Romsey Hockey Club

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Romsey U8’s A Team

Alice Appleton

Catherine Clarke

Matthew Dyer

Ellie East

James Fuller

Naeve Poutney

Lucia Rugge Price

Brandon Harris (Goalkeeper)

Romsey U8’s A Team had a great mornings hockey at the last tournament of the season at Trojans.

First up were Trojans A team, which was a very close game and saw Romsey unlucky to score even though they had the majority of the play and although they lost 1-0, Brandon Harris, playing in goal, made some great saves.

Next were Winchester B, which was an extremely well matched game resulting in a 0-0 draw with excellent passing from Alice Appleton, Matthew Dyer, James Fuller and Naeve Poutney.

The first win of the morning was against Bournemouth with James Fuller taking the first goal from a runaway ball, closely followed by a second from Matthew Dyer.

Trojans B were next up with Catherine Clarke scoring the 2 goals for Romsey well supported in midfield by Naeve Poutney and Alice Appleton. Salisbury A proved a tougher opponent and despite persistent defending by Ellie East and Lucia Rugge Price, Romsey lost 2-0.

However, the last game of the morning saw a strong Romsey side unite together to defeat Trojans C by 5 goals to 1, with Matthew Dyer scoring a hat trick and Catherine Clarke taking the other 2 goals.

Well done to all of you for a great team effort and a special mention for Matthew Dyer, who having only just taken up hockey, did amazingly well and looked like he’d been playing for years!!

Romsey U10 Girls team were preparing for the following weeks Regional Finals to be held at Teddington covering the Southern half of the UK having successfully won the Hampshire round. Therefore Trojans tournament proved a great test for the eight strong team.

First up were Salisbury B who also reached the Regional Finals as runners up. On this showing Romsey proved their first placed ranking as they displayed all round consistency in the team with very strong pressure exerted by the midfield performances from Robyn Cooper, Zoe Henderson and Georgia Scott. If Salisbury occasionally managed to get past midfield some good defending and timely tackling came from Harriet Northover and Sophie Davidson with Alice Dyer soundly keeping a clean sheet in goal. Long range strike by Sophie Lawson and good stick play and shot by Sarah Macleod ensured 2 – 0 win for a good first performance in what was becoming a very warm morning.

Second up were Winchester A who proved tough opponents with chances both ends with both teams tackling hard and fair with some great passing movement from the defence through midfield into attack. This provided Sarah Macleod the opportunity to make a great mazy run down the wing beating several opponents before crossing to Sophie Lawson to tap in from close range. There followed an equaliser from Winchester but Romsey stuck with it, with some strong interventions from Harriet Northover and Robyn Cooper and Zoe Henderson showing deft close control on the wing with at times three opponents round her still managing to pass or clear it. With Winchester on the offensive Georgia Scott made a good tackle robbing the opponent and setting off downfield leaving her opponents behind. Keeping her cool she managed to take the ball through and score a very good goal. 2 – 1 to Romsey making it an 8 match unbeaten run from previous tournaments!

Next a very challenging encounter with Salisbury B (all boys vs the all girls of Romsey!). It was a truly engaging tussle with very few chances from either side as the midfield and defences cancelled each other out. Both teams passed and defended well and a credit to Romsey for matching strength and tenacity with the boys of Salisbury! A very fair 0-0 result with both coaches and managers enjoying the close encounter of two evenly matched teams.

Winchester B were next and having played some quick passing and individual skills were soon 2-0 up but Romsey kept coming back and were unlucky on a number of occasions. The only goal from Romsey came from a difficult chance by Sophie Lawson who reverse sticked the ball into the roof of the net. A win for Winchester 2-1 and the first loss by Romsey as energy and stamina were being put to the test in the heat.

Romsey needed a good team performance next and everyone played their part in a sound 2-0 defeat of Bournemouth. It was Bournemouth who made most of the running at the outset as they had some good individual players but were thwarted by the defensive skills of Robyn Cooper, Sophie Davidson and Zoe Henderson defending well in midfield with Georgia Scott and Sarah Macleod stepping in to make timely tackles. Also of note was Harriet Northover who again bought the ball well out of defence to set up attacks. Alice Dyer in goal was at her busiest so far with some very strong clearances and anticipation to defeat Bournemouth attacks. All the team played their part in building attacks with good passing and fast counter attacks leading to a brace of well taken goals by Sophie Lawson to ensure the win 2-0.

