RYE – Field Hockey New York

All the ingredients were there. Top of the table Rye versus the defending champs in a Gladiator style, duke it out battle for pre-winter league supremacy. On our side we had the complete cast of swordsman and fighters – including a bearded Russell Crowe wannabe in central midfield – and on their side… well, let’s not take this analogy too far. Given Rye came away 7-0 victors on one of those days everything goes right, there’s no need to push it too far.

Pre-game everything went according to script, except Herr Kapitan who rambled on for way longer than usual, which means it was probably something important. I think it was about the game, but could have been about hops and barley – who knows? Anyway, something was clearly different, and at this point it became apparent: an unhealthy proportion of Germanic tribes in the Rye line-up. Fortunately this has not yet influenced our erratic style of play, but it’s certainly one to keep an eye on – and particularly the goal count, which hasn’t been affected yet.

Back to the hockey, and what can be said is goals, goals, goals. After a quite frankly weird first half – that is, a half where your team is losing in every statistic except for ‘goals’ – Rye found themselves 3-0 in front thanks twice to Stutz and once to Sandhu. Three real chances, three goals and no real idea how. Perfect exection of Plan C – the ‘in front by accident’ plan.

Herr Kapitan went for another lengthy soliliqoy at half-time. In a stroke of genius it was concluded that allowing opponents waltz about central midfield unchecked was counter-productive to our cause. Now that’s what I call a hockey brain! An increase of personnel into the middle by +1 was implemented and it worked beautifully.

Plan C almost miraculously transformed into Plan A. A dominant second half performance from Rye across the park saw four more goals. One beautiful finish from the top right of the D into the bottom left side net by Sandhu and a well taken low drag flick from Cheetham. Finally some improved finishing from central midfielder Anich; one rebound off the post cleanly flicked low into the net and one unstoppable shot into the roof of the net from the low right side of the D.

Three more valuable points making it seven wins from seven games going into the winter break . In fairness to Greenwich the scorline didn’t really reflect the game, since they put up a good fight and had a few chances – especially early on when the game was still undecided.

For Rye it is probably only complacency that is the number one enemy going into the second half of the season. See you all in March, and stay off the pies over Christmas.