Untitled Document

Westbury & United Banks HC: Results for Saturday 26/1/08
Team	Opponents		League	Scr	Scorers
1^st XI	v Taunton Vale	H	Premier 1	2-2	Roper Hancock
2^nd XI	v Lansdown	A	North Div 1	1-2	Haslett
3^rd XI	v Weston-Super-Mare II	A	Avon Div	3-2	Haynes J Nichols G Walkey
Wanderers	v Bristol UWE II	H	Br & NW Som Div1	1-0	Millman S
Wizards	v Somerset Gryphons II	H	Br & NW Som Div 1	3-2	Harris Dave Dawson Sparks
Warriors	v Somerset Gryphons III	A	Br & NW Som Div 2	1-2	Palmer M
Widgets	v Firebrands VI	H	Br & NW Som Div 3	0-2
Match comments
1^st XI: The first team shared the points with 3rd place Taunton Vale in a 2-2 draw. The firsts are still in 4th place.
2^nd XI: The seconds fell to a 2-1 defeat against Lansdown. Phil Haslett continued his scoring run.
3^rd XI: The thirds won on their trip to Weston-Super-Mare. The team lost a player who had to go to A&E and without a sub on the bench they then had to play with ten men. Add to that Will Jones was carded. Somehow they managed a 3-2 win with goals from James Haynes, gareth Nichols and Nathan Walkey.
Wanderers: A 1-0 win keeps the Wanderers in touch with the top of the table. The only goal of the game was a flick at goal from Steve Millman, and by all accounts it was brilliant one. The Wanderers remain in 4th place in the table and they opened up a bigger gap against today's opponents Bristol UWE, who are one place below them, with this win.
Wizards: The Wizards at long last turned in a winning performance against Somerset Gryphons. Gryphons opened the scoring, but the Wizards hit back to equalise only to see Gryphons regain the lead. A second Wizard's goal squared the game. With both sides were pushing for a winner, but it was the Wizards who came up trumps with the goal that gave them a deserved 3-2 win. Dave Harris, Tim Dawson and Alan Sparks were the scorers.
Warriors: The Warriors played Somerset Gryphons at Clevedon and found themselves ahead from their only visit into the home D in the first half. A good move engineered down the right by Dave Ratcliffe, was continued by James Bladon. Jamie's pass into the D was cleverly tapped on by Pete Thomas and Martin Palmer ended the team's six game run without a goal by slamming it home. (The last goal was against the same opponents). Jon Jarvis was in brilliant form as usual in goal, one brilliant save from a short and a double save showed how well he has taken to this goalkeeping 'lark'. Gryphons equalised before half time. The defence played exceptionally well and Gryphons, who were the slicker side couldn't create many clear cut openings. The Warriors had one second half shot, but Jez Longden's short corner was saved. Gryphons got a goal in controversial style. A Westbury attack saw a home defender bludgeon the forward's stick out of the way, took the ball and four passes later it was in the back of the Westbury net! Gryphons played the better hockey, but once again there was 100% effort from the Warriors. However, too many ill judged passes prevented them from being any further threat to the home goal. Brain Nichols earned the 'hospital pass' of the day award. A long back pass went straight to a Gryphons forward. The square ball to his team mate was brilliantly saved by Jon Jarvis. Brian was also named man-of-the-match.
Widgets: The Widgets held Firebrands to 0-0 until agonisingly in the last 5 minutes of the game the visitors snatched two goals to win the game.

Westbury & United Banks HC: Results for Saturday 19/1/08
1^st XI	v Team Bath Buccs II	A	Premier 1	2-4	Roper Thomas J
2^nd XI	v Leominster	H	North Div 1	6-1	Moon 2 Colquhoun Small Haslett Crill
3^rd XI	v W Glos II	H	Avon Div	10-2	Walkey 4 Woodward 2 Nichols G 2 Alger T Haynes J
Wanderers	v Bristol Univ IV	A	Br & NW Som Div1	pst
Wizards	v Firebrands V	A	Br & NW Som Div 1	1-5	Holmes
Warriors	v Robinsons V	H	Br & NW Som Div 2	0-3
Widgets	v Robinsons VI	A	Br & NW Som Div 3	3-3	Money 2 Ratcliffe P
Match comments
1^st XI: The firsts fell to a defeat at Team Bath Buccs. They found themselves 2-0 down and worked hard as a team to pull it back to 2-2 with goals froma Gary Roper and Joe Thomas. Buccs scored to take a 3-2 lead and Westbury pressed hard again for an equaliser. In the closing minutes Buccs scored a fourth goal.
