David Knapp's Captain's Corner

Top training

noreply@blogger.com (David Knapp) — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 15:40:00 +0000

Probably the most satisfying mid week training session since the late 1990's if not ever with 24 from the top 2 teams present and 4 of the current school team, the latter being a very, very welcome first. We have really benefitted from having David Cresswell coaching us but his pushing his school team to train during the holidays is a huge bonus. One or more are playing for the 2s on Saturday nd this has not happened for a number of decades. Up to us to show the guys we are worth joining.

Dinner dance is looming on the 14th May and more details to follow once the final arrangements are finalised.

Enjoy your Easter.

Knappy

Good weekend but not such a good week

noreply@blogger.com (David Knapp) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:11:00 +0000

A huge weekend last week at the top end of the club with the ladies still snapping at the heels of second place (Wimbledon) but needing results to go their way. The unexpected loss a few weeks ago against OGs could come back to haunt. The 1s secured promotion and now need 4 pts from the last 9 to be sure of winning the league.

More importantly the 2s won a tight match v Barnes to give themselves some breathing space but another win this weekend v OKs would be just what the doctor ordered.

On the flip side the curse of injuries has struck the 1s for the first time this year with Cookiey, Gavin and Wobble doubtful. Not the ideal week but we will pull through.

Good luck everyone as the season draws to a close but with much still to play for. Summer leagues are in the process of being sorted out.

Hope Jonny Stato Hunter is reading this.

Concerned

noreply@blogger.com (David Knapp) — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 09:22:00 +0000

12 months ago the club was positively going in the right direction. The top 2 mens teams were riding high and we had just had one of the most successful social events in recent years. A rosy garden.

12 months on and the top 2 teams have had contrasting seasons with the 1s on top but the 2s struggling in the bottom reaches of their league. The ladies are pressing for promotion with the other teams comfortable in their leagues.

Somewhat astonishly the 1s and 2s on Thursday could only muster 20 players between them for this Saturday's league games, 6 people were at training on Wednesday and we have had zero socials. What has happened ? Why is there a distinct lack of interest and committment from certain quarters - theladies excluded as their attitude and committment can never be questioned.

Hopefully only a blip but certainly a wake up call as we reap what we sow.

Why the criticism

noreply@blogger.com (David Knapp) — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 18:37:00 +0000

The disappointment of losing games to the weather last week was further hightened by the criticism put the club's way by those numbskulls who have no concept of how a club is run nor of other people's interests and in particular the opposition having to travel to the club. Emails are bad enough but anonymous one's are written by cowards. Sufficient time has to be given to the opposition and caterers. Hopefully no more inclement weather will strike us again.

Back to league action for the bulk of the teams this week with the 1s beating their bogey side Wanderers that should make the race for the 2 promotion slots a 3 horse race. Other results are awaited with the 3s needing to bounce back from a loss last week and the other sides needing wins to keep up the faint hopes of promotion and to stave off relegation as necessary.

Wonder if Martin will receive apologies from the poison pen emailers ? Doubt it, especially from our anonymous friend......just like Brutus, no balls.

Blank start to the year

noreply@blogger.com (David Knapp) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 19:02:00 +0000

Happy New Year everyone

A blank start to the year so far with the weather claiming the match against the school, the friendly against Woking and two training sessions for the ones and a similar story for the rest of the teams. The 1s really needed a friendly starting as we do with 3 league games against the top sides as soon as we start back. The 3rds have a league game scheduled for this week. Guess it is the same for everyone.

Here's hoping we can start playing soon.

Knappy

Sparkling hockey

noreply@blogger.com (David Knapp) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 12:49:00 +0000

All in all a good week for the club and especially for the 3s who played some sparkling hockey in an 11 - 0 thumping of Surrey Old Boys. The ladies and 4s kept up their winning ways and the 1s remain top of their league. The 2s suffered as a result of 5 n/as in the 1s but provided the players the 1s needed without a fuss. Evidence of the club spirit that now exists and the strenght in depth.

