OC Hockey Club

Old Cranleighan M1s  8 – 2  Brighton 

Old Cranleighan M1s delivered a dominant performance on the south coast, overpowering Brighton 8–2 in an entertaining and high-tempo encounter.

Brighton opened the scoring almost immediately, capitalising on a loose turnover to make it 1–0 inside the first minute. OC, however, responded with composure rather than panic, settling into possession and gradually taking control of the game.

The breakthrough came at 10 minutes, when Benedict Roe fired home from a penalty corner to level the scores. Momentum swung fully in OC’s favour, and by 19 minutes, Humzah Khan finished a flowing move to put the visitors ahead. Pressure continued to build, and Nicholas Cherry extended the lead at 23 minutes with a well-taken field goal.

After halftime, OC came out with purpose. Just five minutes into the second half (35 minutes), Charlie Wolff added a fourth, finishing clinically after sustained attacking pressure.

Brighton struggled to regain footing while OC continued to threaten. At 52 minutes, Roe converted his second penalty corner of the match, making it 5–1 and effectively putting the result beyond doubt.

The final quarter belonged to James Cutter, who produced a remarkable late hat-trick. Cutter struck first at 65 minutes, then again at 69 minutes, before completing his trio just a minute later at 70, showcasing sharp finishing and relentless work rate.

Brighton managed a late consolation in the final quarter, but it was far too late to shift the momentum.

Final Thoughts:
OC displayed depth, discipline, and clinical attacking play. An early setback only sharpened the team’s focus, and the eight goals came from a spread of scorers—with Cutter’s rapid hat-trick and Roe’s penalty-corner double standing out. A strong away performance and a statement win.

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Women’s 1s  4 – 1  Surbiton 4s

OCHC Women’s 1s had a long journey to Surbiton for their away fixture this weekend and faced some known rivals on the opposition. The 00’s tunes in the warmup set the right tone from the off which was reflected in the superb play that was displayed from the first whistle. Some great build up play, transferring round the back and playing the ball into space down the right led to the first goal of the day. OCs kept the pressure on with high pressing and composure in the final third which meant the first goal was followed by a couple more. Surbiton rallied with a breakthrough goal before more quick passing and excellent linking up between mid-fields and forwards saw OCs score the fourth of the day, taking a strong lead. A great team effort for the full 70 minutes which ended as a 4-1 win for OC’s.

Coach Lauren was quoted as saying it was ‘the best hockey I have ever seen played, a joy to watch’! This result has put OCs in the top 4, and with another challenging fixture against third in the league next weekend the team, will be hoping to continue on the goal scoring train.

Goals: Ruth (x2), Alex, Serena

Man of the match: nominations for 8 different players showing the strength across the pitch – but the winner was our Captain Gabby for calmness at the back and putting in some great tackles.

Donkey of the Day: Easy – for easily the best on-pitch tantrums

Oscar: Holly – for making the entire team search the pitch post-game for a lost necklace (update – the necklace was found!)

Spirit Stick: DJ the DJ (AKA Dani Judge) – for the warmup tunes.

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Women’s 3s  1 – 3  Teddington 

A competitive game saw OCs and Wanderers battle to a 3–3 draw in a match full of questionable umpiring…OCs started off strong with some great attacking play, with an early goal from Miggs coming from great link ups from the back line up to Freya who had a cracking strike on goal with Miggs in for the deflection. Unfortunately, a fast counterattack from Wanderers led to them scoring, making it 1-1. OCs didn’t drop off though, transferring confidently round the back and some lovely 2v1s led to Sam’s goal bringing us back into the lead. OCs maintained possession for the majority of the half, dominating the pitch and having many opportunities in the D.
After halftime, the fight continued. Some great interceptions from Zara and tenacity from Ele led to another build up of play for OCs, leading to shots on goal and Miggs flicking the ball into the net on a rebound, bringing us to 3-1. A breakthrough from Wanderers led to them scoring once more, after some amazing saves from Michelle. OCs continuously pushed towards the Wanderers D and played strongly as a team making great passes and links between eachother, but were unlucky to end the game with a 3-3 draw.

