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

Ashford Ladies 1st XI returned to league hockey with a 2-3 away victory against Hendon and Mill Hill on Sat 21st January.

Ashford started off with great enthusiasm and it paid off within two mins as neat passing between the new partnership of Lucy Uttley and Nicky Benedict up front led Nicky into netting her first goal.

Ashford continued to hold possession with great distribution from midfielders Claire Emmerton and Emma Hynes feeding to Rasna Sandhu who had some great runs down the right.

Ashford’s second goal came from fantastic linking play between Jacqui Bashford, Kim Downs and Lucy Uttley who slipped to Nicky Benedict for her to score her second goal.

Hendon and Mill Hill had a few chances but were tharwted by outstanding saves from GK Sam Grant which led to the score remaining 2-0 at half time.

The second half saw the oppo come out strong and secure a short corner. Their well worked routine saw the ball hammered onto the black board.

Ashford hit straight back following a slick move from Kim Downs to Jacqui Bashford who fed the ball to striker Lucy who skilfully beat two defenders and reverse sticked the ball into the net.

Ashford were unfortunate to let a Hendon And Mill Hill player slip through unmarked to score another goal for the oppo.

With Kath Evans making her debut along with regular defenders Sophie Smart, Kim Fry and Tracey Holland, Ashford tightened up in defence and deservedly held onto their 3-2 win.

Team: Sam Grant, Sophie Smith, Kim Fry, Tracey Holland, Kath Evans, Claire Emmerton, Emma Hynes, Jacqui Bashford, Nicky Benedict, Rasna Sandhu, Lucy Uttley, Kim Downs,

Ladies hockey Saturday 21.1.12
The Ladies 3’s game today was conceded by the opposition, so they had a 2-0 walkover and the three points keep them in 4th place. The ever keen 3’s squad decided to meet up at Short Lane to practice instead and coaches Bubbles and Mark Appleton turned up to put them through some drills. . Pleased to report that the 1’s won 3-2 away and scored in the 2nd minute (well done Nicky Benedict) and move up to 5th place in the Premier division. The 2’s were held to a 0-0 draw at home despite the opposition only having ten players, but still remain in 4th position. The full results were:

1st XI beat Hendon & Mill Hill 1st XI 3-2 (away)

2nd XI drew with Hendon & Mill Hill 2nd XI 0-0 (home)

Funnily enough, the two men’s games played at Short Lane were also 0-0 draws which is very unusual for our pitch/teams!

In the rather complicated England Hockey colts Single System player selection process, which is now in place for developing hockey youngsters to the top level, numerous Ashford colts have done very well so far. Initially some Junior Development Centres (JDCs) were held at which players of under 14 from all Clubs could attend. Young female colt Bella Bogan went along and was selected for the next level up; the Junior Academy Centres (JAC) of which several sessions were held. Bella then made it to the next level the Junior Regional Performance Centres (JRPC) for the U 15,16, 17 and 18 age groups. Although Bella didn’t make it inot the England squads, she is the first female AHC colt to get to such a high level.

VERY WELL DONE BELLA, you have brought a great deal of credit to yourself, Ashford Hockey Club and in particular to Peter Cottrell and his very dedicated band of Colts coaches and helpers. If you would like to read more about the new system and see the final selected squads, link onto the England Hockey website www.englandhockey.co.uk

Come on down for a curry and quiz night! £5 ticket.

Your quizmaster is Lucy and she’s sourced a variety of rounds and question writers to test your grey matter with, so worry not, they’re not all by me or all devised by Sherpa.

Bring some friends to build yourself a team beforehand or join one on the night!

RSVP ahcsocial@hotmail.co.uk.

The astro draw winners for January 2012 are:

£100 Hilary Hull

£50 Jane English – who has kindly donated her winnings back to the Club

£50 Gordon Smith

Congratulations to all the winners and your cheques should be with you soon. It is only £12 per year for a ticket and a draw is made every month throughout the season, with the extra big money prizes being drawn at the AHC Annual Dinner in April. Application forms are available on the website (see link on side bar) and on the Club Notice Board. Help support the club and give yourself a chance of winning some money at the same time.

Saturday 7/1/12 Ashford 1st XI 1 v Sunbury, Walton & Weybridge Hawks 1st XI 1

Full of New Year enthusiasm after the inevitable excesses of Christmas, Ashford ladies 1’s faced Sunbury at home in a friendly on Saturday. With only 11 available players and having to call up last minute replacement GK Sarah Jacob, Ashford started slowly against a strong Sunbury side before gaining their composure.
Ashford’s changed but experienced defensive line-up of Kim Fry, Emma Hynes, Tracey Holland and Wendy Baker were tested early on by the speed of the Sunbury forwards, but held firm as a result of strong tackles and close marking. Keeper Jacob’s kept the score at 0-0 when she nonchalantly shrugged a powerful shot over the goal with her shoulder!

