SONNING 6 - 0 HARROW
26th January 2008

It was a beautiful, crisp Saturday after noon down at the reading uni Astro. Perfect for Hockey. And that was pretty much how Sonning played. Perfect.

It is difficult to talk at length about this match without sounding condescending to the Harrow team, so I would like to say first off what a nice bunch of fellas Harrow are, good sports and a pleasure to play against, and host back at the Club house for teas.

However, the 10 places difference in the league standings was evident on the day, as the game Harrow team were frankly outplayed in all departments. Sonning gained and retained possession with ease, scored from the top of the D on the break, scored from the baseline after clever passing unravelled the Harrow defence, and scored also from set piece penalty corner routines. The Harrow keeper, who arrived at the pitch just in the nick of time, was immediately subjected to a barrage of shots and was forced to make 5 saves in the first 90 seconds. Hats off to the Keeper who made a lot of saves on the day.

The mid field dominated in the speed, endurance, skills and experience departments whilst the defence, despite the absence of Goodwin and Samuels, were calm and resolute, leaving Keeper Mac with nothing to do. Literally. In fact, from recollection (and apologies to Harrow if I am mistaken), the visitors did not achieve a single shot on or off target all game. Mac did not touch the ball. In fact, Harrow only had the ball in the D twice, and never under genuine control.

This Sonning side, which has matured as the season has progressed, has learnt to be patient and disciplined against both the strongest and the less challenging opposition. So although the score could and perhaps should have been larger, the 3's will be content with the clean sheet and the 3 points, and will focus their sights on a tougher away fixture at Abingdon next week.

Acknowledgements to:

• An inspired K.Y. and his stick of steel.
• Snapes hatrick.
• Two for Toon.
• Big pockets Dingwall- a forward in each.

C'mon the 'ning!

M.o.t.M. - Unanimous vote back in the bar - Struan. Awesome industry in the centre of the pitch. Hard to believe you claim to be unfit!
D.o.t.D. - Snapist - seriously dude - how late to the meet !