CHEERING NEWS FROM LADIES’ 1STS
Last weekend started well at Weybread with Saturday wins for the Ladies’ 5ths (2-0), the Boys Development (4-2) and the Ladies’ 2nds (3-0). Thereafter it was doom and gloom nearly all the way for two days relieved only by the cheering news of two 1-0 away wins for the Ladies’ 1sts and away wins for the Ladies’ 3rds – who beat Watton 2nds 5-1 with goals by Jemima Jacobs (2), Catherine Kilbourn, MOTM Frankie Eaves and Ariane Dyball – and the U18 Boys who edged past Saffron Walden 3-2 on penalty strokes in the EHB Cup on Sunday after a 1-1 draw (George Payne). It is thanks to David Johnson for umpiring this match at short notice.
The Ladies’ 5ths got back to winning ways against Broadland 2nds after a poor spell by their standards with goals by Sophie Long, before she was injured, and Kara Kilbourn and the Boys Development recovered from their heavy defeat the week before to overcome Norwich Dragons with goals by Soloman Barker (2), Alfie Fawkner and Cameron Woodcock. This victory turned out to be the only one secured by the male side of the club all weekend except for the win by the U18 Boys who are now at home to Wycombe this coming Sunday (2.00).
After the Boys Development it was the turn of the Ladies’ 2nds to enjoy victory beating Yarmouth with goals by Anouska Hipperson, Krystal Bishop and Lucy Whiting. This win assured them of promotion and with the draw between Sprowston and Ipswich 3rds they are also on the cusp of clinching the league title which would be confirmed this coming Saturday by a point away to Dereham 2nds (3.00). I’ll say more about the team when the league title is finally secured but in the meantime it is thanks to them and the Ladies’ 5ths – and their opponents – for sportingly agreeing to change their start times and pitches last Saturday to accommodate the rearranged match between the Men’s 1sts and Canterbury.
The excellent away victories for the Ladies’ 1sts over Oxford Hawks on Saturday and Ipswich on Sunday – with the goals coming from Hannah Palmer and Lauren Barber respectively – made it four wins over the last two weekends and with it national league safety for yet another season. The news also gave us a big boost at Weybread. After four goalless defeats leading up to Christmas could the team be heading for a repeat of their seven successive victories achieved at this time last season? They are home to bottom placed Horsham on Saturday (12.30).
The disappointing results for the Men’s sides began with a 4-2 defeat (James Baker and Toby Tibbenham) for the 2nds at the hands of Wisbech but with less generosity to the visitors at both ends of the pitch at least one valuable point could have been won by the home team. Next up were the Men’s 1sts against the league leaders from Kent and the final score of 5-1 (Simon Hipwell) to Canterbury was a little harsh on Magpies. Once again they found Kwan Browne (surely one of the best players ever to have played at Weybread) in tip top form and with three penalty corner conversions by Michael Farrer and two typical strikes by David Mathews they got the tough game they were expecting.
There were also home defeats for the Men’s 5ths and 6ths and away defeats for the Men’s 3rds and 4ths while the Men’s 7ths were being held to an away draw. The Men’s sides are, frankly, suffering from a shortage of players due to a combination of tight overall numbers, injuries and, in the Spring term, school commitments resulting in most teams having no subs. This situation has to be addressed and not I sincerely hope by the ditching of another team bearing in mind we dropped one back in 2007/8.
There was more disappointment for the Men’s 1sts at Weybread on Sunday through the 7-1 defeat by second placed Old Loughtonians. Two down after seventeen minutes – the second a superb reverse stick strike by GB and England international Harry Martin – the team were enjoying a really good spell in the second half and looked to be back in the game when we were awarded a goal after a fierce shot by Mark Stacpoole only for the umpires to confer and to rule out the effort. The team later conceded five goals in the last nine minutes with the only consolation coming from an exquisite lob over the advancing goalkeeper by Ben Wright following a fine run and pass by James Fanger who for me was Magpies’ MOTM. With other results going against them the team is now bottom of the league and a minimum of two wins from their last four games, starting away to Wimbledon on Sunday (1.00), could well be needed for a chance of the relegation play-off spot. The last opportunity to lift our spirits came with the Mixed team playing Dereham but it wasn’t to be and we lost 4-3 despite goals by Robbie Kinsella (2) and Phil Cobbald. The best part of the day – except for the news from Ipswich – came with the three excellent sausages, together with the potato and beans, prescribed to me by Dr Bale!
This article is already too long so I have only limited space to congratulate Elliot Smith on his selection for the England U18 squad and to wish all our teams well this weekend including on Sunday the O50s in their EHB Masters semi-final away to Bowdon (2.15) and the U16 Girls in the EHB South & East Finals at Chelmsford. Please see the complete list of fixtures on the Home Page of the website.
NB1. Thank you if you have already sold and returned your Spring Raffle tickets. If you have not done so yet this is a polite reminder! NB2 – Silent Auction on Saturday 10 March!
With kind regards
Mike Denham
28/2/12
The LOFT at Bridge House – Detached apartment in Waveney Valley
