THIRD TIME LUCKY?
The Men’s O50s will hope it is third time lucky when they face Reading in the final of the England Hockey Masters Cup Final at Lee Valley Sports Centre on Sunday (11.00). In 2012 they lost 1-0 to Richmond in the final at Cannock HC and last year they went down 2-0 to Ben Rhydding at Beeston HC at the same stage of the competition.
Richmond beat Magpies as their sprinkling of international stars of yesteryear performed as feared and last year Ben Rhydding were helped by several of their squad being just over the age 50 mark while the older Magpies’ team (hindered by an injury to Jon Aldridge) could not really get going. This season Magpies have been strengthened by the inclusion of guest player Andy Law and by their ‘just turned 50’ contingent of Simon Bardwell, Rob Bensly, Andy Caston, Roger Kent and Alistair Williamson.
Goals have not been a problem for Magpies this season as they have scored 26 (with 12 against) in their five games so it is to be hoped they can find the back of the net on Sunday in what is sure to be a very testing game but whatever the outcome the squad have already done the club proud.
It is very best wishes to the following squad which will be reduced to sixteen following tomorrow night’s training session.
Jon Aldridge (captain), Peter Dolton (player-manager), Simon Bardwell, Rob Bensly, David Blackmore, Jerry Blackmore, Andy Caston, Phil Cobbald, Tony Elston, Peter Finnie, Harry Flatt, Murray Graham (GK), Jerry Herod, Roger Kent, Andy Law, Bob Skinner, Jon Wells and Alistair Williamson.
NB. Needless to say spectators will be very welcome to cheer on our team on Sunday but there will be no parking facilities for spectators so one option might be to park in the Westfield Stratford City Shopping Centre and walk to the Lee Valley SC which is about 20 minutes away – or take a taxi.
It is also best wishes to Norwich Dragons (including Jon Price, Pete Thomas and Rob Wagstaff) who play Taunton Vale in the Men’s Masters O40s Shield Final on Sunday at 2.00pm.
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EMMA LEE-SMITH
Congratulations to Emma on being chosen by her peers throughout the league for the Investec East Conference ‘team of the year’. This is the third year running that Emma has received this accolade and is fully deserved after another outstanding season for Magpies during which she scored nine goals in her vital all-rounder role. The other members of the team are: Kirsty Mackay (East Grinstead), Joanna Davis (East Grinstead), Natasha Humpries (St Albans), Amy Tippen (Wimbledon), Emer Acton (Chelmsford), Ellie Watton (St Albans), Hannah Macleod (St Albans), Cathy Gilliat-Smith (Sevenoaks), Sophie Bray (East Grinstead) and Jane Smith (Maidenhead).
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MIXED GET GOING – EVENTUALLY
Magpies are through to the quarter-finals of the England Hockey Mixed Trophy after beating Wisbech 9-0 away last Sunday and will now play Burton at home on Sunday 17 May. But this score line masks the anxiety felt by the loyal band of Magpies’ supporters as their team dominated the first half and only had a fierce 31st minute reverse stick strike from the top of the circle by Ben Wright to show for their efforts before the break. The long wait for the opening goal was due to a combination of outstanding play by Bill Garner in the Wisbech goal, an unhelpful post, inaccurate shooting and Martin Fields getting in the way of a goal bound shot by Simon Hipwell!
The ‘touchline worried of Harleston’ had to wait until the tenth minute of the second half before they could breathe easily and this was due to a quality drag flick at a penalty corner by Maria Andrews who was subsequently judged MOTM by her peers. A few minutes later Katrina Sitch converted following a clever penalty corner variation and this signalled the opening of the floodgates and relaxation for the travelling band of supporters one of whom was earlier suggesting the squad pay for his petrol! Six goals came in the last fifteen minutes with Ben scoring his second to be followed by Lucy Whiting converting from close range before Maria put away a penalty stroke with apparent ease. Maria then scored her third and Lauren Barber coolly tucked a penalty stroke just inside the right post. With two minutes remaining Lizzie Clymer added the ninth after some deft stick work. While this was a good win for Magpies they were given a far tougher game by their hosts than suggested by the final score.
