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Match Reports 11 April 2009

• 

  Fixture

  Tunbridge Wells Vets' Festival, 11 April 2009

  Scorers

  H Humphrey

  Venue

  Away

  Report

  Those who played in this Tournament last year, remembering the cold wet early Easter, had concerns that, though later this year, the weather was not going to be that much better. But in the event, although the early glimmers of sun did not stay around too long, the threatened rain kept away until a few spots in the last games of the day.

  Due to the late dropping out of Chelmsford, the hosts had had to reschedule the programme of eight teams into one of seven, and this had the effect of requiring Sutton Valence, and others, to play four games on the trot before lunch, with only two more, with a space between them, afterwards. However time was allowed for a coffee break after the first two to help give teams a break.

  Valence started with a tough game against the hosts, Tunbridge Wells Grasshoppers, losing 3 : 0 and then had a better game against Kenley, which they should perhaps have won, drawing 0 : 0.

  Next up was another tough game against Purley, the previous week’s hosts. Valence rather rattled them in the first five minutes, particularly by going 1 : 0 up when Henry Humphrey locked on to a semi-clearance of a Valence free hit to slot the ball home. But Purley then went up a gear and ended up clear winners at 3 : 1. Finally before lunch Valence lost to a strong BBHC side 3 : 0.

  After an excellent Lasagne lunch, Sutton Valence took on their old adversaries, Canterbury, with a somewhat different formation. Whilst it did not lead to any goals, it did deny Canterbury and ended in a 0 : 0 draw. In the final game Valence’s attacking again failed to make real inroads and Epsom, the team that Valence are due to play next week, came out comfortable winners at 3 : 0 to take the Championship overall.

  An excellent day, despite the lack of sunshine, with some enjoyable, if at times frustrating hockey.…and the odd pint.

  Team

  Dave Britton; David Barton; Hamish Dow; Chris Dixon; Peter Jackson; Geoff Bell; Nick Willson; Mark Leader; Stuart Bates; Charles Worsfold; David Gambrill; Henry Humphrey; Paul Linaker. Umpire: Stuart Weedon

  MoM

  Mark Leader, for his constant harrying of the opposition and winning and distribution of the ball. Would have been even better with studded boots!