After a lull of a couple of weeks since the end of the first half of the regular outdoor season, this past week has altogether been rather exciting.
Our women had the first four games of their inaugural Premier League season in England Hockey’s Super Sixes. On the Men’s side, the services of David Ames were acquired ahead of a tough schedule down the stretch of our outdoor campaign. Holcombe scooped up a plethora of awards at the Medway Sports Awards and Sarah Jones and Leah Wilkinson were selected in the Wales Women’s Squad for Round 2 of the FIH World League.
Not a bad few days.
The women have been training hard ahead of their trip to Telford this past weekend. A 4-team tournament hosted by Tonbridge Hockey Academy gave the girls a chance to get some semi-competitive games under their belts and get used to their patterns of play ahead of a tough opening weekend in the league.
Having won Division 1 at a canter last year, the girls are naturally full of confidence and have developed a priceless habit of grinding out results in this format. Being the league newcomers however, the squad were under no illusions as to the step-up in quality and structure required to compete at this level.
As it happens, the fixtures have resulted in our girls opening their Premier League account by facing the top 4 sides from last years’ competition.
The opening game was a tough assignment; Canterbury have an indoor court of their own at Polo Farm and their success last season shows their pedigree at the top of the domestic indoor game. For us to come away with such an important win was huge in that context. From a confidence perspective alone it shows that we are capable of competing with the best in the league and it’s always great to get off to a positive start in any competitive environment.
Game 2 however was a completely different affair. If truth be told, it was a tactical car crash of a game. The girls stayed in the contest and pushed to the end because they were better individual hockey players. Ultimately, we stifled ourselves and made it impossible to open up a side that has struggled to pick up points this weekend.
There were big questions asked at full-time. With being the final game of the day, the girls stayed on court for a while and after the initial debrief from Kevin, the group went back into the changing rooms to sort themselves out together. There was a very clear message; the girls wanted to take a greater ownership of how they played the game. Ultimately, the UOBHC game sort of passed us by. For whatever reason, it clearly wasn’t working for us yet was allowed to simply keep on happening. The girls were determined to not let that happen again and thankfully, they didn’t.
Unfortunately for us, the games that we had to rectify the lapses of Saturday evening came against the reigning champions and the early leaders.
Game 3 was a world away from Game 2. There was an intensity of body and mind that was absent the night before and the structure helped us to make real inroads into the EG defence. With a tough 2-1 loss to take off the back of a far improved performance, it can sometimes be difficult to appreciate the strides forward that were undoubtedly taken. Regardless of the performance, consecutive losses builds pressure in any environment and with only hours to re-set before going again against Bowdon, it was a positive but not perfect performance.
Bowdon for Game 4 offered a different proposition altogether. They were in danger of running away with the league inside 1 weekend, after smashing 17 goals past their two opponents on Saturday. As a group they have played together for years and have a clear and structured game plan.
The girls fought hard in that game yesterday. It was always going to be a tough assignment and ultimately it came down to fine margins again. A couple of chances here or there, a couple of decisions here or there and we might be looking at a different outcome. Bowdon were pushed in that game and it shows that collectively we are capable of producing performances that can compete at the top end of the table.
Unfortunately now, the second weekend in January takes on a whole new proposition. Thankfully, the positions above us are bunched and it gives the opportunity for one win to make a massive difference in the structure. The two games on the Saturday will be vitally important and points are now a necessity in each of the four remaining fixtures.
Coach Kevin Johnson is away for that second weekend, as is vice-captain Leah Wilkinson. The importance therefore of the group collectively stepping up will ultimately decide whether we remain a Premier League side in just over a month’s time.
On the Men’s side, we had a huge boost with the signing of David Ames. With losing Barry Middleton and Iain Lewers to the Indian Premier League throughout February, having an Olympian to settle into our midfield and help to co-ordinate both our offensive and defensive structures will be invaluable. Collectively, we can’t wait to get started for the home straight of the regular season and there’s no doubt that Ames will have a huge part to play in our success in the regular season, and hopefully the playoffs that follow.
On Friday, the Medway Sports Awards were held, for which Holcombe had a massive 6 shortlisted nominations. At the ceremony, the club scooped up prizes for; the Men’s 1st Team who picked up the Team of the Year Gold Award, Jon Rye who claimed the Unsung Hero Silver Award, the Junior section that took home the Junior Club of the Year Silver Award, Holcombe Hockey Club that claimed the Club of the Year Silver Award and Maddie Hinch who won Sportsperson of the Year Gold Award. In addition, Julian Halls, Men’s 1st team coach, was shortlisted for Coach of the Year.
Needless to say, it was a staggering return for the club as it was recognised across a plethora of Medway Sports organisations and shows the progressions that have been collectively made across the board.
Considering it’s meant to be the ‘off-season’, it’s been a seriously busy week at Holcombe Park. Winter is well and truly upon us and a well earned rest (at least for a week or so) is in order for all involved with the club. With both flagship sides in indoor action in the New Year, there won’t be long to rest as the second half of the season truly gets underway.