So much for global warming! I’ve always been a sceptic and the last few weeks have done nothing to dissuade me from my view. And as I write, watching yet another football match on television while comparing football unfavourably with hockey as a spectator sport, the coming weekend’s outdoor fixtures must already be in doubt following on from last Saturday’s lost programme.

Should the weather relent the top fixture sees the Ladies’ 2nds entertaining Ipswich 2nds (12.30) hoping to avenge their 2-1 away defeat back in the balmy days of November while the Ladies’ 3rds welcome Norwich City 2nds (2.15) seeking a repeat of their comfortable victory on the opening day of the season. In other home matches the Ladies’ 4ths play Reepham (12.15) who they beat 2-1 early in the season and the Ladies’ 5ths entertain Norwich City 3rds (1.45) hoping to reverse one of their only two defeats of the season. Of the men’s teams only the Vets are in league action this Saturday with their re-arranged match at Chelmsford (1.45). With the exception of the 1sts the rest of the men’s teams resume league action on the 16th although four of the teams have friendly fixtures this Saturday. Please see the Home Page of the website for more details.

The Men’s 1sts will be hoping that the road conditions are favourable as they travel for the final weekend of the premier division of the national indoor league in Eastleigh near Southampton and with four points in the bag from their first four games in mid-December one more win from their final four matches should see them retain their status. On Saturday the team plays Surbiton (12.30) and Loughborough Students (4.30) and on Sunday their opponents are Havant (9.00) and St Albans (2.30), the current bottom teams.

Good luck to all our teams in action this weekend including, on Saturday, the U18 Boys in the East Indoor Finals in Colchester – the event having been postponed before Christmas.

Members will, I know, have been shocked to learn of the death of Mrs Katherine Aldridge following a car accident in Pulham St Mary on Christmas Eve. Katherine, together with her husband Mike, were proprietors of Aldridge Electronics in the village for many years prior to their retirement a few months ago. Katherine and Mike were good friends of HMHC and our condolences go to Mike and his family on their great loss.

News and comments in brief

§ The media has been full recently of ‘Sportsman of the decade’ debates. Bolt, Federer and Woods top most people’s lists but I would like to suggest Teun de Nooijer of Holland. He has been, in my view, the best hockey player in the world over the past 10 years, as evidenced by being selected as World Player of the Year in 2003, 2005 and 2006, and with his speed, stickwork, passing, movement off the ball, goalscoring and sportsmanship has been, and remains, a joy to watch. What a player!

§ Congratulations to England Hockey’s Barry Middleton, Ashley Jackson and Helen Richardson on being named in the FIH WorldHockey All-Star teams for 2009. Barry was also selected in 2008.

§ England have been drawn in Pool B of the FIH Men’s World Cup to be played in New Delhi from 28 February to 13 March and their opponents will be Australia, India, Pakistan, South Africa and Spain. The top two teams will qualify for the semi-finals. The other pool is made up of Argentina, Canada, Germany, Holland, Korea and New Zealand.

§ The U16 and U18 Girls competed in the Brentwood Indoor Tournaments over the weekend. Congratulations to the U18 Girls on winning their event.

§ In view of the present uncertainty over fixtures and training due to the inclement weather details of the Rioja and Roll Evening, Spring Prize Draw and Auction of Promises have been posted to members instead of handing them out in the clubhouse. The Rioja and Roll Evening is being held in Tibbenham’s Barn at 7.30pm on Saturday 30 January. Tickets are £12 each (including food and drink) and are available from me so PLEASE give me a call or send me an email.

I wish all readers and their families the very best for 2010.

Mike Denham 01603 506925 [email protected] 5/1/10