About 250 people played hockey for Ipswich Hockey Club over the weekend and we played everywhere from West London to East Suffolk. I’m a natural pesoptimist, which is a word I’ve made up but I quite like it – I think it means one can go from euphoria to despair in a matter of seconds. The club leadership is made up quite a few of this tribe; one minute we’re negotiating a pothole or a flood in the car park, searching for more coaches or handling heaven knows how many queries but the next we’re bouncing off the walls when we hear how that women's 5s won or our U14 boys are now progressing all the way to the big league! More of their performance below.

If you are free on Sunday, please come to TR to support the Men’s 1s at 2pm; they have a must win game against Bromley and Beckenham and a win will take them out the relegation zone and onto 10 points. Every bit of support helps and you can even stay behind afterwards to watch the mighty Men’s O40s against Norwich. What other way to spend a Sunday!

Winter is well and truly upon us; cold hands and dodgy muscles, but the heating in the bar is now working a treat and the beer is still flowing upstairs. A few congratulations must be given this weekend – the Women’s 5s won 1-0 – well done! The Men’s 2s beat local rivals Norwich with a mature 4-0 performance, the Men’s 3s did what the Men’s 3s are doing this year (scored another hatful) and the Men’s 4s, newly promoted shored up their position in mid table with a humdinger of a 3-2 win.

But the teams that impressed most again this week were the juniors…matches for U18, U16, U14 and U12 and training matches (in the freezing cold) for U10 / U8s. See below for their reports, but note especially the Boys 14 – they’ve beaten all the top teams in East Anglia and are now off to the nationals – well done to everyone involved.

A quick point on the social – please buy your Christmas tickets online for £5, we’ve over 50 people joining from all the teams and it will be a Christmas Spectacular. We just need a Santa Claus to deliver 3 points for a few teams in December…

Best to all, Wardy

Girls U18 Indoor
Runners up in the tournament - so close! First game Vs old loughts won 2 0 started off slowly but began to work together as a team and passed the ball around using the walls to our advantage. Vs Chelmsford won 4 0 with some great individual skills to pick apart the opposition and shared the goals around.

Final Vs Cambridge city went 1 0 up but Cambridge gained the advantage in the 2nd half to win 3 1. Great effort from all the girls and with all bar 1 available for next year maybe with some training could get even better. Played with 7 players 2 who have never played indoor from 5 different schools!

Girls U14
This group are coming together, they lost 0-2 but they are getting better and better each match and most importantly the squad is growing! Well done, they are a super bunch and we know they have a very bright future ahead of them.

Boys U16
5-0 loss after a tough 1st half, going into the break at 0-4 but a much better second half, don’t forget they are playing the national league equivalent for Boys U16!
Ipswich U14 boy's tier 1 triangular with Cambridge (2-1) and Old Loughtonians (3-0)

Once the team had got a selfie with tiktok star Nathan (NMF hockey). Our first game of the day was against Cambridge who had hosted us for a thriller earlier in the autumn. They'd already played and beaten Old Loughts beforehand so were nicely warmed up. With a different team out from last time we began with some great passing and moving. Toby deflecting in our first goal from a neatly worked bit of play. Cambridge responded fairly quickly unpicking our defence before getting a scrambled rebound effort after Duncan kept the first shots out.

With the midfield working hard to attack and then win back the ball Benji and Charlie put in a sterling effort. The second half saw more of the same and Toby slotted home his second to put us in front again. With some great saves from Duncan and lots of running from all the score ended at 2-1, a great game of hockey and man of the match Toby.

A brief ten minute break to cool down and watch some hockey on the next pitch it was back to the whiteboard and tactics for the Old Loughts game. It was really pleasing to see the team working better together with more fluent passing. Benji opened the scoring with a penalty corner rebound strike with Thomas then adding another before half time. The second half continued the trend with Thomas getting another, and there keeper saving several very good shots.

With each game there is visible progress in the teams game play. Man of the match for the second game goes to Charlie for his work rate and getting his head up to make lots of great passes.

Thank you to all the parents who ferried kids to London and supported from the sides while slowly freezing. After Christmas we've qualified for the national rounds so watch this space for further details and well done to all the boys.

Boys U12
Tournament at Magpies….the fought hard on a freezing cold day and there were some notable performances, they were however, up against some much older boys. They came mid table in their respective Gold and Silver groups and continue to get experience under their belts and scored some fabulous goals. They have a very bright future and with the victorious U10s team (from a few weeks ago) coming up behind them this age group have a very promising future.

