HARLESTON MAGPIES WEEKEND PREVIEW

Harleston Magpies Ladies sponsored by Kitchen Sense play Reading at home on Sunday at 12.30 in their English Hockey League game. Magpies will be looking to build on their performance at Maidstone last week where they must tighten up on their defending, but they looked strong in the midfield which is an area that has definitely improved from last season. The addition of Frances Sumner, Charlotte Harrison and Anna Toulson has given the side that additional experience that was lacking last season.

This is a very attractive fixture as Reading were a quality side last season and are likely to have strengthened their squad as they push hard for promotion. Just to reinforce the point Reading have started their season with a bang beating Sevenoaks 7-0 last week and are probably the favourites to win the League this season. Five of those goals came from penalty corners so Magpies have been warned. Former Magpies player Alex Smith scored two of the goals last week.

Laura Parker returns to the squad this weekend and Magpies know they will have their hands full defensively but Magpies should also be able to test the visitors defence and this has the making of a very entertaining game.

SQUAD: Louisa Greenacre (Capt), Lucy Hayman, Helen Brook, Lucy Miller, Debbie McAllen, Lauren Micklebugh, Frances Sumner, Charlotte Harrison, Laura Parker, Anna Toulson, Katrina Warnes, Artemis Clark, Cherry Seaborn and Angie Wheelhouse.


Harleston Magpies Men

The first day of the new league season saw a number of interesting results possibly reflecting the changes that some teams have made in their personnel during the summer break. Biggest surprise of the day was St Albans 4-3 defeat at the hands of newly promoted Wisbech.

Cambridge University relegated from the national league secured a convincing victory against Cambridge City who it is rumoured will not be the force they were last season. Blueharts could be the emerging side as they trounced Ipswich 7-0.

Magpies with new sponsors Hunton Legg overcame a much improved Bishops Stortford side 1-0 despite missing a stroke and playing for a short period with nine men.

This week Harleston play local rivals Dereham at home. Dereham suffered a home defeat against Havering and will be keen to pick up points. No doubt the visitors will not have changed their pattern of play as they will seek to disrupt Magpies open fast hockey.

Harleston have no injury doubts and look forward to this game with the squad in fine form benefiting from the combined efforts of coaches Phil Cobbald and Les Howlett.

Harleston Magpies Ladies 2nd Team were away to Ipswich 3rd team on Saturday, and took the confidence of their win last week into the game.

In the first half Magpies passed the ball well, with Amy Tuffs having an excellent game in midfield. The team caused the Ipswich defence many problems from the left hand side of the pitch, but despite having most of the possession, were unable to score in the first half.

The team struggled to keep possession in the second half, and Ipswich were stronger on the break. However Magpies started to switch the ball to the right, where Rachel Bicker caused many problems, and eventually done an excellent run, using her skills to set Kathryn Bullen up for the first goal of the match.

The second goal was very similar to the first, but with Hannah Linger crossing the ball from the right for Kathryn Bullen to score her second. The team was very tired towards the end of the game, but fought right to the end.

WOMENS SLAZENGER ENGLAND HOCKEY LEAGUE

MAIDSTONE 2 HARLESTON MAGPIES 2

Harleston Magpies secured a point with a late equaliser but they will regret that 10 minutes of poor defending in the first half in a game they totally dominated, denied them the chance of a win in their opening League game.

Magpies opened brightly controlling the game and created a number of chances before Angie Wheelhouse put them 1-0 in front after 11 minutes with a fierce shot. At this point there was no indication that Maidstone would carry any real threat but after 18 minutes Sue Leaning equalised and after 23 minutes Cara Brogan gave them a 2-1 lead from a penalty corner. Magpies were temporarily stunned but gradually regained control of the game without real conviction for the remainder of the first half.

