Match report October 29 2011

A fairly forgettable weekend as three of the sides went down to heavy defeats, the only spark of light being provided by the 2nd XI who came away from Barnes with a battling 1-0 win



1st XI 1-5 Havant II
This is going to be a close league this season and if any side can remain undefeated between now and Christmas they will have a sizeable lead at the top of the table. In the last four weeks Fareham beat Edwardians, Fareham were stuffed by Yateley, we outplayed Edwardians, struggled to beat Yateley whilst Edwardians thumped Yateley 7-2 on Saturday.

Having played pretty well in the last 3 weeks we ended up being tonked by Havant who destroyed us in the first 15 minutes going three up playing pacy and expansive hockey to which we had little answer. Their first was courtesy of a stroke which was unfortunately conceded when Cato slipped with the next two tap ins following rapid breaks from defence. Our one corner of the half was deflected an inch above the bar by Woody and a few minutes later arguably the turning point was at 1-0 when Woody creamed the ball goalwards following a great set up by Nick only to see his shot turned round the post by a wonder save from the Havant keeper and Havant breaking away tomake it 2-0.

A fourth came just before the break with a top drawer reverse stick shot beating the impressive Coops just inside the far post. Oddly, even at four down we still believed we had a chance to get back in the game as we were creating chances and began to retain our structure causing Havant a number of problems. Chances were, however, not converted and Havant scored a fifth when we dallied on the ball too long in our 25 leaving a two-on-Coops but Woody deservedly scored from a pin-point Hunter pass at the death.

All in all a very good game of hockey to play in and expertly umpired with both side impressed with the quality of the guys with the whistles. Tough luck on us to come up against a Havant team who had players keen to impress to secure their place in their 1st XI when the National League resumes next week, but their hockey in the first 15 minutes was a joy to watch, and watch we did... Rex Harrison

Tulse Hill & Dulwich 4-0 Ladies XI


Barnes III 0-1 2nd XI
This week we faced Barnes, who we always have tight games against and have really enjoyed playing against for the last few years! We needed the three points to bolster our position in the league. Well, we did come out of the blocks slowly; we were under the cosh from for the first part of the game. Just staying on our feet was proving to be a difficult task in itself. I think we were practising out defence again, I think we owe some thanks to Alan, Tom, Tim and Robin for picking of tackle after tackle. Also to Watson for making so quality saves time and time again.

We then started to use the ball and the pitch a little bit more effectively. James was, Guessy starting to see a little bit more of the ball. With that we started to exert a little bit of pressure, we also started to win the shorts. Half time came and the score was still 0-0, we knew that the game was there for the taking if we could keep our discipline, not name any names Ports! Lewi gave us a good talking to and it seemed to be doing the trick.

In the second half we showed some great promise with Henry, Guessy, JP all linking up well. The break eventually came with Peeps popping up in at the right time in the right place to slot the ball past the keeper. Top scorer Peeps adding another one to his tally. I have to say it was good to see that even going down to 10 men everyone on the pitch was prepared to give 300 hundred percent and looked like we really wanted it. I don’t think there was anyone on the pitch that did not want to hear the final whistle.

The whistle did eventually come and we had managed to close out the rest of the game. MOM want to JP well done mate cracking game, I think we all know who DOD was!!!
The pub crawl was a fantastic way to celebrate the victory. Thanks to Henry for organising it all. Chris Bents

Reigate Priory 5-0 3rd XI

Match reports October 22 2011

A good weekend for the senior sides with a 3-2 win for the 1st XI at Yateley and a hard 2-1 victory for the 3rd XI against a good Barnes side. The 2nd XI came from behind to draw 1-1 with Camberley, while the Ladies beat Old Kingstonians 3-1 in a friendly.

Yateley 2-3 1st XI
Over a season things balance themselves out. Last week we should have won but contrived to draw by conceding a late equaliser whilst today we should have drawn but snatched a late winner.

Yateley certainly deserved a draw and can count themselves unlucky not to have at least drawn. Two-nil up in 10 minutes with two good finishes from Rippers and Man of the Moment CV gave us the early advantage but one that we did not use to snuff out the home team. We knew after their game last week that Yateley had the character to run us close even after we went two up and so it turned out.

Sam, making his debut in goal, was left exposed as the home team broke away and ran the ball home but we made it to half time 2-1 up and playing against nine men. This should have been the time we capatilsed and although we had a couple of chances their keeper made two good saves and we squandered some good chances. At the other end our defence held firm and Sam's presence put off the Yateley forwards when seemingly destined to score.

