Copleston wows the USA

Former OCHC captain turned tax exile Eds Copleston made the local Greenwich (New York, not London) newspaper after featuring in an exhibition hockey match. Here is the report ...



Girls from town field hockey teams got a chance to see some high-level competition Sunday, as athletes from the Greenwich and New York City field hockey clubs faced off in a special exhibition match at Greenwich Academy.

For the record, the male players were wearing shorts.

While field hockey is known mostly as a sport for high school girls in pleated skirts, it is second in popularity to soccer in many other countries, said Danny Haydon, president of the New England Field Hockey Association, which has eight men's teams.

"A lot of us have been playing since we were kids," said Haydon, 30, who was born in Australia, and grew up in Hong Kong and England.

The teams are made up of members from the tri-state area -- including many expatriates, as well as ex-Olympians, and former national team members -- and they play games in the fall and spring at Columbia University in Manhattan. There are also eight women's clubs, as the teams are known.

The New York City team, of which Haydon is also president, is a spin-off from the Greenwich Field Hockey Club.

Greenwich resident Ian Tapsall, who plays for the Greenwich club, decided to have the teams play a match at Greenwich Academy, which his two daughters attend. Last year, there was a similar game at Darien High School.

"We're just trying to get Fairfield County girls more aware of what men's field hockey is like," Tapsall said. "It's a lot quicker."

The ball that can travel up to 80 mph, Haydon explained, and the men were taking the exhibition game seriously, running quickly up and down the field with their sticks and shouting instructions.

Tapsall said many of the high school players will go on to play on Division I and II college teams, and he wanted the girls to get a sense of what high-level competition is like.

Greenwich High School seniors Britt Smith and Gabriele Lenihan, co-captains of the school's field hockey team, heard about the game from their coach, and sat in the bleachers with some of their teammates.

"It's a lot different," Gabriele, 17, said of the exhibition game. "They have a different style of play than us. It's very inspiring to see a game of this pace and level and talent."

Match report October 23 2010

The 1st XI maintained their unbeaten run and went second with a 3-1 win over bottom side Southampton, all three goals coming from Rory Alexander. The 3rd XI had an entertaining 1-1 draw at home to Barnes Beavers while the 4th XI continued to find the going hard with a 1-2 loss to Woking. The Veterans won 2-1 at St Albans.

1st XI 3-1 Southampton
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Another bogey side to conquer and conquer we did. We took the opportunity to blood Dan Marshall for his first league game at 16 and with Ross in goal at 20 we reduced our average age by some distance with Gavin and Rippers unavailable.

The first part of the match was very scrappy, neither side playing with any pattern or cohesion and the away side had the better of the first 10 to 15 minutes although neither side created anything in the way of chances. 2 Jonny Hunter short corners were dealt with very well by the Southampton keeper who had 2 good displays against us last season. As the half wore on we began to dominate in midfield and justly went ahead when Rory squeezed the ball home mid way through the half. Jonny could have made it 2 with a deflection that went narrowly past the post but he made amends when a powerful run and firm cross was deflected home by Rory.

On occasions we chose the wrong option in the final quarter and so did not add to the scoreline until early in the second half when a Knapp shot was saved by the keeper only for Rory to complete his hatrick by popping home the loose ball. Handbags at noon followed shortly afterwards between Rory and Knapp and although having chances did not add to the 3 we had scored. Instead we seemed to work on the basis the game was won and took our foot off the pedal, becoming sloppy with our passing and running off the ball. We allowed Southampton a consolation goal, their converting their penultimate short corner beating Ross at last following his making a number of top saves.

Highlights of the day were the impressive performance of debutant Dan after a shaky first 10 minutes, a very effective performance in goal by Ross and the constant running of Cookiey throughout the 70 minutes. Rory announced his intentions by scoring 3 but as a team we do have to be more aware of our options all round the pitch to ensure that we do not allow teams back into games. The main disappointment was Danny P's twisted ankle that will hopefully not keep him out for next week.

