We met the eventual champions, Surbiton, in our second match.  Here the speed of the game was much faster than the first.  With end to end hockey and really quick free hits and speed on the passes.  Surbiton scored two goals in the first half, but we had our chances to draw one back just before half time, but it was not to be.  Again at the beginning of the second half we created chances but couldn’t convert and Surbiton scored once more to end a very physical and tiring game, but the girls held their heads up and kept trying right to the end.  Result 0-3

The girls have never played as well as they did in the final pool game against Oxford, knowing that all positions in the pool were still available to us!  Once again the girls started with a strong push but the goals were proving elusive.  We dominated the play for the entire first half with little for the defence to do, but we just couldn’t get through the stout defence of the Oxford team (and their goalkeeper in particular).  After half-time Oxford seemed to gain renewed energy but could not push through our defence with the draw not on balance the fairest result but with Surbiton winning their final match it was all we needed to come second in the group.  Result 0-0

Our third-fourth play off opponents, Alderley Edge, had narrowly missed out on the final by losing a Penalty flick competition and were hungry for a victory.  Once again the match was very tight with chances to score at a premium for both sides.  Unfortunately, we just couldn’t convert  and Alderley scored from two well worked penalty corners to deny us third place.  Result 0-2

The spirit in which the tournament was played was fantastic, from the venue to the balance of the day.  The girls were brilliant all day and well deserved their medals.

It has been a really great squad to manage, they have really come together as a team and that showed throughout the day with their positive attitude regardless of win, lose or draw!

Team list (alphabetical)

Zoe Clark, Amy Farmer, Geraldine Foster, Tessa Glass, Poppy Gurney, Trinity Hales, Ellie Harrison, Jenny Hill, Tessa Howard, Jessica Kennard, Madeleine Lea, Georgia Martin, Samantha Matthews, Adelaide Omitowoju, Harriet Pinto, Annabel Quantrill, Olivia Sherwin.  Coaches : Phil Clegg, Richard Hill

This is your invitation to the Cambridge City Hockey Club Annual General Meeting which will take place on Monday 13th May at 8pm at The Boathouse pub, 14 Chesterton Road, Cambridge.

If you enjoy your hockey you do really need to be there to support the club, and to have your say in decisions for next year, including money matters and training.

The AGM is the place where all the big issues are discussed and captains and committee positions are elected.

All the committee positions are open this year and we encourage all members to give some thought to what they can do to help out the club by either standing for a committee position, becoming an umpire, organising social events or helping out at training. For a list of the official jobs that need doing see the attached role descriptions. If you are want more information please email us at info@cambridgecityhc.org.

This is your chance to give something back to the club and sport that you truly enjoy, so see you at the AGM in the upstairs room in The Boathouse at 8pm.

Best wishes,

Holly Sheahan

CCHC Club Secretary

After a slow start against the Hornets losing 3-1, Cambridge got back into their stride with encouraging wins against Broxbourne (3-0), Bury (2-0) and Pelicans (3-1)  to place them 2nd in the pool behind the Hornets but more importantly giving them the confidence that they could go on and win this trournament.

The Semi-Final against Colchester (the other Pool winners) was a physical affair with the rub going the Essex team’s way for most of the match and we went 1-0 down to a well-struck short corner. The team picked up their heads and earned a short term corner on the final whistle. The weeks of  penalty corner routines had paid off with Ben Knight hitting a firm shot into the bottom right hand corner off a smooth routine to set it up for  penalty flicks. It eventually went to sudden death with Colchester’s striker hitting it high into the top left corner, only for Charlie Williamson to find springs in his heels to  dive and knock it off the post – it was quite a save (best in his career so far) given that most of the spectators thought it had hit the post but for those closest to the action there was immediate applause from the Colchester coaches and umpires as to what he had pulled off. To cap it, Ben Knight calmly slotted home his flick to immense jubilations from the coaches (apart from Pete who couldn’t watch it any longer), team and supporters.

The Final was against the team we most wanted to beat, Saffron Walden and from the off we had them on the hop with the first  goal taken off a well earned short. Saffron responded swiftly to make it 1-1 with 5mins to go. The forward line was immense and quickly earned another short with Sebastien hammering home off the rebound (a move that Mark, Pete and I drummed into them 2 weeks ago). For the final 2 minutes the back line held off the advances of Saffron and several short corners, to win what was arguably their best performance in the tournament. Wild celebration ensued with the coaches (ie Pete and I ) having already lost the plot half way through the game.

