Kendal Hockey Club
The Mighty Greens Season 1999-2000
Officials of the Club for season 1999/2000
Following the Annual General meeting on 27th May, the following officers will be in post for next season:
Hon. Sec. Phil Conlin, 101 Hall Park, Burneside
Hon Fixture Sec.Duncan Rhodes, 24 Ashleigh Road, Kendal, LA9 4SS
Hon Treasurer Mark Newsome, c/o Lakeside Hotel, Newby Bridge
EHA Liaison Alan Bell
Captain Steve Perruzza
The Heywood Weekend
This event, 1st and 2nd July has its own page.
Sunday 2nd April
A jolly game it was indeed. Sadly only 8 good men and true made it from Preston on Friday night, none of them equipped to play the part of goalkeeper. Kendal mustered 10, including Mark Newsome with goalkeeping kit. Our first two pictures show two Springfield players going through the intensive pre match preparations which have served them so well through the season and led to their promotion.
You can view a larger version of any of the pictures in this weeks' report simply by clicking on the picture.
The next picture shows the participants in merry mood before the game.
A game such as this demands the highest standards of umpiring, so I did it myself. After lengthy discussions it was decided that there was too much effort involved in moving the hockey goals to the ends of the pitch, so the game was played as roughly 8-a-side, half pitch. Top quality hockey play was on view, as expected from these two talented squads. There was a worrying moment when the Springs skipper, Gary, had to leave the field temporarily to deal with a minor yeast infection. There was another worrying moment when the Kendal skipper, Steve Peruzza, turned up. The game was well underway and he was swiftly pressed in to action as a guest kicking back for Springfields, which of course suited his usual style of play.
In games like these the quality of the hockey is what is important and the score largely irrelevant so we will not dwell on the final result except to say that Kendal scored three times as many goals as Springfield and the total number of goals scored makes a nice round dozen.
Rob Bradshaw played well and also managed to fit in some ice dance practice. Steve Southworth treated himself to one dazzling run the length (or more accurately width in his case) of the field to set up Phil Conlin for his usual poached goal.
Sam Ridding covered all parts of the field of play and in particular did sterling work as the last defender.
For Springfields both Alan and Roy missed a number of easy scoring chances, Jeffers played a marvellous game out on the right wing, though most of his team were oblivious to his presence and Gary, once he was over his illness, simply dazzled.
The final two pictures show the Springfields Strawberries relaxing after the game in The castle Inn. Thanks again to all at The Castle for their support throughout the season.
And thanks to all the Springfields players for coming, even those who did not arrive until the chips were almost gone.
Wednesday 29th March
As promised, there will be a jolly game played between Kendal and Springfields at The Queen Katherine astro this coming Saturday April 1st. (Just so that there is no misunderstanding about possible April Fools the game will pushback at 12-30, i.e. AFTER the Fools 12.00 deadline)
After match hospitality will again be courtesy of The Castle Inn and we should like to thank all at the Castle for their sponsorship of Kendal hockey over the last season.
All players are encouraged to take part in this Hockey/Beer-Fest.
Sunday 19th March
A point is enough
In the final game of the league season Kendal played Springfields at home. Back in November when the two teams met at Preston, Springfields won the game by 2 goals to 1, Kendal failing to make the most of a penalty flick. The two clubs have met many times over the last few years and the games have always been close. This game was important to both teams, Springfields could ensure promotion whilst Kendal could make sure they avoided relegation, so there was everything to play for.
Both teams started strongly, though Springfields were playing much more controlled hockey than the home side. The Kendal attacks were swift and on the break whilst Springfields tended to build up the play from deep in their own half, holding the ball and probing for an opening.
Up front for Kendal both Ewan Galloway and Steve Peruzza looked threatening. It was Springfields who scored first though when the Springfeilds skipper cracked a speculative ball in to the D. It looked to be going nowhere but the Kendal 'keeper cut it out, only to see a forward pounce on the rebound and coolly lift the ball in to the net.
The game continued end to end without any further score until the break. Springfields were looking increasingly confident. The half time team talk from the Kendal skipper Steve Peruzza worked wonders ("Thousands have been spent on my management training") and the home team came out to the second half with renewed purpose.
The visitors struggled to keep control of the game. Opportunities in the Sprinfields area fell to Peruzza, Ian Pratt and again Ewan Galloway, but each was thwarted by 'keeper, defender or woodwork.
James Westall and James Morgan were very much the playmakers for Kendal and with Rob Bradshaw were in almost total control of midfield. The two James almost combined to create the equaliser as Morgan got his stick on the end of a fierce Westall cross but his deflection went just inches wide of the top corner.
