After the Christmas break, two comprehensive wins and the return of an unfairly punished centre forward, the 3's have moved just one point short of the top spot. This week they face a tough game against their fiercest opponents Ashford. The push back is 10:30 at Newlands, just before the 1st's game. It would be great to have your support on the sidelines, and you are bound to see a spectacle. Last time 3 people got sent off!

FOLKESTONE AT EASTER

We need to get contact details for all those that are coming on tour, please mail warren_scott@ntlworld.com. We also will be collecting the next set of money for tour (£25) at the end of January - we will be receipting people for this so please DO NOT give the money without one.

For anyone who has not yet paid we may yet be able to squeeze you in, please mail to the above address or speak to Watsy, Zoë or Warren

Great Milton 2-3 Mixed (AET)
(EHA Timpson Trophy)

The Mixed XI took a full squad to Great Milton and luckily so. Initial exchanges saw Amersham and Chalfont on the front foot, but unable to open the defence. Brothwell and Watson on either wing kept the attack wide and fast, and with the occasional break from Scott and Wilson the Milton defence were forced deep. This gave Heath in the mid-field room to manoeuvre and his quick passing exposed the defence on numerous occasions. With the forwards unable to make the breakthrough, Watts (Andy) took the matter in his own hands, and using the space in midfield, swept from deep to coolly slot past the charging keeper. On either side at the back A&C used the force of Sarah Watts and the determination of Fay Rider to press back the few opportunities that Milton had, and with Turner closing out the central attack there appeared to be no weakness in the team. The second came soon after when Scott found Brothwell on the by-line. Her quick stick work caught the defence napping as the ball was fed to the waiting Heath, who clipped the ball on the reverse into the back of the net.

With half-time came change, and the confidence of A&C became their undoing, as a revitalised Milton pressed and caught the team unable to hold possession. Two fast goals levelled the game, and then the fight began. Saves from both keepers defied belief as on more than 3 occasions balls were cleared from the goal-line and on more than one occasion Winter came close as she latched onto crosses. Short-corners were saved with diving acrobatics at either end, and despite amazing energy from all involved there was no change at full-time. With the prospect of flicks looming both teams pressed hard to find the openings. Injury removed Sarah Watts from the line-up and substitute Helen Kitto stepped in to hold the lines. Inspired substitutions from manager Chris Paine, gave new pace and vigour as Ian McCurry flew about jabbing and pressing at every opportunity, and then with minutes to go he brought on Mark Stevenson, who barely had time to get set before latching onto a through ball to place the ball under the advancing keeper.

A tired team celebrated great effort knowing that this was a well contested side with all concerned putting in a full effort to return home ready for the next round in February.

Team: Lovelace, S Watts, A Watts, Turner, Kitto, Rider, Brothwell, Watson, Winter, Heath, Scott, McCurry, Stevenson, Paine, Wilson

NEXT DO:

Saturday 15th February... details soon... put the date in the diary!

Thanks

SCOOP is back (again) - hitting the streets sometime in February. We hope you enjoyed Novembers edition (there are still some behind the bar if you haven't seen one) and that you now have a suitably whetted appetite for muck raking.

If you hear of anything that you think should be included please contact us - we cannot cover all 12 teams. Also, if anyone wishes to write an article or two then please do not hesitate to come forward. Email - andy@watsy.com.

Eurosport to Broadcast First Indoor World Cup

Eurosport television will broadcast the First Indoor Hockey World Cup to be held in Leipzig, Germany from 5 - 9 February 2003.

This will be the highest ever TV exposure of an indoor hockey event. Eurosport will broadcast a total of 15 matches over the five-day tournament with ten matches aired LIVE. The screening will reach a potential 250 million viewers in 93 million homes in 54 countries.

Peter Cohen, FIH Hon Secretary General, commented, "This important development is the latest achievement of FIH's drive to get hockey on TV. It is particularly significant for indoor hockey, ahead of its inclusion in the programme of the 2005 World Games in Duisberg, Germany.

"Eurosport is always very happy to present and promote sports that are rarely seen on television. Diversity is our channel's strength", said Arnaud Simon, Eurosport's Programme Director. "Indoor Hockey could become very popular in Europe in the future. And as has happened before, Eurosport will be there from the start!"

Mens 4th 4-2 Henley 3rd

This was always going to be a tough one. A&C only just pulled off a 2:1 away win at the start of the season and for the return match this lot were up for it and ready to get physical. Probably not the best environment in which to give young Chris Blakey a run out, but he shaped up extremely well throughout his first half appearance, showing especially good positional sense. Considering he's new to the game, this could be one to watch.

The 1st quarter of the match seemed to take place in the middle half of the pitch with much pace, movement and commitment from both teams. Perhaps slightly against the run of play A&C took a 1:0 lead. Playing our now favoured 2:5:3 ( Kevin Keegan approach to hockey) we had been holding our own. Unfortunately the 1 goal lead seemed to allow us to relax for a moment. A speculative long pass from Henley left young Will Garrett on the back foot, with no support, facing an overlapping 2 on 1 situation. I will not speak for anyone else but the captain at least was woefully 20 yards out of position...sorry Will. This exposure left Barvick no chance in goal. 1:1 soon turned to 1:2 as Henley again hit A&C on the break. However the home team, slightly unused to being asked such questions, were already finding the answers and the half ended 2:2.

Henley were highly organised and competent at the back. The 4s usual "pace and trickery" attacking approach was nothing like enough. Our first half goals had been created through solid incisive passing, sustained pressure and good movement off the ball. The weak points of the first half had been when we'd lapsed into the short push passing, usually enough to work through an oppositions midfield and defence in this division but no match for Henley's solid tackling, confident stick work and constant harrying approach.

Solution to winning the match... cut out the weak stuff. I am pleased to report that this was comprehensively done. There was the definite sense that the match moved from the middle of the park with a lean towards our own goal in the first half to being predominantly played in the oppositions half during the second period. Having scored goal 3 A&C continued to have sustained periods of pressure and several short corners. One of these creating that all-important 4th goal.

This wasn't the prettiest performance of the season but it was certainly the most satisfying. Having had a wake up call in the first half, the whole team raised their game and did the job. There were several notable performances, including Kern at CF, James at CH, Peter at RFB and at Will LFB (always handy to have a solid spine down a team) so I'm not going to pick a man of the match. In any case I can honestly say that everyone put in an above par performance. My thanks to Chris Blakey, Barvick, Peter Mills, Will Garrett, Mark Vivian, James Lander, Ian McCurry, John Finch, Chris Lander, Kern and Mark Stephenson. Great effort boys.