Men’s 1s 3 – 1 Sevenoaks 1s
Off the back of a strong preseason, the OC boys gathered at Clapham Junction, ready for their first game back from the long-awaited Christmas break. Only to find no bus was waiting for them there (good start, thanks Josh Doble).
After the longish journey to Sevenoaks, made shorter by the rampage driving from Ashraf #MOM, a quick team talk where the starting lineup was agreed and a great return from early retirement from Willy ‘Well-Trained’ Marshall. The boys were raring to go.
The Sevenoaks pitch, shadowed by ‘The Chair’, set a great scene for a mighty showdown.
The first quarter started with strong stick and ball from the Old Cranleighans, with 67% possession and constant chances up for grabs, this all made for a very harsh start for Sevenoaks.
As we entered the second quarter, the good lads turned up the heat. With lovely play starting from Ollie Davies through to Alex Batstone, who played a nifty ball to Callum Holloway — one drag left, one drag right, and he found Erik Van Goalsteren who slotted the ball cleverly into the bottom corner. OCs 1-0 up.
Charlie ‘Hungover’ Lamb found himself at the receiving end of a Sevenoaks’ Mohamed Ali-esque right hook. This seemed to rile Ben Roe up, who picked up the ball (on the end of his stick), ran towards goal, and was chopped mid-swing. P-Flick given.
James Butters stepped up, cool as a cucumber, ice in the veins, and slotted the ball top right. Good goal and into halftime.
The second half started with a quick turnover, and Willy Marshall stood over the ball on the halfway line. One aerial missile towards goal followed by one touch from William Heywood which sent the white kookaburra into the back of the net. 3-0 OCs.
As we carried on the game in true Old Cranleighan 1st X1 style, we decided to make it a little more interesting by letting in a rather easy penalty corner (3-1). This didn’t seem to affect the boys as we ploughed on to secure the 3-point win.
Next week, we’ll face a youthful Old Loughtonians team at home and compete for more points. It’s considered by some to be a crucial 6-point match, but with a determined and united first X1 squad, the OC boys are confident of securing a victory.
“Family… Whatever yeh say, blood’s important…” – Rubeus Hagrid, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 25.
MOM- James Cutter
DOD- Worcester Bawden
Ladies 1s 1 – 2 Barnes 2s
Saturday was always going to be a tough fixture, which wasn’t helped with a couple of absences and injuries in the Ladies 1s, but everyone turned up ready to play, although a sense of nerves could be felt.
The game started at a good pace, with both teams gunning for a win. Fast pace attacks made it an exciting game for the crowd who were watching.
Two short corners for Barnes, and two goals, just before half time, Richie nabbed us a consolation goal. 2-1 and all to play for in the second half. However the second half, despite everyones best efforts, remained goalless.
The word of the game would be clinical. Barnes won two short corners and scored both, we put the ball past the far post multiple times and had 3 x 1v1s with the goal keeper.
Although a tough loss, it was a really great game, which the spectators enjoyed too.
Onwards and upwards… bring on London Academicals next week.
MOM – Sarah Morris
DOD – Emma Davis
Goal Scorer – Katie Richards
Men’s 2s 7 – 6 Teddington 3s
A fixture that promised so much! Our local rivals in pink…
A makeshift back 4 for the OCs as the ski season takes it hold. A last minute transfer from the alps off the plane, luggage in hand to help booster the hopes of goals galore.
As always ‘win your first collision’ are the last words we hear as we step onto the pitch. Shame the back 4 were not listening, well mainly the 2CBs. We gift them 3 early goals and we are 3 down inside 3 minutes. Forwards don’t wanna even look the defenders in their eyes! But they pull up their socks with fierce determination
The rest of the half is liquid hockey. TR driving from deep, Jamie harrying his way down the side lines, and the absolute limbs of Lankfer pull us back to 3-3 in no time. We round out the half with a well worked slipped left from a shortie, and DanLadd (the best name in hockey) puts us in the lead. All that work to be effectively 1-0 at half time
Some confusing words at half time, does not bode well for the start of the second half, as Teds play some decent hockey and get themselves 5-4 up
15 minutes to go, a speculative Ariel thrown over our defence, yet again our CB has a shocker, misses the ball, takes out the goalie and Teddington tap another in 6-4 to them.
