Canterbury Ladies Hockey Club - News

2007-11-25 v Olton & West Warwicks (L)

Admin Team — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Slazenger National Hockey League - Premier Division

Olton & West Warwicks 3 Canterbury 0

Canterbury failed to build on last weeks impressive victory over Clifton with a below par performance against Olton on Saturday. It was Canterbury's fourth defeat in their last five games & the fourth time that they have failed to score this season and they now go into the mid season break lying in sixth place.

Canterbury with Mel Clewlow & Hayley Brown still away on International duty in Argentina with Great Britain found themselves one down after only 2 minutes. Olton's own Great Britain Internationals Lucilla Wright & Rachel Walker, who had missed the Argentina trip due to work commitments, combined well on the right & Walker's cross was met by Mandy Gatherer who deflected the ball high past Duggan in the Canterbury goal.

Canterbury seemed to still be asleep after the long trip North and rode their luck in the first 10 minutes with Walker going close twice. The City side finally got into the Olton circle on 12 minutes winning their first penalty corner after good work by Natalie Seymour on the left hand side but Natasha Brennan's effort from the set piece was deflected wide.

Canterbury were just starting to find their usual rhythm when they fell two behind on 16 minutes . Again Walker and Wright the providers with the ball finally falling to Lisa Hunter who shot low to Duggan's right to score.

The second half saw Canterbury with more possession but they simply couldn't find the final ball and they fell three behind on 47 minutes from an Olton short corner. A half hit shot was neatly deflected by Wright over Duggan for a simple goal.

Canterbury should have pulled one back 5 minutes later when they won another short corner but Brennan's flick was well saved by the Olton keeper and Cathy Gilliat-Smith was just unable to steer the rebound towards the goal.

The last 10 minutes saw Canterbury continue to push but they couldn't find there way past an impressive Olton team & needed Duggan to ensure that Olton were restricted to only 3 goals.

Squad : Duggan, Chapman, Milne, Seymour, Brennan, Stewart, Kemsley, Wilson, Kerly, Gilliat-Smith, Bryant, Townsend, A Brown.

Canterbury now look forward to the Indoor season with there next outdoor league match not until the 9th February.

2007-11-10 v Kings Alleyns 2 (L)

Admin Team — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Canterbury Ladies 1 Kings Alleyns 2

Canterbury Ladies 3As played flowing, stylish, creative hockey on Saturday but their failure to convert many, many chances allowed the visitors, Kings Alleyn, to grab two goals and steal the points.

The 3As bombarded the Kings Alleyn's goal through both halves of the game with skilful play down both flanks, but disorganisation and lack of concentration following the turn around gave the visitors the opportunity to strike twice catching the 3As asleep.

Hockey this good can't go unrewarded and the 3As will reap suitable rewards from such 'classy' performances, providing accuracy can be improved.

Sarah Askew, Posh Entwistle and Gwenno Batty put in excellent performances, with 'Doc' Berrie grabbing Canterbury's consolation goal.

Squad: Ali Taft, Posh Entwistle, Emily Rees, Annie Hare, Lynn Barwick, Bryony Smith, Nicky Camfield, Sarah, Askew, Gwenno Batty, Julia Owen, Doc Berrie, Debbie Roberts, Ellie Larraman and Jaynie Evans.

Booking Form Easter 2008 (pdf 25k)

Admin Team — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

booking form

2008 Easter Festival details

Admin Team — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

CANTERBURY HOCKEY FESTIVAL 2008

At Polo Farm Sports Club

21-24 March 2008

After last year’s huge success, we would like to invite you to enter for Easter 2008 – and join us for some great hockey plus lots of fun and entertainment.

What’s on

For men - 10 Plate & 6 Cup Teams
For women - 16 Cup Teams
For mixed - 10 Cup Teams
5/6 Matches per team from Friday to Monday.

(For the uninitiated, cup events are the more serious hockey options)

Venue
We’ve got some great facilities:

2 water based astros, 1 sand-based and 1 grass pitch - at Polo Farm
Plus 2 additional astro pitches near by, with free transport to and from matches
Camping available on site
Plenty of loos and parking
Clubhouse, marquees, bar and showers
Sports kit and leisure wear on sale
Historic Canterbury - 5 mins drive.
Paddle in the sea - Herne Bay 10 miles.

