2nd XI break their duck

The 2nd XI scored their first win of the season with a 2-1 victory at London Edwardians, while the 1st XI maintained their unbeaten record with a routine 5-1 defeat of bottom side Epsom. The Ladies cruised to one of their biggest wins in recent years as they overcame Cheam 6-0, while the 3rd battled to an entertaining 1-1 draw with Epsom. The only setback came at the bottom end where the 4th XI slumped to 1-5 loss at Old Reigatians. Epsom are saved by the crossbar
Click here for this week's match photos

1st XI 5-1 Epsom
After last week's average performance by our standards it was crucial that with Yateley next up we put in a solid performance against Epsom 2s who were propping up the table. Traditionally Epsom are a hard nut to crack and they would be the first to admit that they would relish the opportunity of putting one across our first XI.

As it was we had the perfect start with a good flowing move in the first minute ending with Gavin on hand to slot home and this should have been the platform for a routine and convincing win. However we did make hard work of the next 20 minutes, trying to force the pace and game instead of playing our own style with the pitch in perfect condition to do so. Once we played a short patient game with great off the ball movement we scored our second, a result of an interchange of 20 or more passes, a top run by Gavin that enabled Knapp to go through a huge hole in the middle of the Epsom defence and score our second. Hunter hit the bar with our second short that would have put us in cruise mode had it gone in with our corner team being asleep when failing to pop home the rebound.

Parts of the first half performance were disjointed due to our not boxing clever and to an extent the start of the second half repeated this failing allowing Epsom to score from their first corner, our not effectively clearing the first shot and giving Epsom the chance to score from the top of the D albeit aided by a deflection at the post. In previous seasons we may have at this juncture allowed the game to slip away but with Poulson and Hunter dominating in the midfield when they were not by passed Rory slapped home a far post pass to make it three and Gavin was on hand to nudge home his second of the game and sixth in five games to kill off the contest. With 2 minutes left on the clock our last short corner was converted, Nick Wood on hand to deflect home the ball going wide of the left post to give us a comfortable 5 - 1 win.

Our problems today were caused by having too much time and pressing too quickly and by passing the midfield. All our goals came from a patient build up and when slowing down the game. Massive game on the 7th November against Yateley who deservedly beat us in the play offs three years ago. David Knapp

London Edwardians 1-2 2nd XI
After a promising draw last week against the league leaders, there were many positives to be taken from a deserved 2-1 victory over London Edwardians this weekend; our first win following last year’s promotion, two fine goals, a wealth of attractive attacking hockey and a side bolstered by the inclusion of no fewer than 7 old school boys. And yet there were no major celebrations post-match and all 13 players involved knew that there is still a lot of room for improvement. In all honesty, we should have scored more goals and closed the game out early in the second half. As it was, we went into our shell and nearly conspired to throw away a two goal advantage.

The first half started brightly and it was clear from the off that the opposition lacked the pace and dynamism that we had seen a week earlier with Old Whits. When we passed the ball around, showed patience and switched the point of attack, we were in full control. Our frustration was largely aimed at ourselves as we were unable to make the final pass count. On one such occasion Chris Porter singled himself out as the guilty party calling himself a, “stupid *******, ****”. It’s unusual for Ports’ comments to be met with unanimous agreement from the side but on this occasion everyone agreed, particularly when the umpire brandished a green card! Cue a ‘conversation’ with the umpire which proved to be every bit as entertaining. The umpire pointed out that there were people watching and that the fruity language was inappropriate. Chris pointed out that it was, “hardly the ******* San Siro” with four people on the sidelines including two of our subs!

When the game resumed, Chris O’Neil Dunne was very solid at the back and marshalled the Old Eds attackers well alongside the ever-reliable Jon Heard. Rob Merry may not be the fastest forward in the league but his patience and control on the ball was influential throughout and we were able to make a number of bright attacks. It was half way through the period that one such attack led to a short corner and James Bents was on hand to cleanly sweep the ball into the net following a neat move. The remainder of the first half was largely uneventful and we were comfortable in attack and only really looked vulnerable when caught dozing once or twice on the break.

