Ashford (Middlesex) Hockey Club

This years Dinner Dance will be at the Manor Hotel in Datchet on Saturday 28th April from 7pm onwards.
Slightly different this year, you get to pick your food choice from the menu below. AND if you pre-order your wine, there’s a 10% discount. What with tickets being a bargainous £32.50 and special room rates of £99 for a double bed & breakfast (quote Ashford hockey when booking), hopefully we’ll all have a grand time and have some pennies left for raffle tickets!

I NEED TO HAVE ALL NUMBERS, MONEY & MENU CHOICES BY APRIL 1ST PLEASE!

thanks

Wendy

DATE: SAT 28th APRIL
TIME: 7pm onwards
VENUE: The Manor Hotel, Datchet
TICKET PRICE: £32.50

MENU

Starter

Atlantic prawns and chorizo cocktail with buttered brown bread
Pressed game and wild mushroom terrine with sesame and spring onion dressing
Olive and sun-dried tomato bruschetta with parmesan cheese and pesto sauce (v)

Main

Baked brie and red onion parcel with Cumberland sauce (v)
Pan-fried Scottish salmon supreme with creamy leek and chive sauce
Roasted breast of free-range chicken with bacon scrolls and a thyme and red wine sauce
All main courses are served with thyme roasted potatoes or boiled new potatoes and steamed seasonal vegetables

Dessert

Dark chocolate tart with clotted cream berry pressing
Fresh tropical fruit salad with lemon sorbet
Selection of English cheeses and biscuits

WINES – see attachment

Well after a two year break of the annual challenge game due to snow, the Ashford Antiques (AAs) really turned the heat on against Sunbury Stars of the past (SSOPs) in front of a very large and enthusiastic Ashford crowd at Short Lane on Saturday 17/12/11. The pitch was slightly icy on the dug out side, so the SSOPs and most of the spectators stayed on the sunny clubhouse side rather than the chilly shaded side of the pitch. The traditional pre match photos, ceremonies and exchanging of gifts was followed by the keepers racing to the centre spot from their goals (or top of the D in Ali Boxell’s case) to start the game. From the word go the AAs combined well and belied their ages and played some silky, flowing hockey. The AAs got several short corners which saw the Nicky and Jackie go close, but none were converted. However, the AAs were in such good form that they had other alternative methods of scoring and duly took the lead with goals from Maria Cavilla and Gillian Clegg to take a 2-0 lead into the break. AHC secretary and 4th team skipper Peter Greatorex kindly provided mulled wine for both teams and the umpires, which was avidly consumed and enjoyed.

The second half saw a vocal crowd which had grown to 30+ including a multitude of offspring, Ladies Club captain Emma Hynes, 3rd team skipper Abi Frith, the Doggets, the Silver Fox, various other husbands and a host of non playing AAs. The visitors rallied after the hot wine though and young Ellie (SSOP player of the match) was causing the AAs problems with her lovely stick work and youthful legs and speed. In fact the SSOPS had some chances but failed to really threaten the AAs D. The SSOP goalkeeper was meanwhile playing extremely well and made numerous good saves from shots by Annie and Nicky amongst others. Eventually skipper Morgan pounced to get the AAs third goal and proceeded to celebrate by sprinting back to the half way line, pulling her shirt over her head and flashing her trendy sports bar much to the surprise of the cheering crowd (she nearly froze to death doing it though!). A most enjoyable game was then finished off by Annie Neyton getting her deserved goal, but the SSOPs kept playing and trying to notch an opening goal. A splendid game was followed by much socialising, eating, drinking, gossiping and of course a visit from Santa and the awarding of the Challenge cup to the victorious AAs. Thanks must go to Nicky McAndrew and the rest of the SSOPs for being such sporting and friendly opposition, Brownie for all her behind the scenes work, Sant aJesswe, Quiz marker Carol Stedman and Rosemary for her food. All the AAs played well and despite it being four years since she had been able to play Claire Brant (Barbie) played like she had never been away, whilst many showed that the legs and fitness may fade, the skills remain – well done all.

Team: Ali Boxell, Ali Donelan, Jackie Parson, Alex Saunders, Hilary Hull, Jacqui Bashford, Kirsty Rossington, Annie Neyton, Lynne Morgan (Captain), Nicky Benedict, Claire Brant, Gillian Clegg, Sue Westlake, Maria Cavilla

Umpire: Steve Smith

Photographers: Peter Westlake, Rich and Peter Greatorex

Player of the Match: Nicky Benedict, even though Ali Boxell in the AAs goal didn’t put a foot wrong!

