News & EventsLatest NewsCalendar
Over 75 Tournament a hit

Over 75 Tournament a hit

Barry Coe9 Apr 2018 - 12:23
Share via
FacebookTwitter
https://www.ketteringhockeyclu

Another successful weekend

Headline- Over 80s win twice!!
The 4th Old Geysers (75+) (or more accurately Vintage Grand Masters) Regional Championship and parallel Aspirants competition took place on April 6th, 7th and 8th on the Wrenn School astro.
Weather conditions were good on the first 2 days, but rather damp for the second half of day 3. Good job the weather forecast was wrong!!
The VGM result hinged on the last Midlands game, against South. At this stage, South had lost 2, East had lost 1 and won 2, West had won 1 drawn 1 and lost 1 and Midlands had won 1 and drawn 1. Points: South - 0, West - 4, East - 6 and Midlands - 4. Although Midlands scored first, South demolished them to allow the East to win the competition.
The group also contained 2 LX Ladies teams and the Over 80s and, because the Regional teams only played on the first 2 days, a team of Ladies and one of men from Kettering,
The results were immaterial (my excuse for failing to ensure that they were all entered correctly), but the highlights were the 2 wins by the over 80s - and their 4 defeats - and the enthusiastic play of young Charlotte Bennett, who bullied all her opponents unmercifully.
The Aspirants (those who aspire to play after they are 75) produced some excellent hockey with the England LX Club taking the honours from Alliance by goal difference, both teams having won 5 out off 6 games.
The Wales and Scotland Over 70 teams fought hard, but the younger legs of their opponents made a lot of difference.
The even younger legs of a Kettering Under 14 squad earned tremendous praise from all their opponents, not only for their skill, but also for their attitude,
politeness and willingness to help out.
William Middleton certainly took on Scottish nationality a couple of times.
On that theme, I am sure the over 80s were disadvantaged because at least 4 of them also played for their Regional teams - that meant 4 games on Friday, 3 on Saturday an 2 on Sunday.
The usual Saturday evening social gathering and buffet at Kettering clubhouse was an excellent occasion, greatly appreciated by all who attended.
Thanks are owed to all those who assisted Jan Randle with providing sustenance for the players, to the umpires, physios and to the Club for supporting the event.
Further reading