No: 62– 29/01/2018

Supervets

Another good win at the weekend against a determined Chelmsford side who, despite being down on numbers, played a spirited game, particularly in the first half.

Yet again, we were on the back foot in the early part of the game which underlines the requirement to stay strong in midfield (sacrificing some attacking enterprise) early on and build on that platform.  The second half was a different story where we controlled the game and generally played some nice attacking hockey.

This week we have a tough away game against Spencer at 11:45 am so please let me have availability as soon as possible.

As you know Spencer are an excellent side but also good to play against.  We have already had a good result against them early on in the season.

Willows find their focus

Saturday’s match was billed as the crunch game of the year, against the team who were lying second in the table and who had beaten us earlier in the season.   The previous week we had lost to third-placed Rochford, somewhat due to a lack of team focus, and everyone knew that a further loss this time would place our title hopes in jeopardy.    So it was that the Willows rallied round in a massive display of solidarity, with 25 volunteers available and numerous good-quality players having to be disappointed.   

Reluctantly hors-de-combat, I handed over the captain’s armband for this one; to Brett - calculating that if a captain’s dismissal was ordained by the umpires it would almost certainly have been down to something he did anyway.   The weight of responsibility visibly settled on his shoulders and to everyone’s delight he became the well-behaved, polite, gentle individual we all know is in there trying to get out.   Not a hint of a card the whole game.   He’s not keeping the armband, though.

Last time, the London Royals set us aback with a dynamic explosive start to the match; but we had learnt our lesson and outdid them at their own game this time.  From the off, we attacked and pinned them back.  The first quarter was a classic display of domination of territory, with numerous close shots and a great flicked goal from several yards out by Charlie Britt.   Learning from harsh experience, this time we loaded our centre with solid, stable players and played the speedsters up the outside.  The ball was passed effectively from side to side and redirected up both left and right wings for the attacks, just as planned, and the team all moved forward as one to maintain the pressure.

In the middle part of the game, one or two players started to drift out of position and the addition of substitutes confused the original plan.  Not only that, but Mark “Donka” Donnelly’s faithful 15-year old wooden stick finally bowed to the inevitable and shattered in his hands.  We faltered briefly; London Royals escaped their half a few times and even managed to score, although their pressure was nothing like ours and the goal, by common consent, was lucky, only beating our once-again excellent keeper, Joseph Middleweek, by being deflected not once but twice (and by our players!) on its way in.

Whether the goal was lucky or not, it still counted, and we entered the final quarter feeling like we should be winning comfortably but instead facing a draw or even an upset.   That was when the Willows machine stepped into a higher gear.  Everyone knew what was at stake and noise levels from players, sideliners and supporters alike crescendoed.   Constant exhortation drove the team on and we forced the Royals back until, desperately defending their D, they were facing penalty corner after penalty corner.  Charlie, Jacob, Oscar and Zak all tried their magic at one short after another, maturely slipping the ball to one another but repeatedly denied by some magnificent last-ditch Royals defence.   But, with seconds to go, up strode the man of the hour (and the match) and with a replacement stick he Donked the ball at unstoppable speed into the extreme corner of the goal.    (To ensure the victory, he then spent some considerable time running the clock down with what might be described as an exuberant display of celebration on his convoluted circuitous route back to our half.)

Back on track, and further clear at the top of the table, but we still need to win the final three games to be sure.   One, two, three, Willows!

 

Monday Night Fitness Training – It’s not so scarey!

“I've been going down to fitness on a Monday night for the past two weeks now. I was hesitant to go down at first because I thought it would be all 1s and I would be completely out of my depth. 

The first week Simon Rose was there along with Max Garner, his dad and his two younger brothers, as well as two younger ladies 1s players. Tom was tough but I really enjoyed the session and as a result went back last week when only 4 Ladies 1s turned up. Never the less it was still a really good session and I plan on going next week. 

If I'd have known sooner that it wasn't just for the ladies 1s and had nothing to be anxious about regarding my own fitness then I may have come down sooner and it might encourage others to do the same. You might even find that you get some more parents coming down to try it out.” 

A Player

This really is a case of use it or lose it!  If numbers do not increase over the next two weeks fitness on a Monday night will stop!

Saturday 3rd February

This Saturday there are 7 home fixtures including both Men’s and Ladies 1st XIs.  For the Men it’s their first EH League game since beating Cambridge City 2-1 before the Christmas break.  The away leg to Richmond was a tight affair so all support for the return game would be greatly appreciated.  After the match we will be celebrating Australia Day – all be it a little late – so please bring your gold and green, your didgeridoo and your kangaroo too!

This week’s fixtures:

Home

Pitch 1                                                                   Pitch 2

11:15      Ladies 5s v Chelmsford 6                  11:15      No game

13:00      Ladies 1s v Cambridge Uni 1           13:00      Ladies 3s v Umpinster 3

14:30      Mens 2s v London Wayfarers          14:30      Academy v Old Southendian 4

18:00      Mens 1s v Richmond                         16:00      Mens 3s v Tulse Hill & Dulwich 3

 

Away

Supervets    V       Spencer                

Loppers       V       Havering 3                           

Willows        V        East London

Ladies 2s    V       Tunbridge Wells

Ladies 4s    V        Brentwood

 

Sunday Fixtures @ OLHC

U14 Boys    V       Felixstowe            11:30   

U14 Girls     V       Southgate             13:00

U18 Girls     V       Bedford (EH Cup) 14:00

 

EVO Hockey February half-term camp

• 12-14 February 2018 @ Old Loughtonians HC
• World-class hockey camp with international players and coaches from around the world
• For players aged 6-17 years, specialist outfielder & goalkeeper coaching
• All abilities welcome, beginner to high performance groupings
• 11am-5pm each day (registration at 10.30am)

 

• Bookings & Information: www.evo-hockey.com/hockey-camp-bookings/12-14-february-2018-essex
• 10% discount for Old Loughtonians members, using code LOUGHTS17

Refer friends, get money back, see www.evo-hockey.com/refer

 

Items for HH to office by Monday 10 am please