Penarth Vets 5 Whitchurch Vets 8

IT WAS a case of ‘the morning after the night before’ as Penarth Hockey Club’s veterans side played its first game of the summer less than 24 hours after another highly successful annual dinner.

After last season’s unofficial ‘World Series of Hockey’ that featured no fewer than seven meetings between the teams, it was no surprise to see Whitchurch providing the opposition for Penarth’s motley band of veterans as the greatest game returned to the Estadio Colcot for one last ‘last game’.

Despite it being only four weeks since the end of the 2014-15 league campaign, it was clear that Penarth had taken their respite seriously with, as captain and newly elected club chairman Nick Pratt put it, there being ‘more rust than the Titanic’ about the home side’s performance.

The opening exchanges, however, would not have given that impression and, indeed, made it look as though it was Whitchurch coming into the game ‘fresh’ from a night of celebration. Quick-fire passing from the off had the visitors on the back foot and it took only a matter of minutes for Penarth to open the scoring as Matt Birch’s firm cross was met first time by former GB star Dave Thomas.

Perhaps overawed by the spectacular strike, Penarth gradually allowed their opposition back into the game and had it not been for goalkeeper Mark Harris – making yet another appearance against his former team – the scores would have been levelled long before Whitchurch finally found parity.

Once back on terms, however, the visitors quickly doubled their tally, only to spark a mini Penarth revival that led to left back Ian Smith tasting the rarefied air of the Whitchurch D and grabbing an equally unexpected goal to again bring the sides level.

Determined not to be pegged back Whitchurch belied their under-strength line-up to grab another before the break and send Penarth into the interval once more playing catch-up.

Regardless of the tactics discussed during the time out, Penarth were given no chance to redress the balance as, within minutes of the restart, the visiting centre forward capitalised on another wayward pass to stretch the Whitchurch advantage – and the goal opened the floodgates as 2-4 quickly became 2-7 despite the best efforts of the home defence.

Perhaps sensing a rout, Whitchurch appeared to take their foot off the gas, albeit briefly, allowing Penarth’s more usual strike man, Dave Watkins, to grab a six-minute hat-trick and pull the sides closer once again.

Given that the game employed the latest rule changes introduced by the FIH, and was therefore deemed the start of a new season, it is an achievement that even 1st XI top scorer and player of the year Chris Baker might find hard to replicate.

Although the home side tried to bridge the two-goal gap as time ticked down, the only addition to the score line came from the men in blue rather than green, with a late strike taking the final score to 5-8 in Whitchurch’s favour and giving the Vale side a lot to think about as they embark on a, what appears to be a full slate of games, either side of the annual Veterans tournament in Swansea in mid-June.

The night before Penarth took on old foes Whitchurch, the Vale club celebrated the end of a successful 2014-15 campaign that saw both the 1st and 2nd XIs achieve pre-season aims within their respective divisions.

The annual dinner, once again held at Penarth Athletic Club and ably organised by honorary secretary Dave Stevens, provided a chance for players young and old to get together and reminisce on the past seven months over good food and a drink or two. Newly-elected chairman Nick Pratt gave an impassioned speech in which he noted that the club’s aim should be to again become one of the top four sides in Wales, with a ‘2020 Vision’ of fielding four competitive senior sides, plus others at U9, U11, U15, U18, Veterans, Masters and Mixed Veterans levels.

The evening ended with the awarding of the usual post-season honours, with Chris Baker claiming both the top scorer and 1st XI player of the year trophies with typical modesty. Paul ‘Freddy’ Thomas seemed embarrassed to pick up the 2nd XI player of the year award, but it was fitting reward for his willingness to step into the breach whenever the side found itself without a goalkeeper.

Gareth Hurman picked up the Young Player of the Year nomination after a fine season in the 1st XI, while out-going treasurer Tony Stevens was named clubman of the year for a second time, noting that, on this occasion, he wouldn’t have to share the award.

The dinner also provided the first opportunity to welcome several new club officers, with 2nd XI/Vets captain Pratt taking over from long-time chairman Ian Brookfield, Richard Baker stepping up as treasurer and Tom Haran accepting the ‘honour’ of captaining the 1st XI after two mercurial years of stewardship under Mark Thomas. Thomas, Brookfield, Tony Stevens and Nathan Townsend were all added to the management committee, but the impending return of a 3rd XI to league action in 2015-16 will come under leadership yet to be determined.

With no league fixtures until the resumption of hostilities in September, the club will once again focus on its Veterans XI throughout the summer, building up to the inauguration of its new home pitch at Stanwell School later in the year.

Penarth Hockey Club always welcomes new, old and returning players, umpires, supporters, friends and helpers regardless of age and ability. Training takes place on the artificial turf at Barry Sport Centre every Wednesday, with the Juniors in action between 6pm to 7pm and Senior between 7pm to 8pm.

Further information can be obtained from club secretary Dave Stevens at d_stevens81@hotmail.co.uk.