Team Captains and budding journalists

Feel free to send in match reports whenever you want. We can usually publish them here within a few hours of receiving them. Email Steve at otterycrickets@live.co.uk; a headline for the report would be a bonus. Attach a photo if you've got a good one, preferably 1000 pixels or more along the long side, but any size considered.

Men's 1st XI (South Division 1) 4th Feb 2012

Ottery Crickets 1 (1) - (0) 1 Ashmoor   

Scorers: Bell                                       Green                  

Having defeated Ashmoor in the league back in October in Exeter, Crickets were looking forward to pulling off a repeat at home.  Despite Ashmoor’s 3rd place in the league, it was Crickets, with one of their strongest squads of the season, who started confidently.

The visitors’ game play followed a familiar pattern: a mix of power-play using their quick loan forward, well connected build up play and 23M to 23M aerial assaults. Crickets countered well and exploited space down the left with Brooker and Ogborne linking well to release forwards Bell and Fraser. Ashmoor managed to snuff out Crickets’ attacks and threatened themselves from several short corners for which Frood was required to make a couple of quality saves, including a high goal bound drag flick which he managed to tip over. 

Crickets reorganised when Windy limped off and Jim Harris was introduced into the action for the first time after injuring his hand back in November. The game changing moment came when Tom Down ghosted past the left back, drove at pace to the bye-line and crossed perfectly for Mikey Bell who found himself free in front of the goal with only the keeper to beat.  Showing his coolness, Bell balanced himself, paused and calmly slipped the ball low into the goal, 1-0. It was nip and tuck for the rest of the half and the teams went into the half-time with Crickets shading the lead.

The second half was a very competitive affair as the game tightened up – with midfielders Gracie and King battling well. However, Crickets struggled for ideas going forward and defence-men Pursell, Brooker, Dockley and Harris had to work hard to keep Ashmoor out. The visitor’s breakthrough came from one of their several Penalty Corners; Green drove home from a well worked routine, 1-1. The game swung back into Crickets’ favour on two occasions when Ashmoor lost two players to ill-discipline. Unfortunately the nature of the offences and the reaction of the visiting players meant that the umpires felt it necessary to hold up the play to deal with matters, which brought the game to a grinding halt and negated any advantage Crickets might have had to take advantage. Despite several more forays into the Ashmoor D, and with Fraser causing all sorts of problems with his speed and close ball skills, they were unable to capitaltise. The game ended, not before Crickets lost Fraser to a yellow card in a tussle for the ball, with honours even.

Team: Frood, King, Brooker, Pursell, Miller (Harris), Ogborne, Gracie, Dockley, Down, Bell, Fraser.

Men's 1st XI (South Division 1) 28th Jan 2012

Ottery Crickets 1 (0) - (0) 2 Sidmouth   

Scorer: Bell

Hit by non-availability and injury for the second week, Crickets’ young team entered the game aiming to win the upper hand against the generally more senior Sidmouth in the South Div 1 local derby at the Colin Tooze Sports Centre.

It was to be a close game, played in a competitive and positive spirit by two teams who have had very similar fortunes in recent years. Sidmouth, who started the stronger, enjoyed extended periods of possession but created few clear chances.  With the only threats being a couple of penalty corners until the twenty minute mark, Sidmouth linked accurately to advance into the packed D to put the ball in the net after a scramble.  The umpires indicated a goal which resulted in caused consternation amongst the home defence who were concerned about a lifted high ball that had hit a defender in the move before the ball was netted.  With the Sidmouth team now back in their own half and ready for the re-start, the umpires consulted and the goal was disallowed.  It was nip and tuck through the first half, with Sidmouth playing the better possession hockey and with Ottery unable to create fluency in the final third - the half ended goal-less.

