LX CLUB 3 CHELMSFORD EVERGREENS 1

LX CLUB OVER 65s 2 CHELMSFORD EVERGREENS 1

For the first game, LX Club put out a strong team, assembled by captain David Simms to take on the Evergreens at Chelmer Park, on one of the few sunny and rainless days of May.

The LX side was soon ahead from a cleverly worked penalty corner injected by David Gill, with skilful interplay between Mike Surridge and Gerald Wilkinson, leading to David Brampton opening the scoring. Evergreens were soon testing the LX defence, equalising with a high shot into the net, following good umpiring by Bill Butcher, who allowed play to continue along the goal-line after an offence.

The talented halfback line of Terry Howlett, the non-stop Mike Surridge, and Graham Martin, who played out of position but adapted with ease, supported the forwards well, leading to Gerald Wilkinson setting up David Gill to score with aplomb.

After the excellent halftime port and sherry, Evergreens attacked skilfully with Ralph Thomas promoting many attacks, but Gilbert Grace with deft tackles, ably assisted by Nigel Dixon in goal, thwarted the opposition’s forwards. David Simms and Ian Russell on the wings stretched the Evergreens defence and the latter eventually combined well with Gerald Wilkinson, who threaded a precision pass to David Gill, the latter scoring with style to give the LX Club a hard earned 3-1 win.

Umpires: Ross Thompson (Chelmsford HC) and Bill Butcher/Gurney White

Team: Nigel Dixon, Gilbert Grace, David Read, Graham Martin, Mike Surridge, Terry Howlett; Ian Russell, Gerald Wilkinson, David Brampton, David Gill, David Simms (captain).

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The second game was for the LX Club Over 65s team members who were going to Bra, Italy, and were available for this warm-up game. The Evergreens had kindly assembled a large squad to play both LX teams.

Captain Bill Butcher elected to play a sweeper system which suited the Over 65s team, augmented as required by players from the previous game. Nigel Dixon gave another excellent performance in goal, ably supported by Gurney White, with his well-timed and accurate hard-hitting distribution. Bill Butcher and Bob Clark defended resolutely, linking smoothly with the midfield trio of Gerald Wilkinson, Pat McAuley and Adrian Money. The latter’s skilful control provided Brian Woolcott on the left wing with a good supply of passes. It was no surprise when Adrian combined well with Mike Surridge, whose shot on goal was only partially cleared, leaving Brian Woolcott to slip the ball back into the net and give the LXers a 1-0 lead.

In the second half Evergreens brought on numerous substitutes, eventually scoring with a simple tap-in by David Gill, who played for Evergreens in this game. However, the tenacious Keith Hunt continued to outrun the Chelmsford defence, making numerous opportunities for LX Club to score. The result was determined when Pat McAuley passed to Gerald Wilkinson, leading to Brian Woolcott poaching another goal for his brace, to give the LX Club a 2-1 victory.

Umpires: Martin Matthews (Chelmsford HC) and David Simms

Team: Nigel Dixon, Gurney White, Bill Butcher (captain), David Read, Bob Clark (David Brampton); Gerald Wilkinson, Pat McAuley, Adrian Money; Keith Hunt, Mike Surridge and Brian Woolcott.

Many thanks go to David Simms, the LX Club Match Manager, who organised this double fixture, to all the umpires, the Evergreens for getting out two teams, and the Chelmsford Club for their excellent hospitality after the games.