Reports 8th December 2007

Men's 1st XI beat March Town 2nds 8-1

Men's 2nd XI draw 1-1 at Newmarket 1sts

Men's 3rd XI beat promotion rivals Wisbech Town 5ths 3-2

Men's 4th XI game at Royston 5ths was cancelled

Ladies 1st XI draw 3-3 with promotion rivals Newmarket 1sts

Ladies 2nd XI beat Market Deeping 2nds 3-2

Mixed XI game at Royston fell foul of the weather

 

 

Cambridge South Men's I 8 - 1 March Town Men's II

H/T: 1 - 1

Scorers: Chris Baker (3), Mark Taylor (4), Tim Clapp

Cambridge South, proudly sponsored by PwC, started slowly but hit all the right notes in the second half against struggling March Town Seconds.

After last week's defeat the home side were keen to end the year on a high, but they seemed half-asleep in the first half as they struggled to gain control of the match. The only team below March in the league are Long Sutton, and they've yet to register a point all season. Nonetheless, March were holding Cambridge South to 1-1 at half time. Chris Baker had opened the scoring for the home side from a short corner, but March equalised as half-time approached.

The half-time team talk galvanised the team, though, and before long the lead was restored as Mark Taylor took Robert Garrett's cool through ball to hammer the ball past the 'keeper. And this seemed to open the floodgates, as the home side scored at will for the rest of the match. Mark Taylor grabbed 4 goals, Chris Baker stole a hat-trick and Tim Clapp appeared at the far post to slot one in from close-range.

Team played: Steve Parker; Chris Graveling, Rupert Webb, Jim Thorpe, Leo Tomita, Russell Johnson, Chris Baker (c), Mike Thorogood, Eliot Read, Tim Clapp, Rob Garrett, Mark Taylor

 

Newmarket Men's I 1 - 1 Cambridge South Men's II

H/T: 0 - 1

Scorer: Kevin Rowland
MoM: James Pope - Dynamic in midfield.
LoM: Jan Brynjolffssen - Tried to skewer their midfield like a kebab with his stick.

Cambridge South 2nds, sponsored by PwC, played out a 1-1 draw at Newmarket in atrocious weather conditions on Saturday.

South began the brighter of the two teams, pinning Newmarket back. The hosts struggled to clear the South press for much of the opening ten minutes. However, when Newmarket did work a ball through, their forwards were interlinking well, moving the South defence around to find space. This opening period set the pattern of the match, South dominating territory and trying to force errors, Newmarket looking to hold possession deep and to spring swift counters.

It was Newmarket who fashioned the first really clear-cut chance of the game, when a powerful strike from a short corner beat South ‘keeper Lino Di Lorenzo only to smash off the post. A Newmarket forward following up seemed certain to turn the rebounding ball into the gapping net, only for it to come at him too sharply meaning he fluffed the contact, allowing Neil Sneade to sweep to safety.

Minutes later Newmarket had an even better opportunity when they were awarded a penalty stroke. South were shocked at the decision, mostly because strokes are rarely awarded in Division 5NW for anything other than feet on the line, and the infraction in this case seemed fairly minor. However the rules of the game give a long list of other offences that ought to result in a stroke, with the those in the South team who had a view of the incident and an Umpiring qualification all concurring post-game with the match officials’ decision. Either way, a stroke it was. Newmarket’s talented young county player stepped up to take it, got a good connection, maybe too good as the ball flashed past the outside of the top left corner. Apparently the last time this player took a flick at Lino, he missed wide of the bottom right corner. What with the duffed flick at Alford, Lino clearly has the Indian sign over 5NW flick takers!

South made full use of these escape when they took the lead in the closing phase of the first half. Newmarket’s centre-back dawdled on the ball, allowing Rob Barton to close him down. When the defender tried to trick his way out of trouble, Rob didn’t buy it. Rob knocked the ball loose to strike partner Kevin Rowland, who was the only player, apart from the Newmarket ‘keeper, in the circle. Kev had vast amounts of time to control, steady himself, and drive the ball hard into the bottom right corner of the exposed stoppers net.

South started the second period at pace, and seemed certain to make it 2-0 when some neat interpassing saw the ‘keeper rounded. Though the ball ran loose from the initial thrust, it fell to Stuart Creed, who, with the goal yawing, seemed certain to score. However the position of the ball forced Stu into a shooting with a reverse stick sweep, which, in the conditions, unsurprisingly was a poor contact. It still seemed certain that Simon Ta would finish the chance off, but he couldn’t sort his feet and stick out in time to turn the loose ball home, the defence had got back, and the opportunity had gone.

