Another year, another fantastic day for the Marlborough Legends versus School Team hockey match. The Legends had an interesting squad which included three Marlborough College teachers, three Bishops (surname, not members of the clergy!), and three goalkeepers. However, this did not stop them playing all the hockey in the opening exchangers.
Gareth Playfair was causing all sorts of problems down the right wing, whilst Ollie and Steven Bishop were linking well up front. Chances were being created but the finishing touch was simply not there and the Legends would soon pay for their wastefulness in front of goal.
The School XI winning a short corner and scoring with a powerful strike; Geddes had no chance in the Legends' goal. This goal seemed to spur the Legends on, unhappy that they had gone behind against the run of play. The Legends' created a string of opportunities and converted on three occasions through Steven Bishop, James Nicholson and Ollie Bishop. The Legends' were leading 3-1 at half time.
The worry as always in this game is that the Legends start to tire and the School capitalise in the second half. A similar trend was appearing this year! The flamboyant Legends will never stop attacking but they will stop defending if it is a long way to run. The spaces were opening up and the School scored two quick goals to level up the score at 3-3. But then came the move of the match from the Legends; mid-fielders and forwards linking up and the move ending with Jamie Davies tapping into an empty with the School just having to watch and admire.
The lead was short lived as the School bounced back quickly to level the scores at 4-4 with not long left to play. With only a couple of minutes left on the clock Tom Morton, the Legends' skipper, got a hockey stick in the head and had to call it a day. But the final few minutes of the game were played out without any further goals and a great game ended in 4-4 draw.
With both sides playing good hockey with plenty of attacking flair, 4-4 was a fair result as neither team deserved to lose. A wonderful fixture is still producing a great spectacle and long may it continue.
Tom Morton
Club Secretary
Photo: Hockey Playing Bishops: Ollie (PR 2000-05), President Steven (PR 1969-73) and Christopher (PR 2000-05). Steven, is holding his copy of Messiah - having played hockey in the morning, he sangwith the Marlborough Choral Society in the Chapel later that evening!