Match Reports & Results (2005/06 season - part 2)

 

Saturday 15th April 2006

Veterans: Tunbridge Wells Tournement [Mark Bettaney]
I had thought that the final update of the season had been written, but I feel obliged to briefly report the happenings last Saturday as we attempted to defend our trophy at the 2nd Tunbridge Wells tournament.

Although we failed to retain our trophy (it was a horrible one anyway - the astro easter egg with the handmade cricket on the top) the day was remarkable for two things - the rain (at one point there was more water than air in the atmosphere), and our scoresheet. I am pleased to report that, in keeping with our last season, we scored more goals than we conceded (played 3, won 1, drew 1, lost 1, goals for 3, goals against 2) but by happy chance the scorers list reads as follows, Palmer (1), Chivers (2). The Chivers goal tally for the season now stands at 3, which is 3 more than most of the rest of the team put together.

The Morris went to Arthur, for turning up when it was much easier not to, although Simon also deserves an accolade for turning up despite a flat tyre on the way (bleeding 4x4s - more trouble than they are worth). The Doris went to Ken for needing four attempts to get all his possessions from one car to another, this award procured even before we had left the BBHC car park. This was fortunate from a Doris selection point of view because nobody exhibited Doris-like behaviour on the pitch.

I thank every one who turned up for doing so, especially Barry and Bobby for both playing and umpiring a game, and Ian for driving. Colin Brine was also there, blowing his whistle authoritatively, which is always a pleasure to see. It was not easy to get a team out for this one, but a good time was had by all.

Until October then, the captain rests

 

 

Sunday 9th April 2006

LADIES Indoor
BBHC discovered a month back that there was going to be another indoor tournament for Kent teams. This was also going to include for the winners qualification to the east league, and Maidstone were taking care of the organising.

Shame we had not been aware of this sooner and we could have sorted some training well in advance. Last year we were well prepared thanks to Kev King weekly training, and we won every game and won the tournament at Combe Bank School Sevenoaks.

So we turned up as Defending Champions, and we could tell everyone was well scared of us. The lack of prep did not deter us, and some of the winning team from last year returned, including Emily to make a star appearance for BBHC.

Kev King was with us to go through the set plays and remind us all of the rules and set out some strategy. Indoor is enjoyed immensely by all those who play it, and it's shame we don't do it regularly either as a summer league like in years past, or in addition to the outdoor leagues. Our first game was against Maidstone (5 teams in total on the day). Maidstone were a really good side and seemed very well prepared for the day. Perhaps as the organisers they knew for a long time it would happen so they trained well for it. That's how it looked. One of their defenders being an ex Canterbury 1st XI player fresh from the national premier league.

We had a good game, and just were unable to put in goal, they defended everything very well in the D, and we also had our work cut out defending our end. They beat us 1-0 from a penalty corner effort. It was a shame in hindsight that Maidstone were our first opposition of the day.

The next game was against Canterbury. They did not seem as well prepared as Maidstone, but skills wise we knew they would be really strong. Also spotted one person known to be 1st XI player in the outdoor game. The game was high tempo and BBHC had a few penalty corners which we struggled to convert into a good shot on target. Emily Charters did eventually break the deadlock with a great flick into the top of the net to put us 1-0 up. We managed to soak up the pressure and reach the 15 minutes full time whistle with the 1-0 win.

Next up were Blackheath who were struggling a bit so far in the tournament. We wanted to win if we were going to keep on the heels of Maidstone who had won every game so far. We were the first to score thanks to another Emily effort, however Blackheath were awarded a flick and duly converted to put them level.

From a penalty corner we went 2-1 up when Emily slipped it left to George Smith who pushed it hard into the far right corner. Then Sue Hetherington looking rather like Bjorn Borg nearly fluffed an opportunity when she ended up in the corner, just managed to keep the ball in play and had Tuckey and Emily screaming for the ball in the D, Sue H went it alone and scored a great flick from a tight angle to put us 3-1 ahead, which was the final score.

Our final game of the day was V Holcombe. We knew we could not finish winners due to Maidstone high scoring wins, but were keen to secure 2nd place. It was a shame it was our last game as we had all enjoyed it so much. But physically we could not have carried on. It is so much faster and demanding after 60 minutes of playing, you can feel the strain beginning.

The game finished in a 0-0 deadlock despite us being all over them.
Maidstone finished winners, having won all four games, we came in Second, and Canterbury 3rd. A really good performance from the squad who had no prep beforehand. Big Thanks to Kev King, and well done girls, great effort. Squad:
Karen White (GK), Sally Wallace (C), George Smith, Sam Hall, Sarah Harvey, Emily Charters, Sue Hetherington, and Gen Sweeney, Coach Kev King

 

Saturday 1st April 2006

MEN
BBHC 3rd XI 3 - 1 Gillingham Anchorians (A) W
BBHC Vets 8 - 0 Kenley (H) W

 

BBHC Vets 8 Kenley 0 [Mark Bettaney]
Frank, Andy Price, Anup, Arthur, Simon, Koki, Jagi, Mark Whiteacre, Alex. Such a team would grace any hockey pitch. Sadly, that list represents the people who were unavailable this week. For our final game of the year we hosted Kenley (who mercifully aren't very good), and in the hour before the game we were able to add the names of Paulo (who hasn't played for us since last season) and Paul Harvey (who had never played for us before) to get our numbers up to the bare eleven. Some pretty stiff negotiation procured Tej and Ed as umpires, and in bright sunshine the game began.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Teams begin by playing well against us. We tackle and tackle and tackle. They stop playing well. We score. We win. For twenty minutes this new look BBHC vets team struggled to find much cohesion, during which time Kenley had several chances where it seemed easier to score than miss. Graeme in goal made a series of good saves and scary dashes (scary for anyone in the way that is). It was all a bit ragged. Then, from a short corner Peter banged one in and the game changed. It was a goal against the run of play, but from that point on everything was one way traffic. We murdered them. Paul Harvey scored on debut, and the other six goals were all scored by Ian. 8 - 0. The game was noteworthy also for the deluge of rain that fell during the second half. How those without studs stood up I do not know.

In the last two games of our season we have scored 14 goals without reply, and if any of our scorers, in an egotistical show of enthusiasm, suggest otherwise, I will reiterate that it takes 11 men to score a goal.

Again, no Dorisses were deemed appropriate, because although Kenley were somewhat weak (not to the degree of copelessness however) everyone on our team was at the top of his game, and there were no Doris threatening moments from anyone. Two Morrises were therefore available, and in a change of fine-selection policy Ian was chief sneak. One went to Graeme in goal (he is making a habit of this - Graeme is really very good in this position). The other went to Paul Harvey for a first class debut. There was another award, but only two per game are recognised under this captaincy

Thanks are due to Tej and Ed for umpiring, Roy and Ken for getting the noodles, Roy and the captain for serving up the noodles, and Roy and the captain for loading the dish washer (an unpleasant pattern is developing here by the way. We are big on the celebration of cultural and racial diversity, but there is a bit of an aparteid when it comes to the noodles and the dishwasher).

So the season finished up - Played 24. Won 16. Drawn 4. Lost 4. Goals for 72. Goals against 40. Not bad. Not bad at all.

 

 

Saturday 25th March 2006

MEN
BBHC 1st XI 2 vs 5 Eastbourne (A) Loss
BBHC 2nd XI 5 vs 1 New Beccehamians (H) Win
BBHC 3rd XI 3 vs 6 King's College London (H) Loss
BBHC 4th XI 3 vs 4 Ashford (A) Loss
BBHC 5th XI 3 vs 1 Anchorians (H) Win
BBHC 6th XI 1 vs 2 Burnt Ash (A) Loss

 

LADIES
BBHC 1st XI 3 vs 1 Gore Court (H) Win
BBHC 2nd XI 1 vs 1 Marden Russets (A) Draw
BBHC 3rd XI 0 vs 0 Uni of Kent (A) Draw

 

Men's Reports

BBHC 1st XI 2 Eastbourne 5 [Simon Myers]
Dan Lucas (FG), Steve Rudducks (FG)

It is always nice to finish the season by soundly thumping your opposition, before proceeding to the bar in good spirits to partake in a few ales. Alas, this was not to be the case on Saturday. When the day started it was bright and sunny. By the time we arrived at Eastbourne it was wet and miserable. In fact, it was so miserable that coach King decided to treat the people in his car to a spot of go-karting before the game to cheer them up. They were late to the game, but the karting must have had some positive effect, as within 25 minutes we were 2-0 up courtesy of goals from Rudduck and Lucas. Eastbourne pulled one back before half-time, but we were in control and were confident that the aforementioned sound thumping was on the cards.

How wrong we were. At the start of the second half we conceded 4 in quick succession. We did rally well for the last 10 or minutes or so, but we couldn't covert our chances and the game was already out of reach in any case. Final score 5-2 to Eastbourne.

Man of the match: Dan Lucas (played like a young Glenn Hoddle) Richard of the Day: Steve Rudduck (because none of the go-karters wanted to wear the shell suit) Thanks: to Ian Cole and Steve Rudduck for driving. It is a long way to Eastbourne and, as Ian reminded us at every opportunity, it takes a lot of petrol to get there.

 

BBHC 2nd XI 5 New Beccehamians 1 [Alex Webster]
Mark Ashby 2 (PC) (FG) Andy Tither (FG) Joey Civico (FG) Phil Price (FG)

BBHCs final game of the long league campaign was against already league victors New Beccehamians. Eager to avenge the defeat earlier in the season. BBHC were confident, fielding the same team that had convincingly beaten 2nd place HSBC the previous week.

BBHC started off well with swift fluid passing through the team. Good defensive work prevented New Becs from any threatening attempts on goal. The BBHC midfield gained control of the midfield and were able to create plenty of chances for the forwards. BBHC took the lead when Mark Ashby Converted a short corner with a powerful flick after the ball had been slipped past the onrushing defender .. BBHC soon doubled the lead as Joey Civico broke away from his defender and coolly slipped it passed the keeper. BBHC went in at half time happy at dominating their opposition in the the first half.

The second half continued in the same pattern with BBHC controlling the game. The lead was furthered the ball was worked around the back and was tapped home by the Andy Tither. With the domination continuing a solo effort from Mark Ashby proved to be the goal of the game when blasted home from the top of the D leaving the keeper stunned .

New Becs were given hope when a rather tame effort sneaked it's way past Jim Jackson in goal. The victory was sealed when Phil Price finished after beating three defenders after a pass from Andy Tither.

This solid display saw BBHC guarantee their 3rd place position and should see them promoted next season.

 

BBHC 5th XI 3 Gillingham Anchorians 1 [Martin Mason]
David Mason (PC) Scott Bennett (PS) Martin Agyei (PC)

Eager to avenge the 3-2 defeat just prior to Christmas, BBHC started their Division 3 game at a brisk pace, but with only 10 men. A strong forward run from left half by David Mason resulted in a short corner being awarded after 3 minutes, the first strike from which was initially saved by the Anchorians keeper, but Mason picked up the rebound and fired a rising shot high into the back of the goal – 1-0.

Continued pressure from BBHC allowed little time for the Anchorians midfield to dwell long on the ball and a break through the middle after about 15 minutes led to a penalty flick following a deliberate foul in the D. Scott Bennet stepped up and coolly placed the ball inside the keeper’s left post – 2-0.

BBHCs dominance of the half continues and soon made it three from a well worked short corner. The ball was struck into the far post by Scott Bennett and coolly deflected into the back of the net by Martin Agyei.

Anchorians reorganised themselves after halftime and began to enjoy long spells of possession leading to some desperate defending couples with good goalkeeping by the BBHC keeper. After several wasted opportunities the visitors pulled a goal back to make the score 3-1.

Despite several breaks from defence, BBHC could not find the rhythm of the first half and they were restricted to the occasional break from defence and despite winning a short corner on the stroke of full time were unable to score further.

The result saw BBHC move up three places in the league, finishing 7th of 12 with a record of W7, D4, L11.

 

Burnt Ash 2 BBHC 6th XI 1 [Martin Mason]
Martin Mason (FG)

With no league fixture the BBHC 6th XI played a friendly against local rivals Burnt Ash. Fielding a side containing a number of part time players, a number of veterans and two members of the U14 side, BBHC forced the play early in the first half and were awarded a penalty after a deliberate foul by the Burnt Ash keeper prevented young Tarin Chana from scoring. Taking the flick himself, the keeper saved going to his left.

Ash continued to defend well and a break saw and a well worked goal saw colts U14 keeper, Kourtney , beaten for the first goal of the match.

