2nd XI secure Open League title

2nd XI 2-0 Surbiton
Match photos
In almost summer-like sunshine, the season finally ended with a 2-0 win over Surbiton for the 2nd XI, a result which gave us the Surrey Open League Premier Division title as well as promotion into what is now Surrey Division (although what it will be once the post-season-reshuffle dust settles nobody knows).

We started knowing we had to win to sneak past Old Whitgiftians for the first time all season, and with only Will Stephens missing from the usual line-up and a Surbiton side who were bottom, we were confident. Perhaps too much so. For the first 15 minutes we were dreadful, off the pace, not pressurising the opposition and looking as if we would struggle.

James Robson was called on to make a couple of saves as well as a timely interception, while at the other end we started producing shots but not on target. We gained a few shorts without threatening off any of them, while with Pies, making a welcome return for Surbiton, was always a danger as he sucked in defenders. Fortunately, he was left with little support, although he managed to earn a frustrated/bewildered Andy Duff a green card early on from a novice umpire.

Ten minutes before the break we got the breakthrough, Rob Merry rifling in an absolute bullet across the keeper from the right-side of the D. Rarely can he have hit the ball harder.

That settled us, and for the second half we controlled the game, with Robson’s only significant role being to earn a green card for abusing the distant umpire for a decision at the other end of the pitch.

Duff and Jon Heard dominated the defence, Duff even making a very rare surging run the length of the pitch, while the Merrys showed the good form they have been in all year. Chris Porter played as only he can – brilliant at times, combatitive at others, and happy to argue with players from either side. He was for once the innocent party when he accidentally clipped a defender in the face with his stick only be hauled off by Surbiton’s diminutive No. 10, who was clearly spoiling for a fight, as he bent over the prone player to apologise.

We could have had half a dozen, and Duncan Mottram deserved a goal for all his hard work but with only the keeper to beat, he undercut straight into his helmet for the least intentional save of the day. Minutes later the defence was finally stretched too far and Paul Acutt slammed the ball home after finding himself in acres of space in a move which started with a double foul from Duff on Pies which left him spreadeagled on the ground.

The rest was fairly unthreatening. Ed Breton, after a quiet first half, ended the season in the hustling, bustling, battling way he approaches every game (as well as the post-match BBQ), Neil Grimes carved holes in the right side of the Surbiton defence, and Dodie Khurshid briefly looked as if he might be on for his second goal in 19 seasons until David Knapp, taking a commanding/dictatorial touchline role, removed him from the fray. Preston Rutt looked in form until he received the most bewildering order of the day from Knapp who barked at him to “keep up” with Cookie.

The promotion secured, we enjoyed some champagne in the clubhouse and the celebrations went on late into the afternoon. It is quite possible Duff is still there.

The side deserved its success. We had only lost once all year - a miserable away day at Wanderers – and had taken eight points against the sides in second and third, with the two wins against them coming away from home. We undoubtedly benefited from the release of several stalwarts from the 1st XI but all blended in well and, crucially, it was an enjoyable season and a happy side. For that, Rob Merry deserves huge credit.

Match reports - March 8, 2008

NPL 0-5 1st XI
Another far from convincing performance but perhaps it is churlish to be critical of a 5 – 0 victory but it is a sign of the high standards we have set ourselves this year. NPL came to us as bottom of the pile and if we were expecting a push over it was not to be as NPL took the game to us in the first 15 minutes. Our break came when our striker was impeded illegally by a stick tackle when about to score and Breton popped away the stroke. Two more quick goals from debutant Andy Craven and a beautifully executed free hit by Rippers and the game was over even though Robbo had to make two important saves.