Spectator of the Day: Peter Greatorex (AHC)

Quiz Winners; 1st equal Sally & Carol (AAs) & Sunbury Oldies
2nd Hannah Bashford (AHC) and friends
3rd The Doggetts (AHC)

Miss/dick of the Day: SSOPs keeper when she tried to take out an AAs player.

Special Awards:Barbie & Kirsty R for travelling so far and being so keen to play.

The AAs are hosting the annual challenge trophy match v Sunbury Stars of the Past (SSOPs) this coming Saturday at Short Lane at 1.30 pm. Unfortunately snow and ice have caused the postponement of this popular fixture for the last two years, so please can you all try and arrange for some beter weather for us this year. Once again star AAs players are travelling from far and wide, including across the pond from the US of A, to play in this prestigious event. Numerous festiviites and ceremonies are held before and after the game and everyone is welcome along on the condition that they either wear a Santa hat or something festive. Hope to see you there and “COME ON U AAs”.

Go here and like the page to get updates on events & results via your facebook newsfeed!

If the link isn’t showing below, simply search for ‘Ashford Middlesex Hockey Club’ as a PAGE (NOT GROUP), on the left should be the button to click to like it!

thank you

Its party time at Ashford on Sat 26th November – some club members are reaching landmark birthdays, and november appears to be a generally happy birthday time! So we’re celebrating for them…and hopefully with them!

£5 a ticket to include Disco, party games and food. 7pm ish til midnight.

Bring your friends to increase the party spirit!

RSVP on our facebook page!

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=283499175015895

Apologies to everyone…whilst coming and going on my holidays, I got the dates mixed up for Place your Bets…its actually on SATURDAY 22nd OCTOBER. Lucy, Hannah and the team are devising pesky challenges for us to anticipate or bet who will win…are there any sneaky cracker eaters to take the eating tasks by storm (ie me…think it might be the only time I beat Digger in an eating competition!)…who do you think could spin the most times and still score a goal…these may be the challenges, but then again, they might not!

Come down on Saturday 22nd October for another fun filled night! look out for emails from ahcsocial@hotmail.co.uk

We’re doing our first shopping event this week! With some exciting options for us….so bring a friend, grab a drink from the bar, and have a mooch whilst gossiping.

7.30pm to 10.30pm on Thursday 13th October

Come and peruse and purchase the following:

Jewellery from Stella & Dot
Kitchenware from Jamie at Home
Lingerie from Bluebella
Beauty from Avon
Cards from Phoenix Trading
Jewellery from Amber Designs
Scarves & Accessories from Moosbags

Ashford Antiques 4 v Windsor Royalists 1
2/4/2011
The Ashford Antiques (AAs) were playing their first and last game of the season on Saturday at Short Lane, due to their annual Christmas fixture being cancelled due to heavy snow. After starting off with a large squad, the AAs lost players steadily during the week and even on the day of the match due to illness and injury, but were able to field eleven players for the start of the game. However, the visitors Windsor Royalists also had problems and arrived with only ten players. In warm conditions and in front of a boisterous Ashford crowd, which included former Ladies coach Mandy Wain, the AAs took the game on and dominated play to start with, but were unable to find the back of the net, despite numerous short corners. Having soaked up the pressure the visitors started to combine a little better, but didn’t really threaten the Ashford defence where the back line of Holly Busby, Doreen Brown, Alex Saunders, Ali Donelan soaked up all the attacks confidently and left goalkeeper Ali Boxell with little to do. Eventually the AAs pressure told and virgin AA Holly Busby shot home to score on her debut. The breakthrough gave Ashford a bit more confidence and after skipper Lynne Morgan just went wide with a hard strike, Tracey (Luvvy) Holland found the net from close in. Although Ashford remained on top, despite some clever player from the Royalists fowards’, they were unable to add to their goal tally despite some fine runs down the right by Hilary Hull and determined play by Jane English and the hard working Jacqui Bashford. The score thus remained at 2-0 until the half time break.
The second half saw Ashford youngster Kelly Taylor coming onto play for the visitors to bring them up to a full team. Kelly’s stick skills and speedy running helped the Royalist s team, but ice cool play by AAs stalwart defender Doreen Brown saw her take the ball of Kelly on two vital occasions. It wasn’t enough though as the Royalists opened their goal tally shortly after to make the score 2-1 and open up the game once more. The AAs upped their game in response with some good following moves and powerful crosses, which eventually saw the AAs score a third goal when Sue Westlake scrambled the ball in by the far post. Sue got a second not long after as the AAs saw the game out with some more good team work and constructive hockey, which resulted in a convincing 4-1 win.
Ali Boxell (GK), Holly Busby, Alex Saunders, Doreen Brown, Ali Donelan, Tracey Holland, Lynne Morgan (Skipper), Hilary Hull, Sue Westlake, Jacqui Bashford, Jane English
Umpire: Lesley Mitchell

It is getting closer to that time of year when we all get together to celebrate the successes (we hope!!) of the season at our annual dinner dance.