But yet again the OCs have that never say die attitude, we are top of the league for a reason! We have energy and commitment, and a small lad in midfield who likes to square up to goalies.
JB squeezes one through
Tommy deflects another
And Rodders with a tidy finish
7-6!! What a day!! What a win!!
Up the OCs
And oh do we know how to celebrate a big win.
That’s right everyone goes home there separate ways xx
Ladies 2s 0 – 4 Wayfareres 4s
For the second week running the Ladies 2s made their way up to Battersea Park, this time playing Wayfarers 5s. Fielding a strong side, the team was optimistic for a good result. Unfortunately Wayfarers took a quick lead, but despite this early setback OCs remained determined and started to play some good hockey and were the dominant team for the most of the first half. Sustained pressure led to several OC penalty corners which however the team were unable to convert. Motivation was high in the second half and the battle was on. OCs made several circle entries but again were unlucky. Alice and Alina made excellent runs and linked up well with the rest of the team raising the hope of an equaliser. Migs produced her usual high energy performance in attack. OCs defence made many timely interceptions and prevented Wayfarers from increasing their lead and it really looked a draw would be a fare result. Again in this half OCs had the majority of possession but time was not on our side and the Wayfarers were able to capitalise on the few chances they had with 3 more quick goals against the run of the play. As always Hels commanded the defence with her usual determination. Special mention to Sam and Irfan who continued to encourage the team throughout the game.
POM Olivia Riley
Ladies 3s 3 – 1. Surbiton 7s
OCs ladies 3s faced Surbiton ladies 7s at OC hockey club. At the beginning of the match we maintained possession apart from a few breakthroughs of the surbiton players on the left hand side, but didn’t get further
than the D. The play was mainly on the left or right hand side of the pitch with Manny acting as a pivot in the middle, slapping wide up the pitch. During the first half our defenders lost structure a few times which led to Michele making lots of saves from shots. Livvy then had to go off due to an injury which meant reorganising our defence line. Kirsten then scored the first goal from her intercepting it from their defenders trying to clear it. She then hit it from the top of the D into the bottom left hand corner. The second goal was scored by Bethan from a hit from the left hand side and then deflected off their defenders stick (own goal).
We had many chances to score more but eventually the opposition made a breakthrough due to unmarked players and scored making the score 2-1. Erin then got a green card from hitting the ball away. Mischa then scored the third goal at the end of the half making it 3-1. She deflected it into the goal from a pass
from the right hand side of the D.
After half time Liv came back on the pitch and we had many more chances at the goal but couldn’t finish any. Looking a lot more like the stronger side as they didn’t have as many chances at goal but did end up in our D quite a few times. However no short corners to them for the whole game which was good.
Goals: Kirsten, Mischa, Bethan
POM Jess Quinten
Men’s 4s 9 – 2 Old Kingstonian 2s
A good weekend.
Having had a top win last week v promotion rivals Sparticans we needed to back it up with a good result against our second neighbours lowly OKs who, with such as rich hockey history, should not be in a position where they have trouble in fielding 3 sides. As a school KGS have produced more international hockey players than any other school in the UK and still put out school teams that are amongst the best at all age groups suggesting that club hockey is in troubled waters.
Once again we had a very strong squad with the men’s teams playing 7 games between them and coming home with 6 wins and a draw, another remarkable set of results.
With 15 in our matchday squad we needed to use our subs properly to ensure consistency on approach and keeping our pace of play up at all stages.
In the main this we managed to do although 3 early goals Ben S x 2 and Powelly did make us a little complacent as we unnecessarily began to try and force the game resulting in us becoming frustrated leading us to somewhat annoyingly concede midway through the half. Toby restored our 3 goal advantage in the penultimate minute of the half with an excellent solo goal from the tightest of angles having worked his way into the D and along the base line.
