RPHC M5s vs Sunbury & Walton Hawks 3s

A 1-0 defeat and a slightly tough pill for the Priory 5s to swallow this week… one of those games in which you seem to have numerous near misses and that 1-3 away win would have more accurately reflected the possession and territory. The weather and traffic were a great help in lightening the overall mood, relentless rain on the way at least abated somewhat for the hockey itself and whilst Sunbury isn’t that far, the alternating delights of the M3/M25 or Hampton Court traffic saw a largely on time squad arrive…. Special mention to an oversleeping Pankaj who was delivered to his meet (all of 200 yards from his home) but his Dad whilst still eating his cereal in the passenger seat (a rare, but I think appropriate DoD his reward).

Humour was nonetheless maintained and despite the extraordinarily rude remarks from the Captain about the arrival of Paul V, Grant, Richard T and Rob W being compared to an episode of Last of the Summer Wine (I mean really Paul, that hat!), the 5s lined up in good spirits in their favoured 3-2-3-2 formation.

The first quarter was a fairly evenly matched affair, Sunbury (rather inconsiderately) playing in a similar style to the 5s, short passing, patient work, pressing free hits and 16s.

Excellent defensive midfield work, particularly from Grant and James C (along with heroics in the back line, more on that later) kept Sunbury largely at bay. Slowly but surely though Priory began to take control of the game. Pankaj, Ethan and Richard working very well in midfield, getting the ball moving and managing free hits and long corners to great effect (we also got to see several well executed Taylor aerials). Jasper began to find space and apply significant pressure on the Sunbury defensive line and Kalyan began making numerous penetrating runs down the left, beating his man then sailing past him. Through the second and third quarters we dominated.

We just couldn’t seem to do the goal thing.

We won short corners, we just couldn’t put away. Mark Y absolutely roasting the ball just wide of the left post on one occasion. Mike J stepped up late in the second and got one on target but it lacked real venom and the Sunbury left back was able to tip it wide.

We played patient passing hockey and attempted to 1-2 it into the goal, Ethan, Pankaj and Mike J essentially playing a game of “no you have it!” but failing to do that with the chap between the Sunbury posts.

Mark Y made a beautiful run from an excellent Taylor pass and launched the ball across the face of the Sunbury goal, just out of Kalyan’s reach.
Howard was in receipt of excellent play from Pankaj and Jasper on the left but just couldn’t turn it round and find a foot or the pass. We switched things up, we played higher and we sat on the keeper, still no luck.

Late in the second half, the inevitable happened. Sunbury had one chance and converted it. A well worked goal to be fair, a series of one or two touch passes on a break to a player at the back of the goal who slotted it first time just inside the Priory post.

As frustrating as it was at one end of the pitch, the Priory defensive line deserves much credit for an excellent performance. Pippa was as solid as ever defensively but continued to provide distribution down the right, linking up well with Jasper and James C. There were also numerous splendid curving runs, accelerating past Sunbury defenders before delivering crosses that flashed across the face of the opposition goal…. Where we continued to defy both logic and the laws of average by failing to get on the end of any of them.

Pip also rescued us from a slightly fluffed cross pitch transfer around the back (this is becoming a minimum once a game tradition for the 5s – but like I always say, if we’re going to cock it up – lets cock it up trying to do the right things…) wherein he sprinted back, tackling the loan centre forward, to who a gift of a ball had been offered and saved our collective blushes.

Inspector Gadget aka Paul Vidler made astonishing and liberal use of his go go gadget arms. Twice he appeared beaten at the top of the D, on one occasion nutmegged and yet somehow he twisted around, hooking the ball back to his strong side and leaving the opposition striker nothing short of dumbfounded. This in combination with a frankly hilarious exchange with the umpire at a pitch audible only to specific sub-species of Labrador led to numerous champagne moment nominations.

The hat trick of backline performances was finished off by a superb day at left back for Rob Watson. Rob spent the morning marking (and consistently tackling) a reverse handed player (not something you see much of these days) as well as a wide range of very capable youngsters and annoyingly not-quite-old-enough-to-be-to-slow-yet senior players. Rob was always in the right position, he didn’t miss a tackle and the constant, supportive but clear instruction to his midfield colleague earned him numerous and justified Man of the Match nominations.
Mark PM had a great day in between the posts too. We very nearly went 2-0 down shortly after the first (and only) Sunbury Goal with Mark making a great save at close range by the near post (ably assisted by handy work from the backs to clear his pads). A handful of oppo Short Corners mid way through the second half were also kept handily at bay.

We kept going until the dying seconds of the match and particular credit to James C and to Jasper for extraordinary stamina, sprinting their way through every phase of the game but it just wasn’t to be. I must also extend my thanks to everyone for their patience with some, at times, rather… ahem… agricultural hockey. Richard T and Ethan may need new sticks… I’ve seen less contact on an episode of Love Island.

In spite of the result it was another good performance and a great experience for our younger stars – and they really were, once again, stars.
Man of the match was another close run thing, special mentions to James C and to Jasper for strong nominations but the honours were split this week between another resplendent midfield performance and superb day at the office of left back – Ethan Q and Rob W.

Champagne moment was also a two-way tie, not only in nomination terms but also in terms of incidents…. Paul V for his extraordinary saving tackles combined with Labrador audible protests and Jasper S for the silkiest of skills and for picking up our one and only card!

Roll on Horley in a couple of weeks.

Mike J