Magpies made a very positive start to the second half with Frances Sumner and Charlotte Harrison very prominent in midfield, as they pressed Maidstone back in their half for long periods. Artemis Clark robbed the defender of the ball but was denied by good goalkeeping in a one on one situation, Cherry Seaborn was inches away from scoring as the ball flew across the face of the goal. The more Magpies dominated the harder it was to create the space to break down a packed defence with a goalkeeper having an excellent game.

Finally Magpies equalised through Angie Wheelhouse from a penalty corner with ten minutes left in slightly fortunate circumstances, but it was nothing less than they deserved. By now Maidstone rarely crossed the half way line as Magpies went for the winner, but time was against them. In the end Harleston had to settle for a point which they earned with a great battling second half performance. Next week they play high scoring Reading in a game where Magpies will need to raise their game and eliminate any basic errors.

Bishops Stortford 0 Harleston Magpies 1

Magpies started the season with an away trip to Bishops Stortford after a tough pre-season that involved some varying performances along with some mixed results.

Under a hot September sun Stortford started the game with a high tempo pressing Harleston high up the pitch and gaining the early territory and possession resulting in a short corner that was well defended by the Magpies defence. Stortford continued to do a lot of hard work in hassling Harleston but as the half wore on Magpies started to get their passing game together and began to dominate the game. The last fifteen minutes of the half were played almost exclusively in the home teams half as Harleston pressed for the opening goal.

Harleston created a host of chances with Tristan Baynes going close with a reverse stick shot, Richard Ling almost squeezing in a shot at the back post and Chris Barber deflecting over the bar after a good hit in to the D from Richard Gill. The Stortford keeper made several good saves including getting a good hand to an Andrew Hipwell drag flick and the half ended goalless.

The second half started much as the first had ended with Magpies unable to convert the chances they created. However the pace of the game changed midway through when a ten-minute period saw three yellow cards flashed by the umpires. First David Ming was sin binned for an innocuous tackle just inside his own half, then Tristan Baynes saw yellow for another stick tackle before a Bishops Stortford forward was yellowed for another tame looking tackle resulting in the match being played for a brief time with only 19 players on the pitch.

However with the game being stretched with the extra space available it was Harleston who took advantage when finally more good work down the right wing resulted in Pete Bale squeezing the ball home for his debut goal in his debut league match. Bishops Stortford are however an improved side from last year and continued to take the game to Harleston and forced a couple of short corners as well as forcing a few good saves from Richard Harms also playing his first competitive match.

Harleston lost another player to the sin bin late on as Pete Bale was shown what seemed a harsh yellow to make it a bittersweet match for the new boy. However Harleston hung on the slender lead to record an opening day win that will hopefully set up another successful season.

LADIES 1s v Maidstone (L) A D 2-2
LADIES 2s v Ipswich 3s (L) 1pm A W 2-1
LADIES 3s v Reepham (L) 11.30 am A W 2-0
LADIES 4s v Harriers (L) 10.30 (W) H W 1-0
LADIES 5s v Herlings (L) 2 pm A W 3-0
LADIES 6s v Thetford II (L) 1.30 pm A D 0-0
LADIES DEV. v Watton (L) 10 am A cancelled

MENS 1s v Bishops Stortford (L) A W 1-0
MENS 2s v Vauxhall Postponed to 13 Dec
MENS 3s v Lowestoft Town (L) 4.00 (W) H W 3-0
MENS 4s v Norwich City 3 (L) A W 5-1
MENS 5s v North Walsham 2 (L) A W 3-2
MENS 6s v Norwich City 4 (L) 12.30 (W) H L 1-3
Men VETS v Bishops Stortford (L) cancelled

Magpies Ladies 4'ths 1 - 0 Harriers

Magpies started strongly in their first league match of the season, dominating possession in the opening minutes, pressuring the away side's goal. They were rewarded midway through the half when Laura Gilbert swept the ball in after a good cross from the right wing.

Magpies continued to enjoy the majority of possession with flowing movement throughout the team, but were unable to extend their lead.