Undeterred, BBHC pressed for an equaliser and a forward surge down the left wing by Peter Richmond was followed by a pass to Martin Mason overlapping outside him who slotted the ball between the keeper’s pads for a deserved equaliser. Half time 1-1.

Ash dominated the midfield in the second half and only good defending and brave goalkeeping prevented them regaining the lead, BBHC had a number of chances on the break, the Ash keeper being lucky to save one chance from a Richmond deflected shot following a Mason cross from the left. With full time approaching, Ash pushed for the winner and in the last minute managed to slot home a second goal at the third attempt after two good saves from Kourtney Monah-MacQuillan.

Final score 2-1 to Burnt Ash.

 

Ladies Reports

BBHC 1st XI 3 Gore Court 1 [Georgina Smith]
Sweeney (FG), J Grabham (FG), K Hall (FG)

The last game of the season, seventeen other games have been and gone. So this was the game we had to win if we wanted to secure 6th place finish and do ourselves justice.

This is what Debbie got us all thinking about when we went on to the pitch. We knew Hertford were hot on our heals and they only needed a win against St Albans and could go above us if we let this game slip away.

First half of the game saw BBHC start a bit shaky, we had some movements with players as we were missing Tuckey in the key CD role. SH sitting the game out with a wound from the vets tournament. The game stayed at a 0-0 stale mate for a while. We had a couple of worrying moments in the first half, and eventually it was us who broke the deadlock first. Gen Sweeney broke away and on a solo effort used her incredible speed to get round the GC defence and face a one on one with the keeper. A signature Gen strike from a tight angle on the right side of the D struck the ball in to the top left corner. Gen's goal of the season and our spirits were lifted.

Still in the first half, Gore Court were awarded a penalty corner which they struck and it went just past Karen White's outstretched feet and through the right post. A blow to BBHC who had been dominating the game till then. A couple of other efforts went close to putting us ahead. A couple of scrambles in the D, and some near celebrations, but denied by the keeper.

Second half commenced and we knew we could win if we put in the work. The crucial second goal came along when we had a free hit just outside the D, and Netty showed her experience when she managed to just hook her stick behind her and deflect the ball into the far post. BBHC then had a tiny bit of breathing space, and the first glimpse of 3 points.

The third and final goal came along when from a Deb Henderson hit in to the D Karen Hall was on the right post ready to deflect it in to goal. Then we felt we had the win secure, not long left on the clock, and despite a corner to GC we managed to keep the 3-1 win. This meant Hertford would have to have beaten St Albans 10-0 or more to go above us in the league. Which they didn't they only managed a 0-0 draw.

At the end of 2005-2006 season BBHC 1st XI have finished 6th place, and on 22 points. Our best result for years. Plenty to build upon for next season.

Some of the highlights of the season, beating Broxbourne 2-0 at home, beating Anchs 4-2 at home, and the turning point of the season our win at Gore Court 4-2 before Christmas.

 

BBHC 3rd XI 0 Uni of Kent 0 [Alison Prior]

BBHC travelled to the Uni of Kent with bare eleven with a long journey down to Canterbury. We started of really well against the young fit (all 21 or under I hasten to add) bottom of the league UOK team and we gave ourselves quite a few chances and Leah performed a superb run and a well timed passed which Carol Hall great shot that was just clipped by the keeper which sent it wide.UoK had a few chances but were saved excellently by KM.

The second half we played even better, UOK only had 1 real chance of scoring which was from a penalty corner that was well stuck but saved on the line by Ali it was a bit tense as it then pinged onto Louise's stick (foot) but it was cleared quick enough for the umpire to give the oppo an opportunity. We then got a few penalty corners which were all well saved by the young fit goalie and as we weren't all so young and fit we all were all too knackered to do any more. A good result really and a well earned point.

The 3rd XI finished 9th in their league.

 

Saturday 18th March 2006

MEN
1st XI drew 2-2 vs Worthing (H)
(K King, Rudduck)
2nd XI won 5-2 vs HSBC (A)
(Civico 2, J Henderson, P Price, Westbrook)
3rd XI won 2-1 vs Old Bordenians (H)
4th XI vs Cliftonville (A) - Postponed
5th XI lost 5-0 vs Deal (A) - Walkover
6th XI won 5-0 vs Marden Russets (H) - Walkover

 

1st XI
[Kevin King]
This week saw Worthing visit BBHC. The game started at a frantic pace with both teams creating chances. Midway into the game a skirmish between Jamie Perffit and a Worthing defender resulted in both being yellow carded. By then, BB had taken the lead with a well worked passing in which veteran Peter Stanley teamed up with fellow veteran Steve Rudduck to score his third goal in as many games.

Unfortunately BB couldn’t hold the lead for very long. Worthing were handed a penalty flick for a stick tackle in the circle which they duly converted. We did have a clear chance to get the lead back just before half time, but BB failed to capitalise on a one on one with the Worthing keeper. Second half started the same as the first half. Lots of chances.

It wasn’t until 20mins in when Kevin King lobbed the ball over the on rushing goal keeper from a penalty corner to give the lead to BB. BB being under a lot of pressure stood firm with Worthing creating lots of corners and opportunities. Unfortunately Dan Lucas received the second yellow card of the game for another stick tackle. This left BB down to 10men for the last 10mins. After going down to ten men BB found themselves with yet another clear chance this time we had a two on one with the Worthing keeper but again we didn’t capitalise on the situation.

BB held off the attack until the last 3mins when Worthing got a lucky break in the circle after Tom Golding had saved the Worthing centre forward collected the rebound and put his reverse strike low into the bottom corner. The game ended a draw which in truth reflected the game but BB feel if we had taken our clear chances this game could have been beyond Worthing reach. This is something we will address and look to put right in our last game of the season next week away to Eastbourne.

Man of the Match: Kevin King
Richard of the day: Steve Rudduck failing to recognize what team he was playing.

 

2nd XI
[Alex Webster]
With the return of several key players a strong BBHC team visited 2nd in the table HSBC for a possible promotion deciding game. The first meeting in the season saw BBHC played off the pitch and the team were determined for this not to happen again.

BBHC dominated the game with good passing movements that left HSBC to defend frantically for long spells of the first half. Good work from the midfield ensured BBHC had a comfortable lead at half time and by the time the final whistle went for the game BBHC stepped off the pitch more than worthy winners. Goals came from Joey Civico (2), Phillip Price, Derren Westbrook, Jimmy Henderson.

This result sees BBHC maintain their 3rd position with one game left to play. Assuming Folkestone don't win by 20 goals next weekend and BBHC don't lose then BBHC should be promoted, (although this is never a definite with the constant league re-shuffling).

 

3rd XI
[Matt Thurlow]
This was a must win game for the 3's to stay in this league. BBHC started off the stronger setting the pace of the game and taking it to Old Bordenians. but against the run of play we conceaded a goal. we settled our nerves and with some great passing and movement from bbhc we won a few short corners and from 1 of them andy humber scored making it 1-1. but not long after young mark pellet was given the opportunity to score from a pass by chuckie which mark calmly put away giving us the lead. the second half was goal less but was a very good half with the oppo not really seeing our goal up close our defence stood strong and cleared the ball well to set up attacks. another good allround performance from the hole team and with Jordan in goal looks like the lack of keepers is getting better. end score 2-1 win. well done everyone on the performances.

 

LADIES
1st XI lost 5-0 vs Sevenoaks (A)
2nd XI won 1-0 vs Ashford (H)
3rd XI lost 4-1 vs HSBC (H)

 

1st XI
[Georgina Smith}
We all gathered at Hollybush Lane for our penultimate game of the season. 3pm start, and very cold and windy. All the eagerness and enthusiasm we showed at Holcombe didn't manage to make the journey with us to Sevenoaks.

For whatever reasons which I could not even begin to maybe list, we just didn't really turn up on Saturday. We had strong squad, subs and the same team who played so well against Holcombe. However it was evident from the moment the whistle blew that we were not switched on.

In contrast Sevenoaks, most of whom were very experienced (yes that does mean long in the tooth) played very good hockey. They were disciplined, well drilled and worked hard. Due to the fact they scored so many goals I can't remember each of them specifically. We were 2-0 down at the half way mark. At which point if we had got a goal I think we could have brought ourselves back in to the game and woken up a bit.

But it wasn't to be. We had the odd chance, and a few short corners. Kim Selby gave us all a good telling off at half time. We had a few more chances in the second half. However Sevenoaks gained even more strength and got more confident. They converted a few short corners, straight strikes and at least one of the five was a field goal I recall from a player left free in the D to have a clear shot.

As a result of this poor performance, our chance to finish in 5th place has gone. The only positive thing out the weekend for BBHC 1's was that the other results in the league went our way, two teams beneath us also lost. We stay in 6th position and if we make sure we all play our socks off next week against Gore Court then we can finish 6th place as long as we all want it enough. We must win that game to stay above Hertford who in the their last game will be facing bottom of the league St Albans.

 

3rd XI
[Alison Prior]
BBHC continued to fight for survival with HSBC visiting the cold Erith astro pitch. BBHC started off the stronger team but were unable to capitalise on the chances created. HSBC were not as goal shy though and were 2-0 catching BBHC twice on the break. It would have been more if it hadn't been for the good keeping of Milly Palmer in goal.

The second half started as the first had finished with BBHC pushing forward and creating chances but again slow at getting back and HSBC grabbed another goal. With 10 minutes to the end BBHC decided finally finished off a chance after 4 penalty corners of which one was converted by Jenny after the initial shot by Alison Prior was saved. BBHC continued to push forward for more goals but were AGAIN caught out as HSBC scored. (The score would have been more if it wasn't for Louise Fearn covering at the back).

A good performance from BBHC but were let down by their inability to score. Man of the match Alison Prior.

 

 

Saturday 11th March 2006

MEN
1st XI drew 1-1 vs Tunbridge Wells (A)
(Rudduck [FG])
2nd XI won 5-0 vs Canterbury (H) Walkover
3rd XI No Fixture
4th XI won 3-1 Kings College (A)
5th XI won 4-3 Marden Russets (H)
(Franklin [PC], A Humber 2 [2FG], Adrian Webster [FG])
6th XI lost 2-1 vs Old Bordenians (A)
Veterans lost 4-2 vs Addiscombe (H)
(A Davies 2 [2FG])

 

1st XI
[Kevin King]
BB made the journey down to Tunbridge wells this weekend having added to last weeks young squad with some more experience captain Simon Myers returned also with veteran Steve rudduck. BB knew this game was going to be a very tough encounter seeing as Tunbridge wells are still fighting off relegation also BB was desperate to avenge the 3-1 home defeat that Tunbridge Wells handed us in the first half of our season.

The game started with good moves from both sides Tunbridge carving out some nice passing moves using there high wide players but they failed to deliver an end product. BB weathered this phase of the game and pushed forward finding lots of space in the last 25yrds eventually our pressure paid off after Tunbridge wells had the ball turned over from there own hit out which then followed a nice passing move between Dan Lucas and peter Stanley who then passed to his fellow veteran Steve Rudduck to smash home from a few yards out.

At this point BB started to dominate the game creating opportunities in the last 25 yrds again which eventually paid of with more short corners awarded. Unfortunately BB could not capitalize on these corners although BB had the ball in the goal on one occasion only for the umpire to make a poor decision and disallow this goal. Which was a sign of things to come.

Second half BB started slowly and were punished by week defending allowing the Tunbridge wells forwards to gain entry to our Circle to easily only for there right forward to smash the ball through the on rushing BB goal keeper 1-1. The game started to get stretched for both teams which meant chance s started to come thick and fast for BB again we did not have a cutting edge to finish the chances off. Tunbridge wells had a lot of possession but failed to deliver any end product.

Unfortunately the game was turned midway into the second half when while BB were defending one of the Tunbridge wells forwards fouled in our circle by hitting the ball with the wrong side of his stick while Peter Stanley was trying to clear the ball. The umpire in his wisdom decided this was a deliberate foul by the BB player so a yellow card was awarded along with a short corner. BB feeling hard done by dealt with this corner comfortably and still felt that we could push forward for the win again BB had another goal disallowed when Tej Singh was adjudged to have stopped the ball with his foot before tapping the ball home from a couple of yards again this decision was wrong as it was the young forwards glove that came into contact with the ball. Tunbridge wells pushed more players forward in the hope to get a counter goal. This again was helped by another poor decision when Kent u19 Tej Singh tracked back the Tunbridge wells forward who cut across the BB player only then to fall down the umpire adjudged to see this as a yellow card offence BB were now down to 9 another harsh verdict.

