SONNING 0 - 0 BIRKBECK COLLEGE
8th December 2007

The last game before Christmas and on paper it promised to be a cracker. Sonning were scheduled to meet Birkbeck College who, like Sonning, have been dominant in the league. Both teams knew the psychological importance of the league standings going into Christmas- a Sonning win would see them 6 points clear, whilst Birkbeck victory would see them close the gap at the top to goal difference only.

Sonning were minus Hicks (called up to the 2nd X1 where he won man of the Match), Kenny (injured- get well soon chap) and Cooke, who had been very influential last week. Despite the absence of these players in midfield, Flec and Pinnegar stepped up to fill the void and Sonning were still confident of a good performance. Missing also the 3's regular keeper Mac, but the team we able to welcome new blood in the shape of Justin Philips who stepped in between the sticks at short notice with borrowed kit.

So at a rainy, overcast University pitch, the two teams locked horns. Sonning started well with good possession and some penetrating passing hockey. Pace from Snape and skills from Eighteen and O'Mara caused the opposition defence problems and won some short corners. Some direct play from Cheeseman saw inroads down the right, whilst left back Samuels stepped up to release an energetic Toon into join the attack.

About 15 minutes in, a speculative challenge for the ball by O'Mara in front of the oppositions Goal sparked a violent reaction from the Birkbeck Captain, who struck O'Mara at waist height with a raised stick causing bruising to his arm. This action, witnessed by all, prompted no response from the visiting Umpire, who despite the consultation of his colleague, refused to award anything more than a 16 yard hit to Birkbeck.

In this one moment the opportunity to set the standard and tone for the Match was lost. The temperament of the game switched. Sonning lost focus on the hockey and became distracted by umpiring decisions, and towards the end of the first half Birkbeck were able to exploit this lack of concentration scoring two good open play goals. The first was intercepted in the midfield and a surging run lead to a shot from the left hand side of the D which was initially saved on the deck only to loop up out of the vision of Keeper Justin and deflect into the goal off of his helmet. The second goal came from a turnover from a Sonning side line hit, whereupon the Birkbeck midfielder executed an impressive display of individual skill to round 4 Sonning players, commit the keeper and lay the ball to an arriving support player to slot it home. A quality goal and the half time whistle blew with Birkbeck 2 - 0 up.

The second half saw Sonning rally with solid defending, and plenty of possession and short corners, but again the hockey was overshadowed by physicality and verbal. Pretty soon Sonning found themselves down to 10 men after a clumsy 'forwards' tackle was adjudged to have been worthy of a 10 minute rest in the corner for a first offence. Birkbeck looked to press home the numerical advantage but Sonning stood strong. No sooner were Sonning back up to strength when the umpire issued another yellow card to a Sonning player for entering the field of play too early (a nanosecond) during a substitution. This literal application of the rule occurring during a dead ball situation on the far side of the pitch.

Further 'highlights' of this half included a Birkbeck spectator abusing the umpire from the sideline and entering the field of play, and a Birkbeck defender calling an umpire a 'Cheating C-t' for awarding a yellow card to a dissenting Birkbeck player.

I am happy to concede the points to Birkbeck in this match. They scored two good goals whilst Sonning did not convert their own chances. But the nature of their win is a different matter. To clarify, it was the worst natured game we have played this year. To win in such circumstances is surely a hollow victory.

Having played for many years, I have had my fair share of wins, losses and draws and I have learnt that the game stays on the pitch, but the hockey spirit is carried off it. As Ryan Giggs has just said on Sports Personality of the year - it is not about losing a game but how you come back from it that counts, and Sonning are not a Club to lose without grace. As a Club famed for our friendly nature and welcoming Clubhouse, we are proud to offer all visiting sides the 'best teas in the League'.

So the most galling event of the day, (and despite having prepared the requested special fish and vegetarian hot teas for our guests), our hospitality was snubbed as the opposition all buggered off without so much as a 'thanks for the points'. Charming !

We eagerly await our next meeting at the end of the season.