Harleston Magpies Vets 1-2 Isca

Magpies narrowly lost this final of the National Veterans Cup, played at Chelmsford. Magpies started slowly against a fast and skillful Isca side and soon found themselves 2-0 down as Isca converted their first 2 short corners, and only a string of fine saves by keeper Dave Brown kept magpies in the game til half time. Brown has been in outstanding form right through the competition, producing several match winning performances. Magpies re-organised at half time, and with Johnathon Aldridge pushing forward magpies dominated the second half.

Magpies midfield of Bob Skinner, Ali Williamson. Dave Blackmore and Phil Cobbald worked tirelessly to provide opportunities for Roger Kent, John Wells and Andy Caston up front who were now causing Isca many problems. A string of short- corners were won, and when Cobbald thundered one of these in with 15 minutes to go magpies were confident they could go on and level the game, but good defending and a great last minute save by Iscas keeper from another Cobbald short corner meant the trophy went West to Exeter, rather then back to Norfolk.

This has been a great team effort from Magpies, who were grateful to the many supporters who travelled to Chelmsford.

Harleston 3-7 Canterbury

Harleston hosted Canterbury the under 18 defending champions in the quarter finals of this years competition. In a game in which Harleston were always the under dogs they lost their 1st choice goal keeper Bertie Steggles during the week after he broke his ankle. This gave an opportunity to Charlie Gerrard and Tom Baldwin as goal keepers.

After a brilliant warm up Harleston started the stronger taking the game to Canterbury and winning an early short corner which the Canterbury keeper made a good save to keep out. With Harleston dominating possession they were then dealt a cruel blow when they lost Carl Sitch to a facial injury. After this the game swung Canterbury's way when they scored two break away goals. Harleston continued to pressurise Canterbury and control possession but again they were hit on the break and Canterbury scored two more from well worked short corners. With Harleston pushing to get back into the game Canterbury scored a fifth before the end of the half with a good reverse tick shot.

Harleston came out in the second half knowing they had nothing to loose and again took the game to Canterbury, after a good save from the Canterbury keeper Harleston won another short corner which Toby Tibbenham converted after taking it round 3 players before slotting the ball home. Canterbury scored a sixth following good play down their wing before slotting the ball home. Harleston were not dead and buried though and came back strong scoring their second after a free hit on the left of the D took a deflection from Chris Barber before Ben Gowen smashed the ball past the advancing keeper. With Jimmy Wheeler, Mike Warlow, Toby Tibbenham and Chris Barber pressurising the Canterbury defence they started to make mistakes. One of these mistakes led to Harleston winning another short corner which Toby Tibbenham flicked but the keeper saved only for Richard Larking to follow up like a fox in the box and slot home on his reverse stick. Good defensive work from Will Harrison was keeping the Canterbury attacks to a minimum but they did sneak their 7th with the last touch of the game.

On a hot Sunday after noon this was a whole team effort with every member putting in 120% and never giving up, the team did Magpies proud. With the commitment shown on Sunday and most of the team being available next year hopefully the team will be able to go one better.

A big thank you must also be given to the amount of support that came down to watch the boys play.

HARLESTON MAGPIES UNDER 11 BOYS
WINNERS of the Alex Hill Memorial Competition at Dereham

Magpies fielded a strong team of improving young players, and produced a fine finish to a very encouraging season.

v Watton won 4-0 (3pt) Sonny Molloy, Mitchell Tomkins 2, Kalun Bedingfield
Sonny Malloy got Magpies off to the perfect start scoring in the first minute. Then 2 quick goals from Mitchell Tomkins and a 4th from Kalun Bedingfield rounded off a very promising start to the tournament.

v North Walsham won 5-0 (3pts) Sonny Molloy, Thomas Ridley 2, Kalun Bedingfield, Mitchell Tomkins
Another quick goal from Sonny Malloy started this match as the other had finished with Magpies well on top. More goals followed, this time 2 from a lively Thomas Ridley, and 1 a piece from Kalun Bedingfield and Mitchell Tomkins.

