Last weekend was a very busy and eventful one for the club and over the two days we fielded no less than 20 teams ranging from the Ladies’ and Men’s 1sts to – and for the first time this season – the U10 Girls ‘B’.
The Ladies’ 3rds got the ball rolling at Weybread on Saturday when they went down to their first defeat of the season losing 2-0 to UEA before they were followed on the water-based by the Men’s 6ths who gave the ball away far too often against an experienced Ipswich 3rds losing a little harshly 6-0. Next up for the game of the day were the table-topping Men’s 3rds against their closest rivals Ely City. Simon Robinson saved a stroke before Tiger Brice put the 3rds ahead and after the impressive Ely side scrambled an equaliser Sam Ashurst was on hand to put us back in front. Ely stormed back in an exciting second half and deservedly took the lead before, and with time running out, skipper Matt Brand fired in the equaliser and with the last hit of the game Philip Cobbald, just back from a hot and steamy Singapore, saw his yard-wide shot hit a defender before diverting into the back of the net for three very welcome but slightly fortuitous points.
The Men’s 1sts could have done with this sort of luck against Teddington on Sunday when Ben Wright hit a post in the third minute and the bar with a superb reverse stick shot after the interval. However, by then we were two down due in no small part to some accurate long passing by ex-England international Calum Giles. The team, for whom Richard Gill (as ever) and goalkeeper Rees Leonard were in fine form, deserved a draw but all they had to show for their second half hard work and dominance was Stuart Leate’s goal which required him striking the ball four times before he could persuade it to pierce the packed Teddington defence!
But back to Saturday where it looked as if the Ladies’ 4ths were on for at least one welcome point against Evergreens when Jose Tibbenham put them ahead and when, after the visitors had taken the lead, Sarah Legg calmly converted a penalty stroke but it was not to be as they went down 3-2 to a late goal. Later the Men’s 7ths took the field without their inspirational skipper Murray Graham (something about a move of offices taking precedence) but his well oiled machine of a team – big ends, faulty spark plugs and even dip sticks were mentioned after the game – eased past Bury 4ths 4-0 with the final goal a cracker from Joe Walker who collected the ball way out before firing in from the edge of the circle.
Away to Yarmouth the Ladies’ 2nds came from behind to maintain their perfect start to the season with goals from the prolific Anouska Hipperson and the in-form Emily Brown while the Ladies’ 5ths beat Reepham 5-2 away to continue their impressive season. Meantime the two Development teams were both winning 5-0 while the Ladies’ 1sts were again finding scoring goals a problem going down 3-0 away to Sevenoaks. They have another demanding game this coming Sunday (12.30) when they entertain league leaders Surbiton while on the same day the Men’s 1sts will be hoping their good form (and a change of luck) will secure them a much needed win away to Indian Gymkhana (1.30). The Ladies’ and Men’s 2nds – the latter lose away and win at home – have centre stage at Weybread on Saturday. Please see the Home Page of the website for the full list of this weekend’s fixtures including the Over 50 Men’s Vets away to Tunbridge Wells on Sunday (1.00). Good luck to all our teams.
Congratulations to:
a) Jonathan Aldridge and Philip Cobbald who were members of the England Over 50s who won the recent Singapore International Masters. England, who won all their six matches including a 2-1 victory over Australia in the final, scored 29 goals in total with eight coming from Philip and five from Jonathan.
b) The youth committee on hosting last Sunday’s very successful U10 and U12 Girls’ Minis and to Norwich City on winning the U10 event, to Ipswich ‘B’ on winning the U12 event and to Magpies ‘A’, under coach Martin Reader, who came second in the U10s.
c) The U16 Girls who beat Dereham 2-1 and Cambridge City 15-0 last Sunday and who with one match still to be played have progressed to the next stage of the EHB Cup.
Other news and comments in brief
a) There is good news on the medical front concerning two HMHC vice-presidents. Christine Longe is on the mend after her severe setback during recent surgery and Janet Reader is recovering well from her double knee replacement operation. Best wishes to Chris and Janet.
b) As you may have noticed the scoreboard on the water-based pitch has been behaving erratically of late. But please don’t blame the highly trained team of operatives. We have not developed the yips and instead we are pointing our fingers at the buttons on the remote!! Hopefully a new remote will do the trick.
c) You may also have noticed that over the last few weeks several bulbs have blown on the water-based. These cost £150 each to replace so if your subscription is still overdue please bear this in mind.
d) This profound comment was overheard at the club over the weekend – ‘If we didn’t have posts we wouldn’t have goals’.
With kind regards and best wishes
Mike Denham
[email protected]
15/11/11
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