Firstly congratulations to Mark Johnson and Sarah who became engaged over Christamas and to Chris Stokes who made it to 18.
Ladies first team - see men's reports.
In a competitive match the seconds gained revenge for their earlier defeat by the thirds and moved one point ahead of them in the league. Both sides created good scoring chances during the first half but it was the seconds who moved ahead through a short corner conversion by Anna Skelton. After the break the seconds went further ahead when Maggs Ingram scored after a right wing cross. Helen Featherstone came off the bench to score before Anna Skelton added two for a final score of 5 - 0. The scoreline does not reflect the true the balance of the game as the thirds fought hard throughout and had their chances to score.
Are you sitting down - if not I suggest that you find a seat before reading
this report as it has some momentous news to impart. The ladies 4's WON ON
SATURDAY against Southampton University (captained by our own Charlotte
Morris) - only their second league win this season (the other win being
against City of Portsmouth second game of the league season).
To what can we attribute this success (apart from the one goal scored by Lyn
Price)? Sheer dogged determination and a good all round team effort - not
that this hasn't happened in previous games cos it has - its just that this
time it all paid off.
The Uni started well and for the first ten minutes or so looked the stronger
side but Southampton were having none of it and kept snapping at the Uni's
heels. They were rewarded after 20 minutes or so by (I have to admit a
rather soft) goal courtesy of a team effort with Lyn having the final touch.
The remainder of the game saw good end to end hockey with Southampton always
having the edge, although there were one or two nervous moments towards the
end of the game. This result will certainly see the team go into their next
game against City of Portsmouth (see above) with confidence - who knows Sat
12 January may just be the turning point for the 4's - only time will tell.
The Fifths introduced Hilary Torrance in the absence normal goalkeeper, Louise Jeffcoate but she had little to do as they beat Fareham 5 - 0. Sue Tinson opened the scoring with a 'cracker' that almost hit the backboard after bobbling over a defender's stick on the goal line {they all count}. Karina Christiansen added number two for a 2 - 0 HT lead. Tinson then scored and Christiansen got her second form a short corner. Mary Aiken pounced on a rebound at a short corner to make it five.
A brace sandwich [2 - 3 -2] brings right result.
Away to Yateley has always proved a difficult fixture but Southampton started
with promise and Kelvin Wyatt was on the spot to deflect a right side cross
from Neil Hanley passed the GK's head. Another right side attack gave Chris
Ellis the chance to turn and score in the bottom right. However HT seemed to
break Southampton concentration. Yateley moved into a 3 - 2 lead with goals
coming from 2 short corners and one open play. Southampton were forced to
revise their strategy, which worked. Neil Hanely bringing the scores level
when he followed up on an Ed Danby short corner strike and Chris Stokes
celebrated his 18th birthday with the winner after beating two defenders
before slipping the ball into the bottom left corner.
Final result 4 - 3 win.
The seconds went down 2 - 0 to highly placed London Wayfarers. The first coming from a short corner and the second from open play (iffy marking!).
The Thirds lost to lowly placed Trojans but still stay six points clear at the top of the league.
The Vets turned down of lunch with the ladies first team to play Bognor, a game they won 4 - 1. Robin Meacher, Chris Jones [2] and guest, Richard Harris getting on the scoresheet. The ladies had to make do with the slightly younger blend of third and fourth team men. The ladies went one up from an Allie Omell goal from the left side. The men's invitation eleven then equalised a short corner through Steve Quinn. Julia Fabrizi the added one form open play and one from a short corner. Tim Ashworth made it 3 - 3 with a short corner and the James Wise got the equaliser late in the game. An enjoyable game, for which the ladies thank those participating.
See here for the 5ths match report
See here for the 6ths match report
The Masters got little change from Richmond, losing 5 - 0 to the London side who are normally placed at or near the head of the Master's league.
The under 16 boys drew 3 - 3 with Trojans.
Hampshire under 14s [coached by Steve Dunham and containing several Southampton juniors] beat Wiltshire 3 - 1.
Correction from last week. Charlotte Evans scored for the under 14 girls.
Roger Merry