Hockey: Oxford flourish before falling
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Hockey Association XI. .1
Oxford University. . . .0
OXFORD UNIVERSITY, whose splendid pre-Christmas form had deserted them a little since the break, returned to something like their old selves against a very strong Hockey Association XI at Milton Keynes yesterday.
In a skilful game in which Oxford were called upon to defend for long periods, the Australian Andy Minson, last year's captain, and the goalkeeper, Tim Wigmore, were outstanding. Oxford's midfield trio of Stefen Griffiths, earlier this week named in the England squad for the Indira Gandhi tournament in Bombay, New Zealander Grant Edwards and Mark Hoskin, battled hard and successfully to take control of the game.
It was, however, up front where the students lost out, badly missing the services of Wayne Graham, the newly appointed South African captain, who has returned home in preparation for his country's African Cup games next month and is also likely to miss out on the Varsity match.
The game started with strong HA pressure leading to a couple of early penalty corners with Wigmore saving well from Teddington's Phil McGuire. At their third corner McGuire switched the ball to Bobby Crutchley who, with Oxford possibly distracted by a whistle from an adjacent pitch, had time to place his shot just inside the post.
Bruce Ellison and Adam Laird had half-chances on the break before the interval but it was the HA who wasted a number of opportunities to increase their lead. Oxford's best chance fell to Ellison, 17 minutes into the second half. Collecting a through-ball from Jason Ralph, Ellison outwitted the goalkeeper, Jason Barrow, only to be robbed on the goal-line of a certain goal by Crutchley.
HOCKEY ASSOCIATION: J Barrow (Hounslow); A Humphrey (Welton), R Crutchley (capt; Hounslow); J Chana (Cannock), D Main (Welton), A Degun (Barford Tigers); M Cross (Havant), A Philpot (Old Loughtonians), D Betts (Harborne), J Pidcock (Cannock), P McGuire (Teddington). Substitute used: K Murphy (Bournville).
OXFORD UNIVERSITY: T Wigmore (Christchurch); A Minson (Balliol); S Liddle (Worcester), P Bell (Lincoln); R Markham (Mansfield), M Hoskin (Keble), S Griffiths (University), G Edwards (capt; Lincoln); A Laird (Brasenose), J Ralph (Brasenose), R McDowd (St Bennets). Substitutes used: B Ellison (Keble) and M Meredith (Pembroke).
Umpires: I Bryan (WCHUA) & B Singh (MCHUA).
Other match: Army 2 Travellers 3.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments