Report for 20th April 2002

Ladies

The Under 19 girl's First team clinched the league title with a 2 - 1 victory over City of Portsmouth. This game was deliberately arranged so that both sides would be at their strongest, having no calls from club, county or south. It was also fitting that the final game of the season should be between two clubs that have worked hard to develop their junior sections. Southampton moved into an early lead when Anna Skelton scored from open play and Charlotte Gallagher got one from a short corner. COP grabbed one back and pushed hard to get the equaliser, which would have given them the title but some resolute defending helped Southampton claim the title.
A late reports but a joy to read.

Men

The First team met with Fareham First team on the University's water base in preparation for the Hampshire Trophy final in May. Fareham from three leagues above, were also at near full strength as they also prepared for their Hampshire Cup final against Havant on the same day. Southampton went into the lead when Pete Spencer stole the ball as a Fareham defender was looking to clear at a short corner. Chris Stokes deflected Spencer's slipped pass home. Fareham Pressurised for long periods but Southampton's defence and midfield held strong but the equaliser eventually came just before half time. Fareham with a full squad of sixteen players used their players wisely substituting and resting as required. Southampton however operated with only one reserve owing to other demands within the club. Midway through the second half Southampton were down to a basic eleven owing to work commitments and Fareham made the most of the changes to score for a final score of 4 - 1. Southampton played and matched Fareham for some 40 minutes of the game and showed that they are able to perform at a high level.

The Seconds drafted in several of the Otters in their match with Fareham and they showed that there are ready for greater challenges next season. Rob Martin getting both the Southampton goals in this 2 - 3 defeat. Southampton took the lead but Fareham were back on even terms by half time and moved ahead before Martin got his second. The winner coming two minutes from time.

Three big sporting events took place in London this weekend:
London Irish beat Northampton in the Heineken Cup Final at Twickenham (Daizy's second home!).
Manchester United won 3-0 at Chelsea to stay in contention in the Premiership.
Southampton Hockey Club 3rd XI were playing Wanderers HC in the Hants/Surrey League Play-off for promotion to South League.

Two goals a piece after full time.
Three goals a piece after 30 minutes of extra time.
On a hot and steamy day in Chiswick, dehydration was the order of the day, as cramp and heat stroke set in. With beers on ice, the 3rd XI had been given a chance of promotion. Having taken a 2-0 lead in the first half through Skipper Daizy, pouncing on a deflection off the post, and Stu Magee shooting past a stranded keeper from the right - the Southampton boys looked to be comfortable. Chances were plentiful, the post and crossbar being missed by inches on a number of occasions. The second half saw Wanderers make a comeback. The Southampton sweeper sent an attacker over his shoulder, sending himself to the sin-bin and his adversary to hospital with a broken collarbone! Two short corner strikes later and the game was heading for extra time.
Injuries to two Southampton defenders saw a change around in the team - with midfielders playing in defence and a full quota of three subs used, the game was no longer about skill, it was about last man standing. Southampton again went 1 goal clear, when retiree (and "Team Dad" for the night) Eric Holt, pounced on a gaping defence and sprinted from the half way line to round the keeper and slot the ball home. Just before half time, Wanderers equalised again with a breakaway goal - a heartbreaking turn of events. The second half of extra time took an eternity to pass - injuries, cramp and pure exhaustion holding the game up. The game was going to strokes!!
Sudden death strokes - Holt responded to the first slotted home by Wanderers with a hard and low drive.
Wanderers score again. Mike Woods steps up and the keeper saves - the dream for this year is over.
After a consolatory beer in the showers, the team went on to Richmond to party hard until the excesses of the day took their toll.
A word from the Captain:
Guys - it's been a pleasure to captain the side this year. We made the semi-final of the Hampshire Open Cup. We made the promotion play-off and it couldn't have been tighter. We won the "Who's the Daddy" trophy by a mile and had fun in the process. Well done for your hard work this year - use it as experience for next year, when we could be up for the treble! Thank you for your support and good luck for next season!

