HARPS SHOW THEY CAN MIX IT WITH THE BIG BOYS (& GIRLS)
29.01.06

TIMPSON TROPHY RESULT:
HARPENDEN MIXED: 5
BROXBOURNE MIXED: 2

Sunday saw the Harpenden Hockey Club’s debut in the Timpson Trophy, the National Mixed Hockey knock-out competition. The draw looked to have been unkind pitting Harps against the strong Broxbourne club.

However on this historic day for the club Harpenden were able to continue the good form that both mens and ladies senior teams have been demonstrating throughout the season and provide a cup upset against the higher league opposition. From the first whistle Harpenden dominated the game except for a ten minute period at the end of the first half Broxbourne were never able to cope with the fluid Harps passing.

Harpenden settled into the game quickly, and certainly did not look like a team that had never played together. Within five minutes they were ahead when a quickly taken free hit by Kevin Moxham was skilfully deflected into the roof of the net Jules Rees. The lead was doubled soon after when again midfielder Moxham provided the creative flair, this time with a penetrating run and powerful cross which found Nigel Timms unmarked, without time to think, he steered the ball with no back lift into the goal.

At this point it appeared that Harpenden were in for a comfortable afternoon but the third and decisive goal could not be quickly forced. Excellent play on the right by Karen Slough linking with Danny Burgess and Bex Concough failed to extend the lead with a number of chances going narrowly wide. Then against the run of play Broxbourne gave themselves a lifeline, a hopeful thump into the shooting circle was steered through a crowd scene and past the unsighted Junior into the Harpenden goal.

The hosts did not react well to the set back and for a short period their passing lacked the quality of earlier in the match. Broxbourne took full advantage and created a number of chances. It seemed an equaliser was inevitable and so it proved as five minutes before the break the teams were level. At the break Harpenden were probably the side more pleased to hear the whistle so they had the opportunity to regroup.Harps started the second stanza with more composure than they finished the first. They once again dominated and looked certain to regain the lead when a fine pass by Vicki Quinn left Timms with an open goal. Unfortunately the time Timms had meant he no longer relied on instinct and his swing of the stick hit nothing but fresh air.

Soon after Harpenden did restore their lead. A carefully rehearsed short corner found Rob Arnsby in space in front of goal and he made no mistake in sending the ball over the diving keeper. Soon after the Harp’s fourth and crucial goal was scored, this time the ball came in from Slough on the right, her pass was inch perfect to Louisa England who calmly despatched the ball into the corner of the goal.

Broxbourne did not give up and they pushed forward in search of a lifeline back into the game, but the Harps defence was assured with some fine tackles being made by Nats Boniface and Tom Bunbury.

In the final moments of the game it was Harpenden that scored the games seventh goal, when Todd Baines received a pass from the impressive Ali Arnsby, he then exchanged passes with Karen Lincoln before showing a mixture of composure and arrogance to round the keeper and virtually walk the ball into the unguarded goal. It capped a fine cup performance by the team and gave Harps and impressive five goal to two victory.

The Harpenden squad was: Karen Slough, Karen Lincoln, Vicki Quinn, Louisa England, Bex Concagh, Nats Boniface, Jules Rees, David Jones, Tom Bunbury, Todd Baines, Danny Burgess, Rob Arnsby, Ali Arnsby , Nigel Timms, David Jeffrey

Report by David Jeffrey

Nigel Timms: Restoring the clever-dumb balance