The highlight of the coming weekend’s programme is undoubtedly Sunday’s eagerly awaited top of the table tussle (12.30) between the Ladies’ 1sts and Ipswich at Weybread. Magpies continued their excellent form last Saturday with a 1-0 win (Angie Wheelhouse’s eighth goal of the season) over Old Loughtonians at Chigwell while Ipswich maintained their unbeaten record and one point advantage by beating St Albans 3-2. With just four goals against Magpies have, with Leicester Ladies, conceded fewer goals than all the other teams (men and women) in the national league. It is to be hoped that Sunday’s match will attract a large crowd of supporters to cheer Magpies to a famous victory over our near neighbours.

Before then the Men’s 1sts will have travelled to Surrey on Saturday to take on Oxted who are beginning to show some of the form that won them the league title last year with just one defeat. After matching league leaders Old Loughtonians for much of the first half last Sunday, during which Andy Hipwell scored his seventh goal in eight matches, the team rarely showed as an attacking force after the break to lose for the first time at home since going down to Ipswich 2nds 4-1 on 20 January 2007 – a truly remarkable record.

Last Saturday at a wet and windy Weybread the Ladies’ 4ths played out a 0-0 draw with Norwich Dragons 3rds before the Ladies’ 2nds were extremely unlucky to lose by the only goal after dominating for much of the time against City of Peterborough while the Men’s 6ths played well in spells to beat Ipswich Crane 2nds and the Men’s 4ths went down 4-1 to an in-form Gorleston team. Their cause was not helped when Giles Flatt had to go to hospital after taking a nasty hit in the face. Fortunately he was able to play the next day when the U16 Boys played extremely well to lose by the odd goal in three away to an impressive City of Peterborough side in the EH Cup.

Weybread was far busier, warmer and drier on Sunday when four of our teams were in EH Youth Cup action. The U16 Girls failed to take their chances before going down 3-0 to Ipswich while the U18 Boys played out a cracker of a game against Chelmsford which became a battle of the penalty corner takers. This was eventually won by Ben Wright for Magpies in a splendid 5-4 win but not before some poor tackling by the home defence gave Chelmsford the chance to snatch victory with their ‘shortie’ prowess. Meantime the U18 Girls eased to a comfortable 6-0 win over Dereham and the U14 Boys played well to beat Saffron Walden 4-3 and to come from two goals down at half time to draw 3-3 with Norwich City in their league format event. Away from home the U14 Girls reached the East stages of their competition with a good 3-1 win at Spalding with two of the goals coming from Catherine Kilbourn to add to the remarkable five she scored for the Ladies’ Development on Saturday in their 5-0 win away over North Walsham.

This Saturday the home matches include the Men’s 2nds who play Norwich City (12.30) following their return to winning ways with a 4-3 win at Long Sutton last Saturday and the Ladies’ 5ths who play Sprowston 2nds (2.15) after their 5-3 win over Broadland 2nds. Also at home will be the Men’s 3rds, 6-1 winners over Norwich Dragons 2nds last week, who play Pelicans 2nds (1.45) who are just behind them in third place so a tough game is in prospect. Good luck to all our teams in action this weekend (please see the Home Page of the website for the full programme) including the U11 and U13 Girls in Sunday’s Minis Tournament at Weybread (9.30).

I am very sorry to record the retirement of Tom Sumner from the outdoor game. Tom has been suffering from a back injury since before the end of last season and it has been slow to respond to treatment. However, the good news is that Tom hopes to be able to continue to play for the indoor team. Tom joined the club from Norwich City HC as a sixteen year old seven years ago and he has played a vital role in the development of the 1st team ever since playing mainly as a wing back. He was a member of the U18 squad which won the national indoor championship and as captain he has helped to guide the indoor team from the East championship to the national premier division. Tom has given tremendous service to the club in both forms of the game and it is to be hoped that he will be able to continue to play an important role for the indoor team.

News and comments in brief

· Congratulations to skipper Simon Bardwell who scored the vital first goal for the Veterans last Saturday in their 5-2 win over Norwich Exiles. He couldn’t remember who scored the other goals! Perhaps he will by the time they entertain Pelicans this Saturday (12.15). Simon fancies himself as a cook and I must say he produces some excellent curry and chilli.

· Due to the demands of her new regular job Katy Osborn has had to stand down from her part-time job behind the club’s bar. I take this opportunity to thank Katy for the excellent job she has done and to wish her well for the future. Katy knows that she will always be very welcome when she is free to pop in to see us.

· Please note your diary for the Ferret Racing and Bangers & Mash Night to be held in the clubhouse on Saturday 5 December. Further details to be announced shortly.

With kind regards and best wishes

Mike Denham 01603 506925 [email protected] 18/11/09