Gloomy in the gloom

A couple of weeks ago the Newlands' floodlights failed. John took on the job of finding an industrial electrician to get them fixed. The main problem is that the pitch, and the electrics are twenty years old, so replacement parts are not easy to come by. In the end, a more complicated fix with modern parts was required, but the lights were back working on Friday in time for the weekend.

However, as the 5ths had the graveyard slot at Newlands, and the lights had not yet been fixed, I was left with the prospect of a 4.30 match in the dark, so with some help from Eastcote, by Saturday morning we had secured a late slot at Harefield Academy, and got all the players and umpires reorganised, so our match could be played. We turned up at 3.15 to find a player from the previous match lying by the side of the pitch with a dislocated shoulder, so we had to wait for the paramedics to arrive, pitch-side treatment and then transfer of the injured player into the ambulance. By this time, it was 4pm and the lights needed to go on at Harefield. Off went one of the Eastcote players to get the care-taker to put them on. A few minutes later he came back to say we had a problem. Half an hour later, when it was obvious that the lights at Harefield couldn't be switched on, we had to abandon the game without hitting a ball. The lights at Newlands had been reliable for twenty-plus years. What is the chance on the occasion they fail, for the lights to then fail at the replacement pitch? Twenty-eight disappointed players and umpires trooped off for a consoling drink in the warm.

Fortunately, last week our match was at 1pm on Marlow's brand new astro, right next to their clubhouse, so we had no need of lights, given that no eclipse was predicted. What a super surface, and identical to our plans for our new pitches in front of our new clubhouse. Sadly, though we had a great game, our skills did not quite live up to the surface, and we lost 0-4.The next day , I took our U14 boys to the same Marlow pitch at the same time. This time though, the AC and GX joint Development side showed how it should be done with some excellent play, and a 5-1 victory, 4 from Lachlan. I'd last played at the Marlow club well over twenty years ago on their grass pitch in a Cup match, and since then until yesterday, it's been a game at Bisham and a journey back to their clubhouse. What a difference it makes to have the pitch by the clubhouse; roll-on our redevelopment at Newlands, (and brand new lights to keep us out of the dark).

Calf sprain stops play

A couple of weeks ago, I turned up half-way through the second half of a Men's 1st XI match, prior to umpiring the following 3rd XI match, to notice that our captain, Warren, was on the sideline.  I asked him why he wasn't playing and he said he had a hamstring.  This is a problem I am familiar with so I helpfully said that the way I had avoided hamstring recurrence, was to wear thermal leggings, at which point I raised my shorts to show that I was indeed wearing said apparel.  Warren laughed and said he wouldn't be seen dead in tights, at which point, I sniffily remarked that he would in that case probably be spending a lot of time on the sidelines.

The 1sts finished and we prepared for our next match, Bob umpiring opposite me, and in due course the match commenced.  A few minutes before half-time a goal was scored and as I jogged back to the half-way line, my calf seized up.  Umpire injured stopped play for 5 minutes, and after resuming, I was only able to hobble a few paces.  After the match finished we went down to the clubhouse for some beer and tea, and Warren noticed me limping and, laughing, then asked why my thermals had failed me.  Sadly, I had no answer.

This week I had hoped my calf had healed, and I intended to play 3rds, but, (and even with thermals on), my calf went again after 10 minutes, and although I made a couple more attempts, my playing time was very limited.  Fortunately, the 3rds went on to record their first point of the season, equalising from a short corner with the very last hit of the game.  I gave a cheer, and I think I pulled my calf more.  However with the general excitement and relief and having at last earned a point, having come very close in several previous matches, the pain was soon forgotten.

Sunday I umpired a couple of games: our two U14 boys teams played each other and ended up a goal apiece in an end-to-end game, and then our U18 girls played Banbury in a super England Hockey match that our girls lost 2-3, but were pushing hard for the equaliser in the dying seconds, Hannah in goal having also saved a penalty flick.

