MAGNIFICENT SEVEN?
After their sixth straight win of the season (and at 5-0 by the smallest margin!) away to Norwich Dragons 3rds can the Men’s 7ths make it a magnificent seven when they take on Felixstowe 3rds at home this Saturday (3.15)? Not surprisingly with a 100% record they top their league but with Felixstowe 3rds in second place a tough game is in prospect so please come along to cheer on Murray’s Magnificents!
While the Men’s 7ths were doing the club proud at Loddon there were three good home wins at Weybread with the Ladies’ 2nds getting us off to an encouraging start with a 2-1 win over Ipswich 3rds. After early goals by Holly Baker and Catherine Cranmer (a very welcome new member) an easy win seemed in prospect but when Ipswich raised their game in the second half the 2nds had to be at their determined best to get the three points they deserved. Next up were the Men’s 2nds looking for a good win to fire up their season as they took on Long Sutton and the result was never in doubt after David Francis put them ahead from a twice taken penalty stroke. With Daniel Legg in commanding form at the back the usually strong Long Sutton forward line rarely threatened and further goals came from skipper Lawrence Baynes, Martin Fields and the prolific (two in two games!) Stuart Leate to give them a 4-0 victory their dominance deserved. It was good to see Leigh Sitch playing a full game for the first time this season but I can only assume when he claimed after the game that he had nearly scored he meant passed his own keeper!
We then witnessed an even more convincing victory with the Men’s 6ths beating Norwich City 5ths 9-2. The win was achieved despite skipper Kevin Ridley being sidelined having pulled something in training (!), Sam Lyne taking a nasty knock on a foot early in the game and centre forward Andy Palmer leaving the scoring to others – including Jerry Blackmore with a rare and vital effort on the cusp of full time!
In case you don’t read any further (!) I remind you of this Friday’s Fireworks Spectacular at the club. Please come – gates open at 6.00pm with the fireworks following the bonfire which will be lit at 7.00pm.
In a full programme of matches this weekend the Ladies’ 1sts return to action on Saturday with a vital match away to St Albans (1.30) while, alongside the Men’s 7ths, the Ladies’ 4ths and the Men’s 3rds have centre stage at Weybread when they take on Broadland 2nds (1.45) and City of Peterborough 3rds (2.15) respectively. The Ladies’ 4ths will be looking to maintain their good run of form while the Men’s 3rds, after hitting back to draw 6-6 away to Ipswich & East Suffolk last Saturday, will hope to get back to winning ways. In other matches on Saturday the Men’s 2nds travel to play Pelicans (3.00) while the Ladies’ 2nds are away to Ipswich & East Suffolk (1.00).
On Sunday the Men’s 1sts have a tough looking game as they entertain Old Loughtonians (2.15) who did the double over them last season while the Men’s Vets are away to Broxbourne (1.30) in the EHB Cup. At 9.30 the club hosts one of the rounds of the Norfolk Club U10/U12 Girls’ Minis. Good luck as always to all our teams in action this weekend (please see website for a full list of fixtures).
Other news and comments
· Congratulations to Rachel and Tristan Baynes on the birth of Rosie Alexandra last Thursday. This was excellent timing in the week of no first team games!
· Congratulations also to Sarah Brook, Will Blyth and Elliot Smith on being members of the winning U16 Saxon Tigers’ squads in their respective U16 Futures Cup at Cannock HC last weekend.
· In addition to England, Holland has made a bid to host the 2014 World Cups for Men and Women.
· The nominees for the FIH Men’s 2010 Player of the Year include England captain Barry Middleton and Teun de Nooijer of Holland (winner in 2003, 2005 and 2006) – surely hockey’s best ever player? England’s Ashley Jackson, the 2009 winner, is nominated for the Young Player of the Year.
· Thanks to Neville Chubbock for the strimming he has done on the verges and banks at the club. This sort of work is vital in our efforts to keep the grounds looking neat and tidy.
· While on the subject of ‘neat and tidy’ I continue to be amazed at the number of bottles and other detritus (including blood stained tissues) left on the pitches – and some within inches of the bins! I’m sorry if I sound like an old ….!
Mike Denham 01603 506925
