Relics Send Tring Reeling

The Relics were back in full swing this week as they took on Tring on a warm Saturday afternoon on the water based Sonning Lane pitch.

A Relic squad of 15 (with the welcome inclusion of Chris Armitage and David Hudson) were well rotated by Bartie and played good connected hockey for most of the game. We dominated possession and looked a class side scoring an early goal through Micky who collected a good pass from Charlie Lowe and picked his spot; further goals followed as David “Hattrick” Hudson revelled in the centre forward role scoring a couple of first half goals from well slipped passes, Jerry Cooke picked up another to keep up his rich scoring vein, Mike Pell provided a powerful finish after a series of neat passes with Charlie Lowe and Peter Wright added our sixth with a smartly taken deflection past the keeper.

In the second half we slightly took our foot off the pedal as Bartie took the opportunity to play a number of players out of position (most notably allowing Yogan and Charlie to roam up front) but further goals from Laurie off a slipped short corner, Peter Wright with a well disguised push past the keeper (followed by superbly kicking a goal bound shot from the skipper off the Tring line) and Hudson completed his fine hattrick with a great deflected shot off Bob’s pass.

All in all a vets hockey masterclass left Tring reeling against wave after wave of attacking Relic’s hockey and well celebrated in the bar (see selfie) – we raised a glass to the Ladies 1st XI who survived a scare in the game before us but results elsewhere ensured they qualified for the regional div 1 leagues next season and hope to pick up a few new players to challenge for a National League place in the following year.

Big thanks to Mike Sartorius, Laurie ½ & Jerry ½ for umpiring.

Next week we play Old Cranleighans away at 11.30, with Micky sloping off to the Alps, Cap’n Bob will lead the troops and we will need all Vets to be available as both Rustlers and Redsox have League Cup semi-finals and the Runs also have a game; both Hampstead and Indian Gym also won today so the league may go to the wire (our +65 goal difference may be the decider).

We need everyone to be available for all our remaining games so please advise Bartie of your availability asap.

Well done Relics, everyone contributed to a fine team win and good luck next week

Micky