'TRAINS. LIFTS & HOCKEY STICKS'

11:30.

11:30 they said. That was the agreed time.

11:30 meet at Paddington for the 11:57 to Marlow.

Well, Josh Self’s message at 10:45 to say he had now secured a lift meant that the Blackheath 1s, who had initially intended to march as a merry band of 15 men on the train, were reduced to just 4 commuters. It wasn’t the ideal start, but the leg room was spacious and the conversation of a more sophisticated taste compared to previous team train journeys.

Arriving at 13:01, as per given instructions on the pre-game plan, the 4 boys requested a lift from the other playing members of the side who had arrived at the venue. To no avail. The venue is too far to walk, particularly with some mediocre hamstrings within the set up. So a cab was ordered.

Done. The boys had arrived.

A wonderful set up, with a turf graced by many international sportsmen, Bisham Abbey provided the backdrop to the opening game of the season. Notoriously, Wycombe are a well-drilled side with some skilful individuals, and this year proved to be no different.

BEHC started well with Charlie Speller opening his account for the season after a goal line scramble. No need to describe the goal in detail. Essentially, the ball broke free about 1/3 of a yard out. Any further and you’d be backing Charlie to miss it. But he didn’t, so well done Charlie. 1-0.

This early lead was shortly cancelled out after a reverse cross/shot was deflected into the BEHC goal. 1-1.

BEHC then scored from a wonderful flowing move with a reverse stick strike from Chris Harden.. 2-1.

The second half started with BEHC again the dominant side. As mentioned Charlie Speller opened his account for the season earlier in the day, and it wasn’t long before he shortly closed his account for the season too. Perhaps I was slightly harsh on Charlie earlier, as his next goal was a thing of beauty. Another goal line scramble, and possibly this time not much more than a stick length out, he picked his spot, and topped it into the backboard. 3–1.

Wycombe grew back into the game and pounced on BEHC errors sharply. It wasn’t long before they were back in the game at 3-3.

In truth, the game ebbed and flowed, and BEHC may well look back and wonder what could have been. Nevertheless, it was a solid platform to build on for this season, and the boys will be looking to secure all 3 points this Saturday, at home to West Hampstead.

MOM: Charlie
DOD: Josh Self