Tunbridge Wells pushed forward but could still not have any joy in breaking the defence of Myers, Cole, Harding, Lee Humber. BB created more corners after Peter Stanley returned to the game only to be wasted by again poor finishing. BB again then had our third player sent off when a Tunbridge wells player cut across Vince Moore who failed to adjust his running direction.

BB finely had a break through from a corner when Steve Rudducks rebounded effort hit Tunbridge wells player on the line. So Kevin King Stepped up to take the Penalty Unfortunately for BB Kevin failed to deliver the penalty goal after having his flick saved by the Tunbridge wells keeper. So after three yellow cards two disallowed goals and one missed flick BB must take value from this game that everyone put in a solid performance and managed to come away with a point considering the circumstances. BB have now two games left to improve on there points total from last year after passing that goal this weekend. Next week sees Worthing visit BB. Again this should be another open game which points will be there for the taking.

Man of the match Tom Golding
Richard of the Day: Dan Lucas for forgetting his playing shorts!

 

5th XI
[Alex Webster]
The visit by Marden was an opportunity to revenge a defeat from earlier in the season and BBHC began aggressively, with much of the early game being played in the visitors half and a number of fine saves being produced by the 'keeper. Having soaked up the early pressure the Marden defence began to produce some outstanding clearances upfield which led to breakaway attacks on the home goal, finally scoring after a save from Jordan Lawes was not cleared by the defence and flicked high into the net. The home side continued to press forward, only to be frustrated by a number outstanding saves from the visiting 'keeper, who must have been most disappointed to concede a goal to a weak shot from Andy Franklin penalty corner.

With the score at 1-1,the discussion at half time between the BBHC players was positive, but the talk at the Marden end must have been electrifying, as very early in the second half they put the BBHC defence under heavy pressure resulting in two quick goals. The first following an error by the author and the second after the ball being gifted to the opposition on the halfway line and two of the forwards combining to put the ball wide of the oncoming goalkeeper. At 1-3 down, the omens were not good especially with the form shown by the Marden goalkeeper, but with valuable points at stake BBHC renewed their attack.

Although they had had the benefit of a number of penalty corners in the second half, BBHC had failed to capitalise but eventually Andy Humber came to the rescue by scoring twice to level the scores at 3 all. Marden still felt the game was there for the taking and continued to press the BBHC defence, mainly down their right flank as their left wing was being ably marked by Scott Moores at right back. With only minutes to go there was everything to play for but Adrian Webster bagged the points to the home side with a reverse stick shot into the corner of the net (I am sure he will talk you through the detail if you ask), although Marden continued to with their efforts to at least share the game until the final whistle.

 

Veterans
[Mark Bettaney]
I am sorry to tell you that I am the bearer of bad news, and you may wish to sit down before reading further. This weekend we hosted Addiscombe, a team which (whom?) we turned over at their place earlier in the season without out much trouble at all. They arrived in friendly fashion. We were able to do the honourable thing in providing two umpires because we numbered as large a squad as we have seen in recent weeks - fifteen players were willing and able to contribute. This had all the makings of a workmanlike victory.

The game began. We dominated as we expected to do. An unremarkable period of play culminated in an anticipated goal for the home side from Arthur Davies who deflected an incisive cross. The game continued in this BBHC-on-top fashion. A bit of a hiccough occurred when two Addiscombe players broke into our half and four defenders failed to prevent a goal, the numerical irony of which the captain felt obliged to point out to all and sundry. However, we carried on undeterred. The game continued in further BBHC-on-top fashion. An unremarkable period of play followed which culminated in a second goal for the home side from Arthur Davies who deflected an incisive cross. Five minutes form half time everything changed however. Addiscombe came at us all guns blazing but we held on somehow, Mark Whiteacre in goal carrying on where he left off last week with heroic displays of getting in the wayness. Half time. 2-1 up.

Half time saw a change of personnel, some planned, some injury-imposed. Arthur left the field to arrange his mother's 90th birthday. This was planned, so the accusation of jug-avoidance is not appropriate on this occasion.

What followed defies description. The team that has seen off almost all comers this season capitulated utterly, and without reason. Tackles were missed (this is unheard of). Passes went astray. It was hopeless. Through random acts of copelessness Addiscombe managed to put three past us during the half. The sight that will remain in the captain's memory longest was after the second of these lapses, where both our goal keeper and Ken Maxton could be seen lying down on the goal line with their feet in the air as a grateful Addiscombe attacker trickled the ball between them. Years ago, such a sight must have assaulted Oscar Wilde, inspiring him to write 'We are all of us in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars'. Our only attempt on goal came from Peter Richmond who got in a great first time attempt which was saved by the Addiscombe goalkeeper, but no one knows how. Final score 2-4.

We are lucky indeed to have a player on our side who is able to dissect poor performances and give immediate analysis thereon. He is also articulate in his ability to express disappointment, perhaps assuming that no one else felt any. The phrase 'What you need to understand is ...' is always music to colleague's ears just after an abject defeat. Armed with a detailed breakdown of the team's faults we can anticipate the implementation of immediate remedial action next week. One thing is certain. We are never going to play in white again.

I make here two lists.
Players who played well - Arthur Davies, Mark Whiteacre
Players who played like farts - any one not called Mark Whiteacre or Arthur Davies.

The Morris went to Arthur for being a two goal hero, and for having a mother who is 90.
The Doris went to Anup who was last to arrive, first to leave, and displayed several examples of stroppiness with his own players in-between time.

Thanks are due to Ian, Clayton and Simon for umpiring, Ken and Anup for getting the noodles, Arthur's mum (Babs) for buying us all a drink after we inflicted a harmonically questionable version of 'Happy Birthday to you' upon her, rendering her rather surprised it must be said; Koki for serving up the noodles, Jagi and the captain for washing up the war zone that was the kitchen after previous teams had enjoyed Ravioli, or various rolls, and left it all, presumably expecting it to to congeal itself clean.

So the season so far. Played 22. Won 14. Drawn 4. Lost 4. Goals for 58. Goals against 40.

Next week is a busy one. We are at home to Sutton Valance on Saturday, (2.45) and the Burnt Ash tournament is on Sunday. Such is our enthusiasm for the BA tournament I have applied to enter two teams. If you have said you will play I need you to be faithful to that because we have the bare 22 (and you don't hear that very often). It begins sharply at 10.30, and we are involved in the first games.

 

LADIES
1st XI lost 2-1 vs Holcombe (A)
(S Harvey [{S])

1st XI
[Georgina Smith]
It was the away leg against league leaders Holcombe. They turned us over 4-0 at home, and they have been regularly beating teams by many goals each week. The BBHC girls had a 14 strong squad so we had the resources to give give them a match they would remember.

Defender and Club captain Deb Henderson gave a strong team talk in the changing rooms and got us all in to the right frame of mind for the game. To quote "so they're top of the league, who gives a ........". Very true and you should never give the opposition the upper hand by giving them too much respect and fearing them.

BBHC took on board the talk and from the start of the game we played like we were out there to get 3 points. The first 15 minutes we looked better than we had done for a few weeks. High work rates, good passing and support through out the park. Holcombe realised this was not going to be an easy game.

Bit of a set back occurred early on when Sue H yet again found herself in the line of fire. Maybe she was just out to better Julie's Oscar performance last week. A Holcombe strike found Sue H's ankle from about 1.5 feet away, and she went to ground in considerable pain. Not detracting from the fact it was actually a nasty injury and very painful, it has to be noted that it out done Julie's writhing around on the floor last week. SH even managed to fit in the "slug" movement usually associated with Karen White.

A replacement was made and the game continued. We did manage to trouble the Holcombe defenders and soaked up the pressure down the other end.

Holcombe did eventually take the lead when they converted on a penalty corner. Going in to half time 1-0 down but we definitely looked like we could get one back, even take the lead.

Second half resumed, and a few chances for BBHC. Karen Hall very nearly found the back board and then from an attack a Holcombe defender did a blatant "last man" block of a goal with her feet. The Penalty stroke was awarded. S Harvey, already having scored one before was the natural choice to step up .She confidently put herself forward and much to the emphatic delight of BBHC she put us on even ground and right back in the game.

Other attacking opportunities presented themselves, Gen Sweeney had a one on one with the Goalie. We Had a few penalty corners, and put the Holcs under pressure.

The snow started and time was running out. In my first game back from injury since back trouble 4th Feb, I took a free hit just outside the D in the last minute of the game. A rather packed out D, and the ball was hit straight back out to me from a Holcs defender. I lined up and saw what seemed about 21 faces in front of the goal mouth. I tonked it in towards the left post in the hope of finding a BBHC stick to deflect it in to goal. Alas it wasn't to be and the ball went begging off the backline. That really was the last chance. What a groaner. Full time whistle blew, and top of the league Holcombe were relieved / lucky to take 3 points from the game.

Player of the match was Sam Hall, second week running, owes us all two drinks now :0)

We played some of our best hockey and did ourselves proud. Massive thanks to Kim Selby, Nev Hamlet and Vicky Bilby for managing everything on the sidelines, doing the subs and all their encouragement and shouting.

BBHC remain in 6th place in the league. Anchorians and Hertford either side of us, and everything to play for in the final two games in the fight for 5th place. C'mon.

 

 

Sunday 12th March 2006

Cinders Tournement
BBHC Mixed XI
[Phil Price]
BBHC started their run for gold at the Cinders tournament on a rather cold, hungover Sunday morning. First game was against BI who put on a notable performance with some good pace in the midfield. They had several futile attempts on goal, one of which was on target and was miraculously saved by Jim "Grobblar" Jackson. BBHC Had the better of BI for the duration but failed to convert despite numerous attempts from Humber Sr. The latter of the game was wasted by the BI goalie deciding to strip in his D, then re-kit himself for no particular reason. The game finished in a goalless draw and a slight sense of disappointment from B's.

The Second game saw BBHC take on a well-organised Welcome side. Several early breaks from Andy, Netty and Sam provided BBHC with penalty corner opportunities which were unable to be converted. Welcome hit back with countless breakaways from their blisteringly fast 'power running' forward. This time Alfie and Humber Jr. came up with the goods making some great tackles. BBHC finally managed to put one past the Welcome goalie late on in the game, some tasteful passing down the left led to a backline pass to the top of the D for Phil to slot home. The Game ended BBHC1, Welcome 0.

Next BBHC faced Cheeky Monkeys - "Sexy Hockey, Cheeky Smiles"? More like "Lucky Bounce, Smug grins" ! BBHC Started well but again just failed to find the net. Some very cheeky play (and good passing) lead to the Cheeky Monkeys taking the lead. This was immediately returned when some good forward running from BBHC lead to a Penalty Corner. A nice 'under the arm' pass from Mike Leigh put Humber Sr. through to Equalise. BBHC struggled to put themselves a goal up with some good runs by Phil, Netty and Sam - Karen just failing to find the mark in front of goal! Cheekey Monkeys capitalised on this and with several bouncy passes past BBHC defenders, went into domination mode with another 2 goals. 3-1 To Cheeky Monkeys was the final score and B's had to win their last game in order to qualify for the semis!

Last game of the group stage was against Cobdown who had looked tasty on an earlier game I had observed. I was obviously mistaken as BBHC ran riot with Mike "Twinkle Toes" Leigh beating the same four defenders at least twice in one run before slipping the ball to Phil "Thats how NOT to do it" Price, for an easy tap in. BBHC then scores a second goal after some good passing by the girls and a cool finish from Ms. Brine. This secured BBHC a place in the semis against inter club rivals, Muppets.

After playing all group games on the far pitch, The Semi final was played on the near pitch which Muppets had played on all day. BBHC also lost 2 players who were subsidised kindly by 2 BI players. BBHC sensed this would be a toughie! Nicely warmed up now, BBHC made several good plays but came up sort of a goal. Some interesting ariel tactics from Muppet saw them through on goal on several occasions with their forward shooting wide. The game ended 0-0 and went to Penalty flicks! First up was Sam with a valiant effort which Muppets keeper "Tripod Cookie" saved. B's Keeper, Jim "Grobblar / Watch me dance" Jackson also saved the first flick from the oppo. Phil Price put away the first for B's, sending Cookie the wrong way despite telling him where it was going. Muppets also slotted one home. Both B's and Muppets missed their 3rd flicks - Karen Hall making Cookie work to save it! one of the BI players took the fourth flick for BBHC and hit the post. No points for clinkage unfortunately. Muppets scored their fouth past a bedazzled Jim. The last penalties from each team were saved and it was game over for BBHC in a shocking 2-1 defeat in penalties.

This concluded BBHC's road to glory with long faces of disappointment. Muppets went through to face Cheeky Monkeys in the final, Monkeys going 1 up on penalties after a 1-1 draw, making it 2-1. Well done to everyone who played and thanks especially to the umpires and the girls who doubled up for several teams to make the games worth while.

