Romsey’s awesome U8s battled the gales and fallen trees to Trojans for their Mini Festival on Sunday. The young squad of 8 players, half of whom are only 6 years old, performed brilliantly for the whole morning playing some tremendous hockey.
The first game was a 0-0 draw against Andover 1. Both teams were still half asleep and neither managed to create any meaningful chances.
Next up were Winchester 2 and the young Romsey team had certainly woken up. They were on the attack from the start with Zak and Hamish bossing the game but it was young Noah who really took his chances scoring 4 goals, Zak and Henry got the other two in this 6-2 win.
Romsey continued their form into the next fixture against New Forest. They ran out 4-0 winners with Zak getting a hat-trick and Henry getting the other. Grace was equally determined in attack and her frustations in not scoring were plan for all to see. She will undoubtedly get one soon!
Andover 2 were dominated again by the Romsey hordes and we ran out 4-1 winners. Zak got a couple, Noah added to his tally and Cherry scored her first goal for the club with a clinical finish at the back post.
The match against Southampton 2 ended in a similar way with Zak getting two, Noah and Henry one each in another 4-0 win. William, on his debut for Romsey, continued to show his enthusiasm and application making useful inroads in the midfield.
With five games played our team of heroes were starting to flag. All that was left was a tough double header against Trojans 2s and then arch rivals Trojans 1s. A pep talk from coach Robertson and some sugar loading from assistant coach Cadge spurred the young team on to one final big effort.
Trojans 2s proved to be no match with Zak scoring again and Henry getting a brace. Romsey winning 3-1.
The crowd held their breath for the titanic clash between Trojans 1s and Romsey. Old rivalries were reformed and the battle commenced. The young Romsey team battled valiantly against the older and stronger Trojans boys and it was slightly against the run of play that young star Zak managed to nick possession and than ran the length of the pitch to put Romsey 1 up against the hosts. Trojans did not role over though the the intense pressure on the Romsey goal continued. Emma worked tirelessly in defence to break down the waves of Trojans attack but with only minutes to go a fine reverse stick shot saw Trojans equalise and what ensued was a nail biting finale. Eventually the final hooter went and a magnificanent effort from all saw the teams draw 1-1.
A great performance from the Romsey team who are barely recognisable from the squad that was initially formed at the start of the season.
U10s at Trojans Mini Festival
Game 1: Romsey girls vs. Andover mixed
3:0 loss
Our first game of the day and the girls were very excited to play. We had Clara at centre back who was doing some amazing defending with very strong tackles and hard passes to our midfield players. Lots of hard work, determination and running from midfielder Caitlin who was trying to move the ball up the pitch as quickly as possible, which she did successfully. Our girls set up a very high press, trying to put as much pressure as they can on the Andover defence but unfortunately, they managed to get the ball through which was how Andover got their first goal as our players couldn’t get back in time to defend. Well done to our defence as they were working very hard but receiving many strikes from Andover which resulted in their second goal. The third goal got deflected in off an Andover foot, but the umpire did not see it, resulting in their third and final goal.
Game 2: Romsey girls vs. Winchester Girls
0:0 draw
The Romsey girls had multiple shots on goal but unfortunately could not get it through Winchester sweeper who was defending very well. There was beautiful passing done between Elsie and Grace up front which made it easy to move around the Winchester players. Well done to Caitlin who worked very hard in the midfield making countless tackles and not giving up.
Game 3: Romsey girls vs. Trojans Mixed
4:0 loss
Trojans is always a tough opposition to play and they took the lead by scoring a very early goal. The Romsey players weren’t concentrating and it took them a while to get into the fast pace of the game. However, Trojans had a mixed team with a few tall and very talented boys which made it a lot tougher and harder for our all girls team. Our girls worked very hard but cannot defend everything.
Game 4: Romsey girls vs. New Forest Mixed
3:0 win
Our fourth game was by far the best team effort from the girls and they all started to play very well together. The first goal was scored by Camilla who was very well positioned on the left post as she received an amazing pass from Caitlin in midfield, she tapped it in the goal. The second goal was scored by Caitlin, who took a strike at goal and it got deflected in by New Forest defender. The third goal was scored by a pass into the D by Grace and was then slapped in again by Camilla. There was amazing defending done by Elsie and Sophie who made sure that New Forest would not have the opportunity to score. Special mention to Daisy who played her first match in goal!
Game 5: Romsey girls vs. Southampton mixed.
1:0 win
The girls walked onto the pitch feeling very excited and confident for the next game after their brilliant performance against New Forest. Southampton had 2 forwards who were hanging very high which kept our defence slightly under pressure but that did not stop our girls from scoring. Another goal scored by Camilla after seeing beautiful passing from the defence through the Southampton players to our midfielders.
