Match report March 26 2011

A rather end-of-term feel to most sides, especially the 1st XI who managed to lose to already relegated Trojans 2-4. The 2nd XI ended a miserable season with a loss to Sanderstead, the 4th XI were hammered 1-10 by league leaders Sunbury and Walton Hawks, and the Vets went down 0-3 to Tring, their second loss to the same oppoenents in six days. The only win came from the 3rd XI who had to wtice come back from two goals down to beat Sanderstead 4-3

Trojans 4-2 1st XI
This had something of a “last match of the season feel to it”. A lot of something. Trojans turned out to be dark horses (I see what you did there – ed.) who deserved more from the season than the table would suggest. And we turned out be hungover, or at least your correspondent did. I was in no fit state to be there, but I was there, if a few minutes late!

Anyway, the rest of the boys did a grand job in the opening ten or twenty minutes I am told. Well, they were only 1-0 down at that point in proceedings. But then came the first of two serious contenders for DOD, either of which would have won it on any other day of any other season. Goalkeeper (and I use the term loosely) Cooper contrived to allow a Trojans forward (dark horses those boys) to lob him from the edge of the D. Whilst standing on his line. The ball travelled further up in the air than it did in distance to goal. And his jump made him smaller. Top drawer.

And it inspired the rest of the team to try to outdo him. Nick Lewis came closest with three, yes three, air shots. In the end he was claiming mulligans.

So two down at half time (I think) and all to play for. Some time later we were 3-2 down after they scored again and we scored two. And then they scored another one.

Good spirit in the bar afterwards and still home in time for the football and a nice nap. Some would say the perfect end to an enjoyable season. Some might say a bit of a let down after a promising early season. But Knappy wasn’t there so let’s go with the perfect end angle.

Would be remiss not to take the opportunity to congratulate the ladies on their achievements this year. It has been great to see the way they have blossomed over the season with their play becoming ever easier on the eye. And while we’re at it, well done too to K80 Choi, in his case for joining the only club that really matters, although why he named his son after Nick Lewis will take a bit of explaining.

Thanks to everyone who has played for, umpired, watched, coached or thought about the 1st X1 this year. It was fun and even if we take it more seriously next year let’s not lose that. Gav Adair

In fairness to the author of this article, at the time of the meet in Hampshire he was in bed still tired and emotional from the night before. He set off at speed and when contacted 15 minutes later said he was in Oxshott ... heading for the M23. he was advised he actually needed the M3 and so changed direction, arriving shortly before half-time. After two appalling touches, he spent the interval throwing up and his second-half display was as good as his directional sense

2nd XI 0-5 Sanderstead

3rd XI 4-3 Sanderstead
Report to follow

Sunbury and Walton Hawks 10-1 4th XI
Report to follow

Tring 3-0 Veterans
Report to follow

Match report March 19 2011

The Ladies secured promotion to Surrey Division One two season after dropping down with a hard-fought 1-0 win over London Wayfarers II at Raynes Park. With two matches remaining they are two points clear at the top of the league, and two wins will guarantee them the title as well. The 1st XI beat Winchester 4-2, the 2nd XI went down 2-3 to Merton, while the 3rd XI lost 3-5 at Woking. The 4th XI scored with the last hit of the game to draw 3-3 against Leatherhead.

Wayfarers II 0-1 Ladies XI
Report to follow

1st XI 4-1 Winchester
Well done to the ladies, securing promotion two games from the end. Just the tile to now secure and the likelihood of two further games next year against Surbiton...

Our game was played with the luxury of 12 players and benefitted. We started badly with Winchester dominating play and as with every game in which he has played Ross kept us in the game. A gift of a goal put us one down but Jonny Hunter drag flick was rifled home - well, went an inch across the line - and further goals from Rippers, Woody and Gavin earned us a healthy lead before we gifted another soft goal to the opposition. David Knapp

Merton 2-3 2nd XI
Another game where we went down by a goal in what has been a second half of the season of better performances but little luck. Inconsistent umpiring affected both sides equally, and although Peter scored two tap-ins we were never quite up with the pace.

