Top of the table clash

Before starting the season we collectively decided, after the past two years our aim is to enjoy playing hockey, and aim to stay in the league. We managed to get to the final 4 games before realising we had the opportunity to be promoted. It just shows how much can be achieved when you focus on having fun and being with friends.

Saturday’s match against Newcastle Uni took place on a beautiful sunny day. The game was set to be a good one. Two very good teams with a lot to gain, leaving with 3 points was all the teams needed.

Our usual terrible chat took place in the changing rooms surrounded by the next generation fooling around with cuddly toys, footballs and hockey sticks and balls. We were fortunate enough to actually warm up on the pitch this week rather than the car park/playground. The heat was going to play a part in this game. It was so hot and the pitch was so slow.

The lasting words from El Capitano, ‘Enjoy yourselves today’. The game was well contested throughout. We had a break into their half straight away, with Elena using her fabulous skills to eliminate players. Uni pressed us very well and collapsed the pitch quickly to make it hard for us to move forward. We stayed patient, we broke them down and we attacked. It was 0-0 at half time.
The second half continued similar to the first. Hard tackles. Movement off the ball to create opportunities. After a run into the d, the opposition keeper came out, missed the ball, a flick was awarded to us. We all know whos taking that for the team. Suze steps up and after lots of chat in and around how the flick will be taken Suze slotted the ball into the goal and the swoosh of the ball rolling on the net was heard by all. Celebrate! 1-0 to Newcastle.

We knew the uni would press us hard. We kept calm and held the lead well. They pressed and moved our defence but we worked together to stop them getting a chance at goal. Uni made a run down the left side across the top of the d and then got a shot off. It was a good one and hit the backboard in the bottom left corner.

That was it 1-1 and we needed a win. Lets go all in. We chased every ball. We went towards goal at every opportunity. We were camped out in their half for a considerable amount of time but we couldn’t get it in the goal again. Finally the whistle blew. Thank you for all your support on the side of the pitch this week. It was so nice to see you all. A draw to finish. Not enough for promotion.

It was only last Thursday that I had a conversation with a team of 10 year olds after they played an important game and lost.
‘How do we define success?’ was the question I put to them.
Is it that single game of hockey? Is it the end score? Or is it every small detail throughout the journey to where we find ourselves to be now? Is success the beautiful pass, the last minute tackle, a joke with friends, a hug with teammates, the feeling after you’ve got out the house and had a good run around?
Or is it, all of the above?

As a club we field 6 adult teams every weekend. We provide two umpires for all our home games. We provide hot teas for visiting teams. We run a junior section of over 100 u18s. We have 14 year olds playing throughout the adult teams. We work with limited facilities and coaches. We make mistakes. We try our best. We turned up every week. We play the game we love. We have a great time.

We are Newcastle Hockey Club.

How do you define a successful season?