Relics Come Out Winners

The Reading Relics came away as winners in a windy top of the league clash against second placed Epsom to open a clear gap at the top of the table.

For the first 15 minutes a Reading win looked the least likely result as the younger legs of Epsom drove forward relentlessly and we barely had any possession or even worse gave it away with poor basic skills. Epsom deserved to take the lead, albeit with a slightly unusual shot that looped off Jack and dropped kindly into our goal behind him.

Driven forward with encouragement from our number one supporter, Millie Pell, notably “come on Dad put a bit more effort in”, Pelly switched into central defence and helped tie things together better for Reading. With Immy, back on a hockey pitch for the first time in many months (but still causing havoc with his skill and control) and Gav driving forward from midfield we began to pull the game our way. Rage and Bob with strong support from Graham and Simon C ensured we took more and more control of the game and dealt well with the attacks.

We then equalised when the skipper intercepted a questionably goal bound reverse shot from Bob and managed to put in a couple of full pirouettes before scoring between his legs. The goal seemed to take some of the wind out of the Epsom sails and Reading moved the ball around in more familiar vets style of hockey. With a squad of 14 Bartie did a good job of rotating the side to give everyone good pitch time while still ensuring we had a strong line-up throughout. Frustratingly we failed to convert a run of short corners although all credit to “turncoat” Norman Armitage, in goal for Epsom, as he got a toe to a goal bound strike from Rage.

In the second half we took more consistent possession and started to control the game but still failed to convert a series of short corners (although we did convert one which was questionably disallowed for obstruction when an Epsom played ran into the back of the skipper just as Gav slipped the ball into the goal).

Mace came on to add reach and good sense in midfield as we created more chances before we took the lead through a good move eventually finished off by the skipper who interestingly allowed the ball to roll further and further across the goal but also nearer and nearer the goal line! Our third and decisive goal was scored by Gavin from a very well worked short corner – hallelujah!

After the first 15 minutes of poor, disconnected hockey everyone stepped up and played well although we were grateful to have Jack deal with the chances that Epsom created throughout the game. Big thanks to Mike Keiller and Jo Newman for umpiring well in what was a very competitive vets game and both clearly appreciated Immy’s verbal input whenever he felt they got a decision wrong. (We still love you Immy!).

Epsom were graceful losers and there was good buzz in the bar as other Reading teams came in for match tea & beers especially when the Rustlers came in after their competitive 4-4 draw. The social atmosphere was exactly what the Reading Hockey Club wants to create week in week out, and we definitely need to keep Abdul busy pulling beers behind the bar. Thanks to Tim Hamilton for climbing onto a bar stool to take the excellent team snap attached (with Syd from Epsom sneaking into frame).

Finally, I want to say a personal thank you to Jerry, Tim G and Yogan for playing for the Ruins today, all three would have loved to play for the Relics but we needed to support all the Vets teams today and, as they know, they remain at the heart of the Relics team – thank you.

Well done Relics – next week we have the O60’s England Hockey Cup ¼ final on Sunday so Bartie will sort out who plays / rests for the Saturday Rustics match – good luck to the Cup squad, I am gutted not to be with you but will cheer you on from Twickenham and I am confident you will get us into the semi-finals!

Onwards and upwards.

Micky