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