At long last the seconds have won a game. This victory can be put down to three main things, prayer, a James Heath teamtalk and an excellent work ethic. As I left home on Saturday morning I asked God to supply a miracle because that was the only way that we were going to beat City of Oxford who were in fourth place. We were propping up the table, had been soundly thrashed the previous week by Sunbury (10-0) and team confidence was not wonderful. We got to the game and James Heath, in his infinite wisdom suggested a proper team talk and what a teamtalk. Absolutely inspired!! James told every player exactly where he wanted them and what they were supposed to be doing while they were there. End result.....we played like a team for the first time this season. Substitutions were flawless and everybody worked their socks off.

Defensively we looked strong with loads of communication between the back four and this meant that City were limited to speculative crosses and a few shots from short corners. The midfield movement throughout the game was great and meant that there was always passes available and players moving into space. We had a lot of the play in the first half and watched two efforts slip wide from Andy and Mark before we scored from a short corner. James Heath got the ball and flicked it to Andy who deflected it into the goal.

The half time turnaround didn't result in the usual soft goal and we continued to create chances at their end. City had one decent chance in the second half that was fired in from the left. It was just going past the post but an excellent stretch from Painey made sure that it went wide. All in all a great performance that needs to be built on in the next few weeks.

Team: Paine, Byrne, Wardman, Yoxall, Keenan, Ringham, Bagehot, Westaway, Heath, Wilson, Stephenson, Carruthers

SIX NATIONS RUGBY

The big screen is 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 26th February
Scotland -v- Italy (2pm)
France -v- Wales (4pm)

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

Saturday 12th March
Ireland -v- France (1.30pm)
England -v- Italy (4pm)

Sunday 13th March
Scotland -v- Wales (3pm)

Saturday 19th March
Italy -v- France (1pm)
Wales -v- Ireland (3.30pm)
England -v- Scotland (6pm)

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

As you all know last year we produced a fixture book. This was great for the Cricket Section, we had 100 copies made and it brought in over £800 of revenue for the club. We are planning to do the same this year. We can't go to the same companies that advertised with us last year even though some might be willing to do so again.

OK, now I need your help. If anyone knows any friends or family that run local business or people that might be willing to help us get some advertisement for this booklet then please contact me at saqib.ahmed@sabre.com.

Any help in this matter will be appreciated. If everyone from the cricket section tries to get one advertisement even a £50 (half Page) or £100 (Full Page) this will all add up to make the club some revenue.

On the same subject, advertising in the fixture card whether it be the cricket or hockey version is just one of the ways that a company can sponsor the company. Other opportunities for upselling include boards on the ground perimeter fence, boards inside the clubhouse and space in both this newsletter and on the club's website. For more details please contact Caroline Chipperfield.

MENS 4'S & 5'S END OF SEASON CURRY

I have organised a dinner at the clubhouse on Saturday 12th March for everyone who has played for the 4th or 5th team this season.

The cost will be £7 per person and will include starter, chicken curry and dessert, and will be provided by Sandra and her team. Please let me know if you are vegetarian or have special dietary requirements.

Please email me at jbootl01@bcuc.ac.uk if you wish to attend and let Ian Hockney or I have your payment as soon as possible, your place will not be confirmed until money has been received. The last date at which I can take a booking will be Saturday 5th March.

I look forward to seeing as many of you there as possible.

ERIN RUXTON

Congratulations to Erin Ruxton who after a series of trials over the past 4 months for England Under 16s, has been selected for the final squad. She will play in the Four Nations Tournament which includes Spain, Germany and Netherlands over Easter.

PRE-SEASON TRAINING STARTS THIS SUNDAY - 27TH FEBRUARY

Chalfont Park Phoenix starts pre-season training this Sunday at 11am at the club. This will be the first of what will be a regular series of Sunday sessions that we will run up to the start of the new season at the end of April.

The Phoenix finished its first season last year as Windsor and Maidenhead District Mixed Softball League's Division 3 Champions and we are now looking forward to a competitive season in Division 2.

We are also looking to expand over the spring so that we can run a second team in Division 3 this year. To achieve this we are recruiting inside and outside CPSA for new players. If you would like to give softball a go then please come down to training, no experience is necessary and the invitation is open to everyone. Don't worry about lack of experience, look what we achieved with complete beginners last season!

For more information please contact me at neil@umpires.co.uk.

A&C continued their run of mixed results in the Indoor league with the B team gaining a large win whilst also recording a narrow defeat on Monday night.

In the first match against Wycombe Rye A a stuttering performance saw an early lead established with two corner conversions from Erin, who had loads of time to pick her spot thanks to fast and accurate deliveries from Emma. But two soft goals conceded and a string of missed opportunities saw Wycombe claw back to 2-2 at half time. Unfortunately the same pattern continued in the second half and despite hitting the Wycombe keeper three or four times, and having a shot kicked off the goal line but not seen, a weak piece of defending at a penalty corner led to a third soft goal and a 3-2 defeat.

Team: Fyffe; Watson; Cartledge, Parker, Ferguson; Ruxton, Frick, Brothwell, Durkin; Coates, Patterson; Sub. Hewitt.

It was lucky 13 for A&C as they made it 13 wins out of 13 in Division 1 of the Trysports Three Counties League when they beat West Witney at Newland Park on Saturday and in the process also scored their 100th goal of the season.

A&C started with some quick and decisive passing and running and took the lead after just 5 minutes when Annie Brothwell set-up Caroline Coates to score. A&C doubled their lead within a minute when Erin Ruxton put Laura Patterson through on goal and she unselfishly squared the ball for Coates to score her second. The frenetic opening was completed when West Witney immediately responded with a goal of their own.

A&C played with great purpose and pace and moved the ball well around their backs. It was no surprise that they made it 3-1 after 19 minutes when the Ruxton-Patterson combination again provided the chance for Coates to complete her hat-trick. Heidi Frick then nearly scored when her shot was deflected wide.

The second-half started at the same high tempo the first had. Chances at both ends firstly saw Patterson drive from the half-way line only to be denied eventually by the 'keeper while Tanya Fyffe, in the A&C goal, was called into action and Brothwell cleared off the line.

Four minutes into the half, Patterson did make it 4-1 and, with it, recorded the team's 100th goal. Moments later, Brothwell swept home from a penalty corner before West Witney clawed another goal back within a minute. Brothwell was soon in the action again as she made another goal-line clearance when under pressure.

Coates made it 6-2 after 48 minutes following good work by Ruxton. The pace of the game eventually eased off towards the end and West Witney scored their third goal from a penalty corner with just 4 minutes left.