Holloway Succumb to a Snow-Storm

Solid availability saw the 5s set out with a 15 man squad in their quest to take on the youth of the Royal Holloway University side.

The Holloway boys exerted solid pressure in the opening few minutes pressing high and limiting the options from Priory 16s. Brigadier Mitesh was once again up to the task and using a combination of Doc Watson and Pip at left and right back with some excellent distribution for Richard T and Ethan, Priory began to dominate possession.

The James C and James H pairing worked the ball beautifully up the right hand side at remarkable pace. Any loss of possession seemed only temporary and more often than not resulted in a Holloway foot in Priory’s favour (considerable credit must go to the James C fan club for their excellent support from the far side).

One such incident resulted in a free hit just outside the Hollway quarter, Mike J slotted a pass to Snowy, who despite considerable pressure from the Holloway back line calmly smashed the ball passed the keeper, 1-0.

More splendid play, this time through the centre of the pitch aided by a rapid Matt S run on the left-hand side of midfield saw Priory win a Short Corner. Another perfect Richard injection and another splendid stop from Ethan… The only bit that was missing this time was the gentle nudge of the ball to roll it inside the D. Resisting the urge to try and smash it as usual (emphasis on try) Mike J showed remarkable temperance and tucked the ball under his left, hoping that Snowy would anticipate this move…. He did, the number 1 defensive runner sliding passed him, he launched a flick into the top left-hand corner, 2-0.

It was time to take advantage of our unusually healthy numbers and roll some fresh legs on. We welcomed Briggers for his first game of the season for the mighty 5s, on for Mike J in the midfield.

There began a frankly hilarious period of self-flagellating self-commentary. Any minor infraction was met by self adnomination – “NO MATTHEW”, “OOOooooooh God that was AWFUL” etc etc. Two things should be noted – firstly he gets plenty of that sort of thing at home, so there really was no need, and secondly for every mistimed pass there were 10 superbly executed ones.

We also welcomed Monty R to his first senior league match – which seems on odd thing to write as he looked like he’d been playing hockey with us for years, so seamless (and frankly at times, sublime) was his play.

Pankaj joined the fray and if memory serves was key to our third goal (along with some superbly timed runs from Joel H on the left). Excellent play down the right saw Monty and James H (who by now was playing in a high forward role, sprinting past defenders with ease) linking up with Pankaj before finding that man Snow again. Another goal slotted, hat-trick completed it was time for a spot of rest and a highly entertaining front line cameo from Ethan.

Holloway were able to get one back shortly afterwards. They continued to execute a solid press and sustained pressure on a transfer around the back saw the ball intercepted and a simple chance taken, 3-1.

Moments before half time came the first of several, not quite champagne moments (Prosecco moments? Blanc des blancs moments? Lambrini moments seems a better fit in this context); five high pace, brilliantly executed passes all within the Holloway final quarter, starting out wide with Monty R saw the ball flash across the D – stretching for it on the left Pankaj flashed at goal to see the ball slide just past the left hand post in what would otherwise have been the best team goal of the match.

To say the game opened up a bit in the second half would be an understatement. There were periods where no player from either side seemed to be terribly interested in occupying either of the central quarters – enter Ethan with instructions to rectify this – which, to his credit along with Briggers and Richard, he promptly did!

The space did allow for Jedi like displays of trickery from Monty on the right. Beating player after player with deft stick skills, always at pace and always looking for the next pass.

Holloway were still exerting pressure and there were more than a few scares whereby Mitesh found himself isolated at centre back. No matter – he simply seemed to decide it was his hockey ball and when opposition strikers threatened he would retrieve it from the end of their stick and calmy redistribute.

Pippa was having a great game at Right Back – despite a little needle from his main opponent he always got to the ball first, front marking, tackling where needed and regularly finding Monty and James H with his passing. Doc Watson was putting everything on the line on the left (on one occasion including his head) and assisted superstar stand in Keeper Scotty M on more than one occasion.

Joel H was finding space on the left and using his turn of pace to great advantage, storming into the opposition D before laying the ball off, regularly finding Pankaj and Ethan in space. Another front line cameo created tremendous discord in the Holloway back line, Matt S proving that nothing terrifies a defender more than a forward that can tackle.

Late in the second half we enjoyed another Lambrini moment, like Moses in the parting of the Holloway Sea, Richard picked the ball up inside their half from a well delivered Briggers pass, evaded a challenge, ran forward and played the perfectly waited ball between defenders (no mean feat on the 20 grit surface of St Bede’s), alas both Priory players overran it and Rich was left pondering what could have been.
The final Lambrini moment was truly the short corner that could have been. Brigger’s began what turned into quite a lengthy top of the D conference and would have benefited from a whiteboard and possibly PowerPoint.

It was so nearly worth the wait… injection in and a tick tock style 1 – 2 with Snowy saw the ball beautifully presented for him in space on the P-Spot. Whereupon he absolutely launched a flick…. Into the fencing behind the football goals….

3-1 at Full-Time, massive thanks to Mark D and Pilko for umpiring, thanks again to Scotty for padding up (sorry but not sorry you didn't have much to do!) and to Pip for taking on our umpiring duties for the Ladies 4s.

Another great team performance saw multiple Player of the Match nominations – special mentions to the hat-trick hero Snowy, Joel H, Mitesh and Ethan but it’s debutant Monty R that took the honours this week for a superb first time outing.

Champagne moment (almost unanimously) to Snowy – jug tally recorded!