Game 6: Romsey girls vs. Trojans mixed
Our 6th game of the day which was another tough one against a different Trojans team. Romsey scored first from a long, hard pass from midfielder Caitlin that went through all the Trojans players to Camilla who did a hard slap into the goal. Our goalie, Daisy, made some great saves but the Trojans team were just too strong. Well done to our girls for being the only team of the tournament to score against this Trojans team! Their coach was very impressed with our all girls team performance.
Game 7: Romsey girls vs. Salisbury
The last game of the day and they were feeling very tired and cold but they all worked hard to end the day off well. It was a very even game between the two teams as we both had many shots on goal but because of our great defenders- Elsie, Mya and many saves from Daisy in goal, Salisbury only managed to score 1. Caitlin and Clara worked amazingly together in midfield doing lovey passes in order to get the ball to Camilla, who once again easily slotted it in to the goal!
Jen and Natalie are very proud of our team who held their own against some very difficult mixed teams and we hope they had a fun morning!
M4s miss out v Lavant
Romsey were unlucky not to get at least a point from this game, with 3rd place in the final table at stake.
Romsey started the brighter and spent the first ten minutes inside the Lavant half.
Bryn Wathen and Dave Procter up front couldn’t find the final touch on good build up play down the right between Dan Blackman and Colin Harwood. With Pete O’Hara combing with Ben Parker down the left to play the ball in to the circle and win penalty corners.
The Lavant keeper in fine form, saved twice from Wathen from two penalty corners, once from a Parker Harwood penalty corner move then from Harwood’s shot.
As Romsey pushed forward with Jon Marsh moving up from centre back to centre midfield to support Andy Moger, it left Lukasz Suleja and Simeon Field exposed to fast counter attacks. Field cut off one and Suleja another before Romsey conceded a penalty corner. Typically there wasn’t much Ollie OH could do from a shot that he had covered before it was touched past him by a forward to see Romsey 1 0 down at HT.
Romsey equalised early in the second half when Parker’s penalty corner push out saw Harwood’s shot again saved, only for the taker to follow up and score to put himself in the top 10 on the 4th XI all time scorers list!
A good move involving Wathen, Matt Duke and Phil Orak saw the ball crossed at pace to the far post where Blackman was able to control it but roll it agonisingly the wrong side of the post.
Moger and Marsh both got themselves in to the circle, but Romsey couldn’t find that second goal, and typically conceded possession and then another penalty corner near the end of the game to allow Lavant to repeat their effort of the first half and run out 2 1 winners and with it more or less secure 3rd spot in the league.
U16Gs Blow Havant Away!
L3s – Win Div 6 with 3 to play
A Game Full of Clichés!
On a sunny Saturday spring (almost) afternoon 15 keen and eager ladies 3’s players arrived at their home ground waiting to face the ‘must win game’ v’s Winchester tigers. This was going to require 110% from all players if they were to secure the league title that they were hoping for.
It was a game of two halves – with 5 goals in each! The game started well with two Romsey goals within 6 minutes and before the Dads had even arrived on the side-line – including Brad! Sara’s date with Billy didn’t hamper a number of outstanding midfield phases of play setting up more than one of the goals.
Play continued to very much mimic that demonstrated by the ladies 1’s players (in the 90’s, but slower,as described by the club chair) resulting in attacking phases of play often converting to positive attacks on goal.
The match was dominated by Romsey for the majority of the game, with much of the play being in the attacking half. The first goal went through two face masks, placed on the goal line (rookie mistake by winch) allowing Emily to score first.
With Winchester realising their mistakes, they put up a brave fight and marked in the defensive phase of play well. They had a couple of breaks when Romsey appeared to be taking a break and were unfortunate not to convert to their advantage.
Half time arrived and after a stern talking to by Harding, Ella P finally arrived at the party and scored 3 goals in the following 35 minutes.
A well-rehearsed short corner routine allowed captain Cat, the league top scorer, to score the first of two goals – if anything it was struck too well!
Goals also followed from Ruth, Katrina and Verity and some sterling attempts from Tasha (even Morgan got in the D at one point!)
Despite the defence feeling slightly redundant at times Annie was awarded star player for a determined and vocal performance, as Winchester certainly made Romsey work for each and every goal scored.
At the end of a great game Romsey finished the victors with a 10-0 win confident in the knowledge that was enough to secure the league title as well.
110% from all players (even Lauren still a little worse for wear) definitely paid off. Looking forward to the remaining games ladies! For those ladies not mentioned in the report, your 110% didn’t go unnoticed we’ve just run out of words!
Written by the ladies 3’s @ teas Saturday afternoon!