Last game up was Trojans C who proved a strong unit which Romsey found difficult to break down. Their attack was particularly good and tested Romseys defence time and again with Alice Dyer performing great saves with hand and feet to prevent at least three certain goals. With defence and midfield working really had it was a nip and tuck tussle. Trojans took the lead and looked as though they would win the match. However a good build up from defence to attack enabled Georgia Scott to round off the move with a strong shot and goal that drew the match 1-1.

Team: Alice Dyer, Robyn Cooper, Sarah Macleod, Harriet Northover, Zoe Henderson, Sophie Davidson, Sophie Lawson and Georgia Scott. All played tremendously well, had fun and their tactics and positioning play worked a treat thanks to Lisa Hendersons coaching and support.

Romsey Hockey Club’s U14 girls hosted a 7 a side festival on Sunday. 7 teams took part from across the county, playing 15 minute matches. Romsey entered two teams, both played really well, playing without goal keepers but using a strong defence. One of the Romsey team’s won the festival, scoring 13 goals and conceding none. Hospitality was provided for the guests, thanks to the players and parents who baked an amazing display of cakes.

The U12 Boys, pictured, suffered a disappointing time at the In2 Hockey U12 Champioship

On Sunday Romsey U12 Girls battled their way to the Hampshire semi finals of the national In2Hockey Championships, only to be knocked out by an older stronger team in Havant A, the eventual winners. Romsey have greatly improved in the second half of this season. Some flowing and decisive play brought back to back 2-nil wins against Havant B and Aldershot & Farnham, boosting confidence hugely, with strong performances from Anna Poller and Abi James, notably supported by Alexia Cross, Ella WIlliams and Ellen Saunders. Romsey then drew with Southampton nil-nil, an exciting match where both teams had chances but a only determined defensive effort from Charlotte Dibden and Jenny Pimley and excellent goalkeeping by Romer Creedon kept Southampton out. By now fatigue was setting in, the team lost some focus and the match against Salisbury was lost 1-nil, but enough had been done to go through as pool runners-up. Romsey were drawn against the formidable Havant A but energy was still low and an early injury to defender and Player of the Tournament Charlotte Dibden didn’t help. Ultimately Havant were simply stronger and the best efforts of Pimley, sub Mollie Biddlecombe and keeper Creedon couldn’t deny them 2 goals. As one of the younger teams competing Romsey were very happy to finish 4th out of 11 teams overall.

Romsey saved one of their best performances for the last league game of the season.

Romsey fielded one U12 and one U10 in their line up and all 12 players did themselves proud.

Romsey pushed off and retained possession for the first few minutes, a super passing move involving debutant Josh Harwood, Sam Bishop, and Chris Harwood moved the ball swiftly in to the Fareham final third of the pitch.

Romsey created a number of chances Toby Hill went close and James Manning commanding in centre of the pitch set up Oliver Bryant who was crowded out.

As the half went on Romsey tired, but the defence of Ian Wilson, Hugh Davidson and Matt Lockhart held strong, Callum Darch was called upon to make two fine saves but he was well equipped to keep a clean sheet by half time.

Romsey started the second half as they started the first and created three penalty corner chances in short succession following superb determination from Romseys Nick Buck who was awesome in front of the defence. The Fareham team were on the rack and Romsey were desperately unlucky when Chris Harwood’s first time shot was saved by the keeper and then David Forgan was unable to capitalise and Fareham cleared.

Fareham then had a breakaway and got clear of the Romsey defence to go one up, and two minutes later doubled their lead.

Romsey were very unfortunate to be two goals behind, even though Fareham were pushing for top spot in the league and pressed again.

Toby Hill crashed in a cross which flew off a Fareham stick and in to the net, Toby was outside the D and so only a corner was the reward, moments later Hugh Davidson who had pushed up from the back got clear and his shot hit the heel of the goalkeeper to be deflected wide.

Romsey pressed for their goal but were denied again by the keeper to go down 2 0 in a fantastic last match of the season.

The boys did not fair as well as the girls in the horrendous conditions at Southampton Sports Centre for the In2Hockey competition.

The boys normal free flowing passing game was hindered by the battling performances of some of the opposition teams. The did however battle hard in their matches against Trojans, Basingstoke and Fareham but were unable to register on the score sheet and lost each match by the odd goal.

The team played with great spirit though throughout and the squad deserves great credit for their effort.

Well done to them all:

Matt Loveday, Harry Croft-Baker, Morgan Robertson, Ben Sluman, Noah Cooper, Toby Field, Oscar Wright, Henry Williams

A rainy, snowy, windy and freezing cold Sunday morning at Southampton Sports Centre did not deter the enthusiasm and talent of the very exciting Romsey U10 girls. They drew Haslemere in the first match and although it took several minutes to get going there was come brilliant play from Midfielders Bobs Cooper, Zoe Henderson and Sarah Macloed. In the last few minutes Bobs set up Sarah to start the success.