The next two matches are against Bournemouth and Havant 2s, both of which are huge games. David Knapp

Bank of England v 2nd XI


3rd XI 1-1 Barnes Beavers
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It was a frustrating game, even though the result felt like a loss as we trudged from the pitch. Copious chances to put the game out of sight were missed. Jock seemingly more interested in not getting his new magic stick chipped managed to blaze one just past the top right hand corner! Close but no cigar. Aside from the chances missed it was a much improved performance coming on the back of two abject defeats, decent hockey was played. Dunx and Chris holding the middle of the park well, with Alex twisting and turning up front made for some cracking stuff. A special mention should go to Nige for some outstanding goalkeeping yet again. All in all if we play like that for the rest of the season then we should do ourselves justice in this league. Chris might actually score one too. Chris Bents

Woking III 2-1 4th XI
It was a bright and crisp Saturday afternoon as the 4’s prepped for the start of the game. The impending clouds both literal and looming, did not dampen the enthusiasm we started the game with.
Without doubt it was a solid start, with some great interlinking play, one touch passing, triangles, movement up the wings and finally a raft of Penalty Corners. We dominated the field for the first 20 minutes, and certainly had our chances to open the scoring.
As it was Woking were quick on the counter, and broke through eventually with a ball whipped into the D, through a melee of players, and deflected into the air. Fubs stopped the initial travel, but it sneaked through past my air, and with a spin and drop I was half an inch from getting enough of my stick on the ball to stop it rolling over the line.
Undeterred we forged on, not losing our heads, tackling well, passing firmly and fairly cleanly. Woking’s big hit 16 approach allowed us to pick a few off, which eventually got one to Bish just in their half which he skilfully ran up the right wing. A solid ping into the D, met by Howard’s shot deflecting it up into the net. 1-1.
As the rain fell the clouds loomed!! As we neared the 30 minutes Woking began to attack more cleanly, with some fast forwards picking up loose balls. Solid defensive tackles from Kevin, Crumby & Nick stopped the majority.

Sadly their umpire then saw something that at least 4 OC players in close proximity did not. A shot played in toward the D which a Woking player tap turned and followed.
The OC’s did not challenge or chase it as it had run away from the Woking forward. Fubs let it run it course into the goal, at which point the Umpire whistles and signals a goal.?!?!?!?

His eyesight is obviously far superior to the players on the pitch, including the Woking forward who was made no initial celebration gesture or clamour, so a bulk order of bottle bottom thick magnification specs has been requested for the remainder of the season.

Despite a positive half time team talk, and a second half which had us tot up as many Penalty Corners in this game as the whole of last season, we simply could not score. A few more interesting whistles were added, with a PC awarded against OC for the ball being stuck under Fubs, when it wasn’t, and he can only signal a decision, and a PC not awarded to OC when their Keeper was blatantly lying on the ball!!!
Defeat softened by Smiths version of Heston Blumenthal’s Lemon Tarts, helped to sweeten an otherwise sour taste. Nigel Smith

St Albans 1-2 Veterans
With an availability of only 9 definates and 1 probable on Thursday night including 2 good lads living North West of London helping us out and with the oppo providing the two umpires this looked a tricky fixture.

Delightedly with Dave 'QC' Burles making a late dash from Wales even though he has scored his annual brilliant goal already this year and Richard turning up we had 11 good men and true take to the pitch in this northern outpost of the London league.
Even Tim Green turned up 'early' with 2 mins to spare!

Sadly this chipper turn of events was not to last. St Albans scored early and then our stalwart full back Matt Speers bent down to bravely stop a shot on goal and took one for the team......in the chops leaving him with an impressive shiner and leaving claret all over the pitch. Much as he wanted to continue he was persuaded to slap on the steri strips ( Andy Eve has taken to keeping a large supply handy now given our form for needing these things) and watch the rest of the game where his constant encouragement and noise more than made up for his lack of participation on the pitch.

So down to 10 and 1-0 down. Not looking good.

Enter El Presidente Peter Shanks who had clearly decided that he was due for the game of his life. We lost count of the number of shots he stopped but one short corner..........and they had a few........ must be mentioned. I think the defence had given up after the first block but Shankey boy got up and stopped the next shot as well... and the next and then the ball went of the pitch. Nothing would get past this brick wall. There were no lucky f**ckers today!

