Untitled Document

Goal Chart: After 27/2/10
16	Taylor T,
15	Webster,
13	Thomas J, Palmer M,
11	Cutts, Walkey,
10	Brown,
9	Goodman, Thomas P, Moon, Chave,
8	Parker, Mulla, Millman S,
7	Ogilvie, Yuill, Pearce-Smith, Harris Dave, Tucker,
6	Sparks, Poulsom, Cooper Andrew,
5	Holmes W, Pope, Newington, Wanklyn, Nichols G, Farrell, Roper,
4	Beesley, Richardson, Longden M, Colton, Taylor M,
3	Puetz, Kemp, Clark P, Holiday J, Holmes N, Watts, Edworthy, Fishley, Colquhoun, Butt, Alger T, Blake, Cockram, Armsby, Crofts, Haynes P,
2	Minchin E, Woodward, Dineley, Glorney, Harris Dom, Ratcliffe P, Barnes, Oldfield, Ash, Cooper Andy, Wornell,
1	Cureton, Hill, Weale, Cranfield, Griffin, Greenslade, Smerald, Maydew, Harris Dave, Parker, Rees, Ludley, Hewitt, Slater N, Lipfriend, Frost J, Hancock, Haslett, Catchpole, Sammes, Coates, Mason, Enderby, Ratcliffe D, Jepson, Hutton, Elms, Geddes,

TEAM GOALS

1^st XI:

2^nd XI:

3^rd XI:

Wanderers:

Wizards:

Warriors:

Widgets:

Badgers

Veterans:

