http://www.ne14hockey.com/ All Field Hockey news, all the time! en Sat, 27 Sep 2008 11:55:27 -0000 http://www.ne14hockey.com/ http://www.ne14hockey.com/index.php?page=3&article=442&title=Sevenoaks+Ladies+lift+Kent+Vets+title http://www.ne14hockey.com/topic.php?topic=442 Thu, 13 Mar 2008 06:19:09 -0000 ne14hockey Field Hockey News Field Hockey News ne14hockey 2008-03-13T06:19:09-00:00 Sevenoaks Ladies Veterans

KENT VETS TOURNAMENT - WINNERS

Sevenoaks returned to Holcombe aiming to retain their Kent title. With several players unable for selection, including 4 first team players on league duty, 5 Sevenoaks teams were represented in the final squad. The tournament was to be a round robin of 5 games – 20 minutes one way – which may not sound a lot but is if you are a Vet and especially if you played the day before or not for 6 months!!

With 2 players yet to arrive form Gloucester Sevenoaks faced a tough opening match against Bromley and Beckenham. Kelly, Jacobs and Bingham dominated the midfield and the defence of Bishop, Walton and Burnham ensured the ball went nowhere near Marshall. On one of her mazy runs Jacobs took the ball to the top of the D and unleashed an almighty strike opening the scoring for Oaks. Bishop added the second with the last hit of the game to ensure the holders were of to a solid start.

In their second game against Dartford, Sevenoaks completely dominated scoring 5 goals through Bingham (2), Boldrini, Jacobs and Kelly. At this stage the cavalry arrived meaning Marshall could take a well earned rest. In stepped Allaway, returning to hockey after a long break and Acott. Holcombe were the opposition and the game was very tight with Dawson making an excellent save to keep the scores at 0 0 and Burnham, Bishop, Walton and Acott defending brilliantly. Tucker came on and connected with a fantastic cross from Acott leaving Oaks with 3 wins out of 3.

In the penultimate game Gravesend were beaten 3 0 with Allaway already finding her feet and slotting in a superb goal. Tucker scored her second of the tournament and Acott added the third. Excellent play from Stevens and Hollamby put Gravesend under immense pressure and once again Dawson kept a clean sheet.

Old rivals Canterbury were the last team for Sevenoaks and it was winner takes all. Oaks could afford a draw and go through but the team went out for the win. Vital goals form Boldrini, Smith and Allaway finished of the tournament perfectly with Sevenoaks remaining unbeaten and not conceding a goal.

The team had never played together and everyone enjoyed themselves. Managers Gibbs, Taylor and Bowman acknowledged the great team spirit and the strength in depth of the club as a whole. Every single person contributed to an excellent days hockey. Special thanks to Nicky Smith, Sue Acott and Caroline Allaway for going that extra mile.

Sevenoaks now represent Kent at the East Tournament in Cambridge on 6th April. Last year they were runners up and this year the team is determined to go one better and represent the East at the National Finals in May.


Men’s 1st XI SPONSORED BY SAVILLS

University of Exeter 2 – 1 Sevenoaks

Sevenoaks Men’s 1st XI lost a top of the table clash on Saturday against Exeter University. With good preparation oaks were buoyant that they could do the double over their nearest rivals. Oaks played with good intensity and although were under pressure for the first 20 minutes of the match, controlled the remainder of the game. Exeter scored after 15 minutes of the match, a penalty corner was awarded top the students after Turner was adjudged to have stopped a dangerous ball with his arm, despite oaks feeling that the ball was dangerous the resulting drag flick was blocked, but only to loop in the air and be hit into the net on the volley by the oncoming forward. Feeling hard done by, Oaks started to exert more of themselves in the last 15 minutes of the first half with a clearance off the Exeter line after torry rounded the goalkeeper and slapped the ball towards goal. Oaks forwards continued to terrorise the Exeter back 4 and a goalmouth scramble ended up with Torry deflecting the ball towards goal only to hit a defenders foot. Ross scored the resulting penalty stroke, audaciously flicking between the Exeter keepers legs.

Oaks stepped up a gear in the second half, however could find a way through a stubborn Exeter defence, their only real chances coming from Turner at penalty corners and a few open play opportunities which lacked the final pass. Exeter had a three penalty corners which were easily dealt with by oaks, and the killer blow came two minutes from time when a misplaced pass was picked up on the oaks 25 and the resulting reverse stick shot heading wide of goal, hit the recovering oaks defender on his thigh and deflected in.

Oaks felt they at least deserved a point from the game, but in the end it was not supposed to be. Oaks play their last home league game of the season on Sunday at Hollybush at 13:30 against Ipswich, who they will be looking to beat to stay near to the top of the table.

