We knew it could be a tough game, in more ways than one so went prepared with our own umpire (thank you Darren!)!
OC’s started strong and we were rewarded with our first goal during the first quarter. Bernie was on the end of a great cross into the D and slipped the ball through the keeper’s legs.
As we neared half time at 1-1 we had to stay strong, trying hard to play our game and ignore any scrappy play. The halftime talk consisted of maintaining talking on the pitch, strong passing, keeping to our style of play and the need for more goals!
Shortly after half time OC’s scored the second goal. Izzy passed the ball to Freya on the baseline who made a superb cross to Nicola who snuck the ball past the goalkeeper.
Indian gymkana managed to slip a second goal in making it 2-2. Both teams keen for another goal but OC’s remained strong and Bernie scored a classic ‘Bernie’ goal! taking the score to 3-2.
The last five minutes became quite tense with OC’s determined not to let another goal in and Indian Gymkana determined to get another goal, guess who came out strongest!
The highlight of any Indian Gymkana away game is obviously the postmatch teas, they did not disappoint with a delicious curry and naan bread!
Another great game for the L5 taking us to top of the league for this week!
Puricrans 3 – 0 Hampstead
Our 5th match of the league season brought home the varied aspects of our sport of hockey. Two weeks ago a number of us were playing in the lee of Table Mountain in 25 degrees, the sun was shining with cricket being played one side of the WPCC club house and hockey on the other. 14 days later we were playing at Paddington Rec at 16.00 on a dark November day with autumnal leaves floating down to the ground.
This was the first of 5 consecutive games against the other teams in the top 6 with the next 5 weeks likely to give us a clear steer as to how our season will conclude.
An away trip to Hampstead is not an easy one with the difficulties compounded by some injuries and n/as.
The first 15 minutes did not look promising as we were under pressure and did not look at the races on a wonderful newly laid pitch. Our defence did the business though and Simon Shelley was on hand to deal with what was thrown at him. Ultimately the deadlock was broken a bit against the run of play when a Millsy aerial was badly defended by the home side enabling Andy Macleod to slip the ball to Knappy who slotted past the keeper. John Boxey Marnitz added a second with a sharp bit of thinking self passing a free hit just outside the D, running along the outside for 6 yards before cracking the ball home. 2 – 0 at half time took the wind out of the sales of Hampstead and we wrapped up the game with a converted short corner where the breakdown fell kindly for Knappy who popped the ball past the keeper.
Simon and his defence kept their first clean sheet of the season as a result of timely interventions, hard work and good saves from Simon.
Undefeated third placed Reading next up on Saturday with our now top of the league.
Goals Knapp 2, John Marnitz
M o M Simon Shelley (Golden Glove clean sheet)
Ladies 2 – 3 Berrylands 1s
In a closely contested match, Berrylands 1s narrowly defeated OCHC 6s with a final score of 3-2 in a competitive hockey game. The match had its share of controversy, with some decisions from the umpire raising questions. Both teams showed strong defensive strategies and well-coordinated
attacks throughout the game.
Amanda Jones opened the scoring for OCs just before half-time, converting a penalty corner. Berrylands responded swiftly after the break, winning three consecutive short corners and using the last one to score the equaliser.
As the game continued, both teams battled hard for control, with goalkeepers from each side making key saves. Berrylands managed to pull ahead by scoring off a rebound, despite several excellent saves by Nici, who threw herself into action with her trademark energy. OCs fought back
with impressive passing, leading to a fantastic assist by Darcie on a break down the right, allowing Cuddy to finish with a well-timed goal.
With the score tied, the game seemed destined for a draw. However, Berrylands found a way to clinch a late victory with a third goal shortly before the final whistle.
Despite the loss, it was a strong team performance, and OCHC 6s can carry many positives into their next game.
Well-deserved Players of the Match went to both Katies: Kate Chalkley and Katie Cudmore.
Ladies 3s 4 – 0 NPL 1s
The Ladies 3s were triumphant in their 4-0 win over NPL this weekend.
OCs started well and were unlucky not to score early on, with NPL’s keeper keeping the opposition in the game with some wonderful saves.
