SOUTH HOCKEY

Congratulations to Helen Marsden and Erin Ruxton who represented the South of England Under 15s in a Divisional Tournament at Millfield School last weekend helping the South to win 3 out of their 4 matches and finishing runners-up to the Midlands.

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP - DUE SOON
This is just a quick reminder that your Annual Member to CPSA is due for renewal now, and should be paid by the 31st October. The amount is £115 for adults and £50 for under 21s. If you have any concerns about paying please address them to David Peters or myself. If you pay late, and I urge you to please not do so, then the amount increases substantially. For those that do not play any club sport, the social membership is £30.

Please, please pay your Captains, myself or David Peters as soon as possible (Cheques payable to CPSA), as the administration of this is made much simpler if we get payments quickly at the start of the season. So if you have not yet paid then please bring your cheque-books to your next match or the club this weekend!

Thanks - Warren (Hockey Chairman)

KIT ON OFFER

Jonathan Mills is offering a large unused playing shirt (267) and shorts to anyone that is interested. He bought the shirt last year but has been unable to play due to work commitments. If you would like them then please contact him at jonathan@personalcareermanagement.com.

SATURDAY 6th NOVEMBER - FIREWORKS NIGHT

The evening will start at 7pm. Tickets are £10 for an individual or £25 for a family (2 adults and 2 children under 12).

Tickets available from team reps or from behind the bar and include a bangers and mash supper.

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

HALLOWEEN FANCY DRESS - SUN 31ST OCTOBER

Kids in fancy dress get a free drink and dessert during Sunday lunch, and we will have a fancy dress competition for the kids at 2.30pm on Sunday, with prizes to be won!

Adults in fancy dress will be entitled to a free shooter from 7pm on Sunday, when we will have a DJ playing and will be open until 12pm. Bar prizes to be won for the best dressed.

The second evening of A league matches for A&C took place on Monday night with games against Wycombe Rye A and Wycombe Rye B.

In two closely fought, fast, physical but skilful encounters A&C came out with a deserved win and a slightly unfortunate draw. Against Wycombe Rye B both sides lead at different times, as A&C unusually struggled to defend corners effectively. But A&C were always creating chances and a couple of goals for Erin Ruxton, including one excellent score from a slipped short corner, enabled A&C to come out 4-3 winners.

Against the Wycombe Rye A side some further improvements defensively enabled A&C to match their strong opponents. Both Alex and Otty at the back pushed further up to compress the play and deny access to our circle on the small pitch, and this enabled A&C to really compete against one of the strong sides. Persistent pressure from Catherine Watson eventually forced an equaliser in the second half to earn a 2-2 draw, but A&C can feel a little unlucky after flowing moves twice led to Caroline Coates hitting a post.

So after four games the A side is settling down, with Alex Teasdale getting used to playing in the key left back position, and the team starting to get to grips with the high level of hockey in this league. Satisfyingly from a coaches point of view lots of small improvements are being made each time, both by individuals and as a team. Despite losing both the games on the first evening by the odd goal, with all teams beating each other in this league there is still plenty to play for prior to the South Indoor tournament on the 8th/ 9th January.

Next Monday sees B league action with games against Gerrards Cross and South Bucks, aiming to follow up their convincing wins on the first evening.

Team: Wood; Watson; Bullock, Watts, Campbell; Cartledge, Shaw, Teasdale, Durkin; Coates, Frick; Sub. Peters.

A&C lost out narrowly to higher league opponents in this friendly against Epsom from the Surry league on Saturday at Newland Park. In a bright opening spell, A&C's good passing and movement made inroads into the visitor's defence. Following one interchange, Caroline Coates was nearly put through on goal. Soon afterwards, Heidi Frick was twice denied with a last minute tackles.

With Alex Teasdale and Katy Shaw both playing well in the middle of the pitch and Kate Campbell giving good support from the back, A&C moved the ball from side to side as they attacked down both flanks. However, it was by no means one-way traffic and three times Sarah Wood was required to make saves, and Sarah Watts completed the clearances, from penalty corners.

A&C came closest to scoring just after half-time when Natalie Durkin set-up Catherine Watson but the 'keeper got a toe to her shot which pushed the ball agonisingly past the post. Teasdale then had a reverse stick strike which flew wide.

Wood was forced to make another excellent save before Epsom broke the deadlock with a scrambled goal following a penalty corner. A&C's final chance fell to Sarah Cartledge, after good work by Shaw, but her sweep was deflected wide.

A&C return to league action next week with a 10.30am home game against Milton Keynes at Newland Park.