U8/ U10 Training – Cancelled – 3/3/2019
Apologies for late notice but training this morning is cancelled due to the horrible weather
Easter Hockey Camps – 9, 10, 16, 17 April
Director of Coaching David Miles will be running another of our popular hockey camps this Easter.
4 days of high level coaching with the aim of stretching players as well as having fun including,
- Focus on core skills
- Introduction to advanced skills
- Competitions and prizes
- Gameplay with feedback
- Video Analysis & Feedback
Cost: £30 per day or 3 days for £85 / 4 days for £110
April 9th, 10th, 16th & 17th 10.00-15.00 @ Hampshire Collegiate School, West Wellow, Romsey, S051 6ZE
Sessions are designed for players of all abilities aged 6-17 and run by RHC Director of coaching Dave Miles and his team of qualified coaches.
To book your place sign up via Teamo or contact us for any further info @ [email protected]
L1s Win v Basingstoke
Romsey were looking to put their lacklustre performance of 2 weeks ago behind them, and came out of the blocks with grim determination to keep possession and capitalise on their chances.This rediscovered attitude paid off early in the first half, when Romsey took the lead, as a Bobs Cooper shot rebounded from the goalie and Emma Beeching volleyed the ball into the net in mid air.Keeping the pressure on Basingstoke for the rest of the half, Romsey consolidated their lead with Erica Jenner launching a fantastic long range pass from defence into the D, finding man of the match Kate Olingschlaeger, whose deft one touch shot found the goal.Coach Dave Miles’ half time talk reminded Romsey to keep hold of the ball and control the game, and Basingstoke found it hard to break through the midfield. Despite having several short corners to defend, Romsey kept a clean sheet, glad to get back to winning ways.
M4s soak up pressure in the Sun
Romsey U10 Hockey team going strong at Salisbury tournament
Salisbury Hockey Club was hosting the U10 tournament on Sunday 10th February. Romsey turned up with an 18 strong squad and the coaches decided to split the teams into Girl versus Boy heavy teams getting them extra practice for the upcoming IN2 hockey tournament. Romsey A was a seven boy and one girl strong team: Maggie, Joe, Ben, Charlie, Oscar, Dylan, Benji and Otto. First match out of five was against Winchester. Romsey started strong with fast dribbling up towards the goal and Dylan scored an early first goal for Romsey assisted by Ben and Charlie. Joe did his first match as a goalie in full kit and managed to withstand Winchesters many shots towards the goal but after a longer battle in front of the Romsey goal, with good defending from Maggie and Oscar, Winchester finally managed to score, and the game ended 1-1.
In the second match Otto was putting on a Southampton bib to make up for their short number of players and he did that with the honour. Romsey had decided to play without a goalie and that played a part when Southampton scored an early goal. Romsey woke up and started to pass much better but despite that Otto managed to score with a lovely straight shot and 2nd goal for Southampton. That triggered Romsey and Oscar played out the ball with his best golf swing that travelled all up along the left side to Ben who then had a successful pass to Dylan who netted the ball and 2-1. Charlie was then up for a fast run with the ball and nice row of passes to Dylan and then onto Joe, who managed to even out the goals towards 2-2.
Third opponent was Bournemouth, which Romsey opened with a quick goal from Oscar and within minutes after the first one he was able to run with the ball again and shot a lovely ball into the corner of the goal, giving Romsey 2-0 lead. Then the games changed and Bournemouth played out the ball and had some successful passes through our defence and into an empty goal and short after that another set of passes from Bournemouth that travelled faster than the Romsey players could run, making it 2-2. Romsey came back with a series of great passes between Oscar – Charlie -Dylan that only just went outside the goal post. Joe had another near goal before Bournemouth over took the game again and scored two goal just before the whistle blew, finishing the game 2-4 to Bournemouth. A raffling and fast game which kept both players and audience on our toes.
The fourth and fifth games were against Salisbury A and D. Joe scored 1-0 assisted by Oscar. Salisbury then had a shot that we thought might be outside the D but was refereed as a goal. Before end of time Romsey scored another goal and game ended 1-2.
In the fifth and final game, Benji started by hitting the nail on the head and fend off the first attempt to a Salisbury goal and after that Romsey showed great teamwork and lots of great passes between each other and Joe assisted Dylan in the first goal. Romsey kept the control of the game and Oscar delivered a nice ball to Dylan, who then assisted Joe to 2-0. Ben had a nice passing from midfielder Otto and Oscar and managed to run with the ball along the side line and score final goal 3-0.
The Romsey supporters were being shown some brilliant hockey from very keen children. As the last game was played the sun came out and warmed us all up and the children could have gone on forever…. Star of the day must go to Maggie for stepping out of her comfort zone and getting stuck into the matches as the sole girl in the team. Well Done Romsey A.