Girls U12
They were superb. A first tournament for many of them and they made coaches Wardy and Wrinchy very proud. Special mentions to Chloe, U10s superstar in goal and Florence, a new U12’s keeper who did rather well against a very mature opposition. There were plenty of clean sheets and their win against Bury was a delight to watch….keep your stick on the ground in the ‘D’ when then cross comes in – they did just that. I’m impressed with their progress this year and the group is growing seemingly every single week. Furthermore, some of the girls also then played U14s – quite an effort. Thank you to all the parents as well - their support, feedback and encouragement is greatly appreciated and we do enjoy coaching them.

Men’s 1st XI
Score: Indian Gymkhana 8 - 1 Ipswich
Man of Match: Elliot Steele
DOTD: Elliot Steele

A cold and wet day awaited the boys as they travelled away to Indian Gymkhana, who coming into the game had an almost flawless start to the season. We knew it was going to be a tough game.

The day started off quick with gymkhana getting three goals within the first 10 minuets. A tough start. The boys battled on and at times controlled the game. The birthday boy Oscar Taylor put a shift in in the midfield and even his footwork to obtain his green card was with perfect control. Halftime score was 5-0 after two quick counter-attacks towards the end of the half.

Ipswich came out like a different team in the second half and after controlling the midfield, an opportunity opened up. A quick pass through the middle from our captain Big Mitts led to a brilliant opportunity. Louis Cannon took the ball brilliantly with one touch through the last defender and onto Elliot Steele, who calmly shifted the keeper and slotted the ball in with a backhand slide to make the score 5-1.

A valiant effort from our defenders then took place while the opposition peppered them with through balls and quick play. Honourable mentions go out to Josh Fry’s right hand and Ben Dykes left foot who both sadly lost their lives in this effort.

Despite the best efforts of a wounded Ipswich, the Gymkhana team made up of the most capped Welsh international and three Pakistani internationals who will shortly be playing in their county’s Olympic qualifiers, powered on and finish the game 8-1. A tough day out for the boys but a lot learned as we move on with the season.

The men’s ones play at home in their next game against Bromley and Beckenham. A 14:00 pushback at Tuddenham Road and a must watch final game before the Christmas break.

Mens’ 2nd XI
Two firsts for the Men’s 2’s – no cards and a first clean sheet saw JC’s men to a comfortable 4-0 victory against Norwich City.

Ipswich had to weather a tough opening period and defended four consecutive short corners brilliantly, with Jez called in to action several times with quality saves. Slightly against the run of play, the home side opened the scoring in the 13th minute. After a melee in the area and with Foxy still calmly advising the umpire he might like to consider a short corner, Windy half-volleyed the ball between City defenders to open the scoring. Ipswich now took the upper hand and prompted by some terrific runs and distribution from Charlie, Oscar and Jakob down the flanks, the home side started to dominate. The midfield, bolstered this week by the returning Joe Henderson and another star turn from Max, completely dominated and just before half-time, a terrific flowing move up the pitch saw Max find Windy unmarked in the area who slid the ball wide of the keeper for Paddy who appeared from nowhere to tap in from close range.

The second-half started perfectly for Ipswich. Another pacey counterattack from the back found Baler in midfield with time to find Wardy bearing down on the City area. As so often during the game, the risky City tactics of playing just three at the back left them outnumbered and Wardy played Windy clean through to finish past the keeper. With JC and his back four largely untroubled now, the front six pushed forward at will, with Pete W and Mikey causing all sorts of issues for the City defence, marshalled brilliantly as ever by Baler. Ipswich finally won their first short corner in the 69th minute and after another corner was awarded, finished off the game with their fourth. Wardy’s direct strike was well saved and via Windy and Jakob, Baler finished from close range to continue his fine scoring run. Job done and another valuable three points.

Men’s 3rd XI
A late pushback under the watchful eyes of the second team (although I think they were focusing on celebrating a well deserved win more than watching us). The first ten minutes seemed like a game of chess with each side trying to figure out and get past the other. Fortunately the deadlock was broken by a well worked team goal with Sam finishing off.
Passes got better and when we moved the ball quickly shot after shot was had, the Magpie's keeper was certainly their man-of-the-match in the first half with some outrageous saves. Eventually Fred opened his account with a textbook reverse before getting another before halftime.

The second half carried on like the end of the first with more territory and shots, a few breakaways took some chasing back and MOM Adam was on it time and again. For a change our short corners were profitable with at least three goals to TPF slotting them down the middle. Sam was electric with lightning fast runs and great crosses through the D with Archie connecting on one to add to the tally.

DOD was a one horse race (except for Archie's bambi on ice impression) with Oli setting a neat starting twelve out on the pitch. Umpire Flett was less impressed with our 4-4-3 line up! To compensate we set out with only ten for the second half to cement the nomination.

A mention must be made of Fred who secured yet another hat trick but wasn't content with a standard three goal haul - topping it up with a hat trick of post shots too, apparently this was the fault of the fish and chips sloshing round his guts - perhaps the DOD wasn't such a shoe in for Oli after all!

