LX Ladies is an England Hockey touring side drawing player from across the whole of the United Kingdom & for those who may wonder LX stands for “60” and not “extra-large”!!
This season was the first time since its formation in 2016 that LX ladies was in a position to enter two teams into a tournament, a testament to how much the club has grown and prospered during the past two years. Our O60 and O65 squads travelled to Tilburg in the Netherlands to compete in a round robin competition playing against two England teams, two Dutch teams, Alliance and of course each other.
We (Lizzie Thomas and I) didn’t have the best start to our travels with Lizzie failing miserably to master Satnav volume control for the whole journey, at least the kind machine beeping at us continuously and extremely loudly every few minutes helped to keep us within the speed limits!! The lost ticket at the airport “meet and greet” didn’t bode well either but it was found eventually locked in the boot. And Lizzie’s “unstable” suitcase foxed the automatic Bag drop for some time but eventually she managed to get it to lie down and we were off and running.
Travelling with numerous 60+ players has certain drawbacks as we rarely remember who we are or what we are supposed to be doing and this was conformed when we met up with, ex Kettering player, Sherry Shawcross. Sherry managed to “lose” her passport at least twice in the first few hours and rather strangely put on her sun glasses (indoors of course) to try and work out how to charge her phone! Situations similar to these continued throughout the tour and are far too numerous and generally too bizarre to mention………………...
The first day of competition arrived and our youngsters played the Golden Girls and the Dutch Ladies while myself and the oldies took on England O60’s and Alliance. It was a chance for the teams to get to know each other and start to bond as a team and this we did. We had a fabulous Chinese buffet in the evening at Tilburg HC then it was back to the hotel for drinkies –and more team building!!!
Day two and we all made it to the pitch thanks to our superb chauffeurs (four tag-along partners) and a huge thank you goes to them for all their help transporting kit and players backwards and forwards for the three days. Thanks also to David for the continuous supply of tea and sympathy Well perhaps not the sympathy but definitely the tea.
Second day of competition and our O60’s took on England O65’s England O60’s LX O 65’s and Alliance whilst the O65’s took on the Golden Girls the Dutch Ladies LX O60’s and England O65’s
Another great day although a little concerned for our 65+ captain Sue who seemed to have forgotten everyone’s name, playing positions and the reason we were all gathered together on the training pitch. I carefully explained to her that my name was Jan and we were here to play Hockey. She seemed to get a better grip on events and continued to function as our superb captain. It seemed that nobody else could remember names or positions either so maybe it was something in the air or possibly the buffet and drinkies from the night before taking effect.
Fantastic meal in the evening at the Club with a three-course meal interspersed with great music from the New Manhattan Big Band and the 4 Fun-Amersfoort Quartet. Not sure about other tables but our two, (OK three) bottles of Prosecco went down a treat. Finally, to round off the evening nobody will ever forget Anne and Jacky’s “Macarena” – we have all really tried but unfortunately, we still keep remembering it!
Finals day, and at last and we were able to support each other in the play-offs. The very best match of the day was, without doubt, the battle between our very own O60’s team and the England O65’s. Such an even affair in a game that could have gone either way – then all appeared lost when England were awarded a stroke. We should not have worried however, our crazy Goal keeper stepped up and pulled off a magnificent save to keep us in the game. The noise made by the spectators was, I believe, heard as far away as Eindhoven, all flights temporarily grounded. While the England squad were still recovering from the shock a powerful run down the right followed by an exquisite cross found our striker in exactly the right position to slot home the winner. Though to the final against England O60’s and despite a great display against arguably the best team England have ever fielded our ladies settled for the well-deserved Silver medal.
Disappointed? Maybe, but then at the final presentation our super LX ladies O60 team were the first team ever to receive Gilbert Leene’s new “Sportswomanship” award of the tournament voted on by the umpires. I may be a little old fashioned but I believe this to be as important if not more important than the gold medal.
Our O65 team came 4th overall and congratulations go to Bill Greenwood who was also playing at the Tilburg Tournament for “Alliance”, a team made up of players from around the world.
14 players new to LX were welcomed into the family and turned out to be as crazy as the rest of us so all bodes well for the future. Everyone enjoyed the experience and our philosophy of playing hard but always having fun.
Kettering players Jannie and Bill Greenwood & ex Kettering players Sherry Shawcross (now playing for Bridgend H.C.) & Lizzie Thomas (now playing for Wildcatz H.C.).)
Barcelona beware - here we come!!

GRAND MASTERS WORLD CUP – BARCELONA 20TH June – 1st July

Our Tilburg Tour was dedicated to our wonderful friend and colleague who sadly collapsed and died on the Hockey pitch just three weeks before this tournament.

Maggie Fasey 10th December 1954 – 21st April 2018

OVER 60’s REGIONAL TOURNAMENT
12th – 13th May 2018 @ Basingstoke Hockey Club

Another great weekend of Hockey, this time playing against my LX team mates as they arrived in Basingstoke to compete for their regions in the annual 60+ tournament.
We, the Midlands, took on the West in our first game of the day but unfortunately soon found ourselves two goals down. A great fight back saw us draw level but a goal against in the dying moment of the game saw the West snatch victory. A couple of hours rest and game two against the North ended in a 1 – 1 draw.
A very pleasant meal and singalong in the evening with the other teams took us through to day two
The game against the East was a very even affair which gave us another well-earned 1 – 1 draw and after just one hours rest we took on the South. We were no match however for the eventual winners of the tournament and lost by one goal to three. We finished 4th overall in a very closely fought competition.
Kettering players Jannie and ex Kettering players Sherry Shawcross (now playing for Bridgend H.C.) & Liz Dakin “EAST” (now playing for City of Peterborough H.C.)