Match Reports - January 25, 2013

Four goals in the last ten minutes saw off a dogged Reitate Priory as the 1st XI's 5-1 victory, allied to a draw between sides in second and third, extended their lead in Surrey/Hants to ten points. The Ladies also maintained their promotion push with a 3-1 win over Wimbledon, putting them third just two points behind the leaders. The thaw came too late to allow any other games to take place

The pressure eases as the third goal goes in, one of four in the final minutes

1st XI 5-1 Reigate Priory
Click here for match photos

The 1st XI notched up another impressive win this Saturday. With emails flying between members of the club about cancellations of matches, some members of the team ventured out on a Friday night with every intention of only having one but instead, doing what all great hockey players do, we had a few!

We started the game comfortably against Reigate & with the belief that we could beat our previous score of a 2-1 win even though we are managing to lose players at an alarming rate, we showed why we are top of the league. We had the slickest of passing round the back from Justin, Cato and Gary. Moving the ball with impressive speed an precision that had the Reigate boys doing circles. A midfield of Will, Stu, Nick & Wisey showing dribbling skills that pierces a ladies heart, and made the Reigate boys go limp. Upfront, a combination of Ceige, CV, Jay, George & Charlie well, lick your lips in delight as the Reigate boys may have well said, ‘Right, I’m off coz what you boys having going for you is more than what my life’s worth. I’m going home to see my woman’!

I can’t really remember much about the goals as I got too drunk on Saturday night & passed out on Wisey’s floor but what I can remember is this. We went 1-0 up quite early into the match. How scored you ask? I don’t know I respond but that set the scene for a goal fest. It unfortunately didn’t come straight away but we hammered the hell outta that goal & only a lucky save from Reigate’s keeper & some un-luck for us kept the score at 1-0 till the last 5 mins of the half. Two comfortable short corner saves from myself were dealt with but then I had the misfortune of over diving one of them for Reigate to draw level.

Coach Gary, sidelined with a damaged calf,
cannot hide his utter delight after the fifth goal

The second half was pretty much the same. We started bright but not until the last ten mins with dynamo coach Gary sat on the side line did we make the fans go wild. Bang, bang, bang, bang GOAL!! Two goals from short corners thumped in by Nick & George left the keep no chance. These I must say were masterminded by Charlie ‘I’ve got more skill than’ Thompson, twisted, turned & created! Oh Ceige converted into the bottom right corner at some stage

We ran out comfortable winners (5-1), posed for photos and signed autographs. All we need for our next home game is the ladies section supporting us in cheerleading uniforms. UP THE CLUB and thanks to our supporters & photographer!!

A special thanks to our umpires who wore headsets & controlled the game beautifully.

Team: Dan (me -author), Cato, Justin, Gary, Will, Nick ( PC 1), Stu, Wisey, Will, Ceige (FG 1), CV, George (FG 1 PC 1), Jay (FG 1), Charlie.  DOD: Me, for having 5 pints on a Friday night & owning up to it.      Chris Brewer

Ladies XI 3-1 Wimbledon
Click here for match photos

Jax on the attack

On paper an easy game, we made life hard for ourselves by undertaking some high-intensity rugby training on Wednesday and then missing a hat-full of chances in the first half. As a result of the former we spent almost the entire second half camped in our defensive third of the pitch while Wimbledon's keeper was left sitting bored in the back of her goal.

Languishing neat the foot of the table, Wimbledon's position doesn't do them justice and a young and energetic side left us gasping in the second half but by then we were 3-1 up and our defence proved solid while Michelle mopped up with authority on the few occasions she was called upon.

In warm sunshine with the snow melted, conditions were perfect for hockey and we looked like a side pressing for promotion, moving the ball round well, breaking quickly and putting Wimbledon's defence under the cosh.   Aside from the three goals we scored we could have another five - Tosh hit the post twice in as many minutes - while Wimbledon managed their goal, which made it 1-1 for about 90 seconds, after we gave away a silly short corner.

The second half was frustrating - our only shot came from a breakaway four minutes from time - but despite the pressure we never looked like losing.  The lesson we did learn is that overtraining is positively bad for your fitness.