3 more league weekends before the break with the season rapidly disappearing.

Knappy

A reasonable weekend

noreply@blogger.com (David Knapp) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:09:00 +0000

All in all a reasonable weekend with 4 of our 6 teams winning and at the same time challenging at the top of their respective leagues. Under Goalie's expert guidance the ladies have found their feet and playing some excellent hockey. Most pleasing is the new found confidence in the 3rd XI who are on a good unbeaten run. The 1s are in second spot in their league with the 3's, 4's and ladies in 3rd. A long way to go but plenty of time to reach the promotion places.

Our first social of the season has come and gone and was I understand very good. The race night on the 12th December is next up with Nick Lewis promising some live performers on the race front...

Thank you to those of you have paid your subs so promptly. More have paid by the end of October this year than for many, many seasons.

Definitely a buzz around the club and training under Dave Cresswell proving to be popular and well attended. Remember, it is club training so all welcome.

A good weekend

noreply@blogger.com (David Knapp) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 18:41:00 +0000

A good weekend for the club with no losses and a huge point for the seconds against table topping OWs. Hopefully the beginning of a settled and winning streak for Rob's merry men with the first squad back to its full compliment and the return of key players from injury for the 2's.

Subs are now due and to remind you, pay by the end of October and you pay the reduced rate of £275.00 as opposed to £375.00 and can continue to play. No pay = no play until the full sub has been paid.

First social looming with the fireworks on the 7th November.

In addition we are introducing a new strategy for recruitment with Helen and Tom Merry becoming our club's first recruitment officers, more details to follow.

Knappy

Socials coming up

noreply@blogger.com (David Knapp) — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 18:39:00 +0000

With all bar the 3rds 2 league matches into the season the results and more importantly availablility have been patchy. Only the 2s are looking for their first win following the ladies thumping Epsom but all sides have dropped points already.

Tickets are now on sale for the first social, the fireworks on the 7th November. The quiz and curry night will be repeated along the lines of last season's success and the third social is likely to be a race nite. The ticket costs will be £7.50 for the fireworks with the other 2 coming in at £10.00 each but if you buy all 3 in one hit the total cost will be £20.00 a saving of £7.50 or a free fireworks evening.

We will also be having an end of season dinner at a venue away from TD with the aim of attracting 100 people.

Club training at TD from 19.30 on Wednesday so see those of you theer.

Knappy

Mixed results

noreply@blogger.com (David Knapp) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 17:00:00 +0000

A mixed bag of results with the 1s and 3s winning, the fourths drawing and the 2s and vets losing, the latter 2 losing against experienced opposition. The new leagues will take a while to sort themselves out so not a great deal can be read into the first few weeks of reults.

Subs are now due so please settle your £275.00 quickly and by the end of October to avoid non selection and the higher rate of £375.00.

Remember, club training Wednesday evenings from 19.30

Knappy

New season

noreply@blogger.com (David Knapp) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:23:00 +0000

Well here we go again, a week away from the start of the league season.

A number of new faces in the early pre season friendlies with the usual crew for the 3 summer leagues.

New leagues for the first 3XIs and the ladies, 2 positive and 2 negative.

Key to this season is committment as opposed to the 11th hour drop outs we seemed to have week in and week out last year.

To help the skippers please make your availability/unavailability known for the coming month.

Subs are now due at £275.00 for the season to includematch fees and as last year no pay by end October, no play.

Knappy

End of season wrap up

noreply@blogger.com (David Knapp) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 12:05:00 +0000

As we approach the end of April the league season is at last at an end. In various ways and overall the season has been a resounding success.

Uppermost in the achievements we have had the second XI winning their league and the reintroduction of the school match into the calendar, the latter being an extremely important part of our future. Following the difficulties the seconds experienced last season Rob Merry has done an exceptional job in leading his team to the league title with their snapping at the first XIs heels in the league below. Players coming into the club will now play a very good standard of hockey throughout the club ensuring keen competition for places.

