A stern test for 5s against top of the league

January has been a tough month for the 5th Team having played the top 3 in the division in quick succession. Not that spectators would have noticed the gap that our relative league positions might imply! The skipper (and Hadders!) have declared themselves pleased with the team’s work rate and organisational discipline since the New Year and we have made our opponents work very hard for their points. February should be kinder and if we play the way we have been, there should be goals and points to come.

But back to Saturday: Banbury Piranhas, sitting pretty atop the league, and plucky Sonning, trying to avoid a relegation battle. A couple of ‘irregulars’ graced the 5th’s ranks – ‘birthday boy’ Wes Churchill, ‘Doc’ Syed and ‘poached by the 4s’ Chris Priestley. And it was Priestley who made immediate an impact with a well struck goal from the top of the D early in the first half. Grant Strudley having dispossessed a mid-fielder on the opposition 23 and threaded a pass to get Priestley in on goal. Sonning continued to press, but failed to capitalise while the Piranhas reeled. Mid way through the half, the oppo began to gain more possession, putting Sonning’s experienced (check euphemisms – Ed) defence under pressure. Craig, Kevin, Paul and Rich kept them at bay for some time and Rhys made some good stops , but eventually the equaliser came. Sonning did not capitulate and again created chances, but a second goal for the Piranahs put them 2-1 up at half time. After a Churchillesque speech by Hadders at the break, the 5s came out fighting and produced some of our best hockey of the season with Denham and Goodall exploiting the flanks, Hadders, Priestley and Phippard working hard in the middle and Grant getting wide and holding the ball up. The fairy-tale ending wasn’t to be, however. The 3rd goal came in the last quarter of the match and put any points beyond the ‘fighting 5ths’. The team left the field optimistic for February, while our opponents, “knew they had been in a game”. DOD was Wes Churchill for walking into the lighting box, facial hair and being 20; MOM was Grant Strudley for his forward play and holding the ball up well.

Bring on Aylesbury, come on the ‘Ning!

By Grant Strudley