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Monday 18th July
After a Sunday night dancing at the reception under a huge tented area with free
refreshments, excellent food and good humour throughout, the Cavaliers left the
hotel this morning in good spirits.
Rain greeted the team as they took to the field for their first clash with the
Dutch Ex Internationals. Sporting their new Harlequin styled kit, the Cavaliers
were in no mood to hang around with two halves of just 20minutes each.
Within a minute, the immaculate Stuart Rowe scored the first of his four goals
in a game which the Cavaliers won convincingly 8 - 1. Four others got on the
score sheet, namely Barry Bradley, Bruce Christie, Nigel Maille, and a real
beauty from Clive Lloyd who proved one thing about scoring at this level. You
don't have to smash the cover off the ball to score a goal. A neat reverse
stick, low level flick, beat the keeper at the near post. Awesome!
A master class from Barry Bradley on the right caused our Dutch friends
continuous problems, while Bruce Christie dominated the midfield with a string
of telling passes. Nigel Maille scored a cracker towards the end after an
intricate run through the middle finishing powerfully in front of goal. John
Gleadhall displayed resolutely on the left flank and Alec Heygate flattered only
to deceive. The defensive set up had little to do in a game which the Cavaliers
dominated throughout. Nick Twine, Howard Pollard, David Bartlett and David
Stephenson blocked anything that came their way.
So a cracking start for the Cavaliers but would it continue I hear you say? Well
the second game against a gang of 'Americans' made up of a mixture of Dutch,
German and true Americans proved a completely different kettle of fish. The
Cavaliers were caught off guard by a powerful through ball which was converted
with some ease in the first five minutes. Then at two down, a goal from Clive
Lloyd gave a the Cavaliers some hope. With another classy run down the left it
was Lloyd again who scored with another belter making it all square at 2-2.
The second half was peppered with a number of frankly dangerous stick tackles
from the opponents with seemingly little protection from the officials who
seemed oblivious to the cries of foul play from the side line. John Gleadhall in
particular got the treatment after another clever run down the left only to be
whistled for an infringement against him! To add to the frustration it
transpired that the opponents had twelve players on the pitch on two separate
occasions which the officials failed to punish. A blue card was shown to a
supporter for speaking out and that resulted in a beer being bought for the
opposite coach! The blue card is not official but just a friendly rebuke where
necessary.
The game ended with the Cavaliers going down 4 - 2. The game ended in friendly
fashion but many felt that our boys were on the receiving end of some bad luck
and some heavy, occasionally reckless tackling.
Weather forecast is improving. It's a picnic day tomorrow, more games on
Wednesday, a free day on Thursday and final two games on Friday. The Cavaliers,
WAGS and hangers on, are enjoying terrific Scottish hospitality, meeting old
friends from previous Golden Oldies, exchanging pin badges and pennants and
generally doing Havant Hockey Club proud.
Another report will no doubt wing it's way to you later in the week.
Wednesday 20th July
Carrying a few injuries and dodgy backs, the Cavaliers resolutely took to the
field at Edinburgh University playing fields ready and willing to face the three
games against the German Wanderers, South Africa and New Zealand.
As ever the Germans were well organised and the game was extremely close
throughout. Havant enjoyed periods of dominance but the German defence held well.
By half time, Havant looked in good form and restarted with confidence.
Late in the second half a rare period of pressure by the Germans produced a goal
mouth scramble and eventually after a super save on the line by David Bartlett,
the ball was forced over the line. 1 nil down the Cavaliers knew the chips were
down and forced themselves forward with Bruce Christie once again influential in
creating pressure with some excellent passes and threatening runs through the
centre. One such run into the D, produced a clumsy tackle where Bruce somehow
remained in possession was about to shoot for goal when the umpire blew up for a
short corner. Exasperation!! No advantage given and the resultant short came to
nothing. The young umpire on the line realised the error and apologised
immediately. So, Cavaliers out of luck lost this tight encounter where defences
ruled the day. Outstanding performances from several was capped by some exquisite
tackling from David Stephenson who time and again, stopped his winger from making
significant in roads in to the Cavaliers defence.
After a two-hour break the Cavaliers took to the field again against the South
Africans and this was a thoroughly enjoyable game with both sides competing well
and fairly. Played on the Astro this time, the game was a great advert for seniors
hockey. The damp grass in previous games was a dominant feature which made a
flowing game difficult.
A reinvigorated Heygate, on the edge of the D, received and controlled a bullett
of a cross from the left, let one go straight at the keeper who saved and the
rebound went straight to Heygate again who dispatched the ball with a thunderous
shot leaving the keeper with little chance of another save. 1 nil up, the
Cavaliers looked good but did not really control the game enough to stretch the
lead. Indeed it was the South Africans who not only equalised but took the lead
and then extended it again after some good play. A good game made all the better
due to the friendly apposition and the respect shown to each other. Much beer was
shared in the tent afterwards and tentative plans were set in motion for a visit
to South Africa some time next year?
The third game of the day was against the New Zealanders who were equally friendly
but were somewhat less organised than the either the Germans or the South
Africans. They had eleven players but no keeper! Barry Bradley openend the scoring
for the Cavaliers but somehow they failed to improve on the lead due to some
dogged defending and some tired legs! Bruce Christie was once again influential
and tested the all blacks defence time and again with some good runs and
distribution to both flanks. Crucially it was Christie who had to leave the field
with a nasty blow to the thumb which turned black very quickly. Without his
creativity the Cavaliers lost their shape, allowing the New Zealanders through and
at the death scored an equaliser. Whistle blown - game over. More Frustration!
Back to the tent, more beers and much jollity was had by all. No blue cards today
but during the evening team meal back at the hotel, two medals were presented. One
to Clive Lloyd for his excellent leadership of the team and the whole event itself
and the other to Cookie who apparently won 'dick of the day' for dissent when in a
game the previous match day, sought to offer an observation to the umpire who like
Wyatt Erp, drew his card like lightening and Cookie had no chance!
Last day of matches tomorrow. As yet, Cavaliers have won one, drawn one and lost
three. All to play for! ' Do you ken what I mean, Jimmy! '
Och I ! Jimmy!
Best wishes from Edinburgh!
Richard Cook