Finally, with only 6 minutes to go, Kendal gained a penalty corner when the umpire judged a defender to have deliberately put the ball out over the back line. Having had plenty of corner practise throughout the game, Phil Conlin had perfected his strike and the ball fizzed to the backboard.
The final few minutes were very tense with both teams desperate not to make a mistake and lose. A victim of the tension was Rob Bradshaw who took a yellow card for apparently knocking the ball away after a whistle.
There was a collective sigh of relief as the final whistle blew. Springfields broke out the fizz, knowing that they were now assured of promotion, and Kendal were happy in the knowledge that although relegation had been unlikely, they had done enough to stay up in their own right and did not depend on other results.
Phil Conlin was Man of the Match and indeed, Player of the Season.
Refreshments at The Castle tasted even better than usual, despite the Springfields skipper Gary trying to hijack a whole tray of chips and the sandwiches for himself. Sadly the two clubs will not see each other next season, but in the excitement of the afternoon the two skippers proposed a freindly match to take place at Kendal in two weeks time.
So another league season comes to an end and skipper Steve Peruzza has done an excellent job not only in ensuring Kendal sees Division 6 hockey again next season, but, more importantly, making sure his squad have enjoyed their hockey. New faces have been welcomed and settled in to the squad, hopefully enough to build for better things next season. A possible cloud on the horizon is the announcement of a retirement. The Silver Fox, Steve Barclay, suggested that he would not play next year. This would be a bitter blow to the Club and strong were the voices trying to persuade him to carry on. After all, Steve is many years behind the legendary Bill Warrender and Bill is still turning out weekly (sometimes we hear twice weekly) despite being a grandfather and close to receiving his pension and free bus pass!
In two weeks time we have the jolly game with Springfields and then on to the Cumbria Cup at Ulverston the week after! A real hockey-fest with four full games promised in the course of two days. Not for the feint hearted!
Wednesday 15th March
You know work is getting too much when it gets in the way of writing up your hockey reports.
Saturday was the penultimate league game of the season, 13 Mighty Greens travelled to 'Fortress Middlewich', also known as Middlewich Leisure Centre, where Holmeschapel have won every single one of their home games. And they kept up that record against Kendal.
In the first half Kendal started strongly and much of the game was played out in the Holmeschapel half. James Westall and Steve Barclay were the main men controlling the midfield. Skipper Steve Peruzza missed a couple of good chances to put Kendal in front. The Kendal defence were well organised and well disciplined, until shortly before half time a moments inattention led to a Holmeschapel penalty corner and the first goal.
In the second half it was a very different story and Kendal had difficulty getting out of their own 25, let alone beyond the half way line. One goal in open play, one from a penalty corner and one from a flick left Kendal trailing 4-0 at the final whistle.
Holmeschapel had confirmed their status as champions of Division 6 and for Kendal there is still some nailbiting to be done. A point next Saturday against Springfeilds is needed to be sure of avoiding relegation. But if Kendal lose, Blackpool beat Knutsford, Sale beat Bolton, Manchester Indians get at least a point from Leigh and then Leigh get a point from their re-arranged game against Rossendale.........
(The Leigh-Rossendale game last Saturday was abandoned with "both teams unhappy with umpiring decisions")
Watch this space. This coming Saturday (2.30 at Queen Katharine School) Kendal are at home to Springfields, who themselves need at least a point to guarantee promotion. It's down to the wire.....
Tuesday 7th March
Sorry for late match reports from the weekend- pressure of work and life in general.
Saturday saw us entertain Leigh at Kendal. Your usual reporter was unavailable so once again we rely on Alan Bell for a summary:
Leigh scored with their first attack after only two minutes of play. Kendal responded with strong pressure and numerous shots on goal, with Steve Peruzza scoring after a break into the circle by Phil Conlin. Kendal continued to dominate the second half and Ewan Galloway finally scored after after a Peruzza lay off in the cirle. Rob Bradshaw looked to have made the game ''safe'' when a dribble into the circle led to a penalty stroke. Phil Conlin failed to convert with a poor flick and the rest of the game saw Leigh dominate the play. Good goalkeeping from Mark Newsome and excellent defending from Jon Elleray saw Leigh fail to score from seven successive short corners. So Kendal secured the three points that should ensure Division 6 hockey for yet another season.
Thanks Alan.
