Sue Stenson and her merry band pulled off a cracking Christmas party. The decorations were up, the bar was packed with over 70 people from all the teams – men, women and juniors - and we saw out the first half of the season in style. The event set a high bar for future nights! Is a mark of a good night at the club measured in the state of the floor the next morning? Who knows but importantly the night catered for everyone and there was glamour and glitz on show from all whom attended.

More pictures from the night to follow! The quiz night is the next official social although keep your eyes peeled for a Boxing Day Tinsel event which we’re looking into.

Reports below, stats will be released separately next week along with an update for what’s happening after Christmas with regards to training dates, re-arranged matches and a wider schedule of events for the second half of the season.

U8 and U10s Festivals
Sunday saw the U10s run 4 (yes, 4!) mixed teams at IES whilst the U8s had a very successful festival at Tuddenham. The U10s won every match they played and although it was a fun tournament, their quality shone through. The U8s, also looked and played the part, all the hard work for beginners hockey is paying off. The thanks cannot go far enough for the junior coaching staff who bleary eyed made these events happen. I know how much the children enjoy these events, they are hard to organise but they make all the training worthwhile. For those parents still awaiting shirts we are told the junior kit is in a container on the ocean and to set expectations we feel it is unlikely that they will be in your hands before Christmas; we’re doing our best but we've had an overwhelming demand. If you have not received your sweatshirt yet then please do contact Dave Cooper on a Sunday morning. Dave is master and commander of more than just Felixstowe Docks – he's the one making our junior section tick so well.

The junior section has an amazing buzz about it as we go from strength to strength. Our latest achievement is that the U14 Boys have been crowned East Region Champions and will progress through to the Supra-league in the New Year. We have worked hard to ensure all age groups are catered for and that regular fixtures and tournaments form part of our regular wider hockey provision. From the happy faces and smiles this seems to be working. Our best Sunday so far is 116 U18’s out accessing hockey which is an amazing accomplishment.

Women's 1s / Men's 1s - no matches

Women's 2s
In a thrilling midday encounter marked by persistent rain, Ipswich 2s showcased their prowess in a dominant performance against Kettering. The match unfolded with a flurry of goals, ultimately culminating in a well-deserved victory for the home side.
Rixie, making a return to the team after an absence, immediately made her presence felt on the pitch. Displaying a seamless blend of skill and determination, she played a pivotal role in the team's offensive efforts.

Wingar, too, made a memorable return, putting on a stellar performance that demonstrated why she is a valuable asset to the squad. Wingar's ability to control the flow of the game, distribute precise passes showcased her proficiency in the crucial midfield role.

The opening moments of the game were action-packed as Goals 1 and 2 arrived in quick succession, demonstrating the offensive prowess of the home team. Emilia showcased her finishing skills by converting both of the chances, while Emma W unleashed a cracking strike that found the back of the net, courtesy of a deflection by Chloe W.

Throughout the first half, Ipswich 2s maintained excellent ball possession, consistently pressuring Kettering with relentless attacking chances. The cohesive teamwork and strategic play left the opposition struggling to gain control.

As the teams emerged for the second half, Ipswich 2s continued to dictate the tempo. Chloe W, in particular, delivered a stellar performance, putting away three more goals and earning herself the well-deserved Player of the Match award.

Despite Kettering managing to capitalize on a couple of opportunities and slotting one into the bottom corner, the defensive trio of Ellie, Beth, and Emma stood firm, preventing any further inroads. The resilience and unity of the defensive line ensured that we maintained control of the game.

The commitment and determination of the entire team were evident throughout the match, with players supporting each other and never relenting in their pursuit of excellence. The relentless effort and excellent teamwork on display were key factors in securing the victory.

In summary, the rainy midday clash concluded with a commanding performance from Ipswich, as they celebrated a well-deserved triumph over Kettering. The goals, the solid defense, and the outstanding teamwork were the highlights of an exceptional display of Hockey. The victory serves as a testament to the team's skill, resilience, and collective spirit.