As usual wise words were spoken at half time and eventually we put these into practice scoring 5 goals in 15 minutes between the 50th and 65th minutes as both Ben and Powelly notched hattricks, Sam D powered into the D and lifted the ball home whilst Jake again very unselfishly fed the ball to Knappy who was standing on the Ed Copleston square metre of astroturf by the right post.
There was still time to conceded the last goal of the match by gifting the OKs the ball with their player having the easiest of tasks to add a consolation with a minute or two to go.
The results of the others in the top 4 were certainly in our favour, Surbiton 5s drawing 0 – 0 with Surbiton Cobras, their 7s, whilst Merton 1s and Sparticans surprisingly both lost. All in all a good day at the office with 8 games to go.
The next two games v Surbiton 5s this weekend and Merton on the 25th will be hugely pivotal matches in our season and may go a long way in deciding the promotion places.
Goals: Ben S 3, Powelly 3, Sam D, Toby A and Knappy
POM: Chris Powell
Ladies 5s 1 – 3 Barnes 7s
Tensions were high, but we were feeling positive faced with the return segment, the first ending in a draw. Despite some of our seniors missing due to injury and covid, especially my co pilot Kate, it all started well, and we were on the attack for the first 15 minutes. Although there was some classy play between our fab juniors and returning from injury, Yasmine, Barnes managed to squeeze one through Nici, who had already been on top form with some lovely saves. But a short corner, choreographed by Rae and Paula a couple of minutes later, resulted in one for us, phew.
Second half and Barnes came out fighting, not quite “rumble in the jungle”, but they commanded the majority of the play. Definitely a stronger Barnes side this time!! However we noted quite a few missing shirt numbers! Enough of the sour grapes and back to the battle. Barnes were blocking our passes this time and their pressuring was a challenge. Barnes took the lead again, and we tried to manage an attack, but were unable to break through their defence. Unfortunately Barnes then managed to score again before the final whistle.
Despite some injury setbacks, we should be proud of ourselves for our brave performance against the league leader, final score 1-3. We will come back from this stronger, but it isn’t nice to have our first loss of the season. Onwards and upwards and can only hope that we can retain our position as runner-ups.
Man of the match and goal scorer Yasmine.
Hamstrings 1 – 1 Surbiton
Adhering to the joint SHC and OCHD committee directive.
A strong missive was delivered to all concerned following the pre Christmas grumpfest in the reverse fixture and there would be 70 minutes to test the resilience of the 27 players on show and tested it was. Did everyone pass the test? Er no.
All started so well. Denton stayed off the pitch but, having identified himself with being a rabbit on Wednesday 1st February, was sporting to enter the Surbiton tea room and bring a discrimination claim if he heard the words “get that bloody dog out of the tea room”. Thankfully the matter was not tested.
We dominated the bulk of the first half with a one goal lead to show, Baz sweeping the ball home from an impossible angle with his first touch of the game after 10 minutes or so, a quality goal. Although we huffed and puffed we could not add to this which ultimately cost us the 3 points. Half chances were created but nothing of any real substance. There were some potential incendiary moments with a decision or two but we kept our mouths shut.
The second half started much the same although Surbiton did start to push us higher up and we conceded ground. All game the umpires played decent advantage for both sides which was refreshing and also a lie as Baz hurdled a scything tackle just outside the D with a walk in goal ahead of him only for the whistle to be blown bringing the game back to the foul. Even Surbiton apologised.
This had been preceded by a talking to from the umpire to the home side’s right midfielder who was demonstrating the kendo course he was currently studying at night school. The words came with a warning that next time a card would be brandished if he did it again. Clearly with the memory of a goldfish 2 further kendo exercises were meted out 20 seconds later on the same player leading to a card, a paddy fueled walk to outside the pitch and culminating in a refusal to at least two of us to shake hands post match. My dad would have banned me from playing hockey for a month had that been me at the age of 9 let along 50+.
With the last hit of the game Surbiton equalized with a perfectly placed strike from the top of our D to salvage a point by the home side that was probably deserved on the balance pof the second half.
4 games to go and second place still achievable but we will need to win all the games to stand a chance.
Goal Baz
Ladies 6s 0 – 5 Cheam
Having had a recent draw with Cheam we came out fighting and strong with high hopes for a win. It was an eventful match with our first bully-off and a successful penalty flick for the opposition.
