6, 5, 4

Last weekend was by far the most successful for the club this season with six wins, five draws and just four defeats in the fifteen league matches. The wins included firsts of the season for the Ladies’ 3rds who beat UEA 4-2 away, the Men’s 2nds who recorded a rare win away at Letchworth beating them 3-2 and the Men’s 4ths who got off the mark by beating Ipswich Cranes 4-2 away while the Boys Development triumphed at home over Pelicans 2-0.

The Ladies’ 3rds won with goals by Keira Booty (2), Frankie Eves and Kara Kilbourn while the Men’s 2nds were rewarded by their decision to give a first Premier B start to Sam Lyne who scored to twice put them ahead before at 2-2 Dominic Absolon converted a penalty corner to secure the vital three points. The  Men’s 4ths (boosted I understand by six identical team talks by Bob Skinner – two before, during and after the game!) won with goals by Andy Caston (3) and Jack Middleton – all from assists by Jonathan Aldridge. Is he in your fantasy team?! The Boys Development won with goals by Jolyon Summers and Cameron Woodcock with coach Andy Bedwell claiming much of the credit after the game!

The Mens’ 3rds, 5ths and 7ths have still to record a win this season but not through want of trying. The 3rds were involved in a ten-goal thriller away to Pelicans before going down 6-4 despite the heroics between the posts of Murray Graham and goals by Matt Judge, Gavin Cole (2) and skipper Matt Brand while at home the 5ths lost 3-0 to Pelicans 2nds and the now much younger 7ths lost 3-1 (Eric Davy) to Pelicans 3rds.

Meanwhile the Ladies’ 2nds were back to winning ways after their draw at Wisbech with a comfortable 4-0 home win over Pelicans. There was not much doubt about the result after Anouska Hipperson touched in a firmly hit penalty corner strike by Kira Wooltorton but it was not until the second half before they scored again when Holly Baker slammed the ball home from the edge of the circle before a brace of goals by Georgie Minta made the game completely safe. In a good team performance Lizzie Jones was outstanding with her accurate passing. The top of the table Ladies’ 2nds are at home again this Saturday when they take on Long Sutton (1.45) while the Ladies’ 1sts will also be in home action when as league leaders they entertain second placed Ipswich (12.30) after their good 3-1 away win (Emily Wilford, Sarah Brook and Jess Howland) over Bromley & Beckenham which saw the very welcome return of Emma Lee-Smith to the side.

At Weybread the Men’s 1sts outplayed Wapping for much of the game but with their short corner routine not at its best had to settle for a 1-1 draw with Sam Moore popping up for the equaliser after the visitors (for whom is was good to see the recent ex-Magpie James Fanger in action) had converted the second of their only two shorties.   The team is at home again this Saturday against Chelmsford (2.15) hoping to get back to winning ways after two draws following their opening day win over Cambridge University. Andy Hipwell hopes to return on Saturday week following his hamstring injury early in the game against CU and other good news is that Tristan Baynes came on for a few minutes against Wapping following his shoulder injury. Good luck to Jimmy Wheeler on his world trip.

In other matches last weekend the Ladies 4ths drew 1-1 (Sarah Legg) with Dereham 3rds, the Ladies’ 5ths drew 1-1 (Clea Turvill) with Norwich City 5ths, theLadies’ 6ths registered their third successive goalless draw – ‘We’re on a 0-0 roll!’ vice-captain Jenny Blackmore told me after the game – while in a goal packed second half the Girls Development were edged out losing 4-3 (Alice Woollatt (2) and Victoria Findlay) to Pelicans.

Please see the website for the full list of this weekend’s fixtures which include EHB Cup action on Sunday for the U18 Girls who entertain Bury St Edmunds (12.00) and the U18 Boys away to Spalding (12.00). Good luck to all our teams.

Magpies’ Fantasy League

The league is now up and running but could do with some more players. So please see the Home Page of the club’s website (www.magpies-hockey.co.uk) for how to enter. Simon Hipwell also needs volunteers from the Men’s 3rds, 5ths and 7ths and from the Ladies’ 3rds and 4ths to help him run the league so if you are able to assist please contact Simon at [email protected]

Other news and comment

a) It was good to see ex-Magpie Kath Johnson in action for Pelicans against the 2nds last weekend and I know she appreciated the friendly welcome back she received. GB Olympian and ex-England international Kath is one of the most gifted and resolute players to have ever put on a Magpie shirt and she was playing on the pitch she officially opened in  September 2002.

b) Also on Saturday it was good to see club VP Graham Ramm at Weybread following his hip op and also good to see Jerry Blackmore umpiring two matches. It is to be hoped that both will be fit enough to umpire and play again, respectively, in the near future.

c) Pitchside bottle count (Saturday 29 September) – 8 in total on the two pitches. Plus discarded bottle tops, tissues, old plasters etc. – with the bins in close proximity!