Match reports January 29 2011

The Ladies remained second in Surrey Division Two with a convincing 5-0 win at Purley Walcountians, and the 3rd XI earned a battling 3-3 draw with high-flying Oxted. But the 1st XI slid to their third defeat in eight days to finally end any hopes of promotion, and the 4th XI were hammered 10-0 at Surbiton. The Vets, with 18 players unavailable, went down 0-3 at Cheam



1st XI 2-4 London Academicals
Report to follow

Purley Walcountians 0-5 Ladies XI
This week we played Purley and for all those that know this wind-swept pitch, I can confirm it felt like minus five most of the game! Having frustratingly drawn our last two games we needed to get three points on the board this weekend, so that's what we did!

Having warmed up to minus 1 we started the first half strongly but our determination to push up also allowed the oppo to break through on several occassions but with Rosie back and Jules on fine form they managed to take care of their forward line. Eventually we managed to connected in front of goal after a few false starts and by half time we were 2-0 up.

With Goalie's motivational chat we set about the second half knowing that Purley were not out of this and we needed to put the game to bed. However the second half was marred but a tangle of sticks between Tux and her opposite number which somehow resulted in Tux having a split lip, blood pouring everywhere and half a touth missing. Now I know accidents happen and yes Tux did have a little outburst post the incident (but we love her for her random moments!) but a simple sorry from the other player would have gone some way to calming the situation down. With the flow of blood stemed and a quick shuffle of positions we re-started with renewed gusto and determination to get the 3 points for Tux. And that's what we did ... the final 15 minutes of play saw us score 3 goals and the finish 0-5 ahead. I'm also told Tux is on the mend and refussed to let her team mates down by competing in a Triathlon on Sunday! Helen Hawes


3rd XI 3-3 Oxted
Report to follow

Wanderers III 2-1 2nd XI


Surbiton 10-0 4th XI
The memory of the opening game 11-3 thrashing courtesy of top of the table terminators, aka the Saffas of Surbiton still fresh in our minds (Fact: Surbiton has more South Africans per head than Cape Town), the gallant 4th XI arrived early, at the crack of a bitter dawn ready for battle, hungry for vengeance, keen to salvage some pride.

Let’s just say that our efforts didn’t start well. Any hopes of a lengthy warm up thwarted by the unwelcoming sight of a padlocked gate and seven-foot high barbed wire topped fence. Come push back time, we were still camped out in the car park. But any hopes of a forfeit were crushed by the arrival of a tall unapologetic ginger man who looked like he’d just woken up and checked his messages to discover he had the only set of keys.

The game started poorly and quickly got worse. We were 1-0 down from their first attack, 2-0 from their second, 3-0 from their third, in fact, whenever they got the ball they had this annoying habit of scoring. By half time, we were an eye-watering 9-0 down and staring down the barrel of our heaviest ever defeat.

In the absence of Harmer and Dom, Captain Archer dug deep and summoned a rallying call that stiffened the sinews and summoned the blood. Nostrils wide, the 4th XI faced down successive waves of second half Saffa attacks, each crashed against the rock of stubborn resilience and with five minutes left to go we had avoided conceding and even come close to scoring a couple.

The game finished 10-0 which sounds a lot like a thrashing, but the second half we played like lions, so plenty to feel warm and fuzzy about. Robin Crumby

Cheam Clarets 3-0 Veterans
Report to follow

Match reports January 22 2011

A week in which only the 4th XI gave us much to smile about, beating high-flying Oxted 3-2 away for their second win in three weeks after failing to record one victory before Christmas. But the 1st XI’s promotion hopes were all but ended with defeat at Reigate Priory, the 2nd XI slid to another loss and the 3rd XI were well beaten by Spencer. The Ladies remain second in Surrey 2 after a 0-0 draw at Tulse Hill & Dulwich and the Veterans drew 3-3 with HAC

Oxted 2-3 4th XI
After showing lots of promise in the league so far, but with little in the points department to show for it, the 4th team travelled to Oxted. A squad missing several regulars including Harmer, Crumby, Dom and Jamal would need to raise their game to have any chance of bringing home points.