So, my calf is still sore, and I'm still hobbling a bit, but I plan to give it another go on Saturday, after all, Christmas recovery time is just around the corner.  Anyway, if I can't play, a limping umpire is (contentiously) better than a not-so-smug thermally lined limping sweeper.

Just five more minutes

I was reminded at our committee meeting last Monday that it was a while since I'd written anything, so the first win of the season seemed like an opportune moment.  It is of course, always nice when the first win of the season is in the first game, but sometimes that doesn't happen, and it's a few games before that magic moment.  We'd started off with a 2-2 draw, which given we'd been 2 down, seemed like a win, but it has taken a month for the first real win to materialise.  Following our magnificent 3-0 victory, we adjourned to the Tring bar for some chips, ruminations, Man-of-the-match and donkey.  Our discussions were delayed by half the team deciding to go to Tescos, and then back up Tring high street, despite the fact that the pitch is almost visible from the clubhouse, and Tescos was on the other side of the road from the clubhouse.  This very nearly won the donkey award, but in the end, Steven won it for the weediest goal ever scored, being back heeled a few inches over the line by the opposition keeper, from a shot which Dec (or possibly George) described as 'even my granny could have stopped that'.  However, Steven balanced it up with the man-of-the-match too, a feat his dad had managed a fortnight previously.  Normally we don't like award-hogging, but in the case of a man-of-the-match also being the donkey, we're prepared to make an exception.

After the 5s, I went to umpire the Vintage, only to be requested to play, which given that the Vints are in a different league, you are allowed to do.  I'd like to point out that I am a year too young, but given that the previous week Sean's daughter had played, I don't think that anyone thinks that means anything.  Still, just thought I'd mention it, before I join the FABS next year (Fifty And Beyond Society).  Whew, Canterbury were good.  I thought we played out of our skins to just lose 0-4, especially given the fact that last year's champions had lost 0-8 to them the previous week.

After a beer with the Vints, I returned to Newlands to umpire the 4ths, who were beaten by a strong Wycombe side.  Good match again though.  And so finally to today's match, and the piece-de-resistance, the U14 Development As (one of our joint sides with Gerrards Cross) against Milton Keynes.  We started off at breakneck speed and after 20 minutes were 3-0 up, 2 from Tom M, one from Joe, all in open play after some strong approach work, after the MK keeper had saved several times.  MK shuffled their side and brought on some new players, and in 5 minutes before half-time scored 3 to draw level, 2 from short corners.  From the restart, MK powered forward to catch us on the hop and went ahead.  MK pressed forward, and only some great saves from William and last ditch defence kept them out. Finally ACGX broke forward and Tom M scored again for his hatrick and to draw level.  Almost from the off, ACGX attacked, but MK once again replied with a well taken breakaway to take the lead.  After that, it was end-to-end, as ACGX pushed for the equaliser again, with Tom M having a goal disallowed for being high from a short (the umpire commented that he felt bad having to disallow such a great reverse stick goal), but it was MK who caught us on the break for a 6th and then almost immediately a 7th.  The game looked over but still it was end-to-end with Tom M again scoring from a short to bring the score back to 5-7, and then with 5 minutes to go, and ACGX pressing increasingly hard, Will forced home a short corner rebound to make it 6-7.  Could ACGX come back from 3 down as MK had done earlier?  All the parents on both sides were now screaming furiously as every player on both sides was playing flat out, as MK went for a killer 8th on the break and ACGX pushed forwards desperately for the equaliser.  ACGX pressed still harder with a minute to go, and with MK pinned back in their 25, the MK keeper made a great save with the end of his toe, and then again in a one-on-one from Tom B, when the final whistle went.  Elation from MK at having hung on, and rueful smiles from ACGX, but both sides shook hands and chatted excitedly, the umpires commented on what a great game it had been, parents commented on how pleased they had been to make the trip for such an exciting match, and I'm not sure whether it was the parents or the boys who were more flushed.  Nick said he was sure that with just 5 more minutes they could have equalised and maybe even won.  Sometimes it's a shame when somebody has to lose, but a match like that is what the thrill is all about.