The second half saw much of the same, with Magpies firing shots at the Harriers keeper. Zoe Cole, Katie Webb, Lisa Kent and Kay Dennis combined well on the forward line. The strength and confidence at the back, and through the middle, allowed Magpies to press forward, with Treacle making some good plays from right back. The home side were unlucky not to convert again, with the score remaining one nil.

An extremely competent and hard working performance from the new Ladies 4th's squad, and credit must be given to all.

Kay Dennis, Magpies Ladies 4th's.

Harleston Magpies Ladies start their tenth successive season of National League Hockey this Saturday with a match away against Maidstone starting at 12.30.

This season sees the introduction of the new Slazenger English Hockey League structure with a Premier Division and three parallel Leagues beneath it called East, North and West Conference Leagues. Harleston Magpies are in the East Conference playing Reading, Old Loughtonians, Maidstone, St Albans, Southgate, Horsham, Sevenoaks, Staines and Hounslow. At least four of these teams would have been playing in the old Division I.

Magpies are pleased to welcome back three experienced players Frances Sumner, Anna Toulson (Truman) and Charlotte Harrison to the squad , whilst Bedford College student Lauren Mickleburgh and 16 years old Bryony Lund make their National League debuts for the Club. This season Coach Colin Wheelhouse will be trying to gel these players into the squad as soon as possible and looking for the many young players who were blooded last year to continue to progress rapidly.

The pre season friendly results suggest that despite a number of positional experiments the squad has still to find a level of consistency which will be essential in this League. On paper the side is much stronger than last season but they need to get off to a good start.

SQUAD: Louisa Greenacre (Capt), Lucy Hayman, Helen Brook, Lucy Miller, Bryony Lund, Debbie McAllen, Lauren Micklebugh, Frances Sumner, Charlotte Harrison, Anna Toulson, Katrina Warnes, Artemis Clark, Cherry Seaborn and Angie Wheelhouse.

Harleston Magpies' Men's manager Robert Stimpson is calling for the same again from his team on the eve of their new campaign.

Last season the Magpies cruised to the East League Premier A title with 21 wins out of 22 but were cruelly denied promotion back to the National League after a seven-year absence.

Due to an England Hockey League (EHL) restructure, the Magpies had to make do with the play-offs where they missed out on going up by goal difference.

This time the East League champions will be automatically promoted and Stimpson is confident it will be his team, who start their season at Bishop's Stortford tomorrow.

The Magpies manager said: "We won the league last season, only losing one game and there is no reason why we can't look to go through the season winning every game.

"It is a big ask, as I do appreciate the odd game won't go our way, but I do think we are capable of winning this league again."

Stimpson insists the dust has settled on last season and he is not expecting any hangover from his team after their play-off heartache.

The biggest changes on the pitch have seen the exit of England U18 Carl Sitch, who has gone away to university, and the retirement of experienced goalkeeper Iain Martin.

But Harleston have managed to replace the duo, with Richard Harms taking over between the posts, after signing from Cambridge City, and midfielder Peter Bale joining from play-off opponents Harborne, after he moved to the area.

Despite the changes, Stimpson believes he has a stronger squad with the club's talented youngsters looking to benefit from last season's experience.

League action for all (or nearly!)

Last weekend saw four of our teams – the Ladies’ 2nds, 5ths, 6ths and Development – play their first league matches of the new season and this Saturday (27 September) the rest of our teams, with the exception of the Men’s 2nds, follow suit. The Ladies’ 2nds had an encouraging 4 – 0 East Div 2NE win over Bury St Edmunds 2nds and this week are away to Ipswich 3rds while the 6ths beat the 5ths 7 – 5 in an exciting M&A Norfolk Div 3 end-to-end clash. This week the 6ths are away to Thetford 2nds, the 5ths are away to Herlings and the Development team, after their excellent 4 – 0 away win over Norwich City, are away to Watton as they seek to retain their Norfolk Development League title.