Woking 5-3 3rd XI
Report to follow

4th XI 3-3 Leatherhead
A game which on paper represented the best chance of three points in the run-in but one in which we only escaped with a draw thanks to Jamal’s equaliser with the last hit of the game. To say we dominated the first 15 minutes would be an understatement, so much so the Leatherhead wing was left asking why he had bothered coming along. When we scored after 20 minutes it seemed the floodgates would open, but then a breakaway goal levelled the score. Undeterred, we again scored only for us to gift the ball to the opposition off a 16 a minute later and allow them to level. We continued to press, looking a million dollars outside the 23 and about a euro inside it, and 15 minutes from time Leatherhead took the lead with a scrappy but crucial effort. Still we lacked any real sense of urgency – Leatherhead should have buried the match two minutes from time when Nigel saved but left the attacker with a simple flick into an open goal but he chose instead to bang it back into the keeper. A long corner with 20 seconds left, a drive along the line and a switch to Jamal to sweep home from a yard. On skill and possession we deserved more, but on guts and sheer fight, Leatherhead had every right to feel hard done by.

Match report March 12 2011

A fantastic result for the Ladies who completed the double over Surbiton – defeating them 2-1 - to leapfrog them and go top of Surrey Division Two, while the 3rd XI made it a miserable day at Thames Ditton for our neighbours by beating them 6-4 and, as with the ladies, knocking them off the top of the league. The 1st XI drew 3-3 away Chichester while the 4th XI lost 2-6 at Barnes to spice up the end-of-season relegation battle. The already-relegated 2nd XI drew 1-1 with Wanderers, while the Vets went down 1-0 to league leaders Wimbledon

Ladies XI 2-1 Surbiton
In November, the Ladies went to Surbiton and inflicted the first defeat of the season on them. In the aftermath one of their number, the fragrant Emily Craig, wrote: “I detest Old Cranleighans to the extent that I now experience a physical reaction of loathing whenever I think about them … Suffice to say, we will destroy OCs next time we encounter them. As in pulp them. Puree them. Write their obituary. You get the idea.”


Had the odoriferous Ms Craig engaged brain before spouting, she would have remembered that such comments a) have the tendency to come back and bite you and b) only inspire the opposition to greater things. Ask Marc Lievremont, whose “we all hate the English” remarks returned to haunt him at Twickenham a fortnight ago.

As a result, we had the best availability we have had all season for a match. In fact, we were turning people away. We have always had a good relationship with Surbiton, and hopefully will continue to. But the ambrosial Ms Craig had stirred some emotions, and we weren’t going to be pureed without a fight. So serious was it, several players had even reportedly not gone out drinking the night before.

Surbiton came into the game with 19 goals for and none against in their last three games, and having only conceded four all season. They were also leading the league and, clearly, setting out to write our obituary. Andy Howell’s match report follows ...

The sun was out for a perfect morning to stage a top of the table clash. Surbiton’s pre game preparation was of a team that had a point to prove. Both teams understood the importance of the game, a win for Surbiton would all but confirm them as league champions, a win for OCs meant the league would be back in their hands, but with still a lot of work to do!

The game started with both teams looking to seize the initiative. Both created a number of clear chances to take the early lead. This was a very different game to the one played back in November. A game in which Surbiton like any other team, felt hard done by OCs’ stout defending and never say die attitude to snatch a precious 1-0 win. This game was the two top teams playing open and fluent hockey. Neither sides were willing to give an inch. Chances were created but as the game went on Surbiton began to gain a stronger foothold. This led to the home side having to soak up a number of short corners. Just as all the pressure had been dealt with Surbiton gained another short corner and put it away at the second time of asking. This left OCs with 10 minutes to keep their chances alive. They never dropped their heads and ended the half positively. Even if down to 10 players for a five-minute period.

Surbiton came very close to doubling their lead at the beginning of the second half. These missed opportunities helped OCs grow further confidence and were unlucky not to force an equalizer on a number of early occasions. But the waves of breakdowns continued and with a fast counter attack down the right from Ana, the ball was crossed in close to GK, with May able to force the ball home for a deserved equaliser. This only encouraged OCs that the game was theirs for the taking. This pressure soon resulted in an attacking short corner, resulting in Ana finishing with a rebound from Hel’s straight strike.

Most teams would have gone on the defensive, but with more than 20 minutes on the clock left, OCs went looking for the all-important third goal. Result on a couple of chances going begging. It was now the turn of Surbiton to have their good period of play, resulting in a number of short corners for the visiting team. But this was a game were their routines were not as slick as usual; matched with brace OC defending. In the final 10 minutes, chances were created at both ends. OCs were able to run down the clock in Surbiton’s half and finish with a well thought win full of character, desire and a belief in themselves.

This leaves the season very much open with three teams in a position to win the league.


