Match Reports - October 19, 2013

The 1st XI continued their impressive start with a tense 5-4 over Maidstone but an availability nightmare meant weakened sides and defeats for the 2nd XI and 3rd XI. The Ladies lost 0-3 at Richmond but the old boys held their ends up with the Hamstrings beating St Albans 2-0 and the Barnstormers being denied a win with a late equaliser.

Jay Harman adds the fifth goal 

1st XI 5-4 Maidstone
Click here for match photos
A win is a win but at 5-2 up against the bottom side and with our forwards carving holes in a fragile defence, at one stage a rout seemed on the cards as Jay Harman with a hat-trick led the way with some crafty deflections. But then we rather lost direction, shipped two rather easy goals, and ended the game rather nervously. But we remain unbeaten in third with a visit to leaders Horsham, a side with the tightest defence in the league, promising a much tougher day out.

Richmond 3-0 Ladies
The mind games started ahead of the whistle as we warmed up. There were odd looks from the opposition as we practised our 360 degree looking using the rugby netball technique before the game. We were ready. We battled hard against the oppo and elements, passing well across the team with lots of calling. Unfortunately they snuck one past us in the second quarter. The game continued to go from one end to the other with strong performances from midfield and some great saves from Michele however the first half finished 1-0 to them. We came out fighting again in the second half. Several shorts at both ends but nothing going in. They then managed to find the back of our net twice before the final whistle was called to end the game 3-0 to them. There were a lot of positives for us to take away and we felt we’d had a strong game but just been outmanoeuvred on a few occasions and not been able to put away our chances. Man of the Match went to Nikki however the votes were spread across several in the midfield as there was lots of outstanding play.

Wanderers III 3-0 2nd XI
No report

3rd XI 3-4 Old Reigatians
Report to follow from Eds Copleston. You have been warned.

Hamstrings 2-0 St Albans
You have to feel for Tim Cook. Stuck on the A3 in solid traffic so by the time he arrived the game was well underway and they had found two umpires, he must have thought his day couldn't get any worse. He was wrong as he had to watch Andy Loates and then Neal Fox score, the latter from at least a yard out. Stuart Sleeman, more than two years after his terrible injury, made an hugely popular return to action and showed all his old tricks up front.  Hamstrings are now top with three wins in three.

Barnstormers 1-1 Basingstoke

Match Reports - October 12, 2013

The 1st XI continued their impressive unbeaten run with a 2-2 draw away against Marlow. The 2nd XI didn't play after the oppo pulled out but the 3rd XI are top of their league with a great fightback to win 3-4. The Ladies however suffered a 0-2 defeat.

Marlow 2-2 1st XI
No formal report but lots of talks about how we were two up and let it slip,

Ladies 0-2 London
After last weeks defeat, the oc ladies were determined to pull back three points. An energetic warm up put us in good stead but a lack of concentration in the first few minutes meant that the opposition put one past us into the goal. Riled up, we picked up our game and a had several chances in the D but unfortunately didn't mange to convert before the half time whistle went.

Following some encouraging words at half time, the second half started much more positively.The team worked well together to keep possession and much of the 2nd half was spent in the oppo's half thanks to some great work by the mids and forwards. Defensively we held strong throughout, forcing the opposition into some 'hit and hope' passes. Unfortunately I think tiredness got the better of us and in the closing minutes a second goal was scored against us. A disappointing result for the ladies but they can't be faulted for the effort put into the game. A big thanks to Liz for stepping in as captain in Tux's absence, and well done to Nikki for getting Woman of the Match.

Reigate Priory 3-4 3rd XI
And so we roll on to GAME TWO which proved to be more a scene from Rambo - first blood- which ended with the great Stallone (Our skipper) forgetting the final score..... guts, blood and drama....this game provided it all.

It all started with Nathan sending us directions to the wrong ground. However despite the skippers sabotage we had 12 there for the team meeting and the side were left in shock with the sudden realisation that the infamous whiteboard was actually reversible. The plan was clear, move the ball swiftly and use our speed on the flanks, just how we won World War One against the Germans. Shockingly for an OCHC outfit we started very well and scored in the first 2 minutes. Usually we concede early and we automatically sat back and waited for Reigate to respond. It didn't take too long and a cross from deep in the corner won them a soft goal which was quickly followed by a second. 2-1 down and now they have a short corner.

