Letchworth Roller Hockey Club

The day started off very windy & cloudy but this didnt put off those that could make it to the lakes for our annual water sports fun day, barbecue & awards presentations. Keith Allen had sorted out a very nice spot for the caravan & awning plus two gas barbies which made it quiet ‘cosy’ although we still had to hold on to the extension roof many times throughout the day as the wind tried to lift it away. At first only a few were eager to don some wet suits & get into the inflatable do-nuts as Michael & Kingsley had the first few goes being towed around the lake behind the Allens powerfull speedboat (man can that thing go). Then as the day progressed more wet suits went on as some of the other players & parents were persuaded to ‘have a go’ but David Marshall wasn’t having any of it & stayed on dry land after last years shorts loseing escapade! After a while we stopped for lunch & the presentations, then it was back into the water again. I even had a few goes myself holding on for dear life on the ‘Flyer Disc’ with the arms aching under the strain & the hands saying ‘let go’ when your flying round the bends, after a while when one of the others came off it upset the balance & I couldn’t hold on any longer & got flipped/thrown high into the air. The water was very warm but with a lot of pond weed wrapping round your feet, strange sensation!. Andy Mansfield put on the ‘Sumo inflatable’ thing & got towed round in the choppy water head first with goggles on but kept being pulled under the waves made by the boat. He was almost like a submarine at one point, brave man! Gill Childs was persuaded by her hubby Colin to have a go on the ‘U shute thing or whatever its called with me on the back, it was so funny listening to her cries of ‘let me off’ while we leaned into the bends at break neck speeds round the choppy lake (almost like being out at sea) untill we got thrown off! but i dont think she quiet meant it like that.

Nigel Allen & wifes young son (sorry cant remember his name) of 9months or so made a big impression on the day with the other mums there taking it in turn to hold him & remember when there sons (who were hurtling round the lake) were last that cute!

I think everyone enjoyed themselves despite the wind & the odd light shower. A big thankyou to Keith, Andrew & Nigel for putting on this superb annual event that everyone enjoys & lets hope for better weather next year. Big thanks also to everyone for helping to clear away & take down at the end of the day.

ATB

Paul Adams

Awards For the 2005/2006 Season

Minors Player of the year—————————————-Michael Adams

Minors Improver of the year————————————-Franki Childs

Intermediates Player of the year———————————Bradley Childs

Intermediates Improver of the year——————————Robert Broadley

Schoolboys Player of the year————

Schoolboys Improver of the year———

Juniors Player of the year—————————————-Ricky Jupp

Juniors Improver of the year————————————Ricky Jupp

Seniors Player of the year—————-

Seniors Improver of the year————-

Seniors 2 Player of the year————————————-Graham Busolini

Seniors 2 Improver of the year———————-Stuart(from stevenage team)

Clubman of the year———————————————-David Marshall

The Richard Mathurin Memorial trophy-team of the year———–Minors

The Ian Gibson memorial trophy-exceptional player of the year—-

Hopefully iv got them right but if anyone knows otherwise or has the definitive list then please pass it on & I will correct it.

Robert Broadley (Capt)

Colin Marshall

Nick Flint

Adam Allinson

Jake Mansfield

Michael Adams (GK)

First game against Ely Blue:

The first game of the season got off to a good start with Nick scoreing a goal in the first 30 seconds, showing they were up for it from the start. The passing moves practised in training over the last few weeks seem to be working as Robert & Adam also banged home goals from good side to middle passes, managing to get behind there defence with ease. We were then awarded a penalty that Nick took, powering it passed the keeper to make it 4-0. Ely then caught us on the break quickly flicking it passed Michael while we had relaxed a little but this only spurred us on and Nick scored another two to finish the first half 6-1 up. In the second half our defence tightened up a little trying not to concede any more goals, although Michael still had to knock a few loose balls away & make one or two important saves to keep them out. Our lads were now passing the ball more accurately & getting in front of there goal to score with confidence as Ely tired. Nick scored two more & Adam,Robert & Colin took one each to finish the game winners 11-1.

Second game against Peterborough B:

This Peterborough team were a new & inexperienced side so we thought we could practise & perfect  some of the passing moves learnt in recent weeks. By the end of the first half Nick had scored six, Robert three, Adam two & Jake/Colin one each. Michael hardly had a touch of the ball so at half time (13-0 up) David had a word with the team to go easier on them in the second half (fearing a white wash) & pass the ball around more, without scoreing too many. Just to prove they weren’t listening they scored another twelve goals between them & its a pity Peterborough couldn’t have scored, just one goal would have kept there chins up more. We have all been there & im sure they will soon be getting on the score sheet more often as they play games, getting better with time as we did. Letchworth finished 25-0 up.

Third game against Ely Green:

This game couldn’t have been more different from the last as Ely Green are a good side with one player (Sam No 6) in particular amongst all the action, often scoreing most of the goals. We knew this was going to be a tough game & the lads were expecting a real battle. They got it from the first whistle as Ely came at us strongly getting in behind our defence & fireing off a few shots in quick succession but Michael saved them pushing the ball to Adam who passed it forward finding Nick who blasted it into the back of there net 1-0. Then Sam dribbled through & fired it into our net 1-1, this carried on for the whole 15 mins going from end to end forcing both keepers to make plenty of saves to keep the scores down. Adam scored another two & Robert one, then Ely scored another two finishing the first half Letchworth 4-3 up.The lads came off looking exhausted but after a drink & a rest  were revived again.The second half was much the same & David rotated the team by subbing every few minutes to rest them as much as possible. Ely scored again making it 4-4 but we werent finished yet as our good ball passing found Nick in front of goal who flicked it into the corner of the net 5-4 up. We were getting more & more tired over the last five minutes as the lads had given every bit of energy they had & when Sam dribbled through again Michael couldn’t keep it out making it 5-5. Ely scored again soon after making it 5-6, then Robert chased a ball into the corner with an Ely player getting unbalanced & hitting his head against the side wall ‘OUCH’. He was taken off to get some first aid to an applause from the crowd but thankfully later recovered. Ely made a last dash at our goal dummying Michael to flick past & win, Letchworth 5, Ely Green 7. Hard luck Letchworth you showed true spirit & determination, with a little work on the defence side of the team things are looking promissing for this season.

Our next tournament is on 5th November at Bushfields hosted by Peterborough A, see you there.

ATB

Paul Adams