2^nd XI: In the howling wind and stinging rain, the 2nds found their best form for many a year to commandingly beat the travelling Leominstonians by 6 goals to 1. Playing with purpose, structure and to a well conceived game plan, we dominated possession throughout the match and adapted to the wet conditions like ducks to water. Our defence was strong, the midfield worked harder than ever and the forward line attacked with style and speed. A sextuplet of glorious goals gave the brave, soggy crowd something to cheer about with Tom Colquhoun, Ian Small, Joe Crill, 2 for Neil Moon and Phil Haslett all scoring. Man-of-the-Match went to Joe Crill who played superbly in his second team debut.This great team performance moves us into 3rd spot, just a point from 2nd.
3^rd XI: The first half performance by the thirds was brilliant. The passing, movement and control was outstanding. Hugh Woodward swept in the first goal, Nathan Walkey quickly got a second. Then came two quality goals. First Gary Catchpole skillfully attacked the D from the right cut in along the back line and delivered for Nathan to score. A similar attack, this time by James Pearce-Smith finished with Gareth Nichols smashing the ball home. Tom Alger made it five against our local rivals. W Glos did get a goal just before the close of the first half when the ball flew in the air in the D and the visitors pounced first when it landed! There were five more second half goals. Nathan got his hat-trick and then his fourth (a clever shimmy left past the keeper and a reverse stick into the empty net. James Haynes who drilled in a great pass for Nathan's goal struck one himself. Hugh Woodward snapped up his second and Gareth Nichols made it 10 with another well worked goal. W Glos managed to grab another late consolation goal. Everyone in the team played well and deserve credit for the quality of their play.
Wanderers:
Wizards: The Wizards found Firebrands in goalscoring mood and lost 5-1. Will Holmes, who had a good game scored the goal.
Warriors: It was good to see Jon Bower back after being knocked off his bike last year, when he gets the rustiness out of his system, he can begin to build some play for the Warriors. Yet again there was lots of hard work put in by the defence and Robinsons could only score three goals. The first was hotly disputed! Jez Longden was unlucky not to score from his short corner strikes, and we did have a spell when we pressured their D early in the second half looking for the equaliser. Martin Palmer had the chance to get the team's first league goal for ages, but his penalty stroke was saved by the keeper who guessed the right direction.
Widgets: The Widgets were 1-0 up against Robinsons, but fell behind 2-1. By half time the Widgets had moved into a 3-2 lead. Dave Money scored twice and Peter Ratcliffe got his first goal for the club. Robs scored an equaliser not long after the break. The home team looked the more likely side to win and there was a lot of excellent defending. Brian Nichols pulled off a brilliant tackle to deny a home forward a good scoring chance on the top of the D. Dave Money had to play a lone role up front as the Widgets managed to hold out for a draw.

Westbury & United Banks HC: Results for Saturday 12/1/08
Team	Opponents		League	Scr	Scorers
1^st XI	v Marlborough	H	Premier 1	11-2	Roper G 4 Frost J 2 Blake S 2 Poulsom Richardson Thomas J
2^nd XI	v Cirencester	A	North Div 1	3-3	Haslett Moon Dawson
3^rd XI	v Marlborough III	A	Avon Div	4-1	Puetz Woodward Nichols G Walkey
Wanderers	v N Somerset	H	Br & NW Som Div1	5-1	Harris Dave 2 Millman S 2 Rickard
Wizards	v Bristol UWE II	H	Br & NW Som Div 1	0-6
Warriors	v Frys	A	Br & NW Som Div 2	0-6
Widgets	v Yate III	H	Br & NW Som Div 3	1-3	Money
Match comments
1^st XI: The firsts turned in a record breaking score at home to Marlborough. The previous best Premier result was a 5-0 win against W Glos in 1989-90. Gary Roper led the way with four goals. Stuart Blake and James Frost grabbed two a piece. Chris Poulsom and Joe Thomas scored once. Neil Richardson flew into Bristol Airport and arrived at half time with Westbury leading 5-1. He came on in the second period and scored once himself. This result pushes Westbury up to 4th place.
2^nd XI: The seconds came back from Cirencester with a point after sharing 6 goals with the home team. Phil Haslett and Neil Moon scored. The third goal was scored Tim Dawson. The seconds are in 3rd place in their division. Phil felt at pains to point out that he had had his second (perfectly good) goal disallowed in successive games!
3^rd XI: Andy Griffin writes: A great performance with the thrids flowing hockey moving the ball from left to right and vice versa and working neat triangles down both wings. At half time we were 2 -1 up with goals from Steve Puetz and Nathan Walkey. Marlborough reajusted in the second half and played ten men behind the ball. Two further goals from Gareth Nichols and Hugh Woodward, it could of been more. Great effort and commitment from everyone and with the performance it was a pleasure to Captain the team.