Refreshments

Snakebite will be on tap, as usual, in the beer tent.
Hot food can be purchased throughout the weekend with hot bacon rolls for breakfast to help ease the hangovers.

Free entertainments

As always good hockey will be balanced with FREE entertainment every night in our large heated marquee.
Friday and Saturday evenings Live Music to warm up for the Sunday afternoon karaoke, followed by the Sunday night DISCO!!

How to enter

We are operating on a “First Come First Served Basis” enquiries have already started, so an early response is essential to avoid disappointment.
Please complete the attached entry form (1 per team) and either email a copy to sibs@polofarm.org or return to the address on the entry form. Once we have received your deposit, we will send confirmation.

Entry fees – same as last year

The entry fee remains the same for the 4th year in a row, at £300 for a team of up to 13 players.
Each additional player is £15 per head - this includes entry to all of the evening entertainment.
Camping costs £30 per head (please book in advance to guarantee space for your tents at the ground)

Paying your deposit

Deadline 14 Jan 2008 – Last date for paying your deposit of £150. But, early deposit of entry forms and payment will secure your place. Last year we had to turn down some late applicants.
This year, you can pay your deposit online via Worldpay on our deposit payment page.
Deposits - As in the past, deposits are non-refundable - unless we are already over-subscribed.

Paying your balance

Deadline 18 Feb 2008 - The full balance must be paid by 18th February 2008 – including the cost of camping (if applicable)
When paying by cheques please make them payable to Polo Farm Sports Club.

We look forward to seeing you at the ‘Festival of Fun’!

2007-11-17 v Clifton (L)

Admin Team — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Slazenger National League Premier Division

Canterbury 4 Clifton 1

Canterbury moved back into the top half of the table with an emphatic win over Clifton at Polo Farm on Saturday. It was the City sides first win in six attempts and ended a winless streak which saw their last victory on October 6th in a run that has seen them draw two and lose four.

Canterbury despite being without coach Mel Clewlow & Hayley Brown who were both away with the Great Britain squad, started much the brighter and won two penalty corner in the first 4 minutes. The first was well saved by Clifton goalkeeper Gemma Ible but the second saw Canterbury take the lead after a simple one-two between Jenny Milne & Natasha Brennan who then passed to Natalie Seymour who slammed the ball home into the corner of the goal.

The home side then doubled their advantage on 15 minutes when Susie Townsend found space on the right and crossed for Seymour but her neat deflection was well saved by Ible, however the ball was cleared back to Townsend on the right who crossed again and this time Seymour made no mistake.

Canterbury went three up on 27 minutes with Susie Townsend again causing problems. This time she cut in from the right beating two Clifton defenders but was unable to get her shot away and so passed to Jo Bryant who drilled the ball past Ible.

The third goal seemed to stir Clifton who then created two chances before half time that needed Canterbury's goalkeeper Becky Duggan to be at her very best to keep Canterbury's 3 goal advantage into the break. The second half saw Clifton finally beat Duggan on 47 minutes after a cross from the right was neatly deflected into the goal & then the home side had to dig deep as Clifton looked to claw their way back into the game.

On 59 minutes Canterbury regained their 3 goal advantage when Susie Townsend this time broke on the left and her intelligent pass released Gilliat-Smith one on one on the keeper & she made no mistake.

The final ten minutes saw Clifton still have chances to reduce the deficit but with Duggan in the Canterbury goal and an amazing goal line clearance that capped a superb performance from Georgie Kemsley that ensured Canterbury took the much needed 3 points.

Squad : Duggan, Chapman, Wiles, Kemsley, Stewart, Brennan, Milne, Seymour, Gilliat-Smith, Bryant, Townsend, Kerly, Wilson

Canterbury are now fifth & play the last game before the Christmas break on Saturday away to fourth placed Olton.

2007-11-10 v Ipswich (L)

Admin Team — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Ipswich 2 Canterbury 0

On Saturday Canterbury deserved more than the result suggests but again failed to score despite creating numerous chances.