Any chance of a come back from NPL went when their left back earned himself a ridiculous yellow that he decided should be turned into an “advance to home card” with him jumping into his car and leaving his remaining 10 team mates to fight on without him. Adair and Knipp added to the NPL woes finishing off 2 moves with tap ins, Adair being particularly unselfish in setting up Knopp. Adair was in high spirits having just become a dad of twin girls, allegedly born the size of Ed Breton.
Two games left and two wins required for some self esteem.Rex Bermon

Croydon 2-2 Ladies
After an eventful journey to Croydon with a few sore heads and managing to get there more by luck than judgement, we were determined to come away with a better result than the 0-2 loss at home to them earlier in the season. Croydon were leading the league table, but we knew we were more than capable of beating them.

We were glad to have our usual defenders back of Ros, Tux, Muriel and Mez - who had her work cut out form her from the start, marking Croydon's nifty winger and captain. We started well passing the ball around well with some excellent distribution coming form the back. Before long Caroline 'The Havoc' Hall had made an excellent run up the wing passed it across to Vikki who passed to Dora 'Tjhe Scorer' on the edge of the circle who melted the ball in with her usual class putting us 1-0 up! Croydon as expected pushed back hard won several short corners of which Katy had to make a couple of excellent sales before unfortunately one of them crept into the back of the goal levelling the score. Another Croydon shot five minutes later ricocheted off the post before a much welcome half time.

After our usual half time and much appreciated oranges sent by coach Mott (who was unfortunately not able to attend this week or next as he is living it up snowboarding - priorities!) we knew we had to up the anti as Croydon would be out to do the same. The midfielders of Sarah H, Jax and Nina (the latter who didn't appreciate the extra running around required of playing midfield this week rather than forward, after a night out on the tiles in Chelsea - she even did the walk of shame as she turned up in her previous nights outfit - that's right Nina, I can make things up too!), were running their legs off doing an excellent job of supporting the defence and moving the ball up the pitch and creating the attack. Even so Croydon won yet more short corners and a rebound off a Croydon forward between her own legs and into the goal which we didn't have a chance of saving put us behind for the first time in the match 2-1. Our heads were by no means down though! Although May had got slightly lost on her way to the pitch (about 1/2 hour late lost!) she had turned up at half time so we had some fresh turbo speed legs now warmed up and ready to come on! Mez was also glad of having Mrs Sangster to sub with too and between them they did on excellent job on their difficult player! Less than 10 minutes later the ball was crossed into the circle went from Sarah H to Vikki who slotted it past the keeper for a silky finish 2-2. We were not done by a long way though but neither we Croydon! Both teams battled hard with a relatively even distribution of possession and some end to end hockey. We had a shot go just wide of the post, they caught us on the break, we conceded penalty corners and they managed to concede none the whole match, Nina received and elbow in the jaw (I don't know what it is about her she seems to wind her opposite players up - keep doing it Nina!) and so the score ended 2-2 all. A fair result and an enjoyable match where we played some great hockey, although three points instead of one obviously would have made it more rewarding! We are now still just 4 points off a promotion spot with two matches to go. There is still a small hope of promotion but relying on some results going our way and us keeping our momentum going. Come on ladies we're nearly there! Let's keep the good work and training up for a couple more weeks and it will pay off gaining us a league position we deserve, even if not promotion! Jackie Joyce

Old Kingstonians 2-4 2nd XI
There's a lot to be said for momentum and confidence, with 10 points now taken out of a possible 12. Playing against an OKs side that had humbled us 6-1 at home the week before Christmas, this was a different encounter with us starting strongly on a flat, fast but dangerously slippery pitch. The effort and marking from back to front was superb and laid the foundation for a succession of short corners, the second of which was stopped by a pair of size 9s on the line. The ensuing stroke was calmly tucked away by Bruce. We continued to control the game and two swift counterattacks resulted in 2 more goals, the second of which was finished by the again excellent Doug marauding forward from right back. Unfortunately we did take our foot off the pedal and conceded a sloppy short corner and even softer goal.

Half time was tinged with an air of nervousness, but again we pushed on in the second half and a short corner soon followed with the strike from Paul hitting the top of the backboard. We had a number of other chances either denied by poor finishing or a decent OK's keeper and in fact OK's had the last say with a well taken deflected goal, but the edge had been taken out of the game and we comfortably held on for a well deserved 4-2 win.

