01-Oct-2016 Bridgwater 3rd  2 v 0  East Devon 2nd (Home)

Bridgwater played their first league game of the new season, fielding a mixture of youth, experience, fit, slightly overweight and slightly injured. Due to player shortage there were only eleven players available so everyone was expected to play the whole game whatever their physical state.

East Devon dominated the early play with their neat passing game. They did not have a killer touch inside the D and the defence of Stradling, Buller, Phil Morrish and Mike Date dealt with most of their interjections adequately. Proseky made some exceptional saves when called in with unique style of save/interception. In the only really close moment Tom Stacey cleared off his own line when surrounded by attackers.

With only eleven players, fitness was going to play a major part. Early on Paul Blackmore tweaked his hamstring which hampered his movement for a while. Cover arrived through Tim Sullivan removing himself from the "stationary” forward role. Sam Sweatman and Tom Stacey were making their 3^rd team debuts and did not disgrace themselves at all.  Mike Date and Simon Burland worked their socks off but East Devon continued to dominate.

The game plan was quite simple - attack via the counter-attack. Midway through the first half Buller emphatically dragged a penalty corner past the opposition’s keeper - a sign for East Devon’s heads to go down.

Without necessarily dominating possession, the second half saw Bridgwater have a more even game. Mike Date was given a free rein in the second half  and had a very good game. Tom Stacey ran up and down the left side throughout. Simon Burland gave his all in an unaccustomed role. Paul Blackmore began to roll back the years and gave a great display of normal and anti-skill. Steve Turvey scored a poacher's goal from one yard out as others tried their best to miss the target.

Moment of the second half was when an exceptional pass found Simon Burland, he rounded the keeper, but lost his bearings and then from the back line blast a shot which missed the goal by a foot to go out on the side line 30 yards away. Steve Turvey wondering why a gentle pass was not given to him to tap in!

Man of the match in the 2-0 victory was Tom Stacey who had an exceptional game throughout.

#HockeyFest 2016!

Last Saturday, Bridgwater HC hosted our #HockeyFest 2016, with many budding hockey players joining in with the 'come and try it' sessions.

The weather stayed warm and and dryish as more than 20 juniors enjoyed small sided games, scored goals and even tried their hands as goalkeeper.

Supported by regular Bridgwater coaches and players the juniors had great fun trying new skills and tricks. All left with #HockeyFest goodies of lanyards and wristbands and big smiles and a promise to return to regular juniors training sessions every Tuesday.

Some also tucked into a burger from the barbecue and bought from the Bridgwater hockey club 'bake off' cake sale. Lucy Burridge's Elmo fairy cakes flew out the box. All funds made from the cake sale will go to charities supporting our local community.

The adults then got stuck in and it's was great to see new players returning to hockey or just giving it a go after inspiration of the Olympic gold medal! Players were able to fuel up between games with a selection of burgers and hot dogs and yes, more cakes!

With everyone 'mucking in' to help the day run smoothly by umpiring, organising teams, cooking at the barbeque or selling cakes there was a really great atmosphere to kick off the season.

The season's main coaching sessions start on Tuesday 6th Sept, with Juniors at 6:00pm-7:00pm, and Ladies 7:00pm-8.30pm at Chilton Trinity/1610. Men's traing begins on Wednesday 7th September at 6:30pm to 8:00pm for 3rd, 4th, 5th, U18 and BacktoHockey, with Men's 1st and 2nd 8:00pm to 9:30pm. Hope to see you all there!

Pictures to follow!

Pre-season Training starts Tuesday 2nd August (7:00pm) at Chilton Trinity

Pre-season training for all starts on Tuesday 2nd August at Chilton Trinity. Let's see how many people we can get to attend to start the preparations for the 2016/17 season. Even if you can't attend for the whole session, the captains will be pleased to hear from all those who plan to play next season so that planning can begin on selections for the league season which starts in late September for the Ladies and October for the Men's teams.