Old Loughts M1s and W1s were both hoping for a good start to the season in the England Hockey National League in a double header against Teddington but both succumbed to 2-1 defeats as Teddington took their early chances well and then defended defiantly to deny Loughts the points.

Following their promotion from the East Premier Division as Champions last season, Old Loughtonians Women’s 1s welcomed Teddington, newly promoted from the London Premier Division, to Luxborough Lane in their opening England Hockey Vitality Women’s Conference Fixture.

Teddington had recruited strongly over the summer and came flying out of the blocks as they pressed Loughts with pace and strength all over the pitch. Old Loughts struggled to settle into the encounter and fell behind on 20 minutes as Teddington’s early dominance was rewarded. Four minutes later a controversial second goal extended the visitors lead as keeper Phoebe Menear appeared to be impeded before the ball was slotted home. However this galvanized Loughts into action and the final 10 minutes of the half saw them dominate possession and create a number of opportunities.

The third quarter followed the same pattern with the outstanding Georgia Davies thwarting any Teddington advances and Hannah Bloy, Maddy Newlyn and Adele Sammons all creating multiple issues for the Teddington backline.
Chances came and went but 2 minutes into the final quarter a mazy run from captain Tash Patient took her into the Teddington D and her fierce strike found the bottom corner to reduce the deficit.

With 15 minutes remaining Old Loughts threw everything at their opponents with Maddy Newlyn coming close on a number of occasions. However Loughts could not find the finishing touch to grab the equaliser that their second half performance deserved.
Loughts will travel to Ipswich next Saturday evening looking to secure their first points of the campaign.

It was a tough day for the rest of the women’s section as well with both the W2s and W3s up against first teams.

The W2s played very well but lost 2-1against Southend 1s. Chloe Stack scored for Loughts. The W3s were promoted as champions of division 3 South East last season with Basildon 3s in their division. Basildon 1s were a different proposition in division 2 South East but despite losing 9-0 the W3s were encouraged by some excellent second half resilience. Amelie MacKenzie scored twice for the W4s but they eventually lost 5-2 to Southend & Benfleet W2s. The W5s continued their good form with a 2-2 draw with Havering 4s.

The M1s match was always going to be a close affair between the teams which finished 2nd and 3rd in Division 1 South last season. Loughts gave National league debuts to new signing Matti Thomas from Havant, Alex Robey starting for the first time after injury and under 18 players Luca Gormley, Jack Moffat and Guy Morley-Jacob. Loughts started strongly playing the ball quickly in and around the Teddington half and seeking a way into the Teddington D. Teddington were content to sit back and defend deeply and attack on the break through their tall, fast forwards. The game remained goalless well into the second quarter when a break down the right wing, cross into the box and a deft chip across Loughts keeper Jack Tranter into the top left of the goal gave Teddington the lead. Teddington doubled their lead in the third quarter from their second short corner with a low shot raking its way under Tranter and past the Loughts defenders whilst Loughts were down to ten men.

Loughts continued to press and were awarded a series of three short corners but George Oyebode in the Teddington goal made some spectacular saves to deny Loughts. Loughts finally scored in the 61st minute after another short corner with Ed Fleet and Conor Caplan combining for the goal. A second long yellow card for Loughts did not help their cause as the match headed for full time but Loughts kept pressing for at least an equalizer. Loughts thought they had a penalty flick when Oyebode was unable to release the ball from under him but the penalty corner awarded instead was well saved. It looked as if Loughts had earned a penalty corner in the final seconds when the ball hit a Teddington foot in the D but the umpire decided his lips had reached the whistle first. A draw would have been a fair result but it was not to be. Next week Loughts travel to Brighton and Teddington host Havant.

Elsewhere the other men’s teams had a mixed day. After a good win away last week against Cambridge University M1s, the M2s stumbled to a 3-1 home loss against Blueharts M1s. The M3s were away against Havering 1s and played very well but eventually lost 2-0. In another fixture against first team opposition the M4s drew 2-2 with Ilford & Redbridge M1s. The match between the M5s Willows and Ilford & Redbridge 2s was postponed. The M6s Willows Woodsmen won 3-0 against Havering 3s but the M7s Willow’s Rangers lost 2-5 against Thurrock 2s. The Supervets were away at early league leaders Epsom Old School and won 3-0.
On Sunday it was the turn of the youth teams playing in the latest England Hockey Tier structures. The u18 boys were away at local rivals Southgate in Tier 1. Loughts were 3-0 up after only 25 minutes with goals from James O’Malley Kumar, Caspian Coupe and Gus Peddy but after resting some of the boys who had played for the M1s on Saturday they somehow contrived to lose 5-3. The under 16 B1s faced last season’s National champions Wimbledon Stormers in Tier 1 and won convincingly 3-1 whilst the under 16 B2s played Waltham Forest in Tier 2 but lost 2-1. The boys under14s played a friendly against Hampstead & Westminster and won 4-2. The under 18 girls had a tough away match against Hamstead & Westminster in Tier 2 but won 4-1. The under 16 girls were due to play Braintree Blue Hornets in Tier 2 but the match was postponed.