Last Sunday was quite a triumph and more importantly a portent of things to come over the next 5-10 years. The U10 and U12 Suffolk championships were held at Rushmere, organized by our own Dave Cooper, and all the hard work at this young level paid off. The U10 boys were triumphant, as were the U12 girls and U12 boys beating all comers from Suffolk. The U10 girls were narrow runners up after a very tight loss in one of their games. It means all teams will go onto the east championships at Magpies in April. It’s also very important to note the strength we showed – we not only fielded 2 teams in every category but also found time to enter development teams too. I was so proud to see everyone there with Ipswich putting on a fine show – quality hockey on show, honed by parents, helpers and coaches throughout the season and everyone looked the part. The one bum note was the dismissal to the stands of one of the junior coaches; Nick Fry and Foxy’s influence was clearly at play, the coach shall remain nameless!

Not all children could represent the ‘A’ team in each category, but the key thing was that we put at least 2 teams in for each group meaning everyone got match time and played in a tournament. It’s tough sometimes when your team mates are winning but we took a decision that we would much rather have everyone playing as opposed to sitting on the sidelines, we hope this decision was vindicated by a good day out for everyone, even if it was a touch on the wet side. We will save proper thank yous to parents, coaches and players until an end of season junior festival (an idea we hatched up in the pub and one that needs work and help!).

Back with the adult hockey, a less enjoyable day at the office for some. The Men’s 1s and Women’s 1s both went down by 5 goals to Guildford confirming the inevitable drop back down to East Premier League in 2024-25. I’m sure, someone, somewhere will be gloating – that’s the price of success. However, I’m proud of how both teams, exceptionally young in many cases and new to EHL, have held themselves this year. Never complained, fought hard and have given a good account of the Ipswich Blue. Perhaps it was a season too soon, perhaps the Midlands EHL league would have been much easier – either way, they’ve stuck at it and having had the pleasure of playing some of the matches for the men I can assure you, their spirit has never wavered and I know from Ali and Rixie that the same has applied to for the women. The reality is, we were lacking a few top players in certain positions and adding to this a number of exits last year, it always meant it would be a tall order.

This brings me onto next season and also this Saturday. Next year the Men’s 1s and Women’s 1s should be in adjacent league which is ideal for pushing for promotion again. I say should….the Women’s 2s are safe, the Men’s 2s have 10 wins and a draw and due to the idiosyncratic East system are in danger of relegation. They have a simple equation against Cambridge University – win and they stay up, lose or draw and they are down. The match is at 4 pm – all support, young and old, would be incredibly welcome. The League below is not where we aspire to be especially as the Men have a rather impressive crop of U14 and U16s coming through who have been playing top tier national hockey this year.
No stats, this week, they are on ice until the dinner dance – please get your tickets, it will be cracking evening under Sue Stentson’s marvellous leadership.

We have only 3 reports this week, investment banking’s gain was sports journalism's loss…enjoy the belter from Felix.

I hope to see you Saturday - there is a takeaway curry being organised in the club house afterwards and many of the teams, men and women should be there.

Women's 4s

With a certain amount of relief I am delighted to announce that this will be my final match report of the season….

Who would have thought that an end of season encounter between the mighty Ipswich Ladies 4th team (3rd from bottom) and Sudbury Ladies 3rd team (second from bottom) would be so hotly anticipated. This fervent excitement was not just because it gave us the chance to improve our goal difference and secure a much needed win, it was more because one our youthful rising stars Maisie would be facing off against her mother. Who would come out on top of the sandy battle of Great Cornard? Would Acton bragging rights be in blue or white? Would the coach remember Maisie’s name or call her Millie, Summer or Emily as he has in practice all year? All would be revealed after 70 minutes of gladiatorial combat.

Actually it was a bit of an anti-climax as proven by Maisie being voted Wonder Woman of the Day and her poor mother taking a nasty blow on the knee from an almighty slap from Catherine (I think). However prior to that Maisie had clearly shown her competitive nature in a couple of ‘one-on-one’ duals with her mother where no quarter was asked for, and certainly none was given. Maisie’s game mentality and distribution was a joy to watch from the side-lines in a game that, truth be told, lacked quality. Ipswich were clearly the better side but failed to convert a number of good opportunities bar a golden period from the 15th to the 21st minute where we scored 3 times. Summer opened the scoring after dribbling through half of Sudbury and then slipping the ball past the GK; she is the third DR playing at Ipswich and I don’t think she will be long in the 4ths. Only 13 but already so competitive and confident on the ball she will soon join Hollie and Poppy at the top of the club once she gets more game practice. She is another of our rising super stars along with Izzy G and Millie (who have both played for the 4s) and clearly all have the potential and hockey skills to be in higher teams in the not too distant future.

