2nd Xl battle hard, but come up short

The 2s travelled to Holly Bush Lane buoyed by the knowledge that they had played some of their best hockey the week before, but also with the reality that they had still lost. They turned up to see that the Sevenoaks’ side they were to face did not have the predominance of youth that they were used to seeing there, but was entirely made up of more experienced practitioners, who had probably played at a pretty decent level in the past. In fact, the opposition had already shown their experience by lulling the Valence team into a false sense of security by sending a message that they were going down the pub for the rugby before the game.
It soon became clear that whatever they had been drinking had probably helped rather than hindered. Despite being relatively mature, Sevenoaks moved very well and instinctively used their experience to make sure they were in the right place at the right time, enabling them to both latch onto passes going forward and intercept Valence’s efforts to move it the other way.
It would be fair to say that Sutton Valence had scant opportunity in the first half and went in one-nil down thanks to a well worked short corner from Sevenoaks. However, they were by no means out of it, were battling well, and definitely felt they could get something from the game. Just before the break James Willmott had shown his own experience but hoofing the ball clear from well inside his own 16 and watching it travel all the way up the pitch only about 20cm from the sideline, before somehow developing enough spin to veer off just before the corner flag. An admiring “Ah, you can’t teach that” was heard from the opposition bench.
Much to the two Sevenoaks’ umpires’ surprise, during the break John Edmed emerged, butterfly-like, from the cocoon of the goal keeper’s protective gear and passed it on, already sweat lubricated, to Mark Whitmill. Credit should go to both for their versatility and willingness to help out.
Unfortunately, there was soon more action in the Sutton Valence D at the start of second half and they went another goal down. It is a credit to the 2nd Xl that when they do go behind, they keep working and working to find a way back and they did indeed create many more opportunities in the second half, but somehow it just didn’t happen for them. If effort counted for anything, they would have scored but, by pushing forwards and trying to make space, this inevitably left opportunities for the opposition and, frustratingly, Sevenoaks scored two more.
However, just reading the score line does not give a fair reflection of the game and afterwards one of the most experienced Sevenoaks players admitted that it had felt like a real battle for them. Having gone up, this is of course a new level for this Sutton Valence team, and they have certainly shown they can live with the hockey. Perhaps it is a case of upping the performance just a couple of per cent in every area rather than any fundamental issues. The team have been in a similar position a few seasons ago, after also being promoted, and then they managed to fight on, scrambling to stay in that League and then building to eventual promotion, so they know it can be done.

MoM: Seb O Leary

Team: Mark Whitmill, John Edmed, Alex Hodges, Steve Parker, Freddie Hulbert, Seb O Leary, Ben Tragett, Richard Turnill, Andy Barr, Chris Sheldon, Chris Stille, James Willmott & Ollie Laing
Umpire: Sevenoaks supplied both

The 2nd Xl are at home next week against Blackheath & Elthamians Heathens Xl – 12.45 am at Senior astro.

Match Report by Andy Barr.