Men 3

Men 3s End of Season Report 2008 18/06/2008

London League Division Three – 4th place

http://www.londonhockeyleague.org.uk/

Sponsored by The Cross Keys in Pangbourne

The 2007/8 season didn’t get off to a great start with us lying second bottom for the first few weeks but with 5 match wining streak saw good finish to the season gave us fourth in London League Division 3. This highest position the Men’s 3s have ever finished in London League. This is not bad considering the small squad size and the amount injuries that happened during the season.

My player of the season has to be Will Hall for all his defensive work he has put in this season, whilst not dressing up as beaver! Though he still has a lot of work to do on his attacking ability. The prime example of this is from the Maidenhead home game when with an open goal he hit the ground and not the ball. Then to cap it all off went down injured trying to hide his embarrassment. Though Will is not the only one to have a DOD moment as Adam and Tim have both won this award on numerous occasions this season, just ask Adam about his miss against St Albans or Tim’s misses against nearly every team in the league.

Despite these mishaps throughout the season there have also been moments of pure magic with Sam Howell’s team goal against Wimbledon and Rich Collins’ 80 metre solo goal against St Albans. I thought I would mention everyone’s moment of glory this season:

* Lavers : Goal line tackle against Richmond 2as which he hurt his back
* Sumo: His monster aerial against Richmond, made their right back look stupid
* Hall: Diving goal line clearance against Hampstead
* Kiff: His goal line save from a short against Wimbledon to get the win
* Mike Cat: His shinned goal against Hampstead
* Howells: His no nonsense finish against Wimbledon
* Collins: 80 meter solo effort against St Albans
* Babbage: His reverse stick finish against St Albans
* King: Nailing the 6’ 2” South African from Richmond Griffins (Tom is only 5’5” and 16 years old)
* Kimber: What did he do? Answers on a post card Reading Police station
* Mackie: His volley against Wimbledon on his first game for us
* Will McCartney: His ridiculous finish against Chiswick
* Hamilton: His equalising drag-bobble against Old Loughts

I also like thank all those who made appearances for the men’s 3s this season. I would mention you all but the list too long.

Somehow despite my defensive tactics we managed to score a lot of goals. The table below shows that the goals were shared around, though somehow despite missing at least 5 tap-ins a game Tim Hamilton managed to get 20 goals which is not a bad effort. Tim also provided excellent sponsorship from The Cross Keys in Pangbourne. The Cross Keys in Pangbourne is excellent pub which is a short walking distance from Pangbourne station is highly recommended by the men’s 3s.

Despite all the stress and strain of getting a team out every week this season, my first as captain, has been enjoyable and hope that we build on this season look to finish higher up next season.

Barry Jukes
3rd XI Captain

PS: Don’t forget to visit the Cross Keys in Pangbourne