3rd XI 6-4 Surbiton
This week it was time to take on Surbiton, who came into the weekend as league leaders. It was not going to be an easy challenge. I am going to keep this match report short and sweet and to the point. Mainly because it was quite a feisty game, in which I was concentrating more on umpiring and stopping any trouble rather than remembering what happened in the match, in fact it was remarkable there were only two yellow cards.

Hopefully everyone would agree that it was a deserved 6-4 victory. In no particular order the goals coming from,Will x 2, Richard Nordgreen x 2, Jimbo x 1 and Lewi x 1. Superb debut’s from Seb and Will.

One of our strongest performances this season, however plenty still to be worked on to ensure it is a good finish to the end of the season.

There was certainly a good level of competition for MOM this week, I have decided to give it to Robin Williams for another great performance holding our defence strong and also distributing the ball well around the back. Chris Bents

Chichester II 3-3 1st XI
With 24 names on the team sheets of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd XIs combined on Thursday afternoon the powers of manipulating players was going to be stretched to the maximum for the games last Saturday.

As it turned out the club spirit came to the fore and even though this season has been unprecedented in the difficulties in fielding teams and the lack of commitment, Three sides were fielded, umpires supplied and a win and two draws achieved. Along with the ladies stupendous win against arch rivals Surbiton this turned out to be the best weekend of the season for the club. I only hope that Surbiton ladies were physically sick back at Sugden Road rather than at TD.

Don on the south coast we gutsed out a 3–3 draw with Chichester in what was a crappy encounter and one that Chichester dominated from a territorial point of view but territory is one thing and goals another. Two slick short corners saw us two up at half time, Cookiey and Woody on the end of two clinical moves, a product of us making the most of the open spaces provided by the home side who had to win to keep their feint hopes of survival alive. Neil Pendle was a continual threat as was their young lad up front – bundles of talent and a good prospect for the future. Coops made a number of top saves to keep his sheet clean at half time. We too had our chances in addition to the corners.

One thing Chichester do not do is lie down. We knew they have scored a fair % of their goals in the last 10 minutes and so it was this week. We were battered in the second half but until 15 minutes from the end we were still hanging on to our two-goal lead. Coops and the back four made save and tackle after save and tackle with our experience showing through and occasions, the home side’s lack of experience costing them. Eventually we conceded one and shortly after a second. Looked like only one winner until Cookiey set up Jock who hit a great shot home, yes, Jock…..CB mark II was also outstanding as one of two front runners who received and bounced the ball back so we could build our play slowly. Thanks guys.

Two minutes to go and it was a matter of our trying to hold out for another famous south coast victory. We didn’t as with the last hit of the game Chichester rifled home a short corner to level the game.

A win would have been very hard on the home side. I for one will be disappointed to see Chichester relegated as they play great hockey, are a good bunch of guys and allow teams to play hockey against them without spoiling tactics. They will return and I imagine it will be a straight bounce back.

Well done to the young umpire who handled pressure situations very well, made a decision and stuck to it, consulting with his colleague when needed. Hockey needs rafts of younger umpires but unfortunately he is one of a very small number.

On the day however, pride of place goes to our excellent ladies who now have the league title in their grasp. David Knapp

2nd XI 1-1 Wanderers
Report to follow

Barnes Beavers 6-2 4th XI
An entertaining game but one in which we were undone by an unfamiliar and very bouncy surface, a solid Barnes defence, and our tendency to give the ball away at crucial times. We went behind after three minutes from a short-corner strike but were back on level terms when Andy Eve rifled home a cracking shot. At 1-1 at the break we were optimistic, but the second half was poor, and but for some excellent goalkeeping from Nige Smith the scoreline would have been even less flattering.

Wimbledon 1-0 Veterans XI
What a difference a week makes as the Vets recovered from a dismal performance against Indian Gymkhana to be very unlucky to lose 1 - 0 to Wimbledon the unbeaten league leaders.

The Vets warmed up in an unusual way with 5 of our squad helping out the 4th XI with their youth policy but a rapid drive from Chiswick with the heated seats and heaters full on to avoid stiffening up, aided by the game before ours running late meant that not too much harm was done. The sight of Dom Tucker and Tim Green on the pitch meant that we had the rarity of some real pace in our side in the continued absence of the injured Jon Gray and even substitutes to cover for when our walking wounded decided to limp off. Thanks in particular to Matt Speers, Tony Jones and Rex Bermon for playing despite carrying injuries and to Tim Green and Dom Tucker for helping us out.

