GOALS GALORE WITH KAY LEADING THE WAY
There were goals galore last weekend in the matches involving the Ladies’ 4ths and the Men’s 1sts, 2nds and 3rds and while only the Ladies secured a win there was satisfaction for all four teams. But pride of place must go to the Ladies’ 4ths who beat Pelicans 3rds 10-0 with five of the goals coming from Kay Dennis who scored three times in the first twenty minutes. Is this the quickest hat trick by a member this season? Did Martin Fields do better while scoring five for the Men’s 2nds against Broxbourne in January?
The Men’s 1sts got a good point in their 4-4 away draw against Bromley and Beckenham but after conceding all four goals to penalty corners will need to tighten up on that part of their play when they entertain second placed Canterbury this Sunday (2.15). In Kwan Browne, the Trinidad and Tobago international, Canterbury have without doubt the best player in the East Conference and corner taking is part of his outstanding repertoire of hockey skills.
When Plan A failed the Men’s 2nds against Wapping it was just as well they turned to Plan B being three down with fifteen minutes to go! Robbie Kinsella, Lawrence Baynes and Dave Francis then scored to pull off a remarkable 3-3 recovery against the then league leaders (and still clear favourites) down by the River Thames. It is to be hoped that Plan A will have been consigned to the rubbish bin before they host Long Sutton on Saturday (2.15) with victory essential if any hope of promotion is not to be extinguished.
Meantime the Men’s 3rds had a much shorter trip to Loddon where they were soon a goal down to championship rivals Norwich Dragons before Matt Brand made it 1-1 at the interval. Magpies, cheered on by their supporters who outnumbered the home ‘crowd’ by an estimated 20 to 3(!), took temporary control of the match soon after the break with quick goals by Will Martin and Philip Cobbald only for Dragons to force the pace thereafter with the away team rarely showing as an attacking force. But with goalkeeper Ross Briggs making some remarkable saves in the closing stages a win for Magpies looked the likeliest result only for Dragons to score twice in the last four minutes for a draw their fight back deserved. This result leaves both sides still unbeaten this season with Dragons slight favourites to win the league but unless something untoward happens both teams are assured of promotion. Well done to Mark Lewis and his team. This Saturday the 3rds entertain Norwich Dragons 2nds (4.00) looking for plenty of goals which could yet decide the championship.
The Ladies’ 1sts deserved their hard fought win over Horsham after dominating the match for long periods only to be let down by their finishing and they nearly paid the price when Horsham hit a post before Cherry Seaborn scored for the ninth time this season with what turned out to be eight nervy minutes remaining. This week the team is away to St Albans who they beat 5-1 in late October with three goals from Angie Wheelhouse and two from Cherry.
The Men’s 4ths continued their improved form by beating Ipswich 4ths 5-0 for their third consecutive win and this week they are away to Gorleston (2.30) while the Men’s 6ths are away to Ipswich Cranes 2nds (1.00) boosted by their 3-0 win over UEA 3rds. Meantime the Ladies’ 2nds return to action after their half term break with an away double-header when they play City of Peterborough in a vital relegation clash on Saturday (1.00) followed by a visit to fourth placed Wisbech on Sunday (11.30 or 1.00). Good luck to all our teams in action this weekend including the Mixed who play Bedford (12.00 away) in the EH Trophy on Sunday and the Men’s Veterans who entertain Holcombe on Sunday (11.45) after their match was frozen off last weekend.
News and comments in brief
§ Best wishes to the England men’s team who begin their FIH World Cup campaign in New Delhi on Sunday against Australia. Also in their tough pool are South Africa (2/3), Pakistan (4/3), India (6/3) and Spain (8/3).
§ I hope by now you have seen a copy of the catalogue for the Auction of Promises to be held on Saturday 13 March (clubhouse 7.00pm). If not please go to the Home Page of the club’s website and click on Auction of Promises on the top right and then click on HERE. If you would like a hard copy please let me know.
§ I also hope you are able to sell your Spring Draw tickets and return the stubs with money a.s.a.p. please. The draw will be held during the Auction of Promises which promises (!) to be a very exciting evening. So please come along.
With kind regards and best wishes
Mike Denham 01603 506925 [email protected] 24/2/10
ICENI Taekwon-do: n-a-m.co.uk 