v Dereham lost 0-1 (0pts)
Magpies always have a tough game against Dereham, and this was no exception, the forwards had had their fun in the last games, but the defence now had to work hard, and great defensive work from Barnaby Carless helped keep this a close game. Magpies had their chances at the other end, but it was Dereham who scored what was to be the only goal.

v Pelicans won 2-1 (3pts) Thomas Ridley, Mitchell Tomkins
This was another difficult game, and Pelicans scored early on with a clever high flick that gave keeper Jonathan Coe no chance. More Pelicans pressure produced a good kick out from Jonathan Coe, then George Collins and Josh Elgood played their part with good defending that then turned into an attack, resulting in Thomas Ridley scoring the equaliser. Then dramatically with time running out Mitchell Tomkins persistent attacking play was rewarded with an all important winning goal.

v Norwich City won 4-0 (3pts) Mitchell Tomkins 2, Thomas Ridley 2
Magpies were now well on top again, good play down the left from Kalun Bedingfield finding Thomas Ridley who played the ball into Mitchell Thomkins and it was 1-0. Further goals followed, another from Thomkins and 2 from Ridley rounded off the match for the Tournament Winners.

Magpies finished up with 12pts, which gave them 1st place and winners of the competition, Dereham were runners up, Watton 3rd.

Team: George Collins, Jonathan Coe(GK), Josh Elgood, Kalun Bedingfield, Sonny Molloy, Thomas Ridley, Mitchell Tomkins, Barnaby Carless(Capt)

Special Thanks to all the helpers this season, especially Nick McAllen, Connie Bedingfield, Kevin Ridley, Logan Bedingfield, David Brook, Nigel Wooltorton, all the Youth Committee, and to the Parents and (vocal) Supporters!

Well done guys, a great finish to the season.

National Vets Cup Final
MAGPIES MENS Vets v Isca Vets - L 1-2

U18 National Cup Quarter Final
MAGPIES U18 BOYS v Canterbury - H - L 3-7

DEREHAM MINIS
MAGPIES U11 Boys 1st
MAGPIES U13 Boys 1st
MAGPIES U11 Girls
MAGPIES U13 Girls

Magpies held their end of season junior presentation evening for Under 13 players on Wednesday 18th April.

Dereham are looking to run a Summer U18 Mixed League.

Anyone interested?

nickmcallen@hotmail.com

Magpies are running their annual May Day Hockey Festival to be played over the weekend of the 5th, 6th, 7th May 2007, entry fee £45 per team.

For the past 18 years on the first Bank Holiday weekend in May, Harleston Magpies have hosted a Hockey Festival. Featuring up to 72 teams, which over the years have included all levels of serious and fun hockey, the tournament has had wide support from all over the UK, and even teams from the continent have entered.

This year’s categories are:

Saturday 5th May : Open Mixed Challenge

Sunday 6th May : Ladies & Mens Veteran Tournament

Monday 7th May : Ladies and Mens Club XI Tournament

Click here for entry form > 2007-festival-entry-form.pdf <

If you are interested in entering a team, application forms
need to be sent to Karen Ray: Karenray8@aol.com

SAT - Apr 21st
End of Season Party (Apollo Club)

SUN - Apr 22nd
National Vets Cup Final
MAGPIES MENS Vets v Isca Vets
at Chelmsford - 2.30pm

U18 National Cup Quarter Final
MAGPIES U18 BOYS v Canterbury - H

DEREHAM MINIS
MAGPIES U11 & U13 Boys
MAGPIES U11 & U13 Girls

SUN - May 6th
National Mixed Cup Quarter Final
MAGPIES v Olton & West Warwicks - H

Sat/Sun/Mon 5/6/7 May
Magpies Tournament

Summer - FIVE evenings of mixed hockey
all Mondays - 14 May, 4 June, 18 June, 2 July and 16 July and all at 7.30pm.

