It’s been a busy week for Bedford Hockey Club, beginning with participation at Cambridge University on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in the ‘LX SEPTEMBERFEST 2024’, by eight of Bedford’s men, a complete team of its women, and three of the club’s umpires.
‘LX’ (or Grand Masters), is the term used in hockey for teams of players over the age of 60, and the festival was aimed at women in the 60+ age bracket, whilst men were split into separate 60 + and 70+ tournaments.
Twenty-two teams participated in total, including from the Netherlands and Belgium, as well as the English and Scottish international Over 60s, Over 65s and Over 70s squads.
Four of Bedford’s men joined ranks with the Thistles over 60 squad for their match play; two, the Thistles over 70s (Rob Campbell being a regular player with that team), and Chris Townson, who plays for Ireland Masters, joined the Alliance team.
Bedford’s women had a squad of 15, who formed a team to take on the England 65s, the Thistles 60s, Belgium Panthers and Thistles 65s. A fun and successful 3 days was had, the women finishing with a win, 2 draws and 1 loss.
There was further masters action on Sunday, this time at the club’s own Chester Road ground.
The International Masters World Cup is just around the corner, and one of Bedford’s players, Kelly Bingham, will be travelling to New Zealand in November with the England Over 45s squad.
As part of their World Cup preparation, the England team travelled to Bedford, from all corners of the country, to play against a combined Bedford Ladies’ 1st and 2nd team with England supplying both keepers.
At the half-time whistle, the score remained nil-nil but, into the third and fourth quarters, England upped the pace, closing the match 4-0.
The fixture also provided some pre-World-Cup action for Ladies’ 1st team player, Kate Costin, who leaves for South Africa in just over a week, with her England Over-35’s squad.
Mixed fortunes for club sides
Turning back a day, to the club’s Saturday league matches, there was much success across the ladies’ section – 5 wins, 1 draw and just 1 defeat.
Scores of note were a 6-1 victory for the Ladies’ 7th XI, away to Chiltern, with a hattrick for Maddie Taylor.
There were also two Bedford triumphs over Stevenage squads, 6-0 for the Ladies’ 6th team, with four of the goals scored by Charlotte Goodson, and a 4-2 win for the 4th’s, aided by a hat trick from Molly Hawkins.
Lastly, it was a 7-2 conquest for the Ladies’ 3rd XI, away to Shefford & Sandy, Siobhan Hennessy a hat trick scorer in that game.
The Men’s 2nd’s and 3rd’s, both playing in Division 2 South West, had to fight it out between themselves and it was the 2nd’s who took the victory 5-1.
There were points for the Men’s 6th team as well, although they were disappointed by not actually playing the match, Harpenden conceding due to insufficient players.
The other triumph for the men’s section was for the Men’s 1st XI; a 7-2 win away to Blueharts, with six of the goals coming from open play, and one from a penalty corner.
The three points, and a high goal-difference, lift Bedford to fifth in the table. They return to Chester Road next Saturday, with a 2.30 push-back against Dereham.
Words by Jean Fitch