I should add that whilst this game defence was going on...and mention must be made here of the fabulous efforts of Richard Wheatley and Wade Pollard for repelling almost every attack ... Just letting the odd few attacks pass so Shanks could get a good game, that men were falling down like flies through injury.

Peter Stoughton-Harris pulled up like a lame horse with a hamstring but gamely continued to make a pest of himself at left wing. Dave B did his calf but continued to hold firm in his trench at right back. The rest of us just got knackered chasing the ball but a strange thing happened in the 2nd half. I think the oppo lost heart and just thought that they would never score.

Enter stage left our wonderful skipper and general good egg Andrew Eve!

We managed to get a short corner. If fact I think we had 3 in the game and the less said about Jon Gray's pass out the better as it missed the writer by more than 5 yards!

Fortunately the A team were back to their brilliant best with Eve receiving the ball and rifling.....ok topping the ball into the net to get the score to 1-1.

But did we stop there..oh no.

Yet again getting the ball from defence, the ball was worked to our hamstrung left wing then on to the absolutely tireless Tim Green up front who passed it back to the skipper on the top of the D who really did rifle this one into the net.

Hockey, bloody hell ... eat you heart out Fergie. You have no idea mate.

We managed to hold it together for the last couple of mins and couldn't stop smiling after the game. How did we do that? I'm still smirking like a Cheshire cat writing this. Tommy Trinder

And this was a match so good that David Burles also filed a report!

Gordon Shanks, that’ s what we call him. We all remember Banks from the 1970 World
Cup and his wonder Pele save (we in the Vets can sadly recall it from living memory) but he has nothing on our Pete. Read on …

We pitched up at St Albans unbeaten. We were eleven good men, strong and true – for
about ten minutes. First Matt Speers departed with a smashed eye, looking for all the
world as though he had been ten rounds with Tyson. We were down to ten men. Then
Burles’ calf packed up midway through the first half (now 9 ½ men) and then Pete
Stoughton-Harris suffered a hamstring followed by a split and bloody shin (effectively we were now 9 men). The only miracle on the injury front was that Tim Green, that master of the 90 second appearance followed by 88 ½ minutes crippled on the sidelines, survived the game and indeed played with undying spirit and to great effect for the whole match.

In the midst of our casualty list St Albans sliced us open early in the first half. It looked ominously easy – a few crisp passes with their inside left flicking the ball deftly over the keeper into the net. 1-0 and we were rocking.

A few minutes later and they opened us up again, our back five spectators as the ball
pinged to their three strikers, lining themselves up. A goal looked inevitable but not with big Pete in ‘ they shall not pass’ mode. The ball was smashed to the middle of the goal only for Pete to get a good foot on it but alas it rebounded to St Albans striker No 2. Smash and Pete goes down again to keep out another, falling to the ground to defend the goal. The OC defenders look on admiringly but again the ball falls to an orange shirt. Surely a goal is now inevitable, but no, Pete springs up and manages to lunge out a foot to knock the third strike out for a push. This was stirring stuff and it galvanised us (sort of). We struggled to half time a goal down, but a one goal lead is never enough, as the wise old heads had been saying in the changing room as they reflected on the Tring game.

Our back five looked solid enough, Richard Wheatley performing heroically. Tommy T
was ever-strong, Wade tackling heroically and down the right the old ‘ axis of evil’ Gray, Hothersall and Burles got some crisp movements going. The tide turned.

Eve quietly converted a penalty corner and suddenly it was all possible. With Matt
bellowing encouragement from the sidelines and big Pete making save after save we
began to believe. Sure enough Eve struck home a second and St Albans heads went
down. We battled to the end, claimed the three points and carry on unbeaten. It was a fine match, we played well – both as a team and individually, but none played better than big Pete. We left grinning.

Match report October 16 2010

The 1st XI beat tenants London Academicals 3-1 in a feisty and entertaining encounter at Thames Ditton to maintain a 100% start to the season. The Ladies lost their unbeaten record with a 0-1 home loss to a good Merton side. Other results to follow.

1st XI 3-1 London Academicals
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One would have thought that the side that wins 3 penalty strokes and has the opposition down to 9 men for 8 minutes would be the winners in a close game but it was not the case at TD.