Women's 3s
The Ladies 3s set out to Watton on a rainy and windy December morning. An unusual starting line up with regular forward and co-captain Lucy stepping into the Goal Keeper position (thanks Stretch for the kit). After a few question marks over whether the game would go ahead, Watton players with broom sticks in hand, cleared enough of the pond on pitch to convince the umpires it was playable, Ipswich were happy to oblige, not wanting to waste a journey up to Watton.

Both teams started strong and some excellent defending from Ipswich protected their stand in keeper. After sustained pressure from Watton, we got the ball on a counter attack, and quick thinking from Vicky Wiles, saw us in the D and Becky Taliku slotting the ball between the keepers legs. More end to end play followed before Watton capitalised on some pinball in our defensive D and finally pushed it over the line. The teams were evenly poised 1-1 at half time. Cue a motivational speech from Slogan.

Second half, Ipswich came out looking the stronger, and again went ahead through a nicely worked slip left on a penalty corner, finishing with Lily Dobbs slapping it to the backboard. Unfortunately, this was quickly answered by Watton.

Watton continued to pile the pressure on in the final 10 minutes, but some heroic defending from our back three, Slogan, Jeffers and Ellie, saw the final whistle at 2-2. Despite the questionable sweet and sour pineapple chicken curry for match tea, we left Watton with a point and lots of grins.

MoM - Lucy (for her superb work in goal)

Women's 4s
Whilst the result was mildly disappointing (when isn’t a loss to IES disappointing?) Chele’s army of 12 can hold their heads high as a patched up team held the lead for much of the first half against the 15 of IES. In fact were it not for a string of decent saves the lead could have been better with the dynamic Stens (superb as always) denied at point blank range as she sought to add to another PC goal from the brilliant Phoebe P who sadly now departs for Australia for a month. She will be sorely missed when we play the postponed game at Christchurch on Saturday.

Phoebe led the early race for WOTW and POTD buy both ignoring countless messages to wear white socks and then by scoring. Other players who caught the eye of the coach included both Emilys (I&C) with the former displaying a competitive streak hitherto not seen on a hockey pitch whilst the latter, despite having to play in defence, contributed a number of aggressive runs up the side-lines to the supporting screams of her mother to use her long legs! The defence held strong under the leadership of Chele who managed to play with both a broad smile and an anti-IES snarl at the same time; no doubt Gary receives a similar look over the dinner table. Abby ran her socks off to repel the youthful right-winger when IES did manage to break through Char belied her lack of GK experience with some great saves. A moment here to reflect on Char’s contribution to the team this year first as a defender and now as an emergency GK – what a team player she is and those who have seen her play will recognise how well suited she is to GK wielding her hockey stick in one hand like Thor’s hammer. The other player I want to single out for praise is Anna G who has improved in leaps and bounds this year as her confidence has surged; once again she put in a real shift to support Abby on the left as well as breaking forward and carrying the ball with real purpose.

IES fought back in the second half from a well worked goal direct from a PC, followed up by 2 similar goals as they drove hard into the D from the R before slipping the ball back for a sweep into the goal despite the best efforts of the defence. Ipswich HC (it must be hard for the team to understand the coach’s instructions when he keeps shouting ‘Ipswich push up’ in a local derby) came back at them hard with both Vic and Min holding the ball up well for the best efforts of Jess B and Jia (having answered the clarion call to help) to run beyond. Both girls worked really hard with Jia throwing herself into tackles like a woman possessed while Jess played the entire game with a broad smile which belied her steely determination to set up chances. When Min had to leave early to go to London it seemed that all hope was lost however Vic showed flashes of her glory days with a couple of V drag dummies to create openings but it was to no avail as we ran out of puff and IES ran out victors.

So the season continues to broadly follow the same script – we always fight hard against the stronger teams but can’t quite convert our chances and we tend to concede goals in clumps. However the coach has no complaints – we play good positive hockey and we enjoy ourselves. Saturday was a classic example of this and judging by the pictures from the social the L4s disproved the old adage the beers only taste good if you win.

