Firstly, it is necessary to remember that the club held its annual dinner / dance on Friday and many of Saturday's players were partying well into the early hours of the morning. A splendid evening saw 150 members and guests sit down to a three-course meal at the Highfield House Hotel. Our thanks to Deirdre Lehan-Matthews whose meticulous work ensures we all have a good time and to Paul Howarth who as MC and presentation organiser ensures most of the trophies go to the right people and delivers the citations with an eloquence that needs to be heard to be appreciated (quiet on table -------!!!!). A surprise and pleasant guest appearance from a well suntanned Natalie Edwards, who poppoed in to say hi.
Well onto the games.
The ladies Firsts were still waltzing around the pitch when Reading rocked into lead after 2 minutes (somebody was seen to be sitting down and resting). The sound of underneath the ARCHERS was heard drifting around the pitch (apparently two for the price of one was too much to miss and Southampton could not see which one to hit). Reading rolled further into the lead with a short corner strike and an open play goal before half time when a substitution went wrong after a gum shield went missing.. Well a few gentle words of consolation at half- time did not really have the desired effect as Reading move into a 4 - 0 lead just after the break. It should be said that Southampton were, in fact, playing some good hockey and had the greater number of scoring chances but the split second reactions were not to be found until Anna Skelton got a rebound goal, followed by a Roops (Naomi Dunn), who finished of a short corner. Sue Crowley made it 4 - 3 with ten minutes to go when she went into the D and shot at the diving keeper. With the ball rebounding off the pads Crowley lifted the ball into the roof of the net. A few minutes more and Sue Adams would have got her chance at first team hockey but she took a little too long getting organised.
The seconds showed some good team play (all things considered) and beat Worthing Firsts 1 - 0.
The Fourths had a difficult first half against Bournemouth Thirds going 1 - 0 down after 15 minutes. Annie Day, who having had the foresight to realise that a warm down after a night on the dance floor was essential to remaining in good scoring form, cut into the D on the right and teased the keeper off her line before whacking her equalising shot home. In the second half Southampton's lively youngsters did some great forward runs (not too many defensive!!) to created good scoring chances. Sarah Russell got a reverse stick on the end of a Helen Carter run down the right. Sarah then had a shot saved and then followed up. Helen scored one of her own to make a final score of 4 - 1. Not sure about the order of the scoring, I was only umpiring.
The men had a second eleven strengthened for this match with Andover, who sit a league above them in the tables. Early signs showed this to be a prudent move as Andover showed early signs of dominance. However as the new blend started to read each other's games Southampton started to look more cohesive. Pete Spencer opened the scoring in the second half when he beat the keeper following a pass from Chris Ellis. Chris then put himself on the score sheet when his short corner strike found its way into the bottom right of the Andover game. Final score 2 - 0
The Third team who were without Captain Mark Day, who was on umpiring duty in preparation for his triathlon on Sunday (needed a rest in other words). James Wise was on target with three and Chris Stokes two when they beat Yateley 5 - 3.
The Fours saw off OEs 4 - 2.
The Fives lost 2 - 5 with Will Fergusson and Mike Foulds getting the Southampton goals.
The Sixth eleven had an interesting positional change for Paul Newman. Newman, normally goalkeeper, was re-designated left back and left half , a role he filled with some aplomb (apparently). However this secretive tactic failed to give Southampton the edge as Haslemere won 5 - 3. Steve Boyd scored Southampton's first with Matt Gough getting the second following a string of passes from his Southampton team mates (Luke Knight, Dave Jackson +others yet to be named). Gough then scored his second after beating two defenders (at least) and then smacking the ball home from the edge of the D.
The Vets were the only team on league duty this weekend and prepared themselves well by leaving the D/D before the last waltz (well it was the last waltz in their (or should I say our) day). This suitable preparation saw them take an early lead against a Fareham side sporting former OT, Kevin Smith, when John Spencer continued his late season scoring run (now 7) taking a rebound from the GK' pads. Then Keith Finch hit a rasping (captain's word) shot from the edge of the D. Fareham were stunned into action and were back on even terms 10 minutes into the second half. A moment of tension arose when Fareham were awarded a penalty stroke and Kev Smith stepped up to take it.. Keeper and Skipper Keith Wyatt faced the moment well and psyched Kevin out well, making him make the most fundamental of errors (taking two steps) on his approach. Keen eyed umpire Matthew Knight immediately disallowed the goal. This reinvigorated the Vets and a team goal resulted when Smithy was robbed in midfield and a series of passes found John Spencer there again. Pete Terry made it 4 - 2 with a fine 1 on 1 with the keeper.
The Otters were in comprehensive mood when they routed Hamble 7 - 0.
Sunday saw the second Southampton team move into a cup final date at HMS Temeraire in Portsmouth on May 6th. The Under 14 boys overwhelmed Winchester 11-0 in the semi and now have a date with (probably) City of Portsmouth on Hampshire day. These two sides are well matched and it should well worth a trip to Portsmouth to see and support them. Rob O'Brien started them off with the first, David Stokes (following in Dad's and brother's footsteps, mother is defender but likes taking penalty strokes) netted five, Ollie Knight four and Owen Chadwick-Williams got his first for the club.. Thanks go to Matt Oldfield, who stepped into goal as a late replacement.
The Ladies Vets were just pipped at the post when they came second to Basingstoke in the Hampshire Vets cup. Results for the day were won 2 lost 1 drew 1.
New Sarum 3rd XI Hockey Tournament
With a mix of games on grass and astro, a team made up of players from various teams (most of whom were roped in at the D&D while under the influence!). We even had three subs and a loyal supporter/team manager (Thanks Lauren, even though she slept through two of our matches!)
Things looked a bit uncertain to start with when we lost the first game 1-0. The second was slightly better with a draw. After a pleasant couple of hours in the sunshine reading the paper, playing volleyball, and football we had to play two more matches. The hangovers had started to wear off and we won both, 1-0 and 2-1 respectively. Due to our outstanding goal difference (all of 1!) we came top of the group (much to Mary Anne's disappointment because she tried really hard to miss the goal so we could come runners up and play on the Astro!).
Some stunning play meant that we won against Poole in the semi-final on grass, putting us through to the final on the Astro against Eastleigh. It was a good match and at time it was 0-0. Southampton wanted to play to Golden Goal but were overruled by the umpire who said it was to be flicks. Southampton proved a point and were triumphant winning the flicks 3-1. Well done to Charlotte for her keeping (not to mention the flick that she saved during the group matches) and to those who volunteered to take the flicks.
Thanks to all who played, we had a great day and returned home with the trophy once again.
Roger Merry