LUCK AFTER WIPE-OUT?
After last weekend’s wipe-out are we going to be luckier this week? Let us hope the weather forecast proves to be inaccurate. While the televised rugby internationals were some compensation for the lost hockey my ironing certainly wasn’t!
In all we ‘lost’ 22 matches last weekend and all have to be made up involving yet more work for our league fixture secretaries, namely Irene Bicker (Ladies) and Merna Merrett (Men), and the managers of our U16 Girls’, U16 Boys’ and U18 Girls’ teams who hope to play their rearranged EHB Cup matches this Sunday. The U18 Girls are at home to Pelicans (11.45) before the Men’s Vets entertain Indian Gymkhana (2.00) in their EHB Cup clash while the U16 Girls and U16 Boys are away to Dereham and Pelicans respectively.
With the Men’s and Ladies’ 1sts in ‘outdoor’ hibernation until early February (when they plan to play their ‘lost’ matches) the 3rd teams have centre stage at Weybread this Saturday (weather permitting) when the Ladies play Thetford (10.30), who are well below them in the league, and the Men play third placed Cambridge University 3rds (2.15) hoping to turn their habitual early game domination into points. Also at home are the two 5th teams with the Ladies playing bottom of the table Norwich Dragons 3rds and the Men, who after their comfortable win two weeks ago against Ipswich 4ths, face a much sterner test when they take on Felixstowe 2nds who are a point and a place above them.
Meantime the Ladies’ 2nds are away to Cambridge University (12.00) while the Men’s 2nds also travel to Cambridge to take on the University 2nds (1.30) and with their opponents in second place in their respective leagues our teams are in for two really tough games. The Men’s 7ths return to action for the first time for four weeks when they travel to play IES 4ths looking to maintain their 100% record with their ninth win of the season. Good luck as always to all our teams in action this weekend – please see the Home Page of the website for the full programme.
NB1. It is hoped to hold the Live Ferret Racing and Bangers & Mash Night this coming Saturday (7.30pm) in the clubhouse even if no hockey is played and a final decision will be made and posted on the Home Page of the website by Friday morning at the latest. Please come if the event is held. It promises to be a lot of fun – it was last time. Bring your own ferret!
NB2. Please also see the website for when the weather-affected training sessions will resume at Weybread.
Other news and comments in brief –
· The youth committee thanks everyone who supported the recent tombola by donating prizes and by buying tickets. The event raised the splendid total of £235 for youth funds.
· I have been asked to remind the Men’s 5ths that their cake competition is being held this Saturday. As a judge of this important event am I expected in Master Chef fashion to eat a slice of every cake?!
· Congratulations to Harry Martin, who played for Old Loughtonians against the Men’s 1sts at Weybread early in November, on being awarded the prestigious SportsAid One-to-Watch award. The award recognises exceptional sportsmen and women who are supported by SportsAid and who show great promise for the future. Harry, who comes from Suffolk, has made the jump from England U18s to the full England team during 2010. Previous winners have included Tom Daley the world champion high board diver.
· England have been drawn to play Austria, Russia, Czech Republic, USA and Iran in Pool B of the 3rd FIH Indoor Cup for Men to be played in Poznan, Poland between 8-13 February 2011. This will be the first time England and Iran have played in the short history of the event and Iran will be Asia’s first ever participants.
Mike Denham 01603 506925
[email protected] 30/11/10
