News & Notices :

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May 30th - Leicestershire Womens County Cup Final Leicester St Margarets Pastures

Loughborough Students 4s    3 – 0    Hinckley 1s

     Loughborough Students 4^th team completed a memorable League and Cup double last Saturday after a thrilling 3-0 victory over Hinckley 1^st team. Hinckley who ply their hockey in Midlands Division 2, two divisions higher than the Students, were clear favourites going into the match, especially after their success in the Midlands Tournament. The winners of the County Cup normally go into the Midlands tournament to represent the county, but due to the early Easter holidays the Students allowed Hinckley to go forward to enable the Cup final to be delayed.

     Loughborough 4s , who had already claimed their first Leicestershire Premier League title during April, where hunting their maiden Leicestershire County Cup title after falling at the final hurdle last season in a thrilling match with Charnwood. The James Latham sponsored side, fielded virtually a full strength team, only Isle of Man international Zoe Shimmin missing following an operation to her long running shoulder injury during the Easter break. Hinckley sported in their line-up star striker, Claire Gavin, who used to play for Loughborough Students 1^st XI during her time at the University, so the Lathams were under no illusion as to the challenge that faced them. 

      Slowly but surely though, the team from the upper echelons of the Midlands structure started to get into the game. Pressure started to build and a handful of half chances came Hinckley’s way, but nothing that really threatened damaging the Students attempts at a 25^th clean sheet of the season in 36 outings. As the half wore on though, the Loughborough resistance was beginning to wane and it looked like Hinckley would level the game. They would have done too, if it wasn’t for some magnificent saves from goalkeeper Anna Searle and some significant help from her right hand post. With the half time whistle closing in, it was beginning to look like Loughborough would escape to half time with their one goal advantage in tact. However, the students were finished and the soon surged up the field. Sam Maisey, drove towards the Hinckley area and was fouled just short of the line. She stepped over the free hit and drilled the ball towards the left hand post where Anna-Victoria Davies was waiting to steer the ball into the back of the Hinckley backboard and give the Lathams a two goal lead at the midway stage.

     Head Coach Chris Glover and Manager Will Packer, urged their players to push on for a third ball, no doubt conscious of the fact that they lost from a similar position in last years show piece final. That game came on the back off a hangover from winning the BUSA competition though, and Glover was clearly making sure his players were fully focused on bringing home their second trophy of the season this time around.

            Loughborough started the second half cagily, careful not to give the team from down the A47 an early chance of getting back into the game. Indeed, for much of the early stages of the half, the James Latham sponsored side were camped in their own half. Despite this, Claire Gavin, Hinckley star player, just couldn’t get into the game, Helen Winter Loughborough’s tenacious defender doing a superb man marking job on the blonde forward.

      Loughborough’s defence marshalled the edge of their ‘d’ superbly and with pace on the counter attack they were once again beginning to be a real threat to the Hinckley goal. Dani French was replaced with German forward Janna Rumland and the charismatic Hamburger soon made a telling impact. After winning a free hit on the edge of the ‘d’, Rumland made a nuisance of herself infront of the Hinckley goalkeeper and after a shot from Johnson was only half saved, Gueritz was first to react and bundled the ball over the line for a crucial third goal.

      With only 15 minutes remaining, it was always going to be an uphill struggle for Hinckley to get back into the game, and despite a spirited attempt for ten minutes, they just couldn’t break the fierce Loughborough resistance provided by the defence of Louisa Emkes, Mary West, Lucy McCarthy and Morphew. As the clock ticked on to 65 minutes, Hinckley heads began to drop and Loughborough pushed for a deserved fourth goal, Laura Weaver probing down the left wing and Kim Morrison on the right. A couple of opportunities came their way but none were taken. However, it didn’t matter as the final whistle blew to signal the start of the celebrations of the 4^th teams first Leicestershire Cup and first ever double trophy winning season.