With Oxted having only one defeat in the league so far (to the current table toppers) we knew we would have our work cut out. We started strongly, robustly defending against the early waves of attack. Then a well worked combination of passes managed to cut through the Oxted back line with Smeer finishing in style : 1-0 OC's... Soon after Smeer again was through on goal: 2-0. Next up was Adam for only his second appearance after returning from a year of travelling: 3-0.

We kept our shape as Oxted upped the tempo, eventually after a goal mouth scramble they were awarded a penalty-flick. Nige stood his ground in the goal but the flick was taken well: 3-1... Half time.

The second half was even more intense with Oxted throwing everything at us, wave after wave of attack was systematically broken down and defended expertly - both left back (Kevin) and right back (Nick) working incredibly hard to clear the lines. Some great goalkeeping from Nige kept the score down. Eventually Oxted put the ball in to the D at pace from long range, it clipped off a stick and ended up in the back of our net (... no one seemed to know for sure whose stick it had come off but the goal was given). 3-2...

The final 20 minutes was relentless, but as the clock ticked down we had several chances to increase the lead... Oxted kept pushing forward in waves, again cut out by our midfield and defence - all showing strength and skill that was great to see.

At the final whistle three valuable points secured! The great team performance was rounded off with chocolate cakes thanks to Mrs Archer (and the local Waitrose). Grant Archer

Reigate Priory 4-2 1st XI
The reason we were desperate to achieve promotion into the A division of the Regional League was to play games of hockey like this. Played in an excellent spirit and umpired in a similar fashion, both teams wanted to play hockey and ensured that the result was in doubt until the depth. Priory ran out deserved winners as although the scoreline was blank until the 20th minute when Pouls scored his first of the season to put us one up, Coops had kept us in the game with a series of top saves. We had created our own chances but not as clear cut as the home side and the corner count of six to sero in their favour in the first half did not lie.

As it was, we took the lead but only held onto it for two or so minutes and within 10 were 3-1 down. 3 well worked goals that gave our defence little chance.

The 5th goal was always going to be key and we scored it when our first short corner was popped home by Knapp and we genuinely thought at that point that the game was ours. We did dominate for the following 15 minutes but either made the wrong choice in good positions or made a pass that was not quite 100%. 2 balls flashed past the posts from clipped passes that could, and perhaps, should have been deflected home and we were guilty of becoming very predictable by attacking through the middle instead of playing the ball wide early and down the flanks where our 4 open play goals in the 2 games came from and all the corners we won.

Priory scored their 4th from another efficient and incisive break with an expert deflection past Coops who had no chance with any of the four he conceded. The home side did benefit from having two subs to roll on whilst we had zero but nonetheless we did keep up the pressure even without the subs.

A top half finish is right for us and having now seen all the teams at least once, Havant and Woking are correctly the top two and with their training ethics deserve to be the two at the top of the pile at the end of the season.

As always, a pleasure to go back to Priory's unique clubhouse, friendly atmosphere and to their top shepherds pie.

Tulse Hill & Dulwich 0-0 Ladies XI
There is a definite bonus in playing for a club that is round the corner and has a lovely club house. The scream of delight from Tulse Hill at the end of a goalless game and the disappointment from OC's reflects the fact that they are mid table and we are second, needless to say we should have beaten them. Again we were a little slow to start but at least it didn't take the whole of the first half and a you know what from our eloquent coach!

We had a few chances in the first half that we could not quite finish and TH made several runs at our defence which were swiftly tidied up by Jules and her defence, which included a rather surprised Toskie who did a sterling job at left back.
The second half was all about OC's and when we were going to score. We played well as a team and the effort to score increased each time the ball was saved or flew past the post. Twice with the keeper on the ground there were at least 3 OC players trying to get the ball in the net, it definitely wasn't for lack of trying on our part.

