Considered by many who understand the importance of the playing / social balance to be "the best hockey club in the East Midlands"
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****STOP PRESS*****STOP PRESS******
2NDS WIN NATIONAL TROPHY FINAL ON GOLDEN GOAL - READ A VERSION OF EVENTS HERE
U18 Boys take Silver Plate at Oxford.
Qualification for EH Finals Day is a success in itself. On the day, you are entering a new ‘festival’ competition of shorter games in which luck and nerve play a big part. This is an occasion to show hockey being played and umpired in ‘the right spirit’. All teams were there to win, but you had to accept that there would be winners and losers, good decisions and poor decisions, but it should always be a day to remember and cherish whatever the outcome. WBMHC U18 Boys had a good day and made plenty of new friends.
We arrived as the underdogs, the team few had heard of (“Where is West Bridgford?” was a question frequently asked), and our semi-final opponents, Reading, made the mistake of underestimating us. Starting the game well, moving the ball around purposefully, competing hard and fairly, we took the game to Reading and were rewarded when Richard Lloyd-Mills volleyed in a deflection off the keeper. We tried hard to extend the lead but were unlucky and went into the break leading. The second half saw Reading increase the pace and impose themselves (although this did allow us further chances) and the short corner count at our end mounted with two great saves on the line by Henry Ellis and excellent keeping by James Leverton-Smith, keeping us ahead. Finally, in the last minute, Reading put a short away and the game went to flicks.
We should have known that the Gods were with us when Fred scuffed the first flick but wrong-footed the keeper and the ball just reached the back-board! From there we were 3-2 down after the third round but they hit a post and then JLS made a save and Henry slotted in our fifth flick to secure a place in the final 4-3.
Belper were our opponents in the final and we were ready for them. Again we started well and were ahead through Richard Lloyd-Mills again after three minutes, could the dream come true? Belper though had other ideas and their England player stepped up, inspiring those around him. They scored twice before half-time and again early in the second half to seal the trophy 3-1. We were never out of the game though and battled all the way to the final whistle with David Bennett, our outstanding player of the day, leading by example throughout.
The success of the team is founded in teamwork and commitment.
U18 Squad members: James Leverton-Smith, Neil Coupland, David Bennett (capt), Jamie Howard, Josh Hayes, Dan Owen, Henry Ellis, Alex Marshall, Alex Brockhurst, Fred Notman, Dom Halter, Richard Lloyd-Mills, James Godber, Joe Bailey, Chris Fischer, Khaleel Seedat.
We were wonderfully supported by parents and families as we have been all season. Given the highs and lows of the day, they retained their sense of humour and perspective admirably and are a credit to WBMHC. Thanks also to Simon Cooper, no other team had their own photographer and he has made a brilliant series of photos of the day available on Facebook.
Here is the story according to the England Hockey website.
In the first of the Plate semis Belper defeated Colchester 3-0 with goals from Jake Trembling and two for captain James Couzens. The second semi was a lot closer affair with Reading and West Bridgford Monarchs ending the game 1-1, Reading’s Joe Mahony cancelling out Richard Lloyd-Mills first half goal. Reading led the penalty shoot-out 3-2 but Bridgford turned that round to win it 4-3 and set up an all-East Midlands final. Lloyd Mills was also on target in the final opening the scoring on 3 minutes but by half time Belper had turned the game around thanks to goals from Josh McCallion and Couzens again. Charlie Redfern made it 3-1 early in the second half and no further goals meant that it was Belper who ran out winners.
Junior Finals
Well done to our boys U18s and our girls U12s who were involved in finals over the weekend.
The boys beat Reading on penalties to get to the National Plate Final where they were beaten 3-1 by Belper. A full report will appear later but well done to a great bunch of lads who have done brilliantly to get so far. Thanks to Clive Notman and Glyn Abba, who have managed and coached the team and to all the parents who have supported us with lifts all round the country, while we qualified for finals day. The support at the final in Oxford was fantastic and you can all be proud of what your sons have achieved.
The girls went to Rugby for the Midlands Tournament, the first time that they have qualified for such an event and did brilliantly well coming third in their group and narrowly missing out on a place in the semi finals. Thanks to Michael Hart and Liz Archer for organising and managing the team and again to all the parents who went down to Rugby to support us.
