EHA VASE: Mens 1st 4-1 Cheshunt

Facing an unknown team from Cheshunt, Amersham and Chalfont First XI men started nervously, and despite not taking real control gained a 1-0 lead as Scott opened the scoring with a spin shot across the keeper. Despite going a second goal up soon after from Rutherford, a lack of cohesion soon had the team undone, as the Cheshunt centre forward was allowed to turn his marker and slot home through a crowded defence against a sprawling A&C Keeper.

From here the team was shocked into action, which served to open the game up, and thanks to some wonderful keeping at both ends the game remained 2-1 until the 33rd minute when Sargent ghosted through the Cheshunt defence to calmly pass the ball into the net past the stranded keeper.

The second half started with A&C getting a firm grip of the match, and from there never looked in danger of losing. With Neil Turner providing width on the left, the Cheshunt defence found themselves stretched again and again, until Turner himself finished a long passing move to sweep the ball after a visionary run from deep in the area.

Cheshunts game was killed off with strong play from Rutherford up front, who again showed tenacity in stealing play from the opposition at every opportunity. With Watts unlucky not to score after some excellent pressing, and Scott missing from top D the team relaxed and finished deserved winners, 4-1. Despite the game being played at great pace up front the defence played a solid role in keeping the pressure high, with Centre Back Heath often appearing in the opposition D toward the later stages. The team would like to thank all those that made the long trip to Newlands to support despite the weather looking bleak! In particular they would like to thank Sarah C, Zoë, Helen and Annie and the other girls that helped do the teas and Helen for providing such motherly babysitting services during the match!

Team: Lovelace, Wooler, Ward, Heath, van Duyenbode, Turner(1), Budd, Crossman, Sargent(1), Scott(1), Cartledge(c), Rutherford (1), Watts, Jackson

Ladies 1st 2-2 City of Oxford

A last minute equaliser by City of Oxford prevented Amersham & Chalfont going into the Trysports Three Counties League Christmas break at the top of Division 1. In perfect conditions at Newland Park on Saturday, A&C dominated the first-half. Lynda Bullock was unlucky to have a goal disallowed within the first few minutes but the home team took the lead soon after when Cal Tomlinson struck home a penalty corner. Tomlinson then nearly added a second when she shot wide following good work by Rachel Parker and Caroline Coates. A&C threatened in their attacks down both flanks and they might have scored from Louise Hagan's pull back from the right but no one could quite get on to the end of the cross. Just when it looked like being a slender half-time lead, City broke out of defence and managed a scrambled equaliser a minute before the break. This goal seemed to inspire City and they came out after the interval much the stronger and forced A&C on to the back foot and Vicki Williams had to make one sharp save. A&C gradually got back into the match and firstly Bullock was twice denied by the 'keeper and then Katy Shaw swept just wide. With 12 minutes remaining, it was an excellent run and cross from Shaw that set up Coates to put the hosts back in the lead. This looked as though it was going to be enough to earn the three points but another goalmouth scramble determined otherwise.

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

The Ladies 2nd's were involved in a very eventful league fixture. They found themselves 0-3 down at half-time to Wallingford before a very spirited second-half display saw them get back to 3-4 before finally going down 3-5. A&C's goals were scored by Laura Patterson (2) and Heidi Frick but their cause wasn't helped by some incredibly harsh umpiring which saw two of their players receive yellow cards for some very innocuous offences.

Here are the longest league winning streaks we've had so far this season.

XMAS PARTY - Saturday 14th December 2002 from 7.30pm ... tickets £2

On sale on Saturday from social reps!

NEW CLUBHOUSE KEYS
To enhance security, the key is being changed on the clubhouse outside door. New keys will be available for collection on Saturday afternoon (7th) from 2pm - 5pm. Names of nominated key holders are below (directors, hockey captains, bar manager, cricket reps etc). If you think you will need a key for the clubhouse and are not on the list - please contact Caroline Chipperfield 07887 675310. All 'old' clubhouse keys need to be returned too.

CPSA directors (x7)
Simon Seabrook, Dave Peters, Dave Banner, Peter Banner, Caroline Chipperfield (+3 spare sets), Mark Rutherford, Martin L White

Hockey captains (x12)
To be returned at the end of the hockey season and given to cricket captains and representatives, Martin Cartledge, Duncan Ward, Ian Ringham, Bruce Greenwood, Bob Hance, Trevor Wood, Chris Paine, Vicki Williams (ladies 1), Tanya Fyffe (ladies 2), Judi Burrows, Sue Butler, Sue Champion

Other (x8)
Sally the caterer, Mrs Birger, Sarah Watts, Simon Gooch, Matt Stevenson, Al Spicer, Peter Colwill, Jo Peters

As a critic of no note I have had the pleasure of reviewing no restaurants - and with the chance to get to the Club Restaurant night nothing has changed. However, the scene came very close. The carpeted floor and neatly decorated tables, lowered lighting, and gently flickering candles added to an ambience of calm and tranquillity - a far cry from the kitchen four hours earlier I am told.

With 20 covers to handle, and the usual raucous crowd, the "staff" (from what I saw), comprising of Erica Schelshorn as maitre-d, Catherine Watson as manager, owner and organiser, Nicki Griffin running the kitchen and Dan Lovelace as head barman, ably kept the swing and flow of the evening.

My starter, a Greek meze was glorious, pita, olives and dip all whet the appetite, intriguing the taste buds. The other starters, chicken noodle soup or Thai fish cakes were presented to perfection. I am told that I missed a taste sensation in the Thai fish cakes, but alas I was only allowed one starter!

As the evening drew on, after a finely presented salmon filet on a gorgeous bed of pesto-mash I could hardly muster the resource to house the rich and flavoursome charms of the chocolate fudge cake. I dare say I would have failed had I opted for the whole Poussin as a main meal - delightfully presented on cous-cous. Martin opted for the Penne Pasta (appropriate?) and seemed to struggle to clear the last morsel (if only to save washing up), and yet found space for a wonderful presentation of cheese and biscuits.

I was not party to the Crème Brulee, though from the fireworks display in the kitchen I should imagine it was wonderfully done.

I could have paid £15 for a pizza, £25 for a curry and beer, £40 for a meal in "Jamie's Kitchen", or dined at the Ritz, and yet, in the pleasant surround of the club house I had a better night, better food and better service than I could have at any of these. With only 20 people there I can't help feeling that a lot of people missed out on a wonderful (and very cheap) night. This night of great food and brilliant entertainment really showed how the efforts of a few (Watson, Griffin, Schelshorn & Lovelace) can go so far to give enjoyment to those in the club. Thanks to all that made such an effort to help make such a great night.

DATES: 17th April to 21st April 2003 - Thur Night to Monday
VENUE: Folkestone
COSTS: £23 per person per night + some minor costs (entry etc.)
DEPOSIT: £25 by this weekend - this is crucial - make a cheque to me is fine.
CONTACT: Warren Scott, Zoë Scott or Andy Watts
NEEDED: Your deposit, name and contact details a.s.a.p.
 

!!! Details are on the club noticeboard !!!