MyMarlow’s sports reports are back – thanks to our new sports reporter Cameron Beazley-Clarke! In his first report, Cameron brings us all the details of Marlow Hockey Club’s final week of the season:
In what would be an entertaining final weekend of South Central league hockey, the men’s third team achieved promotion while the M1s, M2s and L1s all finished second in their respective leagues.
Men’s 3s v Leighton Buzzard
An eagerly anticipated match-up between the Men’s 3s and Leighton Buzzard drew in a huge crowd as a win was enough to secure promotion from South Central North Division 3. Captained by Ben Horan, the side dominated throughout storming to a 5-2 victory. Dan Merrell scored a back post tap in after some brilliant team interchange play down the wing. The pick of the goals was a hit from the baseline at an acute angle from Dan Couldrake and, after some lacklustre defending from Leighton Buzzard, a first-time volley from the top of the circle from Dan Strange. Couldrake completed his hattrick after scoring from the penalty spot and a superb deflection.
Men’s 2s vs Aylesbury 1s
Next up were the men’s 2nd team as they went into the final game of the season knowing that a win against Aylesbury 1s and the hope that Oxford Hawks 3s dropped points against bottom placed Milton Keynes 2s would gain them promotion. In usual Marlow fashion the M2s got off to a fast start with James Ashburner scoring in the 11th minute soon to be followed by an Aylesbury equaliser two minutes later. Marlow responded through two well taken goals by Chris Sewell and Jonny Mee making the score 3-1. Dan field scored his customary goal in the 68th minute to secure the points. A consolation goal with a minute to spare from Aylesbury made the final score 4-2 to Marlow. There was a long and anxious wait for the Oxford Hawks result to come through. Unfortunately, it was not meant to be Marlow’s day as Hawks comfortably dispatched Milton Keynes 4-1. However, there was still slight hope for 2nd Team promotion knowing that two teams would be promoted from South Central Division 1 North if Oxford University beat Hampstead & Westminster M2 in England Hockey Men’s Conference East on Sunday. The University put up a good fight in a close encounter, but H&W ultimately prevailed winning the game 2-1. Heartbreak for the M2s as all hope of promotion was extinguished.
Ladies 1’s vs Henley
In the 2.45pm game at Marlow Sports Club the ladies 1st team got off to a lightning start with Beth Halbard scoring within five minutes of push back. Marlow were in complete control during the first half and Zoe Clarke added a second just before half time. Despite Marlow obtaining injuries throughout the game, Halbard scored her second in the 68th minute to seal an excellent 3-0 win and cap off a very good season. Marlow consolidated second place in the league finishing on 48 points leapfrogging Oxford Hawks 2s after they were held to a 1-1 draw against Sonning. After missing out on promotion this season securing a place in National League next year will surely be the priority for this highly talented young side.
Elsewhere in the ladies’ section there was a mixed bag of results. The 1st, 4th and 6th XI picked up wins against Henley, Oxford Hawks and Reading respectively. The Ladies third team shared the points with Wallingford while the L2, L5 and L7s all came away empty handed.
Women’s results:
- L1 vs Henley (H) 3-0 W
- L2 vs Banbury (A) 1-3 L
- L3 vs Wallingford (A) 2-2 D
- L4 vs Oxford Hawks (H) 2-1 W
- L5 vs Reading (A) 0-4 L
- L6 vs Reading (H) 3-1 W
- L7 vs Windsor (A) 0-4 L
Men’s 1s vs Henley
The Men’s first team played out the final game of the day in the evening sun against Henley M1. Marlow sought revenge after losing 2-1 to Henley away from home prior to Christmas. This time they would be victorious after a convincing 6-2 display. Henley scored first after a blistering counterattack. Cal White responded with a penalty corner goal followed by his second goal of the game on 33 minutes. Henley converted a minute later (through an unfortunate Sam North own goal) to make the score 2-2. Just before the half time whistle, Cameron Beazley-Clarke put Marlow back into the lead again taking his tally to 13 for the season. Marlow started the second half with a bang, a goal courtesy of Josh Covus. Marlow hit cruise control and romped to a 6-2 victory with Cal White adding to his brace and Ollie Green adding the sixth. Marlow finished the season in second place, missing out to Banbury HC on National League promotion. Cal White finishes an incredible personal season with eight hattricks and a goal tally of 36 – two more league goals than rivals Maidenhead scored in total for the season(!).
In similar fashion to the women’s teams, the men provided us with an excellent day of hockey. The M1s, 2s, 3s, 4s all won their final games of the season. The M5s were the only team not to get maximum points on the day after a 3-2 loss against Henley. The M6s played their final game on 18th March and the M7s game vs Eastcote was cancelled.
Men’s results:
- M1 vs Henley (H) 6-2 W
- M2 vs Aylesbury (A) 2-4 W
- M3 vs Leighton Buzzard (H) 5-2 W
- M4 vs Leighton Buzzard (A) 2-0 W
- M5 vs Henley (A) 2-3 L
- M6 NO LEAGUE GAME
- M7 vs Eastcote – CANCELLED