It is going to be hard to follow last years wonderful event at Beaumont House where I think everyone can say we saw Ashford’s 90 years through in style!!

Details are avaialble via th elink on the home page and we have tried to spice things up a little this year and make it a themed evening, so please accept this invitation to Ashford Hockey Club’s ‘Masquerade Ball’ on Saturday 9th April 2011. (Please note attire is the same as previous years – black tie, however you are all urged to purchase, or even better to get creative and make a mask to accompany your outfit. There will be prizes for the most glamorous/original male and female mask)!

It is to be held at the Thistle London Heathrow Hotel on the Bath Road. There will be a three course sit down dinner with awards, speeches and dancing. We will start at 7pm and can party until 1.30am. For those that are still standing and would like to carry on past this time, there are very reasonable rooms here and they will keep the bar open until the last person falls! Tickets are £40.

The dinner is open to all Ashford Hockey Club members and their partners. If you believe anyone has been left off of this email, please forward on and copy Kim, Lucy and Karen Fowler on ahcsocial@hotmail.co.uk so that we can include them in future information notifications. As mentioned earlier there is very reasonable accommodation at the Thistle – we can send on details (we currently have a rate of £60 single & £70 double for B&B, alternatively there are online offers starting at £48 room only).

Drinks can be ordered in advance as well, so get in touch with Karen now.

Tickets are now available at £1 each or £5 per book for the Grand Draw to be held at our 90th Anniversary Ball on Saturday 24th April. The prizes are many and various:

Cinema in your living room – LCD TV, Blu Ray Player

Hockey Heaven? A selection of Ashford Hockey Club sporting goodies including personalised shirt by WeAdmire.net and hockey kit from TK

ZZZZ…..not now! £100 voucher from Zoppo Hockey

Turning pro? A hockey stick from The ProShop

Ladies Pamper Hamper! Mini spa day at Virgin Staines & other goodies

Picture perfect – A 20” by 30” canvas of your choice from canvasRus.co.uk

Thirst quenching – A selection of South African wines from Cape Wine and Food, Staines.

Restore and revive – a Kinesiology session with Devin Dyason

Time for tea with Teapigs.co.uk – teatime treatsDriving forward? A round of golf for 4 at Stockley Park

Smile  A digital photo frame

Howzat? A pair of tickets for Surrey county cricket at the BritOval

Bubblicious – A bottle of champagne

Bowled over? Glass bowl from Classic Miniatures

Plus others – Buy your tickets from Tracy/Lynne at Short Lane or Wendy/Hayley on ahcsocial@hotmail.co.uk, or buy on the night!

Windsor Royalists 3 v Ahsford Antiques 3

Friendly 10/4/2010

In their first game of the season (our other game was snowed off!) Ashford Antiques (AA’s) drew 3-3 with a much improved Windsor Royalists team at Windsor on 10/4/10. The AA’s found themselves 1-0 down at half time, much against the run of play, but then then again the AA’s didn’t take any of their many chances to score as they dominated play in the first half. The AA’s did mange to equalise after the break when Helen Siwek persisted in front of goal to get the ball in. The Royalists then again took the lead, but the AA’s again equalised not long after, when Virgin Antique Sherga scored from a well worked team move. Yet again the Windsor Royalist’s experienced centre forward (before this game she had scored 45 goals so far this season!) put her side ahead and completed her hat trick. Undaunted by things and lack of shots from short corners, the AA’s continued to push forward and Sherga got a trade mark goal to make it 3-3 shortly before the end of the game. The other Virgin Antique Caroline Sibia did well on her debut, and thanks are due to Carol Davies who turned out for us, despite not having played for two years. Bash managed to snatch player of the match from Sherga amongst others, and special mention should also go to Ali B and Sam Clarey who shared the goal keeping duties, and Kirsty Hull who did well blowing the whistle. In addition, spectators The Queen, Audrey Hewes and Terry Hull, plus the mini Bashers and Lauren Clarey who supported us well in the sun. Fun was had by all and a lot of effort put in on the pitch by the AA’s on a very hot day, and of course a good gossip was had by all over tea after the game in the plush Health Club opposite the ground. Sorry I don’t know who won the AA’s Sweepstake on the National, but my nag came fourth. Val Urwin aka Dyna Rod (ex Ashford), played for them and sends AHC her best wishes.