Overall the whole squad performed at its optimal, with the forward line very fast on the break and using the full width of the pitch – something commented upon by the other coaches, the line was led by William Baldwin, Sebastien Garnett and Ali Campbell . Defence was held together by Ben Knight, Chris Graham and Toby Hofer with very willing support provided by our super subs Felix Newlove and Louis Sidebotton, whilst not forgetting our goalkeeper Charlie Williamson. We shouldn’t forget the contribution of Rupert Evans in the County final whilst not being able to attend the Finals itself.

This side has been 3 years in the making and I recall this team playing in this tournament 3 years ago and getting rolled over – this time was very different!

 The team:

Hugh Bishop, Mark Bishop (Captain), Charlie Bowmer (GK), Adam Crockett, Edward Fairey, Charlie Field, Euan Gilmour, Owen Good (GK), Dilip Goyal, Will Harris, Anthony Kattuman, Will King, Ruairidh MacDonald, Conor Magowan, Freddie Perkins, Ben Sale

Canterbury v Cambridge (3-1)



After some early pressure on our defence, Canterbury scored from their first short corner. Cambridge fought back and pressed hard but then gave a second short corner which was converted by Canterbury for 2-0. Mid way through the first half there was a lively interchange between Adam and Euan which was smartly concluded with a reverse shot by Euan to pull one back at 2-1.  Just before half time there was a succession of excellent line clearances from three short corners, the first by Will Harris, then two superb saves by Charlie Bowmer in goal to keep Cambridge in the game at the half time whistle.

As in the first half, Canterbury were quickly able to convert their first short corner of the second half, but some excellent work in goal from Owen kept them from adding to the 3-1 score line. Then, a patch of very strong play by Euan resulted in Cambridge’s first short corner of the match and they almost pulled a goal back but for a superb save by the Canterbury keeper.

Cambridge continued to work hard against a very professional and well organised Canterbury side (they went on to win the final against Belper 8-1!), but in the end were not able to improve the result.

Preston v Cambridge (4-3)



Cambridge began to dominate Preston in the early exchanges but, very much against the run of play, Preston managed to put one away early in the game. The play then changed to an exciting back and forth battle, with Mark taking command in the midfield, and Euan managing to cause havoc in the D, leading to a penalty which he calmly tucked into the left-hand side for 1-1.

In the second half, the game looked set to be Cambridge’s after Euan, having picked up the ball on the half-way line, proceeded to dribble his way past five defenders, smartly rounding the keeper to slide the ball in for a 2-1 lead. Then things went awry and Preston managed to get two goals in quick succession to lead 3-2 with 15 minutes to play.

However, a Preston goal that was officially awarded with less than 10 minutes remaining seemed to unleash the Cambridge players, and wave after wave of driving attacks culminated in Euan’s richly deserved hat-trick. Sadly this wasn’t enough at the final whistle, but the boys had finished with a great display of determination and skill.

Surbiton v Cambridge (3-2)



Cambridge started on the front foot right from the whistle and, within the first minute, after some excellent play around the back, a smart pass from Charlie Field gave Euan the chance to slot it in for 1-0. Cambridge then continued to keep the pressure on Surbiton who didn’t seem to know what had hit them, so it was a little against the run of play when Surbiton managed to level at 1-1. Cambridge continued to play very positively and were rewarded with their first short corner of the game. A very well worked move was finished off powerfully by Mark to make it 2-1 and Cambridge appeared to have the bit between their teeth.

Surbiton then stepped up their intensity and the game became a very exciting wave back and forward with strong tackling and solid defences from both sides. The Cambridge defence in particular showed much greater confidence, with Will King and Anthony making valuable contributions, Adam working tirelessly, and Conor giving continual stability. Eventually though, Surbiton were awarded a penalty flick and there was nothing Charlie Bowmer could do to stop the equalising shot. 2-2 at half time and both sides playing good hockey.

