FOUR MAJOR ‘UPS’
Regular readers of this column will know that I give far more prominence to the club’s ‘ups’ than I do to the inevitable ‘downs’ and despite another weekend when defeats outnumbered victories this is again the case. I am therefore delighted to comment on four major successes from the weekend albeit one tinged with ultimate disappointment.
I’ll start with the triumph of the Men’s Over 50s in reaching the final of the EHB Masters Cup (they play Richmond at Cannock on Sunday 22 April) by beating Bowdon 3-1 away. After the long Sunday drive to the Manchester area in pouring rain the sun came out for the start of the match although it finished in a brief hailstorm. After goalkeeper Murray Graham had made a good save at an early penalty corner Magpies were soon into their stride with skipper Phil Cobbald in magnificent form which prompted a home supporter to shout out ‘The number four is running the show’ and so he was very ably assisted by Jonathan Aldridge and the rest of the squad. On 13 minutes Jonathan forced a penalty corner which Phil banged in and after a series of near misses and good Bowdon defending growing concerns over the next goal were eased when just before half time Jonathan created another chance for his fellow England O50 international to score his second goal. Magpies were a little less dominant in the second half during which Jerry Blackmore was twice invited to warm the bench by the umpire! The vital third goal came with ten minutes remaining when Jon Wells ran into the circle to skilfully deflect in Phil’s firmly hit pass.
Bowdon dominated the last few minutes during which they pulled a goal back in a flurry of penalty corners and during which Peter Dolton took so long over a free hit (was he dreaming of his summer holidays?) the umpire gave the hit the other way! Phil and his team thoroughly deserved to win this well umpired and contested game as sportingly acknowledged by the home team. Well done to Phil, Jonathan, Jon, Murray, Peter, Keith Alexander, David Blackmore, David Fairhead, Peter Finnie, Jim Stather, Tiger Young and, yes, even Jerry! I understand they will be joined in the final by Jeremy Podd and, hopefully, by the injured Ian Absolon, Clyde Camburn and Bob Skinner.
It is also congratulations to the Ladies’ 2nds for clinching the East Division 2NE title with three games to go by beating Dereham 2nds 4-1 away. After the disappointment of relegation last season they have enjoyed a fine few months under coach David Brook, manager Nigel Wooltorton and skipper Frances Taylor. They have so far won 18 of their 19 matches (with 80 goals for and only 11 against) with their only defeat coming with several of the squad away winning the national U16 indoor club championship.
Another success was that achieved by the U16 Girls who went so close at Chelmsford in the regional finals to reaching the national outdoor finals. They beat Sevenoaks 4-0 and Richmond 2-0 and drew 1-1 in a controversial match with Old Loughtonians only for the very late OL’s goal to disappointingly pip them on goal difference in their pool. The squad has been undefeated indoors and out all season and they have done the club proud both by their play and sporting demeanour both on and off the pitch as exemplified last Sunday. Congratulations to skipper Sarah Brook, the hard working and dedicated coaching and management team of David Brook and Nigel Wooltorton and all members of the squad.
In other successes last weekend the Ladies’ 5ths beat Reepham 2-1 (Kara Kilbourn 2) to underline their return to form and the Men’s 4ths had an outstanding 6-1 win over Sudbury 2nds. Phil Cobbald warmed up nicely for Sunday with four goals with the others coming from James Graham and Andy Caston and the performance was marked by a Mexican Wave by a small group of enthusiastic supporters! The victory was, however, marred by the nasty blow suffered by Bob Skinner who was accidentally hit on the back of his head by the ball in the last second of the game. Luckily he was able to turn his face away from the ball and if it had not been for his earlier hamstring injury he would probably have avoided the ball completely! Due to one or both injuries Bob (who is on the mend) missed Sunday’s trip to Bowdon.
The fourth major success was that achieved by Angie Wheelhouse in scoring her 100th national league goal for the club in the Ladies’ 1sts 1-1 home draw with Horsham. Congratulations Angie on this fine achievement. This coming Saturday (12.30) the team entertain free-scoring and second placed Sevenoaks while the Men’s 2nds, after their disappointing away defeat to bottom placed Harpenden, host Cambridge University 2nds (12.15) needing points urgently to move away from the relegation danger zone over which they are hovering too uncomfortably. On Sunday the Men’s 1sts, after their defeat away to Wimbledon, travel to play Teddington (2.30) looking to pick up three points in their effort to move up into the relegation play-off spot. Teddington have also found points difficult to pick up in recent matches but Mark Wheelhouse and his team will be aware that Teddington beat them at home 2-1 in November in a match dominated by ex-England international Calum Giles.
Good luck to all our teams in action this weekend. Please see the complete list of fixtures on the Home Page of the website which includes the U10/U12 Girls contesting the Norfolk Mini Championships on Sunday in Kings Lynn.
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 please to do so by this Saturday – at the club if required. NB2. The Silent Auction is on this Saturday at the club (7.30pm) – please come as we need to raise money to help keep the club going. Recently we have had to spend over a £1000 on floodlight bulbs alone!
With kind regards
Mike Denham
[email protected]
6/3/12
To find out more about Lowestoft College ring 0800 854695
