So far so good

Believe it or not we are just over a third of the way through the outdoor season and without in any way being complacent (I take nothing for granted except taxes etc!) things are looking good for the majority of our fourteen league teams as can be seen from the chart below. So the verdict must be “So far so good” – but there is still a long way to go before the end of the season.

Last Saturday the Men’s 1sts maintained their 100% record with a useful away win at Hitchin over Blueharts while at home the Ladies’ 1sts did well to come from two goals down to beat Horsham 4-2. It was a spirited performance by the squad and it was good to see umpires Dawn Henning and Cheryl Tadd play the advantage rule to good effect. As one top umpire said to me years ago “One can never un-blow a whistle” and while all my best umpiring is done from outside the fence I agree wholeheartedly with those words. This Saturday the Men’s 1sts entertain Bedford Town (2.15pm) while the Ladies’ 1sts are away to St Albans on Sunday (1.30pm).

Meantime this Saturday the Ladies’ 2nds are at home to Evergreens (12.30pm) after their excellent 4-0 away win over Sudbury 2nds while the Men’s 2nds are away to Cambridge University 2nds looking to build on their decisive 5-1 win over Witham. Once again the team could and should have scored more but I have to admit I was happy with five although on the touchline we had forecast six or was it seven?!

As can be seen from the chart the Men’s 3rds continue to have a fine season and once again Matt Brand was in top form with all the goals in the 3-0 home win over Norwich Dragons 2nds. Those of us who enjoy watching the Men’s 3rds in action couldn’t help commenting on a rarity – the conversion by the team of two consecutive penalty corners! This week the team are away to mid-table Pelicans 2nds while the Men’s 4ths will be looking to get back to winning ways when they take on UEA 2nds (10.30am) at Weybread where at 4.00pm the Men’s 5ths will be hoping for a good win over UEA 3rds following their rare defeat against Felixstowe 2nds. After no game last Saturday the Men’s 6ths travel to play Bury 5ths encouraged by their 4-0 win earlier in the season over Bury 4ths and the Men’s Vets are at home to Bedford Town following their 5-3 defeat at Shefford & Sandy where one member of the team told me we scored all eight goals!

Last Saturday the record for the Ladies’ teams was Played 7, Won 6 and Lost 1. Well done! In addition to the Ladies’ 1sts and 2nds there were wins for the 3rds (3-1 over Watton 2nds), the 4ths (7-1 over Old Buckenham 2nds), the 6ths (1-0 over Loddon 2nds) and 6-1 for the Development team over Norwich City during which they conceded their first goal of the season! We hope for a similarly successful set of results this Saturday. Best wishes to all our teams in action this weekend.

News and comments in brief:

Congratulations to co-ordinator Nick McAllen and his team of helpers (both on and off the pitches) on last Sunday’s very successful Magpies’ Minis during which all our teams played well, showing a lot of promise for the future, including the U11 Boys and U13 Girls A who won their events.

My thanks to everyone who helped to make last Saturday’s Cocktail Evening so enjoyable, namely those who attended and Tracy Reeve, Mary Wright and Graham Clark and their team who organised the event.

Dates for your diary please (all Saturdays) – Savoury & Sauvignon Soiree (31 January), Karaoke Evening (7 March), End of Season Bash (18 April) and Summer Ball (4 July – marking 50 years at Weybread by HMHC).

John Pestell and Ady Webdale umpired the Men’s 2nds match last Saturday and then went straight to the other pitch to umpire the Men’s 3rds match. Thanks John and Ady.

The gym at Harleston Memorial Leisure Centre has reopened (named Harleston Community Leisure Facility) and your support would be very welcome. Opening hours are Monday – Friday (7am-10pm) and Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays (7am-3pm). I hope to include more details in future ‘Chats’ but in the meantime please ring 01379 852088 for more details including costs which are very reasonable.

If you are interested in the Bernard Matthews Youth Awards (there are nine categories with a £1000 prize each) please go to www.bmyouthawards.com - but you will need to be quick as entries close on 24 November.

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