All the goals were to come in the second half. Frood in goal was called into action on several occasions to fend off Sidmouth’s attacks. It during a series of penalty corners that the visitors scored their first. With 20+ minutes gone, Frood and his defence men had done well to keep out both driven and lifted drag flicked penalty corners. Sidmouth were awarded another after a basic schoolboy Ottery error - failing to retreat the correct distance at a sideline hit in the 23m.  Crickets were unable to clear their lines and the visitor's Welch scored in the melée that followed. To their credit the home team’s response was almost immediate.  They broke, advancing into the opposition D, and with the Sidmouth goalkeeper stranded, Fraser found the he unmarked Sheaves who pushed the ball goal-wards from 5m, only for it to hit Rowson’s leg to deny Crickets a certain goal.  The umpires who both had good views of the incident immediately awarded a penalty flick but did not consider the need for a personal penalty for the defender for any suspicion of deliberately moving his legs together to prevent a goal. After demonstrating his capabilities in training during the week, Mikey Bell’s PF was coolness itself – dispatching the ball into the net before the keeper could react.

With both teams tiring, Crickets lost some of their shape and it was to be an un-necessary stick tackle high in the 23m that gifted Sidmouth their second goal from the Penalty corner.  Rowson, who had been involved in the PF incident at the other end only a few minutes earlier, received the ball high on the D and smashed it inside the left post with Frood stranded, 1-2.

Crickets continued to attack; the dynamic Fraser chased down a lost cause on the left base line, left the defender stranded and pushed across the goal for the lunging Bell who was only inches away from connecting.  The whistle went shortly afterwards with Sidmouth, who had played the more contained hockey, the victors in a very fair, pulsating game.

Squad: Frood, Jolly G, Down, Miller, Gracie, Ogborne, Dockley, Sheaves, King, Bell, Fraser, Slade  

Cricket’s next League game is on Sat 4th Feb 2012 vs Ashmoor at the Colin Tooze @ 2pm.  All supporters welcome.

Ladies 1st XI (Petroc Div 1) 21st Jan 2012

Kingsbridge & Salcombe 0 (0) - (1) 1 Ottery Crickets

Scorer: Williams

After a hard fought 1-0 win on Saturday against promotion rivals Kingsbridge and Salcombe, Ottery Crickets are top of the Petroc 1 league! It was an early start, pushing back at 10:30 at Kingsbridge, but Crickets started the game positively and dominated from the start. Maintaining the majority of the possession, it was only a matter of time before the ball hit the backboard. A pass into the 'D' to Rachael Down, who struck the ball, but it was a quick deflection from Jessica Williams which put the ball past the keeper. Crickets had a lot of chances to score in the 2nd half but as legs got tired the game became a little more open. The Crickets' defence dealt with anything that came their way, and K&S only really had 2 scoring opportunities throughout the whole game. Player of the match went to Meg Dudding for a blinding performance in the defence. Next week sees Crickets play 2nd in the league Okehampton at home, 12:30 start - all supporters very welcome as this promises to be a nail biting game!!

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Men's 1st XI (South Division 1) 21st Jan 2012

Bodmin 2 (2) - (0) 1 Ottery Crickets                              

It was never going to be Crickets' day.  One of their cars was severely damaged in an accident en-route and they had to re-organise their transport.  The team arrived in Bodmin almost 1hr 30 mins late and disappointingly they, having liaised with their opposition, were expected to start almost immediately by the umpires.  Without their Coach who was stranded back in Exeter, they started the game ill-prepared and with three enforced changes due to player injury, illness or non-availability.  Crickets conceded two unnecessary goals in the first half after ceding possession in poor positions.  The second half was a different story for a number of reasons.  They played the better hockey and offered league leaders Bodmin few chances.  Crickets also scored a late Short Corner converted with an unstoppable strike following Sheaves’ injection and Dockley’s stop.  The half also saw a return of ill-discipline to the team, a weakness that they have worked hard on to eradicate in recent months.  Fraser’s yellow card effectively put the evenly balanced game beyond their reach.  It left the team reflecting on what might have been.  On a positive note it provided additional motivation for their next game, their local derby against Sidmouth at Colin Tooze, Sat 28th Jan at 2pm. Supporters welcome!

