All posts by Craig Hockenhull

Committee News

Path to Paris – Club Challenge

To celebrate the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2024, we are inviting you to get active and embark on a virtual journey with Path to Paris, Team GB and ParalympicsGB’s free programme for children, families and club.

Register any activities that you do to help the club progress whether it be activities at school, playing sport or even walking the dog.

Use the below link to register activities

https://www.getset.co.uk/app/log-activity

Your team name is WHITCHURCH (SHROPSHIRE) HOCKEY CLUB
Your Unique Pin is 2100

Academy News, Development News, General News

Development Centres – May & June 2024

  • Development centres are the first step on the England Hockey Player pathway into County hockey, they are set up for all boys and girls aged 9-14 (Years 5 and up) who would like to develop their skills beyond school and club hockey.
Centre Initials Cost Day Time Dates
St Georges, Telford SG £30 Sunday 11am-1pm 12th May, 19th May, 2nd June
Meole Brace School, Shrewsbury MB £30 Thursday 6pm-8pm 16th May, 23rd May, 6th June
Sir John Talbot School, Whitchurch W £30 Tuesday 6pm-8pm 14th May, 21st May, 4th June

Further information

 

Ladies Section, Match Reports

Match reports – 06-04-24

In the final weekend of matches for the season the ladies all finished on a high with victories.

Whitchurch ladies 1s 3 Chester ladies 3s 2

With the late arrival of the Chester keeper the game commenced with Chester fielding eleven outfield players and Whitchurch struggled in the early stages to cope with the extra player. Chester had a string of penalty corners from which they took the lead.

With the Chester keeper between the posts Whitchurch pushed forward and were soon back in the game as Hayley Kellett levelled the scores and it wasn’t long before Kellett scored her second goal to give Whitchurch a lead into the break.

Whitchurch started the second half controlling play and long periods of the game but failed to find the final touch in front of goal.

Chester levelled against the run of play and decided to remove their keeper and push for the win, Whitchurch couldn’t believe their luck and Tibby Gallier broke at pace through the Chester defence to give Whitchurch a hard-fought victory.

Wilmslow ladies 4s 1 Whitchurch ladies 2s 6

The ladies 2s have continued to improve throughout the season and the victory over Wilmslow gave them a well-deserved fifth place finish in the league.

Heidi Groom opened the scoring for Whitchurch with Freya Gresty getting a brace before the break.

The second half saw Gresty scoring another two goals before Amelie Morris got the final goal.

Whitchurch Ladies 3’s 1 Runcorn ladies’ development 0

The final match of the season was full of excitement and was very frustrating to watch. In the first few minutes Runcorn made their way to the Whitchurch dee and had some impressive shots at goal, luckily Whitchurch came alive and from that point they were in possession for most of the game.

At half time the score was 0-0 with goalkeeper Alice Snaith and the back line having very little to do in the game. There were a huge number of opportunities to score throughout and the impressive goal came from Sue Read halfway through the second half.

This was the third win out of the last four games. The team has grown throughout this season, and it was great to see them able to slow the play, make accurate passes and work fluidly as a team. I’m immensely proud to have been their captain this season and thank them for turning up each week and helping me through each match and look forward to the future with these amazing people.

Player of the match Freya Kellett.

Ladies Section, Match Reports, Men's Section

Match reports 23-03-24

Warrington Ladies development 3 Whitchurch Ladies 3’s 5

A huge win for the 3’s today. It was a rough match with some great runs from both teams. The match saw strong cross winds, rain, sunshine and an epic hail storm, which stopped play for a few minutes, despite this the girls fought hard to win tackles and also took extra time to make sure passes were accurate.

Bella Clarke (Pom) had a cracking game picking up stray balls and winning some fantastic tackles turning two of them into goals. Lois Ebben also came on fire today, scoring two goals.

Isla Gregory, Freya Kellett,  Abi Ashley and Esme Mackreth worked as a unit to move the ball forward on multiple occasions resulting in Mackreth also scoring a smashing goal.

Sue Read played a cracking centre half trying to find her inner 21 year old but making some important interceptions and a key player in today’s game. Jan Teggin outstanding again in goal made some excellent saves and defenders Mel Reid, Tracey Tolhurst, Megan Hayward and Isla Hearn were a solid defence line breaking down numerous runs before they became a danger to the keeper.

Captain Samantha Gregory said ‘the 3’s have come so far this season and as the captain I’m proud that they have developed as a team and individually and look forward to our last game in a fortnight.’

Whitchurch Men’s 2s 8 Warrington Men’s 2s 2

Whitchurch entertained Warrington looking to build on performances knowing that three points would complete their season with a mid-table finish.

Whitchurch started the quicker of the two teams and when the ball rebounded to Martin Beecher he blazed into the dee and fired into the bottom corner. Whitchurch since Christmas have been threatening a big victory and today was the day when all their efforts paid off.

Beecher again scored, this time with a blistering shot from a penalty corner and minutes later Airan Jones broke past the Warrington defence and forced a save for the keeper only for Arthur Huxley following up to tap in the rebound.

Whitchurch continued to dominate play through Nik Moga, Liam Pallett and Archie Plews in the midfield and it wasn’t long before Airan Jones scored to give Whitchurch a comfortable lead at half-time.

Whitchurch started the second half as they finished the first with Oliver Edwards picking out Joe Sherridan in the dee who deflected past the advancing keeper.

Warrington won a penalty corner and scored, this resulted in a rearrangement of the defence with Charlie Edwards, James Partington and Lucas Hill and Warrington took advantage to score another with a scrambled goal which left keeper Neil Jones no chance to clear.

Whitchurch having settled again began to apply pressure on the Warrington defence via Cian Hirst down the left wing and Adam Rance in the middle and this resulted in Craig Hockenhull picking up the ball outside the dee and driving forward and his pass was expertly deflected home by Joe Sherridan.

The final goal came as Alfie Edwards drove down the right-hand side of the pitch and his shot was again deflected home by Joe Sherridan to complete his hattrick.

An excellent performance for Whitchurch to complete their season on and the team would like to thank Lucas Hill for his efforts as he leaves for university next season.