Report by Jim Sherring
Saturday saw the first competitive action for the Ladies 1’s since the end of October and the evidence suggests that the lockdown fitness regime may have slipped a little from the players priority lists! In fairness we were up against a very young, well drilled Surbiton team, who clearly had played a few games before this first league encounter. The 4pm push back in Surbiton, already late, was made later as the preceding game overran by half an hour. The Home Coach, profusely apologised for the delay so we lapped up the sunshine as we waited.
The first quarter started promisingly with some good hockey played by both teams. We were finding the aggressive Surbiton press difficult to counter, but some slick passing moves provided some opportunities. Two Surbiton goals in quick succession midway through the second quarter left us chasing the game. We forced a penalty corner just before half time but couldn’t convert so went in to the break 2 behind.
Surbiton came out strongly in the 3rd quarter and quickly added to their tally with a third goal from a penalty corner. The award of the corner was slightly controversial as the original shot seemed to hit Sheff standing on the line, but alas the home umpire ruled that it wasn’t going in… Mia Brown, making her 1st debut in goal, also made a couple of very good saves as we came under increasing pressure. We came back into the game in the 4th quarter and were unlucky not to get a goal back but ultimately the superior fitness and speed of play of the home side told. The team will be better for this initial outing and having a full game in their legs as we move on to Reading next week for another 4pm push back.
OTHER RESULTS
Wimbledon 1-4 Barnes
Wayfarers 2-4 Sevenoaks
H&W 2-4 Reading
Home Games for your diary
1st May
Southgate vs Wayfarers
29th May
Southgate vs Hampstead & Westminster