Men's 2nd XI vs London Wayfarers Vikings

A beautiful day at The Hogg as the M2s started their league campaign, still scarred from the injustices of last season's relegation. Our opponents were our (new) neighbours, London Wayfarers. A gulf in class was evident before the game started, Richmond looking resplendent in club kit unlike Worzel Gummidge and friends at the other end who were wearing a wide range of different colours with hardly a number in sight.

The first 15 minutes were pretty scrappy, both sides struggling to remember that hockey is a team game. Wayfarers were first to strike. A fairly unthreatening break down the left and a weak cross/shot that somehow was deflected into the goal by returning keeper Nat - his first goal for the club!

Richmond woke up. Mike Truell thundered a tomahawk at goal which hit the keeper, the cross bar and the post but somehow stayed out. Your author awarded Richmond a pc and from a re-award Ahmad scrambled the ball home. The half ended with debutant Calum attempting to launch a hockey ball into orbit with a reverse stick effort. The ball did return to Earth a few minutes later although with a light dusting of snow.

1-1 at half time. Richmond rather lamely suggested that the lack of numbers on Wayfarers shirts was affecting their performance but their protests were quickly dismissed by the umpires. Arj said his piece and off we went.

Mike Truell swivelled and hit an unstoppable shot to give Richmond the lead early in the second half but the next minutes were very nervy and Wayfarers nearly struck back, Nat making up for his earlier indiscretion.

The third was our best, Charlie G breaking the line and dropping a perfect pass under his arm to Ahmad who gleefully swept home his second. Sibs then added a fourth with a topped effort that somehow bobbled through the keepers legs and Truell added the fifth with a fine finish 1 on 1 with the keeper.

Special mentions:

Captain Tim and JB off to the world cup

MoM: Charlie G

DoD: Calum for the aforementioned satellite launch

Sibs, Matt, Joly and Rosey for umpiring