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Men's 1st XI (South Division 1) 14th Jan 2012

Ottery Crickets 1 (1) v (1) 1 Minehead

(with images)

Scorer: Down

Minehead were Crickets’ first league opposition of the New Year at the Colin Tooze Sports Centre on Sat 14th in bright sunshine.  Crickets started the game intent on redressing their 6-3 thrashing at the hands of today’s opposition in first game of the season.  Belying their lower league position (5th playing 9th), Crickets were first to go ahead when right half Tom Down slotted home from 5m after some excellent work down the left by Matt Ogborne.  Minehead took only 10 minutes to draw back level.  A penalty flick was awarded to Ottery by the appointed umpire only a few minutes later.  Fraser had broken through only to be deliberately impeded in the 23m area when he was otherwise through on goal.  He took the stroke himself but missed the target by some margin to waste a golden opportunity.  Both teams continued to mount effective attacks with Frood and his defence equal to what came their way.  Crickets also hit the post and missed another relatively straightforward chance from short distance. 

The second half was an even affair, competitive with chances at both ends.  Minehead did appear to take their feet of the gas a little as Crickets countered effectively, but the tiring home team could not take advantage and a very open half ended with the teams sharing the points.  Crickets remain in 9th on 12 points.  Their next home game is the local derby against Sidmouth on 28th Jan.

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Men's 1st XI (Friendly) 7th Jan 2012

Ottery Crickets 4 (1) – (1) 3 Isca A

Scorers: Sam Bowker, Will Ellison, Mikey Bell, Ali Slade (SC)

Crickets’ 1sts had 4 regulars unavailable for their first game of 2012 - a friendly vs an Isca 2nd XI.  Despite this, the home team started the brightest but showed clear signs of the month long Christmas lay-off.  They had opportunities to score after good early possession and Bowker eventually opened the scoring with a goal line tap in.  Isca equalised shortly after and in doing so established the scoring pattern for the game.  Isca improved as the half went on and the teams were level at half-time. 

The second half started as the first ended with open play that, from Crickets’ point of view, lacked the quality needed to mount a sustained offence.  Isca went ahead when Crickets eased the pressure on their opponents, scoring after reworking the ball from what should have been for Crickets a “safe” position on the by-line.  It looked like Crickets were to start 2012 with a defeat as they repeatedly lost valuable possession going forward, but with 15 mins to go the game opened up.  Some neat approach play saw the ball worked into the packed D for Will Ellison to anticipate well and beat the goalkeeper at the left post with a neat push, 2-2.

Crickets then enjoyed a couple of short corners which came to nothing.  Shortly afterwards in open play Dockley flicked home via a deflection off Ellison’s knee.  A short consultation followed between the umpires and players and the goal was justly denied.  The home team pressed again and Bell grasped the lead a few minutes later, calmly lifting the ball into the roof of the net from short distance over the sprawling keeper, 3-2.  Isca mounted several attacks as the game opened up and scored a straightforward equaliser due to Crickets’ poor possession and marking, 3-3.

As the seconds ticked down, both teams had chances to seal a win.  Crickets won a short corner just before the umpires blew for full time to create a knife-edge finish.  The home team mustered its “shooting party” at the top of the D; Sheaves injected accurately, Dockley stopped and Ali Slade, who held his nerve admirably, delivered a powerful trademark drag flick to grasp victory with the last hit of the game, 4-3.

Thanks to Mike and Charlie for umpring and Paul Thurgate for a great tea.

League game start again next week 14th Jan 2012 with visitors Minehead, Colin Tooze @ 2pm. 

Squad: Frood, Down, Ellison W, Miller, Dockley, Gracie, Ogborne, Sheaves, Slade, Bell, Fraser, King, Bowker. 

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Men's 1st XI (South Division 1) 10th Dec 2011

IOttery Crickets 3 (3) – (1) 2 Old Plymothian& Mannamedian (OPM)

Scorers: Fraser (2), Bell (1)

Crickets ended the first half of their campaign with a narrow 3-2 home win against Plymouth’s OPM.

After going 2-0 up and in control following two goals from the dynamic Archie Fraser, OPM pulled one back.  Crickets extended their lead again through the prolific Mikey Bell after good build up play.  Crickets lost the influential Gracie with a knee injury around the same time which impacted on to their second half performance.

The second half was not a comfortable one for the home team,  Things were made just that little bit more tense when Crickets missed several relatively easy chances to seal the game. OPM pulled one back following a short corner given away for an unnecessary foul just inside their 23m.  The rest of the game was frantic, with the home team hanging on for survival.  Possession was won and lost – a feature of Crickets' game where they’ve struggled for control of the game.  The home crowd feared the worse when a goal bound ball hit Miller’s foot.  OPM’s penalty flick was conformably saved by Frood, who had previously kept Crickets in the game with several acrobatic saves.    