Inches matter (or cm if you are metrically inclined)

Yesterday we went into our match with Bracknell undefeated in the year and brimming with confidence.  That is to say, we played our first match of the year last week and unexpectedly we won.  Surprisingly, I even scored.  This week we knew we had a tough opposition as they beat us convincingly at the start of the season.  It was a great match, half adults and half older juniors on both sides, and fairly evenly matched.  After a goalless first half, thanks in large part to some excellent keeping from Harry, Bracknell finally scored with 10 minutes to go.  Cue a spirited drive from A&C to equalise.  With 30 seconds to go, we hit the outside of the nearpost.  Bracknell immediately drove up the match and with A&C having committed players up front to equalise, Bracknell broke into our D and with the last hit of the game crashed the ball in off the inside of our far post.  By such small margins are matches won and lost, or in our case drawn and lost.  A really entertaining match though.  Congratulations to Jasper for his first ever adult game, and along with Harry, our joint man-of-the-match. 

As we were the late match, rather than return to our clubhouse we retired to our 'Sunday room' in the pavilion by our pitch.  We find that at 6 o'clock on a Saturday evening, few people want to travel to a clubhouse away from the pitch, as they usually need to get away for parties and dinner, and this also impacts on our ability to hire the clubhouse out on Saturday evenings, which is needed commercially to make the club viable.  Our pavilion is a little run down, but with two teams in there, some beer for the adults, some cheese and pate on baguettes, and some comfy sofas, it was a great atmosphere.  It shows what a difference it makes having a clubhouse by the pitch, and hopefully when we get our new clubhouse by our new pitches, it will give the club a fantastic social environment.

This morning I watched our U14 boys against Aylesbury, which was another good game, although won 5-1 by Aylesbury thanks to a late very skilful and fast addition to Aylesbury's side who scored 4 and set up 1.  Jake scored a blinder reverse into the top right corner to pull us back to 1-2, but Aylesbury's goal machine scored 3 in the last 10 minutes to put the match beyond us.  Excellent play by all our lads though, with the goalie, James, once again the man-of-the-match for a string of super saves.

Afterwards, as one sport is not enough, I went to watch Jamie's football match second half.  Jamie was playing the team at the top, and they showed why with some excellent football, though with Prestwood hanging in.  2-1 down with 10 minutes to go, the opposition broke through and the ball was destined for the bottom corner when Jack got a hand to it to turn it round the post.

The week before, Harry didn't have much to do, and sometimes neither do James or Jack, but this week all were called upon on many occasions, and both stepped up, and it took some excellent goals to beat them.  That can be the way with goalkeeping, whether football or hockey: periods of relative inactivity, followed by frantic activity, and to balance that is not easy, but crucial to all sides, so well done to all goalkeepers everywhere that stand between the posts.

Rushing about

I've missed posting for a few weeks, as my home internet connection has been down.  This has been commented on, so it appears that I may have some readers I wasn't aware of, so thanks very much, whoever you are.  I'm hoping to be more regular going forward.  It has also made arranging teams very hard, as we use a web based team selection and notification system that really makes it easy, and it wasn't accessible.  It's hard to imagine how we ever managed without broadband.

Saturday I needed to be away fairly quickly after the match, though I did act as lead for the opposition convoy back to our club first and stayed for 15 minutes for a slice of pizza and some chips.  We were due to be skating in Winchester so all a bit of a rush.  However, even 15 minutes is important for keeping the social side of the club going.  All the opposition came back which was good to see, although I'm sure they were happy to celebrate their 5-1 win.  It was a really good competitive game though, against a team that are top by some distance, and we had played well and had even had a couple of extra chances to score (one mine).  As seems to be the form at the moment, after the match I was voted Donkey again, for missing the goal at one end, and presenting the opposition with a goal at the other: my missed tackle wild flap at the ball was widely admired.