Our game against our tenants was an odd match with 3 strokes, 4 yellow cards and 2 green but not a dirty game, merely clumsy in places. Always a highly charged game neither side could look back on the game with a sense of satisfaction in the way they performed but we took the points as a result of an excellent first 20 minutes. Following the dismal start against Priory we set about this game differently and were rewarded with 2 goals from flowing moves, Nick Lewis being set up by Gavin and Rory Alexander by an excellent bit of skill and run by CV who in turn had been set on his way by some wonderful defensive passing with 5 crisp passes splitting open the Academical defence. The last 10 minutes however were extraordinary. 2 sloppy and clumsy tackles saw Nick and Hunts go off although in another game they may have just been penalised for the offences and so we were under the cosh. 2 strokes were won as a result of surprisingly rash and unecessary tackles but Coops was up to the challenge, saving both. We were relieved to go in 2 - 0 at half time as Academicals had all the pressure for this period but were unable to convert this into goals.

As we came off, Coops' comment of "don't expect me to save a third stroke" was, I felt a little defensive and so it turned out to be. Our tenants came out fighting at the start of the second period and forced a number of shorts but were unable to hit top gear with their routine and went 3 down after CV set up Gavin whose strength enabled him to force the ball home. Academicals had no option but to press and try and force the play in the 15 minutes remaining but in doing so received 2 yellows of their own which made their task even more difficult. Another clumsy tackle saw a third stroke awarded and true to his word Coops did not save it although he was at the corner flag when the ball went in. Try as they did Academicals could not force another goal and although not being at all fluent for the second half could have scored another couple at the end as on the break Gavin was foiled by two good saves from Dan Borg.

Academicals indicated after the game that we deserved to win but I am not sure as lady luck smiled on us today but with three wins out of three we are second behind Havant 2s as Oxted and Winchester both lost their 100% records.

Southampton at home this Saturday having drawn booth games with them last year. David Knapp

Ladies XI 0-1 Merton
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We were ready for a tough match against Merton, having been relagated from div 1 last season and some great results so far it was clear these would be one of our biggest rivals for promotion. Merton have always been tough opponants and previous matches have always been physical and usually eventful - but we were prepared with Martin as our umpire and we couldn't wait to get stuck in!

Merton definately took control from the start moving the ball around well and setting a fast tempo to the match. We hadn't settled and were still finding our feet really when early on in the first half Merton won the first penalty corner. They were clearly well practiced and it was an excellent set piece which finished in the back of the net, which Julia could take no blame for not getting to, and even with Rosie's kamacazie run and Helen strong as ever on post could not prevent. 1-0.

We kept our composure and evently started playing OC hockey with good quick passes great runs off the ball and winning the 50:50's leading to our first penaly corner. A superb injection from Wilko Merry to a strike from Manny forced the Merton keeper to make a fairly impressive save. Unlucky for us. We continued to pressure Merton which was clearly unsettling them slightly and we continued to put pressure on the Keeps, winning a spait of short corners but still failing to convert.

Second half was similar to the first with us starting slow and Merton taking control but eventually turning into a more even match. Merton had a few shots on goal and won a couple of shorts but couldn't extend their lead, the closest they came to scoring was a shot saved by Jules scrambled away by George to come back in and be saved off the line by Rosie. We continue to press hard drilling balls into the merton circle and some great runs by Philly, Ems, Michelle and even Helen Hawes from the back (it seems she is determined to score a goal this season!!) but not quite managing to get on the end of them. Although they were winning Merton were at times on the back foot which so far this season they are clearly not used to and their frustrations became apparent with a few dubious tackles (although I should say I'm sure we put in a few in return...). We won a couple more shorts but to no avail. It finished 1-0 and although was a loss was an enjoyable match and we will certianly look forward to and want to take something away from the return leg.

It was especially nice for Merton to supply a fair and good umpire and thanks to Martin for giving up his time for us. Thanks also to Nick for running the subs and Knappy, Brutus and Rosie Dog cheering us on from the side, along with our usual faithful! Jackie Joyce

Match reports October 9 2010

A battling 4-3 win for the 1st XI maintained our good start, but we had to fight back from being two goals down inside five minutes. The Ladies also kept their 100% record with a thumping 5-0 win over Purley Walcountians, but elsewhere it was not so good. the 2nd XI also kept their 100% start, losing 0-4 to Barnes, the 3rd XI lost 2-4 at Spencer, and the 4th XI 1-3 at home to Oxted. The Vets drew 2-2 at Woking

1st XI 4-3 Reigate Priory
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Sandown Park is a few hundred yards from TD and we may as well have been there for the first 10 minutes as we were not at the races in this game from the off.

