Berkhamsted Mixed Hockey Tournament
Sunday 23rd May 2010
The occasional mixed hockey side from Aylesbury, The Out Of Sorts, travelled to Berkhamsted hockey club this weekend for the annual mixed tournament. Following an unbeaten season on the road The Out of Sorts were looking to finish on a high by picking up a trophy. In the blazing summer heat all the teams taking part appeared to start off with an additional zip about them. First up for the Aylesbury side were the very youthful HHH who looked full of confidence as they played the ball about on the emerald coloured and well manicured grass outside the Berkhamsted clubhouse. HHH didn't convert this early possession into any clear chances though, and Aylesbury gradually began to exert themselves with the fruits of their own youth policy now showing what a couple of year's experience could add with Pridgeon, Bond, Hughes and Kiely moving the ball round well. With this increased dominance Aylesbury soon began to score goals with Gurney slotting home 2 from close range, James and L. Brooks with two well taken goals and Hughes making the most of Aylesbury's dominance to finish off a 5-0 victory.
Next up were one of the home Berkhamsted sides, who's physical approach, combined with some laissez-faire umpiring towards protecting health and safety meant it was a fractuous game. Again though Collis in goal was untroubled besides ensuring he drank enough water to rehydrate after a long journey to the ground. With Dickson showing why she has been such a force in mixed hockey this season, combining well with former Berkhamsted star Locke, to dominate the midfield for long periods and wear the opposition down in the draining heat. The pace of Best and T.Brooks on the left in particular caused problems for their experienced but ageing Berkhamsted team. Aylesbury's superior speed and fitness eventually told with James showing her class to grab the only goal in a tight game.
Halfway through the group stages Aylesbury were looking strong, although there was some excellent hockey taking place in Pool B with last year's winners seemingly scoring at will and running rings round opponents. But with so much strength and depth in the Aylesbury side with Kiely and Yeo able to interchange seemlessly, Locke putting his body on the line, Bond and Dickson leading from midfield, and the Brooks twins causing havoc wherever they showed up, the Out of Sorts felt confident going into the second half of the tournament.
Against a team that had travelled all the way from Scotland Aylesbury seemed to struggle to find the fluidity of play from earlier games, and it took Yeo at the back to shore thing up for them, and maintain their excellent defensive record. With the stunning James coming off the back of winning top goal scorer, and for some observers a close run thing for player of the season, at the previous night's award ceremony held by Aylesbury H.C, causing all sorts of problems for the opposition Aylesbury always looked dangerous and she eventually got off the mark in this game, and goals followed for Best and L.Brooks and Gurney to seal a fine 4-0 win.
In the final group game, Aylesbury were up against a team with serious pretentions of winning the tournament themselves. The fast paced start saw Aylesbury's player of the tournamet, Austin, cut through the The Tango's team like a hot knife through butter and run a full 50 yards before setting up Gurney for a goal he couldn't miss from 5 yards out. 1-0 up after 12 seconds, breaking the 30 year club record of 15 seconds set by Waddell Wilson. From that point Aylesbury fought a long midfield battle with Bond, Best and Pridgeon all showing pace and strong tackling to put up a defensive pallisade and break down any danger before it troubled Collis in goal, and with Austin backing them up they were able to shut out the opposition for the 4th straight clean sheet and a win which saw them through to the final the next day.
After a good night sleep, rehydration and plenty of stretching to avoid cramping up Aylesbury looked sprightly and energetic for the final against previous winners The Upstarts. With the same laissez-faire approach to the interpretation of the rules from the umpires Aylesbury struggled to find their rhythm, despite the constant running from James who played on despite her boots literally falling apart, and Best who hardly got a decision his way all day. The game was fast paced, hard fought and unusually open despite few chances. With Aylesbury's midfield of Pridgeon, Bond and Dickson playing some decadent hockey, as the clock ticked down both sides won short corners and looked to finish before entering Golden Goal extra time. The capacity crowd though were hoping for more of this exciting and dynamic hockey, and af full-time both sides took on fluids and prepared for the excitement of Golden Goal.
Both teams looked slightly nervous with basic mistakes creeping in, but the mix of experience and talent that Aylesbury have brought to this mixed side suddenly reaped it's benefits when T Brooks intercepted the ball, passed to Best, who feed the ball to Bond. Bond threaded a ball through to James who unselfishly found a perfect ball to L Brooks who spun on a sixpence shot from the top of the D to beat the keepers right foot with pinpoint accuracy and win the tournament for the Out of Sorts and spark wild celebrations amongst the travelling fans. 5 clean sheets in five games for Collis and the defence led by Austin, 12 goals in 5 games with 4 for Gurney, and 3 each for James and L.Brooks, The Out of Sorts really showed why they have been unbeaten all season.
The team was made up of:
Andy Austin, Dan Best, Kevin Bond, Liz Brooks, Tiz Brooks, Phil Collis, Angela Dickson, Ed Gurney, Andy Hughes, Tash James, Becky Kiely, Richard Locke, Simon Pridgeon and Kim Yeo.