The turning point was Sam's save of Lowe's stroke low to his left with 17 minutes to go. We thought we had scored but CV was judged to have impeded the keeper and with two minutes to go Yateley broke fast and equalised when they had another 3 on 1.
As it was we then broke as Yateley sensed they could snatch the game, CV earned a short and Hunts dragged flicked the ball home with his best flick of the last three years with a few seconds left.

After last week's diappointment the character we showed was excellent but Yateley should have made more of their open play chances. We had set our stall out to not concede unecessary shorts and managed this to great effect in only conceding one all game. Yateley will be up there at the end of the season as the fates have conspired against them thus far but this could prove to be a vital win by the end of the season.

Finally, apologies to Yatelely for not making it back to their clubhouse for tea which was for no other reason than the need for us all to be in certain places at certain times. Not our usual practice. Four games against Yateley so far and all four games top matches. Looking forward to the rematch at TD in February. REx Harrison

2nd XI 1-1 Camberley & Farnborough
Well, coming back from a 6-1 defeat the weekend before was never going to be a particularly easy task. TD bathed in sunshine, it was time to take on Camberley and Farnborough who to date had exactly the same amount of points as us in the league.

Well there is not really much to write about the first 25 mins, as the umpire said at the end of the game, where were you guys for the first half of the game. Ports then came up and said “we were practising are defending”. We were certainly under the cosh, Harry and Alan doing a wonderful job keeping us strong at the back. Unfortunately we could not keep the ball in the middle of the park, trying to do slightly to much with the ball. This lead to Camberley and Fanborough taking a 1-0 lead as we went into the break. Which I think we can all agree we could have found ourselves quite a few down at the break, part of which we owe to Watson for making some good saves and keeping us in the game.

An inspirational team talk from Lewi, lead to a very different second half, we took hockey back to the very basics and it started to pay off in the second half. Henry Maughan and Ports working the middle of the park really well and winning 50/50’s leading to some really good counter attacks. Guessy put in some good work down the right, with Nords and Peeps starting to see a little bit more of the ball, we started to apply some pressure on the oppo. We also started to win a few short corners, none of which converted!

The goal eventually came….to be honest a little bit lucky Chris B slammed the ball into the D with Harry somehow managing to get in a stick on the ball (not sure that it was all intentional) but it was a bit of luck we deserved.
We had out chances to win the game, although I think we were pleased to come out with a 1-1 draw. In fact as sad as it sounds, the draw felt to us like a win! It was an improvement from last week but we need to make sure we get the three points next week.
MOM goes to Allan Cheung for two really solid performances and DOD goes to Tom Merry (sorry), it was for passing the ball straight to the centre forward. The perfect pass from Mez right to his strong side, but our team does play in blue and orange. A special mention to James Dyke who played very well, welcome to the OC’s and also welcome back JP Wack, we have missed you. Chris Bents

3rd XI 2-1 Barnes
Ten minutes in and the only question seemed to be by how many we would lose. Barnes, with slick passing at speed, repeatedly cut into our defence and laid siege to our 23. But in the 11th minute we took the lead with our first attack - a route one breakaway - and from then on the game opened up. A well-taken second gave us a two-goal lead which was cut back to one by the break. The second half was end-to-end stuff, Nige Smith made two excellent saves - one deliberate, one by virtue of lying in the right place at the right time - but Barnes should have levelled when a ball a foot off the line on the right post was somehow steered past the far post.

Old Kingstonians 1-3 Ladies XI
A tough friendly against a side who pushed us hard for promotion last season and who started the stronger, going ahead through a deflected goal inside four minutes. We countered well, taking a 2-1 lead by ten minutes with some good finishing, and a third before the break did not flatter and, according to Goalie, we should also have had a flick. The second half was played more in our half as OKs attacked without reward. Julia saved a flick when a goalmouth scramble ended with a shot illegally cleared off the line, and produced several more good blocks as we allowed OKs too much of the ball. But a win is a win, and there were enough positives to make it a worthwhile day out.