The game ended with OPM searching for that moment of magic to grab the draw.  That wasn’t to be.  Crickets’ win moves them up to 9th.  Down the road, local rivals Sidmouth lost 1-3 to visitors Minehead.  Crickets resume in the New Year with a friendly vs Isca on 7th Jan; their first league match is at home 14th Jan vs Minehead at 2pm.

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Ladies 1st XI (Petroc Div 1) Sat 3rd Dec.

Newton Abbot 2 (2) – (2)  3 Ottery Crickets

Scorers: Dutton(2), Stribling

The ladies first team finished off the first half of the season with another win, away against Newton Abbot. Ottery put the pressure on straight away, and Karen Dutton opened the scoring with a strike just inside the right post. Ottery continued with good play and attacked the Newton Abbot circle, and were awarded a short corner, which Dutton hit and Izzy Stribling deflected in from the left post. Ottery then relaxed their marking a little too much and saw two quick goals from Newton make the game level pegging  2-2 at half time. Thankfully crickets picked up their game again and and scored another before the final whistle. There is little in it at the top of the table, so a good second half of the season for crickets should see them in the top 3.

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Men's 1st XI (South Division 1) 3rd Dec 2011

Isca A 2 (1) – (1) 1 Ottery Crickets

Scorer: Bell

Crickets finished second best to league leaders Isca going down to a second half winner after an even and well fought contest at the University.

Crickets had several good phases in the game and went ahead after 10 minutes with a well constructed move down the left finished by Mikey Bell.  Crickets midfield worked hard to contain Isca, but the team struggled at times to retain the ball and subjected themselves to unnecessary pressure.  Despite this with Barbour, Dutton, Gracie and the roving Dockley in defence, Frood in goal had very little to do.  Crickets had a couple of potential breakaways but couldn’t produce the necessary quality to connect with their advancing forwards.  Crickets again found that when they lost personal focus due to decisions going against them, when they lost the ball or when expected ball didn’t materialise, they were punished harshly.  Crickets must eliminate this recurring weakness from their game.  Isca’s equaliser came during one of these phases and as a consequence reset the balance of the game.

Isca came out in the second half determined to make the result theirs and put their visitors under pressure.  Despite this they were unable again to seriously threaten Crickets’ goal.  Brooker’s introduction at left back in the second half increased Crickets’ penetration and they were able to connect with Sheaves to mount a couple of effective attacks. However it was an imbalance on the right side with Crickets over committed forward that let in the home team.  Isca were able to create an overload and for the first time they were able to drift past the defence and lift the ball over the committed goalkeeper from short distance.  Crickets continued to press, but lost Fraser for a bad stick tackle; his 10 mins in the sin bin effectively put the game beyond Crickets reach.

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Men's 1st XI (South Division 1) 26th Nov 2011

Ottery Crickets 2 (0) – (0) 2 ECV Hornets A

Scorers: Fraser, Barbour

Crickets second half comeback helped them grab a deserved 2-2 draw against mid-table Hornets at Colin Tooze Sports Centre.  The home team were unlucky not to win the game, when they had a goal from a late short corner disallowed due to an infringement.

 With honours even at half time, Hornets scored twice in the first 10 minutes of the second half to seemingly take the result out of Crickets’ reach.  The home team struggled to play with any sort of quality in the final third and the expectant crowd were preparing for a home loss.  Crickets weren’t to be outdone however and they played their best closing 20 minutes of the season so far to turn things round.  Cricket’s breakthrough came from Bell’s reverse shot from the top left of the D which was deflected in at the far post by Archie Fraser for his fourth of the season.  Crickets’ Slade was dismissed for a mistimed stick tackle with 10 minutes to go and was joined by two Hornets’ players for breaking down the play in separate incidents.  With 5 minutes remaining, Right Back Matt Barbour who had a few minutes previously shot over on the reverse, moved forward again following Sheaves’ trickery in the left D area and shot hard and low into the bottom right corner on the reverse.  The relief from the Ottery team was palpable and they continued to press effectively.  They won a short corner which they thought they had converted, only to be thwarted following a lengthy confab between the umpires: an Ottery player was deemed to have infringed in the D – Crickets were directed to take the penalty corner again much to their confusion and disappointment.

