Marlow Men’s and Women’s 1st teams both had crucial England Hockey West Conference matches at the weekend - the women aiming to keep themselves clear of the relegation scrap, and the men intent on moving from third to second in their table.

First up were the women, who travelled to Exeter for a tough fixture against a team level on points with them at the start of the day, and anticipating an additional challenge in adapting to the Devon side’s notoriously slow and sandy pitch.

Marlow started strongly with attacking opportunities in the opening minutes, whilst Exeter had their own chances with two early penalty corners awarded but denied by composed Marlow defending. Late in the first quarter, some great skill and a penetrating cross from Marlow captain Kiera Allen found Ruby Balcombe unmarked at the back post, and she tucked the ball home. Marlow had good chances to extend their lead in the first half but were denied by robust Exeter defence, and the score remained 1-0 at half time.

The home side increased the pressure in the second half earning more attacking penalty corners but Marlow keeper Ramm and her defence soaked up the pressure and remained calm on the ball.

In the final quarter, Marlow still led 1-0 in a very tense game, and thought they had doubled their lead as Kerri Smith put the ball past the keeper, only for the whistle to blow in Exeter’s favour. Jess Rees-Gray eventuallly calmed any nerves as she reversed the ball over the keeper to leave the final score 2-0 in a gritty game, giving Marlow a very hard-fought 3 points to take them back to 6th place in the table. All expectations of a hard game were realised, with the Reds suffering two suspected concussions, a broken nose and an ankle injury!

Plaudits go to the youngest player in the Marlow side Tilly Olney for an excellent shift in defence to see her voted player of the match.

Marlow Men’s 1s found themselves in a top-of-the-table battle on Sunday against unbeaten Chichester, and throroughly enjoyed themselves on a rare sunny afternoon.

The game started with a bang, Callum White forcing home from close range for Marlow in the first minute, and Chichester equalising from their first penalty corner just a minute later. Marlow were unsuccessful with their own penalty corner, but restored their lead on 12 minutes, White this time rounding the keeper and slotting home for his second, leaving the score at 2-1 at the end of the first quarter. The second quarter saw fewer chances, but Marlow were both controlling the midfield and by-passing it with some pinpoint aerials, and although the score remained 2-1 at half time, it seemed only a matter of time.

A rare Chichester attack early in the third quarter resulted in the award of a penalty stroke for a stick tackle, but it was well saved, high to his left by Marlow keeper Will Hunter. Despite repeated Marlow attacks, the score didn’t change until half way through the final quarter, when Marlow’s fifth penalty corner was comprehensively despatched by Tom McKinlay.

Marlow scored their fourth goal two minutes from time, with a tremendous team goal which encapsulated all that was best about their performance. An aerial from captain Sam North was beautifully received by Tom Ferris, who after a couple of moments of magic played a beautiful pass to Louis Cadinouche, who unselfishly played it first time for McKinlay to apply the finishing touch for his second goal.

A measure of Marlow’s dominance was that the popular view amongst spectators was that Chichester goalkeeper Chris Bristow was their man of the match, and the 4-1 scoreline in no way flattered the reds, who climbed to second place in the table, and still harbouring hopes of promotion.

Tom McKinlay, scorer of two of Marlow M1’s goals, and Jess Rees, scorer of the W1’s second goal.
Pictures courtesy of @gmwsportphoto