Chairman’s Chat
So near, yet so ….
So near, yet so far away! The draw against Fareham came back to haunt the Men’s 1sts in the EHL play-offs at Cannock last weekend when after an uncharacteristically bad game against the University of Durham and excellent wins over Harborne and Cardiff the team missed out on promotion to the national league on goal difference from Durham and Cardiff. Our cause was not helped by the disappointing performance of Kingston upon Hull who lost all their three games by wide margins thereby distorting the goal difference factor.
In the last three seasons the Men’s 1sts have twice finished in second spot in the East League and when we eventually win the title there are play-offs for this season only to accommodate the quite unnecessary changes in next season’s national league structure. I could say more but I won’t!
Despite the below par performance against Durham the team did the Club proud at Cannock with their subsequent wins over two other divisional champions. I take this opportunity to congratulate the squad under manager Robert Stimpson, coach Les Howlett, captain Leigh Sitch and vice-captain Richard Gill for their play and sporting demeanour over the weekend and throughout the season and I also pay tribute to the 50 or so supporters who came to cheer the team on over the three days.
Before I leave the subject of the Men’s 1sts it is worth pointing out the team played 27 league and play-off matches over the season losing just twice and failing to score just once. Quite a record and I’m pleased to show below the results and goal scorers – the latter led by Andy Hipwell with his astonishing record of 45 goals from the 26 games he played.
Sep 29 Wapping A 1 – 5
A Hipwell (3), J Wheeler, R Ling
Oct 6 Broxbourne H 3 – 2
A Hipwell (2), N Toulson
Oct 13 Blueharts A 2 – 6
C Sitch (2), A Hipwell, N Toulson, C Barber, R Gill
Oct 20 Bishops Stortford H 5 – 2
A Hipwell (4), J Wheeler
Oct 27 Bedford Town A 2 – 4
A Hipwell (3), C Barber
Nov 3 Ipswich 2 H 4 – 1
R Ling, A Hipwell (2), R Gill
Nov 10 St Albans A 1 – 2
A Hipwell (2)
Nov 17 Havering H 3 – 0
R Gill (2), A Hipwell
Nov 24 Harpenden A 0 – 3
J Fanger, R Gill (2)
Dec 1 Dereham H 7 – 0
T Baynes (2), A Hipwell (3), N Toulson, J Wheeler
Dec 8 Cambridge City A 2 – 1
A Hipwell
Jan 19 Wapping H 4 – 2
J Fanger, A Hipwell, R Ling, T Baynes
Jan 26 Broxbourne A 2 – 7
R Ling, A Hipwell (2), J Fanger (2), R Gill, N Toulson
Feb 2 Blueharts H 5 – 3
R Ling, A Hipwell (3), J Wheeler
Feb 9 Bishops Stortford A 0 – 6
C Sitch (2), J Wheeler (2), T Baynes, A Hipwell
Feb 16 Bedford Town H 2 – 1
A Hipwell, J Wheeler
Feb 23 Ipswich 2 A 1 – 3
A Hipwell (2), R Gill
Mar 1 St Albans H 2 – 1
A Hipwell, J Wheeler
Mar 8 Havering A 0 – 3
A Hipwell (2), T Sumner
Mar 15 Harpenden H 7 – 0
J Fanger, A Hipwell (2), J Wheeler (2), R Gill (2)
Mar 29 Dereham A 1 – 4
T Baynes, C Barber, D Stasin, A Hipwell
Apr 5 Cambridge City H 1 – 0
T Baynes
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Apr 20 Fareham H 2 – 2
A Hipwell, C Sitch
Apr 27 Kingston upon Hull A 2 – 6
A Hipwell (3), N Toulson, C Barber (2)
May 3 Univ of Durham A 3 – 0
May 4 Harborne A 0 – 3
A Hipwell (3)
May 5 Cardiff & UWIC A 1 – 3
T Baynes (2), C Sitch
Good luck to our U18 Girls’ and Boys’ teams in the national finals this weekend at Canterbury HC. To have both teams in the finals is a remarkable record for the club and bodes well for the future. Good luck also to the Mixed team when they entertain Eastcote on Sunday (1.00pm) in the quarter-finals of the national trophy.
I hope as many members as possible will be able to attend the End of Season Bash at the club on Saturday 17 May (7.30pm). The event is open to all ages and entry is by ticket only – £10 (U13s £5) including food – obtainable from Mary Wright 0774 779 5481, Jose Tibbenham 07881 811259 or Mike Denham 01603 506925. Dancing will be to ginger tom & the GO cats.
My thanks go to James Smith, Kirstin Cumming, Daphne Beckett, Nick McAllen, David and Philip Cobbald and all other members involved with the preparation and running of last weekend’s very successful Magpies’ Tournament.
The Summer Mixed Hockey will once again be played on Monday nights (7.30pm) commencing on 12 May and continuing on 2 & 16 & 30 June and concluding on 14 July. Please bring a white and coloured shirt and £3 match fee!
Other dates for your diary please!
Strawberry Luncheon
Shotford Hall, Harleston
(by kind permission of Jill and Roy Whipps)
Tickets (including a drink) are £10 (adults), £5 (children 7 to 12) with children under 7 free
are obtainable from Daphne Beckett (Tel: 07850 709297) or David Alexander (Tel: 01508 530237)
Sunday 13 July
In The Mood
(a trip down Memory Lane)
bring your picnic and relax
to the live music of TIMESCAPE
Bone Hill, Rouse’s Lane off Low Road, Starston
Gates open 3.30pm Music starts 4.30pm
Tickets £10 Adults, £5 U16s, U5s Free –
obtainable from Mike Denham 01603 506925
(event organised jointly by Harleston Lions, Scouts and Magpies HC)
With kind regards and best wishes to all members, supporters and friends of the Club.