Team: Ali Boxell, Alex Saunders, Doreen Brown, Jane English, Jacqui Bashford, Lynne Morgan (Skipper) Helen Siwek, Sam Clarey, Tracey Walsh, Sharon McGlinley Freddie Newman, Carol Davies, Caroline Sibia. Umpire Kirsty Hull.

For the first time ever the Annual pre Christmas match for the Challenge Cup match between Ashford Antiques (AA’s) and Sunbury Star of the Past Christmas (SSOP) had to be postponed due to the pitch being frozen on Saturday (19/12/09). Therefore as current holders of the Trophy, the AA’s retain the trophy for another year. Many of the players were very disappointed not to be playing and in particular AA Claire Brant (Barbie) who had dashed from Heathrow following the family’s trans Atlantic flight to play in the game. However, nearly 30 AA’s and a representative from SSOP still met up for a pre Christmas blast at Short Lane. The usual hockey & general knowledge quiz was held and won this year by YTS Antiques Kim Downs & Lucy Uttley. In addition, awards were handed out, food and drink consumed and a good time had by all prior to a very successful Children’s party.

Unfortunately at present we are still unable to resolve the on-going problems we have with installing the AHC Fixture List for the coming season on this website. Copies of the start times for most matches are available via the AHC and related Clubs sites on Fixtures Live (www.fixtureslive.com) and there is a link available to this website on the ‘Links’ tab above. They are also displayed on the Club Notice Board. We will endeavour to get things sorted out ASAP.

Windsor Royalist’s 0 v Ashford Antiques (AA’s) 3Windsor

18/4/09

On a lovely sunny Saturday, most of the AA’s regular squad travelled to the Royal Borough of Windsor to meet with the Queen (well the AHC version, namely Shirley Winson0 and to play some hockey and hopefully retain our 100% record for the season. Once the formal pre match formalities of the exchange of edible gifts was over, the AA’s knuckled down from the start and played some excellent hockey. At first though the three (yes three forwards!) seemed to be a bit goal shy, and the dynamic midfield of Westlake/Bashford, Morgan and Neyton were getting a bit restless as they were providing excellent goal scoring opportunities for the wayward forwards. However, Freddie and Tracey Walsh took heed and quickly added a goal apiece to maintain their individual AA’s goal a game record for the season and put the Red & Blacks 2-0 up. Windsor gradually got more into the game, but stalwart defenders English, Brown and Saunders coped with anything that came their way and goalkeeper Ali B had little to deal with.
At half time the opposition kindly provided some alcoholic beverages and oranges for the AA’s to enjoy and these obviously affected a few players as when Ali B said she was bored in goal, both Sam Clarey and Maria Cavilla volunteered to take over from her for the second half. What was more surprising was that Ali asked if she could have fifteen minutes playing at right back in the second half. An obviously sun affected Skipper agreed and Sam got kitted up and Ali made her debut on the pitch and actually connected with the ball once or twice, whilst Sam took in the view between the sticks! The changes didn’t seem to affect the team though and once again we dominated play, but found goals hard to come by. Despite having the shooting power of goal machines Maria Cavilla and Gillian Clegg on hand, the forwards just didn’t seem to want to get the ball past the Windsor keeper and the team and big crowd starting muttering about “Jug avoidance” tactics! Eventually star player Annie Neyton went on one of her electric runs and put the ball in from an acute angle, to make the result secure at 3-0. Thus the AA’s retained their 100% record having played two and won two goals for 7 and against 2 –yes!!
Several players put in fine performances including a storming one from Annie Neyton, who was voted the AA’s player of the match. Thanks also to all the spectators and supporters, especially Aunty Shirley and Ordinary Fairy for encouraging us and Windsor for providing such excellent weather and hot teas.
AA’s Team; Ali Boxell, Doreen Brown, Alex Saunders, Jane English, Lynne Morgan (Captain), Annie Neyton, Freddie Newman, Sue Westlake, Gillian Clegg, Tracey Walsh, Sam Clarey, Maria Cavilla, Jacqui Bashford