Elmbridge mayor launches Colts section

The Mayor of Elmbridge, Janet Turner, opens the  Sunday Colts section

On Sunday January 13 the Mayor of Elmbridge, Janet Turner, opened the  Sunday Colts section at TD.

She cut the ribbon in front of an enthusiastic crowd of young hockey players and their parents.  The Mayor was kind enough to donate memento Jubilee coins to be given to the Player of the Week for the rest of the season.  Also on hand to help with the official opening was GB hockey player Matt Daly who has over a 100 caps and has scored 60 goals in his international career.  Matt was impressed with the hockey skills of the Colts during their training session and autographed hockey sticks and Olympic Hockey Programs for the future stars!

Katie Aston, one of the Colts, said: "The Mayor was very friendly and it was great to meet a GB hockey player in real life."  The ceremony was topped off by a complimentary hog roast and an exhibition match.

Match Reports - January 12, 2013

Sluggish to start but inspired second-half performances helped the 1st XI and Ladies to important victories while the 2nd XI overcame Barnes by a single goal and the Hamstrings came away from St Albans with a win. All that stopped a clean sweep were the 3rd XI who were held 2-2 at Thames Valley

1st XI 4-0 Southampton

In the second half the OCs played with a more aggressive, higher press which caused problems for the Southampton defence as they struggled to get the ball out of their own half. The unrelenting OC pressure eventually paid off with CV slotting away a rebound about ten minutes in. The OCs pushed hard for a second but Southampton shored up their defence in the hope of finding an equaliser from their rare forays in to the OC half. However, the OC defence of Gary, Cato and Cookiey proved equal to what the Southampton attack could intermittently muster. Dan Osborne also made an important save from a short corner and prevented a potential own goal.

The game was put beyond doubt with ten minutes to go as Chris 'Sampras' Gray made a darting run behind the defense to slot a composed diving deflection into the far corner. It had been a difficult month or so for the forward who had been dogged by controversy from his exploits on and off the pitch. A clandestine christmas party in December the night before a match had ruffled a few feathers amongst the club's management. The terraces were also awash with rumours that his commitment to the club was fast diminishing after arriving at the last match 15 minutes before the end because he had been out playing golf in a Carlos Tevez-esque debacle. He may still have a while to go before he becomes a fans' favourite, but with this goal the enigmatic Gray took a big step on the road to redemption as he saluted the jubilant home fans and kissed the crest on his shirt as he wheeled away in celebration.

The second goal truly was a hammer blow for the brave Southampton defence, and their misery was compounded when minutes later Chris Wiseman went on a characteristically mazy run from the edge of the Southampton half to reach the D and dispatch a sharp shot past the keepers reach into the bottom corner to make it 3-0 while CV finished off the match by bagging a second with minutes to spare with a cheeky reverse stick finish under the keeper.

The match may not have been the champagne hockey the legions of OC faithful have come to expect this season but a 4-0 win was exactly what the team needed as they head into the second half of the season.

Dick of the day: Sam Carne

Ladies XI 5-3 London Wayfarers

We played our first competitive match of the new year against Southampton determined to not display the charitable spirit shown in the friendly loss to a ramshackle Horsham outifit the week before. Hockey fans throughout the Southern counties were speculating on whether this shock loss could lead to a mid season slump. However, yet again the OCs ventured out onto fortress Thames Ditton with the immaculate professionalism and approach we have come to expect under the tenure of player-coach Gary Boucher.

The first half was a scrappy affair. OCs dominating the possession but finding chances few and far between with the Southampton defence resolutely dealing with the constant barrage of attacks and probing runs from the lively Chris Wiseman and Simon Connolly. Chris 'Ceige' Gray had the two best chances of the half but failed to take advantage. At half-time the score remained a 0-0 deadlock.
Our first league game of 2013 and we knew it would be tough. First half - let's not say too much but two mistakes from us meant the opposition went 2-0 up and at the break it seemed a tough ask for us to get back into the game.  But boosted by a rousing half time talk we came out for the second half a changed side.

