BACK IN ACTION!
I was never confident about the weather relenting in time for play last Saturdaybut after two blank weekends we should see some action this coming Saturday and Sunday – and there will be plenty to see with six matches at Weybread on Saturday and four on Sunday.
The Men’s 1sts will be keen to see outdoor action for the first time in 2013 when on Saturday as league leaders they entertain Ipswich (2.15) who they beat 7-1 away but the Suffolk side is not to be taken lightly as evidenced by their two late goals in their shock win away to Dereham in late October. The Ladies’ 1sts have to wait until Sunday for their scheduled return to outdoor action (after their highly successful indoor campaign) when they travel to play Wimbledon (1.30) who held them to a 0-0 draw at Weybread early in the season – a ‘good’ point for Magpies in view of how the second half went.
Before the Men’s 1sts take the stage on Saturday at Weybread the Ladies’ 5ths will be up against UEA 3rds (10.30) who they beat 1-0 away and the Ladies’ 2nds will have taken on Ipswich 3rds (12.30) after the frustration of three successive postponements denying them the chance of getting the loss to Lowestoft out of their system. The Men’s 5ths have the 4.00pm slot on the water and in their first game since their excellent win over league leaders Holt Harlequins before Christmas they host North Walsham who thumped them 9-0 back in October. What a challenge this is for the team!! Over on the sand theLadies’ 4ths will be determined to go one better than their early season 0-0 draw when they entertain Diss (1.45) and the Men’s 6ths take on Felixstowe 3rds (3.15) in a game put back three hours to allow their Suffolk opponents to attend a special club coaching session with Emily McGuire of GB Ladies. As skipper Richard Hunt said when sportingly agreeing to the change it is to be hoped they do not learn too much!
Our teams in action away from home include the Men’s 2nds, 3rds and 4ths when they take on, respectively, Crostyx (1.30), Dereham 2nds (1.30) and Norwich City 3rds (1.45) and all will need to improve on their home performance against the same opposition if points (especially vital for the 3rds and 4ths) are to be gleaned. Meanwhile the Ladies’ 3rdshave the considerable challenge of matching their 13-0 home win (!) when they travel to play Evergreens (10.15) and the Ladies’ 6ths will be up against Norwich City 6ths (12.15) looking for their seventh successive win.
The busy home Sunday programme commences at 10.45am when the Mixed team, captained by Leigh Sitch, take on Dereham in the first round of the EHB Trophy mindful that they lost to the same team last season (again when the Ladies’ 1sts were in away league action) followed by three EHB Cup matches spanning the age groups. In ‘Last 16’ matches the U18 Girls take on Ipswich (12.00) and the U18 Boys welcome Belper (12.30). Both are bound to be tough matches as could well be that between Philip Cobbald’s O50s Men’s Vetsand Bromley & Beckenham (2.15) in a match twice postponed due to the snow. The bar will open at 12 noon.
It is best wishes to all our teams in action this weekend – please see the Home Page of the website for the full list of fixtures. I take this opportunity to remind teams that match reports are always very welcome for the website. Several teams already produce reports on a regular basis (e.g. the Ladies’ 4ths and their reports make fun reading even when they don’t play!) to whom thanks are due.
The Fund Raising & Social Committee, under chairman Bella Hall, is very grateful to the 80 members and supporters who helped to make last Saturday’s Cheese & Wine Evening very enjoyable and successful. The committee’s next event is the Auction of Promises on Saturday 16 March and your attention is respectfully drawn to the separate communication issued yesterday. If you are able to help with a Lot it would be much appreciated. I look forward to being bombarded with offers!
Congratulations to:
a) East Grinstead Men and Reading Women on winning the Maxifuels Super Sixes at Wembley Arena on Sunday beating, respectively, Reading and Sutton Coldfield in their finals. For once I felt neither final reached any greats heights (despite a fine performance for Reading by Helen Richardson) with Reading in particular being disappointing in a one-sided Men’s match. But full marks to Sky Television for their presentation with I thought Nick Irvine and Simon Mason outstanding in the commentary box.
b) GB and England captains Barry Middleton (HGC HC) and Kate Walsh (Reading HC) on being named the Hockey Writers’ Club UK Players of the Year for 2012. Barry, who has played 165 times for England and 105 times for GB, has now won the award four times while this was a third win for Kate who has played 184 games for England and 108 for GB. Kate will long be remembered for bravely playing again in the 2012 Olympics six days after suffering a broken jaw and before leading her team to the bronze medals. My chief memory of Barry is seeing him lead England to a splendid victory over Germany in the 2009 EuroNations final in Holland.
Finally, if you want a good laugh at Kevin Ridley’s expense (with expense being the operative word) ask Kevin how his van got damaged on an icy slope in Mendham. Laurel and Hardy must have helped with the recovery!!
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With kind regards
Mike Denham
29/1/13
