Marlborough A (6-1) v Wootton Bassett A

Marlborough A achieved an excellent result against a team that we have failed to beat in the last two seasons (we have lost 2, drawn 1). Bassett had also beaten us 3-2 earlier in the season in a feisty affair – so it was time to put things right!

Regular readers of this port match report will know that our pre-match warm ups have ranged from short and shocking..... to barely adequate at times! Well today we really did take it to another level, with less than 20 minutes to go, we had half a team, no defence, no umpires and watched a well drilled Bassett team completing their warm up! We finally pulled ourselves together after a quick “forwards v backs” game to sharpen up the touch, tackle and movement.

The first half was our best half of hockey this season; quick passing, tenacious tackling, solid in defence, lethal in front of goal, it was almost faultless with everyone playing their part, we scored regularly through half and we finished 5-0 up at Half Time. The goals of the half were a mix of individual excellence and great teamwork:

1-0 Mark Ramage scored, seemingly no space to work and no right to find the net from such an acute angle, he fired a strong flick into the net from the right hand side of the D.

2-0 Justin Metcalfe bundled in his 33rd goal of the season. This was after another strong trademark drive – with the reverse stick, bobbling bouncing, tappy, tappyball on his reverse stick works every time!

3-0 Nat Clarke scores a great goal ! The high press was again working perfectly with Dan Crossman, Tristan Norman and Justin all working hard to close down the angles from the 16 hit outs. Their Centre back tried to smash one through a gap – Justin stretched out (reverse stick), trapped the ball, gathered it and sprinted into the D one-on-one with the keeper. All in one movement he swerved to round the keeper on the right, and slipped the ball back inside under his shoulder to Nat who was perfectly placed to slot the ball home. It was great skill, unselfish and visionary from Justin and great support and finish from Nat.

4-0 Justin Metcalfe scored his second goal of the day and his best goal of the season. Will Hodge returned to the 2’s and, despite nursing a really dodgy hamstring, added some real solidity to the defence as well as some excellent distribution. It was on one of Will’s advances up the field that he fired in a brilliantly disguised bullet of a pass from the 25 and Justin 8 yards from goal placed his stick down expertly and the ball deflected right into the top right hand corner of the goal. Brilliant to watch ! Young and old combining perfectly – although the extra power generated by Hodgy, may have pulled his hamstring again!

5-0 Tristan Norman scores after charging into the D, and then as the keeper rushed out to meet him and close him down, he deftly and expertly lifted the ball over the rushing keeper. A well composed and expert finish from a player who gets better and better each game. Although it still has to be said....you can take the man out of rugby , but you cant take the rugby out of the man...judging by the barging, a couple of hand-offs and the odd high tackle !!

Half Time – 5-0. Captain Ed had very little to say at half time, other than comment “on the great hockey we were playing”. Dan immediately interjected to add...that’s because “Radders” is not playing !! [Keith R was in Dublin watching rugby]. Good to see these two still at it even when they are not playing !! Half time saw Mark and Justin leave to go and coach their College hockey teams, Hodgy pulled a hamstring and consequently we were left with no substitutes for the second half. Considering the average age of the midfield was over 40 (Ed bringing the number down significantly), a slight change in tempo was to be called for!!

Second Half – As expected Wootton Bassett, being the strong team they are, came out fighting hard in the second half and their pressure eventually paid off when they scored form a short corner.

Bassett score to make it 5-1.

Whilst this was disappointing , out heads did not drop and at no point did we every feel like we were ever going to lose, which has often been the story this year. This has been achievable because of the strong defence we have had this year, and today with Rob Hues, Mark Salvidge, Will Hodge, Ryan Noble and Alex Davies (playing in a third different position in 3 weeks – showing his skill and versatility).

6-1 Tristan Norman scores his second goal of the day at a short corner. The call was a “short slip to then fire at the back post for a glance”. The ball was intercepted and Tristan was the first to pounce and slam it home from near the penalty spot. The rest of the second half was hard fought, but we were not able to sustain the same level of performance or tempo in the second half. We still created many chances and Ed Watson once again showed off his skill in converting the ball over the bar, in his quest to hit the “glory goal” in the roof of the net.

The final whistle confirmed another win for Marlborough and was a welcome respite, for our more senior midfielders, Andy & Nick – who unashamedly were running on empty ! So another win on the back of an awful warm up, but backed up with brilliant attitude, good tempo, high press and some really enjoyable hockey. Great team to be a part of!

Man of the Match – Mark Salvidge. Once again we all played our part and we could all reflect on something we could have done better – fouls, poor touch, dodgy tackles etc – but Mark made some perfect interventions, tackles and passes to build things up from the back.

Moment of the Match – No, not Will “I’ve pulled more pints than hamstrings” Hodge – pulling another!. But, it has to be few “on time players” wondering “where the h*ll is everyone” - do we have a team today, as Wootton Bassett looked on at the lonely stragglers wondering “who are this bunch!?” If we had a fines system (not in the 2’s !), collectively we would have paid up almost as much as money as Justin has scored goals this season !