Cutts

Moon

Walkey

Taylor T

Brown

Palmer M

Goodman

Yuill

Webster

Thomas J

Longden M

Pearce-Smith

Farrell

Taylor T

Thomas P

Harris Dave

Mulla

Crofts

Roper

Butt

Tucker

Millman S

Webster

Ogilvie

Holmes N

Wanklyn

Clark

Nichols G

Poulsom

Webster

Chave

Parker

Alger T

Jepson

Millman S

Richardson

Haynes P

Sparks

Thomas J

Sparks

Colton

Holmes W

Weale

Watts

Colquhoun

Beesley

Fishley

Pope

Hewitt

Minchin E

Blake

Richardson

Holiday J

Taylor M

Holmes W

Cooper Andy

Beesley

Kemp

Edworthy

Poulsom

Walkey

Newington

Pope

Ratcliffe P

Cockram

Beesley

Thomas J

Holiday J

Puetz

Cranfield

Thomas P

Smerald

Cureton

Catchpole

Harris Dom

Parker

Cooper Andrew

Greenslade

Barnes

Roper

Edworthy

Chave

Cooper Andrew

Chave

Clark P

Cureton

Frost J

Coates

Maydew

Woodward

Ash

Slater N

Hill

Haslett

Millman S

Harris Dave

Crofts

Clark P

Webster

Hancock

Barnes

Longden M

Dineley

Poulsom

Oldfield

Mulla

Poulsom

Dineley

Armsby

Rees

Palmer M

Enderby

Chave

Mason

Hutton

Moon

Newington

Glorney

Ratcliffe D

Griffin

Elms

Cockram

Ludley

Wornell

Nichols G

Wanklyn

Millman S

Armsby

Green

Armsby

Tucker

Yuill

Sammes

Crofts

Colquhoun

Lipfriend

Johnson

Ogilvie

Taylor M

Millman S

Mulla

Oldfield

Cooper Andrew

Parker

Ash

Geddes

Mulla

Harris Dave

Parker

WEEKLY RESULTS & MATCH REPORTS

Westbury & United Banks HC: Results for Saturday 27/2/10
Team	Opponents		League	Scr	Scorers
1^st XI	v Team Bath Buccs II	A	Premier 2	2-4	Roper Elms
2^nd XI	v O Bristolians	H	North Div 1	2-5	Tucker Haynes P
3^rd XI	v Team Bath Buccs V	H	Avon Div	1-1	Beesley
Wanderers	v Robinsons IV	A	Br & NW Som Div1	4-4	Taylor T 2 Chave Geddes
Wizards	v N Somerset	H	Br & NW Som Div 2	0-2
Widgets	v Mendip II	A	Br & NW Som Div 3	2-1	Millman S Cooper Andrew
Match comments
1^st XI: Andy Krebs writes: First half, we made 3 stupid mistakes, let 3 goals in, but actually played well as a team. Good structure at times, good discipline throughout. Second half a rather severe talking to later, we perked up. Not helped by a harsh flick awarded against Hancock in the opening stages to make it 4-0.Elms then Roper struck in a competitive half to make the scoreline respectable. A good comeback and sound performance. Ed Minchin was impressive in a really really tough debut for the first team. Man of the match was Struan, Despondent yet encouraged. A good fight back and team taking on board lessons learnt. Bath Buccs were very good, took their chances. We gave them 3 gilt edged chances in the first half that they took well. Learn and move on...
2^nd XI: The seconds opened and closed the scoring against O Bristolians. Ben Tucker had netted only to see the umpire signal a short corner, but ben then thumped in the short to give Westbury a 1-0 lead. O Bristolians gradully worked their way up through their gearbox and at regular intervals scored 5 goals. Their first gola took sometime coming thanks to the heroics of Pete Murphy. He notched up five first class saves before they scored and add some more throughout the course of the game. The game closed with a Pat Haynes goal following some good build up play. This was a hard working team effort, with Westbury matching O Bs in midfield, but not having the bite all the way across the front line to build on the first goal.
