Stratford IV 2 Stratford V 2
 
In a needle match the two most successful mens teams took to a pitch that played like a skating rink. The fourth team were into their stride first with Simon Cossey showing an unexpected turn of speed latching onto a squarish ball from Funnell to slide home the first. Not to be outdone the fifths hit back when a superb run by Andy Townsin following an intricate passing movement involving the Hazell brothers for his first goal in five seasons.
Half time was celebrated with a traditional glass of port, which fired up both teams. Nigel Wood the "Peter Pan" of Stratfdord hockey club was soon into the action and despite heroic efforts from goalkeeper James Hook he gave the fourth team the lead. Debutante Richard Whittington having recently move to the club from London gave an outstanding performance in midfield for the fifths who for large parts of the second half were the better team. They clinched the equaliser with a goal that was something of a pantomime effort with Giles Stagg losing the ball behind him and the rest of the defense doing a disappearing act. Ashley Adams took centre stage with a mazydribble and Mark Newman appeared like the genie from the lamp to squeeze the ball in at the far post. An enjoyable match to send both teams into the Christmas break in good spirit.

---

New! Receive and respond to mail from other email accounts from within Hotmail Find out how.