 

Saturday 4th March 2006

MEN
1st XI lost 3-2 vs Maidstone (H)
(K King [PC], Stanley [PC])
2nd XI lost 3-1 vs Gore Court (A)
3rd XI won 4-3 vs Blackheath (H)
(Sains 3 [FG, 2 PC], Thurlow [FG])
4th XI won 3-1 vs Old Bordenians (A)
5th XI vs Old Bordenians (A) - Game conceded, friendly played instead.
6th XI lost 2-1 vs Wellcome 5th XI (H)
(D Davenport [PC])
Veterans won 2-1 vs Burnt Ash (A)
(I Palmer [FG], Richmond [FG])

 

1st XI
[Kevin "DotD" King]
This weekend BBHC entertained league leaders Maidstone. BB had a number of unavailable players and so decided to go with a young-looking side containing four Under 18 boys. The game started with a high tempo from Maidstone which BB managed to match. This made the game very open with lots of chances for both sides. Maidstone took the lead with a well drilled corner about 10mins into the half. Not long after, BB conceded a penalty flick which Maidstone's flicker converted. BB focused themselves on attacking the weak-looking defence of Maidstone. We were guilty of missing a few clear opportunities with hits into the D and also well work moves from the right and left wide positions. BB finally got there first corner of the game when Joey Civico made a forceful run into the circle and was taken out by one of the bundling Maidstone defenders. BB converted this corner with Kevin King lobbing the ball over the helpless Maidstone goalkeeper's head into the right corner. BB pushed forward and were unlucky not to go in at half time level.

The second half was just as frantic as the first - BB created opportunities following good distribution coming from our defence, notably Lee Humber managing to send through a number of aerial balls over Maidstone’s 25 yard line. BB soon levelled the game with a well-worked short corner allowing Peter Stanley to score his second goal of the year. Unfortunately BB played so hard for 60mins, one lapse of concentration let in Maidstone to seal there victory and a promotion with 10mins to go.

To sum up the performance. The younger members of the team (Tom Golding, Lee Humber, Sam Ashenden and Tej Singh Chaggar) showed maturity beyond their years. This is a testament of how far they have come on and improved this year. Also, the veteran players rolled back the years to put in a vintage display which gave good examples for the youngsters to follow.

Man of the match: Tom Golding
Richard of the day: Kevin King (arrived just before the start of the game very harsh I think)

 

3rd XI
[Matt "Modest" Thurlow]
After a bad result last week, BBHC's Men's 3rd XI needed to beat Blackheath to provide a fighting chance of staying in this Kent Open Premier B. From the start our passing was 100% accurate, and were rewarded with a short corner goal from Allan "Chuckie" Sains as he side-stepped 2 defenders and fired the ball between the 'keeper's legs. Shortly after, there was another "Chuckie goal" thanks to some great play between Chuckie and Mark Pellat. The ball was calmly put away.after a right wing attack and a great cross from young Mr Pellat. The goal of the game was scored by Matt Thurlow, who got in front of 2 defenders and the 'keeper to guide the ball home for a 3-0 half time lead.

The B's didn't start as brightly as in the first half but we didn't want to lose this game. Blackheath pulled back 2 goals 15 minutes after the break, but, yet again, who pooped up and score a great drag flick from a short corner? Yes, that's it Chuckie, for is hat-trick. The visitors did get awarded a flick but this was saved thanks to a poor attempt from the Blackheath player. Their 3rd goal was all they got thereafter as the B's remained strong to hold on for a vital 4-3 win.

It was a great team performance - by far the best game of the season. Well done all!

 

6th XI
[Andrei Mendis]
BBHC's Men's 6th XI hosted Wellcome HC's 5th XI at Mayplace astro in the glorious sunshine, hopeful of a result despite fielding 7 U14s at all times. A bright start was made by the home team, with the 4 older heads linking in well with their diminutive team-mates. This fluid, passing hockey maintained BBHC's possession of the ball in the middle of the pitch. Gareth Jones' movement and ball control, and solid defensive skills by Karan Chana and Scott Moore caught the eye, in particular,. However, this pressure failed to be turned into many shots as the home the hosts threatened the visitor's D on numerous occasions. As a result of this commitment to attack, a rare Wellcome counter-attack resulted in goal before half-time as BBHC were caught further up the pitch.

A rousing team-talk by Dave Davenport gave the B's optimism and the equaliser finally came from a BBHC short corner as Davenport fired the ball home. Wellcome's play rarely demonstrated much finesse or skill, thus some fine umpiring kept the match safe for the BB youngsters. Thus they continued to see a lot of the ball and carve out more chances, yet finishing continued to be the problem. The sucker punch was duly delivered by another Wellcome breakaway as a forward bundled the ball past young Kortney Monah-MacQuillan in goal. 2-1 was the undeserved, final score.

Fine performances also came from Tarin and Rohan Chana, Joe Brown and Sumeet Dhinsa. Such hockey experience alongside and against older players will hold them in good stead for next season's U14s campaign.

 

LADIES
1st XI drew 2-2 vs St Albans (H)
(Crowley [FG], S Hall [PC])
3rd XI lost 7-2 vs Gore Court (A)
(V Jones [FG], Prior [PS])

 

1st XI
[Georgina Smith]
BBHC Ladies' 1st XI entered the home leg of this fixture with a plan to do a whole lot better than we did at St Alban's. St Alban's 3rd XI have not had a very good season so far. Coming in to the game sitting bottom of the league, with only 4 points, 3 of which we gifted them in our worst performance all season back on the 12th November.

Glorious sunny day, and subs on the bench. It bode well for the B's.

There were not many focal points or key incidents in the first half. At times we looked good, and we had every chance to dominate the game. St Alban's did not trouble us much in our D. Utilising the subs, we put Sorcha Crowley on towards the latter part of the first half. A decision which was genius in hindsight. The youngster went on and showed the BBHC 1st XI a thing or two when from a Gen pass she confidently first time slapped the ball in to the Alban's right post to take up 1-0 up just before the half time whistle.

An audible sigh of relief for us in a game which we should have been easily in control of. It was a big boost for the ladies and always good to go in to half-time with the upper hand.

In the second half we went on to increase the lead fairly early on. Short corner was awarded, and Sam Hall was ready on the post to receive from Debbie Henderson's strike to deflect the ball in to the goal. Excellent work, and it felt like we were on the right track to an important 3 points.

It wasn't to be, and for what ever reasons BBHC basically leaked in two goals. If anything we were lucky it wasn't more. With Debbie saving one off the line, and Sue H saving two on the line. It was definitely a case of us nearly snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

Julie Bayley went down injured with a ball on the heal. At first we feared multiple fractures and Dr K Selby rushed on to the pitch. Jules writhed around on the floor in agony for a bit in a display worthy of stripping Zoë Hubbard of the Oscar! But she was hobbling around on it back at the club.

Player of the match went to Sam Hall even though she had no money to buy a round.

Disappointing to only come away with one point. We need to learn from this, and move on with the remaining 3 leagues games.

Let's see the season out in style, 100% effort and determination for a season which has seen our best results for years.

We have played really hard this season, and turned things around before Christmas. Without a doubt we can finish with our heads held high, and with 3 tough games ahead we need to pull out all the stops and go for it....

 

3rd XI
[Alison Prior]
BBHC's Ladies' 3rd XI travelled to Sittingbourne to face Gore Court and were hopeful as we only lost 1-0 to them last time. Unfortunately, we got off to a shaky start with an unfamiliar defence, which GC took advantage of early on. Heads went down and despite creating plenty of penalty corners and shots on goal, we seemed to be lacking confidence so they didn't convert. 2 more goals followed from GC which compounded our disappointment. 3-0 to GC at half-time.

A positive half-time talk and a tactical switch about meant that BBHC were a completely different side but GC were on a high and it showed in their playing and another goal went in. Suddenly BBHC began fighting back (10 minutes from the end) and a great little set piece from a penalty corner resulted in a nice little goal from Vicky Jones. This put BBHC's spirits up even more to enable some superb attacking from the forwards. This caused GC to concede a penalty stroke which was calmly put in the back of the net by Player of the Match and Captain Ali Prior. Unfortunately, our newly-reorganised team were too late to get any points from this game, as GC rounded things off with another burst and ended 7-2 winners.

 

COLTS
Kent U18 Boys' League (Sunday 5th March):
U18 Boys lost 6-0 vs Old Bordenians (H)

Kent U13 Boys' Mini Hockey Championships @ Sevenoaks HC (Sunday 5th March):
U13 Boys:
Lost 1- 0 vs Marden Russets;
Won 1-0 vs Sevenoaks (Rohan Chana [FG]);
Lost 6-0 vs Tunbridge Wells;
Lost 4-1 vs Herne Bay.

 

U18 Boys
[Andrei Mendis]
BBHC's U18 boys lined up for their first league match after winter, daunted but hopeful to put in a good performance against Old Bordenians from Sittingbourne, a number of whom also play their Saturday hockey in their Men's 1st XI.

Things started badly as a Bordenians penalty corner was converted with ease before the 5 minute mark and the tone was set for the rest of the game. A wake-up call which was heeded for a while but a poorly defended penalty corner again led to a goal for the visitors. OB's made good use of their possession ad played as a team, while BBHC won the ball back well but made poor use of the ball and invited more pressure. OB's only blemish was the hint of poor discipline and dissent to the umpires. A goal from open play made it a half-time score of 3-0 and a fair reflection of the play so far.

Coach-for-the-day Ben Bradley identified a number of positives and negatives from the first half, but this went out of the window as OB's scored two goals within 10 minutes of the restart. The visitors threatened to overrun their hosts but many of their remaining chances went unconverted due to poor finishing. Their final goal came late in the game and sealed their win nicely. BBHC's best performer was their Men's 1st XI goalkeeper, Tom Golding, who made some fine saves and showed great awareness to snuff out many chances before OB shots could be made.

Final score 6-0, with Tulse Hill & Dulwich (a) to play next Sunday. A better performance is a must!

Many thanks to Ben for coaching and managing the side today, a shame his 1st XI and 2nd XI team-mates don't want to/can't find the time to help out the U18s on one or two weekends in a season.

 

U13 Boys
[Alex Webster]
BBHC travelled to Sevenoaks for the Under 13s Kent Mini Hockey tournament on a bitterly cold morning. Mini hockey is essentially the same as standard hockey except played across half a pitch with 7-a-side and a more lenient slant to the rules to enable games to flow. After a tough U14 league campaign, BBHC looked forward to the more evenly aged (in theory) competition.

Game 1: vs Marden Russets
Without pitch time before the game to prepare the game started off with little shape. This allowed Marden to snatch a goal after a man found himself free at the back. BBHC soon sorted themselves out and put in a solid display in defence, to prevent Marden extending their league. A good Marden side though prevented BBHC chances on goal. Final score: 1-0.

Game 2: vs Sevenoaks.
The 2nd game saw BBHC face hosts Sevenoaks. Lessons learnt from the first game saw BBHC start much more positively. Good work in midfield from Jamie Saunders and Rohan Chana saw the hosts under pressure form the start. BBHC took the lead midway through the half when a slick move down the right saw Charlie Maunsell set up Rohan Chana on the right for him to beat the keeper. As the game continued, it saw Sevenoaks push the BBHC side. However, some good defending from Karan Chana and Tarin Chana in defence enabled BBHC to win the game, their first of the season. Final score: 1-0 win.

Game 3: vs Tunbridge Wells
BBHC having seen Tonbridge play in previous games were rightly worried. A highly skilled T Wells side tested BBHC from the start. Their swift movement up-front repeatedly gave them a spare man which allowed 'Wells to finish up 6-0 worthy winners. It could have been much more without the heroics of Kortney in goal.

Game 4: vs Herne Bay.
The last group game saw BBHC face the large Herne Bay side. An unfamiliar interpratation of the advantage rule by the games umpire saw Herne Bay take an early 2-0 catching BBHC side unaware. Wanting to finish on a high BBHC started to fight. The defence soaked up everything thrown at them. Creative passing in midfield passing saw Herne Bay stretched at times. After Herne Bay had extended their lead again. Some consistent hassling by... in the opposition D saw him slot the ball through the 'keepers' legs. Herne Bay had the last word though finishing after another curious umpiring decision saw them score again. Final score: 4-1.

The lads played 4, won 1 and lost 3. Despite not making it through to the knockout stage, BBHC can be pleased with the performances they put in. Good play from all showed what the team have been trying to do all season and they can look forward to the next league campaign.