Their striker looked like he had been 10 rounds with Rocky but he evidently could smash the ball as it went straight at Crumby's head. Blood all over the place and a hairline fracture and a wobbly tooth later we asked if he was going to apologise and the response was "I didn't intend to hit him." Ok. As Crumby was walking to A+E we ironically took control of the game.

Reigate couldn't get our half, Tommy CD and our new recruit Nick were dominating the middle with fluid transfers and finally we were passing the ball with speed and passion. No goal though. At half time Skips pointed out the oppo are embarrassed to be ahead, so really it was more of the same and no soft goals at the back. Nothing goes according to the whiteboard when the game starts and we leaked another weak goal to go 3-1 down with 25 mins left. If this side maintains what happened next for the rest of the season it will be a glorious one.

We controlled the game henceforth and forced chance after chance, controlling the game on both flanks and finally a few short corners were won and Eds popped in two shorts from a very well drilled short corner routine and we were back to 3-3.

At this stage we saw the first card of the game. I'll be honest - if you've lost control of the ball Bentsy lets not dive and then get up like Zinedine and try and start a fight with the man we know has been 10 rounds with Stallone. No-one is gonna have your back. Comically the opposition got the green card and the game continued.

With five minutes left Bents came good and made a great run into the D and passed to Eds to finish off a hat trick. We had 5 minutes to hold on and defended very deep to hold on to our magnanimous (eh?) 4-3 lead. With seconds to play Reigate won a short corner. Nigel was epic in defence and we managed to hold out for what was a truly emotional victory. So now we are top of the league. Minor point being we have played the two bottom sides and beaten them. We all dream of a glorious season and the day our skipper will send us to the correct ground and remember the final score. Best wishes to Crumby from all of us. This weekend will be a tougher challenge at home - especially as Jock is still on the sidelines following his "attempt to run" injury.... THE DREAM IS ALIVE!  Eds 'Horribly Excitable' Copleston

Match Reports - October 5, 2013

Match reports for the first full week of the league season with good results for the men's sides but a setback for the Ladies

1st XI 4-2 Barnes

Croydon 2-2 2nd XI

London Edwardians 4-0 Ladies After the long drive to Battersea Park (for some) and inevitable afternoon push-back delay we set to against a tough London Edwardians team, with 12 players. We battled hard against the opponents and the bumpy pitch which at times gave rise to an almost lacrosse style of play (Fletch must have taken tips from Sophie DH!).

Unfortunately the first half ended with us having conceded and in need of really taking the game to them. However, today wasn't our day - they seemed to have a bit more fire in their belly so although it was an incredibly tough game on all sides and we had a few chances in the D we couldn't get it across the line.

An early season defeat of 4-0 to London Edwardians leaves us itching to get back out there and come out fighting next time.
3rd XI 2-0 Sunbury and Weybridge Hawks
This was a fresh season, a new start for a third team that lost their skipper last season and had Nathan "Man Up" and take over a team that was clearly talented but had not produced the goods to date. Comically, Skips wasn't even there for the warmup, he was busy creating a masterpiece of a whiteboard that would ensure we knew our structure and were mentally prepared for a season that he wants to be glorious. Its great to be back in England and experience the wonderful rain that seems to fall even when the forecast was for sun and no clouds. We had a few motivational words from skips after the whiteboard was put down...then it was time for pushback and the beginning of what we believe is going to be a monumental 3rd XI season.

We dominated the first half and should have had a few more than just the edge of Eds's stick that their keeper mysteriously let go into the goal....what was he thinking....The back line held firm throughout and was the reason for us being up at half time. Nigel had a few too many words with the umpire. I have never seen a keeper complain about a decision that went in our favor - so passionate he is that it almost resulted in a sin bin.

Early in the second half we began to dominate the game and despite the loss of Jock Vickers (quite an extraordinary injury that when questioned he claimed he was trying to "change direction"). The half time team talk was listened to and we began to move the ball wider and use the speed we had against what was an ageing opposition back line. We did need a second goal however, and it took a long time to come. A seriously selfish Chris Bents had 5 open players when he decided to shoot from the sideline. We still await his penalty jug. Eventually a short corner routine that has taken years to evolve after training resulted in Eds finishing the game off and the crowd were chanting OC's forevermore.

It looks like a good season ahead and a victorious one now that we have Jock on the sidelines serving Pimms and taking pictures. Well done to Nathan for incredible organisation and a white board that leaves Alex Ferguson pondering where he went wrong..... Ed Copeston