Men’s 3rd XI

Sevenoaks 3rd XI 1 – 4 Worthing 2nd XI

In blustery conditions Sevenoaks Men's 3rdXI took the field in buoyant mood, keen to secure their position in the Open Kent/Sussex - Regional League. The days victors would have an added advantage in the seasons run in. Oaks started brightly and settled in to a smooth pattern of passing. The endeavour of Barber and Wenham opened up the Worthing defence and from the resulting gaps yielded a number of juicy scoring opportunities. Baugh drove skilfully along the back line to provide for Barber who opened up the scoring for the afternoon. A positive opening quarter was halted when Worthing pounced upon a defensive error and neatly netted from the resulting break away. A series of injuries blighted Oak's cause as Worthing capitalised upon the impending confusion by scoring from a Short Corner towards the end of the half.

Sevenoaks enjoyed the lion share of possession in the second half, but could not make any telling contribution in the final third of the pitch as chances continued to come and go. Cook was unlucky not to convert from the top of the D when his lofted strike rattled the cross-bar. Shutt valiantly marshaled the Oaks defence but was powerless to halt the Worthing advances who began to mount a multitude of break away attacks. The visitors sealed their victory scoring from a quickly moved free hit and a further short corner.

Men’s Shadows

Sevenoaks Shadows XI 4 – 2 Gore Court 3rd XI

Sevenoaks welcomed Gore Court to Hollybush for this eagerly awaited clash between the sides in second and third place in the Kent Premier A league. Shadows skipper Gavin Drescher was again forced to make some changes due to availability issues, and in particular he started with a new central midfield duo of Frank Smits and Graeme Stubbs. The Shadows started well knocking the ball around, but too often for comfort some passes were just too short affording the visitors chances to break. Half way through the first half, after some good possession, the Shadows were awarded a short corner, which top scorer Paddy Osborn slotted with customary aplomb. The home side continued to attack, but on a rare moment of indecision within the defensive ranks, coupled with a very fortunate bounce, Court were able to equalise making the scores level going into half time.
The Shadows knew that if they continued to play their passing game, along with the midfield of Smits, Stubbs, Andy Jewson and Andrew Platt continuing their tireless work that they were going to have a very good chance of getting the required three points to keep the season alive. It was Oaks' who then took the lead again with an Osborn strike from a short corner, and then Court had a little spell in which they had a couple of short corners which were well saved by 'keeper Steve Nicholls. Court then got an equaliser, midway through the half, and this only served to strengthen the Shadows resolve to win the match. Oaks' were creating chances with Wood and Osborn forcing fine saves from the opposition 'keeper and Jewson and Stubbs really starting to stretch Court with their running off the ball, indeed the lead was taken when a visionary ball from Alan Texeira to Stubbs in acres of space in the 'D', who then rolled it across the goal for Osborn to claim his hat-trick. In the dying moments Osborn made it certain with another firmly struck short corner to put the Shadows firmly back in the promotion hunt with two games to play.

Sunday – Men’s Shadows 4 – 0 Bromley & Beckenham Vets

A very satisfying win, with Keith Longley grabbing two goals and Martyn O'Neil getting one before half time to give a comfortable cushion going into the second half. A absorbing a period of pressure early in the second half in which Gavin Drescher and Neil Morey made some crucial tackles, the Shadows got a fourth through Clive Bick following a swift counter attack.

Men’s 6th XI

Ashford 4 – 0 Sevenoaks 6th XI

Sevenoaks Men’s Sixth XI went down to a 4 – 0 defeat at Ashford. Motorway madness caused Oaks to start with 9 men, increasing to 10 half way through the first half. But all seemed well as tenacious Tim Gore, road runner Rob House and masterful Mike Gourlay pinged the ball around in midfield and evergreen forward Pete Smith threatened to open the score. But at the back Chris Hix, Neil Zabit and skipper Jan van der Velde unwisely allowed Ashford too much space. The home side opened the scoring past otherwise untroubled mighty Mike Hrebien in goal, against the run of play.
Hrebien's half-time harangue stirred the spirits but the flesh was weak and in a ten minute spell Oaks unaccountably conceded three more unnecessary goals. At the other end the visitors continued to press with successive short corners. Dynamic Derry Wiltshire was inches from the goal and effervescent Jon Evans ran rings round defenders. Zabit commanded the centre of defence with aplomb and gritty Gourlay grafted on the right. Gore was restricted by a back injury but threatened on the left and House hurtled around to great effect. Oaks threatened continually but could not find a way through the dense Ashford defence.

