5th, 5th and 5ths
Several more of our teams played their final matches of the season last weekend including the Ladies’ 1sts who played well to draw 2-2 at home with Chelmsford on Saturday (what a run from the half way line by Emma Lee-Smith to create Verity Blyth’s goal!) to finish in a highly commendable fifth place in their league with 30 points from 18 games. This position would have been unthinkable after the team started the season with three defeats and no goals. Congratulations to manager Nick McAllen (his 15th successive season in charge), coach Leigh Sitch and skipper Louisa Greenacre and her squad. Nick and Leigh thoroughly deserved the presentations made to them by Louisa after the game and Frances Sumner likewise deserved the honour of being elected Player of the Season by her teammates.
The Men’s 1sts also finished a highly creditable fifth in their very competitive league despite going down 5-1 away to champions Southgate on Sunday. Looking to repeat their 3-1 opening day victory over their opponents Magpies deserved to be level at 1-1 at half time but missing Tristan Baynes, who was injured early in the game, they then faced wave after wave of attacks by a very impressive looking team, containing several full internationals, who converted three of their four penalty corners. On the coach on the way home David Ling, who like Louisa has enjoyed an excellent season as skipper and player, paid tribute to the hard work of manager Robert Stimpson and coaches Bill Williams and Phil Cobbald.
Among the enthusiastic band of supporters on the coach was David’s father Dick who was 1st team captain 40 years ago and a prolific goal scorer throughout his long hockey career.
The highlight on Saturday was undoubtedly the news that the Men’s 5ths had gained the second promotion spot in their league with a 3-2 away win over Felixstowe 2nds. The first two goals were scored by Chris ‘Moyles’ Thornton and Roger Kent with the vital third (at 2-2) the goal of the season – at least according to scorer George Moore! Well done George. Congratulations to skipper Will Main and his squad on their fine season.
The Ladies’ 2nds fought hard against Cambridge University 1sts before going down 1-0 to a second half strike on an increasingly cold afternoon and to avoid relegation need to beat IES at home this coming Saturday (12.30) and hope that Pelicans lose at home to already relegated Ipswich 3rds.
Also at home on Saturday, after their 7-0 away win over Norfolk Nomads 2nds, will be the ‘Team of the Season’ who I hardly need add are Murray’s Marvels (the Men’s 7ths) when they hope to complete their season as 100%ers when they entertain IES 4ths in the prime water-based slot of 2.15pm. Please come along to cheer ‘my team’ (my match fee came to £2 per minute when I played!) to this outstanding milestone. Will Mr Bardwell score another hat-trick? Good luck to the Ladies’ 2nds and Men’s 7ths and the Boys’ Development who complete a very satisfactory first league season when they play Norwich City away (10.00) after going down to the same team 3-1 last Saturday.
The Men’s 2nds completed their highly satisfactory season with a 3-1 home win over Cambridge University 2nds despite having only eleven players and Stuart Peters injured (before he struggled back on) in head and both knees (which required the attentions of both Dr Blyth and Dr Clark) and Sam Moore who turned up complaining of stomach (or was it chest?) problems. Whatever it was Sam played on bravely for the cause. Scorers were Martin Fields and appropriately skipper Lawrence Baynes with two – the second coming with the last hit of the game.
In other matches last Saturday the Men’s 3rds lost 4-3 away to Cambridge University 3rds and the Men’s 6ths lost 2-1 at home to Bury St Edmunds 3rds but they both enjoyed good seasons as did the Men’s 4ths who drew 2-2 away to Bury St Edmunds 2nds.
Other news
· Congratulations to Elliot Smith who has been selected to play for England U16s in the Four Nations tournament at Lilleshall NSC over Easter. The other teams in a strong line-up will be Germany, Netherlands and Spain. Elliot, who is a pupil at Culford School, played extremely well for the Magpies’ U16s in the national indoor club finals in Wolverhampton in January, and when school commitments allow plays for the Men’s 2nds.
· The England Hockey Board invites young members (under 21) and friends to join their Facebook group ‘EHB Youth Hockey Forum’ and to complete the survey http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Q83TVMG which Rachel Williams (Tel: 07704 213210), a member of the EHB National Youth Panel, says takes less than five minutes to complete. Rachel would appreciate responses from young people regarding commitment to the EHB in terms of a ‘Youth Conference’ once a year and the possibility of a volunteer and young people’s membership scheme.
Mike Denham [email protected] 29/3/11