The game ended honours even, with both teams reflecting on what might have been.

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Men's 1st XI (South Division 1) 19th Nov 2011

Yeovil & Sherborne 3 (3) - (0) 0 Ottery Crickets

Crickets 1st XI came away from Yeovil &Sherborne having lost to three first half goals without managing to reply. Crickets made a couple of changes in the second half and succeeded in frustrating the home team but were unable to score, despite mounting a couple of credible attacks.

Yeovil scored two copycat tap in goals in the 5th and 8th minutes as a result of breaking down Crickets' attacks and launched aerial passes deep into Crickets' half. Crickets persevered but were unable to respond to Yeovil's superior individual skills and capacity to build and sustain flowing passing moves. Crickets repied heavily on Windy, Barbour, Harris and Gordon to keep the score respectable, but they were undone again 20 minutes in when they lost the ball in their 23m and Yeovil overloaded the defence to beat goalkeeper Frood.

In the second half, the reformatted mid-field of King, Ogborne, Fraser and Sheaves were more contained and frustrated Yeovil. Despite this Yeovil were able to push their fullbacks and central defenders to threaten deep into Crickets' half. Crickets' awakening to the need for better marking and greater quality started to make a difference, but they couldn't connect the basics sufficiently together to gain the necessary advantage. They mounted a couple of attempts on goal, including short corners, in the closing stages, but they were unable to convert. Crickets ended the game having boosted their second half performance significantly, but not enough to overturn the deficit from the first half.

For loads of excellent action photos see http://www.terryfisherphotography.com/-/galleries/sport (courtesy of Terry Fisher Photography)

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Men's 1st XI (South Division 1) 12th Nov 2011

Ottery Crickets 4 (2) – (0) 1 East Devon A

Scorers: Bell (2), Slade (2)

Crickets celebrated their first home win of the season in a game that saw them score two in each half and play with commitment and determination.  East Devon goal was a consolation effort in the closing stages.

It was Archie Fraser’s driving run down the right channel, a feature of much of the positive aspects of his game, which opened up the visitor’s defence for the prolific Mikey Bell to slot in the first at the near post.  Bell’s second came when Crickets’ midfield put together a fluid passing move that linked captain Jim Harris, to Matt Ogborne, who picked out the Bell with a driven angled pass into the D.  Most onlookers thought Bell had overrun the pass, but he adapted superbly to deflect the ball into the goal.

The second half began as the first ended, with play sweeping from end to end.  Crickets just tipped the balance of ball retention, an aspect of their game that has often eluded them.  They managed to consume East Devon’s advances with determined and skilled defending, including the eventual Man of the Match winner, Duncan Gracie, and contender Neale Frood in goal.  Crickets’ 3rd and 4th goals came from short corners, after sustained and controlled breaks into the opposition half.  The 3rd came from an offence following good work from Sam King, who drove skilfully into the D and drew a foul.  Ali Slade’s trademark power drag flicked double proved unstoppable.  In the last third of the game, Crickets lost their shape and match dominance again when two technical offences saw Fraser (clumsy stick tackle), and Gordon (took ball over shoulder height) yellow carded.  They joined an East Devon defender who had been sidelined earlier for up-ending the marauding Fraser.  It was during this time that the home team eventually conceded to an intense attack from the visitors. 

Crickets have some room for improvement, but they were happy to take the three points which moved them up to 8th, with Sidmouth having drawn to Crickets’ next opponents Yeovil & Sherborne. 

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Ladies' 1st XI ( Petroc Division 1) 12th Nov 2011

Ottery Crickets 5 (3) - (1) 2 Dart

Scorers: Dutton (3), Caldwell, Bowker

Ottery crickets ladies 1st team XI were on fire this week, with a well deserved 5-2 win against top of the league, Dart. Crickets Started the game positively and Karen Dutton soon scored, which put the opposition on the back foot where they remained for the rest of the game. Ottery dominated throughout the game, keeping the ball and making some brilliant runs from the midfield. A second goal came from a short corner, with Bobbie Caldwell powering the ball past a helpless goalkeeper. The third came from Anna Bowker from close range, and at half time crickets were on top 3-1. The second half saw centre forward Karen Dutton score two more goals to complete her 3rd league hat trick of the season so far. Player of the match went to Meg Dudding, for her great support from the defence.