3^rd XI: The thirds opened the scoring from a short corner. Before the game Richard Beesley was looking at the short corner striking options, and anticipated that he would be third in line to take them. However, he was there for the first short and struck it well to give the thirds the lead against a Bath Buccs team that was made up of the Bath University students. The match was fairly even all the way through, without either side never really taking a grip on the game. Bath Buccs equalised, and both sides created chances that might have been turned into a winner. In the end a draw was probably a fair result.
Wanderers: The Wanderers shared eight goals with Robinsons. Tom Taylor scored twice, Justin Chave and Adam Geddes one each.
Wizards: The Wizards battled away against N Somerset. Antony Spencer was full of running as was Luke Oldfield and Toby Whitehead. The balance of play was centered on too much individual running and not enough linking play, with players running into into tackling zones, where the experienced N Somerset defenders mopped up everything before any chances were created in the D. Two goals put the visitors in the driving seat. The best Wizard's hockey came in the last ten minutes, when they mounted some serious challenge in the D. Graeme Brown glanced in a cross, but after awarding the goal, the umpire disallowed it for backsticks. A N Somerset player said "Thank you Westbury," so it would seem that someone owned up to the offence in the sporting manner that is the 'Westbury way!'
Widgets: Dave Holliday writes: Won 2-1. Team:- Joe Petch, Brian Callis, Phil Simon, Brian Nichols, Dave Ratcliffe, Andrew Cooper , Tom Ash, Mark Crofts, Paul Clark, Steve Millman, Ned Holmes, Jordan Pardington, Ben Herman. Much changed team from last week with Jordan and Ben making their senior debuts from the Sunday Badgers .In spite of all the changes plenty of good hockey, both sides contained mixture of senior and good junior players, therefore well matched and a fairly even contest. Steve Millman was absolutely superb, encouraging and coaching our youngsters throughout to get the best out of them. First goal was scored by Steve, diverting a fierce shot from Mark Croft past their goalkeeper who later in the first half made the 'save of the season,' acrobatically diving backwards to save a deflected shot from the top of the D looping into the goal just under the crossbar. Mendip equalised early in the second half, but Westbury never wilted and after a smart move down the right Andrew Cooper was on hand at the far post to smash in the winner. A game played in excellent spirit, on a very good (new) pitch, well umpired, and all the Westbury players again gave their all. Afterwards we had 12 (!!) back for tea so its great to see that we are developing the social side as well. There is a wonderful spirit in the Widgets at the moment, the ongoing development of our juniors is so important and it seems that all the hard work is paying dividends.Let's keep it up.

