Portsmouth hosted a set of league games against Alton and Southampton, as well as a Friendly game with Havant, to allow newer players and some Under 10s experience the higher standard.

Portsmouth played Southampton first, both having 7 outfield and no Goal Keeper. In a tight game there were few chances and the defenders on both teams performed superbly, considering that lack of goalies.

Southampton had some very skilful players, executing their 3d skills well and driving at Portsmouth defenders in one on one hockey. They also had a hard working defence and managed to stifle to an extent Portsmouth creative midfielders.

Portsmouth defenders did superbly well in marshalling these attackers , timing their tackles well and subsequently counter attacking. None more so that Daniel Whitcher who was a rock at the centre of a 3 person defence. He stepped forward with low tackles and used his vision to release the midfield. The wide defenders of Harry Cheshire and Oakley Farmer also were able to kick off attacks after winning the ball, Harry relying on his raking passing down the line and Oakley on his skilful running game.

Portsmouth relied on patterns of play in moving the ball, using the running and passing abilities of the midfield diamond of Freya, Gully, Woody and Cleo.

The game was incredibly even, each team giving their all and working hard for each other. Portsmouth eventually won the game with a hard fought 4-2 result , with Oakley Scoring two, and Cleo and Woody rounding of the score line.

For the second game , Portsmouth had some re-enforcements from the players from the friendly game against Havant. They played a Alton team who were unlucky in loosing to Southampton in literally the last touch of the game.

Alton started with a Goal Keeper but eventually resorted to 7 outfield players. Alton worked very hard and had some very skilful players in midfield. However with the re-enforcements to hand, Portsmouth were able to rotate and ran out 8-1 winners. Playing some of the best hockey of the year, they attacked with width and passing triangles , getting behind the defence and zipping the ball into the D. Several of the goals came through a combination of Gully, Woody and Freya. Gully would play little through passes to Woody, who would drive to the by-line and play in a cross on the reverse and then Freya coming in to deflect the ball into the goal.

This game also saw some U10's play with William Eamer and Nathan Moore. They were not phased at all, with Nathan standing tall in the centre of defence, and William showing his pace and skill on the right side of midfield.

The Portsmouth goals came from hattrick's for Freya Watkinson and Oakley Farmer, and one a piece for Gully and Woody.

It was tough for Alton after suffering the earlier defeat but they kept playing and score their own excellent goal after one of their players should excellent skill and movement , beating several Portsmouth players in the centre and scored a simple conversion.

For the Friendly Game against Havant, Portsmouth fielded a majority U10 Team. Xander King was the more experience player in the team being a u12 regular and lead the team superbly. For this game, the performance was the most important aspect and focus, which they did superbly. With James Ramsay, Josie Rutter, William Eamer, Alfonso Browning-Sanchez, Nathan Moore, Rob Needham , lead by Xander , they put in a performance to be proud of.

On the whole a excellent set of games with all players enjoying themselves, a credit to their clubs.

Thanks goes to all the parents for braving the weather, John Farmer and Jamie Moore for coaching the two teams, and Hayden Farmer for umpiring.

As as usual, below my usual breakdown of players :

• Daniel Whitcher : The Rio Ferdinand of the team, timing his tackles to perfection and has a hammer of hit on him to release Portsmouth into attack.
• Harry Cheshire : A class act defender. Tidy and compact on the ball and has a knack for finding his players through his slap hitting. And NOTHING gets past on his reverse stick.
• Oakley Farmer : A Ashely Cole of a defender, loves to tackle and then use his and skill to launch an attack. Scored 4 goals and a threat every time his was on the ball.
• Freya Watkinson : Roy Keane, Bryon Robson, Patrick Viera, Frank Lampard, the list is endless. Freya was everywhere and deserved her goals.
• Gully Bailey : A mix of a Messi and Paul Scholes. Intelligence in the hockey game beyond his years. He can take players on with his close control and release other players just at the right time. All the good things from Portsmouth came through Gully.
• Woody Mien : The Flying winger on the team and one of the most skilful. Pace and directness help Portsmouth turn the opposition, and his setup for Freya's goals had all the spectators wondering how he did it.
• Cleo Houghton : Happy , energetic and a beast of a hit. Never misses a tackle and always seems to be at the right place. Has that enjoyment in playing that is infectious.
• James Ramsay : Staring in his first U12 games, worked hard and was not phased at all. A very bright start and looking forward to seeing how he develops.
• Rob Needham : A powerhouse in midfield, with good passing awareness and a lot of skill.
• Xander King : Pleased his coach with doing exactly what was asked of him, and a beaming smile knowing he had executed it perfectly. Some lovely skill and touches on the ball.
• Josie Rutter : Smooth and silky skills,
• Alfonso Browning-Sanchez : Another Messi in the team and my word what skill he possesses.
• William Eamer : A pocket rocket , quick and skilful. Played in the 2nd league game and was no overawed at all.
• Nathan Moore : Rock solid in defence and passed simply and effectively.