Match reports October 15 2011

The Ladies got their season up and running with a 1-0 victory over Woking, while the 1st XI were held 2-2 by Old Edwardians at the Prep School. The new-look 3rd XI got underway with a thumping 5-1 win at Oxted, but the 2nd XI went down 1-6 to a good Purley-Walcountians side, and there were 0-4 losses for both the Veterans sides

1st XI 2-2 London Edwardians
What better way to spend a Saturday morning than in warm October sunshine playing hockey in the beautiful surroundings of the Surrey countryside at Cranleigh prep school. Sadly Edwardians did not have the same opinion and made disgruntled noises to the Cranleigh Prep headmaster, leaving the ground straight afterwards without staying for tea and still chuntering. Apparently Bournemouth is OK as Bournemouth play in Bournemouth although we are the Old Cranleighans who hale from, er, Cranleigh.

The reactions of the 2 teams at the final whislte told all. We did not make our 16 corners count with Eds routine (8) also letting them down other than the crucial stroke won from their last corner 4 minutes from time that their danger man Stephen Brogdon scored to level the scores.

We took the lead with great work from Patrick Persaud who set up Jimmy B whop roofed his deflection but were pegged back when Brogdon took the chance that presented itself 10 minutes later and popped the ball home.

1 - 1 at half time became 2 - 1 to us with CV making a superb run from the right to deflect home Jonny H's pin point pass when we were down to 10 men and it did seem that we would hang on, weathering a storm when down to 9 for 5 minutes but crucially not scoring the all important 3rd goal. For all our pressure we did not creat sufficient open play chances but came to rue the failure to convert one of our late corners.

Eds fought to the end and won the stroke from their last corner which was put away comfortably by Brogdon.

A disappointing result for us along with a disappointing reaction from Eds as regards the venue of the game.Rex Harrison II

Ladies XI 1-0 Woking
The OC Ladies had a great game on Saturday against Woking Ladies 2. Both teams were clearly hungry for the win, however our domineering intensity paid off with a 1-0 victory. Sarah (Tux) had to pull out minutes before the game due to a pulled muscle, it meant Rosie’s comeback was that much more appreciated.

Right from the start we were putting pressure on the Woking defenders. Our persistence subsequently gained us a short corner and goal. A deflection off the keeper’s pads from Sarah’s (Manny) strike gave Philly (Philly D) the opportunity to score the winning goal.

In the second half we maintained our lead by keeping level-headed and stepping up defensively. Woking Ladies were given a couple of short corners, however, with Rosie running/diving as one, they weren’t granted a chance to score. Towards the end of the match Nicola (Nikki) made some great interceptions and created some good play in the middle with Jackie (Jax).

Overall it was an enjoyable evening and a well deserved win with everyone putting 100% into their game. At 18 weeks pregnant it was Jax’s last game of the season and what an awesome game she had. Tosh Denman

Purley Walcountians 6-1 2nd XI
Both sides came into this game unbeaten but it was clear from early on Purley were the ones likely to pushing for promotion come the spring. Their play, especially round the back, was calm and slick, and we could have few complaints with the result - the short-corner tally of 21 to 2 did not lie, and our one goal, shortly before half-time to pull the score back to 2-1, came from a Purley corner when we caught them cold on the break. Two goals in the five minutes after the break ended the contest.

Oxted 1-5 3rd XI


Barnstormers 0-4 Maidenhead


HAC 4-0 Hamstrings

Chris Brewer on charity climb up Kilimanjaro

Chris Brewer will miss the next three weekends as he heads to Africa to climb Kilimanjaro to raise money for the The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

His preparation has been very much geared towards his own lifestyle. “I've done a bit of training in the arduous and very mountainous Sussex Downs,” he said this week. “That was eased by having some great pubs lunches to stop at something which I doubt I'll get on Kilimanjaro.”

Chris’ aim is to raise £1000 for the charity. “It helps to keep the hospital at the leading edge of cancer treatment, research and care. 40,000 people every year use the Royal Marsden Hospital to try and beat cancer and I hope, with the funds I raise, I will help some people spend more time with family and friends and less time in hospital.

“Unfortunately the Royal Marsden has become part of my life recently but their ground breaking reseach and hard work that goes into investigating new cures, types of care and innovative surgeries is something I'll be forever grateful of. I hope you'll join me in supporting The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

“I promise any money raised won't be used for ‘lying on the beach after the climb’.”

