1st Team Match Report

Saturday 29th November 2008

Cheadle Hulme 1st vs Stockport B

Cheadle Hulme were drawn at home to Stockport in the preliminary round of the David Beasley cup and were hoping repeat last years run to the final.

Although the pitch was covered in a thick vail of fog the referee deemed that the match could go ahead and with Stockport fielding a stronger side than in the earlier league match Hulme knew they were in for a tough afternoon.

Cup matches are usually tense affairs and this was apparent with the game still goalless after fifteen minutes being played. Hulme worked hard to contain Stockport and created some good openings but Thompson and Ransome were guilty of some poor finishing. Gary Thompson however made amends to finally break the deadlock. The home side looked like taking a quarter time lead until a mistake by keeper Will Smith presented Stockport with a goal on the stroke of quarter time.

Cheadle Hulme always take their time to get into their stride but really came to life in the second period. Moving the ball really well and working the openings with fast purposeful passing, Cheadle Hulme completely dominated the quarter. Tim Sayers scored two neat goals to give Hulme the advantage. Next came a fine goal from Mark Boyle. Running more than he has for years and looking to pass more than shoot, Boyle seemed almost unrecognisable from the player of old. Still sulking from not being allowed his favourite number ten shirt, Gary Thompson charged through the visiting defence for another before Ben Ransome decided he had missed enough one on ones and slotted home to give the men in black a 6-2 half time lead.

Hulme continued to pile on the pressure in the third quarter playing some excellent lacrosse to cut through the Stockport rear guard. Gary Thompson and Ben Ransome worked the right hand side of the Stockport defence time and time again to add three more and although Stockport responded, it was Hulme in complete control. Chris Wilson having an inspired game in midfield got two great goals to give Cheadle Hulme a 11-5 advantage. By now the visitors were starting to get riled with their large goalkeeper coming out of his net to hit Gary Thompson on a couple of occasions. His defenders then joined in the fun nailing Tim Sayers who went down wailing loudly after a take out from behind as Stockport acted out their own version of gorillas in the mist.

Hulme continued to dominate at face as Chris Peacock playing despite a painful ankle did well in a FOFO role his stick handling abilities probably suit. A late rally from Stockport brought two goals but Hulme were never in danger as Thompson and a brace from Ben Ransome sealed the 14-7 win. Hulme now travel to Heaton Mersey Guild in the quarter finals.

Scorers; Ben Ransome 5, Gary Thompson 4, Tim Sayers 2, Chris Wilson 2 and Mark Boyle 1.

Steve Pollock.

Saturday 22nd November 2008

Cheadle Hulme 1st vs Heaton Mersey Guild

Cheadle Hulme entertained Heaton Mersey Guild for the first match between the clubs for several years. In complete contrast to recent matches Hulme found they actually had more players than their opponents with Guild's tenth man only appearing midway through the first quarter. By then the hosts had racked up five goals without reply. Neil Peacock opened the scoring with a smart fake dodge and rasping shot. Tim Sayers scored two well taken goals cutting onto feeds before Ben Ransome got in on the act with two goals of his own. Although Guild now had ten men they continued to leak goals as Marcus Bartram scored a brace to give Hulme a 7-0 quarter time lead and effectively end the game as a contest.
The second period was again dominated by Hulme as they built on their lead through Ransome and Bartram. Guild however stuck to their task and pulled two back but just as their confidence was growing Gary Thompson blasted in a trademark goal before new scoring sensation Mike White got his second goal in two weeks. This effort with his more familiar long stick was not as dramatic or as vital as his goal at Boardman, but it did however put him level on goals for the season with Chris Peacock amongst others.
With the half time score of 11-2 the game was effectively decided and with Hulme showing less urgency the contest eased off with only Sayers and Ransome replying to a solitary Guild goal in the third quarter.
On a blisteringly cold day the home defence were glad of some action as Guild showed great heart and determination to keep going despite the scoreline, their lack of numbers and the biting chill. They were rewarded with a fourth goal before two Gary Thompson goals with one from Tim Sayers finished off the game for a 16-4 Cheadle Hulme win, which was a more sedate match after the drama at Boardman the week before.