      Glover commented, “This is a fantastic finish to the season. We knew it was going to be tough today playing a team from two divisions higher. I think we demonstrated that we have the technical ability to compete at the higher level, and I also think we were tactically superior today. Helen Winter was marvellous in her capacity as a man-marker and I think our tight structured play prevented them from creating many chances. I was always confident we would score today so the key was the clean sheet and Vicky Morphew can be proud of a job well done. She has been a fantastic captain this season and the success of the team is indebted to her commitment and outstanding leadership. I am extremely proud of the girls and what they have achieved.”

      The win is the first time their has been a Leicestershire League and Cup double for ten years, the fourth team emulating the achievement of their third team from 1997/98, and the Lathams are the only Loughborough hockey team to come away with two trophies this season.

 Loughborough: Searle, Emkes, McCarthy, Morphew, Winter, Maisey, Johnson,

                Gueritz, Ritchie, French, Weaver, Morrison, Holder, Davies, Rumland, West.

Goals: French, Davies, Gueritz.

December 2007 -  Building for a better future

  Two long standing Leicestershire clubs Charnwood Ladies HC and Sileby Ladies HC have now fully amalgamated to become CharnwoodSileby HC. 

 This formally came about after the two clubs worked together for a year on a trial basis to see how the mixture of young and old, experience and passion could come together.  This successful pilot was concluded at an extraordinary meeting in Aug 2007 where the constitution was agreed and adopted.

 Not only has there been a reformation of the two teams, seeing movements of players in both directions, but a new junior section has been formed, and was started by adding a further pitch slot for new young players to receive training.  It’s not just about training either. The club has entered this fledgling team in the New LRHA Vixens leagues with two league dates completed. 

 Continuing to build a sound future, the club is in the early stages of preparation to submit its application to England Hockey for its ‘Clubs First’ accreditation.  Thus, by ensuring that club policies, child welfare and appropriate coaching is core to the clubs continuing development, it is hoped that a bright and long future is there for all members.

September 2006 - Another Mavericks Triumph in Summer League

  On Tuesday 22^nd August Mavericks Sevens Hockey Team were crowned champions of the 1^st Division of the Leicestershire Ladies Summer League. This capped off another impressive season, demonstrating the consistency of the team; this is the 14^th consecutive year Mavericks have been victorious in the competition! The team is made up of players from clubs across the East Midlands, who year in, year out combine their skills to form a formidable hockey force!

  Mavericks won all but three of their games this season. Their only defeat was at the hands of Hospitals, who fought hard for all of the game and thoroughly deserved their 1-0 victory. Maverick’s first draw was versus Leicester, in a rather eventful match! Mavericks were down to the bare minimum of seven when a raised ball connected with Sarah Fraser’s head. Leicester very kindly volunteered one of their players but a second half injury to Ali Goodger (and possibly the fact that England were playing in the World Cup that evening!) meant that both teams agreed to the game being called off at 2-2. The team’s second draw came in the last game of the tournament against a young, talented Hinckley side, who were also in contention for the title. Both teams worked hard to try and take the upper hand but neither saw the fruits of their labour.

   The team are sad to see another great summer of hockey come to an end, and even sadder to see the retirement of Kaz Setchell as team organiser. Kaz has dedicated many years to sorting out the team and everyone who has ever been involved with Mavericks is extremely grateful to her.

Squad Picture:

Back Row – Annette Sellars (umpire)-Leicester Mixed, Sue Simpson-Charnwood, Sharon Webster-Towcester, Sarah Fraser-Nottingham Highfields, Alison Goodger-Charnwood, Linzi Webster-Charnwood

Front Row – Deb ’Dusty’ Mason-Charnwood, Kaz Setchell (captain)-Charnwood, Liz Tabrum-Charnwood, Lorraine Foulds-Charnwood, Nicole Main-Charnwood

March 9th 2005 - Peggy Potts Tribute

 A large contingent from across the country assembled at Loughborough Crematorium today on to mark the passing of Peggy and there was no surprised when the minister announced that she was to be cremated with a hockey stick at her side.