Relics Ease Past Eastcote

The Reading Relics put on a masterclass of Vets hockey to give Eastcote Past Masters a thorough drubbing yesterday.

Despite going down early to an Eastcote short corner we never looked or looked like a team that was going to lose. Their opening goal was from a fine deflection into the roof of the net off Tim Green’s stick as he ran out leaving Mark with no chance…..not quite the dream start to Tim’s return to hockey after his back operation…... but to be fair Tim went on to play extremely well, score with the last touch of the game and, most importantly, survive his first Reading Vet game uninjured in several years.

After this set-back the Relics were soon playing excellent passing hockey and scoring regularly, the majority of our goals were very satisfying short range finishes at the end of excellent passing moves.

I could wax lyrical about the game, but clearly Bartie feels I am overly positive in my reports!! BUT I do want to record an outstanding team performance in which everyone played well and the following high-lights:

Jerry Cooke’s excellent hat-trick
Pelly’s masterful control in central midfield, two well taken goals and for bringing Millie, our no. 1 supporter, to watch
Graham’s positioning and excellent distribution from sweeper
Yogan’s marking, running, passing, tackling and shouting at Micky to do likewise
Tim Green’s injury free, goal scoring and fine control down the flank
Bob’s cack-handed magical skills and regular assists
Peter’s ability to find space on the left and score with the sweetest strike of the day
Sudesh’s rolling back the years and showing that class is permanent
Southo’s tireless running, great first touch and fine cross that forced an own goal off an Eastcote stick (the verdict in the bar, jury selfie attached, was that we should award the goal to Southo but this was then retracted on the basis that: he is Scottish, he was not there to buy a first Relic goal jug and he did not bring our no. 2 supporter, his wife, Rachel.
Micky was seen to move occasionally and cause a nuisance of himself
Fitty who despite still being too unwell to play braved the cold, taxied Southo from / to Windsor and ran the bench until the cold wind forced him to retreat inside (get well soon Fitty and fingers crossed for Tuesday’s doctor’s appointment – we want you back on the pitch)
Bartie for the hundreds of calls, texts and emails he made this week to get three sides out yesterday and for even offering to don pads to keep goal for Relics if necessary to allow us to honour the fixture.
Richard Mannix who proved once again to be an outstanding man to man marking centre back and snuffed out any threat from the skilful Eastcote centre forward
Above all Mark Boothroyd for turning up to play so well and with such positivity in the midst of a tragically sad week for his family. He was truly our man of the match and we dedicated the win to the entire Boothroyd family and sent him home with the combined love and condolences of the whole RHC Vets section – take care Mark.

Next week we have a GMA away game at Sevenoaks – spookily Cap’n Halloween Bob is away on holiday next weekend and so misses the long tractor drive around the M25 and Sunday’s 060s Cup match much to Peter’s delight.

Please can everyone help Bartie’s sanity by making themselves available for every possible Saturday game and letting him know your availability as far in advance as possible.

Finally do make every effort to come to the Club EGM on November 15th 7.30 for 8pm to vote for the new Reading Cricket & Hockey Club constitution, we need a 75% majority vote in the room to carry the day – this change is important and will improve the club & sport it provides for us all.

Well done Relics, top of the league with a +20 goal difference a cracking, and fun, start to the season.

Micky