But the pressure finally paid off about 20 minutes in when captain Ailsa played it across to Miggs who calmly slotted home just inside the right post to break the deadlock.
Buoyed by the buzz of the first goal, OCs quickly made it 2-0 with Holly converting from a penalty corner.
Some wonderful defensive work from the back line helped the team to fend off any dangerous counter attacks, helping the team to retain its 2-0 advantage at the break.
After an inspiring half time team talk, the 3s came back out after the break ready to score some more goals! Despite some questionable umpiring decisions, the team kept the pressure on NPL, continuing to dominate possession.
And it wasn’t long before the 3s scored once more. Sam’s straight strike from a short corner resulted in a goal line melee before Miggs’ mid air reverse finish made it 3-0!
After a few unsuccessful attempts at the classic ‘back to the injector’ routine, Sam and Miggs finally made it work with the last short corner of the game. The clean finish made it 4-0 and also completed Miggs’ hattrick.
Hat-trick hero Miggs took home player of the match for her performance, although Grace, Ele, Ellie and Connie also received nominations for some solid performances.
Hamstrings 1 – 0 Surbiton Magnets
Two winners and one loser on Saturday. The winners – the selection committee led by Jon East, aka Eastie, which chose a very well balanced side from a mix of knowns and unknowns; the other was hockey itself. Amazingly, a rather competitive fixture that wasn’t just that, competitive, but also committed, skilful – with barely any hint of a grumble, or moan to the umpires, and not many fouls. The loser, yours truly, who happened to inform Eastie a tad too early in the week that I was fit to play this weekend after an earlier injury to kindly be advised that I would be writing the match report. Note to self: maintain radio silence on WhatsApp until as late as possible, play further up the field, and stay away from the Captain, especially on days when there are two teams playing!
That the Hammies turned out on time, in the right kit, for an away game, was already half the battle won. The Hammies were eager to get going ASAP to ensure we wrapped up in time to watch England play New Zealand in rugby (we’re not going to talk about that though).
As if the pressure to win against the Surbiton team, which was one position below OCs’, wasn’t enough, we soon learnt that we would be playing on the pitch which has the match streamed live. The Hammies were under much pressure to impress. And you could see it from even before the game started…everybody from the Hammies was on the pitch as soon as they had an opportunity…stretching and warming up. Some even pretending to be more athletic than they may have been in their heyday. The warm-up was also the one opportunity for some of the Hammies to show off their hockey skills – reverse shots, aerials, slap passes, and whatnot. Perhaps rightfully so because it is unusual we get to successfully execute such shots in the game.
The game started with Surbiton managing an early attack on goal, which was well defended. The Hammies then managed to keep the ball in the opposition’s half with even a few shots at goal – one from Baz, another from Poen and even a reluctant reverse stick shot from Manmeet. These were all well defended by the oppo’s goalie. Soon after, we secured our first short corner. With much practice over the past two weeks – new strategies, new tactics etc. – we found the ball slipping past the trapper. We pretended that it was actually part of our plan. After three similar short corners, a fourth found Poen striking the backboard. Finally, the Hammies were up one goal. The sixth short corner found Poen again getting the ball past the goalie, albeit the goal was disallowed as the ball was struck too high. The Hammies had a couple of other really good opportunities over the next ten or so minutes, without another goal being scored, and the whistle went off, it was half time. The Hammies led by the slimmest of margins.
The second half was even more competitive and fiercely fought, with both teams having had a pep talk over half time. The ball was passed swiftly around by both teams with neither conceding a goal. A couple of minutes from full-time, Simon made a brave tackle which was surprisingly penalised for a short corner to Surbiton. That it didn’t convert to a goal was a relief for us. Minutes after, the final whistle blew; there it was 1 – 0 to Hamstrings. A well deserved win.
We beat Surbiton on their home ground, over a match that was live streamed, and even in front of some lovely spectators (who perhaps came to watch the other match but were misdirected to ours)…it almost felt ecstatic.
Goal scorer: Poen
Mom: Poen??? (To be confirmed with Jon East)
P.S.: Since I hardly know some of the players it would be invidious to attempt the personal assessments (or assassinations) of the style adopted when the old guard are writing.
Women’s 1st XI 0 – 2 Surbiton Sparks
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