A mixed bag

The 1st XI got their new league campaign off to a winning start with a fairly routine 3-0 victory over City of Portsmouth, but the 2nd XI went down 1-5 at Bank of England. The 3rd XI already have as many wins this season as they managed throughout last with a heartening 3-1 defeat of Merton, while the 4th XI put last week's heavy loss behind them with a 2-2 draw against Barnes Beavers. This week's match photos



1st XI 3-0 City of Portsmouth
Our first league game in the new league against a City of Portsmouth team who a few seasons ago were four leagues above us ended with far more positives than negatives including three important points. Not dissimilar to ourselves C of P had slipped down the leagues in recent years and so we expected a tough match against a club who are no doubt intent on arresting their descent.

The first 45 minutes saw us play our best hockey of the season, take a three-goal lead and kill off the game. Rory had his best game as well, being rewarded with the first two goals of our league campaign in a stirring first half. The early exchanges were slightly in our favour but C of P did have 2 very good chances on the break and would have been disappointed not to threaten our goal. As it was our first goal came when a strong Gavin Adair run in from the left set up Rory who had the simplest of tasks to poke the ball home, just... The second goal came on the stroke of half time when Rory finished off an excellent move, again down our left, cracking the ball home. In between times we had not made the most of three or four good chances but the second goal on the stroke of half time gave us some breathing space.

Jonny Hunter clipped home our this early in the second half having been set up by Matt Cook and the game was over. Arguably better teams would have profited from our lack lustre last 25 minutes with fitness proving to be the key issue and we have to recognise that we will be under pressure if we do not increase our fitness levels. We do have to play a slightly different type of hockey in a better league as some our basics were poor and we were found out in places.

Wanderers next week which will doubtless be a stern test. David Knapp

Bank of England 5-1 2nd XI
Bank of England 1s away as our first game was always going to be a difficult task, as demonstrated by our 1st XI struggling away to them over the previous seasons. Our job was made harder by a depleted squad, due to injury and holidays. As it was we ended up with just 11 to their 14.

Never the less, we started brightly – running an effective half press and playing simple hockey. Their newly laid pitch was bumping but very true and it was this that assisted a BoE ball through the middle that caused us our real first difficulty. After a good save by Ross, who despite the scoreline actually had an excellent game, the subsequent shot deflected off Alfie’s stick and unfortunately on to his leg in front of goal. The umpire showed no hesitation in pointing to the spot. BoE made no mistake with the flick and therefore they went 1-0 up.


To our credit we bounced back straight away, forcing our way round the flank and creating a short corner. A good save from the keeper to an excellent flick from Jade saw the ball land at Preston’s feet. He had no hesitation in hammering it home. 1-1. Unfortunately BoE then took the lead too via a clinical strike but we held on to the break at 2-1 down.


The second half saw BoE press their advantage and when Jade was rightly given a yellow for a poor challenge our lack of substitutes was really highlighted. BoE were able to score a further 3 goals. It could have been more were it not for the post and cross bar saving us at least five times and some first rate keeping from Ross on debut.


There were plenty of positive signs, not least that we never gave up despite being up against it at times. When we played simple hockey we looked very good and we showed that we have adapted well to the new rules. Unfortunately things don’t get any easier for us as we take on 1st placed Wanderers 2s but with 14 at fortress TD where we were unbeaten last season we stand a good chance. Rob Merry

Barnes Beavers 2-2 4th XI
Both sides took to the duck pond wondering about what could have been. An apple and blackberry cake with no less than 2kg of butter was left agonisingly close to Dom’s front door, but not close enough. Seemingly the final straw, Grant Archer (fat cake eater) snapped "I don’t like wet, I don’t like sand, and I don’t like wind", brilliant; the conditions were wet, windy and sandy. Meanwhile, the Beavers frontline arrived (5th year running) having once again missed out on the X-Factor bootcamp (For an idea of what Rob Crumby and Steve Harmer faced today watch this).

Brad Surf-Dude-Crocodile-Hunter-Ah-Yeah-Throw-Another-Shrimp-On-The-Barbie-Davis-Oxbrough (nee Oxo) had a great game at left half, and was matched by Nick Jocelyn at right half. Both were at the heart of our attacking midfield play, linking well with Louis, and building the pressure which led to Jamal firing high into the net mid-way through the first half (0-1).

On any other day we would have added to this with three short corners going agonisingly wide of the post. Beavers kept to their direct game plan, which often turned the game into a tough end-to-end encounter in which fitness was going to be key. Matt “seriously, I’m absolutely terrible in goal” Olley made some sharp saves to betray his pre-match modesty but was helpless to prevent a well struck shot from just inside the area. (1-1). Only one handbag came out all match, with offending beaver being quickly told-off by the brilliantly named Umpire Justice. Half Time.

In the second half, beavers scored an early goal to take the lead (2-1) but the tiring 4s battled on to score an invaluable late equaliser. A good, tough game of hockey that should show its’ benefits in the coming weeks. Dom Tucker