MoM went to Ele who made some excellent runs and strong tackles.

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Puricrans 2 Reading 11

A dismal performance on a day of goals at TD with 33 in the first 4 games. Sadly we conceded 11 of those against a far younger, more competent and ruthless Reading team who were quite outstanding. The games was over as a contest after 6 minutes with us 4 down. Our known frailties were cruelly exposed by Reading and 5 – 0 at half time was supplemented by another 6 for Reading and 2 consolation goals for ourselves. The number of simple turn overs was shocking with 6 of Reading’s goals coming from our own 16 yard hit outs.

A salutary lesson in our needing to add to our squad on a continual basis to stay competitive.

MOM – No one could possibly claim this

Golden Glove…

Goals Knapp and Lee Marnitz

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Hammies Match Report – “Age and Treachery vs Dedication and Love” 

In the month of Movember, when men’s health rightly takes centre stage, this Hammies squad once again demonstrated all that is good about OC’s: sportsmanship, camaraderie, and an unshakable love of being part of something bigger than our creaking joints.

The week began in classic fashion: the warm afterglow of last Saturday’s win over our friendly rivals—who we then combined with on Sunday to progress in the Cup—quickly gave way to Monday’s forensic squad analysis:

Who survived? Who can walk? Who has located their hamstring?

A smooth U18 short-corner clip was shared (to be shamelessly plagiarised). Body count seemed reasonable: only Jamie (chest) and CJ (back) reporting significant damage, though both assured the skipper they’d be there. Technically true. But only Jamie actually played. (More on that little saga later.)

Car share to Dulwich was uneventful but educational, as we travelled through Clapham and reminisced fondly about a time when many of us lived in that glorious hellhole of overpriced flat shares and bad decisions.

We arrived to face bottom-of-the-league Tulse Hill & Dulwich Fusiliers—a name that suddenly felt appropriate, because they had absolutely loaded their team with players from higher leagues. The message was clear: If they were here for an easy win, they’d picked the wrong retirement community.

First Half: In Which We Absorb Pressure, Insight, and Mild Umpiring Confusion

From the pushback, they had most of the possession, but we grew into the game. Three things became clear very early:

1. The umpires were enthusiastic, inexperienced, and slightly terrified.

2. Their “guest stars” were strong through the spine, and #26 was clearly their playmaker.

3. CJ much prefers playing to calling substitutions, which would become increasingly obvious.

Chances were sparse at both ends until they bundled in a scrappy goal. We reached halftime 1–0 down, but not disheartened. The plan: play out wide, avoid their central enforcers, and man-mark #26 like he’d borrowed money and not paid it back.

Second Half: The Comeback

And then, like a ‘well-oiled Zimmer frame gliding across a polished nursing-home floor’, we struck. A superb move down the right from Ado, a thunderous cross, and Grant expertly guided it home.

1–1. Fully deserved. The opposition began arguing with their own umpires. Always a promising sign.

Their counterattacks grew sharper, but our defensive line held, marshalled by Si Cooney in goal, playing the first of three matches for three clubs in one day. Apart from a few nervy moments, we were in control.

Then, with about 15 minutes to go: a short corner. The call went up:

“U18s routine!”

Was it as slick as the teenagers? Absolutely not.

Was it effective?Absolutely yes.

Baz received it on the P-spot, and calmly dispatched it.

2–1 Hammies. The comeback complete.

The final minutes saw disciplined shape, controlled energy, and substitutions coordinated by CJ (who may or may not have been lying down inside his coat at one point). The whistle blew. Victory sealed.

A Moment of Perspective

It’s not often a skipper receives a message from a player’s wife politely requesting that her husband be dropped for the sake of his long-term spinal integrity. But this was such an occasion.

