Northampton Hockey Club - Saints El Clásico, The Old Firm Derby…Saints v Oundle! As local Derbys go, this one stands out in the calendar. Going to play away at Oundle, you know one thing - you’re going to get a match, and what a match it was!

From the outset M3s had intensity, good ball speed and multiple breaks into their 23. This persistence resulted in Dave G opening the scoring after a mazy run into the D from Lloydy. M3s continued to win the midfield battles however Oundle did scrape a goal back just before halftime.

Straight after the break, Dave G got his second for 2-1 and then Oundle came in strong. The defensive unit was solid, thwarting wave after wave of attacks with a number of dubious PCs awarded also! But, following a majestic break down the right hand side, with swift passing moving us out of Zone 1 and quickly through Zones 2/3 before Heath swept through the Oundle defense like a hot knife through butter, Dave G was positioned perfectly in the scoring zone to complete the hat-trick! Oundle did scramble a goal back in the last 5 mins to make it 3-2 but M3s held on to take a memorable victory!

A superb team performance from M3s and a sweet victory over some old adversaries!


It’s a WIN for Saints Ladies 3s!   It was a wet drizzly morning at Wrenn School. A determined and positive Saints team dominated the game throughout! Having the majority of possession, passing around to one another, not not panicking on the ball and getting into scoring zones. Goal from Kathryn Wallace in the first half. Earls Barton equalised in the second half from a short corner. Followed by two goals in quick succession from Flick and Ruby! Final score 3-1!  Everyone played so well today it was hard to pick a MOM. However MOM went to Jess Boult  for being absolutely everywhere on the pitch today. She was strong in defence working hard to win the ball and then pushed on up into attacking positions being an ultimate pivot supporting up front! DOD - Laura - having played at Wrenn School multiple times, managed to go to the wrong campus! (In my defence I just followed the sat nav). Congratulations Saints Ladies 3s!! 

*Saints 5s* 5-0 *Cov & N.War 3s*

Goalscorers:
*James O: 3* 
*Tim W: 1*
*Jed L: 1*

Assists:
*Tim W: 2*
*Julian H: 1 *
*James H: 1*
*Harry S: 1*

Great result going into our Biggest match for next week!
Great, calm, focused passing around.
James’ brilliant hatrick!
Harry’s amazing runs down the wing.
Ian’s solid pivots to move the ball around.

*MOTM: Harry S*
*DOTD: Tim W *

M4 5-0 Hampton in Arden IV

Business usual today as Saints kept pace at the top of the table. The visitors were no match for the Hometeam Hardcore and two short corner deflections from Simon McChambers opened the account. Further goals from Tiger “Tank” Hall, Jack Hill and Joe “Why is the Room Spinning?” Cliffe sealed victory for Northampton. Who have we got next week?

M6's 8-1 Leicester 4's
An amazing game for our first win of the season. We played some of the best hockey I have seen today, we managed to hold onto possession in their half and use it.
So for next week "Onnards and Upperds"

M2s came through a thriller at fortress Moulton in the late game vs Beeston 5s: 2-1 down and down to 10 men after just 20 minutes the second half looked like a mountain to climb. Stout defence and determined goalkeeping kept Saints  in the game and set up a grandstand finish: after a disallowed goal from Hamish, Dan B slid in a close range equaliser with less than 10 minutes to go. Further 2s pressure and another disallowed goal led to a short corner and eventually a penalty flick, calmly deposited in off the left post by Scott M (who had also scored the first with a low drive). The cheers had barely died down when the final whistle blew, the M2s taking a valuable 3 points and a memorable 3-2 victory.

Ladies 1s lost narrowly to University of Nottingham 2’s (2-1 )

In a game that was played at a really high tempo saints were unlucky not to be leading having weathered some early pressure. The uni managed to sneak a goal
Saints played some of heir best hockey of the season and levelled the game through Ruby who finished a great free flowing move. They were unlucky not to take the lead when Sophie narrowly fired past the far post.

The uni kept pressing and eventually they scored a very scrappy goal. Despite saints pushing hard the uni held out for a narrow win. Tough game that was played at really high pace and intensity and could have gone either.

Plenty of good things for the team to take from it.

L4s we’re away for a friendly match this week and unfortunately lost 6-0.
Though the score didn’t reflect the possession- it was about 50:50, but they had a very experienced side who just managed to get it past our defence at crucial moments. The back 3 played really well, with great marking and getting the ball back out to midfield. There was some brilliant drives up the pitch and some lovely passing through the other team. Great to see the boldness of some of the younger players putting pressure on the experienced opposition.
MOM to Hilary Gyde.
DOD to Hilary for having kickers on wrong feet (though at a time of need she stepped in which was very appreciated) and the umpire (who fell over!)