BDHC awards and presentations 2014/15
Thank you and I hope you have all enjoyed your meal.
We’d like to thank the Baskervilles & staff for hosting us and making us welcome for another year.
After an action packed season I’m delighted to see so many here tonight to celebrate the rollercoaster ride we have been on since August and to recognise efforts and performances along the way.
First of all we should all appreciate those that have given so much of their time on your behalf to bring tonight together. Jen, Sue and Nadine have put a huge amount of effort into deliver tonight so can you all please show your appreciation.
Juniors
Although we have a pleasing number of new and returning senior players to our club the key to our continued success comes as a result of our excellent junior coaching enjoyed by so many from 5 upwards on Saturday mornings. Jon and Sue Oakley again are the driving force behind this but assisted by Mark Lovejoy and Mark Cox, other seniors along with our young leaders. Their time devoted has allowed the young players a taste of team hockey at numerous venues on Sunday mornings at U12 & U14 age groups and will continue to provide the future talent in the club following in the footsteps of Biggs, Bates, Thomas, ONeil, Raffan, Gregson, Jacklin, Sedgewick, Allen, Curtis, Oakley, the list is extensive and we are proud of you all.
Umpires and fixtures
The administration of our matches has been extremely well managed again this season with the cooperation of our captains but mainly through the efforts of our fixture secretary and umpires without whom we would have no hockey.
Eddie Bennett is stepping down as fixture secretary this year after many years of service to the club and we take the opportunity of thanking him for his work behind the scenes, when we all hope for a bit of winter snow and frost Eddie has feared the additional work it created him. We have a small gift to say thank you.
Simon Wilmot as a result of injury has umpired around 1/3 of all games this season and arranged officials for the rest. Again Tony Gregson has given most to the cause as a non-player and those two, although not here tonight deserve a huge thank you but in addition to that most help has been given by Shane, Phil and Andy Gregson and we have a small thank you gift for you too.
It is vital that the burden is not shared by too few and whether player or not we need more umpiring options
Teams
In addition to leagues we have been more active than ever in cup competitions from U16 and U18 level through to senior and mixed teams outdoors as well as another brief venture into indoor competition. At the junior levels very young squads were given baptisms of fire by players at the top of their age range and this will give them experience for future years when the playing field is more level. At the senior end the mixed teams enjoyed a good run but were halted by one of the favourites. We hope to make more progress in this area through summer tournaments and into next year.
Ladies 1’s
The ladies 1's started the season off to a high standard, each week battling against good opposition, many times dominating the game, but were very unfortunate to not see themselves take home more wins which they thoroughly deserved. The season then got progressively tougher due to many players being injured or down to pregnancy (not very well timed Jen Jackson!) and each week struggling to put out a team. They all need to pat themselves on the back, as it's not been easy going, but not once have their heads fallen, the camaraderie between the players has never faltered, and the effort and commitment is always 110%.
We've got an extremely strong foundation of players, with many players moving up from the Ladies 2's. Next season we will be in a different league, so we've got something to prove. If we continue playing as a team, keep up our commitment then we will come back harder and stronger and be the team to watch out for. Each week the ladies battle it out for our very prestigious awards, Man of the Match and Dick of the Day. So this season as voted by you the players MOM goes to a player who's game has greatly improved and each week plays her socks off, award goes to Becky Allam and the DOD goes to someone who fights every other player each week to guarantee winning this award, and it goes to Jan Havemann.Top goal scorer for the Ladies 1's and also club ladies top scorer with a whopping 10 goals goes to Gemma Catlin. Players Player - This was a tough decision this season as there are so many players who are eligible for this award. But this person always gives total commitment, turns up to training week after week, even when injured (which unfortunately is every week!) will help out anyway possible, is always the first to give encouragement, will happily play any position asked off them, (from defence, to forward to even goalie). Her game this season has vastly improved and she is now a force to be reckoned with!! Award goes to Jan Havemann.
Ladies 2s
Here we are, 60 packs of Jaffa cakes and a million Jelly Babies later, we have reached the end of a sugar filled season. I am immensely proud to say finishing mid-table (ish!). Growing as a team this year not only have we seen the addition of multiple new players, but the development and achievement of younger players moving to ladies ones hockey. We are a very family orientated team, both literally with many mums and daughters and also through the support and dedication shown by the group throughout the season, whatever the conditions rain or shine the team will be there and Dawn is very grateful for that. Furthermore the team are extremely thankful to Graham Brewer, who has in addition to coaching has given up endless hours not only to support, but to encourage, entertain and enable our skill set to expand; may this continue next season with the help of a piñata or two along the way. Overall, Dawn just wants to express how proud she is to have been part of this energised and enthusiastic team, we have had many triumphs throughout the season and I am eager to see what the next one holds for us but I would like to add to that a huge thank you to Dawn for her organisation and enthusiasm despite many challenges and would like to present on behalf of her squad a gift of thanks for her efforts
Ladies 2 player – A mid-field dynamo who has recently joined the club and immediately fitted into the squad. She assists other players whenever possible and has keenly shown her abilities when asked to step into the 1st team – congratulations go to - Keeley Mooney
Mens 1
A mixture of fortunes this season with some returning faces. Safety in a difficult league looked to be a minimum but after a difficult start it became clear that they were a force in the league. Unfortunately James Page had to relocate for work and James Sharpe stepped forward only to be dragged into a contentious situation at Ipswich (who went on to secure promotion) and paying the price with a ban. Richard Collins took the helm for the remainder and with bright positive performances from young Tom Everton, Simon Thomas and Dan Tyler adding to the proven talent within the team. Injuries to Biggs and Clarkson were blows to their chances ultimately finishing 4th with 13 wins 3 draws and 6 losses.
