M1: Season Review

Men’s 1st XI
National Premier Division
Season 2006/07

Here’s a summary of some of the memorable moments from our squad this year, based on R-E-A-D-I-N-G–H-C; enjoy….

R is for Rich Mantell – selected in the World 16 in October time on the back of his performance in the World Cup for England – an awesome achievement.

is also for Ruthless – Nick Brothers’ demolition of Chris Pryce who tried some ‘email banter’ about Nick…that’s something he won’t do again I can assure you!

E is for ‘Expletives’ – in all pre match warm ups (see ‘N’ below) before realising we could call the game ‘Mole’. At Cannock Big Dave, always pushing the boundaries of performance, used ‘the C word’ at the top of his voice after Lanners scored another corner past him…just as an old couple were walking past – lovely. And lastly, our coach shouting ‘Come on you Sl*gs’ at us during one training session. Straight out of the FIH Master-Coach manual that one.

It’s also for ‘Everything’ – which sums up all that Bruvs lost in the aftermath of winning of the league…wallet, clothes, phone…the lot!

A is for ‘Anger’ – TJ (not renowned for his calmness!) at training threatened (screaming across the pitch) to punch Moley in the face if he didn’t ‘step in front’ next time…”the inches we need” are all around us aren’t they TJ?

It’s also for ‘Alwight’ – others say ‘erm’ or ‘um’ to start or fill in gaps in sentences. Mike, our coach says ‘Right’ or ‘Alwight’…A LOT!

D is for Daydreamer – Springers has forgotten his shirt on several match days this year (isn’t it the first thing you pack if you’re normal?) and also completely forgot to come to training one day!

is also for the ‘dark side’ of Austin Smith – a normally quiet and polite young man is transformed into a deviant! “LTP”, whistling and shouting at women and getting kicked out of the walkabout (all alcohol induced of course!).

I is for Innuendo – the post league winning emails contained various references to the match. In particular when Si M bumped into Armo. Si needed to come off for treatment. Afterwards Jacky told us that she wanted to ‘Pull Armo Off’…

Is also for Indoor – losing in the semi’s to EG (again!) it was a great effort reflecting the strength of our squad – Lanners scored a hatful and all involved played well.

N is for ‘New warm-up game’. The development of the warm up game “Mole”. Originally named C – U – Next – Tuesday and subsequently changed (for obvious reasons), Mole is a high intensity, reaction, and touch based hockey version of aggressive keepy uppy, and Salmon is currently the most feared Moler in the squad for his wanton disregard for fellow team-mate safety.

G is for ‘Great Goal’ – and sums up Armo’s goal (ably assisted by Jonty and Wattsy) in the dying minutes of the Cannock game to win the league…a moment we’ll all remember for a long time!

It’s also for ‘Goalkeepers’ – Bruvs, Mace and Big Dave ‘the Salmon’ Guthrie…plus a cameo for 2 mins in goal from Moley at the indoor (after Big Dave ‘ipponed’** one of their players) – facing a penalty corner and a stroke with just a helmet and a stick…needless to say he saved neither but we still won!

H is for Hamburg – our pre season warm up tour. 4 games in 3 days against top German clubs interspersed with a ‘few’ drinks and a couple of trips to the Rapperbahn. Awful hotel, a full on hike to the restaurant for lunch but fantastic weather. Most amusing moment: Armo, on 1 hours sleep, still drunk proclaiming to our new coach ‘I’m all over it’ when asked if he was ready for the game…nice work!

C Is for ‘Catchphrase’. In our cup game away at Holcombe, Wattsy and I were in the car with Mike. Wattsy didn’t like the pitch…or the clubhouse, parking, weather or anything else and said so as we arrived. Mike (not known for his banter is should be said) out of the blue proclaimed “Better players than you have played in worse places than this!!” Amazing put down to be used at every opportunity in future!

Is finally for CHAMPIONS!! – winning the league at home on the last day of the season against Cannock was a fairytale end to a really good season. As a young group of players, none of us expected to win the league in our first year together. Thanks to all involved both on and off the pitch and to everyone who supported us in our league and cup games throughout the year.

**In HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judo” \o “Judo”Judo, an ippon is awarded when one of the HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judoka” \o “Judoka”judoka accomplishes a throw ending with an opponent largely on his/her back/front

Rhys Joyce
(Wide) Captain