Ladies 1st XI Sponsored by Savills

Exe 0 – 0 Sevenoaks

Sevenoaks Ladies 1st XI returned with just one point from a possible six following a double header weekend in the Slazenger EHL. Their trip to the West Country first took them to Exe, where an attacking game was not reflected by the eventual 0-0 scoreline. Exe started strongly, keeping Oaks pinned back in their half during the early stages. Eventually, Oaks relieved the pressure and as the half progressed they gained dominance in the game, with Jet Van Zalen and Katie Hornsby forcing saves from the Exe Keeper. The second half produced a fairly open game. Despite a sticky awkward pitch, Oaks transferred the ball well at times and continued to probe the Exe defence. The home side also created opportunities and the Oaks keeper, Julia Ridger who was their eventual player of the match, was required to make some excellent blocks and clearances to keep them at bay. In fact, it was probably the performances of the two keepers that was a key factor in the eventual stalemate. Late in the second half, Oaks suffered a blow when Sharon Davy who had been influential in the centre of midfield had to leave the field after the ball struck her in the side of the head and left her with a split ear requiring several stitches. After a lengthy injury break, Oaks, to their credit, resumed their momentum in the remaining 5 minutes. Oaks piled on the pressure, whilst Exe looked to grab a late winner on the counter attack. The last chance fell to Exe from a short corner in the final play of the game, but a goal line clearance from Justine Brown ensured that the points were shared.

St Austell 2 – 1 Sevenoaks

On Sunday, the team continued on their travels to St Austell. Despite bleak weather conditions, Oaks started brightly and eventually took the lead when Brown drove in to the left of the D and picked out Van Zalen who slammed the ball home. St Austell created little threat but after 26 minutes, their prolific goal scoring number 10 broke through the defence and equalised with a well taken shot. In the second half Oaks continued to push on with JO Jackson giving a solid performance at the back and Dee Ablett finding plenty of space wide on the right. However, St Austell had lifted their game and took the lead following a free hit at the top of the D. Oaks searched for the Equaliser. Hornsby had a cracking first time shot saved but often the killermove in the D was lacking. In the final moments of the game a bizarre incident occurred when a deflected pass from Van Zalen towards Ablett was allowed to run in to the goal by the St Austell keeper. Oaks thought they had scored but the umpire adjudged that the pass had come from outside the D and so did not stand.
Despite a disappointing weekend of results, Oaks take comfort that the single point earned guarantees their place in the Slazenger EHL next season.

Ladies 2nd XI

St Albans 2nd X1 v Sevenoaks 2nd X1

With 3 games left Sevenoaks travelled to Hertfordshire without inspirational captain Sue Acott. St Albans had been a tough opposition earlier in the season with a draw the outcome. To be in with a chance of promotion a win was essential.

Stand in captain Amanda Bishop rallied her troops and Sevenoaks started strongly yet still found themselves down before 5 minutes had gone. The rest of the half however was all Oaks with the forward work rate fantastic and Crosley and Begg in midfield having storming games. 3 quick goals followed coming from midfielder Crosley and Alex Pearson up front.

An upbeat team at half time knew they couldn’t take their foot of the gas and started strongly again. The work rate never wavered but the ball wouldn’t go in the back of the net. Against the run of play St Albans had a free hit and Peachey put the ball in the back of her own net with a deft touch – unfortunately the opposition were awarded the goal having failed to make contact in the D and the score was 3 2. A nervous end to the game saw Sevenoaks hang on for the 3 points and move back to 2nd in the table.

On hearing the good news Acott said “I am so proud of my players. They are a fantastic bunch and a great team to captain. However we must still win our next 2 games to ensure back to back promotions.”

Next week Sevenoaks are home to leaders Thurrock in a vital match. 2 teams will be promoted and with West Herts 2 points behind there is no room for error.

Ladies 4th XI

Sevenoaks 4th XI 0 – 0 BBHC

With so much at stake, Oaks were disappointed not to come away with an important win over this game. The team played well and it was all hands on deck to push the play to the forwards to get those all important goals. It was a defensive game today and boy did they play their hearts out. Griffiths, man of the match, our of position as right defender kept the ball away consistently and Girvan ensured her player did not get that strike with Hossain blocking anything from the central defence. Slaughter in goal was kept busy and it was quite amazing that BBHC did not go ahead on many occasions. The strong midfield of Hollamby, Hubble and Stevens caused havoc for the opposition but still the Oaks forwards were not much in the game. Abbott on the right made a few runs and included Blackstone in plenty of play but Oaks could not convert. Genth made some good runs too but the BBHC defence were there once again. Powell, another player out of position was dogged in her role as sweeper and played above and beyond the call of duty but the whistle did not seem to go her way. BBHC piled on the pressure only to be denied by Oaks, with Hossain once again standing her ground and clearing the ball. Oaks were given a small handful of opportunities but were unable to claim any points. With other teams results to wait for Oaks not sure if this draw has made or broken them. Last game at home next week at Wildernesse School, 12PM.


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