Three OW hockey teams promoted in unprecedented season

1st XI

You wait for promotion for ages and then three come along at once!  

In an unprecedented season for Croydon & Old Whitgiftian hockey club, the Men’s 1st, 2nd and 3rd elevens have all been promoted.

The 1st XI was league winners of Surrey Division 1 and will next year play in the Surrey/Hampshire Regional Division 2. They started the season extremely strongly with eight straight wins; the streak rudely interrupted by a 4-4 draw against Woking. They remained unbeaten at the Christmas break and lost only once in the remainder of the season. They won the league with two games to play and by 10 clear points, scoring 120 goals. The team comprised several OWs including some recent returners from University including Ben Bernard (OW 2005-2011) and Callum Kumar-Shaw (2003-2011).

The 2^nd XI was promoted to Surrey Open League Premier division after finishing second in Division 1 to Old Cranleighans. Having been in second position or better for 13 weeks of the 20 game season they faltered with just four weeks to go with a loss to fellow promotion hopefuls Sunbury. Fortunately they got up, dusted themselves off and bounced back winning the next two games by the same score line 8-0. The team attribute much of their success to a miserly defence that conceded only 22 goals in the 20 matches.

The 3^rd XI were league winners of Surrey Open League Division 4 and will next year play in Division 3. After an inconsistent start to the season, the team improved their performances considerably to find themselves sitting 2^nd at the Christmas break. A loss late in January dropped the team down to third and out of the promotion places in a fiercely contested league. The team rallied and finished the season with six straight wins to secure the title with a game to spare and by eight points.

Much of the success this year across the men’s teams can be attributed to attracting some excellent new talent to the club.  We are always looking for new players whether 1^st XI standard or a beginner. With four men’s and two ladies’ teams, we can cater for all standards and are actively looking for more players for the 2016/17 season that starts in August.

If you would like more information about the club or are interested in getting involved with a club that’s on the up then please contact cowhockeyclub@gmail.com or visit www.cowhc.co.uk.

Andy Hooper, Chairman
 (OW 1991-98)