On Sunday a severely depleted squad made their way South to play the re-arranged fixture with Knutsford. John MacCalman, Jon Elleray, Duncan Rhodes, James Booth, Steve Barclay, Chris Libell, Ewan Galloway, Phil Conlin and Rob Bradshaw were the 9 brave men and true who carried the flame for the Mighty Greens.
As anticipated the match was officiated by North Wests finest, Janice Charmer together with some bloke called Ollie.
With only 9 players against the slick and in form Knutsford, Kendal's game plan was really one of damage limitation. In an attempt to spare our dedicated readers too much pain I will keep the rest brief. The Knutsford skipper Piers scored 4 (three of them very good goals indeed), supportimg players scored another 2 (one of which rather too strongly disputed by certain Kendal players- shame!) and the home team won 6-0.
John MacCalman was magnificent in the Kendal goal and made some incredible saves. Ewan missed a couple at the other end, but then it was surprising that Kendal managed to make any kind of attack at all. John Elleray's tireless, if mindless, running (that quote is stolen from the Manchester Indians web site, I knew I would find some way to use it) earned him Man of the Match.
All Division 6 players will be sorry to learn that Janice Charmer will not be umpiring for Knutsford next season. We understand her services are required at a higher level. Our loss is certainly their gain and we wish Janice well as she moves up.
Kendal have just two games remaining, this coming Saturday away to the Division Champions elect, Holmeschapel and the following week at home to good guys Springfields, also likely to gain promoton this season.
Directions to Holmeschapel_
The game is at Middlewich Leisure Centre, pushback 2.00pm
Leave M6 at Junction 18
Take A54 to Middlewich.
After approx 2 miles, take second exit at roundabout and go straight on past a garage in to Middlewich.
Straight on at traffic lights then take second left towards a newsagents and left again past a church, then immediately right into Queen Street. (There is a pub on the corner, though we have no information as to its name.)
Go up hill and turn let into St Anne's Walk. The Leisure centre is at the end.
Monday 28th Feb
Calling all players!
Disaster struck in the form of a crashed tanker on Saturday. With the M6 closed at Preston from 11.00am until almost 11.00pm, the Mighty Greens were unable to reach Knutsford for the plum fixture of the season. League rules say all postponed games need to be re-arranged within 15 days which, cutting the story short, means Kendal need to assemble a team for the home game against Leigh next Saturday AND a team to play away at Knutsford the day after. Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of the club. Contact Duncan or Pru a.s.a.p.
Before we move on, spare a thought for James Westall and Steve Southworth who each travelled independently and did not get the message in time to stop then setting off. I am reliably informed that Steve was on the road for 3 hours!
This Saturday the Leigh game will pushback, as usual, at 2.30pm at The Queen Katherine School- Kendal need the change strip white shirts.
Sunday's game at Knutsford will push back at 2.10pm, directions are below. We are hoping that Knutsford will be able to provide both umpires, and lets hope that one of them is........
The Saturday after all this activity Kendal are away to Holmeschapel with a pushback of 2.00 at the Middlewich Leisure Centre. Directions will be in the next issue of Mighty Green News.
Thursday 24th Feb
This coming Saturday Kendal travel to Knutsford, a fixture which has been eagerly anticipated. The two clubs met at Queen Katherine back in October and it was a most enjoyable game. Knutsford had far the better of it and it will be interesting to see if the Kendal team have improved sufficiently to make more of the game this time.
The Kendal squad depart from Parkside Road at 12.20 on Saturday, to reach the Knutsford Leisure Centre in time for a 2.10 pushback.
For those who need directions:-
Leave the M6 at Junction 19, turning left and then left again at the lights. This should take you back over the motorway.
As you enter Knutsford and pass the "Welcome to Knutsford" sign and enter the 30mph limit you will see the first set of houses on your right.
Take the next right and follow the road as it bends around to the left, over a series of speed bumps. After about half a mile Knutsford Leisure Centre is on your right hand side.
At the time of writing, the competition for the honour of umpiring with Janice Charmer is led by Mike Graveson. Should Mike be unable to carry out the duty, there is a small queue of men willing to take his place! Sadly, your regular reporter is not among them, as he is not available this weekend. (Oh the shame and disappointment, to be unavailable for a Knutsford game......)
Will this be the last reference to Janice this season?
We doubt it.
P.S. All players and lovers of the game should make at least one visit to the excellent web site run by Manchester Indians to check out some of the best match reports you will find anywhere.
Saturday 19th Feb
Todays guests at Queen Katherine School were Manchester Indians. A fine bunch of men, as testified by our picture..
