Hockey 1925-6

It is rather difficult to decide whether the 1925-26 season has been a success or a failure. The one crushing blow to the Club came at the beginning of the season, when we found it impossible to procure the use of a pitch on which to practise. A pitch was offered us by the W.U.D.C., but their price was more than the funds at our disposal could meet. Of the football pitches used by the School on Saturday mornings, there is not one sufficiently smooth enough for hockey.
Nevertheless, our 1st XI hockey is not below the standard of previous years. We have so far played three matches, more than this cannot under the circumstances be expected.
October 10th, against Waterlow's. The ground was in excellent condition, and for the first half of the game the school held its own, the scoring at the interval being 3-2 against us. However, in the second half of the game the greater experience of Waterlow's men told its tale, and the final score registered was 6-2 against the School.
December 28th, against the Old Monovians' lst XI. The ground was too soft. For the first fifteen minutes, the Old Boys were held well in check, and until half time the School was still fighting vigorously. After half time experience again counted against us, the score running up to 10-1, The School's one goal was scored as a result of some brilliant solo work by L. Snaith.
January 2nd, against the Old Monovians' 2nd XI. The ground was muddy. It has been reported that the final score was due to the fact that the School adapted itself better to the existing conditions. From previous experience I have found that a boys' team playing a heavier team is always the more seriously handicapped in bad weather: I would like to suggest therefore that the result was due to the superior hockey played by the School. The final score of 4-3 in our favour was creditable, I think, especially as we managed to push the ball through the mud out of our goal mouth, thus beating the Old Boys at their own game of pushing the ball through the mud into the goal. The four School goals, two from Collins and one from Snaith, were all direct hits!
The match fixed for January 30th against Loughton School was scratched on account of the condition of the ground.
S.B.S. (VIth), Hockey Captain.