 

 

Saturday 25th February 2006

MEN
1st XI won 4-3 vs Old Bordenians (A)
(K Ing [PC], Rudduck 3 [3FG])
2nd XI won 2-1 vs Burnt Ash (H)
(V Moore 2 [FG, PC])
3rd XI lost 6-0 vs Holcombe (A)
4th XI won 5-0 vs Blackheath (Walkover)
5th XI lost 3-2 vs Maidstone (H)
6th XI won 3-0 Maidstone (A)
(R Chana [PC}, G Jones [FG], Loft [FG])
Veterans - No Fixture

 

1st XI
[Simon Myers]
The cold weather came this week and mysteriously half our team were suddenly unavailable to play. Long term absentees Steve Harding and Dave Cole were away anyway (both having cosmetic surgery - skin graft to serious arm wound and tooth whitening respectively), but for other members we suspect it was just a bit too nippy. Even some of our northern players were unwilling to brave the freezing conditions (although the person in question is from Yorkshire, which explains a lot). And those people that could play took some persuading. Young Sam Ashendon was still in bed at the meet time. However, after a stern talking to from the coach, he eventually turned up (30 minutes late) and off we trekked down to Old Bordenians for what promised to be a tough fixture.

If young Sam was having second thoughts about playing as he lay in bed, he must certainly have questioned his decision to turn up when we arrived in Sittingbourne where the conditions were almost arctic. So cold was the weather that two thirds of the team felt it necessary to sport long-sleeved undershirts. Such unmanly behaviour is never to be condoned and is particularly disappointing when the team of 18 year olds you are facing are playing sleeveless. However, the garments in question must have had some positive effect as we came out of the traps like a whippet on speed and were soon in front when Kevin King mesmerised two defenders and converted a short corner. A goal from Steve Rudduck, tapping in a Peter Stanley cross, soon followed and we were 2 - 0 up at the break.

Old Bordenians are fighting against relegation and were not going to be beaten easily though. They are a young but skilful team and managed to pull one back shortly after the interval. We rallied well though and Steve Rudduck restored our two goal advantage with another tap in from a fine through ball from Kevin King. Old Bordenians then responded with two goals of their own. The first a drag flick from a short corner and the second a gift courtesy of Santa Bradley, who passed the ball to their centre forward from a 16 yard hit. Lesser teams would have crumbled. But we rolled up our sleeves (those of us sporting the aforementioned garments) and got stuck in. Somewhat incredibly Rudduck then scored his third goal of the match (another tap in, this time from a Jamie Perfitt pass). This was surprising as the player in question had previously been experiencing a goal drought the likes of which hadn't been seen since Diego Forlan was a Manchester United player. However, when in rains it pours, and we were not complaining as we held on for the last 10 minutes for a 4 - 3 victory.

Next week we play Maidstone - 2.00pm at Erith School.

Man of the match: Peter Stanley (caused endless problems for his 12 year old marker) and Steve Rudduck (the drought is over).

Richard of the day: young Sam Ashendon (kept everyone waiting and carried out his duties as team water boy poorly)

 

2nd XI
[Alex Webster}
After the annihilation of Burnt Ash in the first half of the season, BBHC expected another easy game against their local "rivals". However, the possibility of this seemed distant when an unfamiliar opposition arrived.

BBHC started off the stronger team with some good possession that allowed them to gain confidence. it did not take long for BBHC to transform this possession into goal-scoring opportunities with several short corners. A good Ash defence though prevented the conversion. The pressure continued and after a looping run around the Ash defence from Derren Westbrook, the ball was saved on the line by a foot after Vince Moore had snatched away a shot. The resultant flick was missed as Westbrook hit the post.

Despite this setback, BBHC kept on the pressure and took the lead when Vince Moore squeezed the ball past the keeper after the BBHC forward line had worked it's way again behind the Ash defence. Half time saw BBHC go in 1-0 up.

The second half was a different game entirely. Burnt Ash awoke and controlled long spells of the game. the BBHC defence repeatedly stood strong and repelled the advances but eventually, after many short corners, the Ash managed to convert (in dubious fashion). 1-1 and the game was anyone's.

As the game continued BBHC managed to work their way back into the game after the rude awakening. The midfield created more and more for the forwards but the finishing touch was lacking. Burnt Ash continued to search for winner also but also struggled to created chances.

BBHC finished of the game when a short corner from Mark Pickersgill was padded down by the Ash goal keeper only for Vince Moore to come in on his reverse (and some what luckily) put the ball into the roof of the net.

A well-earnt, ground-out result that sees BBHC maintain pressure on the top two and stay in contention for promotion.

 

Vets / 6th XI
[Mark Bettany]
The captain had two phone calls on Wednesday. One was from Graeme saying our pitch was very, very wet, and doubtful for Saturday (headlines that day - 'Drought forecast in South East'). The second was from the captain of Horley, asking after the possibility of additional players, as he would be travelling with eight in total. We were close to the bare eleven ourselves, so we decided to call off the game.

Some of us played for the sixths instead, which was a very colt-like colts team (average age too low to calculate). We won against Maidstone, 3-0. I mention this only to report that in ten years time our senior sides will have some very good players indeed, and in thirty years time, our vets will be invincible. It is easy to become isolated from the rest of the club playing exclusively vets hockey, and it was gratifying to see good things going on in the other ranks.

Next week we are away to Burnt Ash, 2.15 start. Some have confirmed how they will be travelling (direct or not). If you have not told me (Jagi, I note you are unavailable), please do so. Alex is in Ireland next week, so again, availability is of the essence.

Bobby, could you umpire for us? Barry is playing in this game (he has old scores to settle or some other deep-felt need).

 

LADIES

1st XI lost 3-2 vs Wapping (H)
2nd XI - No Fixture
3rd XI - No Fixture

 

 

Saturday 18th February 2006

MEN
1st XI won 6-3 vs Herne Bay (H)
(Chaggar [FG], Civico [FG], K King 2 [PC,FG], Myers [PC], Perfitt [PC])
2nd XI won 4-1 vs Marden Russets (A)
3rd XI won 2-1 vs Alleyen Old Boys 1st XI (H)
(Sains [PC], Barnett [PC])
4th XI won 3-1 vs Wellcome (A)
5th XI lost 7-4 Canterbury (H)
(Bennett [FG], A Humber 2 [2FG], G Jones [FG]).
6th XI - No fixture
Veterans won 2-1 vs NPL Bulldogs (A)
(F Andrews [FG], I Palmer [FG])

 

1st XI
[Simon Myers]
After last week's long list of casualties, it was good to see several first team members returned to full fitness for this week's fixture against Herne Bay. It was particularly pleasing to see that Steve Harding's delicate skin had healed well to leave only minimal scarring on his arm (following the serious laceration he suffered a couple of weeks ago).

Watched by a large Erith School crowd, we took the lead early in the first half when Kevin King converted a BBHC short corner from the top of the D. We extended our lead shortly afterwards when Jamie Perfitt deflected a short corner shot into the net. Herne Bay then pulled one back courtesy of some careless BBHC defending. However, more goals for BBHC soon followed. First Simon Myers crashed home a short corner and then Tej Singh Chaggar scored following good work by Peter Stanley down the right wing.

We extended our lead further after half time. Joey Civico and Kevin King scoring to make it 6-1. Herne Bay kept fighting though and managed to pull 2 goals back in the last 10 minutes. However, our first half scoring spree had left them with too large a mountain to climb and we ran out 6 - 3 winners. Next week Old Bordenians away.

 

3rd XI
[Matt Thurlow]
With relegation looking a possibility, BBHC needed to turn their season around, with this game possibly being that turning point .From the start BBHC set the tempo of the game with strong tackling and good passing with a few chances in the first half for a goal BBHC were unable to finish. Alleyn Old Boys did manage to find the goal, however, breaking through the BBHC defence to take a 0-1 lead at half time.

The second half started the same as the first with the BBHC defence standing strong making tackle after tackle and setting up an attack from their passing. Halfway into the second half BBHC were awarded a short corner from which Alan "Chuckie" Sains calmly went around the on rushing player to slot it through the keepers legs and the defender on the line. Levelling the score 1-1. Soon BBHC scored another from a short corner with Tom Barnet finishing making it 2-1, the final score. BBHC had a chance to make it 3-1 but unfortunately the chance was missed.

It was a great all-round performance from BBHC and a well deserved win that was long over due, final score 2-1.

 

5th XI
[Steve Webster edited by Alex Webster]

BBHC entertained top of the league Canterbury, who have yet to be beaten this season, and having shared the points in the away game were hoping for an even better result.

The visitors started off strongly with quick passing stretching the BBHC defence. However, this was soaked up and BBHC managed to string some attacks together of their own but nothing to trouble the Canterbury keeper. Midway through the first half Canterbury took a deserved lead when a shot initially saved was scrambled over the line. Despite trailing BBHC continued to the hard work but still not troubling the keeper. However, there is a good reason why Canterbury are undefeated, simply because they are good, very good. Their range of passing and skill throughout the team left BBHC struggling at times. The score remained unchanged until, on the stroke of half time, a penalty corner awarded to the visitors reached the back of the net on the second attempt after the initial shot rebounded off the post after being deflected by Johnathan Rooks.

The second half saw BBHC work their way back into the game. After conceding another soon into the second half BBHC pulled one back when Andy Humber converted from the top of the D from a ridiculous angle. 3-1, game on.

Canterbury in general “don’t like it up them,” so this is what they got. Strong tackling in midfield from Steve Neville and a back to basics attitude saw BBHC worry the visitors. Worried them so much that they decided to score again. And then again. For those of you with difficulties counting (Kev King) that makes it 5 -1.

Some players took these goals as a personal insult and the work rate from BBHC stepped up a notch. BBHC clawed back another when a fluid move in the midfield saw Gareth Jones calmly sweep the ball past the outstretched keeper.

This saw Canterbury worried, so they scored again. And then again. 7-3.

The game finished on a high though after Scott Bennett beat the last defender and slammed the ball into the corner. This was made possible by the stupendous advantage played by the umpire.

A fair result against a team that are dominating their league but BBHC can take consolation that no other league side have scored 4 goals against this Canterbury side so far this season.

 

Veterans
[Mark Bettany]
An away game this week against NPL Bulldogs. NPL Bulldogs are the sister outfit to NPL Desperados. You will remember a report concerning NPL Desperados some weeks ago, in which we scored five times, yet we still came second. Bulldogs are a woefully ordinary team by comparison (we know this because we watched them before that ill-fated Desperados game, and they were deeply unimpressive). As an almost full-strength BBHC team got into the cars to travel to Teddington, the captain was confident of a straightforward victory of significantly goal-difference-enhancing magnitude. It didn't help that one of our contingent of eleven failed to turn up, but Bulldogs did the honourable thing and provided us with a competent player (Nigel) and an umpire. They were able to do this because the afore-mentioned Dynamos' game had been cancelled at short notice, and as a result there were more than a few familiar faces in the Bulldog's line-up. This was not going to be a walkover after all.

Bulldogs were all over us for fifteen minutes or so. We had no shape, no coherence, no pattern. We were lucky not to concede, and Clayton (in goal) kept us in it for a while. A rotation of the positions of three players pleasingly changed everything however, and we self-evidently took control. Ironically, this control became total just before Bulldogs scored through a devastatingly accurate lob into our penalty area. This lob caused some defensive confusion over who should take responsibility for dealing with it. No one did. No loud shouts of 'Mine!' were heard. Immediately after the goal was scored there followed an entertaining and informed debate regarding defensive responsibilities, a debate which contained immoderate language from several parties who each held strong and supportable views. Half time. 1-0 down.

The half time interval was the usual tactical post mortem and predicable allocation of blame (essential in any team game) and we came out for the second half refreshed and motivated. Twenty seconds later we were level. An heroic midfield tackle, two pin pointedly accurate passes, a parting of the Bulldog's defence of Red Sea-like proportions, and Ian smacked one in. Hooray! The game continued. Although subsequently we suffered a few minor scares (each snuffed out by none-shall-pass defensive tackles which gladden the hearts of the rest of the team, and which consistently serve to make us so hard to beat) the rest of the second half belonged to us, and it was no surprise when we took the lead through Frank Andrews and his reverse-stick magic (this is Frank's second of the season from only three outings up front. Has he been misguidedly positioned all these years?). Bulldogs strengthened their team still further by bringing on Gigi, their Italian wonder player who caused us no end of trouble last time, but it was too little too late, and 1-2 was the final score. It was a first class team performance. Clayton was so thrilled he ran the full length of the pitch to hug his captain, which was a euphoric demonstration of unbridled enthusiasm which will stay with the captain for many years to come.

