MEN’S 6THS CLINCH RARE VICTORY BEATING HIGH FLYING IPSWICH & EAST SUFFOLK 5THS
Top billing deservedly goes to the Men’s 6ths this week (as suggested to me by the ever-enthusiastic Tom ‘Magic’ Miller) for their splendid 3-2 away win over IES 5ths last Saturday with the Ladies’ 2nds having a strong claim for the accolade following their superb home performance against Norwich Dragons which ended in a totally undeserved 1-0 defeat.
The Men’s 6ths played part of the game with nine players against second placed IES 5ths (who stood 12 points above them) as one of their members had misread his instructions and gone to the wrong ground in Ipswich and thereafter with just 10 players due to an unavoidable late call-off. Skipper and goalkeeper Eric Davy had nothing to do for the first few minutes until facing a 2-on-1 situation which ended with him picking the ball out of his net. Lewis Belsey then equalised in a breakaway and in a similar move he was the provider for David Johnson to put Magpies ahead. After the break Eric was in regular action with some fine saves but was unable to stop IES drawing level. It now looked an odds-on home win but the battling 6ths were in no mood to let slip a rare victory chance and it came when David took his tally to two goals from two shots ten minutes from the end to reverse a 3-1 defeat on the opening day of the season.
Meanwhile the Ladies’ 2nds were up against a team that had beaten them 8-0 on the opening day of the season. Since then they have improved out of all recognition with just one defeat in their last six games and they put Dragons under pressure from the start forcing several penalty corners which frustratingly came to nothing. Undeterred they continued to take the game to Dragons who on occasions looked dangerous on the break. But for the most part Magpies looked the more likely to score but as the game progressed their supporters became increasingly concerned that Dragons might grab victory which they duly did at their only penalty corner of the game with three minutes to go. Sport can be cruel at times but as we also know it is goals that count. Despite this defeat the squad can take heart from their performance and they can look forward with optimism when they resume after their Christmas break.
Play had earlier got underway at Weybread with the Boys’ Development getting their defeat the previous week away to Norwich Dragons out of their system with a good win 3-0 win over Norwich City. Jake Caston scored twice in the third quarter and Arthur Johnson, in his second game for the team, made the game safe in the fourth quarter. Manager Mark Emms has been pleased to see several players move up to the 5ths this season and in this game he gave a debut to Thomas Howland, son of Paul who was one of the club’s leading goalscorers a few years back.
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MEN’S CHRISTMAS CLUB DAY – SATURDAY 12 DECEMBER
With men’s league fixtures over until after Christmas members are invited to the above. Please arrive by 1.30pm for a 2.00pm start. Teams (six or eleven-a-side – dependent on numbers) will be sorted/mixed up on the day. Please bring your club shirt and one other of a different colour.
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Next on the water-based were the Men’s 4ths and they were soon two down to Newmarket 2nds and they were grateful for another good display by goalkeeper Andy Palmer to keep them in with at least a chance of a point. Skipper David Blackmore’s half time team talk had the desired effect and they were back in the game when Andy Caston reduced the arrears and Sol Barker made it 2-2 in the last seconds of the game. Over on the sand-based the Ladies’ 3rds and 4ths were playing their eagerly anticipated return match with the 4ths keen to make up for their 4-2 defeat earlier in the season. But the game didn’t live up to its billing with both sides looking nervous and as a result failing to produce their best form. At the end of the first half both sides came close to scoring and midway through the second half the 4ths had a goal ruled out for feet while in the last minute of the game the 3rds won a couple of penalty corners which were well defended. As to be expected the 4ths emerged from the game against the still league leaders looking the happier team. But both have had excellent seasons to-date. This coming Saturday in their last matches before the Christmas break the 3rds are away to Norwich City 2nds (1.00) while the 4ths host Dereham 3rds (3.30).