The Men’s 1sts, now kindly sponsored by Hunton Legg of Bruisyard, Saxmundham, begin the defence of their NE14 HOCKEY East Premier A crown with a visit to Bishops Stortford boosted by their dramatic away friendly win last Saturday over last season’s play-off opponents Fareham, the reigning South champions. Three down at half time the team responded well to the words of wisdom of manager Robert Stimpson and with four goals by Andy Hipwell ended up 4 – 3 winners! In contrast the Ladies’ 1sts, again kindly sponsored by Kitchen Sense of Harleston, lost at Southgate after leading at half time but after a generally encouraging pre-season should be able to travel to Maidstone for their opening Slazenger England Hockey League Women’s Conference East (phew!) match with confidence.

The Men’s 2nds, after their 8 - 0 win over Norwich City, should have entertained Vauxhall in East Div 1 but with the majority of the Vauxhall players due to be celebrating an important Muslim festival as part of the month of Ramadan the match has been postponed until 13 December.

The Men’s 3rds were in equally dominant form against Norwich City 3rds, with Matt Brand again amongst the goals, and after a really good build-up to the season under the captaincy of Joel Nelson must be looking forward to the weeks ahead starting with their East Div 3NE home match against Lowestoft Town (4.00pm). Meantime the Men’s 4ths, after their friendly win over Norwich City 4ths, begin their Div 3NE campaign away to Norwich City 3rds while the Men’s 5ths are away to North Walsham 2nds (in East Div 5NE) and the Men’s 6ths, after a very promising win over Norwich City 6ths, entertain Norwich City 4ths (12.30pm), also in Div 5NE. I hope you are still with me!

This leaves three other teams to also wish ‘good luck’ to for this weekend and the season ahead, namely the Men’s Veterans, who travel to Bishops Stortford, the Ladies’ 3rds (Norfolk Premier Div) who are away to Reepham and the Ladies’ 4ths (Norfolk Div 2) who are at home to Harriers (10.30am).

News and comments in brief:
• I take this opportunity to thank Nigel and Sue Bedingfield of www.WaveneyValleyBlog.com for their sponsorship and maintenance of the club’s really excellent website.
• The weather relented sufficiently last Friday for the lines to be repainted on the two pitches and I apologise to the U11 Girls and Boys and their coaches for the restricted space they had on the sand-based pitch that evening while the paint dried.
• The scoreboard on the water-based pitch failed to work last Saturday which was a nuisance but at least it prevented the operators suffering a repetitive strain injury to their thumbs! I hope the board will be back in action this week.
• The above are good examples of the maintenance which is required at the club on a regular basis and which is largely unseen by members and our visitors.
• Each year we reluctantly say ‘farewell and good luck’ to a number of our young members as they go off to university and it is now the turn of Logan Bedingfield, Harry Blandy, Katie Forsyth, Jess Hull, Richard Larkin, Carl Sitch and Amelia Thomson. They will be joined in 12 months time by a number of other young members who are still with us during their ‘gap’ year.

With kind regards and best wishes to all members, supporters and friends of the Club.

Norfolk Hockey Umpiring Association is running a Level 1 Umpire Award Course on Sunday 5 October 2008, Kirkley High School, Lowestoft.

The Level 1 Umpire Award is the first level of the official hockey umpiring qualifications. It is made up of 3 key parts, a course delivering the theory of umpiring, practice matches and a practical assessment. Candidates have 1 year to complete the practical assessment after passing their theory test. This course is suitable for candidates aged 15+, both players and spectators alike.

For an application form click on the link below, or for more information contact:
Alan Jones Tel: 01603 747965 or email: alan@wittsend.co.uk

Hockey L1 Umpire Course Oct08 (154.5 KB)

Active Norfolk
The Turner Road Centre, Turner Road, Norwich, NR2 4HB

Email: info@activenorfolk.org | Tel: 01603 697011

The Foundation Umpire Award is the step between the Young Umpire Day (aimed at 10-13 year olds) & the Level 1 Umpires Award. The Foundation Umpire Award is aimed at any participant aged 14+, & offers them an introduction to umpiring 11-a-side hockey.