Westbury & United Banks HC: Results for Saturday 20/2/10
Team	Opponents		League	Scr	Scorers
1^st XI	v Gloucester	H	Premier 2	3-1	Thomas J 2 Roper
2^nd XI	v Cirencester	A	North Div 1	4-4	Richardson 2 Cockram Poulsom
2^nd XI	v Cheltenham II (21/2/10)	H	North Div 1	3-7	Moon 2 Poulsom
3^rd XI	v Bristol Univ III	A	Avon Div	0-2
Wanderers	v Bristol & West III	H	Br & NW Som Div1	0-3
Wanderers	v Firebrands IV	A	Br & NW Som Div1	1-3	Parker
Wizards	v Bristol & West V	A	Br & NW Som Div 2	7-3	Brown 2 Green 2 Pope Parker Sammes
Warriors	v Mendip II	H	Br & NW Som Div 3	2-1	Hewitt 2
Widgets	v Firebrands V	H	Br & NW Som Div 3	2-5	Harris Dave Johnson
Veterans	v O Bristolians	A	Friendly	0-2
Badgers	v O Bristolians	A	Bristol Badgers	0-0
Badgers	v O Bristolians	A	Bristol Badgers	2-3	Jepson Mulla
Match comments The club played 13 games this weekend, this must be a record!
1^st XI: Games against Gloucester City have tended to be somewhat frustrating affairs in recent times, apart from a good win this time last year, generally we will come off the pitch having been certain that we were the better team, but having lost by the odd goal. This ability to win sees Glouc. at the top of Prem 2 and bookies favourites to go up. We had the bare 11, same as every other team in the club, nothing much more to say on that subject save thanking those who do make themselves available week in and week out.Mixing things up again, 2 of our 4 usual defenders were in the team, so Hancock filled in at the back next Terry watts , with Struan Wilkins taking up the right back role opposite Smerald in his usual position. Other than that, and Joe Thomas at high central midfield, the team was a fairly usual shape with Jonatahn Elms at Left Mid, Paul Mason in the middle and Owen Kemp taking a turn at right mid to compliment Gary Roper and Dave Dineley up front.The game started well, we were all over them, (Sound familiar in recent weeks?) We went a goal up after a period of complete domination with Gloucester unable to comprehend our ball movement and pace of transition. The half ended 2-0 with only a brief 5 minute period at the end of the half reverting back to our shovel and hope hockey. The score being as a result of quick leads, fast passing and a genuine understanding between players. Very nice to watch. Smerald getting us out of trouble a couple of times with hefty aerials, Terry and Tim looking as if they had played together at the back for years. Owen and Joe linking well with Mace and the forwards as Elms and Smerald linked well on the left. All was working well. Time for another second half...It came, by god did it come, we struggled to pass one ball together for about 15 minutes, after 4 minutes Gloucester were a goal back, complete breakdown in communication and a complete lack of awareness from players giving them their first real non penalty corner chance of the match, duly slotting it into the net, the game was 2-1 and once again slipping away from Westbury. This time however, despite being shattered, in some cases injured, and in all cases under scrutiny from a very capable Glouc. City team, Westbury revived and regained control of the game. Securing a 2 goal lead again with a 3rd goal, Shadwell's first after a brace from Joe earlier in the game. Relief was shortlived as Gloucester stepped up a gear in search of some points.Instead of getting the head down and playing like children, Westbury continued to dominate with strong team unity. This was all good to see. To make it slightly harder at the end, Smerald got himself sin-binned for deliberately cutting out an aerial into the D above his head and stopping an attack, again good umpiring. The resulting short corner sequence yeilded nothing but another reason why Terry Watts will be in people's mind for player of the year come the end of season.We won this game 3-1, blooming satisfying and very very well deserved from everyone. Each player had to play for 70 minutes, to a great extent everyone did. Points of note being Owen's inability not to take on and make fools of 6 visiting players at a time, Shadwell's frankly ridiculous ability on the ball, and the greatest pick up of an aerial ever seen by Tim Hancock which saved a potentially very serious 1-1 situation with the goalkeeper. Mason stepped into a defensive midfield role very very well as one would expect, Jon Elms confirming that he is the most mature man in the world with a faultless display and the forward contingent doing their work with aplomb, Dinley proving time and again that he is more talented than any defender we have found for him yet.Lets hope this sustains till next week, we need this work rate and application all game every game lads. It was a joy to watch.
