Sonning welcomed Bicester HC for the HoCakey Off a ‘Friendly’ mixed game followed by a Bake off challenge. The Game took place on a cool and foggy day on the first of November. Prior to push back Colm took the team through his questionable starting line up to mixed feeling within the team. After a short ‘discussion’ the starting line up was adjusted to be acceptable to all.
Sonning started the game strongly putting a lot of pressure on the Bicester back line. Sonning had few opportunities to score but couldn’t get the desired finishing touches. After another Sonning break forward, Ridley got the ball at the top of the ‘D’ and took an outlandish reverse stick shot. The shot was going wide until Colm intervened to deafly touch the ball into the back of the net. 1-0 to Sonning. After the opening goal Sonning kept the pressure on Bicester, this was lead by energetic running from Sammy and not so energetic running by Santa. With all this pressure Sonning won a short corner. What proceeded can only be described as ground hog day. Sonning used the short corner to win what felt like 20 short corner by hitting Bicesters’ feet. Over and Over and Over and Over and Over again. The last short corner Bicester broke the pattern and cleared the ball.
Bicester managed to get themselves back into the game but Sonnings’ defence stood firm with Mai-Po and Ned controlling the back. Vanessa put her new found fitness levels into play to keep running and giving the defence an out let. Gemma with her marathon running kept moving at a very steady pace and breaking down play. Around this time Santa scored a goal, it was that bad of a fumble it was amazing that Santa had the audacity to claim it. 2-0 to Sonning. With the score line increasing in Sonnings’ favour Bicester kept battling away and had some chances to score but Mitch made some quality saves. Okey wound back the years and played a sprightly performance in defence. At this time I should mention Ruth, who played some hockey was more concerned about covering up her neck to save her dignity. (The writer of this match report does not feel it appropriate to mention why, family club and all). Sonning scored another goal through mind games or trickery from Ridley, who rolled the ball at the Bicester goal only for the keeper to lift his leg and let the ball in. 3-0 Sonning. Sonning won a couple more shorts but couldn’t make them count. After a bit of end to end hockey, Vanessa got hold of the ball in the middle of the park and passed it a fast-ish moving Colm. Colm beat a player or two found himself one on one with the keeper. Unable to stop his forward momentum proceeded to lob the keeper who was only a foot off his line. A lot oooo’s and aaa’s from the Sonning supporters followed and some heckling form his own team (cheers) 4-0 Sonning. And that brought a close to the first half.
The fog slowly worsened as the second half started but both teams agreed to play on. With the fog and all the players legs starting to tire the standard of the hockey was not as the first half. An open and entertaining game followed with both teams having run of play for short periods. Steve W showed his ability to play across the park and had a spell upfront and Mai-Po had run in midfield. I’m pretty sure both players got a nose bleed for playing that far forward on the pitch. Michelle who kindly umpired the first half came on in put a solid performance in. After more end to end hockey Sonning attacked the Bicester ‘D’ and showed their quality and made it count. The ball broke free to Colm at the Top of the ‘D’. Who even with a rush of blood to the head slotted the shot into the right corner. 5-0 Sonning and yes you have read correctly hat trick for Colm. The game came to an end with a 5-0 win to Sonning to start racking up the points for the HoCakey Off.
The game was played in good spirits which both team enjoyed, all ready for the mountains of cake ready in the club house.
Back in the Clubhouse both team presented 5 cakes to be judged by an expert panel of tasters from England hockey. After much deliberation the three top places were decided Bicester took third and second place. To what could have been a clean sweep Sonnings very own master baker Julie won first place with a brilliant cake. The points for each cake were totalled up and the scores on the doors were 331 – 350 in favour of Sonning.
The match fee from either team and proceeds from selling the cakes went to hockey for heroes. In total we raised £455. Great effort all round and thank you to everyone who made it possible.

Player of the Match – Mai-Po
Muff of Match – Ruth (ask her why)