As yet we are not guaranteed of our league place and need to target at least one win from our last two games to ensure safety, but if we continue to play like this that should be achieved. Proud to be part of this side today! Paul Acutt

3rd XI 2-1 Woking
As our illustrious leader donned his tightest Speedos (oh God, that’s disgusting) and sunned himself on the holding deck of the Guantanamo Bay Hilton, we embarked on the penultimate game of the season. Woking are at the bottom of the table, being kept company by our fine selves, which is a product of a sporadic season in terms of performance levels. The first half certainly served to remind us of the type of play that we have been trying to avoid, where we looked disjointed moved the ball rather sluggishly, to the extent that we conceded a relatively early goal. Woking had a couple of quick breaks on the back of their success in our D. However, towards the end of the first half we began to put together some good play with Grant, Tim and Preston working well together on the right. We won a couple of shorties of which the second yielded a goal with Preston taking a shot on goal saved by the keeper with Richie Lawrence stealing in to nutmeg the unsuspecting goalie.

With the formation critiqued and overhauled during the half time break we moved into the second half looking better, more structured and with a higher tempo. Great play notably from the player of the season Stuey Steele linking with Grant and Tim meant that we were in a far more commanding position and were able to build some good possession and moves into the oppo’s half, 25 and D and eventually converted one of these via a well taken goal from Armitage (G!). Silky skills were on display from here on in with Preston text book 270 degree spin to put the ball through to Richard L, however the Woking defence prevented the moved yielding the result that perhaps it deserved. We held the game and looked very much in control to take it to the final whistle and win 2-1.

Man of the Match was Grant who had a very strong game indeed. Many thanks also to Andy Eve, Tommy Trinder and Cookie who step in to ensure that we had the full complement and umpire, for this pride-preserving game. Other results meant that we are now relegated but at least we won with pride on the day that was confirmed. Chaz Martin

A most agreeable warm-up

1st XI 2 Mid Sussex 2 A very useful and enjoyable warm up match against a friendly and competitive Mid Sussex side. No question that we would like to make this an annual fixture and perhaps on a home and away basis in September and January in each year. We sincerely hope that the MS young defender who received a very nasty injury to his finger makes a quick recovery.

We welcomed Paul Arcott into the team for the first time with Rob Merry also stepping in due to the vagaries of availability and could have won by a few but for some profligate finishing and James Myers in the MS game who was outstanding and showed to us all that he has not lost his edge over the period since he played a handful of games for us. Indeed, Robbo had little to do but in the end made one excellent save to prevent us from losing 3 – 2. Knapp and Rippers scored our goal, the former a tap in following a deft pass from Rippers and the latter a superlative solo goal – the best we are likely to see all year. Paul will be an asset for us in a wide midfield role the having played for Epsom in recent years with his reading the game very well and making the right passes and runs even if they are not always recognised by those around him.

The game highlighted what it needed to highlight with our attacking in too narrow a fashion in the first period and not making passes early enough when coming out of the back. We spread the ball wide via Rippers but failed to use Cato in a similar fashion that would have caused the oppo serious problems. Had we won by a few our problems would have been masked and so the match achieved what it was meant to other than the loss of Gavin Adair to a twisted ankle.

Thank you to for the umpires who at the cost of 2 Mars bars umpired the game straight after they had umpired UCL v Guildford and umpired extremely well. League action this coming weekend against Walton and Weybridge and so we must look to put into practice the lessons learnt in the game against Mid Sussex.

Match reports - December 1, 2007

1st XI 6 OMWs 2 (Click here for match photos) We needed to start enjoying our hockey again after an indifferent last month or so and on certain areas of the pitch make the correct choice of ball and pass. OMWs sadly have suffered the same lack of loyalty that we suffered when starting our descent from the Southern Premier league with a mass exodus of players who felt that the standard of the league below the one relegated from was above them. Funny thought really as the players were not good enough to keep them ( us a few years ago ) and so why not stick around and help them bounce back?