Winchester were up next and Ella long – extremely strong in defence with Lola Field and Sophie Davidson hardly let our fantastic Keeper Alice Dyer be worried at all. Romsey were unlucky not to score on several occasions and a 0:0 draw resulted.

A similar story against Trojans, Alice pulled off several fabulous saves but the majority of the play was attacking and the up front team of Sophie Lawson and Georgia Scott were both unlucky not to score.

The final nail-biter against Salisbury saw Romsey tested, but the girls showed their promise and determination. Alice was strong and maintained her clean sheet in goal. Bobs, Ella, Sarah and Zoe kept the play flowing and in the last few minutes Georgia’s patience was rewarded with an excellent goal finishing 1:0

The Girls move up to the Regional phase against other County winners, to be played in April.

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U10s

Romsey Hockey clubs U10s travelled to a very sunny and warm Bournemouth for their annual tournament.

In preparation for the first round of the National U10s tournament next week Romsey entered one boys and one girls team.

The girl’s, playing their first matches un-encumbered by the boys, showed a superb level of maturity and skill, clearly a result of the dedicated and excellent quality coaching every Sunday morning (9.15-10.30 at Romsey School). Some excellent performances from our defenders, Zoe Henderson, Harriet Northover and Ella Long meant all scores were very close. In the midfield, Bobs Cooper, Phoebe Moriaty and Elizabeth Field kept the game flowing. Some excellent passing up front between Georgia Scott, Sophie Lawson and Sophie Davidson meant a very successful tournament for the Girls. Next week they should be a force to be reckoned with!

The boys played six matches against opposition from Trojans, Andover, Weymouth, Bournemouth and Salisbury. Their results were excellent winning four and losing only two. They scored 12 goals and only conceded 7. The defensive success was largely due to three debutants. Ben Sluman excelled in his first matches as goal keeper and Tony Brown and Oscar Wright were very solid in defence. Henry Williams played enthusiastically all day and showed some impressive strength and technique in the tackle. The triumvirate of Matt Loveday, Harry Croft-Baker and Morgan Robertson proved to be a handful for all of the opposition teams to handle and scored six, four and two goals respectively.

Romsey U8’s A Team

Romsey U8’s A team started off the morning against Trojans A team but despite great defending from Lucie Taylor-Blake and Ellen Page they lost 3-1. The following game was a close one which saw James Fuller scoring the goal for Romsey, with great tackling in midfield by Katie Lou Ryan and Helena Ward but Andover A’s managed to get 1 goal ahead which left the final score at 2-1 to the opposition. Next up were the hosts Bournemouth and despite consistent challenging from James Fuller and Jack Sluman the final score of 2-0 to Bournemouth did not reflect the percentage of play, as was the case in the following match against Trojans B which was also 2-0 to the opposition. Their last game of the morning saw Romsey A’s battling against Andover B team who initially went 1 goal up but an equalizer from Alice Appleton took the score to 1-1, but despite constant midfield pressure from Lucia Rugge Price, Andover took 2 more goals for a 3-1 defeat.

Romsey U8’s B Team

Romsey B team started off with a 1-0 win against Andover B due to an own goal!! Next up were Trojans B, which saw Alice Appleton scoring 4 goals from set ups by Joe Arnold and Naeve Poutney for a 4-0 win. Salisbury were a tougher opposition and despite strong defending by Stan Arnold and Kai Volanthen the score was a 3-0 defeat. Trojans A was a closely matched game with the first goal for Romsey coming from Naeve Poutney who showed great control taking the ball up from the halfway line to score, Trojans then equalized and a goal by Alice Appleton followed to put Romsey ahead, however Trojans then managed to squeeze in another putting the final score at 2-2. Romsey B’s last game of the morning was against Southampton, which saw a great team effort with consistent passing and control by Alice Appleton, Naeve Poutney and Lucia Rugge Price in midfield with the goals being executed by James Fuller and Joe Arnold.

Well done to both teams for a great mornings hockey.

A close and hard fought game of 3 thirds, Romsey worked very hard in the 1st third to keep Basingstoke out of the goal a really good defensive effort from Sheila Forbes and of course Romma Creedon in Goal.
Went one nil in 2nd third, Anna Poller worked tirelessly through the whole match and Alexia Cross beat the Basingstoke Keeper, a first for the under 12’s this season!
The entire team put in a huge effort in the last 3rd but Basingstoke levelled in the last few minutes. Well done to the girls under 12 for improving so much in a short period of time.
Final score 1-1