L1A: Reading 5 Surbiton 6

It’s not too often that the 1a’s score 5 goals in a game, though over the last couple of seasons they have managed to do so a few times in Cup / friendly action. But the stattos amongst you would have to go right back to February 2003 to find a League match in which this was achieved. So the 1a’s put an end to nearly 7 years of waiting by scoring 5 against Surbiton on Saturday, but an 11 goal thriller saw them lose 5-6 to the league leaders.

A lively start from the home side saw them take the early lead. A precise free hit from Alison Pope needed little more than a touch from Chiara Clarke to deflect the ball past the Surbition keeper. Despite Surbitons protestations that the free hit was against the new rules Pope pointed out her position behind the 25 yard line and the goal correctly stood. (Totally legal!!)

Reading doubled their lead when Hayley Munt was first to follow up on a short corner to knock the ball home and take the score to 2-0 with only 20 minutes on the clock.

Despite Reading playing some determined hockey they failed to maintain the pressure and a sloppy last 5 minutes to the half let Surbiton back into the game as they scored twice – first from a short corner, and then from open play to leave the score evens at 2-2 going into the break.

Surbiton battled to maintain the momentum in the 2^nd half and took the lead, but this was short lived as Reading were soon back on track. When Surbiton were arguing Readings first goal in the 1^st half Rachael Marriott was heard to call ‘Well done Reading, nothing wrong with that, we’ll show them again if they want a repeat of how it was done’ – The rest of the team must have been listening as this third goal was an almost exact carbon copy of the first, with Alison Pope again being the provider and Chiara Clarke deflecting the ball into the roof of the net for her 2^nd of the day, to bring Reading back level at 3-3.

With 20 minutes left to play the see-saw continued with Reading taking the lead from a short corner. Alison Pope completed her hat-trick of assists as the push out went to her open side and she fired the ball into the D where Lauren Woodwiss found a touch to give her her first 1a’s goal.

Reading looked to close out the game but again the scores were levelled from another Surbiton goal.

Nicky West was next to give Reading the lead again, after Mel Lennard had played pinball with the keepers pads when following up a short corner. The ball fell across the face of goal where West batted the ball over the line.

You could have been forgiven for thinking that Reading would manage to hold onto the lead for the remaining 10 minutes, and with the defence defending a string of penalty corners including a goal line save from Kirsty Reeman it looked likely.

However just 3 minutes from time Surbiton were awarded a penalty corner for an undefined infringement that took place outside the D. The players pushed for an explanation which the umpire seemed unable to provide, despite letting the corner still stand. Surbiton made the most of the lucky opportunity and were able to score.

This last minute gift seemed to give Surbiton the impetus and they pushed forward from the restart, to score a last minute winner leaving Reading trailing at 5-6 down and no time to reply.

Despite the loss Reading probably played some of their most complete hockey of the season, and made the most of the chances that they had – something that has sometimes been a rarity in this team. They must now look to carry on the momentum when they are leading in order to close games out, rather than letting the opposition get back into the game.

Next week sees another tough encounter as they visit 2^nd placed Oxford Hawks.

TEAM – Alexa Kearns, Pippa Massey, Kirsty Reeman, Rachael Marriott, Amy Sanders, Amy Bryant, Alison Pope, Alex Marshall, Nicky West, Hayley Munt, Chiara Clarke, Helen Ritchie, Lauren Woodwiss, Mel Lennard

COACH – PAUL TURK

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – ALEXA KEARNS

WINNING WHEN IT REALLY MATTERS MOMENT OF THE DAY – Team PH2, RHC Quiz Champions!

Reading Hockey Club

Ladies 1a’s Team Match Report

Date – 17/10/09

Opposition – Surbiton 1’s

Venue – Home

Result – Lost 5-6

Scorers – Chiara Clarke x 2, Hayley Munt, Lauren Woodwiss, Nicky West