By Vicky Wayman
Crowborough hockey club began a new initiative with a walking hockey session open to the local community.
The club, in conjunction with Beacon Academy, ran a taster session inviting people to come along and try this new take on hockey. It had all the familiar elements of the sport but running is not allowed, nor physical contact or lifts above knee height. It proved a fun challenge for the pioneers and Eastbourne have offered the group a first match in the summer.
Back in league action, the Men’s Ones secured a 5-1 win against Worthing Twos, after a dominant performance which featured two stupendous strikes from Cameron McCabe. They remain just two points behind the first placed East Grinstead.
Travelling away to play Brighton Threes, the Women’s Ones gained an essential 1-0 victory, with Amanda Catling providing the assist for Nikki Churchward’s goal. In a successful weekend for the club, the Men’s Twos romped home with a 10-0 victory over Brighton Eights. It was a match of braces with four players netting two apiece; Rohan Milne, Will Hook, Ted Fulham and Hamish Marr. Also finding the target were the ever-dangerous Ethan Blake and Alex Seath.
It was all action for the Women’s Twos at home against Horsham Fives. The Crows started brightly with superb goals from Josie Mitchell and Liv Springer with some fine work by Hannah Walker. They went three nil ahead before the visitors found their rhythm, netting twice in quick succession The home side were indebted to some fine saves from Tilly Singleton to ensure they captured all three points.
There was a superb performance for the Men’s Threes which deserved more that the point gained from the 1-1 draw with Crawley Fours. The Crows played with a good shape and moved the ball with clear intent with opportunities created by Elijah Fuller and Eddie Dennett. The Burns brothers Matt and Steve dictated the play in the midfield while George Lawson and Sam Shearn looked dangerous up front. It was Shearn who played the decisive ball through to Harvey Holman to score after wrong footing the keeper. Alex Purcell was effective from deep and Mark Fulham was on form in goal. Despite this a deflection to a Crawley shot going wide saw them equalise against the run of play.
The Women’s Fours posted a strong performance but the clinical short corner routines of Burgess Hill Fours saw the visitors leave with all three points, winning 4-0.
Crowborough were also pleased to see four of their umpiring team qualify as Level One umpires after passing their match assessments. Harvey Holman, Harry Hook, Michelle Hulse and Josie Mitchell are now qualified to officiate league matches.