Other than the legaue winning game on the 18th a Cranleigh "associates" school side helped open and christen the Westcott astro at the prep school on the 17th with the team comprising current school boys and girls, female and male OCs of various ages. The spread of ages and talents was a first and we rose to the occasion defeating a strong assembled opposition.

The summer leagues will be shortly underway with mens, ladies and mixed leagues all fully subscribed.

As we therefore break off for what I hope is a relaxed summer for all of you we as a club can be proud of our achievements both on and off the field with there being a perceptable buzz taking us towards our aim of becoming an all embracing and friendly club.

The work does not stop here though as we all need to encourage friends and fellow hockey players to join and to convince anyone we hear who may be thinking of leaving to think again.

Thank you all for making the 2008/9 season one to remember

Knappy.

Family day - 18th April

noreply@blogger.com (David Knapp) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 14:45:00 +0000

Happy Easter one and all

One last weekend coming up on the 18th April at TD with the 2s playing a league deciding game against Surbiton 6ths at 10.00 - win the game and they win the league - followed by the 1s v UCL and then a ladies or mixed against UCL. Along side this there are 2 rugby games against a New Zealand touring side and a BBQ.

So, come along and bring your children so we can say good bye in a fitting style to what has in the main a very successful season.

Knappy.

Apologies

noreply@blogger.com (David Knapp) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 10:26:00 +0000

Firstly and most importantly of all I must aoplogise if I offended anyone at last Saturday's dinner when appearing not to give anyone else the chance to speak. This was not an intentional affront with my assuming that anyone wishing to speak would step up and grab the microphone as in previous years. My whole aim when taking over the post of captain was to try and engender a real club spirit with that being the prime intention rather than success on the pitch. A thriving social club however will translate into better pitch performances.

On the field we approach what should have been the first weekend of the season break but as it is there are games to be played. The 1s and 2s can both secure promotion this weekend with the 2s having one more game after Easter with a win possibly winning them the title - a remarkable change around in fortunes from 12 months ago. This was one of the reasons for Rob Merry being awarded the club captain's award for 2009 with Eds winning the inauagural Loveland club member of the year award for his unstinting work through thick and thin over the last 6 years.

One season ends and another will shortly start as the summer leagues are being finalised - more details to follow.

For those of you who have now finished your hockey until September have a good summer and see you in 6 months time.

Knappy

Must keep it going to the end

noreply@blogger.com (David Knapp) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 18:13:00 +0000

Always easy to keep the interest going until the end of the season when things are going well but not so when it has been a tough campaign. For the 3rds it has been a really tough 6 months and the interest in playing has waned considerably to such an extent that Nigel is left with 7 players for this week's game at mid afternoon Friday. When the going gets tough the tough get going so come on everyone let's rally round and as a club support the 3rds.

Both the one's and two's have a very good chance of promotion and if the 2s win their league and the 1s finish second - the latter looking likely - we could end up in the same league - bizarre.

Dinner next week at the club so please make sure we have a good trun out.

Knappy

Reality check

noreply@blogger.com (David Knapp) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 12:30:00 +0000

The last couple of weeks have provided good illustrations of the reasons we play sport and how sport at our level fits into the order of things.

Nick's shocking accident was followed by HAC feeling embarrassed at turning up with 8, losing one of their better players to a nasty facial injury ( fractured cheek bone) but still putting up a doughty performance. No matter how well or badly we play eventually it all comes down to enjoyment and the need to relax after a stressful week - even if selling kitchens in Homebase.

On occasions sport has a tendency to ask the question " are you sure it is enjoyable" and HAC could well have felt that after the game on Saturday. Hopefully for their sake, and in particular Tim, that the knocks they took last week were not in vain.

Sport is important but not the be all and end all so as we are all lucky enough to play or take part in the sport of hockey lets enjoy it to the max whilst we can.