The Fours also met with Fareham. David Stokes opened the scoring. This was his first senior goal for the club and Colin Langridge got the second after legendary vision saw a 24-yard pass coming from Martin Rosher. A final result of 2 - 0 reflected some good hockey and team spirit.

The Otters met with the Fifths and shared players to ensure a good game. . It was a family occasions for the Otters as Sonia Bannatyne joined Ed to set up a formidable defence line. The Otters they loaned out to the Fifths as they lost 1 - 3

Saturday saw the last games of the season for the 6XI saw us playing Fareham 6XI.
In a close and frantic first half, Southampton shaded the first 20 minutes with some relentless pressure on the Fareham goal awarded with an early strike by Luke Knight aided and abetted by a cross field pass by Mark Cozens.
After the goal, Southampton should have looked to score further but some wayward shots and good keeping proved Southampton's downfall. Having a good goalkeeper between the posts always helps and Fareham after Southampton eased off for the final 15 minutes of the first half were unlucky not to go into the break ahead by two clear goals.. A combination of Pete Atkinson and Ryan Edwards (GK) keeping the ball out. In the end Fareham did score their goal from a short corner.
Southampton started the second half as they started the first and were rewarded with two strikes in as many minutes through Stephen Boyd and Tom Varrell, his first for the club following good work from Tim Varrell, Adam Knight and Julian Powis.
Fareham could have been further in trouble if two goals were allowed but that wasn't be and Southampton ended up happy winners 3-1.

The Vets have now gone 20 matches without defeat, winning 18 and drawing two and are now in a firm promotion position, although they have enjoyed their hockey this season and would like to remain in their current division. In this match with Fareham honours even at 0 - 0 at half time and there was everything to play for (as they say) in the second half. Robin Meacher showed his great positional sense as he deflected a short corner home for the opener followed by a Pete Terry after receiving an inch perfect pass from Ralph Turner (so he told me at golf). Pete then got one after collecting the ball on the half way line and running into the D and beating the keeper. Bill Stokes made it four with a two-foot tap in.

There were three Stokes family goals this weekend.

Sunday

The under 18 boys booked a place in the Hampshire Cup final on May 6th at HMS Temeraire, Portsmouth with a fine 6 - 3 win over local opposition Trojans.
Chris Stokes (5) and Jaz Sohal Singh scoring for Southampton. Southampton moved quickly into a 3 - 0 lead but Trojans struck back to 3 - 2 to put the game on a fine balance. It was Southampton that forced the issue grabbing two quick goals before Trojans came back to 5 - 3. Stokes sealed the issued with a penalty stroke late in the game. This makes THREE Southampton sides competing on the finals day.

The under 16 boys moved into the Hampshire U16 cup semi final with a win over Petersfield. James Fewtrell (2),Steve Nutt and Mike Cotton got the Southampton goals in the 4 - 3 victory. The boys are meeting with Winchester next Sunday at Kings School at 12 noon (to be confirmed) and would appreciate some support.

It was also the Annual Southampton HC golf day. As is tradition the winner of the previous year organises the following years event. It was yours truly turn this year after some remarkably lucky golf last year at East Horton. This year we had 19 members playing at Paulton's Golf Course. With some dubious handicaps being offered to avoid the honour of organising next years event the 19 players set forth after consuming coffee and bacon sandwiches and taking a quick work out in the driving range. With most players at their best on the first tee it looked like a good competition would ensue and so it did with only two points splitting the first (Mike Barnfield) 38 points and second (Neil Vaughan) 36 points and second and third (Sue Crowley) 35 points. Honour ensured I took bottom spot but was accompanied by Steve Boyd and Simon King. Longest drive went to John Spencer despite some running drives and the nearest the pin shot went to Mark Day. A great day with the sky full of sunshine and the bushes full of balls.
Book your spot with Mike Barnfield for next year's extravaganza.

Roger Merry