Such was the strength of this performance, any number of players could have received the coveted Morris award. Sadly, one by one throughout the afternoon, players discounted themselves from selection. Four players (Ian, Frank, Arthur and Alex) were driving, so this precludes them anyway. One (Koki) was on the half way line when the opposition scored, which, you will agree, is unusual behaviour for a central defender. One (Arthur) moaned the tits off everyone before, during, and after the game. One (Alex) missed (from less than a yard) an open goal provided on a plate after a magnificent run of Peter Richmond-like proportions from the captain. One (Clayton) was late to the clubhouse and was lucky to travel at all. One (Francis) mistook his stick for a scythe (although Bulldogs failed to score during that attack, so that is a redeemable feature). The only player not to blot his copybook was Jagi, whose faultless performance (not even a hint of red mist) justifiably won him the accolade.

The Doris went to Anup, for failing to turn up.

Thanks are due to Frank, Ian and Alex for driving. During a break in the clouds on the way home, our efforts were rewarded by a slightly waning, yet deeply red moon, rising majestically over the Shepperton Film Studios, a moon which we all agreed spoke eloquently of the grandeur of creation, the insignificance of man, and the folly of the pursuit of material security.

The season so far. Played 20. Won 13. Drawn 4. Lost 3. Goals for 54. Goals against 35.

On average thus far we have scored 2.7 goals per game, so teams typically have to score 3 to beat us. The teams who have beaten us have scored 4, 5, and 6 respectively. This means in the other 17 games we have conceded only 20 goals. No wonder the season is going so well.

Next week we are at home to Horley, who are going to be a handful. 2.15 start.

 

LADIES
1st XI lost 4-0 vs Sevenoaks (A) - Kent Cup
2nd XI drew 2-2 vs Gravesend (H)
3rd XI lost 1-0 vs Sevenoaks (A)

 

3rd XI
[Alison Prior]
With BBHC having won the previous game this season BBHC were confident that their visit to Sevenoaks would prove to be worthwhile. BBHCs preparation for the game was disrupted though when traffic mean they arrived just 1 minute before the start time.

Despite the lack of preparation BBHC were by far the stronger team. Attack after attack was repelled by the Sevnoaks defence. Sevenoaks did however manage to on the very rare occasion break out of their half and on one such rareity managed to sneak the lead to the surprise of both teams.

The second half was much the same as the previous with BBHC constantly pressurising the opposition. The best opportunities came from free hits just outside the D from Ali Prior that were deflected just wide of the posts.

In the end a undeserved result for BBHC who despite dominating the opposition were unable to convert, final score 1-0 to Sevenoaks.

 

 

Saturday 11th February 2006

MEN
1st XI won 2-1 vs Folkestone (A)
(Harding [FG], Stanley [PC])
2nd XI won 5-1 vs Tunbridge Wells (H)
3rd XI lost 4-1 vs Gravesham (A)
(Sains [FG])
4th XI won 3-0 vs Gravesham (H)
5th XI drew 0-0 vs Holcombe (A)
6th Xi won 5-0 vs Herne Bay (A) - Walkover
Veterans won 3-1 vs Croydon MO (H)

 

1st XI
[SImon Myers]
When you play a team like Folkestone its always helpful to be able to field a fully fit team. So hopes were not high when we turned discovered that various members of our team were suffering from serious injuries (Ravi - debilitating back complaint, could hardly walk; Steve Harding - severe gash to forearm; Dave Cole - disorientation disorder displaying itself as a belief that Canterbury play at Folkestone and a strange tendency to wear one's Christmas stockings as hockey socks). Anyway, brave soldiers that they are they all ultimately declared themselves fit to play….. and how glad we all were that they did.

We took the lead mid-way through the first half when veteran midfielder Peter Stanley converted a well worked short corner. Shortly afterwards it could have been 2 - 0. Tej picked up the ball in the D before unleashing a thunderous shot that the Folkestone keeper did well to save. A succession of short corners for both teams followed. However, our defence coped admirably and kept a clean sheet for the remainder of the half thanks to a couple of fine saves from Jordan Laws in goal and some equally fine tackling from Lazarus Chana. 1 - 0 at half time and we still had a full compliment of players.

Folkestone started the second half strongly, pressing forward in search of an equaliser. However, they had created relatively few chances until they were awarded a controversial short corner which they converted thanks to a deflection off Steve Harding's stick. Undeterred though we pressed on in search of a second goal with Kevin King and Dave Cole directing play from midfield. With only seconds remaining it looked like we would not be able to find a way through Folkstone's resolute defence. But then up popped Steve Harding. Seizing on a loose ball he drove at the Folkestone D and, overcoming the crippling weakness in his arm, smashed the ball past the Folkestone keeper. A short period of debate followed. The opposition felt the ball was outside the D when it was struck. However, verbal replays from various members of the team and the umpires confirmed it was not. The goal stood and we ran out 2 - 1 winners.

Man of the match - Steve Harding - overcame serious injury to score a dramatic late winner
Richard of the Day - Ravi Chana - a miraculous recovery from a career ending injury.

 

3rd XI
[Matt Thurlow]
BBHC travelled away to Gravesham with a full team but Dave "nearly eligible for Veterans" King in goal. BBHC was quietly confident about this game which showed in the first 5 minutes when Allan "Chuckie" Saines scored from a short corner giving us away side thee lead. but with some good passing from the opposition they pulled it back. leaving it 1-1 at half time.

The second half started off as the first finished but soon the game became scrappy and some dubious umpiring made matters worse - BBHC found themselves a man down after a yellow card was awarded. Gravesham took advantage of the extra man to take the lead.

With 5 mins to go, Gravesham secured the win when a deflection looped over the not-so-tall keeper BBHC's heads dropped and allowed Gravesham to hammer the final nail in the coffin when they hit home again. Final score 4-1.

 

5th XI
[Steve Webster]
BBHC visited Holcombe who were 3rd in the league and the victors of the game earlier in the season with some concern. The game that transpired did not reflect the comparative league positions with BBHC taking the early initiative with repeated raids on the home side’s ‘D’, but unable to convert chances into goals. The Holcombe ‘keeper brought off a number of impressive saves and maintained his side’s interest in the game. It was not until the stroke of half time that the BBHC ‘keeper was forced to play the ball (only to concede a penalty corner for dangerous play!).

Much of the second half was a replay of the first, with the BBHC forwards squandering numerous chances and the defence playing much of the game near the half way line. This did enable Holcombe top make some break away attacks, but they failed to take advantage of these and they were comfortably mopped up by good covering runs.

This was a game in which BBHC should have taken all three points and demonstrates how the inability to finish attacks can be costly.

 

LADIES
1st Xi - No fixture
2nd XI lost 3-1 vs Sevenoaks (H)
3rd XI lost 3-1 vs Folkestone (A)
(Revell [FG])

 

3rd XI
[Alison Prior]
BBHC's Ladies' 3rd XI travelled to high flying Folkestone. The visitors BBHC were the stronger side in the first half with Folkestone's chances limited. When needed though young Milly Palmer denied Folkestone a goal. The pressure from BBHC eventually paid off when a fluid team work allowed a wonderful cross from Ali Prior to Jen Strickland at the top of the D to an awaiting Victoria Revell to slip it passed the keeper.

The second half saw Folkestone come out strong with two quick goals from penalty corners. BBHC continued to fight though but their fate sealed when a defensive error left one on one and a good finish establishing why they are top of the league.

Final score 3-1 with player of the match Jenny Strickland.

 

 

Saturday 4th February 2006

MEN
1st XI lost 5-4 vs Ashford (H)
(Deeks [FG], Lucas [FG], Rudduck [FG], D Cole [FG])
2nd XI - No fixture
3rd XI lost 4-2 vs Sevenoaks (H)
(R Chana [PC], A Humber [FG])
4th XI lost 3-1 vs UMDS (A)
5th XI drew 1-1 vs Cliftonville (H)
6th XI drew 3-3 vs Folkestone (H)
(G Jones [FG], Sains 2 [FG, PC])
Veterans won 1-0 vs Farnham Common (H)

 

1st XI
[Ben Bradley]
BBHC's Men's 1st XI hosted Ashford, the league's in-form team. Ashford started well and quickly put the home side under pressure. BBHC were unable to retain possession for the first 20 minutes and had to defend wave after wave of Ashford attack. The pressure finally told and Ashford went into a 2-0 lead. The second goal triggered BBHC into life and the midfield and forwards began to impose their will on Ashford with Dave Cole and Peter Stanley creating opportunities for the forwards. BBHC managed to get a crucial goal before half team which boosted spirits before coach Kevin King's half time team talk.

King could not play a full game due to his commitments with the victorious East Grinstead in the National Indoor Championships on Sunday. However, he clearly had an effect on the team during the interval as BBHC came out for the second half with all guns blazing. Before the supporter (thanks Ron) could blink BBHC were 3-2 up. However, Ashford proved that their league position was no fluke and responded with three goals in 10 minutes, with their Canterbury indoor player involved in all three goals. Despite this setback, BBHC continued to press and got a goal back with 5 minutes left. Despite late pressure and a few short corners BBHC were unable to equalise.

While the result was disappointing it was good to see the BBHC team returning to their goal-scoring form from earlier in the season. If the team can cut out some of the basic errors that contributed to the goals conceded, they should see some more positive results in the next few weeks.

 

3rd XI
[Matt Thurlow]
After a inconsistent start to the second half of the season BBHC's Men's 3rd XI were looking for a win to boost confidence. Starting without a goalkeeper, BBHC went 1-0 down in the first 3 minutes. A disappointing start for the home team with what appeared be a strong side. The keeper arrived just as BBHC started to pass the ball well and got their equaliser from a well deserved short corner scored by Ravi Chana. The game stayed fairly even, being fought out in the midfield until 25 minutes in when Sevenoaks took the lead again.This was from an open play goal. However, just before half time, Andy Humber stole the ball from the Sevenoaks centre back and blasted it home to make it 2-2 at half time.

The second half was a fairly even affair with both sides creating chances, however, only 1 team could convert with Sevenoaks adding another 2 to their tally.The final score a 4-2 loss.

 

6th XI
[Alex Webster]
A new look 6th XI played host to 2nd place Folkestone. BBHC started off the brighter side with good passing throughout the team. BBHC took the lead after a short corner was awarded. Allan "Chuckie" Sains slotted the ball home from the top of the D. BBHC's good play continued with good play from both Mark and Andrew Webb in midfield and Sumeet Dhinsa upfront. BBHC doubled there lead after a penetrating move through the midfield fell to Chuckie who coolly set up young Gareth Jones to expertly sweep the ball home. Just before half time BBHC, again converted after some tricky stick work from Chuckie was coolly finished of in style.

The second half saw Folkestone fight their way back into the game. A quick goal gave them hope at the start of the half. The half saw an end-to-end game with both teams creating good chances. However with ten minutes to go Folkestone managed to score two quick fire goals earning them the draw. They could have snatched a win if it had not been for the heroic defending from both Scott Moore and Simon Brown in defence. Final score 3-3.

 

LADIES
1st XI drew 2-2 vs Broxbourne (A)
(D Henderson [PC], Victoria [FG])
2nd XI lost 6-1 vs Maidstone (H)
3rd XI drew 1-1 vs Phoenix (A)
(Strickland [PC])

 

1st XI
[Georgina Smith]
BBHC Ladies' 1st XI travelled up to Hertfordshire for the away leg of an important game. Broxbourne have proved a problem in prior season's. A strong side, and statistically have the upper hand.

BBHC won 2-0 at home, and were looking forward to the game thanks to recent good form.

The usual squad was in place for what seemed to be a promising pre-match start. However, one of the umpires had not materialised. With game close to being called off, an umpire from a previous game on the pitch graciously agreed to stand in.

With the game underway, Broxbourne were the ones to take the early lead. Their strength on the ball and relentless attacks paid off with an early goal from open play. Not the start that we wanted, against a strong team.

The visitors continued in the same vein, increasing their lead and BBHC were facing a 2-0 deficit.

At this point it could have been one of those games that went from bad to worse. But BBHC showed their positivity and resilience, and were relieved to get back into the game in the first half.

A short corner from Debbie Henderson provided her plenty of time on the ball top D. The Broxbourne girls were bizarrely flat-footed, but hey ho, if they wanted to simply look on, Debbie was happy to oblige with a shot. Henderson slotted the ball inside the far left post, and her rising strike travelled out the back of the net. A Broxbourne defender tried to claim it hadn't gone in, and an brief conference between the two umpires raised BBHC fears. Thankfully, they agreed it was a goal.