Our warm up was disjointed and sloppy with us not in any way being cocky but for some reason phased as a result of last week. Against a Priory side who have threatened at the top of the league for the last 2 or 3 years we were always going to face a tough task and we were completely bossed for the first 10, losing 50/50 balls and being forced into errors due to their higher tempo of playing and physicality with our being unused to this. Good play saw the away side take a 2 goal lead with a couple of soft goals from our point of view as Priory capitalised on our failings. The second goal followed an excellent save from Goalie but the rebound was popped home, the away side reacting quicker than us to the loose ball.

However we recognised this and got stuck in forcing a couple of shorts and open play chances with Gavin a constant thorn in their side forcing some shorts and stretching the opposition. By half time we had done enough to give us a great deal of hope and belief.

2 down at half time was converted into a 3 - 2 lead 10 minutes into the second half with Gavin scoring 2 and Woody one, Gavin's from open play and Woody's from a well worked corner. Our play in this period was exceptional and we tore them apart.Priory were not to be out done and forced their way back into the game and won a corner that was converted at the second or third attempt as we failed to clear the ball off Goalie's pads following his making a top save from the first corner. All credit to Priory who sensed they were not out of the game and were determined to fight their way back into the match and at 3 - 3 sniffed the chance to win.

Surprisingly for a side as good as Priory their discipline then let them down with a number of negative comments towards the umpires and this eventually cost them as they went down to 10 and then 9. The first card followed our being awarded a stroke for a clumsy tackle on Gavin that Jonny Hunter despatched to put our noses in front and the second for some back chat. Priory pressed us for the last few minutes but we held out without their threatening our goal. This was a really good game of hockey and Priory gave us the wake up call we required playing a brand of hockey against us that we have not experienced for a number of years

This was a big win especially as we only had 11, including the retired manager, as Rory failed to show which is totally inexcusable and was a major factor in our shocking first 10 minutes. We have to avoid playing as lacklustre as we did in the first 10 and become more professional in our match preparation but 2 wins out of 2 including this one against an opposition of the quality of Priory is a huge start to the season. Guys not turning up does not help. David Knapp

Ladies XI 5-0 Purley Walcountians
A good win against a young Purley Walcountians side who paid the penalty for not having anyone able to hold onto the ball in our half of the field. We started slowly but it soon became clear that our defence was solid enough, and once the midfield and forwards woke up, there was only ever going to be one result. The killer goal, the third, came ten seconds before half time, but to their credit Purley kept battling, never allowed us to cruise, and their goalkeeper produced several good saves. Our passing was good as was running off the ball, and so controlled was the performance that Helen didn't swear once.

Barnes II 4-0 2nd XI


Spencer Hurricanes 4-2 3rd XI


4th XI 1-3 Oxted
In preparation for a new season, I always recommend a trip to Waterstones. Whilst some of my well-intentioned team mates favour running, cycling or swimming, I have found that a thorough perusal of the latest top-shelf best-sellers from Messers Ramsay, Oliver and Lawson furnishes one with a more than satisfactory arsenal of culinary inventions to impress one’s captain and fellow team members.

After dispensing with four-letter-man Ramsay as being a little colourful for my purposes, I also gave short-shrift to Jamie Oliver as being a little obvious. I finally decided on Nigel Slater, who’s approach to cake is relaxed, unfussy, yet undeniably smart and modern, indeed a perfect tonic for this, our second game of the season.

If you crave incredible flavours created from interesting, quality ingredients, then Slater’s vibrancy, diversity and assimilation of ideas and influences from all over the world is just the ticket.

