North Shields HC celebrated another successful year in fantastic style on Saturday…….

Saturday Summer Hockey

We will be holding a number of events throughout the summer - these and relevant contact points are detailed below:

Saturday 14th June, Greg Butcher, Knock about, 2pm John Spence

Saturday 28th June, David Yellowley, Knock About, 2pm John Spence

Thursday 3rd July, Kieran Conway,Beach Hockey, 7pm Tynemouth Longsands

Saturday 19th July, Mick Riding, Friendly game, 2pm John Spence

Saturday 2nd August, Mick Riding/Nikki Rippon, Knock About, 2pm John Spence

Saturday 9th August, Ben Sanderson, Knock About, 2pm John Spence

Thursday 14th August, Kieran Conway, Beach Hockey, 7pm Tynemouth Longsands

Saturday 23rd August, Nikki Rippon, Knock About, 2pm John Spence

Saturday 6th September, Mick Riding, Friendly game, 2pm John Spence

North Shields Hockey Club is now on "Facebook", just click on the logo on the Links page

County Plate Champions 2007/8

On Saturday 15th September we put out two teams for the Northumberland Plate competition. Eight teams entered in all and were split into two pools of 4.

Our second team, made up of a mix of 2nds and 3rds, was put into a hard group with strong teams from Tynemouth, Morpeth and Tynedale. The opposition were much bigger, much stronger and much older than our guys and unfortunately, we lost to both Tynemouth and Morpeth. The Tynedale match was much closer – the score at half time was 1-1 (much to the delight of Tynemouth and Morpeth) – until Tynedale’s greater size and speed told in the second half. However, were we all very impressed with the quality and fighting spirit shown by the lads.

The first team were put into a group with Jesmond, Newcastle and Tynemouth’s second team. In the first match against Newcastle, it’s probably fair to say they struggled. We did take the lead, before being pegged back to 1-1. Then we “scored” again… In fact, the ball didn’t appear to get over the goal line but the umpire gave it anyway. It’s probably just as well that we scored with the last hit of the game from a short corner to make it 3-1.

Thereafter, the performances got markedly better and the next match, a 2-1 win against Jesmond, was a thriller to watch with some excellent end-to-end hockey from both teams. The follow up game was won 5-0.

So, Morpeth finished top of pool 1 and our firsts finished top of their pool, and both teams went forward to contest the final. In an excellent start, the firsts scored quickly before Morpeth really had a chance to settle. Then, we won a penalty stroke. Everyone held their heads in their hands as they saw who stepped forward to take it, but surprising us all, Loughy scored it to make it 2-0. With Morpeth on the ropes at this point, we won another stroke. This time, because he was dancing like a girl as he prepared to take it, the stroke was disallowed and the score stayed at 2-0. The rest of the first half was a really open, end-to-end game. So open that Morpeth pulled one back from a short corner just before half time to make it 2-1.

After the break, it was a completely different story. The match was tight and cagey with neither side creating many chances. However, the second half was notable for everybody’s highlight of the day – Richy got cramp again! He went down like he’d been shot just off the pitch and proceeded to hold up play for about 5 minutes because he claimed it was too painful to move. The faces of pain as a policewoman dug her thumb into his thigh to relieve the cramp were a treat to see, whilst a few sympathetic souls stood around laughing our heads off – ask Roger or Chater if you want to see the video – it’s hilarious! Anyway, there weren’t any more goals in the second half, so we won. Congratulations to the first team on becoming Plate Champions – the shield will be going on display in the Bell and Bucket shortly.

At the Fixture Secretaries meeting last night our Club not only picked up the Conference North Winners trophy and cheque for £75 but we were also awarded the fair play award and a cheque for £50. Well done to all.

Coming soon our 2007 Photo competition. Take a photo of yourself in your club strip or jacket and enter into our competition to win a stick bag supplied by Barrington Sports.

