There were significant wins for some of our teams last weekend and none more so than those achieved by the Men’s 1sts and Ladies’ 2nds and 3rds.

The Men’s 1sts took a big step in retaining their national league status by beating Indian Gymkhana 3-1 away and with three games to go they lead Indian Gym by nine points and with a goal difference advantage of 27 but my cup is always half empty so another point is needed. This was a vital win for the team and congratulations go to all involved including John Livings and Richard Harms who shared the goalkeeping duties with two first class displays. It is to be hoped that Tristan Baynes’ injury is not as bad as first feared. Fortunately he was still able to come off the bench to put away a penalty stroke! A point or three at Old Loughtonians on Sunday (2.00pm) would remove any lingering concerns over next season.

Meantime the Ladies’ 2nds were beating Bourne with goals by Lauren Mickleburgh, Kathryn Bullen and Sarah Brook – the latter with her first (and certainly not her last) for the team since her very recent promotion from the 3rds. The team is now nine points above City of Peterborough with three games remaining so relegation fears have been eased very considerably. This Saturday the team are away to Ipswich & ES (2.30) who they beat 1-0 back in November.

I was remiss in omitting reference to the Ladies’ 3rds last week. This young team are in a rich vein of form having won their last five matches including Saturday’s 4-1 win over Thetford (with goals by Lizzie Jones, successfully promoted from the 5ths since Christmas, Lucy Chubbock (2) and Frances Taylor) which leaves them seven points behind Norfolk Premier Division leaders Loddon with a game in hand. It so happens they play Loddon away this coming Saturday (3.00) and a repeat of the performance they put up against Loddon earlier in the season when they drew 1-1 could see them come away with a vital win.

Another fine win last weekend was that achieved by the Ladies’ 1sts – for whom Debbie McAllen was in top form – when they completed the double with a 3-1 victory over Chelmsford helped very considerably by a second minute goal, and her first for the team, by Ellie Bale. This Saturday (12.30) the team entertain Old Loughtonians looking for another double over Essex opponents to cement their third place in a league in which leaders Ipswich are faltering hotly pursued by Sevenoaks.

News and comments in brief. The Men’s 6ths, under the enthusiastic leadership of Kevin Ridley, recorded their third successive win last Saturday when beating Sudbury 4ths 4-3; the Men’s 2nds beat Norwich City 5-1 with leading scorer Robbie Kinsella netting twice to take his total for the season to fourteen and the Men’s 3rds, with promotion already assured, lost for the first time when beaten 2-1 by Pelicans 2nds. Good luck to England Men in their World Cup semi-final on Thursday.

The organising committee very much hope you will be able to attend this Saturday’s Auction of Promises (7.00) or else submit a postal bid or two. As promised last week I show below the additional Lots which have kindly been submitted and the amendment to Lot 10 (my mistake).

10a Graham Ramm
One hour GCSE mathematics lesson

10b Graham Ramm
One hour GCSE mathematics lesson

30a Gill Hipwell
2 dozen chocolate brownies baked to order

63 Mark & Debbie Kilbourn
A service and MOT or a service to the value of £150
www.kilbourns.co.uk

64 Miranda Mitchley
“Who do you think you are?” 4 hours help with tracing your ancestors – including copies of censuses 1841 – 1911

65 Tiger Young
One hour gliding experience at Tibenham Airfield

66 Gill Hipwell
2 dozen chocolate brownies baked to order

67 Alison and Mark Wilford
Two tickets donated by Aviva for the Norwich City v Stockport County game on Easter Monday (April 5th) in the Community Stand

Being indisposed last weekend gave me plenty of opportunity to compare the merits of hockey and football on television and hockey won by the proverbial mile! The skills shown by the players in the Men’s World Cup, superbly covered by Zing (digital channel 789), were considerably superior to those of the Premiership footballers and the FIH’s embrace of technology added to one’s enjoyment and understanding of the hockey on the day FIFA rejected any goal-line technology and Birmingham City had a clear goal against Portsmouth missed by the officials! A quick video referral at the request of the players as in the hockey would have righted the wrong.

Good luck to all our teams in action this weekend (please see the Home Page of the website for a full list) including the Mixed team at Wisbech on Sunday (12.00) and our U10 and U12 Girls in the Norfolk County minis we are hosting on Sunday (9.45).

NB. If you have not already done so (and thank you if you have) would you please kindly return your Spring Draw raffle tickets with money either direct to promoter Tracy Reeve or over the bar at the clubhouse by 3.00pm this Saturday (13 March). The draw will be made during the Auction of Promises.

With kind regards and best wishes

Mike Denham 01603 506925 [email protected] 9/3/10