Vets are Crewe Cut
On a cold wet afternoon at Becket, the Vets somehow managed to lose the game 6-2 against a great bunch of guys from Crewe Vagrants. Struggling to keep warm and hold the stick, we contrived to miss 3 easy chances early on which would have finished off the game as a contest. Crewe scored 3 good goals before half time, and a further one early in second half, before we started a come back with a goal from Jez (he managed to punch his defender in celebration), and a short from Gilly. Couple of chances went begging, before Crewe wrapped it up with 2 goals near the end. Crewe played better on the pitch, were even older than us (even older than Turpo), and managed to also drink more than us, and they now take their cheese and port off to Keswick for the next round - thats what Vets hockey is all about. Lets get back to our successful format of winning by the toss of a coin
Marathon Man
Sam Curtis is running the Barcelona Marathon at the end of March. His grandmother suffers from Parkinson’s disease and he his raising money for this worthwhile charity. He has never run a half marathon never mind a full one, with this in mind and with the very difficult times we are all facing if you can donate please pledge: £5.00 if he completes the marathon £10.00 if he completes under 3 ¾ hours. Sam's donation page http://www.justgiving.com/samcurtis2012
HOCKEY AT THE OLYMPICS
Did you know
Hockey is one of only seven sports taking place at the Olympic park.
16,000 seater stadium
630,000 tickets will make it the third most watched sport.
6 games a day for 14 days, all on TV.
Pitch will be blue with pink run-offs.
Test event 3rd to 6th May 2012
Legacy pitch remains with 3,000 seats after event
SHE HAS DONE IT AGAIN !
The England teams, athletes and their successes over the past year were warmly celebrated on Wednesday at the annual Hockey Writers’ Club Awards.
Helen Richardson, the 29-year-old Great Britain, England and Reading central midfield player was this afternoon named UK Players of the Year for 2010 following the annual poll conducted amongst British members of the Hockey Writers’ Club. The former Leicester player, who returned to England 18 months ago following a highly successful year with Dutch European Champions Den Bosch who was the 2009 winner of the award, has experienced another splendid year internationally being instrumental in England winning Bronze medals in the World Cup, Commonwealth Games and the elite Champions Trophy.
Helen received the traditional Rose Bowl and a cheque at today’s presentational Lunch at the Royal Thames Yacht Club, in Knightsbridge, London from Simon Mason, President of the England Hockey Board, himself a winner of the Men’s Award in 1994 and again in 2003, who was the principal guest at the lunch. Helen donated her cheque to the Youth Section of her first club – West Bridgford Monarchs HC.
Kit shop is open.
A range of kit is now avaialble on-line through our kit supplier Terra Sports, a local company. As most kit is made to order with our logo and sometines shirt numbers they employ a batch system where orders are grouped and then sent for production at set intervals. This means that there may be a wait between ordering and delivery. Details are on the web site. Basically - just order early! Click the image to visit the shop.....
Bob wins Rushcliffe Sports Award
We are delighted to announce that Bob Douglas was last night (8 July) announced as Volunteer of the Year at the Rushcilffe Borough Council Annual Sports Awards. They acknowledged Bob's help in setting up Club/School links last year introducing hockey to a number of Junior Schools within the Borough. The Club echoes the achievement, and thanks Bob for all his leadership and coaching of the Clubs Junior sections since establishment in 1986.
SUMMER HOCKEY
Mid-week summer hockey at School. Thursdays 7.30pm to 8.30pm from 10 May. Mixed 6-a-side for over 18s. Turn up punctually and play. £2.50 a session
Juniors End of Season: April 22nd
Thanks to everyone who came to play, help and watch. It made for a memorable morning! You now have the summer to recover and we'll see you all on September 2nd!
WHAT A SEASON
Mens 1s were RUNNERS UP
Ladies 2s were RUNNERS UP
Mens 2s were CHAMPIONS
Ladies 3s were CHAMPIONS
Mens 3s were CHAMPIONS
Ladies 4s were RUNNERS UP
Mens 4s were CHAMPIONS
Mens 5s were RUNNERS UP
Mens 8s were RUNNERS UP
Boys U18s were EH National Plate RUNNERS UP
Mens 2s were EH National Trophy CHAMPIONS
Come and join a winning and growing Club
Pre DINNER 21ST April
There will be no game on Saturday as everyone seems hockied out. The bar will be open for pre dinner drinks from 4.00 - 6.30.Any captains who have match tax could drop it in to James in that time so he can prepare his account ! for the AGM.