2^nd XI: We went with 11 men but that did not stop us from putting out a top performance. A stop start affair. We came out 4 - 4 at the final whistle, each time coming back from being a goal down showing that heads are not going down and that players are fighting hard despite the predicament we are in. They scored from 4 short corners and nothing from open play which was testament to how hard the whole team worked defensively but especially the backs keeping their one man show at bay. We played some excellent flowing hockey resulting in 3 open play goals and a short. We hit the post and had a couple of other narrow misses. 5 more minutes and a bit of luck and we would have won this one. Scorers:Cockram Richardson 2 (although 1 was clearly an opposition comedy own goal) Poulsom
2^nd XI: Top of the league Cheltenham visited the dingle today. They went a couple up fairly quickly and we pulled one back. They scored a couple more then so did we. 3-4 and they were a little worried. Tired bodies and minds told in the end with the final result being 3-7. A generally good performance, just need to work a bit more on keeping possession, quickly releasing passes, short passes and staying with the runners. A few momentary lapses resulting in turn over ball led to the Cheltenham goals, they converted their chances very well and were lightning on the break. Positive play again today to continue to build on despite the result which really did not reflect the game.
3^rd XI: The thirds found Bristol University in good form, the students winning the game by two goals to nil.
Wanderers: The Wanderers lost their late game with Bristol & West by 3-0. On Sunday they played some excellent hockey to push Firebrands all the way to the finish before falling to a late third goal. At 2-1 they were still in the game. Sam Parker had scored the Wanderers goal in the first half. Martin Hicks made some top notch saves as Firebrands had some nifty forwards who were quick and skillful.
Wizards: The Wizards finished winners in a high scoring game with Bristol & West. Graeme Brown hit 2, Dave Green scored twice, his first goals for the club. James Pope, Tom Sammes and Sam Parker shared the other goals in their 7-3 win.
Warriors: The Warriors made it six games unbeaten with a 2-1 win against a resiliant Mendip side, but as Adrian Napper said, the post match feeling was of a 9-0 loss. The Warriors did not play as well as last week and struggled to play a telling pass. Having fallen behind, their best two moves of the game saw Simon Hewitt score twice in two minutes. The first came from a through pass into the D and a smart square ball from Duncan Ogilvie. Simon swept in in reverse stick. The second was almost identical. This time Andy Cooper squared it, Simon steering it in on his open side. At least it was three more points.
Widgets: Lost 2 - 5 but great effort by everyone who took part. Team:- Joe Petch (G/K), Brian Callis, Tim Laurence, Brian Nichols, Austin Sheppard, Dave Holliday, Dave Harris, Luke Oldfield, Simon Johnston, Peter Thompson, Ned Holmes. We scored 2 great goals, firstly involving a good pass out of defence by Tim, to Pete Thompson who centred for Dave Harris to finish off the move with a strike into the roof of the net. Second goal involving Dave, Luke, and struck home fiercely by Simon Johnson (his first goal for the club). Commitment by our players was superb; everyone gave their all, I couldn't ask for any more. Well done lads and thanks to Martin Palmer and Graham Aitchison for umpiring. It was Graham's first game since his course - he did very well. Next challenge - Mendip away 12 o'clock start @ Midsomer Murders!!!
Veterans: A veterans team with many of the regulars away or on duty in the rearranged league matches, competed excellently in the game against O Bs. Martin Eland was in outstanding form as the veterans' guest goalkeeper. His reverse stick save near the end was unbelievable. O Bs scored in the first half. The play in the middle of the park was very even, but the home side had better penetration into the D. After the turn-around Westbury created a few chances of their own. The best one fell to Duncan Ogilvie who swung at a stinging cross from the right. If he had made contact it would have been great goal, but the ball just eluded his stick. O Bs scored in the last seconds to take the game 2-0.