David Knapp on the ballWe took the game to OMWs from the start and threw the ball around and Smudger started his season’s goal scoring popping home a loose ball – at the third attempt… The next 10 minutes saw us trying to play a different style and this combined with the sudden loss of structure allowed the opposition back into the game, and one of our too regular for comfort moments saw a strong defensive situation converted into an easy equaliser for OMWs who at stage deserved the equalizer. Once Smudger took over the role of the high midfield player our lead was restored when Smudger finished off a move with a rising shot over the diving keeper. Robbo at the other end was not however a spectator and had to make a number of fine interventions and laid the platform for his man of the match performance. At the end of the first period the lead was extended to three as pressure on the away side’s defence enabled us to break from just over the half line and some incisive movement of the ball saw Gavin Adair score our third and Knapp the fourth.

The game was killed off with Knapp slotting the fifth at a time when OMWs were in the ascendancy but again we robbed the defence as they brought the ball out and took advantage. Cookey nicked the sixth which was an excellent team goal, but the highlight of the half was a top drawer save from Robbo who some how elongated an arm to push the ball away when moving the wrong way and on the ground. Our bedrock today was the hard work put in by the midfield with Rippers playing better and having more influence as each game goes by and Nick Lewis and Eds running tirelessly all afternoon. Nick had his best game of the season, linking well with the ever dependable Brewer.

One more to go before the break and the way the fixtures have fallen one win could put us third or fourth a mere two points behind the second-placed team, remarkable bearing in mind our appalling November. David Knapp

Wanderers 4thXI 2 2nd XI 0
Firstly our thanks go to Wanderers who kindly provided both umpires at short notice and also played the game in great spirit – both sides correcting a number of indifferent umpiring decisions. We were once again the wrong side of a result which could easily have gone the other way. Short, slick passing saw us string together some excellent passages of play, to which the Wanderers defence had no answers. However with Wanderers defending deep we struggled to convert them into clear cut scoring opportunities. Wanderers also looked dangerous in attack - with speed upfront matched with a patience that we probably lacked. However some good defending at the back and a couple of excellent saves by Smithy prevented them from converting.

They looked to have taken the lead having hit the backboard at a short corner only for it to be correctly disallowed as it had clearly crossed the line above the back board. New recruit Paul Accutt was excellent in the middle of the park, giving us control, and linking very well with the other players – especially considering this was his first outing for us. The end of the second half saw a concerted period of OC pressure and we managed to create a few short corners. We failed to convert three and the forth (as blatant a foot as you will see) was missed by the umpire just before half time.

We started where we had left of in the second half. However we managed to concede two soft goals less than 10 minutes into the half. The first dribbled into the left corner when it had looked like we were easily in control. The second a ridiculous stick tackle when our man had full control of the ball saw the ball pop over the line again. Although in the cold light of day the prudence of casually dribbling it along our goal line might be questioned! After the second goal we struggled to get back into it as fitness and the fact that they had 15 men to our 12 (thanks to Armo for volunteering after his game was cancelled) started to tell. We did however create our first really clear cut chance – 2 on 1 with the keeper, only for the pass to just slide behind the last player.

Nick LewisOnce again a frustrating day. Again we conceded soft goals, when we had defended well for the majority of the day. Again we failed to convert some excellent passages of play into goals. But the most frustrating thing is that we are a decent side playing some good hockey and we can and should be doing better than we are. Rob Merry

Richmond Ladies 2 Ladies 0 The match was always going to be hard from the start as Katy the GK was away this weekend along with 50% of the rest of our defence! Muriel was injured so took Katy's place in goal and myself and Nikki had to drop back from the midfield to play defence, which we didn't mind but defence isn't what either of us are used too! We also had no subs!