Scorers; Ben Ransome 4, Tim Sayers 4, Gary Thompson 3, Marcus Bartram 3, Neil Peacock 1 and Mike White 1.

Steve Pollock.

Saturday 15th November 2008

Boardman & Eccles A vs Cheadle Hulme 1st

Salford in November is never the most enticing place to go, especially when you have to take on 16 of the larger local inhabitants with an understrength side. With only 10 men, no face off man and a defender having to play his first game with a short stick, things looked pretty bleak for the men in black, especially as only eight men had actually arrived with five minutes to face off.

While being full of running and winning face offs is important in lacrosse, so too is being able to play with intelligence and handle a stick, two areas where it quickly became apparent Hulme had the advantage. The visitors capitalised on this to open up a 2-1 lead at quarter time thanks to Ben Ransome and Tim Sayers.

Despite Boardman equalising, Cheadle Hulme again took control moving the ball well with the outstanding Ben Ransome first setting up Gary Thompson to score with a powerful shot, before roll dodging his defender for a smart solo goal. Just when Hulme seemed to be taking the game away from their opponents they had ten minutes of sheer madness with plenty of panic, unforced errors and man down defending. Tim Sayers probably getting angry at all the running he was having to do, clocked up four minutes of penalties in no time at all with some maybe wayward but not particularly malicious checking. A record for Sayers who even in his most petulant of temper tantrums, of which there have been many, never received this many penalties. The home side took full advantage of their advantage, got two more and only another Ransome goal gave Hume the 5-4 half time lead.

The fast nature of the game was having its effect on Hulme with their lack of substitutes and Boardman dominated the third period scoring three goals. The fact that the home side didn't score more was down to a superb performance from Will Smith in goal pulling off some great saves with two one on one saves from close range particularly memorable. Ben Ransome was also having a great match in attack and completely bamboozled the home side, twisting in and out of the lumbering defence to notch two more vital goals. More surprising was the sight of Ransome making not one but two ball winning checks, the captain was truly on fire.

With scores level at 7 all going into the last quarter, Hulme slipped behind as Boardman netted and then stormed forward as they dominated at centre. Cheadle Hulme with great determination rode the storm with the posts and Will Smith again coming to the rescue. Certain players really respond to tight pressurised situations and Gary Thompson is one such player. Twice Ben Ransome drew the cover defence before passing to Thompson, who on both occasions finished powerfully. In yet another twist Boardman equalised and with the clock ticking down it looked like a draw especially when the home keeper saved from another Gary Thompson effort. The visitors were having to defend desperately with their midfielders rapidly running out of steam and finally managed to scramble the ball clear with a minute on the clock. Now attacking and desperately trying to force the issue Hulme moved the ball behind goal, but their chance seemed to go when the ball was dropped just behind the Boardman goal. However in the mad scramble for the loose ball the Boardman keeper fouled Mark Boyle. The referee blew his whistle quickly and the ball was moved to the front of goal with the keeper still out of position. The ball came to Mike White, normally a defender playing his first game with a short stick, who clearly wished the chance had fallen to someone else. After catching the ball he took a deep breathe, closed his eyes and shot in the general direction of the goal. With the keeper still desperately trying to get back the ball landed in the bottom corner to give Cheadle Hulme and outstanding victory against all the odds.

Scorers; Ben Ransome 5, Gary Thompson 3, Tim Sayers 1 and Mike White 1.

Steve Pollock.

Saturday 8th November 2008

Cheadle B vs Cheadle Hulme 1st

Cheadle Hulme made the short trip to Cheadle for a top of the table clash. Hulme started slowly and soon found themselves two goals behind. Although skipper Ben Ransome sneaked from behind to pull one back for the visitors it was Cheadle having the bulk of the early possession and it was no surprise when they extended their lead. Hulme needed inspiration and found it in Gary Thompson, who while always motivated goes into overdrive against his old club. The veteran attacker dodged two defenders to fire in a fine solo goal and when Chris Wilson scored from close range the sides were level at quarter time.

