After last weeks game being cancelled due to a frozen pitch, P&R ladies 2’s were looking for a great game againsts South Bucks and were positive about taking all 3 points. The game started well. Fantastic passing and movement from P&R made for a great attacking first half. After 10 minutes, P&R were a goal up, Emily George sending the ball straight passed the keeper and then again a few minutes later taking the score to 2-0. Feeling very confident at half time, we felt there would be more goals to come. Second half began and South Bucks managed to win themselves a couple of short corners, all which were cleared by the P&R defence. A third goal later came for P&R via a short corner which ended the final score as 3-0. Great team effort and Emily G being awarded player of the match.

The game appeared very even with both teams having scoring opportunities but it was Slough that took the lead with a very composed goal with the ball being lifted just over Vicki’s (GK) hand pad into the back of the net. We applied some more pressure and were rewarded with a short corner that resulted with Ashton Marriott slipping in a rebound ball from the goal keeper. In the second half our focus was to maintain possession and keep our composure. The team did exactly that and the hard work paid off, the ball was passed to Lucia Payne who took on the keeper and hit the back board creating a 2-1 win over Slough. Our next league fixture is against Oxford Hawks Ladies 3s 28.01.12.

The game started off with the opposition feeling quite lively. The opening minutes saw their centre forward narrowly miss a reverse stick flick effort, however Pete Davis had this covered and the ball whistled past the left upright. A few more chances for the away team went past, however all were long shots and did not look like finding the mark. The deadlock was broken 18 minutes in to the game with Hampstead going 1 ahead. Phoenix as always stayed very calm and reserved and after another 5 minutes had elapsed, Steve Eastman found his way into the ‘D’ with a logged keeper in front, a little lift over, 1 all! Half time came and went and  the team all knew what they had to do. We had been here before. The game opens up now with Phoenix looking the more aggressive team. Spring in step, Rich Harlen receives the ball from Jack Rooney at the top of the ‘D’ , he starts to make a run round to the right, ball glued to his stick. When he hits the position and angle desired, pulls the trigger and a monster strike from the top is fired into the bottom left section of the goal. The echo from the back board could still be heard some seconds after. Phoenix are now putting the pressure on and what happened next was no surprise. Our super strike partnership get the ball with the opposition back line stood flat! Newell and Warner rip them apart with dynamic passing and runs. Martin ends up walking the ball over the line. ‘Nuff’ said for these two! To add further insult to West Hampstead. John-Joe Cottan receives the ball part way inside the ‘D’. Unsure what to do, makes the best decision any wide player should. A hard pass/shot for the far post, aiming for anything. He receives a foot of the opposition and deflection from that into the goal (Bonus!). 4-1 was the score. Tune in next week!

From Left to Right: Colleen Delaney, Adam Smith, Jack Haynes, Caitlin Edgar, Christopher Brown (GK), Rory Parkes, Max Haynes, Charlie Page-Smith, Martha Crowland, Madeline Brown & Molly Edgar.

The Under 10s tournament was hosted by Phoenix & Ranelagh HC to give juniors from local clubs the opportunity to play real team matches, enhancing their skills and boosting their confidence.

P&R were fielding their new younger players and came up against some more tough competition. Our P&R juniors played well and with enthusiasm. Christopher Brown also did well on his first appearance as goalkeeper for P&R Under10s.

All of the local teams that attended played within the spirit of the game and fun was had by all, including those parents who proudly watched while braving the weather.

P&R ladies 1s played a game of two halves against Wallingford ladies 2s this week. In the first half Wallingford were playing high and taking their opportunities which left P&R 2-0 down at half time. Realising their weaknesses P&R put the pressure on and after gaining short corner advantages they equalled the score 2-2 with Penny Cuthbert and Tracy Averies both claiming one goal each from a straight strike routine. Result 2-2.

P&R men’s 1s had a tough game ahead of them this week as they took on Windsor men’s 1s who were currently top of the league. The high tempo game started with no team giving an inch but it was Windsor who broke the deadlock first! It wasn’t long before P&R got one back with a well worked short corner routine. Going into half time 1-1 a good team talk was had and the guys came out all guns blazing. P&Rnow running the game it wasn’t long before the goals started coming with a final result of P&R 5 - 2 Windsor.
Goal scorers: Tom Warner x2, Martin Newell x2, Richard Harlen x1

Ladies 1s vs South Bucks 1s

After drawing with top of league Bicester last week the team were set for another strong performance against South Bucks who are second in the league. South Bucks started by pressing in our defence and had a quick break that unfortunately resulted in us going down 1-0 at half time. We came back in the second half stronger and as they say practice makes perfect and our hard work at training paid off with a strong over loading attack that allowed Lucia Payne to score from a rebound ball off the keeper (1-1). From here we kept our composure and tried to hold off South Bucks, unfortunately their constant pressure resulted in them scoring their winning goal with 25 seconds until the final whistle. Result 1-2.

Men’s 1s vs Oxford 4s 6-2

On the back of scoring a good amount of goals last week the guys where keen to get even more this week and we did that without fail. We started the game very positively and it wasn’t long before we scored our first goal. With the game going Phoenix’s way we went into half time 3-0 up and confident of a win.  The second half went Phoenix’s way with the guys playing some really superb hockey and managed to finish with a great 6-2 win.

Mens 1s went to Wokingham expecting it have a tough game ahead of them, but managed to come away with an impressive 4-1 win.

P&R HC L1’s vs Reading HC L2A’s - 3:2 (22.10.11)

This local derby began at a frantic pace with Phoenix dominating the play in the first 10 minutes. Despite some good attacking play from Phoenix, Reading scored first against the run of play. Phoenix regrouped and pulled level with a goal scored by Ashton Marriott off a short corner. Reading, having had a number of short corners which were successfully defended by Phoenix, then went ahead 2-1 but Rooney equalised with a rebound ball at an awkward angle off a strike by Dawn Collis.

In the second half, (after well-deserved re-fuelling in the form of fruit pastilles) Phoenix scored again with what will undoubtedly prove to be the goal of the season – an incredible reverse stick strike from the edge of the D by Ashton Marriott. With Phoenix determined to hold onto the 3-2 lead, Reading retaliated by putting together a relentless attack which was matched by Phoenix’ dogged defence. In the last few minutes of the game, Reading were quick on the break but were matched by Phoenix defence, determined not to let in a goal no matter what! Tension was high but Phoenix played with control and cool heads to close out the game for a deserved win.

Supplied by Adrienne Brown, written with help from the team and spectators.

Photography supplied by James Mutton.