Without Internationals Hayley Brown [Injured], Natalie Seymour [ill] & with Mel Clewlow only able to play a bit part as she recovers from a knee injury, it was Ipswich that created all of the early pressure with 3 Penalty corners in the first 15 minutes. However with Jen Wilson covering well for Clewlow at the back they failed to find a way past Duggan in the Canterbury goal during their early spell of pressure.

Canterbury slowly found their usual shape and on 22 minutes Tash Brennan went close after a mazy dribble took her past 3 Ipswich defenders only for the goalkeeper to get the faintest of touches to turn the ball around the post, then 6 minutes later Wilson crossed and the diving Gilliat-Smith was just unable to get the necessary touch. But it was the home side that took the lead from their fourth penalty corner a minute from half time with a dipping strike that just eluded keeper Duggan.

The second half saw Canterbury using their forward line pace well but simply weren't enjoying the rub of the decisions with Wilson unlucky not to score when the umpire blew for the short corner for Canterbury when she was through on the keeper and the advantage should have been played. The home side then doubled their lead when they were awarded a penalty stroke after a poor challenge in the circle by Clewlow from which Leisa King stepped up to convert. Canterbury still had chances to get back into the game with Clewlow going close on 63 minutes, pushing the ball just the wrong side of the post after a neat one-two from a penalty corner, but it simply wasn't to be their day.

2007-11-11 v Hightown (L)

Admin Team — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Canterbury 2 Bowdon Hightown 4

On Sunday Canterbury then entertained the league leaders Bowdon Hightown at Polo Farm. A poor display in the first half saw Canterbury 3-0 down at the break. Bowdon scored their first when awarded a penalty corner on 17 minutes & then doubled their lead overlapping on Canterbury's left hand side for Lis Chaffney to power the ball through Duggan in the Canterbury goal. Bowdon then added one more before half time with Chaffney again the goal scorer this time managing to get in front of Alice Brown to deflect home a cross from the right.

With the introduction of Clewlow at half time it seemed a different Canterbury side that took the field for the second half. They were unlucky to concede a fourth goal on 49 minutes from another Bowdon penalty corner which was initially well saved by Duggan but Bowdon's Annalisa Bishop was on hand to pick up the rebound. From then on though it was simply Canterbury who took control of the game and deservedly scored on 59 minutes after good work from Jen Milne & Brennan who found Susannah Townsend to score. Canterbury then added a second on 63 minutes from a Clewlow stroke at a penalty corner but couldn't add any further goals.

It was a great second half performance by the home side playing the type of attacking hockey that their followers have grown accustomed to see at Polo Farm, however their performance in the first half had simply given Bowdon too much of a lead to reverse.

Canterbury entertain Clifton on Saturday 17th Nov at Polo Farm [11.45 push back] in a must win game.

2007-11-04 v Slough (L)

Admin Team — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Canterbury vs. Slough EHL Premier fixture on Sunday 4th Nov - lost 2-0

At the start of play, Slough were in second place, with Canterbury in joint third - thus, this was a big game for both sides and turned out to be the archetypal game of two halves.

In the first 35mins, Canterbury had the better of the play with Cath Gilliat-Smith going close on a few occasions; some good goal keeping and last ditch Slough defending kept her off the score sheet. The pace of the game was high, with chances at both ends, but the majority of these fell to Canterbury. Jenny Milne had an excellent game in the centre of the pitch for Canterbury, pulling the strings and making some good tackles.

The score was 0-0 at the half.

Slough came out strong in the second half, looking to record their first outdoor win in the league against Canterbury in the last 7 attempts. There was a much more even division of possession and play in the second period, and there was an increasing sense around Polo farm that the first goal could be decisive. Slough were able to fashion some better opportunities than Canterbury, and were able to take advantage of these - Slough scored to lead 1-0, but there was still much to play for. At this point, two decisions that could have gone either way, both went in Sloughs favour (a penalty corner that led to the second killer goal, and a strong penalty stroke shout against Sarah Kerly was waved away). This is not a criticism of the umpires, but at 2-0, there was no way back for Canterbury.

