LX Club vs Warlocks

on Sunday 22 April 2007 at Lord Wandsworth College, Nr Odiham, Hants

This was the 5th annual match against Warlocks Hockey Club and the most enjoyable, thanks to the very pleasant weather and the idyllic setting. The venue for this years match was at Lord Wandsworth College in the heart of the Hampshire countryside.

The two teams were fairly well matched, but the LX team (average age 67) had the greater experience and used this experience to control large periods of the match. The passing was excellent and it was rare to see the ball given away unnecessarily. It seems unfair to name particular players when it was such a good all round performance, but I will. The two full backs John Longden and Alan Jackson were impregnable, Richard Clarke at centre half ran his heart out and John Davey had a solid game at right half. It was also good to see Barry Sewell back playing so well following a period of illness. We had a 12-man squad and all players had at least 50 minutes hockey.

The goal scorers deserve a mention. Adrian Stephenson slotted in the first after 15 minutes following his own initial strike at a short corner. The second goal came fairly late in the game from a quickly taken free hit by Richard Clarke, which found Gordon Small unmarked in the D and his deflection gave the keeper no chance. This goal effectively ended the Warlocks challenge.

Thanks go Alan Jackson for agreeing to be captain on the field and to the two umpires Tom Darlington (LX) and Roy Woolley (Warlocks). They allowed the game to flow and were rewarded by the sportsmanship shown by both teams.

Last, but not least, thanks must go to Warlocks Hockey Club for making it such an enjoyable day. The offer of port at half time was much appreciated and the after match gathering at the ‘Poachers’ most congenial.

LX Team: Barry Sewell, Alan Jackson (capt), John Longden, John Davey, Richard Clarke, Adrian Money, Keith Hunt, Keith Hedley, Adrian Stephenson, Graham Martin, Austyn Leaverland, Gordon Small.