For my chocolate fudge nemesis creation, I was searching for a texture and consistency that was moist but hearty, decadent but unfussy. For colour and hue, nothing less than an earthy, rich festival of chocolate was worthy of my task. For flavour, I had set my sights sky high. Taking Heston Blumenthal at his most literal best, I opted for experimentation, attempting a synthesis of nougat and vanilla, rich Bourneville chocolate and Grand Marnier.

However, at 10.30 on a Friday night, I had to settle for a Marks and Spencer packet cake mix. And what the cupboard lacked in essential ingredients, it made up for in strong liquor not to mention hundreds and thousands handily in OC colours. Nice touch.

And the result?

Simply delicious.

Chocolate Fudge Nemesis. Done.

Woking 2-2 Veterans XI

Match report October 2 2010

Woking 0-3 1st XI
A great performance that led to a good win to kick off the league season against a Woking team who had an excellent set of pre season results, winning all and only conceding one goal in the bargain. We set out our game plan and were rewarded for playing efficient and crisp hockey after a first five minutes in which Woking had the balance of play. Plenty of positive talking from the back and the best performance from Rippers since joining the OCs saw us dominate the midfield and snuff out any danger from Woking.

Soaking up the Woking pressure enabled us to draw out their defence and exploit the space created which in turn enabled Nick Lewis to score two superb goals to put us two-up at half time. The first was a training ground move our transferring the ball from the back into the right hand corner where Gavin set up Nick who slapped the ball home. The second was more of an individual effort with Nick smashing home the ball just inside the far post from the top of the D. Gavin nearly added a third when a bit of outrageous skill set up Gavin whose shot was taken off the line.

Cato marshalled the defence superbly, ably assisted by Goalie making his first appearance for nearly 10 years, with our midfield four also excellent. Jonny H was a colossus in the middle with Rippers and caused all sorts of problems when moving forward.

Not to be outdone Woking forced a short corner with the last move of the half and in what proved to be an important passage of play the corner and the four following corners were all kept out.

The third goal was always going to be crucial and again, although Woking pressed hard they created little and played into our hands by over using their playing coach Dooley burrowing further and further into one area rather than changing direction. Andy Pike found a number of excellent positions but never received the pass that he required. Our third goal was again a swift counter and a top draw reverse stick cross by Jonny found Gavin who dived and deflected home with 17 minutes to go. Woking still pressed forward but were still unable to break down our defence and we should have added at least one more with the final pass when the home side were stretched going begging.

Woking are a young side and will have their day but this Saturday experience counted and we ran out the winners. Goalie had the last say with two remarkable saves at the death to ensure we kept a clean sheet.

A good display from Rob and Tony as well who umpired a hard game that they let flow throughout. Reigate Priory next week in what will be a tight league. David Knapp

Ladies XI 2-0 Tulse Hill & Dulwich
The OC ladies made a great start this weekend against Tulse Hill and Dulwich with a 2–0 win at home.
With a squad of 13 and several new players this season, the ladies were out to prove themselves after just missing out on promotion last year.

The first 15 minutes were shaky but once we settled, the passes began to flow and in the final minutes of the first half our play was rewarded with our first goal from Jax.

In the second half the ladies remained strong giving the opposition no chance of scoring. Although our lack of fitness began to show with the extra players and a brilliant team effort the second goal was slotted sweetly home by Michelle securing the win for the ladies. Sarah Mann


Reigate Priory 1-1 4th XI
After a shock wake up call to the new league during the first match last week the 4’s were determined to play to their potential in the 2nd match.

Still missing several key players due to injury, paternity leave and other commitments the team assembled at Reigate school. No substitutes were available and for many this would be the first match of the season. It was clear that the incentive of Mrs Archer’s post match home made Rocky Road was required for us to stand any hope of seeing points.

Kindly Chris Bents spared some valuable time away from the Ronseal sponsored tanning booth, where he had clearly spent the morning brushing up his fake mahogany “David Dickinson-esque” glow to umpire the game.

At push back the team nervously found their formation and slowly the passes started to come together. The opposition were on the whole younger and faster but we started strongly. Captain for the day (Grant Archer) continued to moan about his lack of fitness and remnants of a lost voice and blocked nose, but his forced 11 man formation started to click.

Some reassuringly solid defending was required and the back 3 of Bishop, Crumby and Smith did not disappoint, halting wave after wave of Reigate assault. A few long balls were used to counter with Jamal and Dom surging forward a causing a few issues for the Reigate defence.