Westbury & United Banks HC: Results for Saturday 13/2/10
Team	Opponents		League	Scr	Scorers
1^st XI	v Swansea Bay	A	Premier 2	1-3	Roper
2^nd XI	v Gloucester II	H	North Div 1	1-1	Hutton
3^rd XI	v Team Bath Buccs V	H	Avon Div	2-1	Tucker Walkey
Wanderers	v O Bristolians III	A	Br & NW Som Div1	4-2	Mulla Taylor T Farrell Taylor M
Wizards	v Bristol & West IV	H	Br & NW Som Div 2	1-1	Harris Dave
Warriors	v Firebrands VI	A	Br & NW Som Div 3	1-1	Palmer M
Widgets	v O Bristolians V	A	Br & NW Som Div 3	5-2	Thomas P 2 Goodman Armsby Crofts
Badgers	v Firebrands	A	Bristol Badgers	can
Match comments
1^st XI: Andy Krebs summarised the game thus: Swansea are always competitive. We were 1-0 up at half time having dominated. Lost 3-1 having allowed Swansea far far too many chances/space in a game that should have been out of sight.
2^nd XI: Reston Smith writes: The seconds turned in an excellent performance this Saturday. Commitment and passion from all combined with some patient, strong hockey to gain a draw against Gloucester City. 1-1 the score Chris Hutton on target for the 2's. More to follow.
3^rd XI: The thirds turned in a first class performance to defeat 3rd placed Bath Buccs. This win was built around total commitment from the 11 players on duty, who battled away without any subs. A bang in the back to Charlie Knight saw him stay on the pitch as the bench was empty. Charlie was like a magnet to the ball after that, clearing up a lot of Bath Buccs attacks, ably assisted by his fellow defenders. The third worked the ball round and Ben Tucker looked particularly sharp on the ball. Ben opened the scoring with a well struck short corner. Westbury looked solid in defence and decisive in midfield. After the interval Nathan Walkey cut into the D from the left. He admitted afterwards he mis-hit his shot, but it still went into the right hand corner for a 2-0 lead. Sam Banting made an outstanding diving save to divert a Buccs short corner wide of the goal. The visitors did get a late goal, but there was hardly time for one more attack and the final whistle went signaling an excellent win.
Wanderers: Pete Farrell writes: With Skipper James Holliday nursing his groin on the sidelines he was entertained by a great all round performance from the Wanderers against an OB;s team that had put 4 past Bristol University the week before. Tom Taylor got his obligatory goal, a steaming short corner strike, Zeyn Mulla on his debut for the 4ths got a debut goal picking up a loose ball on the rebound, slapping it into the goal. Pete Farrell scored a screamer past the keepers right ear and Matty Taylor was calmness personified as he place his shot into he back of the net. Well done guys was a pleasure to be the surrogate skipper! Jarvis, Peutz, Denner, Rees, Taylor T, Taylor M, Colquhoun, Dom Harris, Maydew, Chave, Mulla, Farrell.
Wizards: The Wizards looked very effective going forward in the first half. Dave Harris showed the speed he had when he was regularly playing, although his lungs did give up with 15 minutes to go. He will need to work on his oxygen 'uptake' before his next game! It was Dave who struck in the first half when he picked up a rebound and hit a blistering shot to give the Wizards a deserved 1-0 lead against a Bristol & West team who started the day in second place. George Banting was called into action on the left hand post to clear the ball off the line from a short corner. A second goal would certainly have killed the game. Alan Sparks was unlucky with one effort close to half time. Tony Webster came close in the second half but saw his best effort, a trade mark thumper of a shot saved by the visiting goalkeeper. Bristol & West spent three quarters of the match chasing the game, but in the last quarter of an hour they upped their game and began to look dangerous. They banged in a short corner, and then had a period of play when they looked as if they could fashion a winner. A game that was mostly played in good spirit by both sides was spoilt by a couple of late yellows as Westbury began to take control again to close the game out with a well earned draw. There were good performances all over the park from a confident looking Wizards' team. Tom Sammes, umpiring his first club game, looked confident and assured in his decision making.
Warriors: Fifth place Warriors took on third place Firebrands on their patch and shocked them by taking a first half lead. The Warriors played a four man midfield and this resulted in a good contest in the middle but a lack of penetration into the final 22 metres. However a clever through ball by James Pope just eluded his team mate. The home keeper elected to let it run out for a 16. The ball hit the pots. Martin Palmer recovered and his flick hit the goalkeeper's helmet and bounced nicely for him to stab home. Andy Cooper was unlucky when a cross from the right took a bounce just as he was attempting to sweep it in at the left hand post, going over his stick. If the ball had stayed on the deck it could well have been 2-0. The second half had hardly started when Firebrands struck an equaliser. They then camped in the Westbury half of the pitch. Mssrs Colton, Napper, Wise, Rose and Harvey in various combinations work like trojans to keep out the home forwards. Dave Green had a good game in the middle of the pitch. The team's hard work earned an excellent point.
Widgets: Won 5 - 2. Good teams make for good games and enjoyable Saturday afternoons. Team:- Joe Petch; Brian Callis, Tim Laurence, Brian Nichols, George Minchin, Austin Shepppard, Dave Holliday, Duncan Armsby, Mark Crofts, Tom Sammes, James Goodman, Pete Thomas.Quickly 3-0 up after 20 minutes, wobbled and held on while O.B's scored a couple, then totally dominated last 20 minutes scoring 2 more goals for a well deserved 5 - 2 win. Scorers Pete Thomas (2), Goodman, Armsby , Crofts. Great contributions by everyone, especially the youngsters who responded well to the onfield coaching and encouragement from Goodman and Armsby. Joe in goal made several solid saves. Tim and George are developing their defensive skills and are now looking much more mobile getting forward. Tom Sammes had his first game in attack and what a revelation he was, linking up well and making the most of Goody's experience alongside. Extremely proud of what the Widgets have done so far this season. Zeyn Mulla and Dave Parry deservedly have progressed from us to 4ths and 5ths - could be more to come. Yesterday again highlighted that to get results from our juniors we must have capable seniors (like Goodman, Armsby, Harris, Tommy Alger, Croftsy) helping out. Is it too much to hope that availability higher up the club will improve so that we can continue this very worthwhile exercise?

