LX CLUB v Tring

at Tring

16th September 2007   

TRING 3 LX 9

On a sunny morning at RAF Halton the LX team gathered to play against Tring. Gerald. who was Captain on the day, gave the LX squad a serious pre match talk on what was expected from the team emphasising possession, pass and move, avoid passing to the other team, close down the opposition when we don’t have the ball. It worked! LX started the game doing precisely that and could easily have scored three goals in the first five minutes, we only scored one. With the whole team playing really good hockey, pressure was maintained. Many shots on target resulted in more goals being scored and Tring’s goalie made many great saves. Tring had quite a large squad and made numerous changes throughout the game, which did not assist their efforts in containing LX. Whereas LX had a squad of twelve resulting in an almost seamless interchange of players. Nevertheless Tring fought back and their left winger scored two goals that brought the score to 2-3. This resulted in a noticeable increase in tempo. LX really started to play seriously and this resulted in attack after attack and resulted in another six goals (it could have been ten). In reply Tring were awarded a penalty flick which they converted - final result 9-3 to LX.

The LX enjoyed the game and the whole team played very well. Imtiaz was at his best causing constant consternation in and around the opposition’s D. David Gill played really well as did all the forwards. The defence was really solid and the passing was excellent with many interchanges going well into double figures. The best being 19 passes between players resulting in a shot at goal. (Spectators were counting and making the observations.) The comments from our opposition and the spectators who included members from local hockey clubs Aylesbury, Berkhampstead and Amersham & Chalfont were very complimentary. All impressed with the high standard of hockey and the fitness of the LX players.

Thanks to the umpires particularly ours, Ian Marsh, our hosts for their legendary hospitality and to the whole team for producing such a performance.

Team: Alan Dures, Hugo Rowbotham, Adrian Robertson, Mike Surridge, David Wright, Terry Howlett, David Gill, Norman Ballard, Imtiaz Sheik, Gerald Wilkinson (capt) Ray Jeff, Graham Martin.