Match Reports - November 24, 2012

A mixed weekend where availability issues hit us hard and made the captains' roles incredibly tedious. The 1st XI eased past Fareham 5-1 to remain seven points clear in Hants/Surrey 1 and set up a top-of-the-table clash next week with tenants London Academicals. A weak 2nd XI slipped off the top after a 2-3 loss at Wanderers although the Ladies beat London Academicals 5-2 to remain third in Surrey 2. A woefully weak ten-man 3rd XI lost 0-5 to Reigate Priory, the Barnstromers went down 0-4 at Maidenhead and the Hamstrings won 2-1 at Wimbledon 




1st XI 5-1 Fareham

Report to follow.


Ladies XI 5-2 London Academicals

A cold, drizzly Saturday afternoon meant that conditions for our match against London Academicals were less than favourable. Although our opposition were currently bottom of the league, we couldn’t let our game slip and so with some great one-twos and sharp passing we dominated the first 20 minutes. Philly and Fletch put us 2-0 up within 12 minutes and the first time the Academicals got into our half was on the restart after the first goal on nine minutes. Our heads dropped slightly towards the end of the first half but defensively we stayed strong and broke for half time 2-0 up.

During the second half we were at times a bit too relaxed which resulted in two goals for Academicals but they were always two goals adriftand each time they sniffed the chance of getting back into the match we scored through Jax, Fletch and Georgie.  A great effort by everyone this week, with Man of the Match going to Georgie.  Well done once again ladies!  Lucy Bevin

Wanderers IV 3-2 2nd XI

Top of the table clash this week against Wanderers IVs and we were massively struggling with availability throughout the whole club. On Thursday we were on nine men and having to supply an umpire as well. Things were not looking good. A few last minute favours and the opposition helping us out by supplying both umpires meant that we had a team.

Not sure when there is a top of the table clash we don’t get supplied two umpires, is just beyond me. But also the fact that the pitch was in terrible condition makes me question why such an important match in the season was located where it was and seemed to be forgotten by the Surrey umpires!!??

With a good warm up and talking through the game before hand we were ready to go. Only thing was one of our players decided not to turn up and left us fighting an uphill battle from the start.  Wanderers started well whilst the OC’s understandably took a while adjusting to life with 10 men and the new system that was imposed on us. Wanderers took an early 2 goal lead but then either they turned off or the OC’s stepped up! It was soon clear that the OC’s were playing good hockey again and working our socks off!! With half time approaching we were dominating play with Bomber making great runs down the left wing, one such run lead to a great ball across the face of the goal and Nick Lewis banged it into the backboard. This is exactly what we needed after putting so much effort in before the break.

After half time we started the 2nd half as we finished the 1st, making great runs down the wings and the defence pushing up to help support the attack meant that we were vulnerable to the breakaway which is exactly what happen. 3 – 1 Wanderers.

Another strong attack leads to our first short corner of the game. We knew it had to go in to give us a chance of getting anything from this game. The push came out and missed it’s mark, the ball came out of the D and it was then sent straight back to the near post and Tom Merry put in his shot which the keeper got down low to, the ball was loose and in true never say die OC spirit the follow up came in and the ball was pick up and put in the back of the net to make for a tight finish. Wave after wave of attacks the OC’s were spreading the ball around nicely and making the opposition work hard, I had a good opportunity but hit it into the near post which then went out for a 16! Belief was high and still we pressed having a few more opportunities but we just run out of time.

A really great spirited effort no one gave up and we all worked extremely hard for one another. Alan and Ports having solid games in the centre of defence. Great support work by Tom Merry combining really well with Bomber who himself and JP must have covered some miles between them. Gilo and CB supporting myself up front brilliantly and Nick Lewis putting some great balls in for the forwards to try and get on the end of. Paul Watson in goal made a great save towards the end to keep us within a goal and keeping the hope alive. Really proud of all 10 men and if we can take that spirit forward I have no doubt that we will soon be back on top of the table and getting the promotion we are looking for. Lewi

3rd XI 0-5 Reigate Priory
Deeply frustrating match and a miserable week for Chris Bents whose endless efforts on the phone produced nine players, boosted to XI briefly by kind support from the rugby club (until the OCRFC coach spotted one of his own and withdrew him from the fray).  The irony being that most of the unavailability was cause by hockey players preferring to watch England lose at Twickenham. To the credit of the regulars, we gave league leaders Reigate a tough game, keeping them to 2-0 at half time and only losing it as tiredness hit home late on as we shipped two late goals.  One moment of amusement came when a ball was shipped to the Reigate left wing who fired home their fourth goal; the OCs looked to see why the (borrowed from the OCRFC) left back had not picked him up … only to see the aforementioned player standing by the touchline yelling at his rugby team-mates to stop warming up on the muddy 1st XV pitch.

Maidenhead 0-4 Barnstormers

Report to follow.


Wimbledon 1-2 Hamstrings

Report less likely than a Scotland win at Murrayfield.