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Ladies' 2nd XI (Petroc Division 2) 12th Nov 2011

Torbay 0 - 5 Ottery Crickets

Scorers: Roberts (2), Flicker, Rich, Cox

Ottery Crickets Ladies 2nd XI dominated their match against Torbay right from the start. Ottery were well organised and opened their
scoring account with a sweet strike by Jane Roberts from a well rehearsed short corner routine. Roberts added to her tally before the
half was out to give Ottery a valuable 2-0 lead.

The second half continued with lots of attack and plenty of short corners. Caren Flicker was well positioned to slot in the third goal
which showed off her eagerness to attack the ball. Not to be left out, Norma Rich added to her fast growing goal tally for the season with a
well taken individual fourth goal. To round off the 5-0 victory, Micky Cox swept the ball into the goal from close range from yet another
slick short corner routine.

(report by Jane Roberts)

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Ladies' 1st XI ( Petroc Division 1) 5th Nov 2011

Dawlish 1 (1) - (1) 6 Ottery Crickets

Scorers: Dutton (3), Bishop (2), Pritchard

Ottery Crickets Ladies' 1st team continued their winning streak this week, winning their league fixture against Dawlish 6-1. The crickets had a slow start to the game, and saw themselves a goal down in the first five minutes, but they soon picked up the pace and once the first goal came just before half-time, there was no stopping them. Karen Dutton equalised with a brilliant short corner strike, and this was followed by another great strike from a quickly taken free hit just outside the 23. The second half saw another goal for Karen Dutton, completing her second hatrick this season already. Anna Bowker made some great runs up the right from the defence, and another short corner saw Nicky Bishop slip the ball past the keeper. Maisie Pritchard had a great game in the midfield, and was rewarded with a well-timed goal, and Nicky Bishop scored another to finish the tally of goals. Crickets have scored 21 goals in their last three games, so there's hope more can be added next week when they play top of the league Dart at home.

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Men's 1st XI (South Division 1) 5th Nov 2011

Exeter University 6 - 0 Ottery Crickets  

Crickets started the game missing their captain and two core players, but they found the University, after their loss to Sidmouth the previous week, simply too strong for them.  The students ran rings around Crickets, who were found wanting in most departments.  The home team scored 4 straightforward goals in the first 15 minutes, without any sort of meaningful counterattack from Crickets.  The full list of Crickets' short-comings in the first half makes sorry reading.  Their major failings however were: their slow start, a hell-bent desire to take the ball into "contact" (and then to lose it), basic passing and movement and a critical lack of interest in closing down the opposition in their own half.   The second half was simply a different affair - not great, but better.  Crickets finally woke up to the job they should have been doing from the start.  Granted, the opposition took their foot off the pedal a little, but they still managed to score two more goals - which could be put down to defensive frailties.  However the manner in which Crickets, in the face of adversity, defended soundly, retained the ball and took the play to the home team right up to the final whistle received acclaim from the spectators.  Crickets managed 5 short corners and had several clear opportunities in open play - many of which, on another day, they would have converted.  It wasn't to be their day, but if they are seriously intending to compete in their league, they must improve.

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Men’s 1st XI (South Division 1) 29th Oct 2011

Ottery Crickets 1 (1) - (1) 3 Bridgwater

Scorer: Harris

This match between two teams at the same end of the table was a competitive challenge that Bridgwater shaded in the last 10 mins of a fast a furious game. Bridgwater scored first from a flowing move down the left aftrer 15 mins. Crickets equalled within 5 minutes from a well worked short corner; Jim Harris pushing home from short distance. It was level pegging until Crickets lost two players, including their left back to his second yellow of the game for a technical offence in the 23m. This handed the advantage to Bridgwater which they took gratefully. Some rapid passing saw them sweep the ball home after a great first save from the excellent Neale Frood in goal. The visitor's third killed off the game and any chance of a recovery with only a few minutes to go.

Crickets play Exeter University next, away on Sat 5th Nov.