The first half was closely contested and notable for the Vets holding possession and playing good hockey particularly in the middle of the pitch with Tommy, Richard Wheatley Tim Green and Sean Prigmore always involved and I cannot remember us giving the ball away cheaply in the whole match.

The first of the walking wounded Matt Speers had to go off injured early in the first half and the look of terror from the defence when the positionally challenged Andrew Eve replaced him reminded them that they were going to have to do all of the defending themselves which they did magnificently.

We turned round 0 - 0 at half time at which point David Burles had to disappear off to go to the National Theatre ( cultured lot the Vets - Guess whether David or his wife booked the tickets! ). Before we had got completely organised following the reshuffle Wimbledon sneaked into the lead with a breakaway goal which was well taken despite the best efforts of our defence.

The rest of the game was highly competitive with Dom Tucker and Tim Green prominent in attack and as the vets pushed for the equaliser Sean Prigmore twice came close with shots just wide of the far post, and Andrew Eve and Tony Jones also nearly achieved a deserved equaliser. The defence were not spectators but stood firm despite playing with a rather attacking full back not in their midst !

Thanks also to Tim Cook and the Wimbledon umpire both of whom made it a great game in difficult circumstances on a bouncy tigerturf pitch in the gloom despite the assistance they were afforded by the players! Andy Eve

Helen Merry raises £1600 in Barcelona Marathon

Congratulations to Helen Merry for completing the Barcelona Marathon and in raising £1600 for Help For Heroes in the process.

Clearly it was a hard slog for Helen, who finished in a time of 4hrs 28mins.

“Got back this afternoon and currently can't walk so am in bed,” she said. “Incredibly painful. My splits went rapidly downhill ... they're all on the marathon website. My first 10k felt OK and then it just got harder and harder to maintain the pace.”

Anyone who still wants to sponsor Helen can do so by clicking here.

Next on the marathon trail is Nick Lewis who explained, while drinking a pint, he was in training for next month’s London Marathon and was aiming for a time under three hours.

Match reports March 5 2011

The 3rd XI won the intra-club battle against the 4th XI 5-3 but had to come from behind to do so, while the Ladies secured a hard-earned 2-1 win over Old Kingstonians to remain second in Surrey II. The 1st XI went down 1-2 to Fareham in a fairly wretched encounter, while the 2nd XI shipped five second-half goals to lose to Oxted. The Veterans lost 1-4 to Indian Gymkhana

1st XI 1-2 Fareham
A scrappy game which started brightly and then rapidly went downhill. We spent long periods inside the Fareham half but still found ourselves two down, the second goal one of the softest we have shipped in a long time. Gav Adair pulled one back from close range, but despite a string of short corners and attacks we did not really look like scoring the equaliser.

Old Kingstonians 1-2 Ladies
Well what can I say, it was not the best game we’ve played this season however on a positive note, we did win!

At the start of the game it is fair to say that we were unsettled. The opposition’s keeper was a no show so they decided to play 11 outfield. From our past experience in summer league this was not what we wanted to hear. Although in the D it should be easier to score it also meant that on the field they have an extra player to mark, so it was interesting!

Initially, OKs were more confused than we were and a foot-on-the-line stop allowed Sarah Mann to put us ahead with a flick within 50 seconds of the start. We continued to press, creating several chances which were missed. But a second goal came from some lovely play and passes from Tux, who had a great game overall, to May and then Nikki who sweetly slotted it home.

OKs then rallied, started playing further up the pitch and we never really settled, hassled off the ball and having to fend off a wave of attacks. Errors crept in, and half-time only served to further rattle us. For 15 minutes after the break we clung on, one shot hitting the post and several others denied by desperate defending. An almost inevitable OK goal did finally wake us, and for the final quarter chances came at both ends but still OKs looked the more likely to score.

Despite all, although it was not the best, there was some good play and we kept fighting to the end and this gave us the win and a win is a win. Next week here we come!!

4th XI 3-5 3rd XI
The 3rd Xi have filed a report but, for now, the 4th have been strangely silent ...

Chris Bents' version of the match - The BIG game was finally upon us, a time the hero’s to be made, the re match between the “MIGHTY” or “not so MIGHTY 4XII” and the OC’s 3’s. So much hype before the game had created an exhilarating atmosphere before the game you could see the tension and anticipation in everyone’s eyes. The 3’s had taken the 1st match 2-1 since, although in the first match we were heavily criticised for an unjustified result. Since then we have re grouped and focused intensely on the 4’s weakness’s.

