CHEESE & WINE PROMOTION

In case you don’t get to the bottom of this article I’ve promoted the forthcoming Cheese & Wine Evening to this prime spot! As you may already know it is to be held in Tibbenham’s Barn, Weybread on Saturday 26 January at 7.30pm. Tickets are £12.50 each (including food and drink) and are available from the clubhouse bar or from me. This is one of the major events in the club’s social calendar and if possible it is hoped that you will be able to attend. You will be very welcome. I say ‘if possible’ as the column has readers from far and wide including overseas and it is good to know that it helps to keep these friends of the club in touch with what is going on in this part of the hockey world.

And before I get onto the subject of hockey –

WANTED – a cleaner for the clubhouse. If you know of anyone interested in this part time job would you please ask them to telephone Philippa Taylor (01379 852210 or 07836 743841) for more details.

After the first weekend of the national indoor league it is good to see the Ladies’ 1sts in second place in their league and the Men’s 1sts handily placed in mid-table in their league after wins over St Albans (7-4) and Brooklands (6-5). Both are playing in division one with two from each league promoted to the premier league. After beating Surbiton (5-1), Brooklands Poynton (4-2) and Wakefield Bradford (2-0) the Ladies trail East Grinstead on goal difference after recovering from 5-1 down to draw 5-5 with the West Sussex side. This weekend in Nottingham they play Trojans (11.30) and third placed Sevenoaks (4.30) on Saturday and Bristol Firebrands (2.00) and Horsham (5.00) on Sunday. Three wins from the four matches could see them return to the premier league.

Meanwhile the first priority of the Men’s 1sts in Bristol will be to get another two wins to dispel any relegation fears (two teams go down) and on Saturday they play Havant (10.30) and Southgate (2.30) and on Sunday they face Sevenoaks (11.00) and Bournville (2.00). Both our squads would not be surprised – based on past experience – if at least some of their opponents returned with stronger teams this weekend. Please see the website for two excellent reports of the first weekend. You will note that Leigh Sitch scored the best goal in Bristol and unless my eyes deceive me Andy Bedwell also scored!

Meanwhile five of our ladies’ teams got back to outdoor league action last Saturday with four of them achieving good wins. The exception were the 2nds who after taking an early lead away against Lowestoft, through skipper Frances Taylor, could not add to their advantage and Lowestoft, inspired by ex-Magpie Kate Bond who had a wonderful game in goal, hit back with goals each side of half time. Despite dominating most of the second half Magpies could not get the ball past Kate who pulled off several remarkable saves to deny the league leaders. After dropping five points in their last two games the 2nds will be looking to get back to winning ways at home this coming Saturday against Dereham (12.30). Also away from home were the 3rds who won for the eleventh time in their last twelve matches when they beat Dereham 2nds 2-0 (Keira Booty and MOTM Kara Kilbourn) while the 4ths put their pre-Christmas defeat by the 3rds behind them with a 3-1 win over Watton 2nds helped in no small part by a hat trick from Catherine Kilbourn.

Not to be outdone the 6ths recorded their eighth win in ten when a Tina Neill goal gave them victory over Loddon 2nds. Meanwhile in the only home match Clea Turvill and skipper Jose Tibbenham both completed hat tricks for the 5ths in their 7-2 win over Norwich City 5ths. In a game which stood at 2-2 at half time Issy Knowles got the other goal.

All our ladies’ teams, including the Girls Development who are away to Pelicans (10.00), will be in action this coming Saturday as will all of the Men’s sides with the exception of the 3rds and 4ths. In re-arranged league matches the Men’s 2nds entertain Cambridge University 2nds (2.15), the Men’s 6ths are away to UEA 4ths (1.00) and the Men’s 7ths are at home to UEA 3rds (3.15). Points are especially vital for the 6ths and 7ths. Also in league action will be the Boys Development who host Pelicans (10.45) while at home in a friendly the Men’s 5ths take on Norwich City 3rds (12.15). Good luck to all our teams in action this weekend – please see the Home Page of the website for the full list of fixtures.