The other 2 goals were scored by the returning TC – neither were from further out than 30cm but you have to be in the right place at the right time – and TC certainly was to convert passes from Emily and Summer. Midfield was totally controlled by Catherine and Mary (teacher and apprentice) although the highlight was Catherine getting 2 warnings for dissent from the home umpire. A nicer person than Catherine you will struggle to meet, and she has been a brilliant addition to the team in the later games of the season but (as with Summer and Maisie above) her kindly disposition hides a steely competitive edge!

In the second half we were generally rubbish but luckily so were Sudbury; Clara and the defence were called into action a couple of times with Chele clearing off the line in a mad post PC scramble. Abbie missed her 3rd chance from a PC (which secured her ‘Where’s Wally award’) but apart from that there wasn’t much to say about a pretty dismal 35 minutes. The whistle went, the points were secured and Maisie had a grin as wide as the Stour and family bragging rights.

The final game of the season sees Chele’s army take on Christchurch at home. Although the coach cannot be there he is confident we have the skills, energy and spirit to exact revenge from the earlier narrow defeat. It has been a season of ‘what ifs’ and selection has not been without its challenges but throughout the season Chele has been an amazing captain; so supportive of her team, so constructive and so positive. An absolute coach’s dream to work with. It has been a lot of fun and with the amazing youth (as above and including Emily and Anna) coming through to support the exuberance of (among others) Stens, Jules, Abbie, Phoebe, Vicky and Charlotte then I believe we can really challenge next season in a league where we have been competitive all season.

Women's 1st XI
Guildford take the league win

Ipswich travelled for their penultimate game down to Guildford, in what was thought to be a chaotically long journey. Thankfully one of the least stressful away days!! As the table stood before Saturday , Guildford needed a win to guarantee them promotion. Ipswich were the ones to delay that victory and hold off for as long as they could.

The game started with some great tackles and winning the possession back early to create chances. A great step from growing forward, Charlie Phillips, giving Ipswich their first opportunity to upgrade a circle entry. Fortunately for Guildford, a lost ball off the back line from Ipswich gave Guildford another attempt to outlet. Taking full advantage of having the possession back, Guildford managed to work the ball up the pitch and win an early corner. Which lead to an early goal. Ipswich held on and fought off more corners that they handed to Guildford.

The second quarter begun with Ipswich working well through the midfield and made the ball flow up the pitch connecting with the forward line. A long pass from Ellie Scott found POTM, Georgia Harrold, up the pitch who carried hard into the D and unluckily met the goalie and not the goal. The ball flew back down the pitch from Guildford. With their pace and flare running around Ipswich, they found their second goal. A sharp green card for a hit away by Guildford soon after, Ipswich worked hard to try and gain the upper hand. A very close chance came for Ipswich but a wrong pass selection lead to a break in advantage. Ipswich then punished for the missed chance with Guildford slotting their third and then fourth just before oranges. 4-0 down.

Oranges over and Ipswich reset and go straight back into the fight. Only to lose another goal to miscommunication. Ipswich found their rhythm more as the game built on and then more chances came. Another great drive along the baseline from Harrold winning Ipswich their first corner. A harsh call of a back stick shut down the chance for a goal. Ipswich needed to keep the ball in their attacking half if they wanted to nullify Guildford. Ipswich tracking back well and defending outlets with more pressure slowed down Guildford and they too started to struggle with forward passes. A jump back tackle lost Ipswich a player and won Guildford an opportunity. With Ipswich stepping up in defence, they were able to gain back possession after a well-saved corner from GK, Ali Barham.

The final quarter and the last 17.5minutes for Ipswich to do something with it. With some sound distribution and skill from Captain, Lucy Dunnett and fellow midfielder, Poppy Dring-Richardson, Ipswich worked up and were rewarded with another couple of short corners. Struggling to execute, Ipswich scoreline stays at ground zero.

The game finished 5-0 and Guildford secure the promotion with a game to go. Congratulations to Guildford who will go into Division 1 next season and join fellow rivals, Southgate, whom they narrowly lost the win to last year. As for Ipswich, their fate was sealed last week and face relegation this season. With one game left of the season, Ipswich face Old Georgians at home. Nothing to lose but everything to win… One last hoorah… see you at 2pm!

Women's 5th XI

The 5s turned up to Tuddenham Road bright and early on a beautiful sunny morning to play Felixstowe 2s. It was a great match with us going ahead in the first 10 minutes…we battled hard and played some lovely hockey, our playing of triangles out to our left and right wings was impressive. However the final score was 2-4 to Felixstowe…..which was a shame as it seem quite an equal contest. We are now gearing ourselves up for our last match vs Castaways away on Saturday….praying for a win.