Nikki had a blinder in defence, playing more as a wing back and had some excellent attacking play as well as legging it back to defend, whilst I was left trotting around marking my playing who was playing very high to keep Ros' nerve at rest! Tux as always dependable as ever in the central defence. Dispite the unusual defence we still had an excellent midfield of May, Ana, Vikki and Dora who played well moving the ball around the pitch and having some good attacking play, some close calls, as well as several shorts - but no goals.


A goal for KnappThe forwards of Caz and Nina, feisty as ever, were also putting the leg work in as always, closing the Richmond defence down, but without the respite of having a sub to give them a breather. Although we had a large amount of the possession and probably looked the better team putting the Richmond defence under pressure, the story was a familiar one as of late as we just couldn't seem to score. Two Richmond attempts on goal and we found ourselves 2-0 down at half time. Richmond also had some penalty corners which with the stand in defenders we managed to defended successfully!

The second half ended up a stalemate with neither team scoring leaving the final score 2-0 to Richmond. A big thanks to Hels who braved the goal even with an injury and also for missing out on half of a hen party to play for us (having fibbed to the bride to be about her whereabouts, although the hen may have figured it out being a team member and in on the email list!) We will need to improve on our fire power for next week as we take on top of the league Merton - sure to be a tough match.

4th XI 1 Teddington 3 There’s no disgrace in losing to the league leaders, but there was still a feeling of what might have been. The Teddington side, very much a development XI, contained several players in their early teens and their skill was evident from the off. But instead of using experience and size to impose our authority, for too long we allowed them to run rings round us. We actually took the lead off a short-corner strike from Steve Harmer, and in the first third of the game probably created more chances. But we allowed Teddington to equalise from a set piece on 25 minutes, and although we continued to press, forcing some good saves, we went behind to a soft goal after squandering possession and the game was decided by a well-taken direct hit off a short corner ten minutes from time. We failed to force one short corner of our own in the second half and in the end our lack of penetration was the difference.

Match reports - October 13, 2007

1st XI 6 Surrey Old Boys 2 Click here for match photos - Once again the availability – or more to the point the lack of availability – gave the skipper serious headaches until the last minute. As it turned out Knapp became available late on and so there was some flexibility in team selection. We welcomed back Robbo in goal for his first game for some 18 months and it was inspired performance from him that kept us in the hunt throughout the first half. Surrey Old Boys, with some familiar faces from last season’s Surrey University team – including the car park caber tosser from last year - came to us on the back of a good win against our 2006-07 nemesis Bank of Boks. Any thoughts that we were in for an easy afternoon were dispelled in a tight first half that saw us fortuitously winning 2 – 0 at the break. Two early goals from Knapp – set up wonderfully by Adair – and a vintage Copleston short corner strike enabled us to take the lead from two rare forays into the SOC’s half. Robbo in the meantime was dealing very effectively with everything thrown at him including a first-class save from a penalty stroke that in the final analysis turned the game. Indeed, but for a slightly way ward Knapp pass to Adair we would have gone it at the break 3 – 0. Our first half performance was very poor with bad decision making and no imagination when in tight situations going down the right. One of the highlights of the first half was Tony Rowe’s play of the advantage to the attacking side – a rare feature by most umpires at this level.

Within 10 minutes of the restart SOB were level with what appeared to be two lifted balls into the D – a similar one had been blown against us in the first half – not that we could complain after the luck went our way in the first 35-minute period. This seemed to sting us into action and the next 20 minutes saw us play our best hockey of the match with the midfield linking up with defence and attack that enabled us to play some great patterns and score three well-worked tap ins form Adair, Tissy and Knapp. Our sixth goal was the best of the lot with CB playing the ball out of defence quickly when an SOB short broke down, the midfield cracking the ball to Adair who took the ball on the reverse in stride and roofed the ball past the hapless keeper.