Like Newmarket before them, South were made to pay for not making the most of glorious chances. They were not helped by a period of unnecessarily panicky defending, as three times defenders, with time on the ball to get their heads up and pick a pass, opted instead to try and whack balls straight upfield, through a crowd. Each time the Newmarket midfield were comfortably able to stop the clearances, and recycle the ball back into South’s circle, the final time finding a player in the left channel, who made a good contact with the ball. Lino had this shot well covered, only to be beaten all ends up when it was deflected into the top corner via a defenders stick.

The final twenty minutes of the match saw the two teams stymied by the arctic, rain lashed conditions. Numb fingers, slippy stick handles, and a surface that some players footwear could find no purchase on (Finn Johnson’s impersonation of an ice-skating giraffe will remain long in the memory), all contributed to a decline in both teams ability to pass accurately to each other, with the ball stuck in midfield for most of the remaining time. The nadir of this was reached when Jan Brynjolffssen tried to hit through a ball and totally lost grip of his stick, which went flying, wobblingly in the air like a decidedly unsmart missile, towards a knot of players who were rapidly seeking cover. Fairly lemon-like…

One of the few remaining chances in the match came South’s way, when a James Pope free hit from the left touchline was flicked first by Rob, and then by Gareth Hebbron, the ball going agonisingly just wide of the wrong-footed ‘keepers far post. All involved were pretty grateful to hear the final whistle and head somewhere warm and dry, with the spoils shared. Lets hope the weather for the return game in April is rather more conducive to playing hockey, so we can have a real test of who the better side is!

South skipper Kevin Rowland commented, "The weather conditions on the day were one of the worst I can remember playing in, despite that the team put out a worthy performance and were the side that created the greater amount of play and threat for the full 3 points. Coming away with a point was the result of hard team work, we certainly enjoy the game more when we play well, and that we did".

Team played: Lino Di Lorenzo; Dave Monck, Jan Brynjolffssen, Ron Oren, Neil Sneade, Gareth Hebbron, Kevin Rowland (c), Simon Ta, Finn Johnson, Stuart Creed, James Pope, Rob Barton

 

Cambridge South Men's III 3 - 2 Wisbech Town Men's V

H/T: 2 - 2

Scorers: Matt Bailey, Suk Pannu, John Greaves
MoM: John Benedikz - Complete authority in defence. Decision making in clearing the ball and setting up attacks.

Another great team performance saw Cambridge South 3rds, sponsored by PwC, consolidate their position near the top of 6NW by beating promotion rivals from Wisbech in an even game.

Matt Bailey at sweeper had a part in the first two goals, the first from an opposition short corner, which he neatly deflected with a carefully placed foot past ‘keeper Lino Di Lorenzo into the net. Bailey atoned for this by storming up into the opposition D just in time to pounce on a loose ball, off an opposition foot this time, and equalise. CSouth took the lead through yet another fine Andy Lewis run and cross, which found its way to the waiting Suk Pannu who slotted the ball confidently into goal. Wisbech came right back just before half time as that man Bailey got a foot to a goalbound ball to concede a penalty stroke, which dribbled past Lino for 2 – 2.

After half time the game opened up, and both sides had attacking opportunities. John Benedikz and his defensive colleagues snuffed out Wisbech moves effectively, and the home attack continued to threaten, including one penalty stroke shout, and numerous crosses going begging near goal. The winning goal came from a great move with Andy Lewis crossing from the by-line to John Greaves, who shot first time firmly into goal.

Again, everyone played well, as a team, to take CSouth 3rds into the Christmas break in a promotion position.

Team played: Lino Di Lorenzo; James Lee, Ian Glover, Matt Bailey, John Benedikz, George Wych, Paul South, Wilco Dijkstra, Suk Pannu, Rupert Espley, James Cobbe, John Greaves, Andy Lewis

 

Royston Men's V c - c Cambridge South Men's IV

Match cancelled, Royston couldn't raise a side.

 

Cambridge South Ladies I 3 - 3 Newmarket Ladies I

H/T: 3 - 1

Scorers: Emma Clarke, Caroline Dent (2)
MoM: Julie Sadler

Cambridge South, sponsored by PwC, hosted co-table-toppers Newmarket on a grey Saturday morning. A day when we really needed the unavailable changing facilities, after the rain came down. South welcomed back (with open arms) Caroline Dent, who is hopefully back from injury for good (especially after a stunning first half performance).