SAT - May 19th
U18 National Cup
Round Robin Finals
MAGPIES U18 GIRLS
at University of Birmingham
SUN - May 20th
Final

Mens Vets 6-3 Cambridge
Saturday 14th April

Magpies won their last league match on a very warm afternoon in Cambridge.

Magpies dominated the 1st half but could only manage one goal. Cambridge equalised just before half time. After the break Magpies took control with 4 quick goals. Despite a missed penalty flick from Peter Dalton, Magpies still ran out comfortable winners by 6 goals to 3.

Ipswich already had enough points to win the league. MAGPIES, Shefford & Sandy and Peterborough were all in contention for 2nd place going into the last round of matches. Peterborough beat Shefford 3-2 which meant that Magpies finished as runners up in the East League by 1 point.

A great way to end an enjoyable first season in the Vets league.

Please find attached pdf file that contains the relevant information about the Magpies Mens Vets National Final to be held at Chelmsford on April 22nd.

click for download or viewing:

Vets-finals-information.pdf

Men’s Veterans
Many congratulations to the men’s veterans on beating Bournville 3 – 1 yesterday (Sunday 1 April) in a very exciting and hard fought match thereby gaining a place in the EH Veterans’ Cup Final to be played at Chelmsford HC on Sunday 22 April (2.30pm) against old national league rivals Isca (who beat Colchester 4 - 1 in the other semi-final).

It was good to see so many people on the touchline cheering our team to their splendid victory over a Bournville team which took their defeat so sportingly.


Summer Mixed Hockey
I hope as many members as possible will be able to make the five evenings of mixed hockey. They are (all Mondays – 7.30pm) – 14 May, 4 June, 18 June, 2 July and 16 July.

Please bring a white and a coloured shirt – and £3 match fee!


Floodlights
The upgrading of the floodlights is scheduled to take place in the week beginning Monday 11 June.


Ali and Glenn Masterson
Congratulations to Ali and Glenn on the birth of Daniel on Sunday 25 March.




Mike Denham (Chairman)
2 April 2007

MAGPIES VETS REACH NATIONAL FINAL

Harleston Magpies Veterans 3-1 Bournville

On Sunday afternoon Harleston Magpies Veterans team entertained Bournville in the semi-final of the National Hockey Veterans Cup. Having beaten last year’s champions in the previous round Bournville arrived as favourites.

From the start Magpies were put under pressure and found it hard to move the ball out of defence. After ten minutes, against the run of play Magpies won a penalty corner from which John Aldridge ultimately scored from a narrow angle. Bournville continued to press forward but squandered several penalty corners. Just before half time David Brown in goal pulled off a stunning save from a fiercely struck shot, and Magpies went into half time with a slender lead.

Towards half time Magpies had begun to fight their way into the game and within five minutes of the restart extended this lead when David Blackmore found Roger Kent in Bournville’s circle and Kent scored from close range.

The game was now much more open with Bournville still seeking a goal and within five minutes of Magpies going two up the visitors scored with a well worked goal. Bournville continued to press forward and with quarter of an hour to go were awarded a harsh penalty stroke. David Brown once again came to Magpies rescue when he brilliantly deflected the ball onto the post and to safety.

In the final ten minutes both teams went for the kill and eventually, with Bournville pressing forward for the equaliser Magpies broke away and good play between Roger Kent and Andy Casten led to Casten slotting home the final goal with a well controlled reverse stick shot.

Magpies then played out time to earn a place in the final against Isca (Exeter) at Chelmsford on April 22nd, 2.30pm.

LADIES 2s v Bourne 1s - H - D 3-3
LADIES 3s v Braintree 1s - A - L 0-3

MENS Vets v Bishops Stortford - H - W 3-0

SUN
National Vets Cup Semi-Final
MENS Vets v Bournville Mens Vets - H - W 3-1
Now in National Final on 22nd April against
Isca to be played at Chelmsford.