However when I watched the team demolish the league winning Spalding team I was convinced that next year should be an opportunity to be grasped by them.
Top Goalscorer with 19 goals in a shortened season was Stuart Biggs
Players player is an understated force within a squad of large personalities, he delivers consistent performances for his team turning a solid defence into attacks with high pace. Congratulations to Phil Arnold
Mens 2 Summary of the season:
The men’s 2s started the season with a justifiable ambition of competing for promotion. On paper, a strong squad featuring a healthy balance of youth and experience. Early results backed up pre season confidence as, after losing only once in the first 5 games, BDHC2s were up there amongst the front runners.
However high levels of unavailability, injuries and call-ups to the first team meant that the illustrious ‘on paper’ squad was rarely assembled. A lack of consistency took its toll and the 2s had a painful run into the Christmas break.
The first 2 games of the New Yearconfirmed their status as potential relegation fodder. However, around this time, the return of Andy Briault, and the increasing availability of Matt Sutterby and Andy Fletcher after a long period of absence bolstered the side at a critical point..
As a result they took a vital 12 points from the last 7 games to narrowly avoid relegation at the death – agonisingly missing out on an additional point against runaway league champions Cambridge Nomads with the very last hit of the season. On balance, to avoid relegation was no more than the squad deserved; the core team displayed tremendous commitment to keeping the 2s in Div 3, and played some very good, disciplined hockey along the way, especially in the latter half of the season.
The signs are encouraging for next year – we finally settled upon an effective formation, established strength in key positions and developed some real backbone in the side. The youth policy is working well too; Sam Curtis made a valuable and enthusiastic addition to the side post-Christmas, and regulars Owen Raffan, Tom Everton, Simon Thomas and Dan Tyler all not only consolidated their positions but continued to develop as players. All these youngsters had call-ups to the 1s, with varying regularity, throughout the season which is testament to their ability and the club’s development efforts
Special mention should also go to Top scorer, Simon Thomas, contributed 8 goals along with boundless enthusiasm and energy (though a few more goals would have been nice too!).
Graham Brewer was his usual dependable, stoic, self and thanks also to Jason Purllant who responded to the club’s goalkeeping shortage by donning the pads and re-living former glories for the last 5 games of the season – some critical saves, along with his massive goal tally (2), from earlier in the season, may just have made the difference!
Players player for the mens 2’s - A welcome early addition to the squad. His versatility, reliability and commitment (and huge goal haul…of 3) made him invaluable during a challenging season. The winner is Scott Downie
Mens 3’s
Jon Oakley took the 3’s into territory I never managed and that was to unbeaten in the first 3 matches. It was clear who the top teams were and we duly lost to them first time around but the mix of youth and experience helped to consolidate a position of safety. In the second half of the season the performances were strong and Beating Spalding 4.3 and narrowly losing to the league winners Horncastle were particularly satisfying after the first time out. Andrew Vartan top scored with Ollie Vartan contributing when not travelling. Jon Oakley, unshackled from the responsibility of captain by talismanic Joe Allen, showed his deadly force in front of goal, while Richard Baker on a sortie from Sweeper failed in his attempt to destroy the ball when 3 feet in the air – a legendary miss! An excellent 4th place league finish.
Players player -Some outstanding performances from the youth this year who appeared from the lower teams and progressed on higher teams. Ben Jacklin and James Gregson terrorised defenders in all areas, Sam Curtis showed excellent composure in defence but for his consistent, brave and at times miraculous performances mens 3rd team players player is Jack Langley.
Mens 4s
A very creditable display this season under Eliots guidance. Finished 6th place – conceded 49 – scored 77.
Outstanding games – tough but 1-1 Leadenham, 4-3 win over March away
New players: Neil Jones (taking it back up), Cees Bennett (taking it back up), Steve Powell
Special thanks to those that have dropped and come up from 5s all have played excellently.
Top goalscorer – with 23 goals scored we have among the 4’s the club top scorer this season (7 or 8 should have been others but for touches from him on the line) –but that is the way he plays and he reliably delivers! Top goalscorer Tim Kisiel
Players player – outstanding work ethic/willing to learn/stick skills have improved drastically/ will be one of the best winger in the club within the next 2 seasons – I look forward to seeing this. Jonathan Allen
Mens 5
Generally the 5ths seemed to play better against better opposition. Probably the best games were against Leadenham on 24th Jan, a tough game against a very strong opposition and all our games against Grantham especially our last game against them when we came back from 1-0 down.
Mike Bradshaw consistently linked play and Richard Gray and Muddy Waters showed why they have scored so many goals over the seasons. Special mention for Terrys fantastic season in goal. Finished – undetermined- either 1st or 2nd
Top goalscorer – probably Muddy – 18 goals scored closely followed by Richard Gray who we believe is on 17
Players player – first season outstanding performances/one of the first name on the team sheets. Zach Morley
Mens 6
Dave Sarsby has taken the role of 6th team captain and provided a great opportunity to players of all age and experience to play league hockey with fathers and sons playing alongside each other at various times. Although the results never seemed to quite come I believe from what I have seen that it is not without the effort and application of the squad. Always difficult in a league where the ability range can vary so much. Ray Isaac continues to astound but at times was a little busier than he would have hoped and having made double saves to see the third attempt to find the net leaves a goalkeeper wondering what they need to do.