Within two minutes of the restart we got a short corner, from which Georgie smoothly aimed on target, and three minutes later we were level thanks to  Philly’s reverse flick past their keeper.  The two strikes rattled Wayfarers who, up to that point, had been playing the better hockey and as we upped our game the pressure on them told.  On 15 minutes we were ahead thanks to Philly’s diving deflection from another short, and the fourth was clinical in the extreme – May took a quick sideline hit catching Wayfarers’ defence asleep straight to an unmarked Fletch at the top of the D and she rifled the ball home.  The fifth came thanks to Philly and Fletch working a slick 1-2.  Wayfarers pulled one back four minutes from time and pressed hard at the end but our defence proved rock solid.

A big hand goes to Sophie for stepping in as goalkeeper whilst Michele was away. Never an easy task!

Barnes 0-1 2nd XI

Report may follow but unlikely

Thames Valley 2-2 3rd XI

Report may follow but unlikely

St Albans 3-5 Hamstrings

Colts section official opening on January 13

You are invited to the opening ceremony of the OCHC Sunday Colts section on Sunday January 13 which is being opened by the Mayor of Elmbridge and also your chance to meet some past & present GB hockey players!

Come along and see the training session in action and the clubs facilities followed by an ‘ALL STARS’ exhibition match whilst enjoying our complimentary ‘Hog Roast’.

All girls and boys in school Years 3 to 8 are welcome to a FREE taster session on the day.

10:30 to 11:30 Colts Training as normal
11:30 to 11:45 Opening Ceremony by the Mayor
11:45 to 12:00 Photos and Autographs
12:00 – Complementary Food Available (Hog Roast)
12:05 to 12:50 All Stars Exhibition Match

Contact Gavin Adair: colts@oldcranleighan.com or 07841 673597.

Veterans lunch set for February 9

Tony Rogers, OCHC legend, writes:

A little while ago  I foolishly complained that there had been no official OCHC get-together for a while, and whilst the idea of a formal Quinquennial dinner was mooted it was felt that a Saturday lunch at TD to coincide with a Ist XI game and a vet's game would be preferable - not least to put money over the Club bar. So newly-installed OCHC Club Captain Virge told me to get on with it.

Now that the catering is in the hands of the lovely Theresa we will be getting  much more than the standard OCHC team tea ( with apologies and heartfelt thanks to the Loates family ) so we can look forward to some decent grub in convivial surroundings, and enjoy reliving old stories , some of which may be true.

Consequently, all is arranged for SATURDAY 9TH FEB, when the Vets play East Grinstead at 11.30 and the all-conquering  1st XI( I'm sure you are aware that they are 10 points clear at the top of the league ) play Barnes at 2.30pm, with the Ladies also playing at 1pm.

I SUGGEST WE MEET AT 12 NOON FOR THE TRADITIONAL OCHC PRE-MATCH WARM-UP, SO PLEASE BE ON TIME.

No formal dress code, but jackets and OC ties would be nice if you can find them at the back of the wardrobe.

A delicious 3 - course menu awaits ( don't worry, I know what hockey players like ), and the suggestion is that we sit down at 1pm sharp   in tables which reflect your own vintage, so you don't have to worry about having to talk to spotty 6th formers who have never heard of the Beatles or Worthing.

The price is £25 a head, and the wine list, which has taken a turn for the better, allows you to purchase a very decent bottle for £10, or you can of course stick to your own preference (Veuve Clicquot for Grizzly, London Pride for the rest of us).

Do try and come along, it is of course the more the merrier and TD is in good heart with the hockey club riding high, the rugby club 2nd in their league and both clubs now running a colts programme. Feel free to pass this on to anyone I've missed, as the last time I had a club contacts list fax machines were just coming into vogue and being online meant something you did with your wet kit on a Sunday evening in the garden.

To reserve a place at the luncheon please forward to me a cheque for £25 made out to OCHC, my home address being

Woodside
21, Burwood Park Road,
Walton-on-Thames
Surrey
KT125LJ

or for those technologically- minded geeks please use electronic banking to transfer the funds into my personal account as follows :

Sort code 20-90-56
A/c name A R J Rogers
A/c no 40664278
Ref : OCHC lunch

NB please e-mail to let me know that the funds have been transferred so that I can reserve you a place.

Also please let meknow if you have any special dietary requirements - Knappy you will just have to lump it !