- TOTW – Final Round!
This is the final TOTW round and it goes to the ladies 3s for their excellent 3-0 win at home against Ely 3s. A Grace Evans double and Holly Woods goal signed off a very good season for the ladies and formed a platform to build on for next year.
The men wrapped up their very impressive season with a hard fought 2-2 draw against mid-placed Market Deeping. As was in the previous fixture, Market Deeping put up a very good performance against the newly crowed champions! Onwards to Division 4NW next season. Just to make it official – Team of the Year 2010/11!!
The ladies 1s were brought crashing down to earth on Saturday against promotion chasing City of Peterborough 1s losing 0-6. Currently in 9th place in the league, the relegation battle hots up this weekend. Only defeat and a win for City of Peterborough 2s who host league leaders and champions Shefford & Sandy can throw this season into turmoil… from the four leagues, the 4 12th placed teams are relegated and 3 of the 11th placed teams go down. Come on ladies!!
| Team | TOTW | PLD | W | D | L | F | A | +/- | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men’s 1 | 14.5 | 22 | 18 | 3 | 1 | 118 | 35 | 83 | 57 |
| Ladies’ 2 | 3.5 | 12 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 40 | 11 | 29 | 26 |
| Ladies’ 3 | 2.5 | 16 | 6 | 4 | 9 | 27 | 52 | -25 | 22 |
| Ladies’ 1 | 0.5 | 21 | 6 | 2 | 13 | 38 | 73 | -35 | 17 * |
| * 3 points deducted | |||||||||
- Peterborough Bag Crucial Points In Penaultimate Game
Newmarket Ladies 1’s v Peterborough Ladies 1’s: 6-0 win to Peterborough.
The penultimate league game for Newmarket ladies first team proved a tough challenge as they faced an on form Peterborough 1’s side.
Barely 2 minutes had passed and Peterborough were gifted with an opportunity to score through a penalty stroke. The striker hit low and fast to take Peterborough ahead.
Newmarket were struggling to gain possession and they had very few attacking chances in the whole of the first half. Peterborough utilised quick passing to drive forward at speed.
After 17 minutes Peterborough hit the backboards again from the far left of the D causing a wave of unrest through the Newmarket team. Town looked to communicate more clearly in order to try and gain better control of the game.
Peterborough showed no mercy as they swarmed the Newmarket half and scored twice more before the half time whistle.
Now with all to play for and nothing to lose – Newmarket were determined to take positive action and began to match Peterborough in midfield and the defence looked solid as they greeted their opponents with early tackles.
Newmarket were pressing on the Peterborough back line and from sideline set plays Newmarket were able to get some shots away causing Peterborough to examine their methods.
Despite a positive second half Peterborough added another 2 goals in quick succession in the last 5 minutes. This leaves Town 4th from bottom in the league table and only a win next weekend against Bourne will keep them safe from relegation. Both teams are fighting for league survival and the stage is set for a truly feisty contest.
27 March 2011- Long live the Revolution!
Newmarket 2 v 2 Market Deeping III
For the final league game of the season Newmarket hosted a Market Deeping team who had given them a fright just after Christmas. The team were keen for last week’s first defeat of the season not to turn into two. With Ben Shepperson unavailable and Josh Dawson attending a gnome convention in Jersey, Greg Cummins deputised upfront.
Newmarket started the game with real intent, Mark Pears intelligent runs were causing the Market Deeping defence trouble and they were grateful to their keeper on a number of occasions. However Newmarket didn’t take their chances and the competitive opposition midfield began to cause Newmarket a few problems, fortunately the defence of Pete Boyle, Jordan Newnes, Adrian Atkinson, Marc “Mungo” Prentice & Will Balding kept goalkeeper Chris Warren dormant most of the time.
When Newmarket did get their game going, their short passing game caused Market Deeping trouble. One break started by Chris Leggett in his own D featuring the impressive Ollie Wade and Andrew Beardon and Mark Pears culminated in Leggett almost finishing the move at the other end.
Newmarket broke the deadlock soon after, Will Wilson ghosted past a man at the top of the D and rifled in a reverse stick shoot past the stationery keeper. This didn’t seem to dent Market Deeping’s spirit who had the audacity to go down the other end and equalise just before half time.
Chris Evans half time team talk spoke about finishing off a near perfect season with the teams 20th victory and making sure that everybody worked for their team mates. To say that Newmarket dominated the second half is an understatement, camped in the opposition half, the only time the ball entered the Newmarket half was from an aerial pass by Market Deepings impressive centre midfielder.
Mark Pears who had already notched 29 goals this season, had almost a dozen chances, they either drifted agonising wide of the far post or found the goal keeper in great form, typically the one time he did find the net, the umpire blew for a free hit when maybe he should have given a little advantage. Undeterred Newmarket kept plugging away and soon got the second goal they well and truly deserved, Wilson flicking into the top left corner at a penalty corner, Newmarket created more opportunities to extend their lead on for Wilson and Wade to waste good chances on their reverse stick.
