Everyone,

As our Christmas present to you, the Main Committee have devised a very comprehensive survey which we should be most grateful if you would take the trouble to fill out during the seasonal work slowdown. The purpose of this is to get your feedback and use this to make the Club a better place.

Please click on the link below to do the survey, or, if it suits you more, paper copies have been provided to your captains and will be available at your games on Sat 4th and Sat 11th Jan 2003. Alternatively, copies will be at the Club on Boxing Day afternoon when we're open for Mixed hockey and Boozing.

The opportunity to participate in this information gathering exercise closes on Sunday 12th January 2003.

Many thanks and a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all.

Click here or visit
http://www.d-drive.com/HockeySurvey

Ewan MacColl - Mens 1st

By far the youngest member of the first team squad, Ewan has become an ever present part of the 1's this season. After joining the squad late he has fitted in well. He has brought another dimension to the squad with a vast array of toys that he frequently throws out of his pram. He also has the ability to make his feelings known to all whether they want to listen or not. He has proved a handful for the manager who has had to deal with the good, the bad and occasionally the very nasty! Always eager to join in he does not shirk from any physical challenge. This is an unfortunate habit he picked up during his pre season tour Down Under. Earlier this season he was eager to get involved and defend Warren during the Lions game. Lions were equally eager for him and the manager to pick up a stick and get on to the pitch where things could be sorted out as Neanderthal to gentlemen.

Whilst some have been upset at the amount of time spent on the side Ewan has accepted it with good grace and has always been happy to bring the oranges over at half time and wait his turn. He has also been helpful to Buddy and has held onto Buddy's stick several times to prevent Buddy from forgetting where he put it down and losing it. Eager to learn from other players Ewan has now mastered the one handed technique from Warren and the ability to talk b*ll***s from the manager. Ewan has also managed to get a firm grasp of the rules despite his young age and has been told off at least once by an umpire for making his views known. Fortunately his manager took the blame or it could have been a card.

Ewan is looking forward to the second half of the season as the 1's push for promotion.

Think you can better the £2100 taken in total over the bar last weekend by the two groups of members that ran the bar?

We still need help this Friday 20th (Sarah Watts & Beanie?), Friday 27th (Al & Catherine) & Saturday 28th (Caroline & Goochie) ...... all offers gladly accepted!!!

Please call Caroline 07887 675310 if you are available!

This is a quick note to say that training has finished for the year and that it recommences on the following nights in the new year:

* Mon 6th Jan at Beaconsfield at 7.45pm
* Tues 7th Jan at Newlands at 7.45pm

Bicester 2-2 Mens 1st

With a chance to close the gap at the top of the table, A&C took on Bicester on Saturday, and after a slow start they showed strong intentions, after a clearance from Giles found Martin Cartledge near the half way. His inside pass split the midfield to Warren Scott. As Scott charged forward Mark Rutherford looped around the back of the D leaving his marker, the sweeper and the keeper stranded as he latched onto the 25 yard through ball from Scott to deflect into the back of the net. Although Bicester worked hard to make openings the defence managed to keep the attacks wide, and on the few occasions that a talented forward line broke the lines, Lovelace in goal stood his ground to make worthy saves.

It was A&C who broke again in the second half, with a swift move from defence leading to a short corner after some strong midfield work from one of A&C's recent stars, Tim Sargent. The short corner was played smoothly round the D, and off a deflected cross Budd lashed with his reverse to send the side two clear. This would have left them equal second in the league table before Christmas, but evidence of lacking fitness and a few nursed injuries led to Bicester remounting the pressure.

A weak first goal saw the Bicester centre forward spin his marker top D, and allowed to feed the wing who slotted home from a few yards. The equalizer was equally as frustrating after the Bicester winger took on the defence, riding several tackles before crossing to the centre forward. His shot caught the diving Lovelace and the deflection spun off the post to just cross the line. One point gained or two thrown away, a game that on reflection deserved a draw left A&C knowing that they had wasted an opportunity in the first half of the league.

Team: Lovelace, Payne, Ward, Heath, van Duyenbode, Chiles, Sargent, Crossman, Budd (1), Scott, Cartledge (c), Rutherford(1)