Hockey: Stoics v Old Stoics
15 November 2015
The girls’ 1st XI (aided by Ben Shamash) took on the first ever mixed Old Stoic side on Sunday 15 November. Fun was the name of the game and with a mixture of youthful exuberance and ageless wisdom, the Old Stoics started the match well, moving the ball nicely across Stowe’s new, bouncy pitch.
It wasn’t long until the infamous Ben Duckett’s (Grafton 13) backhand was unleashed and the Northants left handed batsman showed why his reverse sweep is one of his biggest weapons, hitting the ball into the net to make it 1-0. The girls stepped up their game and soon were creating pressure and opportunities in the opposition’s circle, only to be thwarted by Oleg Solovyev (Fifth Form, Temple) between the posts.
The Old Stoics then capitalised on some loose marking for the ball to be fired in from close range, giving goalkeeper Ben Shamash (Fourth Form, Chatham) no chance. 2-0. Finally it was time for the girls to show what they were made of; the ball came to Martha Combe (Fifth Form, Nugent), whose quick shot was neatly deflected by Tallula Douglas Miller (Fifth Form, Queen’s) on the back post. 2-1.
Within five minutes Tallula had another goal to her name as she managed to sneak the ball under the onrushing Oleg. The Old Stoics were having none of this though and with five minutes to go before half time slotted home another goalå to regain the lead 3-2.
The Old Stoics were first to score after the break to make it 4-2. Both teams started to take advantage of tiring legs and the game turned into an end to end spectacle. It was the Stoics who scored next, a goal line scrap led to Libby Flood (Fifth Form, Queen’s) putting one under the keeper and another soon followed to level the game 4-4.
Both teams had further chances to score the winning goal, but the final whistle sounded before either could take full advantage. It was a great game that was played in good spirits and a nice opportunity for Stoics old and current to mingle and compete in a friendly environment.
Luke Stone, Head of Hockey