Westbury & United Banks HC: Results for Saturday 6/2/10
Team	Opponents		League	Scr	Scorers
1^st XI	v Marlborough	H	Premier 2	1-1	Blake
1^st XI	v Bath Buccs III (7/2/10)	A	Premier 2	2-2	Thomas J 2
2^nd XI	v Bridgend	A	North Div 1	1-4	Millman S
3^rd XI	v Wootton Basset	A	Avon Div	3-7	Pearce-Smith Moon Cockram
Wanderers	v S Glos	H	Br & NW Som Div1	0-2
Wizards	v S Glos II	A	Br & NW Som Div 2	4-0	Wornell 2 Cooper Andrew Mulla
Wizards	v Frys (7/2/10)	A	Br & NW Som Div 2	0-4
Warriors	v O Bristolians V	H	Br & NW Som Div 3	3-3	Palmer M 2 Nichols G
Widgets	v Robinsons V	A	Br & NW Som Div 3	0-2
Badgers	v Somerset Gryphons	H	Bristol Badgers	1-2	Jepson
Match comments
1^st XI: The first clawed back a late equaliser. Jonny Parish banged a great ball into the D and Stuart Blake glanced it expertly into the roof of the net.
Well, what can be said about this. A westbury 12, with 2 debutants in the shape of Dinely and Butt. Availabilitywas nothing short of disgusting for a first XI of a 7 team club. Went to Bath, outplayed a team who beat us soundly at home, went in at half time 1-1, in complete control of the game. Dinely in particular showing up more experienced players as Westbury linked welltogether.Yellow cards were of the offing. Sent off: a Bath player for pointing at his foot. Smerald got a break for controlling an aerial under pressure. Westbury were superb for the entire game, almost everyone playing their second game of the weekend and you would not have thought so to watch them. Bath were playing well and kept us at bay for the majority of it, but Joe was not to be denied his 2nd with a low drive to the keepers left. 2-1 and the game only going one way. The pressure was maintained throughout the second half, with Mr Butt linking well with Mr Poulsom, and Terry Watts and Pat Haynes dictating all in defence, Struan doing well to hold the midfield with Mason. The result was made all square when the umpire blew his whistle really hard and pointed at the penalty spot so that 2-2 was the final score.
2^nd XI: Reston Smith reports: The seconds travelled to Bridgend with the bare 11. It was only with the commitment of Steve Millman that we travelled with 11 (10.5) and not just 10. Following a positive start - a goal by Millman in the first 2-3 minutes, we placed ourselves under pressure and allowed Bridgend to create a number of chances. Eventually the pressure told and they equalized.Subsequently a bit of shape and order appeared in the Westbury ranks and some of the Bridgend pressure was relieved. Bridgend capitalised on their opportunities particularly in the ofrm of short corners. They scored from 3 of 4 short corners. The straight strike from the top was succesful on each occasion. One deflected off Murphys kickers, one deflected off Danny Lochtman's foot and one deflected off Jonny Day's foot. This misfortune did not stop the fearless and aggressive running of both at the defensive short corners. Without the deflections the post men would have been more than able to divert the goal bound shots.The Westbury team did not lack passion or commitment. Once more undone by a couple of slow periods and a little misfortune.Some good performances from those who have made their way up the club notably Danny Lochtman who was solid at the back and Dave Dinely who was the stand out performer in the first half.
3^rd XI: The thirds came unstuck at Wotton Basset by sven goals to three. The scorers were James Pearce-Smith, Neil Moon and Phil Cockram.
Wanderers: The Wanderers played a lot of neat hockey in the first half and had more of the possession, but S Glos had some nippy forwards who were causing problems to the Warriors defence. A neat move by thier best forward saw a team mate dive to guide the ball into the net. Westbury still constructed some good approach work, but were unable to create any notable chances in the visitor's D. The second half saw the Wanderers pres forward and Pete Farrell was unlucky to see his short corner strike hit the net instead of the backboard. S Glos snatched another goal to give them a 2-0 cushion. The Wanderers kept going forward, but some of their passing went a little astray. Alex Maydew looked good on the ball and was linking well with his midfield. The final whistle went on a home defeat. The Wanderers played with commitment and passion up to the 25 where they then found it difficult to break down some solid defending by S Glos.
