Match Reports
13/12/08
Chichester 5s 1-3 Men's 4th XI
The last game of the year and it was another scratchy performance from the previously high flying 4s. Chichester were on a good run of results and while they had a defeatist attitude (offering a 3-3 draw and a pint as an alternative to playing in sideways ice cold stinging rain, which was roundly dismissed) we knew they could give us some problems.
Due to another week of selection shenanigans, I had to convince an ill Dan Benson to play rather than convalesce in bed. The ever generous Hairy Hehir also offered up a tip-top-tip in Dan “The Doctor” Wu who was keen for the game, it wasn't until afterwards it transpired that this would be only his second full match of hockey! To be fair he didn’t disgrace himself by any stretch and we were grateful to his efforts. I also had to call on the likes of Footspa and James Grimes to add some steel down the middle of the pitch. Tom Holt also returned after a lengthy 4s hiatus; his smiley demeanour was a welcome sight in such atrocious weather.
It was no surprise that with a team of such disparate parts it would be a clunky stalling start to the match. While we enjoyed the lion’s share of possession we managed to shoot ourselves in the foot with a rather less than smooth sixteen and Chi had a two on one, with me being the hapless one…. Suffice to say I was beaten easily but from a shot outside the D, sadly a Chi forward was fleet of foot enough to provide the finishing touch and we were a shock one nil down… With the rain pouring down like the tears of the gods and the wind blowing like Bondy after another vindaloo it was not a happy place to be.
Luckily we had too much quality and Chi could only threaten on the break as we camped in their half. A few short corners on the trot were awarded and after a blocked shot the ball rebounded to the injector Grimesy who was able to finish from an impossible angle and restore the parity.
We began to play with a little more style with the generals Bondy and Grimes running the show in the centre of the park providing us with a master class in passing. The pressure had to give and young Selby was able to give us the lead before half time.
Half time was quick and cold and as the darkness descended so did the quality of the hockey. The only remaining shining light was another master class being held at left back by Smithy. His tackling was of the highest quality and used the odd Springbok tactic of his hydraulic legs “plie”-like (plie is a ballet term for those not in the know) and then springing up to leave the oppo player confused at what had just happened. Don’t worry mate you’ve been “Smithed”. You will be one of many that will be tackled with complete style by Smithy this season.
The win and the three points were ours after we finally established a longer lead when Grimes was on hand to polish off a fine move.
Thankfully umpire Wappy was able to use his Physics powers to speed up time and the torture for us all ended…
This rather grim ending to the first half of the season was enough to give us a 7 point lead (thanks to Cameron for the maths lesson on that one) at the top of the table, and with a game in hand over Chi in second place.
Despite the last two games and the crazy draw v Horsham it has been a hugely impressive first half of the season.
Thanks to Wappy and Cameron umpiring (my strongest memory will be of him umpiring off the pitch huddling behind the metal shed thing) in the horrendous weather.
Tea: Brooksy, Footspa, Perry, Banaman, Willy D, Bondy, Grimesy, Bence, Selby, Holt, The Doctor