You can donate here: http://www.justgiving.com/chris-brewer

Match report October 8 2011

A good win for the 1st XI and a game draw at Surbiton for the 2nd XI were the highlights of the weekend, although the 4th XI and Ladies both lost on the road and are still seeking their first wins

1st XI 4-1 Bournemouth
Thank god it wasn't as hot as last week! Although our hockey was as we ran out 4-1 winners against Bournemouth at TD. It should have been more but it's good to see us creating the chances. With a late Friday afternoon coronary as a result of changes of mind, continued pedicures and kitchens still being in demand (I did speak to Cookiey and he was at work at 7:25pm on a Saturday...!?!) we welcomed back the eternally youthful Knappy. With an age gap of almost 40 years between the youngest and oldest members of the team it was pleasing to see that like Wales the side's mix of youth and experience paid dividends. Giles was creating chance after chance and showing some sublime skills around the 25 and into the D and it would only be a matter of time before the first goal...and it was..by Bournemouth after about 5 mins following an unfortunate lift into a Bournemouth attacker from Rippers who had done a lot of legwork to get back and cover which gave Bournemouth a short corner and they converted it neatly inside the post.

Undeterred we continued to play a fast attacking game and won the first of a few shorts. It was at one of these that the ball broke right and found Hunts who absolutely drilled it at the goal..or topped it something and it took a deflection and went in. Back on terms we continued to push forward and another short was given. Again Hunts popped up on the right after a save by the keeper but this time he did drill the ball into the roof of the net. A third followed after some more great work down the right as Bentsy Giles and CV linked up. Not sure who put the goal in but well done.

At half time we talked about being in the same situation as last week and that Bournemouth would not lie down and chase everything. The old "next goal is going to determine the winner of this game" phrases came out and we started the second half in the same manner as we ended the first. A lovely touch by CV down the right and then combining well with Giles to run along the back line the ball squared and slapped in by someone (well done them). CV's stick is in danger of having a big gouge as a result of some particularly nasty gravel bits on the pitch in that corner something we'll get sorted for next week.

To their credit Bournemouth kept pressing and putting pressure on our defence but they only really created one clear cut chance resulting in a short corner and a top drawer save from Coops. So we got our first three league points of the campaign playing some great hockey. Difficult choice for MoM that probably goes to Giles for an impressive debut and we hope to see more of the same this season. DoD easier and goes to Gavin for managing to get sent off from the bench for being on crutches with his career threatening splinter. Rex Harrison

Cheam 3-1 Ladies XI


Surbiton IVa 1-1 2nd XI


Woking IV 5-1 4th XI


Hamstrings 3-1 Cheam Clarets

Umpires clarify 5-metre and raised stick rules

The gentlemen at the Surrey Umpires Association have kindly flagged some interpretations regarding two of the more ambiguous rules which should help players understand what they can and cannot do and, more often, why the umpires fail to be convinced by their arguments after they have been penalised.


Umpiring the 5 metres – establishing the 5 metres, influence, and when to whistle (Rule 13.2.b)

The FIH briefing states:
• For free hits (including centre passes, corners and all sideline restarts after the ball has been outside the field) all opponents must be at least 5 metres from the ball.
• For free hits awarded to the attack within their attacking 23 metre area - all players must be at least 5 metres from the ball.

Therefore:
• If a player is within 5 metres and is influencing, blow for the foul and deal with the foul appropriately, before play travels outside of the 5 metres if no clear advantage is likely - this is to avoid confusion. By blowing the foul within the 5 metres, teams understand that the influence/not 5 metres is the foul. If you delay and allow play on, and then try to go back to the 5 metre foul, some teams do not understand that the foul was the influence within the five and not the ‘good’ tackle outside the 5 metres.
• If a player is within 5 metres, but not influencing allow play on.
• If a player is within 5 metres, but not influencing and they then attempt to play the ball outside the 5 metres this is not a foul, allow play on.

Stick above shoulder height (Rule 9.7)

The height of the stick is very important when penalising this action, but it is the potential outcome that determines the appropriate penalty i.e. free hit, green card or yellow card.

1. a stick level with the player’s shoulder is allowed – help players to understand this by signalling play on and indicating with your voice.
2. a stick above the shoulder is not allowed (perhaps nearing head height or periscope) – this is an offence and should come with the appropriate penalty.

Apply common sense when interpreting this regulation. In order to determine the appropriate penalty think about the event that has occurred and the context of the game and what the outcome of this action caused on the passage of play.

Other changes

There are other changes being experimented with in the National League and certain specified other events, for example two yellow cards being an automatic red card.

These changes are not being trialled in hockey run under the auspices of Surrey HA or Southern Counties HA. It is only the above two interpretation changes that are to be applied to hockey at these levels.

