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Rover Oxford and City of Oxford to merge
Exciting times ahead!
When: Thursday 05-May-2011
At the EGM on Thursday 5th May the resolutions to merge with City of Oxford HC were passed. Accordingly the next season we will play as a combined club under the name “Oxford Hockey Club”. We need to make the new club a success, and to do this we need your support over the summer.
No matter how you voted we need your contribution, whether big or small, and there are a number of areas where you can help shape your club. These include:
· Sorting out the new kit colours, what kit is required, the order process etc
· Designing the new club logo etc
· Sorting out training slots, coaches etc
· Deciding which pitches which team plays upon
· Social events
· Others we may not even have thought about.
So let me know if you are interested – and what you’d like to do paul.c.wilson@btinternet.com All contributions are welcome!
Category: News
Mens 5s taste defeat to City
Lose 6-3
When: Saturday 19-Mar-2011
After last week’s fine performance, hopes were high of another Hamsters victory to keep up “our great escape” against relegation. We faced an opposition that was youthful, with a few old heads thrown in, and welcomed back Dorrit to the fold, and also another new face in the shape of Tom KB. We also had our very own “Ron Manager” in the shape of John Jones, who was sidelined due to his dodgy right knee.
The game started well enough for the Hamsters with a well taken goal from Ian Horner, who was again prominent during the first half display. City equalised, but two well taken trade mark goals from Mase gave us a 3-1 lead.
At half time we received our team talk from our very own Ron Manager, who being a Liverpool fan, drew on the collective knowledge of their great managers. With such legendary figures to draw upon the team talk was sure to contain great tactical insights and observations!
The instruction was simple; keep it tight, the next goal is crucial. Sadly within minutes of the second half beginning City scored and that set the tone of a rather forgettable second half display. City proceeded to score another four goals without reply and the final score ended up 6-3.
MOTD: Iain Horner
DOTD: Dorrit – do not dribble in your own “D”.
Match reporter: Marcus
Umpires: 2 from City (guy and girl). Girl was quite fit! (Important to keep up with the rapid pace of the 5s play? - Ed)
Category: Results
Ladies 1s defeat Trojans (part 2)
Win 3-1
When: Saturday 12-Mar-2011
Trojans, who hadn't looked particularly dangerous up to this point, managed to pull a goal back shortly before halftime, after a ball into the D was caught by Jill (a great deflection thanks to all that practice on Wednesday....) and finished off by a sharp Trojans forward. Rover remained on top however, and continued to threaten the Trojans goal with several shots on target.
Rover went into the second half 2-1 up but knew they had to look for more goals to seal the win. Caro Harris and Suzie Williams set up play brilliantly from the back, and Rover played the long ball to great effect. Lucy Eddowes took a stick to the face late in the game, but after a miraculous recovery managed to play on and put some great passes up the line to the forwards. Rover kept the pressure on Trojans and had much of the possession for the second half as they looked to stretch their lead. This eventually paid off as a third goal secured three points for Rover. Unfortunately I can't seem to remember the third goal, but I am pretty sure it was scored by Mutsa?! If anyone knows anymore details, answers on the back of a postcard please.
Category: Results
Ladies 1s defeat Trojans (part 1)
Win 3-1
When: Saturday 12-Mar-2011
Rover Ladies 1's played Trojans Ladies 2s this Saturday, in a bottom-of-the-league clash that could have made all the difference in either team's season. The game began well for Rover, who were keen to put the last two weeks behind them and score some goals - and despite Hie Sawyer still managing to fall over at least 300 times during the game, Rover battled to a convincing 3-1 win! (Yeah!!!!)
Mutsa Mutembwa opened the scoring with a brilliantly worked goal that saw her take on the Trojans defence to slip the ball past the advancing keeper. Soon after, Tinny decided to have a go herself, and also managed to skin most of the Trojans team including the keeper and score a solo effort to increase the score to 2-0.
Category: Results
Mens 1 draw with Maidenhead
Draw 1-1
When: Saturday 12-Mar-2011
Rover opened the scoring early thanks a break by Tim Conlon who's pass found James Nielsen unmarked in the D to beat the keeper.
Maidenhead then hit back to level the scores at 1-1.
Early in the second half Maidenhead took the lead after a quick break of their own was well finished from the top of the D.
But Rover leveled with 10 minutes to go thanks to a great turn by Rich Beer that beat 3 defenders and he then calmly finished passed the keeper.