Going into half time in front is something of a novelty this season (!) but it was clear that to take the maximum points away, we would need to score first after the break. It was fantastic to have Cookie in the side and he showed that there is no substitute for pace on the right wing, showing up his opposite number time and again. Having started brightly, some tidy inter-play from Rob Merry resulted in an attack up the left side. Neil Grimes picked up the ball outside the circle and showed that the studio class of old is still there, beating at least three players before calmly slotting the ball home. It really was a fine piece of finishing and allowed us to get two clear early on. We continued to dominate the game for the remainder but in addition to some fine flowing attacking hockey, we conspired to play our worst hockey of the season in patches. Our press, which had been so dominant in the first half, was suddenly vulnerable and Old Eds scored an opportunist but well-worked goal on the break to take it to 2-1.

Having been on the wrong end of a clear infringement which was not blown up, Neil did a ‘Porter’ and made every effort to stop the opposition player from passing (stick in stomach, leg in crotch, hand in face!). Unsatisfied with simply impersonating Chris in the challenge, he also did a ‘Porter’ follow up, immediately self-passing and setting off claiming the free our way (the sign of a guilty man). The umpire wasn’t convinced at all and pulled his yellow card out.

We started to panic a little and the calm passing of the first 50 minutes was replaced by too many long balls and a reluctance to hold onto the ball. For some unknown reason, the umpire kept Neil off the pitch for 15 minutes which didn’t help the cause and the end result was some nervous final moments. We were able to hold on and a relieved skipper called the ‘three cheers’ at the end. Again our keeper, Ross, made some fantastic saves in goal and everyone showed some real guts to grind the result out. Looking back on the final 20 minutes, it’s clear that we can’t afford to throw the ball away as often as that again but if we can re-create the attacking guile shown in the coming weeks, there is no reason why we cannot make our way up the table. All in all, it was a great relief to get our first victory of the campaign. Thanks to all the boys for a tremendous effort on the day - let’s keep this momentum up! Tom Merry


3rd XI 1-1 Epsom
We turned out late on Saturday afternoon against an Epsom side who were currently residing a few places in front of us in the league. It started off and you could see that Epsom were an experienced well drilled side. Unfortunately we seemed to have a bit of a hangover from our grass experience of the previous week and were still playing as if we were on it.

The game was pretty much end to end but not a lot of chances were being experienced from either side. James debuting for us in goal was only kept busy vocally marshalling his defence of Jock, Stuey, Armo and Tim. We were looking pretty strong at the back and despite a couple of early mild scares didn’t look like we would be penetrated. With a couple of players back with us up front, Bruce and Andy, we seemed to take a while to get our flow with this only really occurring in the second half. The midfield of Chaz (whose comments about his level of touch are unprintable) Abs, Dunx and Tissy held strong and seemed to get better as the match went on. The fact that we went into halftime 1-0 down was only down to what seemed like a fluky goal. Whether the Epsom attacker intended to carry out a multi juggle with the ball in dinking it over James is debatable but is was enough to give them the lead.

The halftime talk consisted mainly of trying to ensuring that we improved our ball retention and stopped giving away cheap ball. This was duly performed and it did not take long for us to pull level with a finely executed goal by Andy which left the Epsom Goalie with little chance. We definitely had the better of the second half and were unfortunate not to have achieved a winner. With Ed coming off the bench in place of the injured Andy he was unlucky not to slot one past the Epsom keeper despite some good runs into the box. Furthermore we were unlucky not to get the winner when a well worked move ended with a 3 on 1 chance which could just not be converted. James had a relatively quiet 2nd half but was called into action for one good save. The match ended with the 1-1 result which leaves us still in 5th in the league but only 2 points off 2nd place. If we can emulate the performance of the 2nd half there is no reason that we can’t get somewhere in this league. Thanks go to Martin for umpiring us once again but I thought it was a bit early for the Haloween mask. Nigel Hawes

Ladies XI 6-0 Cheam
With an early start and mild conditions meant that we had to compose ourselves and get motivated as soon as the first whistle was blown.