This course has been organised by Norfolk Hockey Umpiring Association in partnership with Active Norfolk and England Hockey.

Venue: Watton Hockey Club, Watton Leisure Centre, Dereham Road, Watton, IP25 6EZ

Cost: £16

Date: Sunday 2 November 2008

Closing Date: Monday 13 October 2008

Time: Registration 9.45 - 10 am, session 10 am - 4 pm

An application form is available through the link below.

For more information contact: Karen Young, Norfolk Hockey & Golf Development Officer
tel: 01603 697022 mob: 07827308998 e-mail: karen.young@activenorfolk.org

Hockey Foundation Umpire Award (upload form 153 KB)

Active Norfolk
The Turner Road Centre, Turner Road, Norwich, NR2 4HB

Email: info@activenorfolk.org | Tel: 01603 697011

Mens 3rd Team - Match Report - 20th September

Mens 3rds 10 – 0 Norwich City 3rds

Magpies Men’s 3rd Team went into their final pre season friendly on the back of a narrow 4-3 defeat to a strong Magpies 2nd team and a 6-0 win over IES 2nds respectively. Magpies started slower than that of the previous week (where 5 of the 6 goals came before the break) but with quarter of an hour gone they started to find their rhythm. Once again the goals began to flow as Magpies exploited the gaps through the middle of the park and by half-time they found themselves 4-0 up with goals from Matt Brand (3) and Craig Whipps (1).

Magpies went up a few more gears after the break and gave an impressive display of finishing (much improved on the previous week) as they put away chance after chance. Matt Brand and Craig Whipps duplicated their first half tallies to take their totals for the game to 6 and 2 respectively, with Captain Joel Nelson bagging a late brace to take the final score to 10-0.

It has been an excellent pre-season build-up for the 3rds and credit must go to all areas of the field, with the team scoring 19 goals and only conceding 3 against opposition that were either playing their hockey in leagues above them or, as in the case of the last two matches, feature in the same league as the 3rds in the coming season.

Magpies Men’s 1st XI vs. Fareham

Saturday saw Magpies travel down to Fareham for their final pre-season friendly before the league kicks off with a tricky away trip to Bishop Stortford.

In the last contest between the sides, the match finished two goals a piece in the play-offs at the end of last season. Magpies were looking to gain a good result to set them up strongly for the weeks to come.

The match however started in the worst possible way with Fareham knocking in two early goals past a startled Magpies side. Magpies continued to press very deep throughout the first half and let in another goal courtesy of a well-worked short corner. Magpies had a few good chances to bring back the deficit, notably with some lovely work by Barber and Ling, but failed to convert any of them. It ended 3-0 at the interval.

The match told to be a classic “game of two halves” however, as Magpies came out extremely strongly in the second half. The taming of the Fareham side started when Andy Hipwell tidied up a scrappy move with a well struck reverse stick shot.

It was Hipwell again who popped up in the D to convert a cross from Toulson after a well-worked move down the right side of the pitch. With a new wave of confidence, the Magpies side kept pressing high and creating chances with some great work by Bale. Wheeler won a short corner for the side after a good run which was again converted by Hipwell after an initial shot and save from the keeper.

With time running out, Magpies kept the pressure up and the winner came from a great move down the right with Hipwell passing to Baynes who then delivered a fine pass into the D for Wheeler to shoot. The initial shot was saved, but Hipwell managed to convert the goal to make it 4-3 to Magpies.

Final score: Magpies 4-3 Fareham

Harleston Magpies Ladies 2nd Team had their first league game at home on Saturday against Bury St Edmunds. After a tough season last year, the team started the game strongly and keen to win.

With a slightly more experienced side this year the team moved the ball well, building up play and creating chances. However, at times were lazy and didn’t meet the ball, which allowed Bury to intercept and put pressure on the defence. The team was 2-0 up at half time with goals from Jessie and Jess.