In the second half, both sides played their socks off. After a series of powerful, darting jinks by Euan were ended by fouls from the opposition, his frustration was plain to see and ultimately led to an unfortunate sending off. This left City without their top scorer but still at 2-2, and needing a win to progress to the 3rd/4th playoff match. To their credit, the boys kept attacking with determination, but this left gaps for Surbiton to exploit and they ultimately scored the winner just minutes before the final whistle.

The improvement in their play over the course of the tournament and their conduct throughout the weekend were a great credit to the spirit of the whole squad. Playing in an extremely strong pool, they may not have reaped the benefits that they really deserved, but it was a fantastic experience for all, and they are determined to do it again next year.

(Owen Good and Ed Fairey missing from this photo

The penetrating heat proved to be a bit of an inconvenience for most, especially considering how we’d become accustomed to the standard cold British weather. From the early exchanges we seemed to not quite be at the races, and were finding it difficult to accurately execute what we wanted. City were pushing hard against the ruthless and fast Uni side who were proving to be tricky to break down, showing a clear improvement since we’d last faced them. Flash led by example up front make mazy runs whilst being backed up by Franny and Nat up top. Lou slotted into the centre of defence with Monkey whilst Clem, Wham and Ella rotated in occupying the full-back positions. Uni secured a short corner early on, which was smashed bottom right only to be stopped by the fully stretched out Stiffy who managed to get her stick to it.

The first half was a half of not many chances, with City making their early exchanges pay off and securing a short corner, which wasn’t quite executed. Uni then forged their own attacks down the pitch where they found more success, and soon took the lead after some miscommunication between players found a Uni player in on goal- her first effort saved by stiffy, but a second striker came in and executed the finish. City quickly found themselves 2 down after a hard ball played in was cleverly deflected in; this shell-shocked a City team who seemed to be missing a bit of oomph, and we started for push harder and create some good play up the pitch. Moments of hilarity came as several people fell fowl of the slippy surface at Cats, including Pants, Ellie and Fran, who ended up off the pitch on her hands and knees facing the fence- pretty spectacular. Ellie made up for her previous week’s absence by admitting at teas that a bit of unintentional AB abuse occurred, much to everyone’s amusement.

The 2^nd half started and a pure desire to get back on terms was formed by everyone in red. Once more the ever reliable middle players forged excellent play, with Becks again linking between the defence and attack, and Penny, Ellie, Pants and Jo making excellent runs and distributing the ball well. Within a matter of moments City found themselves on the score sheet after an excellent build up play saw the ball travel from the defensive end of the pitch to the goal seamlessly, Franlarr putting the final touch down. This goal galvanised City who began to attack with strong purpose and were creating some lovely play, linking together to build up established attacks. Uni were looking to finish the game off, and kept their speed and power upfront in an attempt to score a 3^rd. Nat provided a moment of giggles as she momentarily lost her balance and did an backwards roley poley, jumping up quicker than she went down. Shot after Shot that the Uni attempted was fantastically dealt with by all, and any short corner attempts they had were broken down by excellent running from Ella, Lou and Clem, and brave post play from Monkey and Wham who stepped into the breach.

Time was running out for City who continued to work hard looking for an equaliser, utilising the baseline and width to great effect; Nat came exceptionally close to pulling City even, but her sweeping shot whizzed just past the post. Jo and Pants also had chances which weren’t very far away. Unfortunately the full time whistle went on the game, and on the season, giving Cambridge University all 3 points.

This defeat will have hurt City as not only have we lost to technically our biggest rivals (well, geographically anyway) but it isn’t the way in which we wanted to wind down this season. Cambridge Uni were a good team full of talent, but City can’t help but feel that on our day we could have gotten something out of this.

MOM: Stiffy

Gumby: Fran’s stack in front of the fence, narrowly edging our Wham who had managed to forget essentially ALL of her kit including: Stick, Shoes, Skirt, Socks, Shin Pads- luckily for her she has a hockey playing boyfriend!

