http://www.rohc.co.uk ROHC News and Events webmaster@rohc.co.uk en 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! http://www.rohc.co.uk/news/index.php#1305495731 Sun, 15 May 2011 22:42:11 +0100 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) http://www.rohc.co.uk/news/index.php#1300660623 Sun, 20 Mar 2011 22:37:03 +0000 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. http://www.rohc.co.uk/news/index.php#1300440000 Fri, 18 Mar 2011 09:20:00 +0000 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. http://www.rohc.co.uk/news/index.php#1300439934 Fri, 18 Mar 2011 09:18:54 +0000 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. http://www.rohc.co.uk/news/index.php#1300439404 Fri, 18 Mar 2011 09:10:04 +0000 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. http://www.rohc.co.uk/news/index.php#1299345759 Sat, 05 Mar 2011 17:22:39 +0000 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. http://www.rohc.co.uk/news/index.php#1299345710 Sat, 05 Mar 2011 17:21:50 +0000 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. http://www.rohc.co.uk/news/index.php#1299345530 Sat, 05 Mar 2011 17:18:50 +0000 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). http://www.rohc.co.uk/news/index.php#1299184992 Thu, 03 Mar 2011 20:43:12 +0000 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! http://www.rohc.co.uk/news/index.php#1298333651 Tue, 22 Feb 2011 00:14:11 +0000 In the only ladies fixture to survive the weekends frozen pitches, the Ladies 1s sadly lost to Tulse Hill & Dulwich Ladies 1s 6-3. http://www.rohc.co.uk/news/index.php#1291112233 Tue, 30 Nov 2010 10:17:13 +0000 Only one Rover men’s match survived the big freeze, so the pressure was on the 4s to do the business against Witney 3s – in front of a crowd, no less! Still reflecting on his ball-chomping antics of last week, Steve was joined pitch-side by former captain Albon and Michelin Man J. Jones. Starting briskly, Witney soon had our ninth new-look defence out of nine scurrying to keep them at bay. No matter, our ninth new-look attack out of nine were also keen to keep warm and had the ball in the net when Charrett scored a rare delicate finish. Witney soon equalised, though, after some fine reverse-stick carry-on. After keeper Samir had saved our bacon on a couple of occasions with sound positioning and reactions, Williams finished off an impressive move to put us 2-1 up after fine work through the middle by Coventry and Charrett. Witney responded, though: 2-2 at half-time. The second half started miserably as yours truly (Brad Friedel) gave the ball away and we were 3-2 down. Stung into action, we stepped up the pace and put their midfield under much more pressure, Fletch popping up everywhere. Our wide players were seeing a lot more of the ball, and Dorrit had us level again, only to be immediately substituted! We now had the initiative and following a tactical blow to the knee to Ian 'Fonzie' Lloyd allowed Dorrit back on the pitch he popped up at the far post to round off an excellent move and seal a 4-3 win. MOTM Fletch. http://www.rohc.co.uk/news/index.php#1291049703 Mon, 29 Nov 2010 16:55:03 +0000 This year’s Christmas Party is on Saturday 4 December at the Cape of Good Hope (at The Plain) from 7pm. We are thrilled to announce that the evening will include the inaugural appearance of ‘Fatty the Gnome’, the unofficial club band featuring no less than three of our very own players. So if you feel like boogying the night away to rock covers from the last four decades or just fancy a convivial evening with your hockey mates, then buy your ticket asap to avoid disappointment. Tickets are £10, which includes a Christmas buffet, and will be available from Hannah Godfrey or from captains at matches and training from Tuesday 26 October. Alternatively you can get a ticket by emailing Hannah at socials@rohc.co.uk. Invite all your friends – this will be a Christmas party to remember! http://www.rohc.co.uk/news/index.php#1290725381 Thu, 25 Nov 2010 22:49:41 +0000 Off the back of last their win last weekend Rover came in to the game with their heads held high. Rover worked the ball well, winning two short corners in quick succession but were unable to get a score on the board against a very experienced Windsor goal keeper, and even a very determined shot from Amanda was denied. Following a break Windsor created a few chances of their own with the umpire’s whistle blowing their way on a number of occasions. They eventually found the back of the net with a lifted ball from the right hand side. Rover played the rest of the half strongly but the score remained 1-0 at half time. Rover went into the second half with a positive attitude; this was evident in the speed of play and the decisiveness of their passing. The channel from defence to attack was working more effectively with the stronger approach to the game with some awesome free hits taken by Jane providing Rover with the opportunity to break forward. A number of opportunities arose in the circle for Rover with Abbie Mill and Abbie Mac working well together with a shot across the goal being narrowly missed at the post. Rover kept the pressure on Windsor although a quick break meant Windsor came away with their second goal. In the end Rover Ladies held their own and maintained their positions well until the final whistle. Everyone worked well as a team in a great game that was more evenly matched than the 2-0 scoreline would suggest. http://www.rohc.co.uk/news/index.php#1290725309 Thu, 25 Nov 2010 22:48:29 +0000 The Ladies's 2s narrowly lost to Amersham and Chalfont today despite a motivating pre-match talk from Rich Oakes. The away side started with a breakaway goal but Rover immediately got one back, with Katie Smith scoring from a short corner. The rest of the match was a fairly even contest with some excellent passing from Rover in the midfield, with Carly Wise in particular creating a lot of space. Phil made some great saves and the defence continued their clean sheet in terms of defensive shorts but unfortunately Amersham and Chalfont did slip one more past and the final result was 2-1: a good result against a team that is second in the league and a great effort by the whole team. DoD: Phil