Good linking play between the defence and midfield unit of Rasna Sandhu, Nicky Bennedict, Clare Emmerton and Jacqui Bashford helped Ashford get back into the game, creating opportunities for the forwards Maria Cavila and Lynne Morgan to run onto balls and put the Sunbury defence under pressure. As a result short corners were won but Ashford were unable to make their chances count. Sunbury took a 1-0 lead into half time when they took a quick long corner, drove into the D and a strong shot a goal just beat the keeper.

Sunbury came out strong in the second half pushing players forward forcing Ashford to re-group and work hard at man-marking which was successful as they were unable to make the pressure and possession tell.

Again Jacob’s kept Ashford in the game when a Sunbury shot from the top of the D was tipped over with her left hand. Ashford then managed to take possession of the ball and create chances of their own. They had further short corner chances but Sunbury’s keeper kept the shots out.
Then Ashford demonstrated a classic passing move that started from Holland in defence to Benedict onto Sandhu back to Benedict slipping the ball to Cavilla who drove down the line and crossed the ball into the D onto the waiting stick of Bashford whose strong touch took the ball past the keeper to equalise.
With only minutes go Ashford kept out further Sunbury chances so that the game finished 1-1, a pleasing result and even more pleasing periods of good play. Man of the match was unanimously awarded to keeper Sarah Jacob. Thanks are also due to umpires John hillman (AHC) and Ian Howe (SWWH).

AHC: S. Jacobs, K. Fry, T. Holland, E. Hynes, W. Baker, R. Sandhu, N Bennedict, C. Emmerton, J. Bashford (Captain), M. Cavilla, L. Morgan

Report written by Jacqui Bashford

Besides the league fixtures already confirmed for the Men and the ladies 3rd team this coming Saturday 14/1/12, there is now an additional fixture at 10.30am at Short Lane, between the Ladies 2nd team and Southgate Ladies 4th team. This is a reaarranged league fixture from before Christmas. There may also be a Ladies 1st team friendly at 3pm at home, but this has yet to be confirmed. Come on U Red & Blacks.

Apologies that we haven’t been able to update the website, but there are the following friendly and two rearranged Men’s League fixtures this coming weekend. Sorry, I haven’t got push back times for the Men’s games, but they are all afternoon matches:

Home Games
Ladies 1st XI v Sunbury, Walton & Weybridge Hawks 1st XI at Short Lane at 1.30pm

Away Games
Winchmore Hill & Enfield 2nd XI v Ladies 2nd XI at 1.30pm

Epsom 1st XI v Men’s 1st XI

West Hampstead 6th XI v Men’s 3rd XI at 2.30pm (League)

Leighton Buzzard Fledings v Men’s 4th XI (League)

Good luck all.

Happy New Year and I hope you had a good Christmas and besides hockey training if you would like to do some extra exercise, why not try the new Zumba classes being held at Short Lane:

Starting in the New Year there will be a new Zumba class down at the Sports Club every Monday from 9 January 2012 between 18.15 – 19.00, classes are £5 per per person or £40 for a 10 class pass.

Members and non-members are welcome and classes are open to anyone 16 years and over contact Sophie (facebook name SOPHIE VITAL SIGNZ) for further details.

Sorry to report that AHC lost the challenge pool match v ACC last Thursday by 4 games to 2, hard luck shane and the boys and we will get them next ime!

On a brighter note:

Ashford Cricket and Hockey Clubs are holding a Family New Year’s Eve Party this year.

To celebrate 2011 and see in the New Year the club will be open from 8 pm ’til late, there will be games/quiz and music and dancing, and food/buffet will be provided.
Entry will be free to members but on a first come first served basis and numbers may be limited – tickets are available from Tracey Roberts and please get yours now if you want to attend. Non members will be charged – £10 adults, £5 children.

Full details to follow.

Get you tickets now to enjoy a great night and while continuing your support for your Club.

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 Xmas newsletter 2011 has recently been sent out to members via e-mail and it contains all the latest AHC news, information from Ashford (Short Lane) Sports, Ashford Antiques gossip and the league tables for all teams at the half way stage of the season and lots of other articles. Please contact me president@ashfordhockeyclub.co.uk if you haven’t recieved a copy and we hope to have a copy linked to the website soon.

The astro draw winners for December 2011 are shown below:

£250 Gordon Smith

£100 Ian Jenkins (Sherpa)

£50 Alex Saunders

£50 John Tomkins

Congratulations to all the winners and your cheques should be with you soon. It is only £12 per year for a ticket and a draw is made every month throughout the season, with the extra big money prizes being drawn at the AHC Annual Dinner in April. Application forms are available on the website (see link on side bar) and on the Club Notice Board. Help support the Club and give yourself a chance of winning some money at the same time.