An indulgence of hockey was the order of the day for this fine Club’s Chairman & 2nd Team Player/Coach Edd Thorogood. It began with an early morning visit to Lee Valley Hockey Centre at the Olympic Park in Stratford to watch Kent powerhouses Holcombe vs Canterbury in the EH Men’s National Finals Playoffs. (To the uninitiated Lee Valley is the fantastic new stadium dubbed the ‘Wembley of Hockey’ as sampled by our juniors at a special coaching session on the pitch two weeks ago.)

A 20 min dash and dive under the river culminated with a top class blag into the EH VIP Car Park adjacent to the pitch – we’ll get our ‘forgotten’ accreditation passes reprinted at reception later……um…..yeah. Bacon butties and caffeine were taken on as we sought our seats. However, before our cheeks touched plastic the torrential downpour forced us to ‘relocate’ and ‘borrow’ some seats in the main covered stand behind the Canterbury HC bench. A friendly wave and nod of acknowledgement was made to former Blackheath player Matt Burton-Bowen who now plays for Canterbury and the battle commenced. A very enjoyable and competitive 1-1 draw played out with Barry Middleton and Kwame Brown giving impressive performances for both teams (Matt BB also played very well). Our own Mr Brown of the bald Vice President variety was also spotted with a brood of young pretenders catching a glimpse of the top class hockey he dutifully informed them he used to play back in the day and replicates in short but semi-effective spurts every week for the Mighty 3s.

A tactical withdrawal was then made so we could return ourselves to that other Mecca of Hockey: College Meadow for the 2s game at 1pm. BOEHC were now the hosts to another Canterbury side: the no less formidable 4th XI following the cancellation of the original fixture back in December. The South side of the river was now resplendent in sunshine and The Meadow was looking beautiful with the earlier rain giving the pitch some pace. Perfect conditions for hockey.

Team spirits were high with few signs of hangovers or Andrew Clover style no-shows. The 2s were also at full strength with Nathan Bullens stepping into the nets for the absent James Florence and Rob Hughes deputising for the injured Erik DeWitt. Appointed Umpires were conscious and alert. All set for some Meadow Magic.

The match started well for BOE and they dominated the early passages carving out several chances down the left flank courtesy of some excellent passing from the impressive Tanawa at LH. The pace of Powell, Wickenden and Archie was causing continuous concern to the Canterbury backline and Morrison was finding lots of space at CH to dictate the play. BOE made numerous D penetrations and won some clever PC’s but couldn’t find that final goal scoring touch or flair to get ahead. So, as it has often been on many occasions all season for the 2s, their inability to be clinical and finish the chances carved out by some great build up work was punished. A unnecessary moment of pressure on the right of the BOE defence saw a silly turnover and Canterbury gratefully took advantage of an overload to slot the ball home beyond a despairing Nathan Bullens who until that point had little to do. There were hints of a Canterbury foot in the build up but the Umps disagreed and the goal stood. BOEHC were playing some terrific hockey and didn’t deserve to be 1-0 down but the need for one extra touch, holding onto the ball too long and a lack of impulse in the D saw all their efforts come to nothing. A ‘self-tackle’ when one-on-one with the GK inside the D from Edd Thorogood which saw him dump himself onto his backside after getting his feet all wrong and entwined with his own stick epitomised the 2s lack of quality finishing. Half-time came with Canterbury nursing a small 1-0 advantage. The expected re-group, re-charge, re-engage with calls for sharper finishing and more direct hockey dominated the team talk and the 2s came back hungry.

The second half was a very different affair which BOE dominated from start to finish. The lads stepped up a gear and left Canterbury wanting. They played how they knew they could. It all clicked. Scott Dow marauded tirelessly down the right delivering wave after wave of opportunities and Prem 'Zayne Malik' Mawaha was getting plenty of success at inside left with his wobble drawing numerous fouls and giving BOE plenty of PC’s. Andy Slack was unstoppable in midfield bursting through with mazy runs and lay offs bamboozling the Canterbury defence. Aran Tanawa opened the BOE account slotting home from a well-worked PC. This signalled the opening of the floodgates as the team plundered the opposition goal. Two goals for MoTM Prem Mawaha – the second of which was a thunderous half volley cover drive from the top of the D any international batsmen would’ve been proud of. These goals were his first for the 2s this season despite plenty of efforts - leaving the band was clearly a good decision. Another goal for Tanawa and the effervescent MoTM runner up Scott Dow grabbed another. DotD went to James Morrison for his laughable attempt to ‘showboat sweep’ himself a goal on the p-spot when a simple finish would’ve sufficed.

It was an impressive turnaround as BOEHC found themselves 5-1 up at the final whistle. This victory marked legendary Captain Derwyn Baillie’s 50th win as 2nd Team Skipper. A very fitting and successful stat to take away as he now sadly steps down from this position. Great work fella.

The day was also the debut of the new bar & catering set-up at College Meadow led by Darren Scott-Fleuret that will serve OE’s Cricket Club and ourselves in the future. I’m happy to report the debut was nothing short of outstanding. (see attached pictures). The Clubhouse was finally operating and delivering to the levels of catering, service and quality we'd always hoped would transpire at this tremendous facility. The place was transformed and the post match experience was faultless. The food (Pasta & Meatballs with spicy tomato sauce with Garlic Bread plus Lemon Sponge cake since you asked?) was superb and served at table-clothed tables with proper plates and cutlery. Plenty of it and very tasty. Seeing both teams sit and eat together with the umpires and ‘debrief’ the match was very pleasing. The bar was cleaned & spruced up, restocked (lots more drink options) and glittering with a very good array of food and refreshments – burgers, chips, sandwiches, hot drinks, cakes and snacks etc… available to order all day. Excellent chalk written menus & pricelists plus beermats on tables. A new glass washer ensured plastic was a thing of the past. Very impressive. The two female bar staff were wonderfully friendly, helpful and hospitable. I enjoyed a tea and a homemade Choc Brownie (50p!!) pre-match which were delicious. I cannot fault it. No more polystyrene plates, plastic cutlery and plastic pint cups. All the members present were raving about it and Canterbury were hugely impressed, informing us that it was the best post-match hospitality they'd experienced all season. Yes the day was quiet with only one game and a few spectators so not a fair reflection of a usual match day but it was hugely appreciated and if this is a sign of things to come then College Meadow will become busier and more popular as a ‘go to’ place. A true social hub. Once OECC and ourselves have installed the clubs various photos, pictures and memorabilia around the Pavilion (we’ve now been allowed to do this) the place is going to be a wonderful facility and a true clubhouse we can be proud of. A bright future ahead. A fantastic day on and off the field. Good times.