AWAY SHIRTS
The next order for away shirts is going to be made very soon. If you want one but have not ordered, please phone me (0781 381 0779). They are £15, white with a blue stripe down the sides, number and A&C logo.
Thanks, Alex Bagehot

COCKTAILS 'N' TAPAS - SATURDAY 11TH DECEMBER

Thank you to the following that umpired for us last weekend:

A&C moved closer to the B League Indoor title on Monday night with two more closely fought wins which left the record at P8, W7, D1, L0. With the nearest challengers, Wycome High School B, having lost two games and drawn one already, a single point in the last two games will secure the title for the second year running. However, as the next game is against the school for whom only a win gives them any chance, it could be a tense evening!

The B team has got into a good habit - winning - even when not playing at their best, and this has been reflected in the last two evenings when they have ground out results despite the opposition at times dominating the games.

In the first game Monday A&C secured a 3-0 win over a much improved William Borlase side. The win was built, as has so often been the case, on a very effective corner defence. Sarah Wood in goal produced a string of fine saves both from corners and open play, while at the other end, two sharp corner conversions from Caroline Coates and a fine counter-attack goal, converted by Al Spicer, established the 3-0 lead before half time.
The second half was then dominated by Borlase. A&C failed to obtain a single corner, and started to get pinned back at their own 9 metre pushes, putting themselves under some pressure. But despite a string of half chances for the opposition, good defence by Lou Hagan and a lack of composure in the D from Borlase meant A&C held on as comfortable winners.

The second game was an even match against a young (average age 14 or 15) and talented Marlow side who have progressed significantly this season. Swapping their corners around Marlow managed to get two corner goals and a penalty stroke (from a corner) in the first half. A&C responded with two goals but looked to be heading for their first defeat as Marlow were generally looking more dangerous in possession. But some adjustments at half time prevented any further goals from corners, and in a close fought half, two goals were enough to secure a narrow 4-3 victory for A&C.

So we go into the last two weeks with an outside chance of winning one league, and as strong favourites in the other. Whatever the final outcome, a successful season in which more players have had a chance to experience the fun and intensity of Indoor hockey - hopefully we will introduce a few more of the younger players after Christmas to continue the development.

A&C won through Round One of the Women's Vase against North Wilts on Sunday in the pouring rain in Swindon. Against opponents of unknown strength, A&C tried to impose themselves from the start and took the lead after just 4 minutes. Caroline Coates had her shot well saved but Laura Patterson was first to react to the rebound to score.

With Natalie Durkin and Erin Ruxton posing threats down both wings, A&C pressed their hosts back and it was no surprise when, after 15 minutes, the Coates-Patterson combination worked again for the latter to score her second.

Wilts started to look dangerous on a few breaks, and one forced Tanya Fyffe to save at her near post. Generally though, the A&C defence looked solid and the ball was moved well across the pitch by the backs.

At the start of the second half, A&C lost a bit of their fluency although they still enjoyed good spells of possession. However, a lapse in concentration allowed Wilts to grab a goal back after 50 minutes. A&C's response was immediate as a well worked penalty corner was finished off by Heidi Frick to restore the two-goal cushion.

With Ruxton and Annie Brothwell now controlling the centre of the pitch and Sarah Cartledge making some dangerous runs on the right, the result was only going one way. It was therefore no surprise to see A&C score three further goals during the last 12 minutes.

The first, a neat turn and shot in the circle by Durkin and then Patterson completed her hat-trick with 3 minutes left before Frick completed the scoring with the final hit of the game.

Team: Fyffe; James; Bullock, Parker, Brothwell; Ruxton, Teasdale, Frick, Durkin; Coates, Patterson; Sub. Ferguson, Cartledge, Peters.

The ladies would like to thank all those that came to support on Sunday despite the weather.

On Saturday, A&C maintained their five point advantage at the top of the Trysports League Division 1 following their 10-0 win away to bottom of the table Phoenix Ranelagh. The goals were scored by Laura Patterson (3), Caroline Coates (2), Lynda Bullock, Natalie Durkin (2) and Katy Shaw (2).

A.K.A : Oh Christmas Tree, oh Christmas Tree...

No, not me getting festive, (despite receiving my first 2 Christmas Cards today - how is anyone that organised? Don't they know it's all about a frantic last minute scramble?) but "Christmas Tree" was the seasonal formation adopted by our Reading opponents. Now I know we have had some funny formations ourselves in our time, (Caroline's 'crumpled smiley faces' springs to mind - don't ask, I thought she meant me) but we have never been guilty of adopting strange postures, unless it's midnight in the bar that is. The oppo kept assuming a strange stance, including one hand in the air, and shouting 'Christmas Tree'. Too much inter breeding perhaps?

Well, again we won, 0:1, fab goal Jacqui, but a bit of a hollow victory because it was about the most bad-tempered game we've ever taken part in, and we uncharacteristically let ourselves be dragged into it.

Poor old Werty (hey that's easy to type) had the pleasure of umpiring, bet he won't volunteer again. Thank you, and we promise to play nice with the other kids next time. Thanks too to Paul for side-line advice and support.

City of Oxford next. You'll be pleased to know I won't be writing a report next week - can't play. Still, I could just make one up, the truth has never stood in my way before... Go girls!

Team; who cares, none of us were proud of it.