With three minutes left, Newmarket were punished for their wastefulness, an aerial into the D hit a Newmarket defender foot and a penalty corner was awarded, quickly followed by two more for further infringement, from the third go, Market Deeping scored with a flick of their own. Newmarket pushed in vain for a winner, but despite creating enough chances to win three games it wasn’t to be.
Newmarket have been promoted as Champions of 5NW and the revolution is complete. The team should be proud of their effort this season and embrace the challenge that division 4NW has to offer next year. Last season the team stayed up by 3 points, this year they have dominated the league, scoring 118 goals and losing only once.
The club expect to have a second men’s team to complement the existing team next season, so if you live in the Newmarket/Forest Heath area, have played before or are interested in playing for the first time, please get in contact. The club website can be found at www.newmarkethockeyclub.com or alternatively you can contact Captain Will Wilson on 07795 103426.
27 March 2011- Men lose unbeaten run
Alford & District 6 v 0 Newmarket
Newmarket made the long trip up to Skegness hoping to maintain their unbeaten record this season. They faced the league’s top scorers in Alford, who needed to win the game to maintain their own promotion charge. The task was made harder with regulars Josh Dawson, Will Balding, Ben Coupe, Pete Boyle and Marc Prentice unavailable through a combination of injury and work commitments.
Newmarket started the game well, playing the ball round the back and using Ollie Wade, Mark Pears and Ben Shepperson to create a handful of good opportunities. Newmarket dominated the opening 10 minutes but failed to capitalise on any of the chances they created. The Alford keeper made several good saves from Mark Pears and as a team defended Newmarket’s usually potent short corners very well.
After the initial onslaught Alford began to hit Newmarket on the break, through a selection of long aerials, they found veteran Greg Cummins in fine form at the back to thwart their many attacks. With the half time whistle approaching Alford scored two goals in quick succession, one from a jinking run by the centre midfielder and another from a short corner.
At half time Newmarket felt a little unlucky to be behind but couldn’t deny the quality of Alford’s goals. Almost straight after the restart Alford scored again with a straight strike from a short corner through keeper Warren’s legs. This seemed to knock the stuffing out of Newmarket, who despite continuing to drive forward and fashion chances, lost the shape and team ethic which had encapsulated their season to date.
Newmarket were still trying to get in to the game, Andrew Beardon drove on from left full back, Chris Leggett, Ben Gotfredssen and William Wilson probed from midfield, but they found the Alford keeper in unbeatable form. One save in particular stood out, Wilson played Pears in and his first time shot seemed destined for the bottom corner until the end of the keeper’s kicker deflected it just wide.
In the last 10 minutes of the game as Newmarket pressed forward, Alford scored 3 more goals, two after very questionable umpiring decisions. There can however be no denying that Alford deserved the three points and were the better team on the day. In truth a strong Alford team wanted it more than Newmarket and a few people played like the team had already won the league. Newmarket should forget about Saturday’s performance and try and get back to the great hockey which has made this season so enjoyable. Next week’s game, the last one of the 2010-11 season, is at home to Market Deeping, 3:30 start.
Man of the match – Greg Cummins
- Junior Trip to East Grinstead Hockey Club
To say the day didn’t start too well is one way to describe our trip to East Grinstead.
Everyone was told to meet at 07.15hrs at Newmarket Leisure Centre, all arrived with one key ingredient missing, the bus. Many phone calls later and the realisation that the bus company had us down for a 9.30 collection meant that we had a bit of time to kill.
A hockey match was organised, girls V boys on the astro, a close fought game saw honours end even at 2 a piece. The bus eventually arrived at 09.00, 35 children and 7 adults boarded and set off for East Grinstead, late but in high spirits. We arrived at Grinstead at 11.30 and tucked into a hearty lunch. We then ventured down to the pitch and had an hour long training session, what a pitch, a water based astro that was a delight to play on. It was soon time to hand the pitch over to the big boys, East Grinstead v Loughborough Students. Seventy minutes of spectacular, fast paced hockey with Grinstead emerging 4 – 3 winners. After the game we were called onto the pitch to chat to the players, get autographs and have our photo’s taken with the team. For more than half an hour, both teams stayed and obliged every request, signing, posing and talking. Everyone agreed what a great day they’d had and the hospitality shown by East Grinstead was far more than we could have ever expected. Well done to everyone who attended this memorable trip and a huge thank you to East Grinstead for having us
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- East Grinstead Men’s 1st Team
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- Andrew Bull (no. 5) England
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- Glenn Kirkham GB/England
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- Niall Stott GB/Scotland
- Junior Tournament
Newmarket Juniors held their own club mini’s tournament on the 27th February. Mini’s hockey is 7-a-side hockey played on half a pitch to normal hockey rules, although we played 5-a-side to suit the number of players attending. A great afternoons hockey was enjoyed by all that participated. Six teams played in two leagues in games that were 7 minutes each way. The afternoon ended in a hard fought, very close final. The eventual winner was the team of Grace, Louis, Megan, Nathan and Zoe.