To honour a commitment made before the draw for the game was made team manager Sam Moore and 3rd team vice-captain Andy Johnson cycled the 60 miles to Wisbech leaving at 4.00am on a very dark, cold and wet morning! At least this exploit was a good test for Sam’s knee which is doing well after his op and extensive treatment. While Sam claims to be one of the most successful managers in the club’s history (four wins out of four and one of those a walkover!) it would be really good to see him back playing again next season. No – they didn’t cycle home!
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LOOKING BACK
Except for the exciting exploits of the Men’s O50s and the Mixed the season is over and inevitably it contained the usual ups and downs but overall it was a success with the outstanding achievement being the return of the Men’s 1sts to the national league followed close behind by the Ladies’ 1sts finishing third in the East Conference, the Boys’ Development winning the Norfolk Development league, the Ladies’ 2nds retaining their East Premier League status and the Men’s O50s reaching Sunday’s final. There is no doubt the decision to drop the Men’s 7ths was a good one and looking forward there is equally no doubt we need more of our players to commit to playing each week and we need a few more men and women players to ease the burden on our team captains.
It is a big ‘thank you and well done’ to club president Philippa Taylor, chairman Murray Graham and playing manager Tristan Baynes for their hard work and leadership over recent months and to all other club officials (including club and team captains, managers and coaches) for their commitment throughout the season. The club is also indebted to the many umpires be they pool appointees or club members. The club is also very grateful to all its sponsors and advertisers for their invaluable support once again with more anon on this subject.
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The club’s 2014-15 achievements include the following:
Ladies 1sts finish third in England Hockey’s East Conference. 2nds retain their East Premier Division status. 3rds finish third in Norfolk Premier. Development finish second in Norfolk Dev. League
Men 1sts finish 1st in East Premier ‘A’ and gain promotion back to the national league. Development win Norfolk Dev. League. O50s have reached the final of England Hockey’s Masters Cup to be played on Sunday.
Mixed In quarter-finals of England Hockey’s Mixed Trophy to be played on Sunday 17 May.
International Honours Alice Hopgood (England U16s), Phil Cobbald (England O50s),
Jon Aldridge (England O55s), David Blackmore (England O60s).
Youth U18 Girls win England Hockey Plate.
Minis U12 Girls and U12 Boys are Norfolk champions and both finished third in the East Club Finals. U10 Girls finished second in the Norfolk Championships and second in the East Club Finals.
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OTHER MATTERS IN BRIEF
a) The annual Magpies May Day Weekend Festival is being held on Saturday (Open Mixed Challenge) and next Monday (Ladies’ and Men’s Club XIs) and help is URGENTLY needed to run the kitchen – especially on Monday. 2- hour slots are available from 10am until 6pm on both Saturday and Monday. If you are able to help please contact Kirstin Cumming by [email protected] who will be delighted to allocate you a slot. Your help would be much appreciated.
b) 80th Anniversary Ball – Tracy Reeve is looking for more photographs depicting the activities of the club and its members over the years to be displayed at the Ball on Saturday 13 June. If you are able to help would you please scan the photographs and send them to Tracy at [email protected] or kindly contact her on 01379 854890 to arrange scanning.
This is the last ‘Maxi’ Musings of the season but I hope to be back for one final (definitely final!) season in September subject to my health and negotiations over my fee!! In the meantime please look out for occasional Mini Musings together with updates on the Latest News page of the website. Thank you for your support and encouragement during the past few months and my thanks to Nigel Bedingfield of IceniPost.com for his invaluable help and guidance. I hope you are able to have an enjoyable summer. To all players – please keep fit!
With kind regards
Mike Denham
28/4/15
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