In other home matches there was a win for the Men’s 3rds and a draw for the Ladies’ 6ths.The Men’s 3rds looked to be coasting to victory over Pelicans 2nds with two goals by Gavin Cole (one was a rarity from the edge of the circle but as Gavin would say a tap-in counts the same!) before the visitors drew level with goals either side of half time. But not for the first time skipper Matt Brand secured all three points for his side with a penalty corner conversion ten minutes from the end. With this ninth win of the season the 3rds are now top of their league. The Ladies’ 6ths were up against Herlings and they recovered from a goal down to go one up with goals by Millie Scarborough-Taylor and Alice Evans-Hendrick with Molly Warnes providing an assist for Alice. Just as Magpies looked to be heading for victory Herlings popped up with the equaliser to make it 2-2. It was good to see Vikie Cumming playing her first game since the birth of son Weston and on her 30th birthday.
The Men’s 5ths got a good and deserved point drawing 2-2 away to Dereham 3rds. Alex Kilbourn equalised for Magpies midway through the second half and just when Dereham thought they had snatched a late winner Kieran Peters fired home from the top of the circle for another equaliser. Also away from home the Men’s 2nds played better than their 4-1 defeat at the hands of high flying Norwich City would suggest. Elliott Ashurst scored for Magpies who were pleased to welcome back James Meek (sporting an impressive embryonic handlebar moustache!) after his spell working abroad. The Ladies’ 5ths, with Frankie Eaves making a very welcome return, lost 1-0 away to Diss. Meanwhile the Girls’ Development, who were away to Pelicans, were unusually obliged to play with just eleven players (due to 14 girls being unavailable) ranging from ages 10 to 13 plus devoted player-manager Sandra Elliner. The home team took the lead before Jemima Taylor equalised before half time with what turned out to be the last goal of the game due in no small part to a good performance by the Pelicans’ goalkeeper.
On Sunday the U16 Boys further strengthened their position in England Hockey’s East League 4 by beating Sudbury 10-3 away. They were 4-1 ahead at half time with goals by Archie Winter (2), Jack Hobbs and Josh Mayhew. The team continued to press forward after the break leaving them a little exposed at the back but further goals from Matt Bensly (3), Josh (2) and Jolyon Summers (with a superb penalty corner conversion) ensured a comfortable win.
Also on Sunday it was good to welcome a total of 35 teams for the annual Magpies’ Minis organised by Nick McAllen and James Smith. It is also thanks to Philippa Taylor and Kirstin Cumming and their catering team, to Shirley McAllen and Helen Barber for their time and record keeping, to Chris Hall for his fund raising and to everyone else who helped to make the day go so smoothly including, of course, the band of umpires of various ages and experience. Needless to say it also thanks to all the teams from across the county and to their coaches and family members for their support of the day. Congratulations to i) Magpies on winning the U10 Girls ‘A’ and U12 Girls events with the ‘B’ teams finishing third in the U10 ‘B’ and U12 events, ii) Norwich Dragons on winning both the U10 Boys and U12 Boys events and to Magpies ‘A’ on finishing 3rd in the U10s event and iii) Norwich City on winning the U10 Girls ‘B’ tournament. Please see the website for the full results and the various match reports.
Best wishes to all our teams playing this weekend including on Sunday the U16 and U18 Girls in the East Indoor Finals at the University of Essex and to the U18 Boys playing in the East Indoor Finals at Oaklands College, St Albans. Please see the website for the full list of fixtures.
OTHER NEWS AND COMMENT
Congratulations to Kath Johnson on her selection for the England O40s to play in the World Cup in Canberra from 29 March to 6 April.
The Christmas Fun Casino was a great success last Saturday evening with thanks to everyone who supported the event and to our hosts Julian and Philippa Taylor (and for all their hard work with the event) and to Katrina Sitch and all the other members of the organising committee. Congratulations to the winners of the most fun money who all came from the Baynes family – what odds on that happening?! They were Quentin (1st), Lawrence (2nd) and Eleanor (3rd).
With kind regards
Mike Denham
8/12/15
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