RPHC M5s vs Purley 4s

Sunshine! What a pleasure to play a spot of hockey without the base layers, soggy kit and unrelenting drizzle of the last few months. This unseasonable weather was not without consequences though – the evergreen surface of St Bede’s was parched, robbing hockey balls and player legs (in equal measure) of their energy and bounce.

Our opposition this week were Purley 4s. We had beaten them fairly comfortably in the away game and the late arrival of their 11th player gave some indication to a challenging week for availability. A slight administrative issue too, turning up in black shirts to play a home team in (largely) black required the judicious use of green bibs. This meant covered numbers and a degree of on-the-fly visual descriptions when calling at who to mark. Trouble is, “shaved head beardy chap” seemed to cover about 60% of our opponents…

A warning from the skipper though – it’s late in the season, we don’t know who will turn out for who – afford our opposition some respect.

We got underway and all seemed rather Zen. Unhurried, largely unpressured passing hockey looked like the order of the day. If we could have just cut out the miracle ball attempts and pick the simple passes we could have enjoyed nigh on 100% of the possession…. But where’s the fun in that?!

When they did get the ball, Purley were playing some very good passing hockey of their own and two or three of their midfielders were very capable of carving their way through a Priory defensive midfielder or two. The cover was well organised though, Rich T and Mike J screening and breaking down the play as needed with Julian marshalling his own defensive efforts along with Ben B on the right and a Matt/Howard rolling combo at left back.

There were threatening moments but not many – and effective distribution from the back three saw strong counter attacking play from the Priory midfield and when Priory were in possession, there was space and time – really quite a lot of both at times. Ben B seemed to be on his own pitch at times – such was the galactic gulf that surrounded him. He was making driving runs and delivering accurate, fast passed down the line and in field.

The breakthrough came midway through the half. Ethan, the international midfielder of mystery, fresh from Geneva, adding to his already significant tally of assists played an inch perfect through ball to give Tristan just a goalkeeper to beat. He did so emphatically – 1-0.

Tristan too, was to bag the second. A lovely diagonal ball from Rich T picked out Erik on the right who made a perfect curving run towards the baseline. Weathering multiple clattering tackles he continued his way into the D and fired the cross. Credit to Tristan – it wasn’t the easiest of balls to turn in as it arrived airborne – he managed though 2-0 before half time.

Tristan wasn’t having it all his own way up front through, rolling with Ben E and Mark Y there were opportunities aplenty. Ben E, to his credit, was making exactly the right runs at exactly the right times – but just couldn’t quite nail the first time sweep or turn the ball in beyond the reach of the keeper.

Mark too was popping up in great locations – particularly out wide on the left, picking the ball up and firing multiple crosses across the Purley P-Spot. Flourishes in the D too were generating short corners (although one splendidly executed piece of skill did see the ball go beyond the defending foot… and on to his own…).

The second half continued in a similar fashion… but better. Encouraged to play and even simpler game and use the options behind and square an already dominant Priory possession stat climbed higher.

Matt S stormed up and down the left hand side of the pitch (and apart from one visually spectacular but ultimately only amusing square aerial to the far corner) was picking out Mark Y and Ben E with pass after pass.

There were phases of marvellous, seemingly private hockey going on – Flynn, Ethan and Pankaj operating some kind of members only club with triangle after triangle, pass after pass – “this is our ball thank you”. This would take place all the way into the Purley D and chance after chance, short corner after short corner was the result.

On the right Mike J (now at right back for an understandably shattered Ben B) and Richard were rolling ball after ball into space behind the Purley defensive line, regularly finding Erik and Tristan.

A final short corner and a final flourish from Mark ended the game. The first attempt broken down, another Purley foot, another shortie but this time the final whistle went – everybody up. A silky Taylor-Quantick combination saw the ball laid off to Pankaj who launched a flick goalwards. A great mid height stick save from a Purley defender batted the ball out into the D, a waiting Mark Y absolutely nailed it. Bang on the backboard, bang on the sideboard – 3-0, game over.

Yes it could have been more… quite a lot more – but what a great performance of simple passing hockey – especially in the final quarter. 3 goals and a clean sheet.

A big thank you to Jacob for maintaining his concentration through 70 minutes – 2 touches – and some blushes saved, we won’t mention you not noticing the half time whistle…. Still at least you returned to the correct end following the commencement of the second half, unlike Jules.

A big thanks too to Doc Watson for managing - makes a huge difference - particularly for the skipper!

Shared honours for MoM this week – special mention to the helmet strap of the Purley Goal Keeper for extraordinary defensive heroism but it’s a midfield award this week – two standout performances in the context of all round passing excellence – Ethan and Flynn, very well done chaps.

Fittingly, the Champagne goes to a genuine moment this week – so is fairly split between the two contributing players. Erik for that brilliant run and Tristan for converting it to an excellent goal, marvellous stuff.

Fines noted for Ben B – grade related put downs; Tristan C – educational standards regarding abattoirs and numerous other issues (see also Ben B fine), jug avoidance; Matt B – lateness; Rich T cross pitch squaerial; Matt S cross D squaerial; Howard & Mike J – hairdressers cars; Julian – too good on hangover and sleep deprivation; Mark Y – attempting to win a short against his own foot; Pankaj – swollen fingers (shortie mis trap); Ethan – shortie mis trap & failing to be on the pitch for multiple shorts (additional Mike J fine); Ben E – remarkably clean jug avoidance.