Exciting Futures for Cherry and Ben

Junior hockey has been transformed at national level this season with the establishment of a new competition called England Hockey’s Futures Cup which replaces the U15 and U17 Regional Tournaments. Four cluster squads from the Junior Regional Performance Centres (JRPCs) will compete against each other at U16 and U18 level (Boys and Girls). The U18 tournament will take place at Cannock HC from Thursday 30 October to Sunday 2 November with the U16 tournament running from Friday 31 October to Sunday 2 November, at the same venue.

The four squads are called Mercia Lynx, Pennine Pumas, Saxon Tigers and Wessex Leopards and from the four tournaments players will be selected to attend National Age Group squad training.

The Saxon Tigers’ squads have emerged from JRPC inter-cluster (called Tier 1) training based on Bury St Edmunds, St Albans and Oxted/Tonbridge and I am delighted to say that HMHC will be represented in the U18 Girls squad by Cherry Seaborn and in the U16 Boys squad by Ben Wright. Congratulations and best wishes to Cherry and Ben for the weekend after next and commiserations to those HMHC members who didn’t make the final squads.

Harleston Fireworks Spectacular
(Weybread, Friday 7 November 2008)
This annual event, hosted by HMHC, is run by a committee comprising Harleston Lions, Harleston Scouts and Magpies HC. HMHC members are asked to please help once again with car parking, teas/coffees and stewarding. Please follow James and Rob Goodson (the first volunteers) and sign your name on the board in the clubhouse over the next two weekends under the heading which most takes your fancy!

Some excellent hockey was played at Weybread last Saturday with the Ladies’ 4ths beating Evergreens 2nds 10 – 0 (congratulations to Rachel Clifford on her five goals!); the Ladies’ 2nds deserving more than a draw against a defensive Yarmouth team; the Ladies’ Development maintaining their excellent run with a 6-0 win over Lowestoft (making it four wins from four games with a goals record of 24–0!); the Men’s 2nds coming to life with an excellent 6-0 win over Ipswich 3rds (did my ‘threat’ before the game that they should swap places with the 3rds have anything to do with it?!) and the Men’s 3rds retaining their 100% record with a hard fought but sporting 2–1 win over Bury St Edmunds 2nds. Matt Brand continued his fine run of form with a splendid winner which involved him rounding the keeper before thrashing the ball into the empty net. If you want to see the goal have a word with Matt – the moment was splendidly caught on video by his father, including the celebration! A most enjoyable and sunny day at the club was rounded off with the Men’s 6ths gaining their first win of the season and Will Johnson doing a fine job debuting (in modern sporting parlance) behind the bar as Katy’s deputy.

Overheard before the Men’s Veterans game at Peterborough last Saturday – “Roger Kent is playing so the game will require two balls!” On behalf of Roger I take exception to that remark. Roger has been known to pass the ball! In fact he did so to good effect in the game in question setting up Les Howlett for two goals before the latter went into ‘jug avoidance’ mood (so I’m reliably informed) in the 3-0 win which keeps Simon Bardwell’s men riding high in their league.

This Saturday the Vets will be in action at home against Bury St Edmunds with the game brought forward to 12.15pm to accommodate our visitors while the Ladies’1sts host Staines (12.30pm), hoping to put away the sort of chances which eluded them in their 2-1 defeat at Old Loughtonians last Saturday, and the Men’s 1sts entertain Ipswich 2nds (2.15pm) looking to maintain their 100% record after an excellent 4-0 win over City of Peterborough 2nds. Good luck to all our teams in action this Saturday.

On Sunday 9 November a number of National Cup competitions take place with Magpies hosting four games on that day, namely Under 15 Girls v Pelicans at 11.00am, Under 18 Girls v Ipswich at 12.45pm, Men’s Veterans v Pelicans at 2.30pm (all on the water) with the U15 Boys playing Dereham on the sand at 11.45am. The Under 18 Boys play Bury away.

On Sunday 16 November we host our annual Mini Tournament with the Under 11 and 13 Boys playing in the morning and the Under 11 and Under 13 Girls playing in the afternoon. Your support during the day would be most welcome. Congratulations to our U11 Boys, U13 Boys and U13 Girls who all won at North Walsham last Sunday. The Under 11 Girls have yet to play.



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