Wizards: George Banting reports: A bit of a shaky first half...too many long balls attempted, not enough width, not enough use of the square ball and a failure to convert pressure in the opposition 25 into goals. However, Dave Wornell (playing at left back) turned up in the right of the D to slot one home shortly before half time...this followed an excellent bit of skill from Zeyn Mullah and a fine cross from Tom Ash to set the goal up. Chris Cocks gave us a kick up the backside (verbally) at half time and demanded three goals in the second half. We duly obliged. Dave Wornell went on a forceful run, won a short corner, then duly converted it....2-0 early in the second half (45 seconds on the clock - editor). The third came from a swift break and passing move from the back and ended with Andy Cooper getting the faintest of touches at the far post to guide the ball into the goal. Zeyn had a hand in the build up to this one too. We had some more chances, but their keeper pulled off some good saves. Martin Eland also had some work to do for us in goal and helped to keep the game comfortable by keeping a clean sheet. A through pass for Zeyn to run on to allowed him to breeze past the defender then slip the ball coolly under the keeper for the fourth. An excellent second half performance and a well deserved win.
Wizards: On Sunday the Wizards played their postponed match against Frys, where they lost 4-0. Chris Cocks sent me a text that said that Frys had to work hard for their victory.
Warriors: The Warriors surged into a two gaol lead against O Bristolians. Harry Newington linked with Ernie Wise down the right. Ernie's ball bounced nicely for Martin Palmer to hit on the volley for a stunning goal. It hit the roof of the net, had the net not been there it would have cleared the Tennis Centre. (I never usualy hit them that well!) Gareth Nichols added the second by skillfully beating two defenders with his delightful trade mark 'over the top' dummy, before expertly placing the ball past the keeper. O Bs had some pressure of their own and Andy Pound and his defence were asked to deal with some experienced attackers who knew their way to goal. O Bs pulled a goal back before half time. After the break the visitors squared the game. The Warriors with Harry Newington, Dave Green and Andy Cooper particularly active going foward were creating chances. Westbury regained the lead when David Parry who had a great game at left back fed Andy Cooper down the left. Andy cut back and delivered the perfect ball for Martin Palmer to deflect between the keeper and the near post. A host of chances came to kill the game off, with Gareth Nichols finding Lady Luck had deserted him. The visiting goalkeeper put himself in the way of shots and a couple of efforts went agonisingly wide of the post. O Bs capitalised on a poor left wing corner that went straight to a claret and white player, who set up a break-away for an equaliser. On the final whistle O Bs earned a short corner. This resulted in a second one. The shot was put in with Andy Pound making a diving save to deflect the ball outside the post. Andy thought Adrian Napper may also have helped delect it wide. In the away game O Bs won in the last minute, fortune was on our side and the draw was secured. This was an excellent team performance and could so easily been a win. As it is, it was a fourth game without defeat.
Widgets: The Widgets gave a hardworking performance against Robinsons, but lost by two first half goals.
Badgers: Pete Farrell reports: The Badgers team that played on Sunday was comprised totally of players under the age of 16. The only senior to take to the pitch was our glorious chariman who followed on his sterling work during the earlier training session in ensuring our Clubs First assessor got all the right answers, by donning the pads and helmet and take up position between the sticks....his customary position if not garb! In the first half Gryphons played some good attacking hockey and they took the lead, partially as a result of us trying to clear the ball straight up the pitch rather than to the sidelines and us letting opposing players drift away from us into space where they could receive a pass. Having said that we did produce some pleasing hockey ourselves and eventually created opportunities to score, one of which was blasted into the net by Harry Jepson - great goal Harry! Unfortunately we couldn't hold onto the lead and turned round 2-1 down.Words of wisdom and encouragement at half time from Brain Nicholls saw an improvement in our marking at the back and we created some flowing and well structured hockey going forwards. The three Alex's (Yuill/Maydew & Webber) combined well to create chances to get into the D which we only snuffed out by Gryphons senior players. We did create shooting opportunities but sadly were slightly off target. There were no more goals and the match ended in a 2-1 loss.What was pleasing about the perfomance was that we had a very young side, players listened to advice and tried to put into practice what they were asked to do, and also the work rate, effort and committment, which was commented on after the match by the Gryphons senior players. It was great to see this as well as a lot of skill by all the players. Many thanks to the parents and club members who supported and encouraged from the side, to Duncan who saved me from having to play in goal and last but by no means least to Tom Sammes who umpired for us....his first competitive match since qualifying last week - he controlled the game well and made every effort to keep it flowing, in fact I didn't notice he was there - which is definitely a compliment!

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