As it is now official that Hels is not the oldest player in the team I must say it was a relief that we had 12 players, a big thank you to Tux for sorting this.
More training, more shooting practice, more running… Michele Rankin

2nd XI 1-3 Barnes


3rd XI 2-5 Spencer


Veterans 3-3 HAC
Report to follow

2nd XI 1-3 Barnes

Match reports January 15 2011

A bad day for the 1st Xi who were outclassed by a slick Woking side and well beaten 4-0 at Thames Ditton to slip to four points off the promotion places. The Ladies battled back from a goal down to London Wayfarers to draw 1-1 to go three points clear in second, the 3rd XI won away at Old Reigatians 4-2 but the 4th XI lost 1-2 at home to Reigate Priory Cardinals.

1st XI 0-4 Woking
After our last performance against Woking and with a full squad, with the exception of Rory, we were optimistic about the game ahead but it
just wasn't to be. Last weekend at TD wasn't our finest hour but I don't think we deserved to be on the end of a 4-0 loss. We began strongly with some good possession hockey and for the first 20 minutes looked very composed on the ball. We played to our strengths well by keeping out wide which caused Woking problems with cookie, CV and DP causing problems on the flanks and Lewis and Adair stretching them out up top. This was not to last long unfortunately when a goal by Woking
with their first threatening attack undoing our defence with a good passing move that ended with a tap in. With our momentum taking a knock the game became far more even with lots of 50/50's being contested in the middle of the park. With 10 minutes left of the half we conceded a short corner which which ended with a straight strike rattling the back board leaving us 2-0 down at half time. If that wasn't bad enough Knappy managed to receives yellow card which can only be put down to a sniper shot in the surrounding area as their talented South African hit the deck with no-one in the surrounding area. A minute later Hunter also managed to receive a yellow card,
obviously another injustice, leaving the team with 9 men to see out the remainder of the half.

The second half started with a great deal of urgency but we still found it difficult to break down Woking who broke down play very well in the middle and closed down our flanks effectively. With the next goal being crucial we tried to force the issue too much and 15 minutes into the second half Woking had a player given a yellow for not being 5 yards from a free hit, sensing a chance of a comeback we pushed on hoping to take advantage of the situation. Again, managing
to shoot ourselves in the foot with Hunter receiving a second yellow for the same offence. Not being deterred we had a great penalty stroke decision turned against us, which has since been acknowledge by the umpire, when the Woking keeper beat the ball away with his stick above
his head after a great flick from an acute angle. With frustration mounting, another nail in the coffin was a good counter attack from Woking to seal the 4-0 victory at TD In a game with few shots on goal we were unfortunately never getting in a position to make a comeback. Lots of points to take away from the match which can hopefully proved productive this coming Saturday
against Reigate. Jonny Hunter

Ladies XI 1-1 London Wayfarers III
Well, where to start? Firstly a big congratulations to Georgie who is pregnant with her second baby! I see an OC’s junior team on the horizon.

We started the first half slightly lacking in energy and failed to convert our hunger to win into our play. Due to a few absent team members we also had players playing in different positions, which meant that we had to quickly adjust to new structure. Wayfarers were quick to take advantage of this and managed to concede a goal through a short corner within the first 15 minutes.

Half time came around very quickly and instead of focusing on the seemingly negative position that we had found ourselves in, we started in second half of the game with our heads held high and with an attitude that I believe was responsible for us winning that half. It’s hard to highlight a player in particular as every single member of the team upped their game and OC’s were back to their usual selves. Our opportunity came from some skilful dribbling from Manny that lead to a short corner. Jax passed the ball to Manny who had a great strike at goal, however was deflected by the goalie to hit the goal post. Philly picked up the rebounded ball and made a great effort with a reverse pass which May who was perfectly positioned managed act quickly and put the ball past the goalie and straight on to the back board. Result!

In the dying moments of the game we had a second opportunity to score and take the game. With a great pass from the back line across the D, Jax narrowly missing the final touch. Really unlucky but maybe the result that was deserved considering our first half. Well done girls, text book come back. Philly Denman

Woking 12-1 2nd XI


Old Reigatians 2-4 3rd XI
This week we faced Old Reigations 2's. Well where do I start, probably one of the most enjoyable games of hockey that I have played in for a while. We started the 1st half with a few players suffering for hangovers/still drunk. (I won't name names Lewis) and 9 men on the pitch. At this point, there was strong competition for DOD.