We played some great hockey but unfortunately Cheam managed 5 goals to our 0!
POM being Ami for some lovely runs and tackles in midfield.
The score did not reflect the match and we did not give up – a really great team effort!!!
The only way is up !! 
Barnstormers 7 – 0 Wimbledon
Having had a 3 week break thanks to a combination of bye weeks and non-travelling oppo, an uncharacteristically punctual squad of Barnstomers assembled to take on a struggling Wimbledon side at Raynes Park High School. Spurred on by Closey’s Top Gun references and in need of a healthy goal difference to catch top of the table Sonning we set about our work, moving the ball around well with Richie and Poen creating multiple chances for Tim S to test the fencing behind the goal. The Barnies domination of both possession and territory seemed to rile our hosts and as the first half progressed the game started to get a bit niggly, the inexperienced umpires unwilling to blow much for either team.
Finally, a slick finish from Cuzza took us to 1-0 then Tim got the radar sorted to slot a second, settling the OC nerves and was no less than we deserved. Sadly, this seemed to upset the Oppo even more and after getting the better of his opposite number in a robust but fair 50:50, Darren subsequently found himself on the end of cheap shot shoulder charge 40 yards away from the ball (why always him?!). Half time was good opportunity for both teams to calm down with Captains and Umpires coming together in an attempt to restore world peace. Ed jumped in on the team talk reminding everyone to keep their cool as the oppo were losing theirs.
Sadly this only lasted about 90 seconds into the second half, when having been on the receiving end of a cheeky elbow from the oppo he completely lost the plot and proceeded to run through the offending Wimbledon player with a “tackle” that would probably have been a bit much even on a rugby pitch, rightly earning himself the privilege of writing the match report. Fortunately the umpires continued their policy of not paying any attention to the game and we cracked on. As the oppo tired, we were able to take advantage of having 4 subs and a surprisingly low injury count (as well as our strict training regime) to turn the screw and the goals started flowing. By this stage the umpires had completely given up and the game became far calmer with both teams starting to essentially police ourselves. A goal from Graham and another 3 from Cuzza (who mysteriously didn’t make it back to The Club – Jug Avoidance?) ensured OCs would walk away with a healthy margin of victory, but this became even healthier when with the last play of the game Dan bagged his first for the Barnies with a cracking short corner deflection. Next up, a proverbial 6 pointer against Sonning who are 3 points ahead but have played one more game than us. Still all to play for!
Goals: Cuzza 4, Gracey, Tim, Dan
MoM Cuzza
DoD Ed
050s 3 Epsom 5 – Cup round 3 – Howie yn dod allan fel Cymro
Strange things happen at intervals in our life. Howie has found out that having been born abroad, Middlesex, he can choose the home nation for whom he can play hockey. Having kept this very quiet a trial last week has seen him selected for his adopted home for the O55 Spring Home Internationals in Swansea and the European Cup in Valencia in July. Well done Howie.
This game was as different from Saturday’s game as chalk is from cheese.
Our first ever O50 game v Epsom was a belter with not word out of place. The spirit in which the game was played as good as one could expect. Armed with our permitted Stormers and Barnies players we were confident of matching the regular veterans cup winners from Epsom. Fair to say that their regularity of playing and training together did pay off as they scored their first three short corners with very well worked moves. In between times we did score our first shortie to level at 1 -1 as Gerry neatly deflected home Richie’s pin point pass and hit the post before Epsom scored their second. Going 2 -1 up could well have changed the outcome but we will never know.
We forced a few more corners on the first half but had to wait until midway in the second half to score our second as Gav coolly slotted our second in trademark style and at that point we were on top and looked likely to even things up. The hopes were dashed as a clinical break from Epsom caught us out and at 4 – 2 we were in trouble that was further contributed to by their 5th as we pushed forward. Gav added his second with a not so trademark drag flick from our last short corner but a little to late.
Epsom were clinical with their chances whilst we were not and they deserved their win and we wish them all the best in the next round.
Goals Gav 2 and Gerry D