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O.P.M. HOCKEY CLUB

2nd XI Match Reports

Season 2008/2009

01/11/2008 (A) vs Dart B, South Western District 1

Score: Dart B 3-3 O.P.M. A
OPM Scorers: Gareth Logan, Gary Tuckett, Rob Blake
Ian Stone, Tim Chalmers, Nick Middleton


17/01/2009 (H) vs Plymouth Marjon E, South Western District 1
by Ian Johnson

Yes, we always should have won but with skipper Honey absent with Miss Whiplash on the piste it was a woory( a bit like a worry but worse). Fear not....call up the youngsters, Jake and Shaun, easily recognisable by unkempt hair and teenage angst. But they fitted in like well oiled thing in another well-oiled sockety thing. In fact, Jake scored 4!!!-club record on a debut?

But everyone was on fire:Gary at centre back, centre mid and centre forward looked like he was on steroids (and scored!) and Stoney was reputedly seen in the opponent's 'D' on more than 2 occasions. Luckily, The Rock, Carl, was there to cover the old farts.

Passing was often slick and the second goal was just orgasmic as the ball whistled across the pitch at speeds not seen since Rob Logan did a runner from a curry house in Plympton in 1998 but tripped over a stray oinion ( a bit like an onion but much stronger) bajee and lost the last remnants of hair on sizzling lamb Korma with a sag aloo side dish and pilau rice.

Colin is back. Younger, fitter and more virile than before. Potent. Yes potent! Rob Blake is a terrier; OK not Crufts but certainly he would grace Battersea Dogs Home! Ian J ran a lot! Tim did bugger all! Last mention is for 2 more experienced stalwarts. Gareth realising his pace was not needed today!! held back and then scores a goal of sublime sophistication to show the youngsters that life is not over at 22....Pincher was immense prowling down the right like a lion on heat tearing into their defence, ripping.....ok I'll stop now.

Score: O.P.M. A 6-1 Plymouth Marjon E
OPM Scorers: Jake Abbot (4) (MoM), Gareth Logan, Gary Tuckett
Gareth Logan


21/02/2009 (A) vs Plymouth Marjon D, South Western District 1
by Ian Stone

A sunny day looked promising but then when Pete informed us we only had 8 players the clouds started to appear. luckily like a spark of sunlight on a winters day Rob logan stepped in to play the first half before rushing off to umpire in Torbay. rob nearly got man of the match but as he didnt get the usual logan yellow card it was decided all votes were void.

To the game...
the game started off on the back foot with a young marjohns side passing the ball with skill and patient build up but the OPM defence held out, Rob was always a threat up front with Pete helping out. Johnners was immense seeming to be everywhere and piers making good runs on the wing. Marjohns took an early lead but OPMs didnt give up, old player Dan came back to score against his former team but Marjohns never ran away with the game.

2nd half started off with Logan changing his mind and staying on for another 10 min (hero!!!) but when he went off the key moment of the game- despite a fantastic 1st half johnners left his passing abilities in the dugout and whilst trying to clear the ball from his own D managed to smash Colins fingers with his stick which led to a lot of blood and a green for Ian J (not really sure why something about breaking down play which stoney found amusing) with Logan snr whisking his way to torbay and A&E operating on Colins fingers OPM's were down to 7 players but all played well and Marjohns were unable to break down the resilliant defence. At times it felt like Rourks drift but the defence of Stoney, Ali (who made tackle after tackle despite actually dying inthe first half and having to have his heart started every 38 seconds) and Carl who seemed to tackle every red player on the pitch. Funniest moment of game was Tims new 16yd hit plan, hit to him, he then flicks ball up and kicks it to Pete over half way line (or just outside the D and then moan about the decision)

All OPM players should feel proud how hard they worked and if ive forgotton to mention you you must try harder to get noticed (pincher!!!!!!)

Score: Plymouth Marjon D 2-0 O.P.M. A
Team: Tim C, Ian S, A Rose, Carl, Johnners, Pete H, Piers, Colin, Pincher and not forgetting Rob L
Ian Johnson


07/03/2009 (A) vs Dart A, South Western District 1
by Ian Johnson

St. James School, Exeter
This was never going to be an easy encounter especially without 11 but that situation worsened as I player dropped out with minutes to go and Rob H confirming he would be late for the start. Truro 8 all over again? Piers telephoned his Dad who sacrificed his lunchtime pint and turned out-what a star! By the time Rob H arrived, however, we were 2-0 down but his presence made a big difference. Both he and Ben Lock worked well down the right and worried their defence.

But this wasn't the repeat of the tight game we had delivered earlier in the season and the defence of Tim, Stoney and Ian J were very, very busy! But for Tim it would have been double figures. Ant ran manfully up front and Rob B and Pete worked like Trojans to cut down the space in midfield. Our cause wasn't helped by some strange umpiring decisions and a very slow pitch. On the left the Critchlows, Dad Steve and Piers, were heroic and the elder made a one-handed goal saving tackle to die for.

Looking at the positives-2 players made their debuts and Ben looks like he'll fit in well. Pete's slicked hair was impressive and a fitting tribute to ' The Godfather', 'Sopranos' and 'Goodfellas'.

Score: Dart A 5-0 O.P.M. A
MoM: Ian Stone & Tim Chalmers