Thanks as always to the Earnest Hemingways, Jane Austens and even the Dan Browns that keep this section something to look forward to.

Scores

Thanks to Katherine Abbie, Gemma Butterworth, Marcus Webb, Alec Zetter, Mark Fisher and Matthew Hale for their contributions to this week’s reports.

Ladies 1s

Waltham Forest Ladies 1s continued their unbeaten start to the season with an emphatic 7-0 win at home against BBHC. Forest started very strongly scoring after only 3 minutes when they took advantage with a quick free hit and Katherine Abbie scored with a shot from the right hand side of the D into the far corner. They doubled their lead with an excellent reverse stick shot from Lucy Butcher but made hard work of the first half as they struggled to get into their stride.

Waltham Forest’s play in the second half was much improved and they dominated play with some fast flowing hockey. Man of the match Katherine Abbie scored a third shortly after half time as she tapped in at the far post following some excellent attacking play on the left hand side. Lucy Butcher then got her second of the match with a fine strike from a short corner and Philippa Laguen de Lacroix made it five with a well struck shot from the edge of the D. Forest continued to open up the BBHC defence with some lovely passing and attacking play and Amy Morris finished off a great set piece with a well taken deflection. The home side wrapped up their well deserved win with a second goal from Philippa Laguen de Lacroix.

Ladies 5s

Ladies 5s get better and better every week! On Saturday we let Witham win 2-1, with us having a disallowed goal so we could have had a draw!! Our allowed goal was scored by Jane and how we celebrated! Play was so much better this week and we’re growing in confidence every week. As always compliments from the other team on us being friendly and playing a fair game. They were also very complimentary about our umpires Suzy Martin and Cillié Truter so thank you so much guys for stepping in to help us. Thanks also to our sideline supporters! Every week I’m proud of my team but every week I just seem to get prouder! Our Lady of the Match this week was Jane for commitment to attacking goal!

Mens 1s

On paper it looked daunting but a cunning fixture arrangement meant the boys from Ipswich had a very early meet. As the sun shone the game started and Forest had prepared the better.
With Jacko and James on the ball early and causing problems, the team were responding to training ground routines and the counter was working. But it was the visitors that took the “undeserved” lead. 2 short corners and suddenly we were 2-0 down. Not fazed and a team full of professionals Forest rallied. Another quick counter and clever passing between Jacko, Phil and Richard meant the easiest finish of his life for Mr Lowe. Back in the game.

The back four were solid. Defensive Rob didn’t go forward and Tanswell mirrored his defensive partner and like brothers they worked well together. With Ed and Ollie patrolling the wings it was a solid unit. With the break came a surge. Midfield took over, Luce showed skill, Brownie composure and Arkle drive and again the quick passing and speed of thought led to Phil breaking, putting in Lowe who slid it across to a ecstatic James. Boom 2-2.

A fantastic solo effort by Nico showed every other forward just how to take it round a keeper and Forest were leading.

It is with sadness that this report continues. Yes Ipswich got another short and another goal. 3-3. And yes indeed a player who shall remain nameless gave the ball away at the top of the D to allow Ipswich in for their fourth and the winning goal.

Positives to take away but again no reward. Progression inevitable so roll on Peterborough

Mens 2s

Coming off the back of two 7-1 and 8-3 victories, you’d have thought things couldn’t get any better for the 2nd team, right? Wrong. A display pleasing on the eye, yet substantiated with some gritty “digging-in” (and rumoured to have been fuelled by heroin) saw Tim Boxall and his men come away with a 10-1 win and the compliments of the opposition Captain ringing in their ears.

Some goals were magnificent, other simply bizarre; Immy weaved his way through three men before reverse-chipping the ball over an oncoming giant of a keeper whilst Zetter nabbed a few – combined distance from goal equalling 4 yards. Not to forget Was, to call it clinical may perhaps be flattering, but when you’re walking away with a hat-trick, who’s complaining?

The defence held strong, indeed it was magnificent on occasion when the ball was arrogantly given away further up the field and was simply unlucky to concede a solitary goal, dubbed by their Captain as “the goal of the game” (if you guess who scored it, you can claim an all-expenses-paid date with Ed “How long can I continue to pull the wool over Phil Peacock’s eyes?!” Stubbing).
Man of the Match, Richard Mills, who seems finally to have found his true position. Scoring reverse stick undercuts from the Top of the D (did you hear about that one?) no more, destiny finally seems to have placed him at right back (Editor: not sure I’ve supplanted Kippers in this most coveted of positions).

After a swift bit of mental arithmetic, it’s been pointed out that the Men’s 2s scientifically can’t fail to score 13 next week. We’ll see.

Mens 4s

Saffron Walden 6 gave us a very evenly matched 70 minutes of hockey on a late Saturday afternoon. Our Waltham Forest side had only four players in the squad from the previous season but me managed to gel sufficiently to look like a side that had played together.

The opportunities in either D were few and far between. We went in at half time with scoreless. I felt that we needed to improve our communication and move the ball out to our wings faster. We had pace in either side of the pitch but the ball was getting stuck in the centre of the pitch too often.

Ed, getting a bit bored in goal decided to liven things up with a lovely pass to an attacking player at the top of the D. The ensuing panic kept the ball out. Saffron Walden did score about halway through the second half and Sean responded for Forest about five minutes later. Deadlock again until the final whistle though we did dominate for large periods of the second half we couldn’t finish effectively.

I’d like to thank Matt and Mick for picking up umpire duties for me in what was a difficult week to cover official duties and find keepers. Thanks Ed for padding up – and the moment of madness.

Mens 5s

The M5s travelled to play Romford 3s with, even for us, an inexperienced side, Shaun Crowe in goal and Josh Field playing their first ever games of hockey. After dominating the first 20 minutes we took the lead through 13-year-old Nate’s first goal for the club. Romford’s experience and use of substitutions became increasing factors as they came back into the game and then took a decisive lead. We scored a second with a great finish from Zain, and kept battling to the end, typified by man of the match Eebbaa in central midfield, eventually running out 6-2 losers.