We made the skating, well I didn't as it took half an hour to park the car, although I wasn't desperately fussed as I am pretty rubbish.  Next day, we had to get back, as the U14s including Nick had a game at Newlands, and my eldest had a cup game in Prestwood (though football rather than hockey).  Nick and co. had a great game, which ended 3-3, with A&C three times coming back from a goal down, lots of other goalmouth action and end to end hockey.  A game that was really enjoyed by all the parent spectators of both teams, with considerable cheering throughout, and a great last game before Christmas.

I do aim to try to do some exercise over the holiday, though I suspect that may be limited if the temperature drops below zero.  However, it's the thought that counts.

Donkey for the season

Saturday I had been selected for the 3rds, as the team I normally run wasn't playing, owing to a cancellation because of half-term from our opposition.  A home match at a nice time which I was looking forward to.  Afterwards I would have a short break before umpiring the Men's Development (Badgers) side, mostly U14s.  Crispin rang me up to say a couple of his lads had had to drop out and could my youngest Nick join as a substitute.  Nick was very happy about this, his first ever such match, although getting ready took slightly longer and I was a tad late for the 3rds.  When I arrived the 3rds were in fact playing, and I looked at my watch in surprise and thought they must have started a fraction early.  Then there was a strong whistle and all the players started shaking hands.  My hand went to my head: I'd turned up for the end of the match.  I apologised profusely.  Thomas said that in response to me mail "see you at 3pm", he had twice sent me an email saying "no, 1.30", but I think he could have sent me twenty emails and it wouldn't have made any difference - I had 3pm fixed in my head.  Fortunately they had 12 players, so it wasn't a disaster.  I joined them down at the club for a drink, and mentioned that I had been voted Donkey the previous week.  Ben promptly said that this made me 'Donkey for the season'.  Harsh but fair.

A little later I umpired the Badgers, a really good match which were losing 0-1 until John got a bash on his lip half way through the second half and had to go to hospital for a few stiches.  I came on as a substitute and someone else took over as umpire, and the final score was 1-5.  I did score our goal, but I'm not sure my overall contribution was that positive!  However, fab to play with Nick on the same team.

Yesterday Nick played again in an U12 vs U14, to replace another cancelled match, again because of half-term.  A really good match, where the U12 played terrifically well to limit the U14 to just a 3-0 win.  We will have some very good Hockey players in these groups.  Overall, a good weekend, but I am clearly going to have to work harder to avoid being Donkey in future.

Voted Donkey

After our matches we vote on Man of the Match and Donkey.  The former title is obvious, the latter is reserved for the daft mistake or something else on the day that merits the perpetrator winner of the title.  Yesterday I was voted Donkey, unanimously, in fact even I voted for me.  What did I do to deserve this ignominy?  And this after I had just given up my time to umpire the previous match too.  Well I thought I did what used to be called 'playing in the spirit of the game'.  We went one down, and then pulled one back to draw level.  The game had just a few minutes to go when one of the opposition burst through our defence towards me, and unfortunately the ball hit me on the foot as I tried to defend our D.  The umpire blew for a free hit just outside the D, but alas I knew the ball had hit my foot inside the D, so I confessed my mistake, and the umpire converted the free hit to a penalty corner.  The opposition took a short push in and cracked the ball across for the same guy I had fouled to steam in and deflect the ball into the roof of the net.  It was a very good goal, but Bob, as my left back couldn't believe I'd owned up.  He wasn't cross, just disbelieveing.  We pressed for another equaliser but just a couple of minutes later the final whistle blew.

Sitting in the bar after the match, Bhavik, our Man-of-the-Match asked me if I'd own up again in a critical league match and after a moment's pause, I said I would.  Winning is good, or at least avoiding defeat, but for me the way the game is played is important too.  I'm afraid therefore that I can envisage being voted Donkey again.