Calling all Master Hockey Players in Somerset
Somerset Hockey Association run Masters teams this. You qualify if you reach one of the lower age group age in the current year and live in the County or play for a Somerset affiliated club.
If you or anybody you know is interested in getting involved please get in touch with SHA. All levels of ability are welcome. Age qualifications are
Women O40’s -Born 1981 or earlier.
Men O40’s – Born 1971 – 1960
Men O50’s- Born 1961 -1970
Men O60’s- Born 1960 or earlier.
Contacts:
1st XI: vacant
2nd XI : vacant
Competitions
Both teams are entered into the EH Over 60’s Championship for 2020-2021
Results
EH Championship Tier 1 – QF
Full time – Somerset/Wilts 2 Havant 2
Flicks – Somerset/Wilts 5 Havant 4
Somersest/Wilts through to the semi finals on Sunday March 1st at the University of Bath Pitch 1 14.30pm against Iceni Rex (Essex)
EH Championship Tier 1 Round 2 Sunday 8th December 2019
Southampton 1 Somerset/Wilts 3
EH Championship Tier 2 Round 1 Sunday 8th December 2019
Devon/Cornwall 8 Somerset/Wilts B 1
Sunday 17th November 2019 -Somerset and Wiltshire Over 60s Tier 1 Match vs Trojans (A)
Age is obviously not a prerequisite for reading emails as with twenty minutes to go, a third of the team were sat in the changing room ready to go….at the wrong venue, (we won’t mention the player who was in the wrong county!) The hurried arrival at the pitch seems to have benefited the team as ‘Swilts’ started very strongly, and should have been ahead early on. The home team scored against the run of play after 15 minutes, from a well watched follow up at a PC.
Swilts rallied well and an influx of subs on the 22 minute mark gave some more width to the team, and following a high deflected cross, the skipper gratefully accepted the clearance from the keeper and flicked home. Swilts then dropped the intensity somewhat, and poor game management just on the stroke of half time allowed Trojans to engineer a PFlick which was duly dispatched for a 2-1 home advantage.
The second half saw Swilts upping the tempo, using the subs wisely, and after some sustained pressure the skipper fired home from a PC to bring the scores level. The game could have gone either way then, missed PC chances by Trojans, a PF given to Swilts only for it to be changed to a PC following the Umpires conferring…… and then Trojans missing one of the best chances of the game with a few minutes to go, thanks to an unlucky touch.
No extra time for the oldies, straight to Flicks, once again the skipper lost the toss and Swilts were second to the spot. With a superb round of 5/5 and with the keeper making a great save from the third Trojans flick Swilts prevailed and look forward to the next round.
A great performance from the whole squad, and some great hospitality from the home side afterwards made the journey well worthwhile.’’
Somerset and Wiltshire O60 B v Havant (EH Tier 1 Championship) (H) University of Bath
Making their debut match the second string squad came up against a strong Havant side and were soon under pressure in defence. However a resolute approach kept a clean sheet until just before half time when a goal from close range conceded despite several attempts to clear.
In the second half players started to play better together resulting in more possession and several chances. However another goal was conceded gain after chances to clear not taken
Overall a good effort from a new squad
Nick
Somerset Masters
Sunday 15th September 2019 West Masters Festival – Taunton
The O60’s were less successful with defeats 1-0 to Gloucestershire and 4-1 to Devon/Cornwall
The O65’s (combining with Wiltshire) had a mixed day with a great 5-0 win over Devon/Cornwall only to lose 2-0 to same opposition in the afternoon
Sunday 16th June 2019 saw the Mens O60 match against Gloucestershire saw an end to end contest with many chances being made and missed , however the home side came away with a 2-1 win
Sunday 25th Nov EH Championship Tier 1 Round 2 University of Bath
Having defeated Devon/Cornwall B in the first round Somerset O60’s took on the Devon/Cornwall first team in Round 1
Both teams were depleted by late call-offs but an end to end encounter still was played to a high level.
The home team had most of the possession and chances throughout the match but the visitors were always dangerous on the break.