Reasons: 1. A kick that went off at a 90 degree angle to the desired result, meaning that we didn't get to take a free hit in their 25 just before half time. 2. For taking Hannah out (and to clarify for those Ladies' 2s that are still confused, this does not mean that Phil paid for the two of them to have a slap-up meal). http://www.rohc.co.uk/news/index.php#1290725012 Thu, 25 Nov 2010 22:43:32 +0000 Rover Oxford Ladies 1s drew 1-1 at home to high-flying Wimbledon this Rover Oxford Ladies 1s drew 1-1 at home to high-flying Wimbledon this week. Rover made a strong opening to the first half, moving the ball around well and building some early attacks with smooth passing moves. Gordon played with great creativity throughout the match, feeding a series of clever passes through from the back. Wimbledon who found the net first, slotting home a clinical short corner. Rover remained composed despite this setback, and continued to play a structured game. Their patience paid off shortly before the half-time whistle, and team top-scorer Cockshott 'hammered' home what will surely be a contender for ROHC goal of the season. The second half saw much of the same from Rover, and though Wimbledon responded by increasing the pressure around the Rover goal, the home side did not concede again. The defensive players soaked up all that Wimbledon threw at them in the second half, denying the away team from short corners and open play. Meanwhile up front chances were still being created for Rover, with Hibbert working hard to put pressure on the Wimbledon defense, and Saywer and Backhouse presenting options on the attack. Rover's determination and tenacity brought them a well-deserved point and proved that they are capable of challenging any team in this league. They look forward to closing the first half of the season on a positive note. http://www.rohc.co.uk/news/index.php#1290724375 Thu, 25 Nov 2010 22:32:55 +0000 A pre-match inspection of our opposition showed that many of the usual suspects were present and correct: Pony-Tail Bloke, The Two Boers, but no Catweazle in goal this year. Following a hasty re-shuffle, after it transpired Frank was still on British Summer Time, the game got under way. Some quick thinking by Felix set up a fine move by the Pressed Steel Old Boys club of Higgs, Mills-Hicks, and Mr S Mason, with the latter scooping the ball into the net to make it 1-0. It wasn’t to last, as from a well worked short Wycombe were back level. 1-1 at half time. In the second half Mr Bence was on fine form, pulling off numerous excellent saves. However, from another short umpire Evans (G) awarded a flick against Evans (A) for stopping the ball on the line with his arm and Wycombe duly made it 2-1. The Higgster was promptly sent off for disputing the decision and was soon joined by one of the Wycombe players. Somewhere along the way, Wycombe added a third goal and the game ended 1-3. Wycombe were probably the best side on the day although we played well and it was most welcome to have the ever reliable Dick Walker back in fold. Man of the match: The Mighty Bence http://www.rohc.co.uk/news/index.php#1290724046 Thu, 25 Nov 2010 22:27:26 +0000 Going to the horror set that is the A&C ground was never going to be a fun affair, and the 4s heading there with no keeper could only improve the fun! Rover started uncertainly, lacking their usual assurance in possession and looking rushed on the ball. Things got worse when Pritchard tried to swallow the ball (Shouldn't have been that hard considering his gob - Ed) and left the field with a badly cut lip. Then one of the great comedy scenes of the season took place. Whilst trying to administer first aid to Pritchard, Mainstone was approached by the umpire to ask if we had white shirts. After repeatedly telling him to go away, the first flash of anger in Mainstone was seen since a certain Witney incident a few years ago. Not a man to mess with as we all know! Rover went into half time 2-0 down, when a rapid change / reversal of shirts, and the disappearance of Pritch and Matt left them both in the cursed white, and down to ten men (oh and still with no keeper). Finding that adversity brings the best from the team, they levelled at 2-2 with goals from Charett and Titch. Sadly the greatest comeback of all time was denied when A&C scored near the end to make it 3-2. Despite your correspondents best efforts to explain his face looked this bad before the hockey ball hit, a trip to plastics and 12 stitches followed. Sadly no prosthetic breast implants were available! (Good suggestion though Rich!) http://www.rohc.co.uk/news/index.php#1290723902 Thu, 25 Nov 2010 22:25:02 +0000 Despite a much improved performance the Mens 3s went down 1-0 to Aylesbury. Roll on the fun away day in Brent Cross next week! http://www.rohc.co.uk/news/index.php#1290723200 Thu, 25 Nov 2010 22:13:20 +0000 Rover Oxford 2s faced a tough away day on an awful pitch away to top of the league Marlow. Although the squad was weakened due to numerous absences Rover maintained the team spirit that has seen them rise to second place. However scoring goals and not conceding as many, which has also contributed to their rise to second place, was unfortunately absent. Marlow were strong in the 1st half and took a 3-0 advantage into the break, but an inspired team talk from Captain Oakes saw a resurgent white and turquoise force in the second half. Although conceding a couple Rover started scoring, despite Andy Cole’s (Ben White) attempts to deliberately miss which were moderately successful. The peak of Rover’s come back was a beautifully worked move which resulted in Matt Neilson slotting into an empty net. The umpires were clearly dumbfounded by the quality of the goal and decided to disallow it as Matt’s drive was so powerful that the net was broken. Faced with a stroppy teenager the umpire in question eventually subsided and the goal was awarded. Rover continued to score from well worked short corners with Captain Oakes leading by example, scoring twice. Rover in fact won the second half 4-3 and showed that they have the resilience to compete for promotion from this league. http://www.rohc.co.uk/news/index.php#1290722987 Thu, 25 Nov 2010 22:09:47 +0000