Knappy

Careful of disaster zone Lewis

noreply@blogger.com (David Knapp) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 10:18:00 +0000

Worst news of the last couple of weeks was Nick Lewis's home disaster number 2. Setting fire to the family home clearly did not evoke sufficient attention so he decided to go one better by trying to cut his arm off, blaming his brother in the process. All emergency services now have his name as do the local hospitals. I have heard some excuses for avoiding training but...

In all seriousness Nick, good job it was not your right arm and so can still hold a pint and open your wallet. Chin up and await your return to hockey playing duties.

A good set of results last week, the one's keep the pressure on at the top as do the seconds. We even have 2 players in the firsts deciding to ditch social events in favour of playing hockey - a real sign of renewed commitment to the cause and something that augurs well for the future. A crucial win for our ladies.

The dinner dance is now going ahead on the 28th March at TD so please make every effort to attend.

Knappy

A second break through

noreply@blogger.com (David Knapp) — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 09:43:00 +0000

For a change Sunday evening was the highlight of my week as at 21.00 I had a call from Mike Wilson asking if the OCs could put a team together to play in Cranleigh Prep school's pitch opening on the 17th April. Having only 6 weeks ago had the inaugural Roger Loveland vase match against the school to now have the chance to play in the match on the 17th is excellent. Thank you Mike for asking us to play. Mike is the new head of the prep school.

We are pitched against a Westcott XI which is likely to include a number of the 1984 and 88 Olympic medal winners - some of whom are even older than me...

This really is a great opportunity to further strengthen the links between the school and the club with Mike having played for the OCs for a number of seasons when at the senior school as a master. He has always been and clearly continues to be very loyal to the club and an advocate of the OC society as a whole.

On the pitch life line for the firsts, disappointemnt for the 2s and a couple of humdingers for the 3s and 4s. The 3s first half performance was outstanding and their loss was just a matter of lack of belief.

Vets and ladies had no games due to half term - ladies because they have a half term break for home duties and the Vets...perhaps the grandads have home duties too...

Knappy.

A disappointing week

noreply@blogger.com (David Knapp) — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 11:37:00 +0000

All in all last weekend was a big disappointment. With the exception of the second XI who again won and kept a clean sheet and remain undefeated - a club record perhaps - the results were poor. Bad results is one thing but when associated with ill discipline on the field which we all had thought was eradicated from our ranks it is a real downer. The requisite steps have been taken and an apology received. We all wish to win and can become frustrated at our own and others' performances. However unecessary yellow cards at critical times is a huge let down for everyone and provides our opposition with a massive boost. We all make mistakes and generally more than the umpires who are umpiring our games. I sincerely hope that this is the last time this topic raises its head whilst I am club captain.

The one's flunked in their big game against Bank of England when a win would have made the league title a two horse race. As it is the league will go down to the wire but is between 3, maybe 4 teams. The positive side of last week was our fielding what was probably the youngest league first XI ever. A very good sign for the future.

All sides need a win this weekend for their various reasons so let's go out there, put last week behind us, button it and come back with some points.

Knappy.

White out

noreply@blogger.com (David Knapp) — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 11:30:00 +0000

After last week's white out back to league action this week but with a number of absentees our resources are stretched.

For those of you wish to know the quiz results are as follows OC Rangers 51, Nigel's Whores and Old 4s 50, Rugger Buggers and Team..ing with knowledge 45, Butt Porn 44, We Can't hear you 43, Habs 42, 2nd XI 41, the subs and No don't do it 38 with UCL's 2 teams a no return - students cannot last the pace.

Dinner dance is next up and provisional date 28th March at the club so please badger your social committee rep for tickets.

Keep it clean this weekend and enjoy the Welsh victory at 19.00 on Saturday.

