Match report September 24 2011

A partial start to the league season with a crushing 7-1 win for the 3rd XI and narrow defeats, both by a single goal, for the Ladies and the 4th XI

Croydon and Old Whitgiftian Ladies 1-0 Ladies
This week unfortunately, did not go the ladies way and we lost 1-0. Despite the result though I am feeling positive and don’t think we have to be worried. Although we were without our coach we started well. For the majority of the first half we had all the possession with lots of great passing from the whole team. We had several chances on goal but we were just not able to put it over the line. The first half ended 0–0.

The second half brought much of the same initially but our lack of fitness and the hot weather began to show and the opposition started to create more opportunities for themselves. Their score came from a well drilled short corner.

Next week we play Wimbledon and if everyone can take some inspiration from Tux and show as much dedication and determination winning the bouquet of flowers not once but twice at Emma Varley’s wedding on Saturday evening then we will do just fine. Kevin watch out! On that note, a big congratulations go to Emma and Matt Sutton who got married on Saturday and are now on their honeymoon in Mauritius. Not jealous at all!
Also I would like to thank Chris for umpiring. I know he spent another Saturday driving round umpiring various games and also playing himself. Sarah Mann


3rd XI 7-1 Thames Valley II
What a way to start the season. We all turned up on time and to a sunny TD to start off the season. With a quick warm up session and a quick game in the corner I was starting to question how I was going to get through a whole match!! Considering we haven’t played together for around 4 months now we started off very well moving the ball around nicely. Once the cobwebs were off we started attacking better, using the pace of Matt C and the precision of Andy Eve / Jon Grey down the wings we took a 2 – 0 lead. A poor short corner routine from them and a small defensive error made the score 2 -1 at half time. This was a bit of a blow as we had dominated the half and should have been a couple more up but as it was we were only just ahead.

We were determined to have a good 20 minutes to the 2nd half and the work rate from both Bents and Guess in the mid field was second to none. We had officially worn the opposition out by this point and with another goal from Peeps about 15 minutes into the 2nd half the flood gates opened! We were moving the ball around nicely waiting for the easy passes and making them do all the work, before we knew it we had rattled in a couple more and had been awarded a penalty flick after their defence decided to play a bit of football on the line stopping me get my hat-trick. In true jug avoidance I handed over the responsibility to Knappy after his kind words of encouragement “DON’T MISS IT LEWI”, which was followed very swiftly by “Knaps do you want to take it?”. I think Knappy was trying to prove a point that he didn’t want to play in central defence and could score goals. He tucked it away very nicely to the keeper’s bottom right hand corner and we were 6-1 up. Another goal just before time saw us close of a very convincing and solid start to the season. 7–1.

Goal scorers myself x2 Ed x 1 Knappy x 1 and a sterling hat-trick but Peeps who had more morals than me and actually tucked all 3 away. Some really great performances Ed, guess and Bents didn’t stop running all game, Peeps putting away his opportunities and Watson saving some great saves to make the score line look flattering Well done to Watson for taking a fiercely contested Man of the Match and also to Tom Pollard for making a superb debut for the 3’s. Well done everyone and I know what I am doing this week and that is going for a run or two so I can actually attempt some sort of half time team talk! Alex Lewis


Reigate Priory Abbots 2-1 4th XI

Dean Wheeler named as new OCHC coach

We are delighted to announce that we have secured the services of Dean Wheeler as the club coach for the 2011-12 season. He is a full-time hockey coach who has spent four seasons working overseas and has also coached several club and university teams in the UK.

“We need to build on the two promotions for the 1sts and that of the 2nds in the last three years. Without sounding too dramatic the next nine months are key to the club’s future,” said club captain David Knapp. “We have a very good coach on board and there do seem to be a number of new members in the offing although actually seeing them in OC shirts will be the proof we require.

“The starting point is to ensure that as many of the club are at training on Wednesday evenings as from August 31.

"By addressing the main feedback from last season we now need everyone to show commitment to engender the spirit required and we need to have club members supporting the socials. In addition, each one of us needs to look to encourage players to join us. We cannot rely on new members just walking through the door nor one or two of the current members recruiting all the new players.”

Aside from the first training session, there will be a training day on Saturday September 3. “I would hope that all skippers can be at the club on the 3rd to talk over the points already mentioned re squad/team selection and the requirement to have movement between the sides,” Knapp added.

School win the Loveland Bowl

The annual matches for the Loveland Bowl took place on OC Day at Cranleigh on July 3 and resulted in wins for the School against the men (7-4) and the ladies (5-1).