The new boys, Hunters, fought hard in their match against JHC Tigers, but lost by the odd goal in five.
OV Veterans 3, VC 2nd XI 7: College keeper Tom Gibbs, awarded man of the match, put in a superb display.
The mould was cast early on as Gibbs blocked Vets’ numerous opportunities as College defended in numbers, while looking for a break.
After what looked like a perfectly good short-corner goal by OV’s Nigel de Carteret was disallowed, and OV’s keeper Andy Brown was forced into a good block, the youngsters notched their first before the break.
After the break College led 4-0 before Vets fought their way past Gibbs with short-corner goals from Steve Ritzema and Richard Le Lièvre.
College, however, hit another three in reply – one from a penalty flick – put them 7-2 up.
Vets managed one last-gasp goal, a trademark de Carteret effort.
College’s goals came from Tom Peters (three), Tristram Gray (two), Tom Millar and Jamie Ellis.
Crusaders 2, JHC Lions 0:The first-half goals, one each from Will Mallett and Tim Kearsey, were sufficient to beat the Lions.
Crusaders had pushed forward from the off, but couldn’t apply the finishing touches to a succession of short-corners, won largely through the penetrative runs of Martin Le Boutillier and Matt Taylor.
Lions established themselves in midfield through Julian Gales and Lisa Phillips, but Crusaders’ keeper Graeme Roberts kept the sheet clean.
Twenty minutes in, Peter Titterington crossed to Mallett, who hit the ball past Tim Pollard in goal to put Crusaders ahead.
Kearsey’s short-corner strike, after Crusaders’ sustained pressure, wrapped up the scoring, and Lions’ continued pressure was thwarted, often by the resilient Sefton Tremeer.
JHC Tigers 3, Hunters 2: Tigers took the lead from an early Mark Bailey goal, who then scored again, from a well-worked short corner.
Hunters then produced a period of more sustained pressure, allowing Russell Soudain to score as he pounced on a poorly-cleared ball.
Hunters’ captain James Foley had clearly given an inspiring team-talk during the break, and a well-worked move resulted in a beautifully-struck field goal for Foley, to level at two apiece.
This woke the sleeping Tigers who gradually took back the game and a short-corner from Paul Harris gave them victory.
Division I: VC 1st XI 3, OV Victims 4: Victims just pipped the College firsts with goals from Mark Dicker (two) and Mike James and Jon Cartmell.