I said I would try to have this report 'live' by 7.30pm and it is already 8.00pm! Sorry people. You can read an alternative report of the game by visiting the Manchester Indians own Web site.
We went a bit silly with the camera today, we also had the benefit of a home crowd, and todays visiting umpire was the very reasonable and underestimated, Raj.
Enough of the formalities and introductions, on with the game.
It was a hard fought contest with perhaps the home side putting on more of the pressure. However there was to be no early goal in this game. The visitors were denied the chance to go ahead when the home umpire (and your reporter) blew to award a penalty corner when the ball hit the foot of a defender in the Kendal D. Unfortunately immediately following the whistle, the ball came off that foot to an attackers stick and was despatched to the bottom corner, leaving Manchester wondering about 'advantage'.
At half time there was still no score.
The game was not only hard fought but at times rather more physical than was absolutely necessary which made life difficult for the two umpires, always looking to keep the game flowing but not prepared to allow dangerous play. Inevitably this leads to situatoons in which the payers do not see events the same way as the umpires do. Fortunately players kept their play and their discussions with the umpires well away from anything which might have tempted a yellow card.
Following the break down of a Manchester attack Kendal broke quickly and a move involving Rob Bradshaw, Steve Barclay, Ewan Galloway and Sam Ridding finally found Phil Conlin at the top of the Manchester D and he coolly slipped it under the approaching 'keeper for Kendal to take a 1-0 lead.
Shortly after the goal Kendal were on the attack again and what we will describe as a collision between two players left one, a visitor and guest sadly, with a nasty cut on the chin. Play was suspended whilst this was attended to, eventually needing the player to leave the field to use the first aid kit. Those of a nervous disposition may prefer to look away now as we provide two pictures of the aftermath. the pictures were taken in the Castle Inn during refreshments. (the player did return to the field of play after his dressing had been applied)
Whilst the unlucky player was absent the Indians were down to ten men but Kendal Cowboys failed to make the advantage tell. In fact shortly after his return, the visitors scored the equaliser. Kendal skipper Steve Peruzza, standing in as 'keeper for the injured Mark Newsome, made a good save from the first shot and almost kicked the ball away from danger but despite his valiant efforts the ball was forced over the line.
And so the game finished, Kendal 1 Manchester Indians 1, for both sides a hard won point. It will not resolve possible relegation issues for either club and both will be hungry for points in the remaining games.
On to the Castle Inn where the home umpire took a good deal of advice about advantage, chips and sandwiches were devoured as if no player had eaten for weeks, and the usual jugs were exchanged.
The camera came out again to snap the visiting skipper Rob Riley, the visiting crowd (if either of these ladies had been umpiring then Janice Charmer's position of best looking umpire this season might possibly have been under discussion), and a final picture of Kendal's goal scorer and Man of the Match, Phil Conlin.
pretty remarkable eh? , I mean managing to give Janice Charmer a mention yet again. Speaking of which, Kendal travel south to play the magnificent Knutsford next week.
Saturday 12th Feb
Dear oh dear. It all went badly wrong for Kendal today. The Fixture Secretary had the match time wrong, it should have been a 2.00 pushback not 3.00. By the time the Kendal team arrived Carlisle had already warmed up several times. (As a result of this late arrival we did not take any pictures.)
Clearly the wait had sharpened the Carlisle resolve and they started very well with a well taken goal in the first few minutes. Kendal showed no sign of their recent form and were continually under pressure. They did manage to forge couple of clear chances in the first half but both were squandered. Carlisle displayed a greater determination and a much better team spirit.
This was a game which recent form, and the league positions, suggested should have provided Kendal with some points. Local derbys are often won and lost in the mind and Carlisle were without doubt the better prepared of the two teams.
Kendal did manage to equalise in the second half after the Carlisle goalkeeper made a classic error. The ball was hit hard in to his area from 25 yards and he left it as he thought was going harmlessly over the goal line. Instead it came back off the post and Sam Ridding picked his spot for an easy goal.
As Carlisle gained a free hit in the 25 the Carlisle evergreen 'Tosh' (Hi Tosh!) came up to receive the ball just inside the D and despatched safely to the bottom corner, where your reporter, playing this week for the first time since December, should have been covering the post. Carlisle 2 Kendal 1.
Kendal tried hard to equalise again but were further rocked back when Carlisles' South African ex-international was left unmarked (by your reporter) in the Kendal D and made no mistake with his first time shot. Carlisle 3 Kendal 1.
A fairly miserable afternoon for the boys in green but 3 points for Carlisle to give them hope of avoiding relegation.
