FROM THE JAWS OF VICTORY
The curtain finally came down on the 2013-14 playing season last Sunday when holders Cannock completed a remarkable comeback to deny Magpies victory at Weybread in their England Hockey Mixed Trophy clash. This was very much a case of Magpies snatching defeat from the jaws of victory as they were leading 4-1 midway through the second half and looking to be well on the way to securing a place in the semi-finals. Cannock then drew level with three goals in five minutes to stun both the home team and the large home crowd before grabbing the winner with two minutes to go and seconds after Magpies had missed an excellent chance at the other end.
Cannock went ahead early in the game before Sam Moore deflected in the equaliser for Magpies. The home team then gained the lead when Lucy Whiting finished off a flowing move for possibly the goal of the season. Early in the second half Andrew Bedwell converted a penalty stroke before Toby Price looked to have sealed victory for the home team with a penalty corner conversion high into the visitors’ net. But Cannock, with Arjan Drayton-Chana (see him on YouTube) in sparkling second half form, were not to be denied in a top quality game played in the best of spirits on a hot and sunny afternoon. For Magpies Toby Price was in top form with his running and control and was deservedly his team’s MOTM. While there is no denying this was a disappointing result the squad can look back on another very satisfactory season.
After the game I was blamed for the defeat (!) as there was insufficient water in the tank to water the pitch at half time. Would the team member who twice watered before the game and ran the tank dry please own up?!
FOR YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE
a) The Annual General Meeting will now be held in the clubhouse at 7.30pm on Tuesday 17 June (instead of Thursday 19 June) to avoid clashing with the England versus Uruguay match in the FIFA World Cup. The agenda will be issued by email (and will be available on the website) next week.
b) 300 Club – the May and June 2014 winners are available from the Home Page of the website.
c) The Strawberry Luncheon will this year be held on Sunday 29 June and more details will be issued shortly. In the meantime please note your diary for this very enjoyable event.
OTHER NEWS
a) I am pleased to report that Andrew Joyce, a very keen HMHC supporter and son of VP Pat Joyce, is making progress from his very serious heart operation. However, Andrew is likely to be in hospital for several more months for physiotherapy on his left leg and he is waiting to be moved to Sheffield for specialist treatment.
b) It is very many congratulations and best wishes to ‘out on loan’ Magpie Tim Whiteman (Beeston HC) on his selection to play for England in the Rabobank Hockey World Cup to be held in The Hague from 31 May to 15 June. Tim made his full England debut in the Hero Hockey World League Finals in India in January of this year where he helped the team to win bronze. NB. All of England’s matches (Men and Women) will be shown live on Sky.
c) Nearly 100 young members attended last Friday’s Youth Presentation Evening to round off another successful season. Please see the website for photographs and the list of winners.
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With kind regards and best wishes
Mike Denham
21/5/14
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