Magpies continued battling in the second half against a physical Bury side, and their fitness came though mid second half as Bury tired. Magpies were awarded a number of short corners, and Amy Tufts who had a superb game, set up both Kathryn Bullen and Jose Mulloy to make the final score 4-0.

Thanks to Jason (2nd team coach), who has been put a lot of effort into short corners with the team. Good start, well done 2nd Team.

Harleston Magpies VIth V Norwich City VIth
3.15 pm Saturday 20th September 2008

The expectant crowd had assembled at a sun drenched Weybread deep in the Waveney Valley for this much heralded friendly between two old foes.

Harleston Magpies fielded 3 of the 4 adults on the pitch who are possibly closer to drawing their pensions than sitting their GCSEs.

This age variance was evident in the first half and Magpies raced to a half time lead of 8 to 2, thanks to goals from Aldridge (2), Graham T (2), Blandy (1), Biggins (1), Green (1) and Ashurst (1). The Norwich scorers were Mullis and Taylor.

By this time the reporter had writer’s cramp but boldly carried on.

It was a different story in the second half with Norwich looking to turn the tide and King Canute was definitely on form. The sides were well matched after the break with both scoring 2 goals. The City Slickers scoring through Marchant and a penalty from the youthful Cushion, just beating the goalkeeper Graham J. The Magpies feathers were not ruffled and they responded through 2 goals from Carpenter.

Final score 10-4.

The crowd went home content in the knowledge that they had witnessed a sporting and entertaining contest free from any controversy.

Norwich City Dev 0-4 Magpies Ladies Dev

Magpies first league game of the season produced an excellent 4-0 victory against Norwich City Development XI. Magpies dominated first half possession but only managed to go in to the interval leading by a single goal scored by Jemima Jacobs. The second half saw Magpies extend their lead through the impressive Sarah Brook followed by further goals from Kira Wooltorton and Fiona McKenzie. For many girls this was their first experience of eleven a side hockey and all the team adapted well enabling Magpies to start the season with a fine win.

50 years at Weybread

This Saturday (20 September) is a significant day in the history of the club as it marks the 50th anniversary (to the day) of the first competitive game at Weybread following a practice match the previous Saturday.

The club (originally for men only) was formed in 1935 and named after the town’s public house in which the inaugural meeting was held. For the first two seasons (commencing 1936) the Club hired a pitch on the Recreation Ground before moving to Miss Nuttall’s School. The club was disbanded on the outbreak of the Second World War and reformed in August 1950 playing on Rushall Road before moving in 1955 to Mortimer’s Meadow on London Road.

A separate ladies’ club was formed in 1954 with a successful merger following in 1974. In July 1957 the club moved to Weybread as two pitches were now needed and four acres of land, situated north of the present clubhouse, were hired for five shillings a year! The land, which was used by the USAAF during World War 2, was levelled and seeded and first used on 13 September 1958. In 1982 the club bought at auction the freehold of the nine acres south of the clubhouse which was built in 1976 and later extended. In 1996 the club bought the freehold of the land on which the clubhouse stands. The club continues to lease the four acres of land north of the clubhouse.

So on Saturday we must say “Here’s to the next 50 years!!” as the 2008/9 season gets under way in earnest over the next two weekends with the start of the league fixtures and first into action (and having the league stage to themselves this weekend) will be the Ladies’ 2nds who entertain Bury St Edmunds 2nds (East League Div 2NE, 12.30pm) and the Ladies’ 5ths and 6ths who play each other at 4.00pm in their Martin & Acock Norfolk League Division 3 clash.

I take this opportunity to wish our teams all the very best for the months ahead and I thank all team officials and coaches for kindly taking on their vital roles. I include, of course, David Brook and Nigel Wooltorton who have recently volunteered to manage the Ladies’ Development team – a team which is of the utmost importance to the future of the club.