24 March 2011- ClubsFirst Presentation
Representatives from England Hockey will be coming to the Junior training session on the 19th May 2011 to present the club with its ClubsFirst Certificate. They plan to take pictures to publish on the England Hockey website. Everybody welcome to attend to show appreciation for all the hours of graft that Sarah Drane put in to give Newmarket Hockey Club this fantastic accreditation.
24 March 2011- Collect Tesco vouchers for new equipment
If you’re not already involved, Tesco for Schools & Clubs is a long-running and very successful scheme that last year gave over 440,000 pieces of useful equipment worth a staggering £9.3m to schools and clubs around the country.
Newmarket Hockey Club has recently been registered and are looking for your vouchers. More details can be found on the Tesco website here.
You can also speak to Sarah Drane for more info.
- TOTW – Round 20
In the final game of the Suffolk Division 1 match, Newmarket 2s leapfrogged Carlton Park 2s to claim the runners-up spot and promotion to the Premier League – and they did it in some style too, winning 7-0 with captain Nikki Boyle scoring the final goal and her first for the club. Ladies 2s earn TOTW for round 20.
The ladies’ 1s came back numerous times to eventually draw 7-7 (not the highest scoring match, but it is the highest scoring draw) against Cambridge University 2s who must have been absolutely gob-smacked by the home side’s determination to have got anything out of this game. It’s still tight at the bottom of the league and with 2 going down, another win is required or other results are needed to go our way…
The ladies’ 3s drew 0-0 against local rivals Ely 3s. With one more game to play, they have secured a mid-table finish.
The men’s team travelled to 2nd placed Alford and were thrashed 6-0; their first defeat this season. The men would have wanted to maintain their unbeaten streak, however at this stage, it doesn’t change the fact that their still going up as Champions!
| Team | TOTW | PLD | W | D | L | F | A | +/- | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men’s 1 | 14.5 | 21 | 18 | 2 | 1 | 116 | 33 | 83 | 56 |
| Ladies’ 2 | 3.5 | 12 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 40 | 11 | 29 | 26 |
| Ladies’ 3 | 1.5 | 15 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 24 | 52 | -28 | 19 |
| Ladies’ 1 | 0.5 | 20 | 6 | 2 | 12 | 38 | 67 | -29 | 17 * |
| * 3 points deducted | |||||||||
- Incredible Comeback Rewarded
Newmarket Ladies 1’s v Cambridge University 2’s: 7-7 draw
An incredible 70 minutes between Cambridge University and Newmarket ladies produced 14 goals. The game was action packed and hard fought, as each player battled with their opponent and the unseasonal hot weather.
Cambridge University were looking to match their previous score against Newmarket which was 7-0 and the game looked to be heading that way to start with. Cambridge were looking confident as they switched the ball around the back and played a clever, intricate passing game. It only took them just over a minute to capitalise – a shot from the far right of D finding it’s way through the defence. Cambridge were growing in strength and pushed forward. They scored another in similar fashion, and again from a mid D clip. Concerns were growing from the crowd and Newmarket players as it looked like the opposition were going to hit a cricket score against Town. Newmarket fought back and what was to follow could never have been predicted.
Newmarket playing without fear or disappointment started a wave of electric play. They showed strength and might in midfield through Hayley Stoneman, Claire McDonnell and Jenny Richards. Positive clearances from Lorna Freeman, Isabel Hooley and Jazz Wombwell in defence gave room for the forwards to charge towards goal. Finally the chance came for Newmarket to hit home from this momentum. A short corner was awarded and with a sweep from the left post – Jenny Richards got a goal back for the home side, bang on 15 minutes. Fully rejuvenated; Newmarket were now beating Cambridge to the ball on all parts of the field.
A storming run on the left of field from Claire McDonnell gave Di Thomas opportunity to deflect a shot home to make the score 3-2. Cambridge now in crisis were not so sure of their passing as Newmarket began to read their tactics. Nevertheless Cambridge broke free and narrowly put a shot past Sue Bullimore in goal to take the score to 4-2. Feeling hard done by Newmarket looked to generate more chances, and from another short corner Richards was on hand to meet a shot on the left post again. Determined to dominate – Cambridge struck back again with another right side shot.
With five minutes left to play in the first half Newmarket had to get cracking to level the score and in true Hollywood fashion they passed this task – Thomas getting her second through a reverse stick flick from the edge of the D and Louise Downs coming on with fresh legs curled an amazing shot from the right back line to make the score 5-5. Unfortunately this was the last bit of action Downs was to see as she gained an injury just before half time.
The stage was set for either team to take the spotlight. Both teams flagging due to the heat would mean quick breakaways were going to be the key to dominating the game. It was Cambridge who hit the target first after 14 minutes and again in the 21st minute. Far from being beaten – Town rallied again. A quick release from Sam Brooke through Clodie Rolph, gave Tracy Cockerill a chance to fire on goal – hitting the post Zoe Bailey was perfectly poised to punch the ball across the line. Newmarket, hungry for more battled on. The final shot coming from Newmarket – another short corner expertly deflected in by Richards to get her hatrick.
A fantastic game that produced an unexpected draw, and will go down in history as one of the team’s greatest come backs.
Man of match (joint) Jenny Richards & Di Thomas.
