Oxford Hawks Mens 6’s Vs Abingdon 3’s – 02.11.24

To Shower Or Not To Shower That Is The Question

Welcome to another Men’s 6th XI match report. For those readers who are new to the readership – here is a recap. The team are the Men’s section, official ‘Development side’ operating in Cherwell 1. You could argue that the team is idiomatic – whereby the word ‘development’ does not apply to over half the team!! Anyway, before today’s game the team were hovering around mid-table although with one team ‘cut’ from the league, another yet to register a point and another on -3 (yes negative) points it’s more ‘mid- laptray’!

The 6th XI is led by the enigmatic Venables and have won their last two games and another victory would make it three wins - quick maths!
And so, it was to be...a master class of finishing by the legend – Lairdy – securing a hat-trick including a last-minute winner with a devastating run down the right and along the baseline; the other two finishes required moments of magic from FinL and MaRC to provide the assists. However, there is no i in ‘team’, now that’s an idiom (although there is an i in Lairdy!) and tremendous performances were required from the rest of the team. Terrorising the opposition down the right were the development portion of the club – FinH (who’s made some lung bursting runs) and Gabes who played some delightful hockey, connecting superbly with MaRC – whose sublime stick skills are always great to watch.

It is fair to say that Gillers usual reliable touch and impact on the game had evaded them in the first half but an outstanding performance in the second nullified the oppositions talented midfield – ably assisted by the ‘old youngster’ - Hudders and OliT both working tirelessly in the engine room. Of course, any victory must have a solid defence and Pablo and JP were imperious nullifying many attacking threats. WillK got better and better throughout the game as the confidence grew culminating in a through the legs – Pabloesque - pass down the line – audacious! As a consequence, DJ was getting plenty of ball down the left and breaking through the oppo’s defensive line. However, the player of the match went to the keeper WillG (there was an actual vote rather than the usual diktat from the skipper) making some superb saves.

Finally, the fixture saw the introduction of the new post-match routine! Despite the shock waves reverberating through the team, we have the answer to ‘that’ question!