Club Tournament Success
Another brilliant day for the Club, Baywatch, Wallys, 118, tigers, a parrot, a lizard/newt (?) and something else no doubt with short shorts, Super Woman I think, was the order of the day, and at times some hockey broke out, but not much. The weather held until that last hour or so, making the presentation a somewhat compressed affair, but was perhaps all the better for it. Many thanks to all who were involved in the preparation and running of the event, the list is a long one so to avoid leaving anyone out I would like to thank you all for your involvement in the day and the entire season. It has been remarkable. AGM is on the 25th, not one to miss.
Dinner Dance Details
Andy has published the table Plan for the Dinner Dance to be held at Trent Bridge (7 for 7:30). Please check your menu choices and table as the details will be finalised on Wednesday 11th with the caterers. view table plan
Cross Country for Charity - it's The Name of the Game
Please support John Abba on his 136 mile Coast-to-Coast charity ride in May. He is collecting for Cancer Research and Make A Wish. If you make a contribution please indicate it is for John as the web site is set up for group contributions. http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/jimjack
CURRY AND QUIZ Went down well!
Usual fantastic curry, some new quiz questions and beers to dream about ,Blue Monkey Infinity, Bishops Farewell, Hophead American Pale ale, Bitter and Twisted. A good time was had by all.
GREAT WEEKEND 18th/19th FEB
Mens sides played 14 league games this weekend, including 3 long distance Sunday away games, and out of those 14, the Club won 12 and drew 2
RUSH HOCKEY
Rush Hockey – the new game in town!
Rush Hockey is the new, flexible, small sided hockey game for adults. It can be played in mixed or single gender teams, indoors or outdoors and on pitches of varying surfaces and sizes. Teams are 4 or 5 a side with squads of up to 7 players. It is played with a standard hockey stick, but has unique goals and balls. The rules are very simple and the games are self umpired. Rushcliffe Leisure Centre have teamed up with England Hockey to be the first in Rushcliffe to offer Rush Hockey Starting Thursday 5th January 2012. kicking off at 5:30pm in a pitch up and play indoor league.
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Team
Opposition
Date
Score
Report in brief
First
Edgbaston
24/03/2012
3-1
Mon1
Northampton / Derby Asterdale
03/03/2012
1-3 / 4-1
Second
Lewes
15/04/2012
1-0 gg
Third Time Lucky
Mon2
Dukeries 2
17/03/2012
5-0
Storming victory where we were the far superior team. MOM Nikki.
Third
Leicester
24/03/2012
6-3
6-3 and league winners!!
Mon3
Arnold
31/03/2012
5-0
Great end to an utterly fantastic season. Well done and thank you to all who've played; it was truly a team effort.
Fourth
Edgbaston 6's
24/03/2012
3-1
6 points clear and happy!
Mon4
Red hill
17/03/2012
3-0
Eileen and Jen G MOM
Fifth
Burton 4th
17/03/2012
3-1 Win
!!
Mon5
Sixth
Litchfield 4th
24/03/2012
0-0
Seventh
Boots 4s
17/03/2012
3-4
Eighth
Burton 6
17/03/2012
3 - 1
A deserved win over the league champions to cement promotion
Ninth
Burton 7
24/03/2012
6 - 1
Great performance. Good to get one back against Burton and realise Brian's pre-season league position prediction.
THINKING OF
GETTING INVOLVED?
Please note that Fantasy Hockey will not be running this year
due to spiraling costs. Many thanks to Sibbo for his work in
previous seasons.
SOCIAL EVENTS - INK THEM IN
April 21 - Annual Dinner
April 25 - AGM
NEW DOCUMENTS
Availabilities - please use your members record for this..> Bobs 2011 D Notice: here New Season Letter from the Chair: here
Subs Payment - BACS details on your members page or Credit Card / Paypal: here
NEW PLAYERS
Ladies Training: Wednesdays: Juniors 6.00 to 7.00pm 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th teams 7.00 to 9.00pm Thursdays: 1st team 6.00 to 7.30pm.
Men's Training Re-Starts 6th August 2012 Mon 7.30 - 9.20. at School. 1sts and 2nds on Thursdays from 2nd August 2012 from 7.30pm
Junior Boys and Girls - Sundays from 9.30, now finished for the summer, we restart on September 2nd 2012
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