It was good to be back at the club last Saturday after my four-week break from hockey during which I spent several days with my good friends Terry and Yolande McIntyre, the chairman and vice-chairman, respectively, of the Aussie branch of the HMHC Supporters’ Club. They take a very close interest in Magpies’ affairs from afar. I thank them for their hospitality and Will Main for his splendid ‘Musings’ in my absence. I’ve offered to sell the column to Will! Thanks again Will for all your help during the past month. I also thank Nigel Bedingfield and Robert Stimpson for keeping the website updated with fixtures and results.
It was also good to see the Ladies’ 1sts continue their impressive form with an excellent 2-0 win over an accomplished Oxford Hawks team. Often on the back foot and especially so at the end of each half the squad tackled as if their lives depended on the result and they thoroughly deserved to take their points tally from three consecutive home games to seven with goals by Angie Wheelhouse and Jess Howland – the latter goal due in no small part to Emily Wilford’s fine shot which Jess deflected over the line from close range. It was a tense game for players and spectators alike but not as tense as Sunday’s rugby world cup final. I must say I enjoyed the whole tournament but with rarely contested scrums and lineouts and with seemingly aimless kicking downfield it lacked the overall excitement and pleasure of watching international hockey!
Also at home on Saturday the Men’s 3rds continued their table-topping form with an excellent 3-1 win over close rivals Norwich Dragons. The in-form Gavin Cole gave Magpies the lead and after a Dragon’s equaliser goals by Phil Cobbald and Tiger Brice and a goal-line save by defender Tim Alexander made the game safe for Matt Brand and his team. It was also good to see 4th team administrator Robert Steven (surely it is time he was promoted to manager!) being rewarded for all his hard work in getting the team together by seeing them beat Thetford 5-0. MOTM was Elliott Ashurst with three goals just edging out keeper Richard Allcock who was not required to touch the ball in the entire game! The other scorers were Josh Fitzgerald and Toby Williamson. Over on the other pitch the Men’s 6ths were drawing 2-2 with IES, thanks in part to goals by Jonathan Aldridge and Thomas Ridley and two last ditch tackles by the evergreen Jerry Blackmore, while earlier the Ladies’ 3rds had continued their fine start to the season with a 5-0 win over Broadland.
Away from home the Ladies’ 2nds beat Broadland 2-1 with goals by Krystal Bishop and Lucy Whiting to maintain their 100% record under manager Nigel Wooltorton and there were also good away wins for the Men’s 5ths (2-1 against Dereham 3rds) and the Men’s 7ths 1-0 against Bury 3rds with a very late goal by Jon Wells. Meanwhile the Men’s 1sts were continuing their improved form going down narrowly 4-3 to Old Loughtonians. When the news came through that the team were level at 3-3 at half time hopes were raised for a much needed win but it was not to be. However, the squad will have drawn encouragement from their last two games ahead of their next match at home to Wimbledon on Sunday week.
This week being half term we have just eight teams in action including the Men’s 3rds at home to Dereham 2nds (2.15) and the Ladies’ 2nds away to North Walsham (1.00) whom they beat 6-1 on the opening day of the season. Please see the Home Page of the website for the complete list of fixtures.
News and comments in brief
a) It is ‘thanks’ to David Cobbald for his recent maintenance work on the water-based pitch and to George Hunter for his recent grass cutting.
b) Serena Sitch is hoping to run a First Aid course in the clubhouse over two evenings in November (Monday 14, 21 or 28 November). The course is for beginners or those needing to do a refresher. If you are interested please give Serena (01379 852636) a ring as soon as possible.
c) Volunteers are still needed to help with stewarding and car parking at the Fireworks Spectacular at the club on Friday 4 November between 6.00pm and 8.00pm. If you have not already put your name forward James Smith (07780 663100) would be delighted to hear from you as soon as you can.
With kind regards and best wishes
Mike Denham
