A weekend of pre-season friendlies on September 14-15 brought 4 wins, 2 draws and 3 losses for the men’s section. Read chair of men’s selection Neil Prior’s preview for our promising teams freshly promoted teams and those slugging it out in newly restructured leagues.
Club Day – September 7
Club Day is the traditional season curtain raiser and this year all the men’s teams from the M2s through to Tankards played various inter-club competitive matches throughout the day. It was an ideal way to blow off the summer cobwebs, re-group and to welcome new members to the club. In total there were 17 potential new members to the men’s section (at all levels) on display.
Blessed with good weather and having the added attraction of the M1s and L1s playing friendly fixtures on the water pitch in the middle of the day, meant there was a good buzz about the club. This all bodes well for a full, fun and hopefully successful 2019-20 season.
Men’s Matches – September 14-15
Still in the pre-season friendly phase for most, Southgate men played host to Wayfarers (M3s), Cambridge City (M2s and M3s), H&W Vets (Flagons), LOHC from Holland (Tankards) and Tower Hamlets (3As). All games were played in a good spirit, many were close and Southgate came out the winner in two games, two were drawn and there were two defeats in the six games. Thank you in particular to the umpires – many of whom did a double-shift or played in addition to umpiring.
The one league game to be played was the new (younger) look Magnums 50s playing in London League SuperVets Div 2. They started their league campaign with a satisfying 5-2 victory over Richmond Rogues. Well done Jonny Ray and team!
The M4s played a friendly away to St Albans on Sunday gearing up for their league season following a double promotion to London League Division 2. Their game was a close encounter and ended in a narrow 4-3 defeat.
Looking ahead to the League season
Our East League teams – 3A, Tankards A, Tankards Y and Tankards Z start their respective league campaigns next Saturday – September 21. Both 3A and Tankards A were promoted last season, so will be taking up their places in East SW Div 5 and Div 6 respectively.
Other teams continue with their pre-season friendly schedule until M2s and M3s get their leagues started on September 28. The M2s have moved across and up to play South League Prem B this season, showing intent on reaching National League in their own right within three seasons. The M3s have been promoted to London League Prem. This means our top three teams (our high- performance section) can boast a seriously good level of hockey meaning very healthy competition for places.
M4s, M5s and Flagons will have to wait until October 5 for their league seasons to commence and are all playing each other in the coming two weeks as useful warm-up games. Magnums 60s also are having to wait a little longer for their start too, but games in other teams are always an option.
Full Men’s Results September 14-15
M1s vs Old Loughtonians 1s Won 4-1
M2s vs Cambridge City 2s Lost 3-1
M3s vs Wayfarers Drew 0-0
M3s vs Cambridge City 3s Drew 4-4
M4s vs St Albans 3s/4s Lost 3-2
M3As/Tankards vs Tower Hamlets Won 5-2
Flagons vs H&W Vets Lost 3-1
Magnums 50s vs Richmond Rogues Won 5-2
Tankards AYZ vs LOHC of Holland Won 6-0
Neil Prior, men’s chair of selection