WINLESS IN WINCHESTER

The Men's 1st Team run of 18 league games unbeaten stretching back to the 31st October 2015 ended with a sobering and brutal bump away at Winchester after a bruising battle. It was probably one of the weakest BOE performances of recent times and the physicality of the mature Winchester team wasn't really challenged and overawed some of our youthful team.

After a long journey down to Hampshire, the BOE boys were ready to make good progress from the last game against West Hampstead which ended in a frustrating 4-4 draw but with an impressive display. A strong start from Winchester put BOE under some early pressure but BOE held their ground until a penalty corner was converted to put Winchester 1-0 up 10 minutes before half time. The Winchester penalty corner routine is a cornerstone of their game and something they'll clearly look to exploit this season as an outlet for goals. And so it was that after another couple of quick Winchester attacks with them pushing for fouls or slip ups in the final 23 two more penalty corner goals were awarded and put away. Alas BOE were on the back foot going into half time 3-0 down and chasing the game.

Ready to make amends, BOE pushed hard at the start of the second half with some excellent attacking plays down the right hand side from David Lawrence and Sacha DeMarigny. Unfortunately a couple of BOE penalty corners which could put us back into the game were not converted and the overt physical approach of Winchester was showing and taking its toll. An fine individual display from ex-GB player Rob Moore, saw the opposition extend their lead to 4-0 with a rare open play goal. Shortly after (as was their tactic - they looked for them and we gave them away - not always agreeably!) a couple more well converted penalty corners gave Winchester an unassailable 6-0 lead.

Unfortunately, not the result that was hoped for but a lesson learned about the physicality at this level of hockey. It's fair to say the team missed the passion, drive and commitment of their enigmatic Captain Chris Harden but they need to know how to step up when he isn't there. Nevertheless it's very early days and 4 points from three games is still a positive start to the campaign. All talk of promotion or relegation or final league standings is very premature the lads hope to get back on track with back to back home game wins over the next couple of weeks.