ENCOURAGING START
It was another warm and sunny day at Weybread last Saturday when the league season got off to an encouraging start with wins for the Ladies’ 4ths (by 2-1 and admittedly at the expense of the 3rds); for the Ladies’ 2nds (7-0 against Lowestoft) and for the Men’s 1sts by two goals to one over Cambridge University for whom it was good to see ex-Magpie Will Harrison playing. Will is in his last year of his engineering course at the famous university. Things got even better when news filtered through (even if a little slowly!) that the Ladies’ 1sts had beaten Oxford Hawks 2-1 away (Emily Wilford 2) after, like the Men’s 1sts, coming from behind to clinch victory.
The Ladies’ 4ths also upset the Ladies’ 3rds last season and this time they did it with two goals by Cas Aldous to one from Jemima Jacobs but there was no chance of the newly-promoted Ladies’ 2nds slipping up after they took an early lead against a much changed Lowestoft side with Anouska Hipperson soon into her stride with a hat-trick. Toni Glover scored twice with other goals coming from Emily Brown and an OG. Without the injured Tristan Baynes and after losing Andy Hipwell to a hamstring injury early in the game theMen’s 1sts were made to fight hard against an impressive Cambridge side who took a first half lead after umpire Tim Martin gave (unfortunately!) a superb advantage. Magpies dominated the second half and despite their drag flickers being sidelined still managed to convert two of their many shorties through Tom Graham and Simon Hipwell to secure a well deserved win. This coming Saturday the Men’s 1sts are away to West Herts (3.00), last season’s close runners-up to Cambridge City, who last weekend surprisingly lost to Wapping while the Ladies’ 1sts are at home to Wimbledon (12.30) who will be striving for a win after their 1-0 opening day defeat by Old Loughts. The Ladies’ 2nds travel to play Wisbech (1.00).
Also at home on Saturday will be the Men’s 2nds against Wisbech (2.15) after their remarkable recovery (without skipper Lawrence Baynes on the injured list like brother Tristan) from 4-0 down to draw 4-4 away with Cambridge University 2nds with goals by Richard Ling (2), David Francis and Martin Fields. The Men’s 4ths are also at home (against Sudbury 2nds at 3.15) after their 6-0 away defeat by Lowestoft Railway during which their back four of Messrs Blackmore D, Alexander K, Aldridge and Skinner more than lost in speed what they gained in their combined experience of 220 year! Meanwhile the Men’s 5ths, after their narrow defeat at the hands of Holt Harlequins (they conceded a late goal chasing the game), are away to Gorleston (3.00) without skipper Eddie Thorne who has, unfortunately, what looks like being a long term injury.
Please see the Home Page of the website for a list of all this Saturday’s matcheswhich include the Ladies’ 5ths and 6ths and the Boys and Girls Development teams opening their league campaigns. Unless this column is to become impossibly long each week (and your patience tested more than ever) it is not possible to cover every team each week but I will try to be as fair as possible in the weeks ahead. One final remark in this paragraph – the men’s captains did remarkably well to put out teams last week. While I’m not sounding the alarm bells I urge members to make themselves available as often as possible please to allow us to field seven men’s teams each week. GOOD LUCK TO ALL OUR TEAMS THIS COMING SATURDAY.
Every year we say ‘thanks and best wishes’ to young members as they go off to experience the excitement and challenges of university and this year it is the turn of Sam Ashurst, James Baker, Verity Blyth, Lucy Chubbock, Flora Marfleet and Sophie Moore.They will always be very welcome back at HMHC – their club – during holidays and at the end of their studies. I would appreciate being advised of anyone I have overlooked. Last week while listing members who have left us for other clubs etc. I completely forgot to wish them well for the future and to say they will always be welcome back like all our university members. And I forgot to include James Fanger – how could I have done such a thing?! All the very best James – it was good to have you with us.
Other news and comment
a) Following his keyhole surgery it was good to see Kevin Ridley showing off his left knee last Saturday while propped up on a bar stool alongside the pitch!
b) James Lane has asked me to say that the club’s Facebook page iswww.facebook.com/magpieshockey and our Twitter feed is @magpieshockeytv
c) Further details will be issued soon regarding the Club Quiz Night to be held in the clubhouse at 7.30pm on Saturday 13 October and the Fun Casino & Cocktail Night which will now be held on Saturday 10 November. Please put both events in your diary!
d) A brief history of the club can now be found on the National Hockey Museum’s website (which is worth a look), namely www.hockeyarchives.co.uk
e) Many thanks to Kirstin Cumming (kit), George Hunter (grass cutting) and Andrew Longe (floodlight maintenance) for their recent pre-season work on behalf of the club.
f) Pitchside bottle count (6.00pm Saturday 15 September) – 10! Plus sundry other rubbish. This will be a regular reporting item!!
With kind regards
Mike Denham
18/9/12