Women's 5s
Conceded however, in brighter news, there are a host of girls who become elligble to play adult hockey after Christmas!

Ipswich 3s
At some point we were going to come across a banana skin and slip up and Newmarket in yellow was it. A solid defence from Newmarket frustrated the Ipswich frequent attacks which kept meeting a wall of yellow in the D.

Fred slotted one in mid way through the first half but the keepers toes and the post kept further efforts out. Sam B had several attempts equally blocked.

At our end Newmarket only managed a couple of entries to the D one of which got a lucky stick to it for their goal mid way through the second half.

With fifteen to go Austin was left eating sand after a double handed shove in the back, while the offending player only got a green much to our disgust. With no subs our decision making in the second half wasn't the usual standard which didn't help us get through their defence. A game of almosts was not what we'd hoped to go into the Christmas break with - but perhaps the custard pie in the face we need to come out stronger in the new year.

Motm was Austin for picking all those midriff high crosses and making his dad run for a tantalising pass in front of him. Dotd was again Oli for various clangs notably looking for his water bottle at half time which was in his hand.

Men’s 2s
Buffeted by strong wind and rain, the 2nd team made the long journey to Kettering without captain JC who was at a ballet gathering.

Spurred on by the unexpected addition of Labradors in the changing room, Ipswich took to the sandiest pitch in East Anglia in good spirits. Ipswich struggled to adapt to a slow pitch and a new-look centre back pairing of Paddy and Martin and some sloppy passing gave Kettering an unopposed shot from 10 yards out which found the corner of the goal.
Having being specifically told to limit the big hit outs from the back, Paddy smashed the ball from just inside his own half, finding Ward at the top of the D. The chairman did what he does best and made room for himself to strike at goal, evening things up at 1-1.

An aerial bombardment followed from Kettering, and soon after a ball across the D was deflected away by Charlie T, only to find it’s way perfectly to bounce off of Martin’s posterior, having found himself prostrate on the turf for some reason, giving away a penalty corner. The setting sun in his eyes (and apparently the colour of the ball) meant Jez found the ensuing drag flick hard to track, putting Kettering ahead again.
Josh Taylor-Grout was a constant threat to the Kettering back line, pestering them with shave tackles and mazy runs. A break down in the D allowed the, aptly nick-named given the weather, Windy, the chance to lob the advancing Keeper on his reverse. As the ball trickled towards the goal, the retreating goalie did the honourable thing, bundling the ball across the line, making sure that the teams went to half time tied at 2-2.

After half time Kettering flew out of the blocks throwing men forwards in attempt to get ahead but the Ipswich defence stood resolute; Baler and Pete W offering outlets to relieve the pressure. Aiden was able to make some mazy runs down the right wing, even when nominally playing at centre-back having replace the injured Paddy after he was bullied off the ball by a 14 year old.

Having weathered the literal and metaphoric storm, Ipswich’s passing began to click, some nice interplay resulting in a shot from the top of the D from Josh which Wardy was unable to turn in at the far post.

A run of Ipswich penalty corners the pressure back on the Kettering defence, and the pressure finally told with the ball falling to Mikey left unmarked at the left post. The German wunderkind was able to remain calm, take a touch to control the ball and turn it into the goal.

A rotating cast of make-shift defenders made sure that Ipswich came back to the Christmas party with the 3 points and on the whole – in the right shoes.

Josh/ Mikey / Pete Wight shared MoTM.

Men’s 4s
4 1 down at half time and then ended up 4 3 at the end. Another five minutes and we would easily have had the fourth if not a fifth. They scored from three short corners in a 10 minute spell in the first half, each one identical to the last and our defence just couldn’t keep them out. Very good game though.

Men’s 5s
No report submitted but I am aware of the thigh of god that took the 1-0 win. Pete Glading picked this up after his trip to Argentina! Very proud of the 5s, you’ll see from the stats next week that they have a record to be rightly proud of as a brand new team. Well done.