Champagne: Stiffy’s stick save

So that’s my last match and last report as a CCHC player (for now anyway). This season might not have reflected the results we feel sometimes we should have secured, however I can comfortably say that it has been the best one I’ve participated in. Whichever side of the Atlantic I end up at University at, I will always remember you beautiful lot; the giggles, the banter and of course, the memories which have been created will last with me for a lifetime!! I shall do my best to make you guys proud (Excuse me while I take some man up pills…)

On this sentimental note, it is time for the team awards of the year. For those of you who can’t make it to the annual dinner, and in the spirit of team love, myself and Monkey have compiled our team awards as follows (some of them are just things we found funny, therefore not technically awards, more momentous of pure awesomeness):

Bitch of the year- Chundersaurousbex/ Becky Livings

Felt up by a monarch award- Rachel

Extended Honeymooner- Lou

Puppy Lover- Penny

Eat Pray love; papaya banter of the year- Ellie

Jacuzzi/Beanbag connoisseur- Clem

Celebration of the season- Flash

Burnt ass the year, sponsored by savlon- Franlarrrr

Anti-Charleston award (eg. Crimes against dancing)- Dr Pants

Teeth of the year/Crimes against Neon- Wham

Planking Award- Monkey

The “Where the f*** am I?”/Exuberate texter award- Stiffy

Not too cool for school- Ella

RSPCA cruelty to animal’s award- India (Head ferret)

Nicest Person EVER- Nat

The “which sport do I play?!” award- Stan

Most inventive shower move- Jo (Canterbury and the hose pipe- nuff said!)

Domestic goddess- Ross

So for the final time,

Stiffy, over and out xxx

Captain Phil Robinson was away skiing so had charged last year’s captain, Simon Webb, to sort the team out. Simon’s return to the arm band meant we had a 45 minute briefing before the game and an extensive warm up. However in keeping with Simon’s second season as captain, which was a bit more chaotic than the first, we had the briefing in the reception area of the club house and the warm up took place on the discus landing area of the athletci ground during a county discuss competition. (not all of this paragraph is accurate).

The opposition were Spalding, both teams harboured hopes of promotion as they were level on points and City were ahead on goal difference. Away to Spalding City drew 1-1 despite dominating the game.

The last of the prematch ramble goes to Alexis Pouye, our favourite French man. It turned out that with the game against UEA postponed two weeks later due to snow this was Alexis’ last game for Cambridge City. A great guy, very robust forward and at times a brilliant striker. He will be missed but we are confident whomever he plays for in France will love him. “Jambon, jambon monsieur!”

Play was focussed on the central area of the pitch early on as City tended to pass the ball well but not find a route into the circle, Spalding turning the ball over but returning to Cambridge possession quickly. After some back and forth one such turn over fell in favour of Spalding at the top of their 25, they broke down the left wing and the striker mistrapped the ball into the corner of the pitch. A precise ball to the opposite top side of the circle provided a great chance to shoot but the cominination of Hilary put pressure on the striker and Guinness’ positioning meant the shot was easily dealt with.

It was then City’s turn to attack, a well won short corner from Ali G was nearly converted by Webb, his drag flick striking a defender on the line in the stomach but the umpire was unsighted and play continued. Undeterred the team pressed on. Matty Voutt won the ball well in partnership with James Stevens and released Ali G up the right wing. Some delicate touches won a free hit, allowing Nick Mitchell to instigate a transfer, down to Harry on the right wing and Alexis and Ali looked to have won a PC.

From the 16 yard hit that followed (we don’t know why it was given sorry!), Spalding thought they had the lead. The City right back was caught trying something a bit arrogant to eliminate the Spalding striker and the quick break was on, the cross to the left post however struck the foot before being converted.

Some fine stick work from Harry Ellison produced a chance for Disco Jamila Jim Hill (these nick names just get better) but unlike Ellison he couldn’t quite knock it down like a Domino. (#BANTER!). With very little time to go Alexis Pouye managed to win a penalty corner and nearly smashed it home, James Fasten-Bonnett just missing the tip in from the keeper’s save.

Then in the final minute of the half James Stevens took the lead for City. Hilary took a long corner to Ellison who tonked a cross in on the diagonal, Pouye miss trapped but Stevens – like the predator we all know he is – gobbled the ball up and slotted it home from six yards out.

The second half was initially one way traffic with City completely dominating the game, with the odd chance for Spalding through very cheap penalty corners. This resulted in a goal for Spalding against the flow. A rather unusual routine, the striker narrowed the angle a great deal running away from the top of the circle but struck a hard shot nutmegging Guinness. 1-1.

Mitchell drilled in one of his standard hard crosses which was deflected onto a Spalding foot for a PC. Pouye’s shot on goal was deflected marvellously by Fasten-Bonnett to retake the lead. Pouye got his third assist of the day (though the first was possibly not too deliberate!) as he set up Harry.