In the end, Slough probably deserved their victory in light of their clinical opportunity taking; for Canterbury, Jen Milne had a good game, particularly in the first half, Cath Gilliat Smith played very well, and Sarah Kerly made some good runs from the bench.

2007-10-13 v Old Loughtonians (L)

Admin Team — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Old Loughtonians 3 Canterbury 1

Canterbury's great start to the season came to a sudden halt on Saturday with a disappointing display in Essex. At a venue where Canterbury have not won for a long time & missing Internationals Clewlow, Gilliat-Smith, Brown and Seymour they struggled to get to get into gear & come the end of the season will look back at 3 valuable points dropped.

It was Canterbury that took the lead after just 8 minutes albeit against the run of play. Jen Milne's great work on the right hand side beat two Old Loughtonians defenders before her cross was met by Jo Bryant to score.

Canterbury were however finding it hard to deal with Old Loughtonians press and without the huge presence of Clewlow found themselves defending deeper and deeper. On 13 minutes Old Loughtonians drew level when they were awarded a penalty stroke after a poor Canterbury tackle near to goal. With the City side clearly rattled Old Loughtonians took just a minute more to take the lead - this time Duggan making a brilliant save from the initial shot but the Canterbury defence were unable to clear the rebound which was neatly turned into the Canterbury goal.

The game was now opening up as Canterbury pushed & they went close on 16 minutes with Jo Bryant hitting the post, but it was Old Loughtonians that got the all important third goal. This time after winning a penalty corner the initial strike was again well saved by Duggan but the Old Loughtonians forwards were quicker to the rebound to volley it home.

The second half saw Canterbury have the chances to get back into the game with all of the forwards having good chances to score but it wasn't to be Canterbury's day.

This week Canterbury welcome back their International players after last weekends Great Britain training camp as they host Chelmsford at Polo Farm on Saturday with Push back at 11.45am.

Squad : Duggan, Milne, Chapman, Brown A, Brown C, Stewart, Kemsley, Wilson, Brennan, Kerly, Bryant, Townsend, Wiles.

2007-10-27 - v Leicester (L)

Admin Team — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Match drawn - Leicester 0 v Canterbury 0

At the start of play, both teams were tied in 3rd place in the EHL, with both teams having many players unavailable through England / GB commitments; in a microcosm of the wider situation, it was a case of Leicester's young front line vs. Canterbury's young backline.

The opening exchanges were contested strongly, but fairly, with both teams having periods of good possession. Leicester were able to make more ground in territorial terms with their possession, though Canterbury's defence was resolute - there were few clear cut opportunities for either team. Becky Duggan in the Canterbury goal marshalled her defensive lines very well. The score was tied at nil nil at half time.

The second half saw Leicester come out with all guns blazing, looking for a home win. This was the pattern for much of the half, Canterbury soaking up wave after wave of Leicester attack. Occasionally, the Canterbury Ladies were able to break out - Clair Brown making a good run into the Leicester circle. In the Canterbury goal, Becky Duggan continued her good form, making every save that was needed, and organising the defence very effectively, to nullify the Leicester possession advantage.

At times, there was some desperate defending, Tash Brennan taking some big hits, but ultimately, this effort was rewarded with a hard fought draw in the end. Whilst Leicester had more possession and more of the territory, Canterbury's defence was more than equal to the challenge; Jenna Wiles, Lucy Stewart, Alice Brown & Georgie Kemsley all fought very hard, with skipper Jen Milne sitting just in front of them; the umpires & technical delegate agreed that a draw was a fair result. Whilst Canterbury were up against it for much of the game, the players were all very composed, and thus, there was little if any panic in the team. The odd break and strong running from the forwards also meant that there was a feeling that we may even nick it!

For me, the player of the match for us was Becky Duggan for a number of good solid saves and her excellent organisation. Tash Brennan deserves credit for her bravery and courage in playing on after being hit (hard). We aimed to keep a clean sheet at the start of the day and were well satisfied that we were able to do just that.

Martin J. Southam, Assistant Manager & Mental Coach of the Canterbury Ladies