Wanderers: Steve Millman described the win against N Somerset as not a particularly good performance, more goals could have been added. However, the job was done and 5-1 was the score. Dave Harris notched two, Steve added two of his own and Geoff Rickard scored the fifth. This result means the Wanderers are still handily placed in their division in third place.
Wizards: The Wizards were beaten 6-0 in their match with Bristol UWE.
Warriors: The Warriors looked a much stronger side against Frys. The home team scored two early goals and were 4-0 up by the break. There was a lot of good individual performances, but as a team we were never able to break the strangle hold that Frys had in midfield. Rich Meal played well and was unlucky not to turn a powerful run into a goal. Martin Rees played well at sweeper, but had to retire with a hand injury. Pete Thomas took his place having done a good job in his new role at centre defence. Dave George, Jamie Cranfield and Graeme Brown worked hard in midfield to stem the tide. Max Longden showed some neat touches. Frys are joint leaders - 3rd on goal difference. If the Warriors can stay strong they can pick up a few points in up-coming matches.
Widgets: The Widgets played very well at home to Yate. The visitors scored first but Dave Money hammered in an equaliser from a short corner. The Widgets had only 11 players, so an injury to Andy Cooper reduced them to ten men. Yate scored again to take a 2-1 lead into half time. Yate added a third which proved to be the last score of the game. Both sides attacked, but the Widgets could not find the net again. In the second half Westbury Legend Martin (Dashy) Dash came out of retirement and using his daughter's old stick showed a few of his old touches. Dashy last played in 1991, but is keen to play again next week.

Westbury & United Banks HC: Results for Saturday 5/1/08
Team	Opponents		League	Scr	Scorers
1st XI	v Firebrands (8/11/08)	A	Friendly	1-3	Thomas J
2^nd XI	v O Bristolians	A	Friendly	4-3	Small Butt Moon Haslett
3^rd XI	v O Bristolains II	A	Friendly	11-0	Walkey 3 Cutts 2 Wornell 2 Scott Pearce-Smith Griffin A Millman S
Wizards	v O Bristolians III	H	Friendly	6-2	Palmer M 3 Banting A Thomas P Cranfield
legends	v Westbury Academy	H	Friendly	6-4	Curtis 2 Small Haslett Ratcliffe P Pope
Academy	v Westbury Legends	H	Friendly	4-6	Rickard 2 Green Smith R
Veterans	v O Bristolians Vets	H	Friendly	1-5	Farrell
Match comments
3-1 to Firebrands. With Joe Thomas opening the scoring for Westbury. From the sideline it was a good game, but the horrendous weather stopped it from being a free flowing spectacle of high class hockey. Westbury took the lead through Joe Thomas (before I arrived) and looked to be holding their own against a fairly strong Firebrands side. Firebrands equalised when a aerial bouncing bomb from their right back caused mayhem at the top of the D and the 'brands centre forward played a classic cricket pull shot to beat the stranded Ron Wheeler in goal.The players and umpires then all ran off the pitch to avoid the sudden heavy hailstorm much to the boos of the far hardier crowd. When the game resumed brands took the lead through a short corner. The drag flick thudded into Ron and somewhat unluckily fell onto the stick of the injector who swept the ball home. In the last two minutes of the half brands put a slick move together to score a third which didn't reflect the closeness of the game.The second half was a completely different game with Westbury spending large sections of the game camped in the Firebrands 25. Even with some great plays down both flanks and individual skill to get into the D, Westbury couldn't quite find the goal to get back into the game with the opposition keeper pulling off several smart saves.
2^nd XI: A cosmopolitan Westbury side visited Failand and returned with a 4-3 victory thanks to goals from Ian Small, Chris Butt, Neil Moon and Phil Haslett
3^rd XI: The 3rd team were obviously in sharp form in their match at Failand running in eleven unanswered goals from Nathan Walkey 3, Chris Cutts 2, Dave Wornell 2 (his first goals of the season), Doug Scott, James Pearce-Smith, Andy Griffin from a penalty stroke and Steve Millman. Clearly they must have refrained from double helpings of Christmas pudding and were fitter and stronger than OBs. During the league season OBs have recorded victories in all the league matches, their highest placed result was a 4-1 win at Coombe Dingle against the Wanderers.