Now Alexis will admit he is not known for his passing game. He jokes about it fairly often in fact. Most of the time when he does pass nobody is actually ready for it! But on this occasion Harry was ready. With the opportunity to drive in to the circle and shoot he opted to play a vertical ball down to the base line, Harry cooly glided by the keeper and slotted home as the keeper took his feet out. 3-1 to City and the game seemingly sewn up as the away team struggled to retain possession.

A free hit went against the City right mid with five to go and rather than tracking back and channelling he stood still, allowing the ball carrier to reach the 25 before being engaged, resulting in an injection straight at goal. The centre back stood still and the Spalding striker was able to dive brilliantly to convert the cross into a goal. 3-2. (if you listen to the highlights Pip gets rather excited!)

With a minute to go Jez Farrant, the Prime Minister of Hockey, put the ball on a Spalding foot but the hit went the other way. A miss trap by the defender in the circle let the ball squirm through, a striker jabbed and lifted the ball into his strike partner’s chest who played to the whistle and put the ball in the goal, 3-3.

The  game ended that way, a very frustrating result for Cambridge given the dominance of possession. Reviewing the game back revealed a few home truths. Picking out the positives Jim runs a hell of a lot. The manner in which Hilary shadows players is technically perfect, until he tries to tackle them at which point he probably should be sin binned! James Stevens had a great game popping up all over the park.

It was a long time ago so I can’t remember who won MOM, I know Matty got DOD for throwing a strop at James though!

Having actually used the video to make the report more accurate I haven’t had the opportunity to talk about Fran’s bum or Phil Robinson much. I do apologise. Both are marvellous. If you want to witness the fitness then come to the CCHC Annual Dinner, even if you don’t play for us. It’s definitely worth it.

After some ludicrous delays due to the snow and the opposition’s term time schedule the Mens 3^rd XI travel to UEA on Sunday, time to be confirmed. City can secure third place with a win, and if they are lucky a promotion!

Highlights here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VSK1l_q9Uw

On a warm day City started slowly but took an early lead after a great lobbed ball from James Albery put Stephen Dick in with a shooting opportunity from the angle which caught a looping deflection and found the corner of the net.  City forced penalty corners soon after to no avail on a heavy and somewhat bobbly pitch before Whitchurch gained a deserved equaliser with a back post reverse sweep.  Whitchurch went on to create further pressure and could have gone ahead if not for some assured goalkeeping from Nick Rowley and committed defensive work.

A couple of flurry’s in and around the Whitchurch goal area followed before the imperious James Albery pounced on a loose ball and strode into the area unleashing a lightning quick pinpoint strike into the opposite corner of the goal to give City a slightly fortunate but hard fought half time lead.

Astute tactical analysis and tweaking from Nicky Thompson at half time provided City with a much more solid base in the second half as City very quickly establish a stranglehold and started to look very dangerous every time we went forwards.  Whitchurch’s goalkeeper was very busy denying a string of attempts on goal with some extremely agile work.  Kier Dixon was denied via an unlikely but excellent goal line clearance and James Albery once again demonstrated incredible skill and pace to outrun three men from the halfway line before clattering the post with an outrageous reverse stick strike that had the goalkeeper beaten.

As is often the case when you dont finish your chances the opposition eventually threaten and Whitchurch picked up a couple of chances mainly via penalty corner routines one of which found the outside of the sideboard when an equaliser looked nailed on.

City finally and deservedly saw the game off in the closing stages as the ball broke to the outstanding James Albery who hit an upright reverse to wrong foot the equally inspired keeper finishing the game off at 3-1 to City.

The final result was very pleasing against a more than capable Whitchurch side and any winning result in such a pressurised situation and after a 7/8 hour round trip to and from Cardiff is always going to be very welcome however it comes.  City should have won by more but are happy to have our fate in our own hands going into the game Vs Doncaster at the Leys on Sunday 21st April.

2.15 Lincs play Essex for 3/4 place

4.00 Cambs play Suffolk for the Championship

There will be 7 CCHC players in the Cambs squad and it would be great to have (any) support. The pace might be slow but the standard will be good and all part of the England Hockey “back to hockey” campaign. #onelcub