HAPPY DAY FOR MEN’S 1STS, 3RDS AND 5THS
While last Saturday’s results were generally disappointing for the club it was a very good day for the Men’s 1sts and 3rds and a good day for the Men’s 5ths as all three gained wins by varying margins.
The 1sts beat City of Peterborough 4-1 (Ben Wright (3), Will Martin) at home and soon after they learned that leaders St Albans had lost at home to Chelmsford and Wapping had lost away to Bedford. The St Albans result was a shock bearing in mind Magpies beat Chelmsford 5-1 away the previous Saturday but on reflection the Wapping result was less of a surprise bearing in mind how well Bedford played to beat Magpies at Weybread in early December. This all means that should Magpies win their last six games they finish as champions. But this is a lot to ask of skipper Mark Wheelhouse and his side who play Wisbech at Weybread this coming Saturday (12.00) in a match rescheduled from 17 January as Magpies were competing in the national indoor league. Wisbech have had a very disappointing season to-date failing to pick up any points but they pushed Magpies very hard way back in September going down by the odd goal of three.
The 3rds had a must-win home game against Ipswich Cranes who were also in danger of relegation so it was particularly pleasing that Magpies recorded their fourth successive win. Magpies were 6-0 ahead at half time before going on to win 10-1 with goals by Gavin Cole (5), Jon Aldridge (2), skipper Matt Brand (2) and Nick Whitehead to take another important step away from the two relegation spots. This Saturday the team hosts Pelicans 2nds (3.15) in a re-arranged match. Meanwhile the 5ths were beating Pelicans 4ths 4-3 away after falling two goals behind after five minutes. Keiran Peters converted a penalty corner before half time and after the break Tom Norton brought the teams level before Keiran converted another penalty corner. Pelicans then equalised and would have regained the lead but for some outstanding saves by goalkeeper Jordan Wiseman before Keiran left the final goal to Stuart, his Dad, and with it three points for his team who host Sudbury 3rds on Saturday (12.15).
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BINGO EVENING SATURDAY 28 FEBRUARY, CLUBHOUSE
7.30 FOR ‘EYES DOWN’ AT 8.00PM
£10 FOR 6 GAMES WITH A GLASS OF WINE PLUS PRIZES TO BE WON
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In the remaining nine matches contested by our teams last Saturday we gained just one point with that being earned by the Boys’ Development who in their return game with Norwich City drew 0-0 to go some way to making up for their defeat by City the previous week. None of our five Ladies’ teams who were in action gained a point and this can be partly explained by three of the matches being rearrangements on the slip date (due to the recent bad weather) after members had made other arrangements. The high number of absences put a strain on all the three teams involved, i.e. the 3rds, 4ths and 5ths, plus the Ladies’ 2nds who played far better than their 4-0 away defeat by Old Loughtonians would suggest. Only three members of the team were over 18 and Lauren Rowe made a promising debut while skipper Frances Taylor very bravely played despite having spent the week suffering from the nasty neck injury she received the previous Saturday.
Meanwhile the Ladies’ 3rds were fielding a young team away to an experienced Broadland side losing
2-0 while the Ladies’ 4ths with just three of their normal squad available away to Dereham 3rds were indebted to reinforcements from the 5ths. After going two goals down and recovering to lead 3-2 the team eventually lost 5-3 with their goals coming from Laura Tibbenham (2) and Rachel Goodson while Sophie Childs was MOTM. This meant the Ladies’ 5ths fielded an inexperienced side and they did well, with Millie Norman having a fine game in goal, to hold Lowestoft Railway to 1-1 at half time before going 4-1 down (Emily Woollatt) with Railway scoring two late goals.
The Ladies’ 1sts were extremely unlucky not to get at least a point from their home game against runaway league leaders East Grinstead having an effort disallowed after the umpires conferred and before EG scored the only goal of the game from a penalty corner with ten minutes to go. This coming Saturday Magpies are away to Chelmsford (2.00) where a point or three would come in handy with the situation behind them in the league tightening up with wins last Saturday for Bedford (their second since the resumption) and Ipswich.
Away from home the Men’s 2nds once again came away from Long Sutton pointless losing 3-1 (Andy Hipwell) while the Men’s 4ths were pipped 2-1 (Richard Gill) by IES 2nds while at home the Men’s 6ths played well despite losing 3-1 (David Johnson) to Bury St Edmunds 4ths.
Good luck as always to our teams this coming weekend including on Sunday the Mixed team who host Hertford (1.00) in the 2nd round of the EH Trophy and the Men’s O50s who are away to Holcombe in the 3rd round of the EH Masters Cup. Please see the Latest News page of the website for the complete list of this weekend’s fixtures.
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SERENA SITCH MOONWALKING IN HER BRA!
The MoonWalk is a very popular annual fund raising power walk of 26.2 miles through the night on Clapham Common with participants (men as well as women) wearing decorated bras with money raised going to Walk the Walk, the official charity of Breast Cancer Awareness.
Serena has reached a significant birthday (surely not 60 Serena?!) and while she feels her ambition of running a marathon is now a few running steps too far she is in training for the MoonWalk (16/17 May) and is looking for people kind enough to sponsor her. There is a sponsorship form on the club’s notice board for this purpose. If you would like to contact Serena to find out more about the event she would be delighted to hear from you on 01379 852636 or via doug143
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Other news and comment
a) Congratulations and best wishes to Alice Hopgood on her selection for the England U16 National Age Group Squad. This is a fine achievement by Alice following on from her performances in the Saxon Tigers squad at last year’s England Hockey Futures Cup.
b) Last week I credited Alice Woollatt with scoring for the Girls’ Development in their 3-0 win over Pelicans. I should know that she is now playing and scoring for the 5ths. I should have credited the goal to Alice Evans-Hendrick; her first for the club. I extend my apologies to both Alices.
c) Sandra Elliner, who does an excellent job managing the Girls’ Development, played in the game against Pelicans but shouldn’t have done so as the wrist she damaged months ago is still giving her problems. Hopefully the fresh treatment she has received will be successful.
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MAGPIES YOUTH COIN CHALLENGE – GIRLS v BOYS
(Organised by the Youth Committee)
Our Boys and Girls are asked to kindly bring a bag full of change (of at least
£5 if possible please) to their training session next week (i.e. Monday 23
to Saturday 28 February to try to cover the Magpie images.
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I cracked what I thought was a good joke a few days ago. Honestly! I was talking to veterans Murray Graham and Peter Dolton and in view of the fact that goalkeeper and club chairman Murray is not being picked too often for our Saturday teams at present I suggested we should send him out on loan with Peter the makeweight in the deal! I thought it was funny even if Murray and Peter struggled to agree!
NB. Maria Rowe (the club’s Membership and Recruitment Manager) is seeking members to help her in her endeavours. Please see the Latest News page of the website for more details and please contact Maria if you are interested.
With kind regards
Mike Denham
17/2/15
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