As the game wore on we played much better but must be aware of the sluggish start and some key players being off the pace. Bruce, come down next week please and take the warm up. In the final analysis the performance of the keepers decided this match although the defence did mop up most that was thrown at them. Even at this stage the next month promises to be pivotal for the season ahead of us and the hope has to be that the injuries to Smudger and Bruce are on the mend so they will be available together with the returning Cato and Lewis. David Knapp
Barnes 4 2nd XI 1

3rd XI 2 Guildford Shadows 3 After the failing of the opening game of the season, we went down to the A3 to face Guildford Shadows on the notoriously bouncy water base. Starting with the most welcome Preston Rutt back up front, it became very evident in the early stages that Guildford knew their pitch significantly better than we did. They launched some quick balls down our flanks which Adam and Jock handled well and Stu was, as ever, the rock in the centre picking up the runners (its easier than chasing them). Although conceding several short corners, runners CD and Adam neutralised these with excellent panache.

After 15 minutes, we found our feet and started to play its own hockey instead of letting Guildford dominate the game. CD and Adam made an excellent run up the left flank that tear their defence apart, Dave L had a lucky reactionary save followed by a hit that soared over the bar that would have made Jonny Wilkinson proud. The final two minutes came and a short corner was excellently taken by Guildford which flew over the keeper hitting the top inch of the backboard, 1-0 and half time!

The second half started with greater composure and as it progressed, we started to press higher. An occasional break was handled by Stu and Rich L in the central defence. The breakthrough came with a pass to returning captain (last week being useless in Spain) with a textbook dummy. Shot from the top of the D taking a heavy deflection from a guildford defender to open his season's account. Guildford returned the favour only moments later with a well hit shot for the top D after some sloppy defending, 2-1.

Although some excellent runs and attacks from Dave L and Preston as well as a strong right midfield in drafted Rob Jonker, our equaliser came from a short corner with Jock receiving the ball, passing (yes you read that right) to Armo who fired home his second of the day. The game significantly opened up and for five minutes could have swung either way however a short corner in the last two minutes threw the runners and keeper and took away a well fought point.

A good game to come back from last week on a very hard pitch. Both umpires were excellent and although Tim Cook was asked to card Jock, he was more than sporting in not doing so. Man of the Match went to Adam Mcilroy who also announced that he will be a father come April, congratulations Adam. James ‘here one week in three’ Armitage

Ladies 2 Spencer 2nd XI 2 After fighting the Saturday afternoon traffic we eventually made it to Spencer in time for our 3pm push back. We had a strong start and in the first 15 minutes probably held the majority of the possession but could not seem to convert the chances. Spencer piled on the pressure winning several penalty corners in which our defence of Katy, Ros, Muriel, Tux and Rosie held strong. At half time the score was dead locked at 0-0. We went out hard in the second half and before long in open play a cracking cross from Laura set up a goal slammed in the back of the goal from Dora. We were one up with a long way to go and Spencer kept pushing us backwards. We conceded more penalty corners but still held strong. The forwards, Dora, Caz, Nina and Laura were having to track back to cover the Spencer backs pushing forward and then working hard to get forward again when we regained possession. At some point a shout was heard by Ros at the back to the spectators on the side 'Does anyone know the football score?!' Hearing our boys were winning in the Euro 2008 qualifier spurred us on and eventually we won another penalty corner and this time a rebound off the Spencer goalie gave Laura her debut goal for the OC ladies! 2-0 up but still 15 minutes to go.

A reoccurring injury of vice captain Muriel meant our midfield of Sarah Hardiman, Ana and Jax had to reshuffle for a while before Muriel gallantly returned to the pitch and battled on! Spencer pressed us hard and we gave their captain too much space for what has to be said was a great reverse-stick strike to make the score 2-1. We pushed back, winning several more penalty corners but so did they, several of which we only just managed to clear off the line. However, with five minutes to go they managed to converted one of their penalty corners to make it 2-2. The score line finished here a fair reflection of a hard fought evenly matched game. We look forward to the return match! Jackie Joyce