Old Reigations kindly said they would start with 10 to even things up. So it was 9 vs 10, thank you to them for their sportsmanship. All credit to everyone out on the pitch for showing the right attitude and just getting on with it. Specially considering we were all playing out of our natural positions.

We started well passing the ball round the back and Andy P finding a lot of space out on the left. Unfortunately the hard work did not pay off and we went 1-0 down.

We did not let our heads get down and dug in. Tim, Ollie and Ian held the fort at the back, Ollie played what I must say was one the the best games I have seen him play. Tim got a well deserved man of the match. I can't actually think of a tackle he missed.

Alex and Ross started creating chances up front linking very well and creating chances. The goal came from Andy P. Charlie O eventually turned up, when he did arrive he again played very well controlling the middle of the park. The next two goals with two clinical finishes from Charlie and Ed Brown.

At half time we were 3-1 up, thank you to Andy P for umpiring the second half for us. Not the most effective plan considering, Andy was playing really well and Chris B had a shocker. With again a strong performance in the second half we managed to go 4-1 up with goal come from Charlie O.

Our concentration slipped for a split second and Old Reigations managed to get one back making the final score 4-2. A good result specially considering , we were a man down. Well played to everyone and thank you to Andy for umpring the second half. Chris Bents

4th XI 1-2 Reigate Priory Cardinals
Report to follow

Veterans 1-3 Wimbledon
Report to follow

Match reports January 8 2011

After seven weeks of inaction, the season spluttered back into life with a raft of rearranged matches. The 1st XI made heavy weather of beating bottom side Chichester 3-2 to go third in Surrey/Hants 1, having to come from 2-1 down in a scrappy game, while the Ladies thumped Epsom 5-0 and go second in Surrey Division Two. The 2nd XI lost 3-5, the 3rd XI went down 2-3 to league leaders Surbiton, but there was a great result for the 4th XI who recorded their first win of the season in beating Leatherhead 4-2.

1st XI 3-2 Chichester
As deserved dick of the day for my appalling tackle that gave a short corner away from which Chichester scored their second and took the lead, I am writing my first match report ever. Thank you Rob for not giving me the yellow card I deserved and for admitting to Knappy in the bar afterwards that the square card of the three should have been shown. I could have done with a five-minute rest at that juncture so thanks are tinged with regret.

We escaped with three points after a very poor performance and had the luck going our way. Not quite sure how Chichester’s top scorer, most influential and senior player, managed an air shot in the dying minutes when the goal was empty but it did us a favour. Burty and the anti corruption panel may like a look at the footage.

Goals from Cookiey, Gav and Rory, the latter two just creeping over the line and inside the post - were they both passes or shots? - enabled us to squeak it and send Chichester home wondering how they lost the game. They certainly won the moaning stakes.

Much better to have these positive match reports rather than the negative self critical reports from pre Christmas – save that of Gav. Woking this week who are the form team with seven wins and a draw from their last eight. Rippers

Epsom 0-5 Ladies
With two of our matches cancelled due the snow before Christmas it meant the Ladies had not played for well over a month. Although we were going to be rusty and have a definite lack of fitness the Ladies were out to continue where they had left off.

The game started off well, controlling the ball and having most of the possession. It wasn’t long before our first goal came scored by Michelle, followed by our second by Hels our veteran! And yep, you heard right Hels. Then our third goal from May who after a great battle in front of the goal pounce on a loose ball and slotted it home. A good position to be in at half time.

The second half was nearly as successful with Michelle topping up her tally of goals to make a perfect hat-trick. Can someone tell me why Goalie insists on substituting her every time she scores!?

Epsom certainly did not make it easy for us, in the last 10 minutes they picked up their game and came close to scoring but although legs were tiring we held our ground and finished the game 5 – 0. It was a tough ending to a great match. Well done ladies. Sarah Mann


Surbiton VII 3-2 3rd XI
Report to follow.

Leatherhead 2-4 4th XI
Report to follow.