HIGH NOON - A SPECIAL REPORT FROM HELLO MAGAZINE

Before an A-list crowd, the Diary Event of the weekend, those lovely Ladies from A&C's fourth team featured in a thrilling top of the table clash, against the young and upcoming Milton Keynes team.

A&C, resplendent in blue and red, shin-padded, gum-shielded, hair scraped back but none-the-less gorgeous, clothes supplied by Cartledge & Bagehot of Chalfont, took up their places (only, of course, once they managed to leave the loo - so no nerves obviously!). A few less red eyes than normal were on view (shame, they tone so well with the sleeves and socks) since the Ladies had all, unusually, managed to stay off the sherbet the night before.

Oh, how they fought, those brave, young things (ok, some not so young), their very own 'High Noon'. (Yes I know it was only 10.30 but, remember, even ITV did 'News at Ten, at Nine', so grant me a little poetic licence!).

Graceful dribbling, fanciful passes and crushing, but obviously clean, (well, except for me) tackling. Their delicate cries rang across the winter-sun bathed fields of Newlands. Phoenix-like, the team rose from the ashes of previous seasons' disappointments and...

Thrashed them!! 4-0. Still top. Blinking marvellous.

Thanks to 'Man of the Match' Paul, Janet our umpire, our supporters, 'Cartledge and Bagehot' and anyone else who knows me...

SIX NATIONS RUGBY

The big screen back at the Clubhouse! Please make it your venue for watching all the games of the Six Nations Championship. The club will be open for the following games:

Saturday 12th February
Italy -v- Wales (1.30pm)
Scotland -v- Ireland (4pm)

Sunday 13th February
England -v- France (3pm)*
* Followed by Happy Hour at the bar

Saturday 26th February
Scotland -v- Italy (2pm)
France -v- Wales (4pm)

Sunday 27th February
Ireland -v- England (3pm)

All games in March will also be shown.

Thank you to the following that umpired for us last weekend:

EASTER TOUR 2005 - FOLKESTONE

The decision has finally been made and we have decided to go back to Folkestone for another year of seaside antics!

Dates are Thursday 24th - Monday 28th March and we will be staying in the ever popular Southcliffe Hotel. Prices are £125 for the 4 nights and this includes Accomodation (B&B), Tour Shirt and Tournament entry. If you would like to go for only a few nights then other prices are available.

There are now lists up at the club for you to put your name down for going, please do so ASAP so that we can get an idea of the number of people we have going.

If you have any questions or queries then please contact me at geobrown@ge.cokecce.com or cokemonkey81@hotmail.com

Thanks

The B squad played their first matches in the Spring league Monday night and produced a mixed set of results.

The first game saw a comfortable 7-2 win over local rivals Gerrards Cross. With Lynda making good use of the space offered down our right side A&C were able to create numerous chances and goals were shared between Alex, Em, Annie, Rachel and Lynda. The highlight goal came from Rachel, whose attempted trap in the D from a strong pass from the right bobbled away some 10 feet at pace - straight into the goal past a surprised keeper. After a few moments deliberation by the umpire, who understandably felt it wasn't quite right, a goal was reluctantly signalled.

The second game was against a strong Wycombe Rye B side comprising 5 girls from Wycombe High school and one of the most skilful Wycombe players. A fine performance in goal from Sarah Wood, who varied the defensive routine at Wycombe's numerous corners to keep them guessing, helped A&C to stay in the match at 1-1 at half time.

But in the second half Wycombe made their superiority count with a mixture of good open play goals and one well worked corner to consign A&C to a 5-2 defeat.

Next week the A squad are in action against Harlow and Gerrards Cross.

Team: Marsden; Watson; Bullock, Parker, Ferguson; Ruxton, Teasdale, Brothwell, Durkin; Coates, Patterson; Sub. Frick, Cartledge.

Despite a two month break since their last league match, A&C soon got back into the groove where they had finished off in 2004 with an accomplished win away to Oxford University's 2nd team on Saturday. The opening play was very even. A&C nearly scored in the first minute and the students responded by creating some pressure and had a shot go just wide.

Caroline Coates had a goal disallowed before she put A&C ahead after 23 minutes with a crisp strike from a penalty corner. Five minutes before half-time, Rachel Parker made it 2-0 when she was first to react after the keeper had saved Alex Teasdale's shot.

A&C sealed the points with two goals in the first ten minutes of the re-start. Firstly, Lynda Bullock's goal-bound shot was stopped by a defender's foot on the line and Erin Ruxton scored a twice taken penalty stroke. A minute later, Natalie Durkin finished off a well-worked penalty corner routine.

The University worked hard to get themselves back into the game but struggled to create any further openings as A&C's defence held firm with Helen Ferguson making a number of timely tackles. A&C's midfield continued to push the team forward as they played some fluent hockey and two more goals were scored.

After 57 minutes, another well-worked penalty corner saw Ruxton set-up Annie Brothwell whose sweetly timed sweep went in the corner of the goal. Three minutes later, Ruxton was provider again as Laura Patterson completed the scoring.

A&C's 100% league record will now be severely tested next week when they take on second placed Reading at Newland Park.