In the second half, BBHC came out with full intention of getting back in the game, whereas Broxbourne seemed to have lost confidence. BBHC thus went on to claim a stronger hold on the game than in the first half. This despite George Smith hobbling off the pitch when a pre-Christmas back problem returned to haunt her - the BBHC substitutes proved very useful

The home side then got the well-worked equaliser they were seeking. From a Henderson hit into the Broxbourne D, Karen Hall got a slight touch, and then Genevieve Victoria was there to sweep the ball in under the keeper's left side.

By this time, there were only a few minutes remaining, and BBHC looked the team most likely to score another in the dying minutes. However, the honours were even at the final whistle, but a brilliant effort from BBHC to come back from 2-0 down.

All in all a good result, and a positive to take a point away from the game. Player of the match went to Genevieve Victoria, well done. BBHC stay in 5th place in the league. Sitting on 18 points, Anchorians are hot on their heals on goal difference thanks to a win at the weekend.

No game next Saturday but the following week (18th Feb) BBHC have a Kent Cup fixture vs Sevenoaks. A victory then would lead to a match in the next round the following day.

 

3rd XI
[Alison Prior]
Large scale unavailability saw BBHC's Ladies' 3rd XI struggle to get players during the week. However, on Saturday 10 players made their way to play Phoenix. Upon arrival the the team were shocked to see that the game was to be played on grass, stuff that is usually meant for horses!! Yeah that's right GRASS !!. Luckily for the 3rd XI had Carol Hall out of retirement this week and several other people that had seen it before but Goalie Dee had never actually played on grass and was asking if the rules were different!!!

BBHC took a while to get used to the foreign surface and missed a few good opportunities to score due to the unpredictability. It was easy to see that it was Phoenix's home surface with their long ball tactics . The home side took the lead when a ball hit from just inside the D bounced over 3 defenders sticks and diverted into the goal off a twig!

The second half showed BBHC turn the game around with some great defending and superb attacking. BBHC put Phoenix under pressure to get several penalty corners to which Jenny Strickland converted into a goal AGAIN !!

BBHC definitely deserved to win, upsetting a confident opposition. This put BBHC into 7th position one point behind Phoenix.

Player of the match was Debbie Copland for a fantastic effort and a class couple of one liners.

 

 

Saturday 28th January 2006

MEN
1st XI won 4-0 vs Mid-Sussex (A)
(Deeks [FG], K King 2 [PC, PS], Lucas [FG])
2nd XI won 5-1 vs Folkestone (H)
(Chaggar 2 [2FG])
3rd XI vs Gillingham Anchorians 2nd XI (A) POSTPONED (Snow)
4th XI lost 3-2 vs Holcombe (A)
(S Chana [PC], J Smith [FG])
5th XI won 5-2 vs Burnt Ash (H)
6th XI won 2-0 vs Cliftonville (H)
Veterans won 2-1 vs Blackheath (A)
(Chivers [FG], Palmer [FG])

 

England Hockey Men's 2nd XI Trophy (Sunday 29th January):
BBHC 2nd XI lost 3-1 vs Sonning (H)
(L Humber [PC])

 

1st XI
[Simon Myers]
Coach Kevin King returned to action this week and saw BBHC return to winning ways against Mid-Sussex. Some say the result may have had something to do with the coach's team talk (it started at 10.30am and finished at 1.00pm). Others say it was due to the pre-match trip to McDonald's on Welling High Street. Perhaps it was because our centre back had amused us all so much with tales of his previous night's antics. Who would know? All that really matters though is that we played rather well.

Yet again we started the game strongly. However, this week we managed to make the most of this early spell of pressure and were soon 1 - 0 up following a flowing move which culminated in Chris Deeks tapping the ball home. We continued to drive forward in search of more goals, the veteran Stanley causing havoc down the right with his silky skills. And it was no surprise when we went 2 - 0 up when Coach King's short corner somehow managed to find its way through the keeper. Yes, actually THROUGH the keeper. It will remain a mystery of modern science as to how this happened, although Deeks and Dave Cole were heard engaging in a lively debate as to whether there may perhaps have been some form of temporary distortion of the space-time continuum. The umpires generously blew for half-time to allow us all to consider their theories further.

We started the second half as we had finished the first, playing swift passing hockey. A third goal soon followed, Dan Lucas deflecting the ball into the goal to finish yet another fine move. Onwards we pressed, hungry for more goal-pie. However, we struggled to add to our advantage. A combination of good defending from Mid-Sussex and some profligate finishing from our centre forwards thwarting our efforts. However, 5 minutes from time we won another short corner. The ball fell to Steve Rudduck, whose powerful reverse stick shot was (surprisingly) directed at the goal. Unfortunately it hit a defender's foot on the line though. Coach King took the resultant flick and calmly made it 4 - 0. A comfortable win in the end.

Man of the Match - Dave Cole (midfield) and Kevin King (midfield, centre forward, left wing), both had fine games.
Richard of the Day - Ben Bradley - for showing uncharacteristically good hygiene.

 

4th XI
[Darren Laws]
The BBHC's Men's 4th XI played Holcombe and began with an excellent first half where they completely controlled the game. Justifiably, BBHC found themselves with a 2-0 lead thanks to a great strike from James Smith and a tap in by Sammy Chana from a short corner . The second half saw a complete change in fortune as a sixteen yard hit was changed to a goal, to BBHC’s disbelief as the ball had not left the D from a controversial short corner. However, worse was to come as free hit upon free hit was awarded to Holcombe with both captains in complete confusion as to the offences. As each was given, the threat of an equaliser drew closer and eventually came. The final nail BBHC's coffin came soon after a move from another controversially awarded free hit, put away by Holcombe to win 3-2. BBHC could not be faulted for their performance and felt they were extremely hard done by, having completely out played Holcombe.

 

Veterans
[Mark Bettany, poet laureate]
After last week's debacle, what we needed was a straight-forward fixture against light-weight opposition to restore our confidence. What we got was an away fixture against Blackheath - never an easy affair. We are currently operating a consistent 'six-players-out-of-sixteen-are-unavailable' policy, which would be worrying were it not for the fact that it is a different six unavailable each week (with a few core unavailablees who are claiming merely medium-term unavailableness. I hope they are right). In the club house before we travelled, we were able to enlist the services of the 4th XI's Alex Templar. Alex is unique because (and I am sorry to report this because I have strong views on the subject) he is the first (and hopefully last) under-age player to play in a vets team under the present captain's jurisdiction. Nonetheless, he was a welcome addition to the team, and we travelled with eleven players, plus umpire (Bobby Brookfield, of whom more later).

The game began to the symphonic strains of Arthur Davies moaning about the cold. Blackheath were missing two key players - Brad (known to many as 'that Blackheath player with the unfortunate attitude'), and secondly the chap (name unknown) who wears industrial sized cricket gloves and holds his stick in that bemusingly kack-handed way rendering tackling impossible (you know who I mean, and you don't know his name either). However, they had enlisted the services of two new players - one of oriental extraction who was sh*t-hot (a Chinese expression meaning very good indeed) and a man who was so tough that during the course of the game he dislocated a finger but carried on playing because "it's going to bloody well hurt anyway".

The first half was a competitive but sadly uneventful affair, with only two outstanding features. The first was the home umpire having to ask the BBHC captain to council one of our players against constant criticism of decisions (unsurprisingly that player being Ian Palmer). The second was a brace of agile saves from our goalkeeper Mark 'The Cat' Whiteacre, without which we may have been in some difficulties. However, at the half time interval (during which Arthur Davies constantly questioned the sanity of playing in arctic conditions) the score was 0-0.

We changed our formation, effectively I think, but twenty minutes later the score was still 0-0, and any sane gambling man would have predicted that as being the final score. The turning point of the game occurred midway through the second half. A ball was thumped across the Blackheath penalty area and after several deflections off at least one stick and one foot, Barry Chivers was perfectly placed to nudge the ball into an invitingly unprotected net. The sight of Barry euphorically jumping up and down, holding his stick aloft in Dennis Taylor fashion will stay with us all for many a long year. It is rare to see such unbridled joy in adult life. Everyone agreed that Barry's attempt at getting his shirt over his head was ill judged and grievously disturbing, but joy and rapture pertained. However, worse things happen at sea. Bobby Brookfield (whose umpiring I like very much - he shares Barry's unfussy approach and he gives what he sees and no more - Oh that all umpires were like that) disallowed the goal because of the foot infringement. There was a moment when the captain thought that Bobby was going to be killed by Barry (swiftly and painlessly - with no malice you understand). However, in an act of heroic sportsmanship, the like of which we rarely see, a Blackheath defender admitted that the foot had been his, and the goal stood. It was good sportsmanship of humbling proportions.

Less than a minute later we were two up - a precise route one clearance from Francis found Ian who smacked in a clinically accurate finish. Silence reigned. Blackheath could not believe it. Two goals in a minute is enough to kill off most teams, and Blackheath were no exception. With five minutes to go we unnecessarily committed too many men forward and conceded a messy goal, but we hung on manfully to win 1-2. The game finished with three resounding cheers for Blackheath (who deserved such an accolade), and also with the sound of Arthur Davies bleating about the cold.

The Morris went to Barry for his first goal since 1837.
The Doris went to Arthur for being a wimp of the first order (although Mr Palmer came close for causing the captain to be spoken to by the umpire, something we can never condone).

Thanks are due to Bobby for umpiring impressively, and to Ian and Mark Whiteacre for driving.

The season so far. Played 17. Won 10. Drawn 4. Lost 3. Goals for 48. Goals against 33.

Two dates for your diary.
Sunday 19th March - Burnt Ash tournament.
Saturday 15th April (Easter Saturday) Tunbridge Wells tournament (of which we currently hold the trophy).
If you would like to play in either or both of these (regular vets or not) please let me know.

 

LADIES
1st XI won 3-1 vs Hertford (A)
(K Hall [FG], S Harvey [PS], Hubbard [PC],
2nd XI lost 3-1 vs Bromley (A)
3rd XI drew 1-1 vs Old Bordenians (H)
(Strickland [PS])

 

1st XI
[Georgina Smith]
BBHC's Ladies' 1st XI travelled to familiar rivals Hertford, keen to put the 2-0 home defeat behind them and prove a point. The ladies were up for it, and enjoyed a good warm up and match prep. Travelling without substitutes, we knew we had to work hard to keep the tempo high for 70 minutes.

BBHC had the psychological upper hand in the first half when we took the lead after a Hertford defender stopped Karen Hall's shot from going in a foot on the line. A penalty flick was awarded and Sarah Harvey stepped forward to coolly put it away to the keeper's low left side.

Despite attacking into the blinding sunshine, BBHC had a few more attempts in the first half. This included a shot on from a penalty corner which Sarah Harvey struck, but was (hate to admit it) rightfully disallowed as it wasn't a flick and hadn't hit the back board. But this kept BBHC spirits high, and we certainly felt we would have more goals to follow.

BBHC goalie Karen White kept BBHC well in the game with some brilliant saves despite the glare of the sun. The Hertford attacker probably couldn't believe all her extremely strong strikes failed to put them on an equal footing. They were good strikes on target, and Karen denied her every time. Allowing the B's defence to easily clear the rebounds.

Second half gave us an advantage without the sun behind us. BBHC had an early short corner, where we did a variation to the routine ending with Sarah Harvey passing to the top D where Zoë Hubbard was waiting to strike home and put us 2-0 ahead.

Hertford were not going to sit back and let us take the 3 points easily. They got back into the game, and were rewarded (generously) when an kafuffle in the goal mouth resulted in BBHC being penalised for goalies hand on the ball, and Hertford won a penalty stroke. Hertford scored the flick and were then back in the game.

BBHC continued to drive, and dug in knowing we had to work hard and keep the lead and get a deserved win. We had a free hit just outside their D, George Smith hit the ball in, and Ash Davenport got the touch into goal. It was disallowed by the umpires who had seen a foot violation. A fair decision as it turned out, Ash admitted it had hit her foot, so we didn't feel aggrieved.

It turned out not to matter. BBHC then went on a cross by Ally Hollands was caressed home by Karen Hall and we finished the game on a high, 3-1 winners.

An excellent result for the Ladies.

Due to two other games getting postponed, BBHC are currently sitting at 5th in the league on 17 points. This is the best position we have been in for many seasons, and I believe the most points we have had for few seasons. We still have 6 games to play. Well done girls, it was a great team effort.

Karen White won player of the match. Debbie won it last week, sorry I forgot to put that in. I will try and remember in future. So as not to break tradition of giving her a mention: Sue Hetherington travelled along and supported from the side. Following the 7 stitches last week, she was under Nurse's orders to rest this week. :0)

 

3rd XI
[Alison Prior]
After losing 6-0 to (2nd in the league) Old Bordenians last time, we were determined not to be beaten again. After a nightmare start with an absent goalkeeper, 5 minutes before the start the Men's 3's came to the rescue with a spare goalie kit to enable Hayley to kit up.