Hulme's recovery was short lived and the second period belonged to Cheadle who scored three times with Ransome getting the sole response from the visitors. The fact that the men in black didn't score more was down to some poor finishing and a series of key saves from Crawford in the Cheadle net. Many of Cheadle's opportunities came from man up situations, as Hulme were the victim of some one sided refereeing decisions.

The third period saw Hulme start to dominate with Chris Peacock and his brother Neil controlling the midfield. Gary Thompson, by now really fired up, twice forced his way through an experienced Cheadle defence to score and Neil Peacock scored after cutting onto a feed and blasting in off the crossbar. However with Cheadle Hulme getting on top the home referee went up another level in his quest to see Cheadle as victors, as countless Cheadle fouls were ignored while the slightest misdemeanour by the men in black resulted in a send off. This meant the game became fractious and stopped the flow of Cheadle Hulme's comeback. Unsurprisingly with such an advantage and so many man up situations Cheadle scored twice to take a narrow 8-7 lead into the last quarter.

The final quarter descended into farce with the referee breaking up the game continually making the game less about lacrosse and more about attrition. This gave Cheadle opportunities which they took advantage of to extend their lead to two goals. Hulme despite suffering more illogical send offs looked the better side and pressed forward with great determination. With Crawford making some inspired saves and other chances being wasted, Hulme only had a Mark Boyle effort to show for their efforts. They were not about to give up and called a time out with minutes left and only a one goal deficit. Home referee Steve Botterill was clearly worried that despite his best efforts Hulme could still take something out of the game. In an attempt to finally swing the result he marched over to the Cheadle Hulme team who were trying to make the most of their time out and attempted to start an argument with Hulme's key player. When in response Neil Peacock politely asked him a legitimate question on the rules, to which he clearly had no response, the Hulme player was sent off. This was the final act in the worst example of a referee trying to fix the result of a match in their club's favour. Cheadle lacrosse club have a history of using various methods against the spirit of the game to get their lower teams a result, but this represented a new low and they and in particularly Mr Botterill should be ashamed of themselves for what went on. Cheadle took the points in a 9-8 win but this was a dark day for their club and the sport of lacrosse.

Steve Pollock.

Saturday 1st November 2008

Cheadle Hulme 1st vs Liverpool

In their first game against Liverpool the men in black were severely short of players and only raised ten men when Gary Thompson was summonsed from Old Trafford. With their backs against the wall Cheadle Hulme often play their best lacrosse and this was no exception. From the start the home side utterly dominated and it was no surprise when a fine goal from Neil Peacock gave them the lead. Pressing constantly Hulme built up their lead with two more strikes from skipper Ben Ransome. It was to some surprise when Liverpool pulled one back before the break.

The second period continued much like the first with Chris Peacock dominating at face and his brother Neil using his experience to dictate and direct play. Ben Ransome used his party piece back door sneak to get another goal to make it 4-1. Gary Thompson still fuming at having to miss the football and being out of pocket was in a particularly belligerent mood. Now a bunch of under nourished students against an angry Gary Thompson was never going to be an even contest and so it proved as the veteran warhorse brushed past several weak challenges to blast the ball into the net. Although Liverpool responded with a good goal their hopes were soon dashed as Neil Peacock slotted in another with a fine solo goal.

Liverpool, who interestingly had more Irishmen than scousers in their side, got the first goal of the third quarter to make it 6-3. Marcus Bartram playing his first game of the year and was slowly turning as green as his helmet with the exertions of all the running in a team with no substitutes. That didn't stop him notching the next two goals using his pace to get through the visiting defence. While Ben Ransome scored again Liverpool managed two in response to make it 9-5 going into the last period.

Playing with ten men means everyone has to do their share of running back to defend. Gary Tomo Thompson was now incandescent with rage at having to run the full length of the pitch and back on an afternoon he hoped to be relaxing watching football. The Liverpool defenders clearly looked terrified as anger on legs charged at them. With no one willing to put in a check Tomo scored a vital goal with a determined effort. The students scored three goals on the trot against a tiring side to make a real contest of things. But with Steve Pollock putting the wind up the visitors with some committed checks, Liverpool knew it wasn't their day and this was confirmed by another goal from Neil Peacock in an outstanding man of the match display from the midfielder. An outstanding performance against the odds made the final score 11-8.

