1ST XI REPORTS:

The Ladies 1s were certainly up for the challenge of Bromley and Beckenham on Saturday. Local rivals, a well-drilled team and second in the league but at the same time beatable. The Ladies were currently sitting two places above the drop zone of four teams so the task of attaining any points at any match is very much a necessity! 

The game started fairly with both teams playing some good hockey. Neither team seemed to create a pivotal chance, however Loughts bedded their tactics in well, kept the ball and looked confident. Some great leads in and around the circle followed up by quick-thinking close skills, saw Loughts win a handful of penalty corners. Sarah Smith powered the ball in to miss Sorcha Crowley's stick by millimetres! The B&B defender saved another bullet with a reverse stick trap a meter from the line. So close but yet so far. Loughts defended well however the smallest of mistakes were capitalised on by B&B, pouncing on the ball and forcing Gifford in goal to make some routine saves. The girls powered through to half time keeping the game at a stalemate but arguably having the upper hand. 

The second half saw captain Chelsey Toms apply the pressure, forcing turnovers in midfield. Frustratingly she found herself on the opposite end of the decisions, regardless her form didn't falter. Dani Jewell continued to part the B&B press, her powerful strikes finding the gaps created by the new defensive set up. However the Loughts luck changed in a flash as their talisman Sorcha Crowley suffered a sickening blow running down a defencing corner, taking her out no doubt for the rest of the season. Unfortunately shortly after the incident, Loughts focused slipped. Their tight marking suddenly loosened, their focus faltered and players became free in the defensive circle. B&B seized their moment and hit a peach of a volley into the goal bobbling over Gifford's outstretched pads. The ladies kept fighting to the end however despite their best efforts the offensive goal was out of reach.

 

The 0-1 loss is a huge blow to the girls, who deserved so much more.  A big shout out to Sorcha Crowley, known as Zee, is very necessary - her mental toughness and inner strength was heroic on Saturday during a nasty injury sustained fighting for those precious points. We are all thinking of her through several tricky days ahead and wish her a safe recovery. Huge thanks to Megs for her pitchside treatment, taking her to hospital and for all the TLC she gives all the team every week - you made a difficult situation so much better.   All support is very welcome next Sunday at the ladies take on Maidstone – a team that Loughts will want to separate themselves from in the final run of the season.

 

The Mens 1st XI travelled away to Dereham on Saturday, hoping to take double points after winning at home in their previous meeting. The whistle started the game, Loughts looked to go on the attack but lacked composure and soon started to concede penalty corner after penalty corner. However the Loughts defence stood strong with Tom Stumbke batting one off the line. Eleven minutes in Dereham were awarded a stroke which was converted. Loughts continued to have patches of brilliance but again lacked composure inside the 25 and on eighteen minutes Dereham converted a crash ball into the D.  Although 2-0 down, Loughts were not about to give up. A quick free hit taken by the Oliver Didham, surprised the opposition and was able to find Johnny Sloman who rocketed home to reduce the lead to just one before the halftime break.

 

After a fiery talk from experienced coach Ali Bray, Loughts came out all guns firing, which saw a drilled ball from Catalonian, Aleix Roset fall to South African Ross Hetem who calmly placed a reverse stick shot in the bottom right of the goal. The game from then became scrappy with both teams receiving cards the most memorable of the lot was the yellow card received by Luke Camilleri with 2 minutes to go after throwing the ball away due to an umpires decision!

 

Historian Pat had this to say “Although travelling distances like this is bad for my back, there are still positives to take away from today and as Winston Churchill once said ‘Success is not final, failure is not fatal – it is the courage to continue that counts’.”  The 1st XI travel to Cambridge University on Saturday and are at home playing Chelmsford at home at 12 noon on Sunday in a rearranged league game – all support much appreciated!

 

LEAGUE RESULTS:

Mens 2s drew at TH&D 1-1 on Saturday and unfortunately lost their EH 2nd XI Cup match against Southgate at home on Sunday 1-4.  The 3s lost 1-11 against Spencer at home; Academy 2 won 5-3 at home against Saffron Walden and Loppers also won away 6-3 at Old Southendians.

 

The Ladies 2s were 2-1 winners at home to Upminster; 3s also wone 3-1 at home against Witham and 5s lost 1-3 at Harlow.

 

TRAINING UPDATES:

Youth Academy is on at the club this evening 16th Feb.  Girls Colts training is on tomorrow Wednesday 17th Feb but no Lower XI Ladies training.  Mini hockey returns on Saturday 20th February normal time.  All other training sessions remain unchanged.

 

EASTER CAMP DATES RELEASED:

Following on from the very successful Half Term Hockey Camp that has been running at the club this week dates are now confirmed for the Easter Hockey Camp – Wednesday 6th/Thursday 7th/Friday 8th of April at Luxborough Lane.  Please see attached booking form. Please note: given the popularity of this last camp the club will be enforcing a strict book in advance policy and will not accept bookings after the closing date of Friday 1st April – so don’t be an April Fool and miss out!