The result hinged on a few minutes with only 10 mins to go. Two penalty flicks were awarded to Devon/Cornwall , the first well saved by keeper, Dave Parker, but he could nothing about the second shortly afterwards as Nigel Hemming fired home.
Wishing our visitors well for Round 3
Nick Kendall
Somerset Masters Hockey
Our Men’s O60’s team also took part in the 2018 West Masters County Tournament on Sunday 17th September at Queens College:
Somerset O60’s 0 v Devon/Cornwall 1
Somerset O60’s 2 v Gloucestershire 0
On Sunday 17th June the now annual Somerset v Gloucestershire Masters Day at the University of Bath was held with a good turn out by both counties in all teams.
- MEN O60 – 2-1 WIN
Somerset Mens O60 Masters were knocked out in the Quarter Finals of the England Hockey Tier 1 Championship on Sunday 14th Jan when they travelled to Newent and went down 1-2 to Gloucestershire/Herefordshire. A couple of defensive errors in the first half gave the home side a 2 goal lead but a strong second half performance earnt a goal back from Man of the Match David Cole (Taunton Vale).
Somerset Mens O60 Masters Reach The Quarter Finals Of The Tier 1 England Hockey Championships
Somerset O60 Men have reached the Quarter Finals of the England Hockey Tier 1 Championship after a successful trip to play Devon/Cornwall 1sts on Sunday 26th November.
Having received a bye in Round 1 this match was our first competitive match of the season. With a few regulars not available but a few new faces to select from we took a strong squad to face opposition we have never beaten in previouse years in the competition.
A bright start saw us take the lead with a well worked goal from Richard Sykes but intense pressure from the home side forced two defensive errors and two quick goals were conceded before half time.
The second half was a different matter with Somerset dominating play and taking the lead with two goals from Jon Marshall both from second phase short corners.
To their credit the hosts fought back with a la
In the Penalty Flick contest three outstanding saves from keeper Dave Parker saw us home 3-2.
Contact: Dudley Bartlett – Email
Competitions
Results
Sunday 15th September 2019 West Masters Festival – Taunton
The O50’ remained unbeaten with a win over Wiltshire 1-0 and 2-2 draws v both Cornwall & Gloucestershire
Sunday 16th June 2019 saw the Men’s O50’s played in the annual match against Gloucestershire which was closely fought indicated by the 2-2 scoreline
On Sunday 17th June the now annual Somerset v Gloucestershire Masters Day at the University of Bath was held with a good turn out by both counties in all teams.
- MEN O50 – 0-2 LOSS
Contact: Martin Pellow – Email
Competitions
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Results
Sunday 15th September 2019 West Masters Festival – Taunton
The O40’s took on Gloucestershire/Hereford in a full match and came out on top with a 7-5 win
Sunday 16th June 2019 – Somerset 5 – Gloucestershire 3 Scorers: James Evans 2, Matt Warren 2, Chris Poulson 1
On Sunday 16th September the Somerset Men’s O40s took part in the 2018 West Masters County Tournament at Queen’s College. They played really well coming from behind to win 3-2 against Devon and Cornwall, and draw 2-2 against Gloucestershire, and winning overall on goals scored. They were a pleasure to captain, digging in when required, scoring when needed and showing discipline/ sportsmanship. Mark Aspden
On Sunday 17th June the now annual Somerset v Gloucestershire Masters Day at the University of Bath was held with a good turn out by both counties in all teams.
- MEN O40 – 0-5 LOSS
Contact: Wendy Smith Email
Competitions
Results
Somerset Masters hosted a Festival of matches against Gloucestershire Masters teams for this now annual event at the University of Bath Sports Training Village on Sunday 16th June. Unfortunately Gloucester could not raise an O40 Ladies side this year so Somerset fielded two teams to enjoy a social but competitive game.
The Ladies O40’s also competed in the 2018 West Masters County Tournament at Queen’s College.
Somerset 1 – Devon & Cornwall 3
Somerset 4 – Avon 0
On Sunday 17th June the now annual Somerset v Gloucestershire Masters Day at the University of Bath was held with a good turn out by both counties in all teams.
