2012 OA Hockey Match - Iffley Road

2012 OA Hockey – Iffley Sports Complex

30 March 2012

Today the current 1st XI team took on the Old Abingdonian’s in their annual clash. The match was held at Iffley Road and featured an OA side largely made up of current University hockey club players.

Rhys Cadman (2008) again captained this side and was playing for the first time in a team featuring his two brothers, Gareth (2006) and Lloyd (2009). Oliver May (2008), Josh Ogle (2008) and Jasper Cooper (2007) all made their debut for OA’s contributed well on and off the pitch.

The game started with both sides looking to control possession and drag the opposition out, making for an entertaining passing spectacle. With 30 minutes on the clock and nothing on the scoreboard, both teams realised that they would have to really knuckle down to gain a result.

Gregor Hearn (2012) started the scoring off with a reverse stick effort that flew past Harry Hole (2008) into the top corner. This brought the game into life and set the standard for the rest of the match. The score was level when Toby Roche (2006) replied with his own reverse stick effort, low and hard past Luke Carter (2013). There was even time for another goal before half time, when Royden Burt smashed one in from the top of the circle.

At half time, Toby Roche emphasised the importance of the result and made it clear of what he expected from all of his players. This was backed up early in the second half, when Rowan Wheeler (2006) rounded a couple of defenders and picked his spot. The 1st XI were still creating chances and it was a well worked goal that got them back into the game, with Mike Shortis (2012) crossing to Charlie Bethell (2013), who got in front of Jasper Cooper to deflect the ball into the goal.

There were moments of brilliance in defence as well, with Dan Leach (2012) picking the ball on the reverse stick at waist high on the line. Harry Hole was also making life tough for the Abingdon forwards and Oliver May was in inspired form at right back.

In the latter stages of the game, the OA’s were enjoying the open spaces that their goals had created, as the 1st XI chased the game. Paz Rabindran (2009) found enough space to weave through and slot home in the dying minutes and the game was capped by a well-worked move, resulting in Royden Burt scoring his second.

Many thanks for all the OA’s for making it such an enjoyable day and thanks again to all the U6th players in the 1st XI for all their hard work this season. It was a great way to cap off and enjoyable season.

Names of those in the photo, those in bold were part of the OA XI

Front row, left to right – Luke Carter, Harry Hole

Middle Row, left to right – Will Carter-Keall, Josh Ogle, Paz Rabindran, Oliver May, Peter Moralee (guest), Mike Deeks, Jonny Bayfield, Kieran Boddington, Gregor Hearn, James Weaver, Mike Shortis, Dan Leach

Top Row, left to right – Bas Marshall, Rowan Wheeler, Chris Newman, Gareth Cadman, Llloyd Cadman, Toby Blong, Rhys Cadman, Royden Burt (ex staff), Jasper Cooper, Toby Warren, Toby Roche, Mike Clarke-Warry, Charlie Bethell, Ben Mitchell, Julius Coventry

Finally a huge thank you to Steve Brenchly for organising the event.

If you would like more information about how to get involved next year please don't hesistate to to contact us.

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