Spitfires (Green) 0 - 1 Hurricanes (White)

Team Spitfires: Alex Drury (GK), James Assem (Capt.), Apurva Anand, Rex Cham, Emma Lloyd-Williams, James Hamper (Cobras Capt), Chris Carr, Ivett Isai, Roger Hitch, Louise Gordon-Steward, Jerry Lane, Rosy Gross

Team Hurricanes: Stuart Swindell (GK), Murray Knight (Capt.), Hugh Wilkinson, Emelia Wood (W7), Lia Pitarokoili, Charlie Mortimer, Richard Wood, Daman Chugh, Josh Blair (Mongooses), Kit Yunes

Hurricanes Scorer: Daman

PREPARATION

This was the first of our six Winter 11s Series games, this being a new introduction that we have arranged for preparing our members for the leagues.

Early on in the week it was touch and go as to having enough players to allow the game to go ahead but our fabulous B2H members came through towards the end and made the numbers up sufficiently, together with guest players as listed in the teams above. To our three guests we have to say ‘thank you very much’ for supporting B2H and our desire to prepare our members for the leagues by tackling the challenges of 11s full pitch play. We had a big spread of individual skills from players who have only been in the hockey circle for five weeks and another who has not played 11s for fifteen years or so, to an expert who plays league every week.

Of course, being the first game of the day, we all had to set the alarm clock a bit earlier (unless there were kids in the house!) or maybe it was just me who had to. Big thanks to those taking part who arrived on time so early in the day and to those who did not quite make it for the start, better luck next time.

UMPIRES

We do have a club pool of umpires and after I was informed that none were available, apart from our regular umpire Giles Reynolds, we were ready to go ahead despite this. Thanks, therefore, to Giles for continuing to support B2H and umpiring all by himself. He was able to enlighten me on one of the finer points of decision-making after our debate with our International Masters Umpire Andy Parker who was on site for the next game in the SHC Saturday match sequence.

MATCH TEAS

Unfortunately, our game ended too early for a match tea but I have negotiated the following for B2H: as B2H sometimes has an early or late pitch allocation (being the last group in the club to be considered for one being non-league) where there might not be any Match Teas available when an event has finished (this also applies to the whole of the Summer Term), the club treasurer has agreed to the following:

• A standard match fee will be applied for every game play event, to be in line with the remainder of the club.
• However, when a Match Tea is not available, for a players every fourth playing event where no teas have been provided, they will have their match fee withheld as compensation. This will be managed by the B2H Manager via recorded entries in the B2H database.

VIDEO RECORDING

Thanks to Will Shinn for taking on the role of camera man. KiTV is now a bit concerned that he as some competition!

THE GAME PLAY

The teams were evenly matched, as the score suggests, which meant that everyone had a chance of contributing to the play as best their current skills would allow. Even the best of us make duff passes and stops so do not be too concerned if that was you, as these games are organised so we can all develop the skills we have gained to date. As expected, it was an end-to-end game once all the players had arrived but to start with the Spitfires were under a lot of pressure, having a centre back missing, but held out well until reaching a full complement. It seemed that the Spitfires could not repel the invaders forever and the Hurricanes eventually got past the defensive barrier of James, Apurva and Rex with Daman from the right-wing slotting past Alex in goal to give the Hurricanes the lead and the eventual win. Emma L-W gave a sterling attempt at trying to prevent Daman and Josh from dominating the Hurricanes right attack but was just overwhelmed with the task. Skipper James A did his best to control the defensive line and was to be found all across the back line in support of his team and played a major part in keeping the scoreline down.

In response, Charlie did the same for the Hurricanes in midfield and with his speed and ball control was able to set up many forward runs for his team. Skipper Murray, new to B2H this year, was solid at right defence keeping the Spitfires left attack controlled, apart from once when Jerry was found free on the left in the circle and had a good shot at goal that just missed (might have been a save – not sure). Unfortunately, around half time, Jerry slipped and we think re-aggravated a current injury meaning that his game was over, and maybe hockey for some time. Get well soon Jerry.

Ivett showed the great class of play that she had developed for the WSL24 team and gave it her best shot at stepping up to 11-aside hockey. After all, 11s needs a different approach to game play and it takes a while to become accustomed to this change. This was not a problem for guest player James H who is no stranger to the full game and showed his ability by controlling the Spitfires right midfield position and setting up the forwards for an all-out attack on Stuart W in the Hurricanes goal. However, the defence with Hugh and Jacques in place was too strong as a unit and no goals were achieved despite the valiant efforts of Louise holding up the ball while waiting for support.

We were entertained as usual by Chris C and his long hard passes up field which mostly(!) reached their target. Emelia and father Richard played their part in the win of their team as did Lia. Kit was his usual all-out-self putting in every effort he could muster but the ball sometimes slipped by. Our good old (not literally) B2H friend Josh, coasted along as this was his first of three matches of the day for him and required pacing.

After Jerry went off, Josh swapped bibs with Rosy to even up the teams.

The only person left to mention is me and all I can say on that is “I was there” somewhere – lol.

Well done to everyone for braving the downpour that, fortunately, happened just as a quarter was nearly up so we were able to have shelter for a short while. I hope that you all enjoyed the game and will be ready to sign up for the next one – see Teamo. Happy hockey to you all.

B2H PICTURE ARCHIVE

Don’t forget that all the pictures for this Winter 11s Series Game #1 will be on the archive photo site here soon, where all other match pictures and reports can be found.