Knappy

A good night

noreply@blogger.com (David Knapp) — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 17:45:00 +0000

Many thanks to Nick Lewis and the social team for organising an excellent curry and quiz night on the 31st at the club. When the estimated number of 100 attendees was given a few eyebrows were raised but unecessarily so as we had in excess of a 100. Not only were each of our own teams represented but the rubgy club and UCL - the latter especially so - were also in attendance. UCL brought along 25 or more and so many thanks to them for pushing their members to come along. Hopefully we can be in the same league next season - the top half of the Surrey/Hants as opposed to the B division.

Winners of the quiz were the 1st XI which was a good thing as there were no prizes....

The amount of hockey this week will be dictated by the weather and so may be zero to report on next week. In the meantime the first XI and seconds both kept clean sheets and remain in second place in their leagues with the ladies and the 3rds in desperate need of a win.

Knappy

Quiz and curry time

noreply@blogger.com (David Knapp) — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 11:05:00 +0000

Good wins for the top 2 sides who each won the usual tight games versus Merton 1 - 0 With Wanderers and OMWs both surprisingly losing the 1st XI are back to being level on points at the top. Bank of Boka are snapping at our heels though with they and HAC the in form sides over the last 8 league games.

The ladies have challenged the men to a boat race at the quiz night but as 2 of their team of 4 are pregnant perhaps it is a ducks in the bath race..watch this space for the result.

The next stage of our club growth will take shape in the form of a Saturday creche and a Sunday colts section for U11 girls and boys if the circular email recently sent out draws enough support.

Both are in the committee's view crucial for attracting young players and new members to the club so that the old duffers can play at the correct level commensurate to their age...no names of course.

Looks as if we will have in excess of 75 at the club on Saturday night which promises to be a top evening.

Play well this weekend, on and off the pitch.

Congratulations

noreply@blogger.com (David Knapp) — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 09:45:00 +0000

All I am going to mention this week are those who deserve congratulations.

First and foremost are the 3 expectant ladies in and associated with the club, Helen, George and Jenny Ripley. All seem to be due at about the same time in late spring/early summer - great news.

Secondly and close behind, the thirds who have at last notched a crucial win against fellow strugglers Purley who are I believe 6 points ahead having played a game more so can be caught in the coming weeks.

Thirdly the social committee for organising the quiz and curry night with UCL and the rugby club pitching in with teams.

Onwards and upwards at TD which is bucking the trend of gloomy Britain.

Happy New Year

noreply@blogger.com (David Knapp) — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:39:00 +0000

Happy New Year everyone. Hope you all had a good Christmas.

The long awaited game between the school and the OCs took place on the 3rd January with a good school side beating the 2007/8 leavers 2 - 0 in a tight but entertaining game. Betty Loveland was on hand to present the Roger Loveland bowl in honour of her late husband and with a number of OCs watching and those associated with the school a good crowd was on hand to witness what I hope is the first of an annual encounter. I know that the recent lady leavers would also like to have a similar match so watch this space.

Although 2 weeks away from a league start for the bulk of the teams, the seconds play their postponed game against Epsom on Saturday whilst the firsts play Mis Sussex on Sunday having whipped Reigate Priory last weekend 5 - 1.

The next social is set for late January/early February which will be a quiz night at the club - details to follow.

All for now

Knappy

Season's greetings

noreply@blogger.com (David Knapp) — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 20:25:00 +0000

Another season already half way through with the first and second XIs in second place but with the 3s and ladies facing a difficult second half of the season to avoid the drop.

Nevertheless this has to be one of the most promising seasons for years with the numbers in the club not only increasing but the average age decreasing.

The school v club match returns at 14.30 on the 3rd January so a big thank you to all who have made it happen. There is a very good chance that more players will join in the early part of 2009 so onwards and upwards. Prmotion for the one's and staving off relegation for the 3s and ladies are priorities with the seconds having an outside chance of promotion if results go their way.

Thank you to all the skippers and committee members for the hard work that not only goes unnoticed by most but unappreciated by the majority too.

Best wishes for the Christmas and New Year break and see you all in 2009.

Knappy