CJ was clearly unfit to play, and the feeling of letting the team down hit hard. But this team—this group—reminded him and all of us of a simple truth:

– The Hammies always pull together.

– We play the roles our bodies will allow.

– And that is what makes this team, and this club, genuinely special.

Awards:

Man of the Match: Simon Cooney

Clean sheet in the second half and actually listened to tactical instructions. A historic double achievement.

Dedication Award: Manmeet Poonia

Came straight from the airport, having just flown in from India. No one questioned his priorities and no one should.

DoD: Chris James (CJ)

For allowing his wife to acquire Eastie’s number. Admin error of the highest order.

 Final Word:

In Movember, we celebrate more than moustaches. We celebrate connection, purpose, and looking out for each other. And this weekend, the Hammies did exactly that—with heart, humour, and a well-executed short-corner routine stolen from teenagers.

Hammies 2 (goals scored by Barry Jones & Grant Dormer) – Tulse Hill & Dulwich Fusiliers 1

Age and treachery triumph again.

Women’s 5  2 – 1   Sunbury & Walton Hawks 2’s

OC’s Ladies 5s secured their first win of the season with a confident and energetic performance against Sunbury & Walton Hawks W2, showcasing excellent passing, composure, and teamwork throughout.

Sunbury scored first after 10 mins putting us all on the back foot, but the team stayed resilient against the pressure of a team much higher up the league than us.

The breakthrough came on the 30minute mark, when Lola did a perfect pass into the D,  Hildegard picked up and put away our first cracking goal!

With brilliant support from Gabby and coaching us throughout and at half time, the team rose to the challenge and took onboard all the feedback.

OCs continued to build momentum in the second half, winning a short corner at 55 minutes, Lola stepped up and delivered a belter of a straight strike, taking us to 2-1.

Throughout, OCs’ displayed some lovely passing sequences, strong running, and confident distribution. The juniors play was particularly impressive.

Unfortunately, the match wasn’t without incident, Paula took two painful hits to the face, but soldiered on, not ideal timing for her holiday.

Hildegard was our well deserved POM, brilliantly driving the ball down the pitch and into the D! The team as a whole really performed, showing and proving we can do it! Onwards and upwards ladies, a well-earned and much-celebrated first win!

 

Nicola

Women’s 7s  3 – 0  Ashford 3s
OCs had a great match against Ashford with a 3-0 win! We had a strong first half with some lovely passing around the defence up to the mid fields, who were confident on the ball, able to pass up to the forwards who had many strikes at the goal. The first goal was set up by our right wing Erin, who passed to Liz, our forward, who had an amazing strike in which scored our first goal! Now 1-0 up, we were strong and confident, dominating the game as the ball was in the oppositions half for the majority of the game.Jess and Esme worked together and were able to take a strike on goal, where Ashford’s goalie deflected it out to the side line, in line with the goal. Here, Frankie was able to pick up the ball and strike into the corner, making OC 2-0 up! The rest of this half we showed some great hockey, with fast and accurate passing, successful transfers and some great runs onto the ball!

OCs continued with the lovely play on the ball for the second half. Even after making multiple sprints and strong leads in the first half, we did not let ourselves tire and continued to power on, with our confidence in our 2-0 score. A short time into the second half our midfield made a lovely run down the wing of the pitch, passing to Jeanette at the top of the D, where the forwards each took turns on taking strikes at the goal, and collecting the deflections… luckily, Jeanette gets hold of the ball again and makes a brilliant strike into the corner of the goal, concluding our 3-0 win! We kept strong on the ball for the rest of the games and made sure not to make any mistakes.

After an amazing game… the whistle blew and we said our three cheers to Ashford! It was a challenging but very rewarding game, as we all played fantastically! Well done OCs, this was a well deserved win! A big thank you to India for stepping in as goalie and her clean sheet.

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