Early into the game Vikki Mottram scored our first goal, a ball which almost apologised as it crept into the goal through a sea of gawping defenders, motivating us and setting the pace for the rest of the match. We continued positively, remained composed and kept our focus which lead to our second goal, which came off one of Cheam’s defenders. With a determined Cheam we had to push ourselves to keep possession. With excellent team work and some superb passing we scored our third and fourth before half time.

The second half Cheam pushed harder to break through, however with our high motivation to raise our goal difference we gave as good as we got, scoring twice more. We just had to win by as many goals as we could! It was the great work and excellent marking of the defence that left Cheam barely able to break for a goal opportunity, leaving Julia almost completely redundant throughout the seventy minutes. Cheam seemed to crack physically under the pressure - losing defender when struck by her own player and another soon after in a collision - as injury time became a regular occurrence.

It seemed to be really humid but with our determination we showed everyone what we are capable of and with Old Georgians next weekend we need to work together like we did on Saturday and come back to TD with another three points in the bag! Rewa Gonzalez-Granda

Old Reigatians 5-1 4th XI
Report to follow.

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 14, 2009

The 1st XI did the business with a 3-0 win at Surrey Old Boys, while the 2nd XI left it late, Tom Merry scoring the winner two minutes from time in a 3-2 win over Barnes. The 3rd XI snatched their sixth point of the season with a 0-0 draw at Camberley, while four first-half goals, including a Louis Strover hat-trick, helped the 4th XI to a 4-2 win over Old Midwhits. The Ladies went down 0-1 at Guildford.


Surrey OBs 0-31st XI
On a pitch that traditionally is one on which we struggle this weekend's game against SOBS was no exception but an important win with another clean sheet.

One up in two minutes when Rory converted following a fluent move down the right, we perhaps thought the game would be too easy. We did convert a series of chances but SOBS looked dangerous on the break with our providing far too much space between our forwards and midfield and midfield and defence. The game turned on Tricksters save of a penalty stroke midway through the second half - no flick saves are easy although SOBS stroke taker made a hash of his stroke - the swig of water perhaps unsettling the taker.

Two minutes later the game was killed off, Rory again on hand to slot home a well-worked corner and Knapp had the easiest of chances at 2-0 to make it three and end the scoring. In between times we missed a stack of chances, yours truly deciding football a better past time than hockey on a couple of occasions, but win we did to go into next week's game with all to play for. Another solid defensive performance but slightly lacking at the sharp end. David Knapp

2nd XI 3-2 Barnes
After the high of the victory against the current league leaders last weekend there was always the danger that some complacency would creep in this weekend against mid-table Barnes. Despite unfortunately having only ten men for much of the game, it was a fantastic effort to come away 3-2 winners in a hard fought and bloody encounter!

We started brightly and immediately signalled our intent to move the ball around quickly. The control was rewarded early on with Ed Breton smartly finishing from close range after a unselfish and important pass from Preston Rutt. Unfortunately, it was to be Preston's final contribution as he was summoned to A&E after his little boy, Archie, had been taken ill. We
wish Archie all the best and hope he makes a swift recovery.

Having lost Chris Valentine to the 1st XI late on Friday, this left us reeling with only ten. Unsurprisingly the balance of the match shifted and a fine finish late in the first half from an almost impossible angle meant we were level at 1-1 at the interval.

We continued to struggle at the start of the second half and failed to pressure their goal. That was until Ed produced an almost carbon copy of his first goal. Drawing the keeper out before calmly slotting from close range, it was a crucial turn as we again prised a vital lead.
Barnes then managed to equalize, drawing level following another fine finish.