We will be playing a match against the 4th Regiment of the Royal artillery on March 18th 2pm, John Spence. They have pointed out that if we have any younger players in the club who would like to come along and chat about possible careers in the Army, they will be more than happy to speak to you. They are deploying to Afghanistan at the end of the year, and have recently had operation tours in Iraq and Cyprus

The order has been placed for our new North Shields Hockey Jackets which will take about 8 weeks plus a week for embroidery

Great news - North Tynesides "Elected Mayors Well Being fund" has awarded the club £1,800. This should help us with pitch and insurance fees in the near future, ensuring we can keep membership costs to a minimum

For those of you who havent seen tonights Evening Chronicle article try this cutting and pasting this link:

They have managed to win the division with 4 games to spare, and by winning their 18th consecutive match. Thats 18 wins, no draws and no losses so far this season. Well done once again to all players who helped make this possible. All the best in division 3 next year lads!!!

Just a little note to wish everyone A Very Merry Christmas!!!

Breaking News!

Kingston and Hull rang last night to advise they couldnt raise a team for this weekends National U18 game(Sun, Nov 20th). So the game is off and we will go through to the last 32 by default.

The lads scheduled to play will be massively disappointed - as I am sure the Kingston and Hull lads will be. Still, we can look forward to the next round.

Please make anybody who needs to know aware. I am very sorry. Lets at least look forward to the next round. Whoever we get will not find us a pushover.

Our Club Captain was at a County meeting this week. Everybody was very complimentary about the progress we are making as a club. He also accepted a shield on our behalf for us winning the Development League this summer, which will be displayed in the school.

There was also some discussion about on field behaviour, how standards are dropping and this is impacting on volunteer umpires. We were singled out for the improvements we have made this season. The NEHL makes a fair play award at the end of each season. We’re about 1/4 way through the season without any cards so far. Our 1sts and 2nds are currently top of the league, and I think it would be fantastic if we can achieve a season without any cards at all. So lets give it a real go and try to win promotion the right way - by playing good hockey, respecting the game, and going the whole season without getting any cards. Go on, Im sure we can do it!

We have 3 teams competing in the league this year, which is a first for the club. So good luck to all involved!

New club wins first trophy

THE new North Shields Hockey Club, based at John Spence Community Sports College, won its first ever trophy last Thursday evening.

Needing to at least draw against their opponents on the night, The County, and for Morpeth to lose, the club's Under-18 development side did just that.

For their efforts the club will be presented with a Shield, as a just reward for the efforts of its young players, at the County meeting next week.

Club Captain Mick Riding said: "Although the game itself was a disappointment, I was really pleased by the efforts of our young players throughout the whole of the five-match tournament.

"Victories had been achieved against strong teams from Gateshead, Tynemouth and RGS. The solitary defeat had been against a very experienced Morpeth team.

"Overall, our team were the best team in the competition, and its success bodes well for the future development and success of the club."

As the new season approaches, the Club has a full schedule of practice and competition matches planned, starting on September 3 against Morpeth.

The Club plans to run a Third team as soon as possible.

To this end it continues to actively recruit new players – both youngsters and older players wanting to resurrect their careers.

Anyone interested should contact Club captain, Mick Riding, on 0191 2161402.

Hockey club's £4000 award

The new North Shields Hockey Club, based at John Spence Community College, has just received a grant of over £4000 from The Big Lottery's Awards For All grant scheme.

The Awards For All grant scheme is aimed at local communities and funds projects which enable people of all ages to take part in art, sport, heritage and community activities, as well as projects that promote education, the environment and health.

As part of the grant application process, a great deal of work had to be done such as developing a child welfare policy, preparing financial plans to cover costs such as insurance, goalkeeping kit and strips, and providing evidence that there would be real benefits to the community, particularly younger people.

The club chairman, Dave Yellowley, said "This is fantastic news. The grant will have a huge impact, helping to fund at least one team in Division 4 of the North East Hockey League and at least one other team in Division 5 Conference North.

"It will also ensure that the cost to individuals can be kept to an absolute minimum and not be a barrier to participation.

"We have plans to set up further boys and women's teams in the near future and are actively seeking as many new recruits as possible"

Training is continuing throughout the summer months; every Tuesday at 5:30pm and every other Saturday at 1pm.

Anyone wishing to take part should contact the Club Captain, Mick Riding, on (0191) 2161402.

Meanwhile, the club's Under 18 boys team remain undefeated, in a development tournament involving teams from five other local clubs, following a well-deserved 4-3 victory against a very strong Tynemouth Under 18 team.

In a game where the lead changed hands several times, North Shields came from behind to snatch the winner just 30 seconds before the final whistle.

Remaining fixtures are against Morpeth on August 4 and The County on August 18