Mens 1st Team vs Chippenham 2

Written by Donkey of the Day Rhys Davies

The first game of the season see’s the men’s first (and only) of BASHC take on recently relegated Chippenham 2’s at home on 30/09/2023 at 12pm. (Slightly later due to some umpire timing issues.) BASHC started the match in a perfect manner with some swift and simple passing and a ball across the face of goal from Toby Morris (I think) to the one and only Shep! Who managed NOT to get his feet in the way and score within the first minutes of the game. Chippenham 2’s appeared shocked by this sudden goal scored from the recently promoted BASHC and realized from that point that this match wasn’t going to be a walk in the park as the may have initially suspected. (I believe)

The push back was taken by Chippenham 2 who came at BASHC hard and pressed high squeezing the midfield and defense, Chippenham equalized quickly after and the game was on, sadly for BASHC another 3 goals came in before half time despite the best efforts from the team. We were worked hard by Chippenham who were moving the ball around and transferring from side to side very well but heads did not drop and at half time a motivating team talk was given by the teams leaders. We were informed by our Vice Captain who sadly was unable to play through injury that Chippenham 2’s plan for the second half was to wear BASHC down by knocking the ball around and having us do all the running in an attempt to tire us out. But this small little village club on the side of the river Windrush against a club with 4 men’s senior teams and playing the second best was not giving up that easy and even though we conceded soon into the second half we came out fighting and scored another goal to make the score 5-2.

There was then some good end to end hockey with what was an incredibly impressive solo run from our infamous spaghetti running centre midfield Toby Morris with a cracking solo goal to bring BASHC back in the game. Unfortunately this just woke Chippenham back up to the fact that to win this game they had to play and despite coming from effectively two leagues above BASHC the previous season this match was not going to be a walkover by any means and to win it they would need to earn it.

Sadly through some poor decision making (Including the clubs chairman’s choice to make the worst attempt at an aerial possibly ever seen and the main reason why I have the pleasure of writing this) BASHC men came up short an lost 8-4 on the opening weekend ending what has been an incredibly good run of results.

 I would like to take this opportunity to thank the whole team and club for their efforts today and to especially recognize the incredible young players Sam Dearman, Patch Upton and Stuart Marais. A special mention to Stuart Marais for his senior game debut as well as a massive congratulations Stuart for winning the opposite prize to myself as he was voted by the team as Man Of The Match for his overall brilliant game and his first senior team appearance and hopefully many more to come. Also Stuart just so you know you nicked the Man Of The Match award off Shep which always makes us happy but sadly not as happy as him getting voted donkey of the day.

Overall despite the loss BASHC men’s gave Chippenham 2's a really good game today and brings huge positives to the rest of the season as this was literally freshly promoted against freshly relegated and you could potential even consider it as a David and Goliath match when you compare the two clubs, BASHC Men’s have another tough game next week away to Lansdown 2’s. Which I am sure the same as myself the team are relishing the opportunity to hopefully cause an upset.

Many Thanks Your Chairman

Rhys Davies