Newcastle Hockey Club

Having lost the previous seven games on the trot, Newcastle knew they had to make a change to their performance. Today a victory seemed possible against Gateshead, with our side wielding a powerful midfield. Adam Smith stepped up to centre midfield, alongside veteran David Breakey, the craftsman of many of Newcastle’s plays. Wide midfielders, Joe Sheills and Owen Morris who both not only possessed granite-like defensive skills, but offensive qualities that would prove heavily useful throughout the match. At the back Alex Gray in centre-back, looked not to miss a game this season. But good attendance was the least of his benefits to the team this match, as he was to prove in good time. Jonny Blake also took the place of centre back, and already our defence was looking impenetrable. Full backs Jonny Sim and Joe Brayson were more than simply defenders, with Sim, often making daring runs up the wide midfield, heavily aiding the attacking play. Finally, upfront Newcastle fielded Irish sensation Stephen Kelso and home-grown Alex Hancock. But cultural boundaries were not to be a problem to the chemistry of this goal hungry team.

 After the last two consecutive wins Newcastle approached this away match at Sunderland buoyed with confidence. This match also saw the return of past great Alex Strachan. Alongside the ever present Gray, Sim, Breakey, Shiells, Hancock and Smith the team saw a chance to overturn a side that defeated them 5-0 earlier in the season. The match also saw the debut of young Cam Haswell .

Result: 2 - 5

MoM: Pipp Gibby

Our last league game of the season ended in a disappointing loss. We played a decent Uni team on a wet morning at Coach Lane.

The game started well and the Uni got a good quick break and took the lead. Minutes later Ellen brought us even with a great little one-two partnership with Rachel and it was game-on. Ellen then had a fantastic shot glance past the outside of the post, and had that gone in the game would have been so different.

Result: Won 3 - 1

MoM: Spindley

DoD: Batty, Kermit, Ellie Bellie and Shelby

On a beautiful sunny afternoon at Westgate, we had a fantastic game against JPC. We had to win this on so many levels - for Kev; for our 4s; for ourselves; for Helen Buss and all importantly for Sarah B!  We were convincing winners and played some brilliant hockey and the opening goal from Lynnie typified this - it was amazing! Lynnie you are a goal machine!

We somehow managed to lose! We had chance after chance in the first half and played really well and finished the half 2 nil up. However in the second half they came back really strongly and with the help of some interesting decisions and the foot of Thierry they became level.