CHALK AND CHEESE
It was chalk and cheese for the Men’s 1sts last weekend despite both their games finishing in 3-1 wins. On Saturday at Weybread they huffed and puffed their way to victory despite dominating a defensive minded City of Peterborough 2nds. Peterborough took a surprise lead before an OG equaliser (from a firm strike into the circle by Andy Bedwell) and second half efforts by the in-form Peter Bale and a last minute penalty stroke conversion by Tristan Baynes – soon after a vital save at the other end by goalkeeper Reece Leonard – gave them the three points.
But on Sunday away to Cambridge University they played some impressive and controlled hockey against a team intent on attack. Despite being under considerable pressure the defence was rarely seriously troubled conceding just two penalty corners in the entire game following none on Saturday. This was just as well as the Cambridge routine was slick. They hit a post with their first before scoring in fine style with their second thus cancelling out Toby Price’s goal created by the impressive Peter Bale and Simon Hipwell. Luckily the heavy rain eased as the game progressed and Magpies got on top in the second half (four of our players were younger than theirs!) and a quick two-goal burst (Toby and Simon) with fifteen minutes to go ensured a well deserved victory. I made defender Andy Bedwell MOTM but to his teammates he was DOTD for his second half air shot when confronted by the Cambridge keeper! The team is now top of the league albeit having played a game more than their closest pursuers including Bedford who they play away this Saturday (2.45).
The table topping Ladies’ 3rds (playing without unwell skipper Julie Podd) got Saturday off to a good start at Weybread by beating Diss 2-1 with goals by Lucy Ripman and Catherine Kilbourn while the Ladies’ 5ths were continuing their revival with a 3-0 win over UEA 2nds with Sophie Long (2) and captain Jose Tibbenham finding the back of the net. Next up were the much changed Ladies’ 2nds against a much changed Bury St Edmunds and playing some really attractive hockey Magpies dominated an extremely one-sided game. The ball, however, seemed determined not to cross the Bury line but it did eventually in the second from the stick of Emily Brown much to the relief of the enthusiastic and knowledgeable home crowd! Hopefully the onlooking and injured Anouska Hipperson will be back this week when the team travel to play Watton (1.00). Meanwhile the Ladies’ 4thsmaintained their improved form beating Beccles 4-1 (Sarah Legg (2), Caz Aldous and Rosie Blackmore).
The Men’s 2nds are making a habit this season of recovering from bad starts in away games and they were at it again on Saturday at Long Sutton going on to win 5-4 from 4-0 down at half time (!) with goals by Thomas Ridley (2), Martin Fields, Elliott Ashurst and, with five minutes to go, by Matt Judge. There must be an explanation for this tendency. Do they stop on the way for a drink?! Do they leave too late for the matches? Or do they just like giving their opponents a start? Let’s hope the latter is not the case this Saturday when they entertain Norwich City (2.15) who will be buoyed by their win over league leaders Wisbech.
Also away from home the Men’s 4ths helped by two second half goals from Andy Johnson and the ‘save of the season’, with the ball heading for the top corner, by goalkeeper Felix Trash beat Pelicans 2nds 2-1. This Saturday they entertain the Men’s 5ths (4.00) who will be determined to recover from their 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Sudbury 2nds.
Other home matches this Saturday include the Ladies’ 1sts who after their week off play Horsham (12.30); the Men’s 3rds who following their 4-1 (Gavin Cole) defeat away to Norwich Dragons have a tough looking match against league leaders IES (1.45) and theMen’s 6ths who take on Pelicans 3rds (12.15). Please see the Home Page of the website for a full list of this weekend’s fixtures which include on Sunday EHB Cup home action for the U16 Girls who play Norwich Dragons (12.00) and the O50 Men who take on Broadland Exiles (2.15).
Other news and comment
a) Congratulations and best wishes to Louise and Rob Goodson on the arrival last Friday of Alfred (Freddie) Andrew. It was good to see Rob playing the first half for the 5ths last Saturday before nipping off for the arrival home of Louise and Freddie!
b) It is also congratulations to the eight HMHC members who did the club and their coaches proud last week by their inclusion in the respective Saxon Tigers U16 and U18 Boys and Girls teams in the Futures Cup at Cannock HC. It is to be hoped they enjoyed the experience and that they will not be too disappointed if this year they have not been selected for the England teams. Please see the club’s website for some photographs and a brief report.
c) It is a big ‘thank you’ to everyone who attended last Friday’s splendid Fireworks Spectacular and to the forty club members – together with the Harleston Lions and Scouts – who helped to run the event on the day expertly masterminded once again by James Smith.
d) Did you know that Andy Bedwell and Roger Kent have both added aerials to their glittering array of hockey skills?! And talking of Andy there was no truth in the rumour put around at the Fireworks Spectacular by an envious teammate that he had been dropped from the 1sts!
Finally, some people can be cruel. Several members commented to me last weekend that when I was absent the previous Saturday the club had its best ever set of results! If that’s how they feel ……!
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With kind regards
Mike Denham
7/11/12
