leaders, and Reigate came to TD stung by our 1-0 win earlier in the season. For the first 20 minutes we were the better side and pressed Reigate back without really threatening, but you don’t top the league without taking chances and Reigate took the lead when we failed to clear a short corner. In the second half we went two down through a controversial short corner which was heading well above the backboard before being deflected down by a defender, and then shipped a very sloppy third. Chris Bents pulled one back when his cross was turned in by a defender, but we leaked two more goals in the final minutes to give the scoreline a rather unflattering feel.


Old Georgians 1-2 Ladies XI

Unbeaten since before Christmas, we travelled to OG’s wanting no less than a win. With the history between OG’s and us, them having our old GK and vice versa, both teams are usually out to put as many goals passed the keepers as possible! We were without several of our defenders as they were off jet setting around the world with simply not enough commitment to the club! Tux’s commitment however was evident as she turned up looking as hard as nails, sporting a big bruise on her chin, apparently from a drunken fall – she claimed the pavement had come out of it far worse! Nina’s commitment was also apparent as she volunteered (with much persuasion and bribery), to move from right wing to playing left back for the match!

We were ready for a hard start from OG’s, but we went out hard too, Rossie as ever sweeping, taking no prisoners. Our hard work on our fitness this season had been evident throughout the season, but was really put to the test on Saturday by a young, fit and quick OG side with lots of movement both on and off the ball. Before long, Katy in goal and Nina doing a fantastic job as left back had to make excellent, hard but fair clearance on one of the OG forwards in our circle. The forward went down so hard it took the breath out of everyone watching, but she bravely got up and carried on. We too got in a couple of early attempts however OG’s managed to score an early goal to go one up. It was early on so we were by no means fazed. We picked ourselves up and pushed on with some great runs by our forwards of Caz, May and Dora and before long we had scored a goal back an excellent cross into the circle from midfielder Nikki with Dora getting the last touch into the goal. We went into half time 1-1.

The second half got off to a flying start as within 10 seconds the midfield of Sarah H, Jax and Nikki made some swift passes into the circle for Dora to hammer home her second goal of the day. From this point on we stayed in control with the Tux and Mez distributing the ball well from the back and the defence in general doing a great job of marking their players out of the game. We conceded a couple of penalty corners that had us holding our breath at the end of the second half but OG’s failed to convert. The match finished 2-1 making it five matches now unbeaten! Well done ladies a great team effort! Lets keep it going! Jax Joyce