Debutant Richard got stuck in with some perfectly timed jab tackles, competently filling the still absent new father Harmer’s boots. Eventually Reigate managed to make headway and convert a shot past the buoyant and rejuvenated Nigel Smith – who made some splendid clearances with his kickers right through the game.

So 1-0 to Reigate at half-time. The team re-grouped and Grant tried his best to rally the troops – Harmer would have been proud. The second half started at a high pace and soon we were causing a few more questions to be asked from the opposition defence. Rob Jonker commanded the midfield at times, supported by Nathan with some unusual but strangely effective twisting and turning runs. After a few short corners that frustratingly just wouldn’t make their way in to the goal – Nick Jocelyn struck! It was a shot straight out of the Louis Strover “how to score goals” handbook, that sadly has been missing from the 4th team resources cupboard for a season now. (Rumour has it that it has got lost in Robin Crumby’s trophy room).

1-1 and several more chances at both ends in the dying minutes led to a closely fought battle that could have gone either way. A great point secured for the 4th team - who are looking forward to a good season. The post match the Rocky Road was consumed with relish at the side of the rain lashed pitch. Bring on next week’s match. Grant Archer


Cheam Clarets 2-5 Veterans XI
Another early start for the OC Vets as they travelled to Cheam to take on the team who had beaten St Albans with a resounding 1-5 away victory the week before, making them league leaders.

OCs found the 10am start to their liking-not- and this resulted in a stuttering start, with missed passes, poor stopping and generally unattractive hockey. Eventually however things started to come together and even the fact that some players were playing in unfamiliar positions e.g. Andy Eve at centre forward, didn’t seem to cause too many difficulties, even if some of the more ‘unaware’ players were still trying to sort out in their own minds exactly what 4-4-2, or whatever formation was being played, actually meant.

Gradually the OCs' pressure told on Cheam, who gave away a deliberate foul in the D
just before Tommy eased the ball into the goal. Unfortunately the umpire had blown
his whistle for a penalty flick before the ‘goal’ so a pf it was to be. Frustrating but there you are. Tommy stepped up to take the pf knowing that this was a deciding
moment: if he converted it would be the confidence booster that the team needed-
if he failed the team would be left feeling frustrated at what was so nearly a goal.
Without hesitation Tommy sent the ball in to the lower left corner and the OCs were
1-0 up. This seemed to be a defining moment as the OCs took a collective breath and
decided to play simple hockey, with short balls and working the ball from side to side through the midfield. Before the half time whistle went they were another goal up, thanks to Tony pouncing on a loose ball in the circle to send it past the keeper for a fine opportunistic goal. Things were not to go all the OCs way however, with Cheam scoring a well taken goal before half time to make things 2-1 to the OCs.

The OCs continued to play simple hockey after the resumption of play patiently
working the ball into the Cheam 25 and circle and it was then that Andy Eve decided
to go for a reverse stick laydown shot at such an acute angle that he was probably
more surprised than the keeper when it went in. This is not to detract though- it really was a superb goal.

By now the OCs realised that they could win the match if they played to the KISS
principle and they continued to try to do so. More OCs attacking resulted in the ball
coming across the circle to David Burles who calmly gathered it up, stepped inside
the D and then drilled it in to the far corner, giving the keeper no chance. 4-1 to the OCs- heady stuff, and so it was to prove as Cheam galvanised themselves for a quick break, leaving the OCs chasing to keep up. A despairing lunge in the D resulted in a short corner against the OCs, which the Cheam centre forward cleanly drilled past El Presidente. 4-2 and there was still time for a Cheam comeback. However, the OCs didn’t revert to form but kept their heads and continued to work the ball around using short passes. An incisive pass from Mike meant that the OCs were once again in the Cheam circle. There appeared to be nothing on but Andy Eve chose that moment to
come through to the top of the D, called for the ball and without hesitation cracked it past the keeper with a fine shot to make it 5- 2 at full time and with the OC Vets as a result heading the league.

Thanks must go to the Cheam umpire who had a superb game, and to Andrew, Wade,
Tony and Rex who all umpired. Myles Hothersall