Match report October 1 2011

It may have felt like midsummer, but the full season got underway this weekend and suffice to say it was an inauspicious start with only the 2nd and 3rd XIs winning ... and even then the 3rd XI's victory was over the 4th XI!

Reigate Priory 4-3 1st XI
Last season we had two great games played in good spirit agasint a friendly Reigate team and yesterday we renewed battle in similar fashion. Apparently it was the 1st October (officially autumn) yesterday as the first league game suddenly appeared. Now I'm all for playing hockey in the sun but it was ridiculously hot and ultimately the undoing of us. Mainly because Reigate seemed to have about 22 players as they continuously rolled players on and off and we had the bare minimum as a couple of our regulars booked in for their pedicures (or splinters or something) and others had work commitments (who's buying kitchens in this economic downturn really?)

Turning up 30 mins before the game to see Reigate looking like they'd been there for well over an hour, just completed a training session and about to properly warm up we knew we'd be in for a difficult game. Reigate started fast as we expected moving the ball around and making us work for possession and breaking down the flanks at speed. It was a rather harsh short corner for an alleged stick tackle (naturally the defender saw is as a stick block by the attacker who I'm sure gave a wry smile) in the 25 after five mins that gave Reigate their first short corner of many.

Remembering back to previous encounters and how slick the Reigate corner routine has been we were rather suprised that a good old fashioned strike from the top just inside the post put us 1-0 down. We then started to get back into the game with Woody making some strong runs through the middle, CV causing all kinds of troubles along the baseline and it was off another of these situations that we put the ball in to level the scores. Then we scored a couple more and found ourselves in control of the game before another short corner shortly before half time brought Reigate back in the game. Again, none of this fancy move the ball around just a straight strike - how odd in this modern day and age of hockey.

At half time we talked about how hard it would be to continue at the pace of the first half especially as Reigate would be able to rotate players but there would be more goals in the game. And that was how the second half went. They scored another short corner and then it was a slightly tired pass that was picked off and Reigate broke at speed and converted the opportunity. As we continued to push forward looking for an equalizer the ball was drilled in from the right and neatly deflected by one of our attackers and the lose ball slapped in...goal given by the closest offical..Reigate protested claiming a foot I think and somehow the decision was overturned despite allegedly no other officals seeing alleged foot allegedly if you get what I mean. But that's the way game goes.

So we paid the price for only having the bare minimum players and a lack of professionalism before the game - a couple of things easily rectified. But given the circumstances the effort and commitment by everyone on the pitch was fantastic. Rex Harrison

Ladies XI 1-3 Wimbledon
So this week the ladies played Wimbledon who we knew were a good side and it was going to be a tough match. However we were not prepared for one of the hottest days of the year, a scorching 29 degrees on 1st October and then playing in the midday heat to top it off. We started off strongly with lots of possession and good passing amongst us all but as the half went on the possession evened out and both sides had opportunities to score but the half ended with a fair 0–0.

The second half again started well with the added bonus of a second quick break for water half way through. After about five minutes of play our first goal of the season was scored after a bit of a battle in the D but definitely deserved.
Unfortunately with about 15 minutes still to go our standard of play began to drop, the heat was getting to us and although our fitness had improved due to the nature of the game and the constant end to end running we became totally drained and the errors crept in. They scored their first and second goal in a similar style to our goal, some battling in the D. Their third and last came from a clean strike at the top of the D on a short corner. With nothing left in our legs the final score was 3-1 to Wimbledon. Sarah Mann


2nd XI 4-1 Reigate Priory II
A much-needed opening weekend win for the 2nd XI in the new league

3rd XI 5-1 4th XI
despite the 4.30pm start time it was a still a searingly hot afternoon, and for the first 40 minutes the 4th XI kept in the game. Partly because of some wasteful possession in the attacking third by the thirds and also because of the constant danger posed by Smeer and Louis. One-all at half-time was fair, but two goals in as many minutes early in the second half killed off the game as a contest, although the final two goals late on were a little harsh on the 4th XI.

Barnstormers 1-5 Sunbury and Walton Hawks Men's Vets
Our opposition were unamused by the failure of most of our side (and a couple of theirs) to drag themselves away from the England-Scotland match, and then by the fact we included two Under-35s in our nine-man team. So much so their toys came out the pram and so the 11 v 7 game took place. They won. Well done them.

St. Albans Praetorians 5-3 Hamstrings