- LADIES O40 – 3-2 WIN
Masters Festival September 2017
The Somerset Ladies O45’s Masters Squad played in the Masters Festival on Sunday 17th September at Queens College Taunton and their results are as follows:
Somerst 0 – Wereys (Ex Avon Ladies Squad) 0
Somerset 0 – Gloucester 1
A great day of Masters Hockey for men and ladies, this is an annual event so look forward to next year and maybe more counties getting involved.
Contact: Ben Roberts – Email / Mobile: 07720244346
Competitions
Results
Somerset Men Win National County Title – June 12, 2018
Somerset Men’s Hockey team recently took part in the National County competition in the 80th Year of the competition. Over previous years Somerset have worked through from the C division, to B division winning this in 2016, competing in and making the finals of the A division in 2017.
Following trial sessions that took place at Taunton Vale Sports Clubs this Somerset fought it out in the top tier A division, Somerset started out with four games against the hosts Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Sussex and Kent, his weekend was played at Cannock HC. This was played over two days and after day 1 Somerset had won one and lost one, meaning they had work to do on day 2, starting early, they got under way, winning against Staffs and then beating Sussex for a place at finals weekend after finishing runners up to Warwickshire who were the only team to defeat Somerset in a 6-5 thriller.
The A division finals were held at Nottingham hockey centre involving a semi-final and then a final format.
With a side packed with quality including some International and national premiership players, it did seem the side were in good shape. However a quality Lincolnshire who had won their pool round scoring lots and conceding few were also brimming with talent. Lincolnshire had also competed in last year’s final, losing to Yorkshire and were not going to go down lightly. Having dominated ball possession in the first half, Somerset took a two goal advantage through James Carson, but late on in the second half Lincolnshire rallied to bring the score back to 2-2.
Fortunately, on fire at corners, Somerset won a penalty corner late in the game, and Tom Carson slotted home the winner, meaning Somerset had reached their first ever A division final drawing Warwickshire who they had faced in the pool stages of the competition it was certainly going to be a game for the fans!
Having sustained a number of injuries in the semi-final and knowing what challenge lay ahead the first half was cagey, and ended 1-1 with a composed goal from Liam Hedaux. Somerset than fell behind to a breakaway goal after Warwickshire went close on a couple of occasions, with 20 minutes left to play it looked a long way to go. But having steadied the ship, Somerset’s talisman James Carson returned from a short time in A & E to beautifully chip the keeper making it 2-2, the momentum with Somerset, the chances came and with 4 minutes left to go, Somerset took the lead 3-2, the victory was sealed with a goal in the final moments from Ross Hardwick making it a 4-2 win.
Somerset won the national A division title, England’s most expensive hockey trophy was lifted deservedly by team captain Matt Richards, who said, ‘it is an honour to hold the trophy, very proud to win this for Somerset, for the first time in their history, we have done the small county in the south west proud!’
For those that know of Somerset’s hockey, this achievement is a great culmination of talent that has grown in the south west by various clubs over a number of years. Somerset Men have worked tirelessly for years to compete in A division, a big thanks to Steven Rybaruk among others for pushing this great county onto such high achievements.
Congratulations to all the players and clubs involved:
Bath Buccaneers: Sam Whitefield
Cardiff and Met: Liam Hedaux, Jacob Cannock
Clifton Robinsons HC: Andy Jackson
Firebrands HC: Tom Harris, Ben Roberts
HCV Leauven: Matt Richards (Captain)
ISCA: Tom Whitworth, David Gibson
Ipswich Hockey Club: Ian Haley
Reading HC: Tom Carson, James Carson, Ed Carson, Stuart Loughrey,
Taunton Vale HC: Ross Hardwick, Elliot Foweraker (Coach), Liam Pigden, Martin Johnson, Dom Oliver
University of Birmingham: Patrick Free
University of Exeter: George Carson
Westbury HC: Ben Rogers
Yeovil and Sherborne: Dave Martin (GK), James Bell, Hannah Bell (Manager)