The first half was a brilliant show from BBHC. It was completely different to last time since we knew what to expect and stopped them in their tracks and attacked right back. We won a few penalty corners but were unable to convert. Up at our end, Hayley had to make a few saves which she did with accuracy. It was an equal game but unfortunately 5 minutes before the end of the half, some poor communication at the back enabled a free shot on goal that we weren't ready for making it 0-1 at half time.

A positive but tough talk at half time showed a team with 120% fight in them (and a change of goalkeeper), OB's were getting rattled (their coach didn't help either) and they started to make mistakes. BBHC had some great free hits on the edge of the D and our constant pressure gained a penalty stroke which Jenny Strickland coolly put in the back of the net to make it 1-1.

The last 15 minute had a few hairy moments but it was destined to be a draw. A superb performance and a well deserved one point which also kept OB's from gaining top spot.

 

 

Saturday 21st January 2006

MEN
1st XI lost 3-1 vs Burnt Ash (H)
(Perfitt [FG])
2nd XI lost 3-2 Deal (A)
(Ashenden [PC], Westbrook [FG])
3rd XI lost 5-4 Guru Nanak (H)
4th XI won 3-0 Gore Court (A)
5th XI won 4-1 Tunbridge Wells (H)
6th XI lost 7-1 Holcombe (A)
(G Jones [FG])
Veterans lost 6-5 vs NPL Desperados (A)
(Matharoo 3, Palmer 2)

 

1st XI
BBHC faced local rivals Burnt Ash at home and hopes were high that BBHC would do the double over our local rivals this year. BBHC started well, playing some of their trade mark attacking hockey, causing the Ash numerous problems. However, despite a promising start the home side found themselves 1 - 0 behind. This time to a short corner strike from former BBHC player Mike Gillett. Then, shortly before half time, Burnt Ash doubled their lead from another short corner - Different striker, same result. 2 - 0 at half time.

BBHC came out for the second half and pushed hard to try and get back in the game. The hockey wasn't pretty at times, but BBHC persevered and eventually managed to pull one back when Jamie Perfitt finished following a fine passing move that involved most of the players on the team. As the game went on BBHC threw players forward in search of an equaliser. This left a few gaps at the back and, with only a few minutes remaining, Burnt Ash scored their third of the game on the counter attack.

 

2nd XI
BBHC continued their push for promotion with a early trip own to Deal. With little preparation before the game BBHC started off slowly. This did not stop the away side controlling the game from the start. With quick fluid passing throughout the side BBHC looked the stronger side. However, with the constant pressure from BBHC, they pushed men forward Deal broke out and caught BBHC on the counter. They managed to round keeper Jim Jackson in goal and slip it home. The first half continued in the same pattern with BBHC controlling the game. They limited Deal's chances on goal with their long spells of possesion, dominating the midfield. However BBHC were unable to produce chances up front.

The second half was a much more even affair but BBHC continued with their dominance of the game. Deal extended their lead when they converted a short corner which the BBHC defence failed to clear. This second goal spurned BBHC into some actionand they started to produce chances which had previously been difficult to come by. After numerous short corners BBHC forced their was back into the game when Sam Ashenden converted a well worked short corner. BBHC continued to produce chances wining countless short corners but were unable to convert. Deal thought they had finally sealed a victory when they converted another short corner ten minutes from time. BBHC continued to push men forward and were soon caught out at the back with a 4 on 2. A clumsy tackle from Alex Webster prevented a goal but resulted in a yellow card.
BBHC finished off with a consilation goal after a sol effort from Derren Westbrook was cooly slotted home form the top of the D.

A dissappointing result for a game that BBHC should have won.

 

6th XI
This week, BBHC travelled to top of the table Holcombe. The first half was an even affair with both sides creating good chances. The only goal came from a Holcombe shot from the top of the D which left goal keeper Kortney with no chance.

The second half contained much more action. BBHCs midfield ran out of steam and Holcombe ran riot. Despite efforts from Simon Brown and Scott Moore in the defence they were constatnly overloaded. Depite the heroic effots of young Kortney in goal he could not prevent the six goals all converted from close range. The game finished on a hight though when a BBHC shot was deflected onto the post by a Holcombe defender. Before the Holcombe keeper had chance to react in was tapped home by a hard working Gareth Jones.

An undeserved result for the young side, who displayed much charisma by continuing to fight for the full 70 minutes.

 

Veterans
I am sorry to tell you that this is my second attempt at penning this update. The first gave me such pain and left me in such an unexpected state of shock I had a touch of the vapours and had to go and lie down. Steeled with greater resolve I will have another go, but the following is not easy reading, and as such you will forgive the fact that it is significantly shorter than usual. I believe I only have so many words before emotion will cause me to weep convulsively, and both vision and resolve will become irrevocably diminished.

This week we travelled to Teddington and played a bizarre game against a very good NPL Desperados side with several players who had such strong reverse stick skills it had to be seen to be believed. Fortunately, one of those players was Raj, who offered to play for us because we travelled with only ten men. The game in a nutshell. We scored. They scored. They scored. They scored. We scored. We scored. They scored. Half time. 4-3. We scored. We scored. They scored. They scored. Final whistle. 6 - 5. We lost, having scored five times. I have never experienced a more dejected and quiet band of brothers in the bar afterwards. Most galling was the fact that they scored within a knat's crochet of the end of each half. On the credit side, Ian scored two. Raj scored 3. Oh dear - the memory of this game is making my blood pressure rise again, my mood is darkening, and I can describe it no further.

The Morris was difficult to select, because there were many candidates, but in the end it went to Arthur, purely in order to provoke a mood-lightening reaction from Alex (which was pleasingly forthcoming, all the way home in fact).

The Dorris went to Ken for playing a ball which was nine feet off the ground, giving a away a free hit which led to a goal.

Thanks are due to Mark W. and to the captain for driving.

The season so far. Played 16. Won 9. Drawn 4. Lost 3. Goals for 46. Goals against 32 (note of general interest, during the three games we have lost, we have scored in total 9 goals. Oh dear, I'm weeping again. Must stop).

Next week we are away to Blackheath. We are leaving at 1pm.

 

LADIES
1st XI drew 2-2 vs Stevenage (H)
(S Harvey [PC], Sweeney [FG])
2nd XI lost 2-0 vs Canterbury (A)
3rd XI won 1-0 vs Holcombe (H)

 

1st XI
The 1st XI ladies having had some good results over the last three league games were on a roll which they wanted to continue.

Stevenage below BBHC in the league and keen to get us back for beating them 1-0 at their place. It was tight game for that win then, so BBHC were expecting a tough game.

Under a sunny Erith glow, the game started but the home side suffered an early blow. New recruit to BBHC this season, Sue Hetherington went in for a dangerous tackle and unfortunately did take a stick across the eye. Blood poured, and Sue walked straight off to get bandaged up by Jen Strickland, as some of the 3rd XI stuck around to support us. This left us with the bare 11 and the umpire wouldn't allow us to add anyone to the bench.

Play resumed, and BBHC were the first to add to the score sheet. From a penalty corner, the intended tick tock routine resulted in the ball actually going left to Sarah Harvey who slapped the ball clinically into their goal. The routine, even if slightly goes different to plan seems to be successful at confusing the opposition.

The game was not our best performance, and it Stevenage applied constant pressure on the midfield and defence. They were creating some good runs, attacks down our wings, and through the middle. They did some good passing, and strong tackles.

We were punished eventually when they broke away, overloaded our defence and scored the equaliser.

BBHC still not quite on the form of our previous games, fought hard to rectify the situation. Our tempo got a little kept going. We didn't let our heads go down at all in this game.

Stevenage then took the lead when the converted a shot straight through to the right post from a penalty corner. BBHC rallied, and went out believing this to be a game we could still get control of.

Before half time our efforts were rewarded when from a Sam Hall pass, Gen Sweeney slotted the ball home for the 2-2 equaliser.

After the half time talk, we came out more structured and 35 minutes passed with lots of battles, and no goals. Towards the end BBHC were under lots of pressure in their own D, and successfully defended a few short corners allowing us to take a point away from the game.

Our position in the league remains the same in the 7th spot, on 14points. Sue received 7 stitches and a nice black eye.
This takes the team "stitches" count up to 15, and lets hope there are no more!

 

3rd XI
BBHC played host to Holcombe after a very long break at Christmas with another unfamiliar team. Debuts from Erin Courtney and Dee Atkins.

The game sarted off brightly for BBHC keeping Holcombe in pinned in their half of the pitch for long periods of the game. BBHC constatn pressure resulted in several short corners but were unable to convert. As the BBHC team tired Holcombe took advantage and had several attacks of their own but and had several good shots on goal but debutant Dee pulled off some brilliant saves.

The second half Holcambe started to dominate but BBHC suddenly came alive and with some good runs and fierce attacking before being awarded a short corner that was cooly struck in the back of the net.

A frantic last 10 minutes saw Holcombe desperate to rescue a result but some excellent defending especially by newly engaged Chrissie secured the points.

A well deserved result and a welcome 3 points!

 

COLTS
(Sunday 22nd January)
U14 Girls won 1-0 vs Gravesend (H)

 

 

Saturday 14th January 2006

MEN
1st XI lost 2-1 vs Sutton Valance (A)
(Civico [FG])
2nd XI won 3-2 vs University of Kent (H)
(J Henderson [FG], P Price [PS], Tither [FG])
3rd XI lost 4-3 vs Old Williamsonians (A)
4th XI won 1-0 vs Burnt Ash (H)
(D Laws [FG])
5th XI lost 3-1 vs Blackheath (A)
(Jayasuriya [FG])
6th XI lost 4-2 vs Burnt Ash (H)
Veterans drew 1-1 vs Purley (A)
(I Palmer [FG])

 

1st XI
The Christmas festivities now over, BBHC returned to action this week with an away fixture against second in the league Sutton Valence. The team arrived in the tiny Kent village in good spirits. That was until they discovered that there were no changing rooms available. Such a lack of facilities is not adequate for a mid-table team of superstars and some players, who shall remain nameless, did suggest that we should refuse to play. Such threats were not taken lightly and the captain commenced negotiations with Sutton Valence. The local village hall was duly opened for us to change in. Not proper facilities, but there were toilets, and our players were (fairly) happy again.

The away team started the game brightly and took the lead mid-way through the first half. Dan Lucas picked the ball up in midfield and fed Steve Rudduck. His pass found Joey Civico who duly dispatched the ball past the stranded Sutton Valence keeper. Buoyed by this goal, BBHC pressed forward and could have been 2 in front when Jamie Perfitt squandered a good chance (some would, and did, say open goal) to score. No matter, we were flying high and playing some of our best hockey of the season. More chances followed to Perfitt (again) and Rudduck, but none could be converted. This was to cost us. Just before half-time, Sutton Valence equalised from a short corner against the run of play.

The second half started much the same as the first, with BBHC pressing for a second goal. In fact, we won several short corners, but failed to convert any of them. As the game progressed, however, the Christmas excesses took their toll and we seemed to run out of steam. Sutton Valence seized the advantage (they must not eat mince pies down there) and we spent much of the last 20 minutes camped out in our own half. Lee Humber, Steve Harding and Ravi Chana fought valiantly to protect the BBHC goal. However, they could not weather the storm indefinitely and Sutton Valence eventually managed to carve out an opening to take the lead. A frantic last 10 minutes followed in which BBHC desperately tried to find an equaliser. But this proved beyond them, mainly because they only had 10 men following yellow cards to Bradley and Stanley (in that order), both for mis-timed tackles.

Overall a good performance though and we were unlucky not to take something from the game. Next week we play Burnt Ash at Erith School - 2.00pm PB.

 

2nd XI
BBHC's Men's 2nd XI continued their push for promotion with a committed performance against visitors University of Kent.

The game started off brightly for the home side who took the lead shortly after the start after a well won short corner was converted by Jim Henderson. A powerful shot that squeezed past the out stretched keeper. The game continued as a fairly even affair with both sides creating good chances. However, it was the visitors who eventually benefitted after a quickly taken free hit left the BBHC defence unprepared at the back and the ball was coolly deflected past Jim Jackson in the BBHC goal.

Two minutes later BBHC were 2-1 down after an attempted clearance from the BBHC defence rebounded off an opposition's stick and almost comically rolled into the BBHC goal BBHC came out from half time, although 2-1 down confident that a win was achievable.

The 2nd half was much the same as the first with both teams creat