Overall much better shape than our last outing against Sudbury, although plenty of room for improvement as always.

Men’s 4th XI W3-2

Men’s 5th XI D2-2 (excellent result although commiserations and best wishes to Roger Girling who broke his collarbone 1 min 47 seconds in!)

Women’s 1st XI
Ladies 1s travelled to Old Georgians for a chilly Saturday game. Ipswich in the unknown territory again having not met OGs at National League level.

Both teams got off to a good start creating strong forward opportunities. Ipswich built well from defense and midfield; moving the ball around, creating 2v1s and when a gap opened up rewarding the forwards further up the pitch. POTM and the ever hard worker and determined Emma Rix, being everywhere and complementing her teammates to make those balls up to the forwards. Ipswich pressed hard and aggressive forcing the OGs to work harder for their opportunities.

Second quarter brought more end to end hockey. Although OG had more chances with their circle entries, Ipswich remained strong and held well. A few re-awarded penalty corners that Ipswich were able to deny but an upgraded whistle gave OGs a stroke against GK Ali Barham. Solid as a rock, a save in that high pressure situation kept a scoreless draw going into half time.

At some point during the third quarter, OGs found a messy goal to take the lead. Ipswich all of a sudden found themselves 3-0 down. Unable to fathom the 2 minutes of pure chaos, Ipswich struggled to get back on track. Errors became frequent, communications between players became quiet and basics started to unravel. The 4th quarter saw 2 more goals for the opposition which hit some Ipswich players hard when the final whistle was blown.
Of course a very strong stat for the Ladies 1s this week. It goes to Ali Barham, for saving her first penalty stroke in years!! Proving she's still got it.

A tough reflection on personal and team performance to address the cracks and iron out the finer margins. Ultimately that is what will make the team better. Going into the final week before the Christmas break, Ipswich are at home against Horsham; whom they met first game of the season and came away with their first and only win so far… can they reproduce that win and take the 3 points.

Women’s 2nd XI
This week the Ladies 2s travelled away for their match against an unknown Newmarket side. Brimming with positivity from a great performance the week before and a strong mid-week training session, hopes were high for another positive result.

Typically Ipswich set out to play fast, expansive hockey but were thwarted by an undulating sandy pitch, reminiscent of old skool Tuddenham Road! Not to be disheartened, the whole team dug deep and when the opportunities arose, showed off their individual skill and passing prowess to threaten the opposition, often through Chloe Mac up front.
A re-shuffle in defence, due to illness, gave Lauren Selby the opportunity to show her adaptability, supported by the dependable Ellie Scott and Emma Winchester on either side. In mid-field Sophie M slipped seamlessly into a central midfield role and dominated with strength and speed.

Somewhat frustrated and against a home side who played to the conditions, Ipswich found themselves unable to unlock the opposition, who capitalised with an open play goal in each half and a short corner score to leave the visitors suffering a 3-0 defeat; a scoreline that did not reflect the commitment and numerous positive phases of play demonstrated by the Ipswich players. Bring on the return fixture at Tuddenham Road!

Women’s 3rd XI
The in-form L3 hosted Dereham, top of the league on an icy morning at Tuddenham Rd. A delayed start to help the pitch defrost pushed back 15 minutes late and the teams seemed evenly matched. A competitive first half saw both teams attacking and keeping possession and a completely flukey reverse chip surprised everyone, including the Dereham player when it ended up in the goal, lobbing the all the spectating players.

Foxy kept us positive with a team talk that praised the team’s efforts and cohesiveness and we started the second half strongly, attacking down the right with Jane and Lucia and putting their defence under pressure. What came next was unfortunate as we seemed to open up down the middle for Jules to contend one on one with their striker who twice in two minutes scored the same dribble around the keeper goal despite the best efforts of our defence to poke the ball away last minute. We regained control after that and played out the rest of the match in a low sun making distinguishing shirt colours nigh on impossible.

A glorious comeback to hockey for Lucy Southgate, narrowly pipped to MoM but the industrious Haz who was in every corner of the pitch, putting in a mature performance beyond her years. Not a top v bottom of the league trouncing and positivity continues to dominate the team’s lexicon. 0-3 to Dereham.

Women’s 4th XI - postponed

Women’s 5th XI
Ladies 5 travelled to Felixstowe this weekend for a cold but sunny game. The game was very much end to end with both teams having lots of shots on goal. Isla and Clara our young goalies who shared the match did a brilliant job of keeping the ball out of the goal. Allie Olling scored the winning goal from a short corner after about 20 minutes. We then managed to keep the score to 1-0 for the rest of the match. We hope Leanna is healing well after a very hard smash on the shin.

Stats – the club abacus is currently at the repair shop after more Fred Weller Goals – to return next week!