South won the toss and took control of the game from the off. Caroline looked sprightly on the right with Tash Cox and Emma Clarke hounding the Newmarket defence. South were awarded a number of penalty corners early on, and eventually South capitalised with Emma slotting one in from her favourite position. More pressure from South ensued with the Newmarket defence stretched on a number of occasions. Emma was denied by an impressive goal line clearance and Hayley Sharpe attempted to lob the keeper to no avail as the goalkeeper blocked anything we could throw at her.

Eventually some great link up play between Emma and Caroline gave South a deserved 2-0 lead. Newmarket started fighting back winning penalty corners and using their quick offensive players, soon it was 2-1. Cassie Woodfin was really put to the test and pulled out some show stopping saves. South kept their heads and converted another short through Caroline on the stroke of half time. 3-1 up and it seemed South had the upper hand, but given the history of this fixture South certainly could not sit back.

South continued with some effective passing moves, only to be broken down at the last. Gemma Thomas used her speed and strength to power into the D only to be met by the keeper, who threw herself at the feet of Gemma, yet another chance narrowly missed. South had many chances to put the game out of Newmarket's reach but it was not to be as Newmarket clawed their way back into the game. They gambled by throwing more players forward and it paid off as they got 2 goals back. The last 10 minutes were very nervy. I think exciting stuff for spectators as neither team were willing to give up, nor settle for a point. Both defences were stretched. Special mention to man of the match Julie Sadler who kept Newmarket's most threatening player at bay, with some great covering runs and well timed tackles. A fair result in the end as Newmarket really upped their game in the second half.

Everyone played fantastically, and it was great to have such a well-umpired, well spirited, yet incredibly competitive game.

That leaves us joint top, but Newmarket have a game in hand...it's still all to play for after the Christmas break :-)

Team Played: Cassie Woodfin; Louisa Richmond-Coggan, Julie Sadler, Gemma Thomas (jc), Hayley Sharpe (jc), Emma Clarke, Tash Cox, Liles Dee, Helen Niblock, Bek Rhodes, Ciara Metcalfe, Caroline Dent

 

Market Deeping Ladies II 2 - 3 Cambridge South Ladies II

H/T: 1 - 1

Scorers: Juliet Fullwood, Mel Harrison, Jodee Webb
MoM: Daisy Watts

It was the game before Christmas and all through the team, not a player was stirring… mainly because we were all half asleep when we met in Tesco’s car park.

Yes this week saw Cambridge South 2nds, sponsored by PwC, off to Stamford to take on Market Deeping, with the team were taking no chances in getting to the pitch on time. Good job too as with 45 minutes before push back, the ladies discovered they had in fact arrived at the wrong pitch! Fortunately on the way to Stamford, Captain Vicky Lavis had cunningly made sure she found the other pitch by pretending to get lost (such a clever cat) so no time was wasted getting to the right game.

Despite this however, a car full of players and the ump didn’t make it to the pitch in time, so the game started with South two players down and it didn’t take long for Market Deeping to exploit their advantage as they went ahead with an early goal. Unfazed, Cambridge responded on the attack, quickly won a short corner and the ball was rocketed into the goal with a superb strike from Juliet Fullwood.

With the game now even, and South back up to 11 players, they were not prepared to go home with a draw. The bad weather and determination from both teams resulted in multiple injuries on both sides with two Market Deeping players having to be subbed off due to a twisted knee and head injury. South kept on battling hard and were disappointed to have a goal disallowed moments before half time for a lifted ball.

Frustration was hitting hard and South went out on the attack straight away in the second half with their next goal coming swiftly from right forward Mel Tinsel, after a well battled fight in front of the goal mouth.

Market Deeping fought back and it took great defensive work and saves from “Loopy” Lou to keep the score at 2-1. Finally, with excellent link play from defence to midfield, Daisy crossed the ball into Jodee Webb who coolly swept the ball in to make the score line 3-1. Market Deeping weren’t going down quietly though and caught South off guard to make it 3-2. With only a few minutes left to go, both teams went on the offensive and tried desperately to score a final goal but South’s defence held strong to hold onto their lead.

Full time score 3-2 to South, which makes them the fairies on top of the league table at the Christmas break.

Thanks go to John B for finding our lost players and umpire during the game (I think we all need to buy him a drink for the support he gave us throughout the match!)

Team played: Lou Tonkin; Bex Baker, Mel Harrison, Pip Noon, Juliet Fullwood, Leila Griffiths, Charlie Orrock, Louise Gutteridge, Sarah Aves, Daisy Watts, Vicky Lavis, Jodee Webb

 

Royston Mixed c - c Southerners

Match cancelled due to adverse (foul) weather.