When we turned up, we knew the 4’s meant business with their whole team on a warm up around the OC car park. The 3’s meanwhile conducting there usual warm up of watching the sport in the bar with a pint.

70 minutes of exciting hockey to be played. With the game under way, it was clear that both teams we more than fired up for this game. The use of pace of Alex was a target to get round Steve and Grant, no matter how hard they had worked in Brighton to improve their fitness and we are still not sure what they got up to!

This was a game for the spectators, the 4’s had certainly made sure they had brought enough of the WAGS down for extra support. Little did they know that the 3’s had anticipated this and bought their own selection down to ensure we were not unnumbered on the touch line. Thanks to Mia for coming down to support us.

The first goal game from Mr Lewis slotting the ball round Mr Smith, which proved not to be an easy task during the game. Before little time the 4’s drew level, would the 4;’s return of Louis have an effect on the game. The 4’s somehow managed to get a second. Totally against the run of play I must add!. With James B squandered a couple of chances in front of the 4’s goal, he must have his bro’s scoring abilities. Although surely it can’t be that bad! The Ross and Alex combination was beginning to pay off up front. We were making some great opportunities, however Smithy and did a superb job at keeping us out. Ross got a second that made us all level at half time, Ross I admit, I don’t think I can take the piss anymore, you have scored a few this season and you certainly deserve your place up front. So 2-2 at half time, I was a little worried that Steve’s sledging attempts maybe having an effect on us.

Well the port came on for half time, which was gratefully received, little to the 4ths know that we play a lot better with alcohol inside us, our bodies are used to it. So thanks to Kevin for providing this for us. Well at 2-2 at half time we needed to make sure that we made it a half to remember. JP certainly hit a strike to remember, Alex managed to take it around 2 defenders, run though right to the goal line, then pull it back to JP on the top of the D and my god did he connect with it straight into the roof of the net leaving Smithy with no chance.

At 3-2 we did feel a certain sense of relief, it might just be our day. Lewis then added to his tally for the season giving us a well deserved 2 goal cushion. We then panicked a little trying route 1 hockey, this did not work in our favour, it was not long before we were opened up at the back. The 4’s got one back to make the score line 4-3 with 10 mins to play.

With an inspired bit of management from the sidelines, Chris switched JP to right back and Andy P to right mid. Andy then found himself in front of goal at right time in the right place, Andy you defiantly are the Michael Owen of the team.
Well done too everyone that played. Great performances from Stu, CD and Ed Brown all holding the back strong.

Charlie in the middle of the park for distributing the ball really well. Ollie for his comedy moment of throwing his stick at the dug out. Doug also gave us an attacking element to our midfield linking with Ross and Alex really well.

A great game played in the right spirit by both teams. You can call it luck the first time round, but winning for the second time can this be luck? Two out of two against the 4’s.

Thanks to Martin and Nick Lewis for umpiring.

Oxted 5-0 2nd XI
Not really much to say, but a microcosm of the season. A good first half which was goalless, then conceding a goal served to open the floodgates and we fell apart.

Veterans 1-4 Indian Gymkhana
Not much to report, other than Andy Eve spent the six hours after the match on the sidelines with a pint of beer in his hand (well, a string of successive pints) telling anyone within earshot how dismal our display had been.

Helen Merry runs Barcelona Marathon

This weekend Helen Merry will be running in the Barcelona Marathon despite collapsing in a wheezing heap after a half marathon last year and vowing never to run again. Anyone who has seen Helen play hockey this season will know she has kept to her word … until now.

“It’s been a real struggle. Preparation has been really tough and I'm very much looking forward to having my weekends back!

“Knowing the people behind the wonderful charity Help for Heroes has made fundraising for this charity all the more worthwhile. I've seen how much hard work Bryn, Emma and their family have invested in raising money for our wounded soldiers. For those of you who do not know about Help for Heroes (http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/), this charity was founded by Bryn and Emma Parry in October 2007 out of a desire to help the wounded Servicemen and women returning from Afghanistan and Iraq. The charity has gone from strength to strength and is now responsible for raising millions of pounds for our heroes.

“I really value your support and any donations are welcome, however small, I just want to do my part and show support for a wonderful charity.”

Please support Helen by clicking here and sponsoring her efforts …

Fundraising Page - www.bmycharity.com/V2/helenmerry