Wizards: O Bristolians arrived at Westbury without a keeper so Cocksy kindly gave them Mike Harvey and opted not to have anyone on the bench. OBs started strongly and the Wizards never got the ball moving as Mike was padding up and OBs played with 11 outfield players. After ten minutes the Wizards earned a short corner. The team huddle (well Croftsy and me) decided Mark would strike. An OBs defender said "No striking" as if it was prearranged whilst they were without a keeper. As we looked at each other puzzled, Cocksy pushed out the corner with none of the striking team ready. Fortunately a few others had their heads screwed on and the ball was worked back into the D to James Pope who slipped it to Martin Palmer to slap in. Maybe we should try this routine again! OBs continued to dominate but Jamie Cranfield had other ideas. On the edge of the D he had a contest with an OB defender, rather like an old fashioned bully. With the defender calling for all sorts of offences, Jamie battled into the D and unleashed an unstoppable shot past Mike to lead 2-0. A fine break down the right saw James Pope deliver a perfect near post pass for Martin Palmer to smash home for 3-0. Then came Westbury's best play of the game where they worked the ball round well. The second half started with a Westbury defender losing the plot, giving the ball away for OBs to score. Not long afterwards Pete Murphy took out an attacker and a penalty stroke was rightly awarded. Pete stood up and batted away the stroke, only to be told he had moved! The retaken stroke this time finished in the net. The Wizards were under the cosh for a while and Pete made one great diving save. Adam Banting had several surging runs and from one of these he reached the D and flicked home to lead 4-2. OBs then decided to take off the keeper and chase the game with 11 outfield players. Adam then became the provider for the next goal. His lunging shot hit the post and Martin Palmer tapped in the rebound to celebrate his birthday with a hat-trick. Martin then set up the attack from an excellent ball from defence to square it to Pete Thomas. Pete turned back and guided his shot inside the post to make it a good 6-2 victory for the Wizards. Mark Crofts worked hard in midfield despite a bad cold. There was a lot of solid defending from Chris Cocks, Martin Rees, Paul Croker and Will Glynn. Let's hope the Wizards can take this result and turn it into a few more league wins.
Legends v Academy: There was a good turn out for the post Christmas pudding match. Thanks are due to several players who doubled up to give everyone a chance to have a run around. The Legends opened the scoring with a reverse stick Ian Small scoop. Alex Payne had his hair parted as it flew past him into the net. Both teams started with keepers, Pete Murphy and Mike Harvey. To make up the teams two 11 year schoolboys played their first ever game (having been coached for three years at their Primary School. The Academy were attacking Pete Murphy's end and the ball was slipped square to Jordan Green who swept it under Pete's diving body. Everyone cheered, including both umpires! The Academy then took the lead with a Geoff Rickard goal, and then and then went further ahead following a short corner. Pete Thomas on the post, deflected the ball with a fine edge onto his foot and around the post. Reston Smith duly stepped up and put the ball past Mike Harvey from the spot to make it 3-1. Phil Haslett then pulled a goal back 3-2 to the Academy at half time. Pete Murphy had to leave having played a game and a half and Will Holmes came on so that the Legends had 11 outfield players. Peter Ratcliffe pounced to guide the ball in to tie the score up at 3-3. The second of the two youngsters Haydn Curtis found himself with the goal at his mercy and with his second effort slotted the ball home. Geoff Rickard then popped up at the other end to make it 4-4 and everything to play for. By now there were some very tired legs! Haydn Curtis scored his second goal of the game and James Pope slotted in one more to make the final score 6-4 to the Legends. Well done to everyone who played in the game. Once again Peter Ratcliffe and Max Longden grew in stature and experience. Alistair Jacklin, Tom Taylor and Steve Alger got through some good defensive work at one end and Tim Dawson, Alex Payne and Pete Thomas at the other. Richard Beesley not only bossed the midfield with some style, he was also able to provide a running commentary. These games can be very meaningless, but the Westbury way is for everyone to give it a good go and a well played game gave everyone a good chance to run off the extra Christmas pounds.
Veterans: This was always going to be a tough ask, with 17 vets unavailable. Add to that Tom Counsell came into the game with a sore hamstring and Steve Alger (bad back) and Alan Sparks (calf muscle) both had to retire with injuries. OBs ran the show, but the Westbury defence worked hard, with Sam Banting (the oldest available keeper available!!!) in scintillating form. It wasn't until the middle of the first half that the vets got into the visitor's D, then there was a series of good attacks. From a short corner Steve Millman slipped the ball left to Pete Farrell who struck superbly to give Westbury a surprise lead. OBs looked sharper on the break and worked their way to a 3-1 lead by the interval. The half time team talk realistically acknowledged that Westbury's defence was not the most mobile, and that we would have to work hard in the second half. The team worked their socks off and OBs could only add two more goals. Westbury did work the ball around well and were unlucky not to net a couple of consolation goals, the ball flashing the wrong side of the post several times. Team: Banting S, Banting G, Counsell, Alger S, Holliday D, Ratcliffe D, Sparks, Harvey, Palmer M, Millman S, Thomas, Farrell.