The third weekend of the league fixtures saw huge victories for the Men’s 1s and Ladies 2s the latter continuing with their impressive early season form.

Men’s 1st XI vs Edgabston
The Men’s 1s put in an impressive display given they were without several key players including Captain Adam Banks and the talismanic defensive duo of P. Woodall and N. Whitehouse. All the plaudits will no doubt go to hattrick hero C. Palmer. OHHC started strong with a good counterattack through the middle but failed to convert. Edgbaston were then able to open the scoring shortly after. Old Hales returned fire with a quick flick by C. Palmer which found the bottom corner of the goal. Hales started the second half where they left off with another powerful penalty corner flick from C. Palmer making it 2-1 to Hales. Edgbaston managed to find an equaliser with 3-minutes of the game to go. Then a couple of speedy attacking moves from the home team in the dying minutes lead to a C. Palmer reverse stick hit shortly followed up by a powerful B. Hampton slap which went straight down the middle past the Edgbaston keeper to seal a well-deserved victory
Result: 4-2; goals from C. Palmer (3) & B. Hampton
Player of the Match: C. Palmer

Ladies 1st XI vs Bromsgrove
The Ladies 1s were up against it this week with a few players including midfield dynamo S. Atherton missing and had a tough ride against a very strong Bromsgrove team. Captain Ella Priest said post-match “Sadly we just couldn’t hold the possession this week. Some things to take away and look at in training so hopefully we can bring our game for Bromsgrove 3s next week.”
Result: 1–5; goal from K. Wilkinson
Player of the Match: S. Walker

Men’s 2nd XI vs Bournville Kings Heath
A disappointing day for the Mens 2’s who expected to build on their spectacular battle last week with UOB were sadly defeated in a narrow game against BKH. The hosts managed to break the deadlock early and took a 1-0 lead in opening 10-mins. Hales fought back and managed to score a goal through C. Walder but the home side responded quickly to grab another before the halftime whistle. The host team managed to extend their lead with a third goal. The Hales fightback began and up-stepped C. Hardy who managed to find the net. Sadly, Hales were unable to score an equaliser and will have seen this as one they could have won. Captain Nick Brindley was not available immediately post-match for comment but did say later in the evening “Decent game today, we just got unlucky with two of the BKH goals. If we can start next week, like we finished today, we will get a result”.
Result: 2-3; goals from C. Walder & C. Hardy
Player of the Match: C. Jones

Ladies 2nd XI vs Worcester
Ladies 2s unbeaten record continues after a dominant display away verses Harborne. Hales overwhelmed the opposition in all departments and could have even scored more goals then they did. Yet again, another solid and reliable performance from R. Charlton, who had a dabble in midfield, and even a couple of shots from penalty corners. Captain Jess Wilkinson said “A fun and enjoyable game for everyone to take part in. I’m proud to see that the skills covered in training are being put into practice on the pitch. We are looking to continue our recent residency at KES next week against Bournville & Kings Heath.”
Result: 6–0; goals from M. Kelly (3), K. Greaves (2) & N. Walder
Player of the Match: R. Charlton

Men’s 3rd XI vs Worcester
Another week, another 4-2 scoreline for OHHC Mens 3s. Clearly the gentlemanly tactic of allowing the opposition a 2-goal head start in a game needs re-thinking! After a tough opening 10 minutes, Hales played well and got back into the game through goals from A. Cutler and S. Takhar. Worcester regained the lead following a swift counter, and as Hales tried to find a way back into the game, the opposition then struck a final blow bagging a fourth goal. Captain Steve Charlton said, “Another game, another feeling of missed opportunities in an even game”. The 3s hope to return to winning ways at Bromsgrove next week.
Result: 2–4; goals from S. Thakar & A. Cutler
Player of the Match: Awarded jointly to L Edgington & F. Falaschi

Men’s 4th XI vs Stourport
An early push back this week saw the Mens 4s travel to Stourport who have been struggling to fulfil fixture so far this season. Well-taken goals by two of the younger players in the team will have made captain James Davies walk away pleased with a point. Hales entertain Bromsgrove in the early fixture next week and will be looking to convert this weeks result into 3-points.
Result: 2-2; goals from J. Pinnock & I. Sydenham
Player of the Match: J. Pinnock

Badgers XI vs Stourport
An interesting day for the Badgers as Stourport were struggling for players this week. OHHC embodied the spirit of badgers hockey by decided that player numbers would not stop our juniors from playing hockey. The home side agreed to lend a player to Stourport (well done to Anoushka M for volunteering) and both teams played a 7 vs 7 match over a shortened pitch with L. Davis and D. Richards coaching a team each all overseen by Coach Shacks. Young Frank L was a standout for Hales grabbing all three goals for the home team whilst Anoushka M managed to score twice against her beloved club. The coaches were quick to praise Leiana W post-match who played superbly.
Result: 3–5; Frank L (3). Stourport Goals from Anoushka M (2)
Coach’s Player of the Match: Leiana W
Player’s Player of the Match: Frank L