Trysports League Division 3

The Ladies 3rd had a tremendous win this week against fellow strugglers Newbury to help in their bid to avoid relegation. As you can see below any one of the bottom six to eight teams could end up dropping into Division 4. This weekend they travel to basement team Rover Oxford 2 in a must win game.

Staines 1-5 Mens 3rd

If ever there has been a game to watch this season, this was it. For Amersham & Chalfont 3rd XI - at the top of their table in joint first place with High Wycombe - this was a must win game to maintain their lead over Banbury and Staines. With the pressure on and a number of talented players coming-up from the 4th XI, the task should have been difficult.

From the start the game progressed well and the team gelled to produce flowing hockey that had the opposition floundering with only the Staines goal-keeper keeping them in the game before a goal from Chris Lander gave AC the lead (1st) from a short corner. From the solid defence to the movement of the ball across the back, play was slick, absorbing pressure, only conceding a couple of short corners and allowing one strong break-away resulting in Staines's only goal. Following their goal, Staines gained in confidence, counter-attacking better but to no avail, with the AC defence's resolve absolute.

The second half saw AC take complete control of the game executing 4 more goals, conceding no short corners and Keoghan goal never being threatened. The team from the back, though the mid-field and forwards, using the full width, both wings and excellent link-up between players with great movement of the ball was inspiring. All players were thinking and communicating so well, it looked effortless. Every goal was well worked: Gophers 1st, (2nd), Chris's 2nd (3rd), Ian (4th), Gophers 2nd, (5th) Even Ian's shot that was going well wide of the goal was deflected in by Chris, being in the right place at the right time. The only minor disappointment was that we did not score more goal to close the goal difference on High Wycombe.

The whole team should applaud itself for a great result. Our next challenges will be Banbury away and High Wycombe at home (support welcome).

Team: Ian (1), Nick, Gopher (2), Chris (2), Hughie, Russell, James, Peter, Drew, Daffy, Josh, Keoghan (goal)

Rover Oxford 2-0 Ladies 1st

A lack-lustre first-half performance saw Amersham & Chalfont lose the last unbeaten record in the Trysports Three Counties Division 1 on Saturday at Tilsley Park.

The promise of some early attacks by A&C was soon undone by some sloppy passing which gave Rover Oxford the momentum they needed to put together a few dangerous moves although their two first-half goals were pretty much against the run of play.

The first after 19 minutes was a neat deflection past Vicki Williams following a strong hit into the circle and the second, 6 minutes later, came about when a Rover forward found herself free at the back post.

A&C gave themselves an uphill task in the second-half and had periods where they laid siege to the host's goal area. Unfortunately for A&C, Rover's 'keeper made a couple of excellent saves - the first denied Katy Shaw and Caroline Coates shot just wide from the rebound.

On three more occasions the A&C forwards shot wide when half-chances fell their way. Cal Tomlinson had her shot saved from a penalty corner whilst at the other end Rover still kept the A&C defence on their toes with a few fast counter-attacks.

Despite a vastly improved second-half performance, A&C still drew a blank from all their attacks for the first time this season in the league.

Team: Williams; Watts, Spicer; Hagan, Parker, Bullock; Tomkinson, Shaw, Coates; Brothwell, Tomlinson; Sub: Hewitt, Watson, Patterson.

IRISH NIGHT
Saturday 15th March 2003
8pm in the clubhouse

TICKETS £2 - includes stew from Catherine Watson. Buy a ticket now and you can get a free Guinness when you buy 4!!!!

CHALFONT PARK SPRING BALL

The President requests the pleasure of your company on Saturday 26th April 2003 to celebrate the end of another successful hockey season and the opening ball of the cricket season.

At 7.15pm in the grounds of Chalfont Park.

Tickets:
£30 before 1st April 2003
£35 after 1st April 2003
Dress: Black Tie or Lounge Suits

Tickets available from: Caroline Chipperfield, Catherine Watson, Helen Kitto, Mike Burge & captains

Hockey Club AGM

Please note that the date for the AGM has now been fixed for Friday 16th May 2003 starting at 7.30 pm in the Club House. We'd like to see as many Club Members there as possible as this is your chance to put your views on the Club and how it is run across.

Saturday 26th April

For all those of you keeping track of events via your Fixture Card this is just a quick note to let you know that Presidents Day has changed from the date originally printed. It will now be held on Saturday 26th April 2003 with the following games scheduled:

12.00 pm - Junior Boys Match
1.00 pm - Men's Team Match
2.30 pm - Junior Girls Match
3.30 pm - Ladies Team Match

We look forward to seeing everyone there.

Following the success of last week the A&C mens sides faced a tough week in the league, with all of the sides facing top of the league opposition.

The First XI took on Wokingham, and despite early pressure failed to open the scoring. In a match that saw 3 penalty flicks, A&C always struggled to find their ground and paid heavily for defensive errors. The eventual loss of 6-0 was not a good reflection of the match, but should spur the team on to improve their performances in the future. Meanwhile the Second XI followed suit with a 5-0 loss, outplayed in defence by the West Hampstead. With several clinical goals the visitors took all the points. Despite these disappointments the mens section was boosted with progress in the lower 3 teams.

The Mens 4ths drew 2-2 against second placed Rover Oxford in Division 5, which was enough to comprehensively guarantee promotion for the second year running, with a 10 point margin down to second place. This result was not however beneficial to the Mens 5ths, who now sit 6 points behind second, despite winning 2-0 against 4th placed Henley. Third place may not be enough for promotion, but with 3 games left (one a game in hand) anything is possible and still sets up a close finish to an excellent season.

But real glory this week went to 3rd XI Captain Ringham, scoring for the second week running, he applauded a remarkable effort by his team that saw them run in 5-1 victors over 3rd placed Staines to open a two point gap at the top of the league with just 5 matches left to play.

Newbury 2-4 Ladies 3rd

How shall I begin?... We won! Not only did we win, but we also won for the second week running. Us Thirds's are a little excited as you can tell, so here is the match report.

It was a frantic start to say the least, as half the team were stuck in a traffic jam on the way to the match, which meant that we got there with no time to warm up or prepare for the game. Starting 15 minutes late, with nine on the pitch with another two running on in intervals we started the match at a very fast pace, skilful Newbury were up for a win and we needed to work hard. Our first goal was after a beautiful pass from Erin Ruxton... straight into the D, where Fay Rider picked it up and knocked it straight in to the goal. 1-0.

Our 2nd goal came from a beautiful one two passing action, courtesy of Fay and Charlotte Brand, Charlotte having the final push into the goal after the goalie saved the first try from Fay. 2-0 and half time.

Into the second half and an early goal from Newbury reminded us that the match was not over yet, 2-1, still the team continued to work hard and Charlotte managed to get her second goal (Charlotte, if that had been a hat-trick - it would have been your round!) Newbury continued to crawl back with a fluky goal, which nobody, except the girl who scored it and the umpire saw. Hence the score at this stage: 3-2. A last push from A&C towards the end of a very hard game came from Erin... when she drove the ball from the half way line into the D and went for goal. Final score 4-2.! Yippeeee!

Top Tips for future games:

1. Fay to always baby-sit the night before. (A clear head is the answer!)
2. Half the team to arrive late and run onto the pitch midway through the game.
3. Have a rugby team watching from the sideline!