HOCKEY: Saxons Enjoy Smooth Transition to Bexhill
HUGH SULLIVAN
Both the men’s and women’s first teams of South Saxons Hockey Club have a new home ground this season, borrowing the recently laid pitch at Bexhill Academy for both Saturday home fixtures and midweek training.
Saxons’ sand-based pitch at Horntye had served them for 25 years, and is still available for lower league play. But the club’s top teams were promoted at the end of last season, each now playing in Division 1 West of the South East Hockey League for their respective sexes. In each case, that’s at Tier 5 of the England Hockey league structure, a highly competitive level.
The men have adapted well to the standard required, benefiting from the smoother Bexhill surface, though with the majority of opposing teams located in the Surrey commuter belt – Woking, Epsom, Croydon etc. – away matches now mean, for the most part, journeys of up to two hours each way around the M25. They may have only won one of their first eight league matches, but five others have been drawn and only two defeats sustained.
The squad retains an experienced core, led by goalkeeper Brock Prestney-Vaughan and featuring skilled veteran Andy Acott, but also includes a number of youthful recruits. Youngest, James Rowland, has recently trialled for England under-18s.
On Saturday 8 November they fought a feisty 2-2 draw at home to Croydon Trinity Whitgiftians. The visitors had the lion’s share of play and forced the majority of short corners. But Saxons tackled with gusto in and around their own shooting circle, Prestney-Vaughan barking defensive directions, and they broke swiftly into counter-attacks when opportunities arose. Aerial scoops are a particular feature of their offensive play, enabling rapid territorial gains without risking loss of the ball in midfield. All four goals came in the second half, Harry Dyas and Paul Mason scoring for the home team.
Last Saturday they entertained Lewes, second in the Divisional table. Saxons swiftly went 2-0 up, then 3-1, with goals from Joshua Sheffield, Acott and Andrew Orr. They were pegged back to 3-3 by halftime, then the sides shared a further goal apiece in the second half, Mason scoring again for Saxons, to come off with another draw, 4-4.
For the women, the step up has been tougher, the difficulties compounded by injuries to key players, while the long away journeys have meant that some – particularly mothers with young children – cannot always keep themselves available. Team captain Caitlin Merison is currently sidelined with a broken finger, Kat Jenner deputising.
All eight league matches have been lost and only two goals scored. Veteran goalkeeper Lynn Upfold has had a key role in keeping most defeat margins respectable. But team members unite in declaring that they are enjoying the season. “It forces us to play a better standard”, says Merison. “We have to think tactically and move the ball more.”
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