A couple of nasty head injuries left Barnes without the advantage of fresh legs but still with 11 men to our 10. We hope that the injuries are not serious and wish them both a quick recovery. It was only the arrival of Andy Eve, summoned from his sofa, that allowed us to return to 11 men, plug the gaping holes and maintain some sustained pressure. After a couple of mediocre short corner routines, we finally got the third, which proved to be the vital winning goal, two minutes from time. Again a fine Wobble by Ed and a well-timed pass alllowed Tom Merry to squeeze the ball in from a tight angle. Two goals from two games but fortunately this week the ball ended in the opposition net!

Barnes had chances to draw level again, notably when a shot ricocheted of James Robson's shoulder just over the bar. But a resilient performance ended in an important win that leaves us well placed to challenge for the league. More of the same next week! Rob Merry

Camberley 0-0 3rd XI
Report to follow

4th XI 4-2 Old Midwhitgiftians
This match produced a truly bizarre first-half in which Old Midwhits dominated the midfield, produced some slick passing moves, and found themselves 4-0 down at the break. They paid for failing to put enough pressure on the goal and also for giving the evergreen Louis Strover far too much room. Armed with a new stick after breaking two in as many weeks, he was back to his best and rifled in three goals from four strikes (we only had five in the whole half) in a crazy 12-minute end to the half. Good finishing and poor goalkeeping.

The second half was more low-key, Old Whits using their possession more effectively but floundering against a solid midfield and defence. Nige Smith was called on to make some good saves, Old Whits scored twice from short corners, but they never looked like clawing back the deficit.

Guildford 1-0 Ladies XI
We started the first match of a double-header weekend knowing we were in desperate need of a win to have any chance of staying up this season as well as for team spirit and moral. We started well and settled well, possession being fairly equal between the teams. We conceded a few shorties but also won a few. although neither team being able to capitalise on them. At half time the score was 0-0.

The match was pretty uneventful and Guildford eventually broke the deadlock with a conversion from a penalty corner (which we are not convinced was actually stopped outside the circle but c’est la vie). We piled the pressure on Guildford for the rest of the match and really took the game to them playing some great hockey but once again just being unable to put the ball in the back of the net. The score finshed 1-0 to Guildford. Thanks to Martin for travelling to Guildford to umpire for us. A disappointing result for us but not the end of our weekend…. Jackie Waite

Ladies XI 1-0 Wanderers

Our second match of the weekend saw us playing top of the league Wanderers who began turning up on mass early Sunday morning whilst the OC ladies were clearly fatigued from the late PB the day before (and possibly a few drinks the night before) and turned up in dribs and drabs. To make things worse our favourite umpire (usual umps for Merton) turned up to ump for Wanderers and our hearts sank (see match report from 14th Feb), it looked like it would be an uphill battle! Still we tried to stay positive as our pride couldn’t take a second loss of the weekend. The first 15 minutes were a bit scappy but we eventually settled and began passing the ball about well and pressing the Wanderers defense. We conceded a couple of shorts but defended them well. We had some good attacking breaks and eventually the deadlock was broken. We won a short with the Wanderers goalie deflecting a straight strike from Dor into the path of Manny with another strike deflected in by Ana. We were 1-0 up! We managed to comfortably maintain our lead into half time.

The second half was a bit more eventful. Wanderers came out hard and pressurised us well. We conceded a fair few shortees but defended them all successfully, Steph having to make some excellent saves both from the shorts and in open play. 10 minutes or so in saw one of our players yellow carded, which should have been a red although the Wanderers ump was very compassionate and allowed just a yellow with the consent of the Wanderers captain. We were down to 10 for a good 15-20 minutes and were in slight disarray, with several players out of position and already tired legs having to make up extra ground. But we were not going to lose this match it was ours and OC ladies never like to do things the easy way! We were definitely on the back foot and Wanderers had several shots saved by Steph in goal having a tremendous match and the whole of the OC ladies running our little legs off completely knackered but pushing on defending hard and getting the occasional break which saw a couple of near misses too! Eventually back to 11 we held on to finish the match 1-0. A well-deserved win at last to finish off the weekend on a high! Thanks to Heardy for umpiring and also to our supporters on the sideline!Jackie Waite