The match was ably umpired by Keith Richardson and Mike Graveson. Do we still have a picture of Keith? Yes we do! We also still have a picture of the Carlisle team, taken at the start of the season. Our apologies to those players who were playing today but do not appear in glorious technicolour.
Next week Kendal are at home to Manchester Indians, pushback at Queen Katherine School, 2.30pm.
And we are all looking forward to the following week when we travel South to play Knutsford who we hope will be fielding our favourite umpire, Janice Charmer. let's just spoil ourselves with another picture.....
Saturday 5th Feb
Today Kendal welcomed Sale 2. Our picture shows Sale before the game. As you can see this is a squad picked not only for their talent with the stick, but also for their all round good looks.
Click on the picture for a bigger picture
It is difficult to think back to the last time Kendal did not get an early lead, so it was not really a surprise when Steve Barclay scored with a lovely crisp shot in to the top right corner after less than 2 minutes. An early goal is no guarantee of three points however and memories of three recent games lost after going ahead were still very clear.
Kendal continued to press throughout the first half, but Sale defended well and there was no further score at half time.
Steve Barclay, Phil Conlin and Rob Bradshaw all tested the Sale defence. Sam Ridding looked ever more tenacious out on the wing and regularly beat his marker. Despite these and other good individual performances this was not as good a team performance as we have seen from Kendal recently.
In the second half Sale made much more of an impression and began to get forward in numbers, much to the concern of defender Ian Telford, seen below making a strong bid for the chips in the Castle Inn. After a number of close defeats recently the spectators began to grow quite nervous as the game progressed. Sale pushed harder and gained a couple of penalty corners but were unable to convert these to goals. After a sequence of long corners, in which 'keeper Mark Newsome suffered in a bad collision, Kendal finally cleared the ball and briefly relieved the pressure.
The Sale 'keeper made a first class save from Steve Barclay as Kendal tried to increase their slim lead. The ball was not cleared properly and the 'keeper had to make a follow up save from Phil Conlin to keep Sale's hopes alive.
At this point some of our senior players would have been looking to 'wind the clock down', but this is not a tactic for Peruzza's boys. Open and attacking hockey to the last, regardless of the risk!
The final whistle came with no further score.
Kendal 1 Sale 0
As Pru gave his final words to the Kendal team after the game, they certainly did not look like a team which had just won three points. It had been a game dominated by defences and the two goalkeepers.
Refreshments and erudite conversation were had after the match at the marvellous Castle Inn, courtesy of Geoff and Chris. Our closing images are of the Sale umpire, Glyn, to whom we give our thanks, and as promised, a picture of Ian Telford making his bid for the chips.
Next week is the nearest we get to a local derby as Kendal travel to Carlisle, departure time 1.30pm for a 3.00 pushback at St Aidans School.
Further news, from earlier in the season, can be found by going to our Old News Page
Fixtures
League Fixtures for 1999/2000 |
(Kendal goals appear first in results column) |
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Result |
|---|
| Sept 25 | Rossendale 2 | Home | 2 - 6 |
| Oct 2 | Sale 2 | Away | 4 - 0 |
| Oct 9 | Carlisle 2 | Home | 5 - 1 |
| Oct 16 | Manchester Indians 1 | Away | 3 - 5 |
| Oct 23 | Knutsford 2 | Home | 0 - 5 |
| Oct 30 | Leigh 1 | Away | 1 - 5 |
| Nov 6 | Holmes Chapel 2 | Home | 3 - 3 |
| Nov 13 | Bolton 2 | Away | 2 - 4 |
| Nov 20 | Cheetham Hill 2 | Home | 2 - 1 |
| Nov 27 | Springfields 2 | Away | 1 - 2 |
| Dec 4 | Blackpool 1 | Home | 2 - 0 |
| Jan 15 | Bolton 2 | Home | 3 - 4 |
| Jan 16 | Cheetham Hill 2 | Away | 1 - 2 |
| Jan 22 | Blackpool 1 | Away | 4 - 3 |
| Jan 29 | Rossendale 2 | Away | 1 - 2 |
| Feb 5 | Sale 2 | Home | 1 - 0 |
| Feb 12 | Carlisle 2 | Away | 1 - 3 |
| Feb 19 | Manchester Indians 1 | Home | 1 - 1 |
| Mar 4 | Leigh 1 | Home | 2 - 1 |
| Mar 5 | Knutsford 2 | Away | 0 - 6 |
| Mar 11 | Holmes Chapel 2 | Away | 0 - 4 |
| Mar 18 | Springfields 2 | Home | 1 - 1 |
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