Scorers; Ben Ransome 4, Neil Peacock 3, Gary Thompson 2, Marcus Bartram 2.

Steve Pollock.

Saturday 25th October 2008

Mellor B vs Cheadle Hulme 1st

Cheadle Hulme travelled to a country park in Mellor for their latest game. An uninviting place on wet grim days like this, the Cheadle Hulme team already lacking key players looked disinterested in the first quarter at Brabyns Park. Even though they held the majority of possession Hulme's play lacked any real threat or purpose and it was Mellor on the break who looked the more likely to score. Twice Mellor took the lead from fine shots and twice the visitors equalised through Gary Thompson and Ben Ransome. Mellor however finished the quarter the better against their lacklustre opponents to take a 3-2 lead.

In the second period Hulme slowly started to snap out of their malaise with the defenders being more dominant and easily containing any Mellor threat apart from one well taken goal. Slowly the determination spread through the whole side after a surprisingly good left-handed shot from Tim Sayers beat the home keeper. Gary Thompson powered in an equaliser after good work from Ben Ransome.

With the match all square at the mid point Hulme decided they couldn't drop points to bottom of the league Mellor and turned up the heat. Ben Ransome still recovering from a cold dodged from behind goal and slotted one in to really lift the visitors. Kevin Ruddock obviously not enjoying the countryside was putting himself about in midfield with several of the younger Mellor players bouncing off him as he fought for every groundball. This effort brought him a rare goal, which he seemed to really enjoy celebrating. Despite Mellor scoring, Cheadle Hulme extended their lead through Ransome and then Sayers.

Mellor were clearly dispirited in the last quarter and struggled to compete as Ransome scored his fourth of the afternoon. Tim Sayers becoming increasingly annoyed as the rain was messing up his hair and the mud had splashed on his nice kit, decided to take vengeance on Mellor with two excellent goals on the cut. Mellor knew they were really in trouble when Chris Peacock got two late goals, the home keeper obviously having mud in his eyes at this point, to give Cheadle Hulme a 13-6 win.

Scorers; Ben Ransome 4, Tim Sayers 4, Gary Thompson 2, Chris Peacock 2 and Kevin Ruddock 1.

Steve Pollock.

Saturday 18th October 2008

Cheadle Hulme 1st vs Timperley B

Timperley brought an 18 man squad to the Ladybridge ground with high hopes of springing a surprise on Cheadle Hulme. The men in black however had a surprise of their own for Timperley in the ever larger shape of Paul 'Billy' Burnham. Skipper Ransome foolishly entrusted Mr Burnham with a long pole but should have known the mayhem that would follow. Watching the young Timperley attackmen go for ground balls was like watching baby seals being clubbed to death as Billy Burnham wielded the axe with some wild swings. Timperley found they needed all their squad of replacements as Burnham did his lumberjack impression on the visitors' arms and hands.
After matching Hulme in the first two quarters Timperley began to lose interest after their pummelling and the home side took control. Gary Thompson having his best match of the season scored four including an over the head special, Ben Ransome weighed in with his customary hat-trick and Neil Peacock supplied two goals to give Cheadle Hulme an important 9-6 victory.

Scorers; Gary Thompson 4, Ben Ransome 3, Neil Peacock 2.

Steve Pollock.

Saturday 11th October 2008

Manchester Waconians B vs Cheadle Hulme 1st

Looking to bounce back from the previous weeks defeat, Hulme made the short trip to Didsbury to take on a strong Wacs side. Although Cheadle Hulme took the lead with a fine Tim Sayers goal it was Wacs who got on top in the first quarter. With face off man Chris Peacock still absent with an ankle injury the home side were dominating at centre. Wacs used this possession well moving the ball quickly with plenty of off the ball movement. The hosts scored four good goals without reply to lead 4-1 at quarter time.

