LX v Canterbury – 25th February

Canterbury 0  v.  LX 1

Played over 3x 30minute periods, this game provided a tough workout for LX against a strong Canterbury XI which included LX members, Bill Butcher and Tony Jones.

Opening the first session in promising fashion, LX made a number of incursions into the Canterbury half, but a sound defence was in resolute mood and were able to deal with any threat. With both sides intent on retaining the ball, a pattern developed with both defences in control and possession being lost in the opposition 25 yard areas. With Peter Ross and Tony Henman out wide, David Read and Leon Mack were able to clear to the wings but Alan Jackson and Gerald Wilkinson were having difficulty finding the front runners who were being closely marked. 

For the second session, with Percy Steele in the centre half role in place of David Wright  LX again looked to take the game to Canterbury. Raising the tempo of the game, LX moved into the lead when a flowing move up the right involving Tony Henman, and John Seear found Percy Steele on the right hand post. With his first 3 attempts to score being unsuccessful, Percy Steele moved the ball across the face of goal to a patiently waiting Bill Warrender who swept the ball into the unprotected net.

Canterbury, stung into action by this reverse, moved into the LX circle forcing a penalty corner which was well cleared by Mike Fripp. The session ended without any further score. 

With Gerald Wilkinson rested for this period, John Seear moved to inside right with Brian Tubb moving to right half.

Starting brightly, LX moved the ball around without creating any clear cut chances and again defences were on top. The LX attack came more into prominence as the session progressed and the Canterbury goalkeeper was brought into action first, when a cross from the Tony Henman on the right was deflected just past the far post by John Seear and again when Bill Warrender got his stick to a ball into the ‘D’, only to see it rebound back across goal from the post. 

The closeness of the score was a fair reflection of a fairly even game with LX just having the edge on chances created. 

Team:  Mike Fripp; David Read; Leon Mack; Percy Steele; Brian Tubb; John Seear; David Wright; Tony Henman; Gerald Wilkinson; Alan Jackson; Peter Ross; Bill Warrender.

Umpire:  Yvonne Dawson.

Bill Warrender