QUIET CONFIDENCE FOR NEW LEAGUE SEASON
The friendlies are out of the way and on Saturday all of our 15 Saturday teams commence their league campaigns except for the Ladies’ 7ths who get underway on Saturday week.
After the mixed fortunes of last season our teams have some more testing months ahead but there is no reason why they shouldn’t face them with quiet confidence especially if as many members as possible commit to playing each week.
Once again the club is lucky to be supported by many local businesses including estate agents Musker McIntyre, sponsors of the Ladies’ 1sts outdoor team, Dynamic Club Shops who sponsor the Men’s 1sts outdoor team, estate agents Durrants who sponsor the Men’s 1sts and Ladies’ 1sts indoor teams and estate agents Parson, M.R. King & Sons (Peugeot, Suzuki and Volvo specialists), accountants Larking Gowen and accountants Lovewell Blake. In addition we are extremely grateful to Sight and Sound (4 The Thoroughfare, Harleston) who have kindly sponsored the new television in the clubhouse.
The Ladies’ 1sts start their eighteenth successive national league outdoor campaign with an away game against newly-promoted West Herts (1.30) in the East Conference of the Investec Women’s Hockey League and they will again be captained by Lucy Belsey with Lauren Barber joining her as vice-captain while Nick McAllen continues as manager and Rob Sorrell as coach. The team will be without two of its leading players as Emma Lee-Smith has joined premier league team East Grinstead and Katrina Sitch is expecting twins and both will be sorely missed. Emma goes with our best wishes as befits one of the most gifted players in the history of the club and who has given outstanding service to Magpies (she tells me she will be back!) and it is congratulations and best wishes to Katrina and husband Leigh. They should not want for advice bearing in mind the clubhouse happily resembles a crèche most Saturdays!
The Ladies’ 2nds, captained jointly by Plum Sweet and Laura Tibbenham and coached by Sam Tea, commence their East Division 1N programme away to Dereham (12.00) determined to regain their Premier Division status they lost last season. Several players have moved up from the 3rds and 4ths and if they build on the promising display against Norwich Dragons (coached by ex-Magpies star Pete Thomas) last Saturday the team should be in for a good season. The Ladies’ 3rds, promoted to East 2NE (thanks to the 4ths winning the Norfolk Premier) and giving the club two East league teams and a national league team for the first time in the same season, are at home to Yarmouth (12.00) captained by Sarah Legg with Kate Russell her vice-captain.
Meanwhile the much-changed Ladies’ 4ths are at home to Norwich City 4ths (3.30), the 5ths (once again captained by Jose Tibbenham) host Lowestoft Railway (1.45), the 6ths, captained by Gillian Stokes, are away to Lowestoft Railway 2nds with the early start of 10.00 while the Girls’ Development, managed once again by Sandra Elliner, are at home to Lowestoft Railway (10.15).
For the Men’s 1sts, with Leigh Sitch continuing as captain and Ben Wright as player-coach, it is back to East Premier A after their short-lived return to the national league and they start with a testing game away to old rivals St Albans (3.00). The team welcome back Will Martin but have unfortunately lost Matt Riches, Toby Price (to university) and Donnie Archer and Zum Akhtar (to Cambridge City). They go with our best wishes and thanks for their services to the club. With their departures and with Andy Hipwell stepping down (but hopefully playing in another team when fit) and with Tristan Baynes now playing a vital role in the 2nds it is hoped that some of the club’s young and promising players step up to take their places including welcome new members Sam Patterson and Jack Knight.
The Men’s 2nds, captained by Lawrence Baynes, will look to consolidate in East Division 1 after their controversial relegation when they start against Blueharts 2nds (2.00) at Weybread. In addition to Tristan Baynes they will be boosted by the welcome return of former 1st team vice-captain Pete Bale (who it was good to see at the club last Saturday with Ellie and their three children) and new member Tom Hughes. Many happy returns to goalkeeper Jordan Wiseman who was 18 last Sunday. Meanwhile the 3rds are once again in the safe hands of captain Matt Brand and they are at home to Lowestoft Railway (3.15). As ever they will be looking to Gavin Cole to produce his highly impressive annual haul of goals. No pressure Gavin!
The Men’s 4ths, after their 3-3 friendly draw with Norwich City 5ths, are away to Lowestoft Railway 2nds (2.30), the 5ths led by Steve Halliley are at home to Thetford Town (10.45) while the 6ths are away to Dereham 3rds (3.00), encouraged by their 3-2 friendly win over Norwich City 7ths, as they prepare to take on the 5ths the following week. Only time will tell if captain Eric Davy comes to regret his team’s promotion at the end of last season! Last but certainly not least the Boys’ Development (managed again by Mark Emms) are away to Dereham (3.45) in what was originally scheduled as a home game. Dereham will now come to Weybread on 5 November (3.15).
Good luck to all our teams this weekend. Please see the website for the list of fixtures.
LINDA HUNTER – Unsung Hero
Linda has stood down from youth coaching after some 20 years and secretary Daphne Beckett (no stranger herself to dedication to the club) has kindly accepted my invitation to pay tribute to Linda for what she has done for the club in this capacity and in many others over the years. Daphne writes –
Linda joined the club over 40 years ago playing for the Ladies’ 2nds. In those days there was no clubhouse and just two grass pitches so she has seen many changes and over those years she has quietly contributed an enormous amount to the club. One of my early memories is of Linda playing and then cycling in all weathers over 3 miles home again. Linda has not only played (until 10 years ago) but held very important positions such as team vice-captain and membership secretary always knowing when someone had moved etc. – her knowledge was always extensive. She also served tirelessly on the Youth Committee for many years. When her daughter Melissa started junior hockey Linda also took up coaching obtaining her Level 1 qualification and she coached the boys and girls every other Saturday morning as well as playing. This session then moved to Friday evenings where Linda continued to coach at the boys’ sessions over the years.
Linda is a real unsung hero – just getting on quietly in the background doing what she says she will do. She has always been willing to help at functions such as the strawberry luncheon and other events including tournaments by preparing and serving the food. She is also noted for her chicken eggs for the sandwiches which have been enjoyed by countless people over the years!
We thank Linda for her dedication to Magpies Hockey and especially for her much-appreciated contribution to youth coaching in recognition of which a presentation was made to her at the youth awards evening in May. I know Linda will continue to support the Club in her capacity as a vice-president.
DB
SOCIAL AND FUND RAISING PROGRAMME FOR THE SEASON – please note your diary!
2016
Saturday 1 October – Quiz Night
Saturday 26 November – Casino Evening
2017
Saturday 28 January – Cheese & Wine Tasting Evening
Saturday 4 March – Auction of Promises
Saturday 25 March – End of Season Awards
Sat 29 April/Mon 1 May – Magpies Tournament
June/July – Strawberry Luncheon (date and venue to be confirmed)
Thursday 13 July – Golf Day (Bungay & Waveney GC)
With kind regards
Mike Denham
[email protected]
13/9/16