Cheadle Hulme showed real determination to get back in the game, with Neil Peacock fired up to do well against his old team and receiving plenty of verbal abuse from his old team mates, he led the way with a fine performance. However it was skipper Ben Ransome who scored two goals with assists from Gary Thompson and James Bicknell. Although Wacs scored once more it was the men in black who again responded with James Bicknell scoring after a fast break from Steve Pollock and Matt Jones adding another. Wacs not to be out done got another to take a narrow 6-5 half time lead.

When Wacs extended their lead Cheadle Hulme knew they had to battle hard and get fired up. With no panel referee, Wacs home referee was giving his club free licence to do head high square checks, illegal take outs and generally anything they wanted while the slightest offence by Hulme was being punished. One of the most dangerous displays of refereeing seen for some time changed the game into a bad tempered affair. Luckily for the referee Chris Peacock was not playing but he still did his best to get his opinions across from the sidelines. Kevin Ruddock however was getting seriously wound up. One foolish Wacs player thankfully backed down from a verbal confrontation with the Hulme midfielder. The visitors desperately needed inspiration and it came from Chris Wilson scoring his first goal for the club with a long range effort. Tim Sayers never needs any encouragement to try a shot from distance and finally got lucky with another. With penalties clocking up, Wacs took advantage of all the man up situations their referee was getting them, to get another couple of goals. Ben Ransome who is enjoying playing in attack this season, probably because there is less running involved, showed his class with two excellent goals twisting inside the home defenders to slot home.
With scores level the last quarter would be decisive and it started well for Hulme with James Bicknell popping up to score and then Matt Jones showing his silky stick handling ability to dodge through the home defence and slot in to give Hulme the advantage. Wacs were not going to lay down easily and showed their intent with two goals and a particularly late illegal take out on Gaz Jones who at 50 understandably took a long time to get up from it. At times like these you need a leader of men and skipper Ben Ransome showed his qualities with two great goals to wrap up a 13-11 win. This was an excellent performance as Hulme lost virtually all the face offs and had to defend man down for long periods against a strong Wacs team.

Scorers; Ben Ransome 6, James Bicknell 2, Tim Sayers 2, Matt Jones 2, Chris Wilson 1.

Steve Pollock.

Saturday 27th September 2008

Brooklands Hulmeians ExA vs Cheadle Hulme 1st

Cheadle Hulme started the season with a trip to the dragons sports club for a fixture against Brooklands, which in the past has often resulted in a draw. This game again proved to be a close and keenly fought contest. Hulme slipped behind in the first quarter to two goals by the hosts before Tim Sayers scored a slick goal cutting onto a feed just before the end of the first period.
On a hot day both sides played patient lacrosse conserving energy, but with Cheadle Hulme now starting to dominate possession they increased the pressure on Brooklands when that leader of men Ben Ransome showed the way with a hat trick of second quarter goals. Making some outstanding saves for the men in black was the aptly named Will Smith who bizarrely let in a weak shot after repelling some rasping attempts.
Starting the third quarter with a narrow 4-3 advantage Hulme began to get the better of their opponents with David Howie scoring in another fine performance for the club. With Chris Peacock winning face offs and berating the match officials in increasing regularity the visitors were holding the majority of possession. A left hand shot from Tim Sayers is often liable to go anywhere but every so often one ends up in the top corner and exactly that happened but with Brooklands getting two goals themselves. The score going into the last quarter was 6-5 to the visitors.
Brooklands soon equalised and with the match in the balance the outcome changed on one incident late in the match. When Chris Peacock went down in a heap making moaning noises, his team mates assumed his jaw must have fallen off after spending the afternoon constantly shouting and whining at the typically abysmal home referees. The Brooklands players concerned that Peacock had sustained a serious injury rushed over to help while all the Cheadle Hulme players showed no interest while their team-mate rolled around in agony, preferring to have a rest in the sunshine. With the ears of the referees getting a rest and the Hulme players recovered, the visitors stormed into the lead with a fine goal from their show pony Tim Sayers and two more from skipper Ben Ransome to seal a 9-6 opening day victory.

Scorers Ben Ransome 5, Tim Sayers 3 and David Howie 1.

Steve Pollock.

Match Reports 07/08

Match Reports 06/07

Match Reports 05/06