News and comments in brief:

LADIES 1st
PRE SEASON FRIENDLIES

Aug 31
Cambridge City H won 1-0
Angie Wheelhouse

Sept 6
Staines A won 5-1
Artemis Clark 3, Angie Wheelhouse 2

Sept 13
Beeston A lost 1-3
Cherry Seaborn

Sept 16
Cambridge Univ H won 7-0
Artemis Clark 2, Fran Sumner, Charlotte Harrison, Lucy Miller, Angie Wheelhouse 2

Harleston Magpies 1s 4 - Staines 1

Harleston faced Staines in their last home friendly game before the league season kicked off. The previous weekend had seen the team travel down to Birmingham for a double header which saw the team come away with a draw and a defeat. The team wlecomed in new goal keeper Richard Harms and youngsters Dan Legg and Will Harrison.

Staines started strongly pressurising the Harleston defence high up the pitch, despite a few minor wobbles the defence stood firm and soon stepped into their rythym. With the Staines team pushing so high a lot of space was left behind them for the Harleston forward line to exploit. Harleston soon found the break through when Tristan Baynes snuck in at the back post to calmly slot past the advancing goal keeper. Despite Harleston taking the lead Staines continued to press hard, after a couple of scares Harleston managed to grab a second just before half time. Sitch and Ming combined in defence before the latter crashed the ball through the Staines press finding Neil Toulson on the right in acres of space. Toulson advanced through to the edge of the circle before squaring the ball to Wheeler, the Stained keeper got a touch but fortunately the ball fell to Baynes at the top of the D who smashed the ball goalwards with his reverse stick.

The second half started well for Magpies, the team showing more composure on the ball all over the pitch. The team did not have to wait long before they grabbed their third goal when Jimmy Wheeler snatched his fourth goal in four games to extend the game beyond Staines grasp. As the game became more open Harleston let their standards slip which allowed Staines to sneak a goal back when Leate turned the ball into his own net at the back post. Despite this set back the team wanted more goals and before the final whistle Baynes rounded of a great display by completing his hat trick.

Next week the team travel down to Fareham to face a very strong side which the team encountered at play offs last season.

Time for another weekly ‘Chat’!

After occasional ‘Chats’ over our so-called summer I now intend to resume weekly editions as we move into the new season. While no major building developments have taken place at Weybread over the last few months (unlike several previous summers) the ‘close season’ has been an active one for many members as we prepared for the months ahead. I have in mind, in no particular order, ground maintenance, fixtures, handbook, website update, coaching courses/issues, kit, bar, captains’ meeting, youth and social committee meetings and finances. The latter has included the issue of invoices to the many firms and individuals who give invaluable support to HMHC by way of sponsorship, pitchside advertising boards, etc. The pitchside boards alone bring in as much revenue to the club as do our vital membership subscriptions. And talking of subscriptions – have you paid your subscription (and training fee if appropriate) yet please?

News and comments in brief:

• Congratulations and best wishes to James Goodson and Rachel Bicker on their recent marriage.
• Best wishes to Debbie McAllen for a speedy recovery from her head injury sustained against Staines last Saturday and which required seven stitches.
• Congratulations to Sally Munday on her appointment as Chief Executive of England Hockey with effect from 5 January 2009.
• My thanks to Philippa Taylor and Graham Clark who organised the BBQ during last Saturday’s Club Day.
• Congratulations to Carl Sitch and other members of the England U18 team on winning the gold medal at the recent UK School Games held in Bath and Bristol.
• The Men’s 2nds game against Vauxhall on Saturday 27 September has been postponed until Saturday 13 December as most of the Vauxhall members will be observing an important Islamic festival as part of the month of Ramadan. This postponement was sanctioned by the East League Secretary.
• The wet weather in recent weeks has frustrated our plans for the repainting of the lines on the water-based pitch and the circles on the sand-based pitch. These will be done as soon as we get a dry spell! I apologise in advance for any disruption to training evenings while the work is carried out.
• Would members please knock-up before games and during training sessions in the side goals and not in the end goals so as to prolong the life of the carpet in these particularly important areas of the two pitches.

I look forward to seeing members, supporters and friends of the Club at Weybread in the next few weeks as the new season gets underway.