Category: Results
Ladies 1s in defeat to Maidenhead (part 2)
Lose 8-0
When: Saturday 26-Feb-2011
Rover managed to reorganise themselves despite this early onslaught, and had a good spell towards the end of the half, but despite creating several chances, didn't manage to find the back of the net. This is partly due to several players (including captain Hie Sawyer) spending most of the game lying down on the pitch. Shortly before the half ended, Maidenhead increased the gap yet again, with a well taken deflection on the back post.
The second half, though bringing an improvement from Rover Oxford, also sadly brought another flurry of goals. The first was in the form of a penalty flick, given away in questionable circumstances, and the second and third saw the Rover defence outnumbered by the visiting forwards. The final score was 7-0. Oh well.
Category: Results
Ladies 1s in defeat to Maidenhead (part 1)
Lose 8-0
When: Saturday 26-Feb-2011
Rover Oxford Ladies first team faced the high-flying Maidenhead Ladies first team this week in front of a large home crowd (well, Valerie and Ken, Mutsa's fanclub and Tanky). Maidenhead, who current sit at the top of the league, proved a tough opposition from the outset, and began in a positive fashion, moving the ball around well, and looking to make early attacks into the Rover D. Rover were also sharp to begin with, and were keen to make a positive start for themselves. Lucy Eddowes, who had by now managed to recognise her fellow team mate Tinny, made some lovely passes up the line, and Katie 'New Stick' Cox worked the ball well out of defence. This resulted in an open and fluid game, and the first 15 minutes looked promising for the home team.
However, Maidenhead struck first, opening the scoring with a clever passing move on the top of the D followed by a first time shot into the roof of the net. Less than 5 minutes later, the visitors had doubled their lead, firing a close range shot past the rover keeper.. Another five minutes on and the score had increased to 3-0, with Maidenhead converting one of several short corners with a follow up shot after the initial one was stopped by Jill Gordon.
Category: Results
Mens 1s do double against Wallingford
Win 3-2
When: Saturday 26-Feb-2011
Rover completed the double over Wallingford with a 3-2 victory at Oxford Brookes on Saturday, a win that saw Rover climb to 4th place in the league. Rover started brightly, keeping the ball well and pressurising the Wallingford defence. However it was Wallingford who took the lead when a swift counter attack throug the heart of the Rover defence was finished with a well taken reverse stick effort.
Rover were quickly back in the game though, as Daniel Smyth smashed in a rebound from a short corner to level the scores. And after a flowing move Rover were 2-1 ahead, Ben White with the easy task of tapping home from 2 yards out after a counter attack left the Wallingford defence outnumbered.
Rover found themselves 3-1 ahead shortly before half time, Smyth with his second of the game from a short corner. Wallingford had the better of the 2nd half as Rover gifted possession to the visitors time and again through poor decisions and sloppy basics. And it was Wallingford who scored the only goal of the half as a forward was found totally unmarked by a left wing cross, and he lifted his effort over the onrushing Rover keeper.
Category: Results
Annual Dinner Dance
Dress up smart and dance the night away!
When: Friday 08-Apr-2011
This year's dinner dance is on Friday 8 April at the Oxford Spires Four Pillars Hotel, Abingdon Road, Oxford. The evening kicks off at 7.30pm with dinner being served at 8.00pm.
Tickets cost £25 per head (£20 for under-18s), which includes a three-course meal and wine on the table. There will be a disco after dinner so bring your dancing shoes… The night also includes our annual awards presentations. Don’t miss out on the biggest Rover social event of the year!
To book yourself a place at the dinner you need to fill out a form with your menu choices and return it either to your captain or to Hannah Godfrey, Paul Wilson or Chris Orme by Friday 25 March at the latest. Forms are available from your captain or from Hannah (socials@rohc.co.uk).
Category: Social
Ladies 1s Annual Quiz Night!
Fundraising AND Educational
When: Saturday 12-Mar-2011
The quiz night is to be held on Saturday 12 March at Summertown Church Hall, Portland Road, Summertown. There is limited parking in the church hall car park but there is ample parking on the surrounding roads, plus plenty of buses to/from town.
It will run from 7.30pm to 10.00pm (doors open 7.15pm), with a number of rounds. Tickets are £8.00 per person and include food.
A bar will be provided which will be operated through the use of raffle tickets in order to avoid/abide the necessary licensing laws!
Teams can be up to 8 people and you can either create a team for the night, or turn up and merge in where there's space. Team can consist of club members – or non-members in any ratio.
There will be a prize for the winning team.
Tickets are available from your captains. There is a limit on the number of people we can have, so it will be first come first served!
Category: Social
