Thank you to all who attended the Badger Quiz on Friday 28th January, hosted and organised by the Ladies 1s. Special mention to Tors for organising the questions (despite a few contested answers) and Em for hosting. With 7 teams competing, it was College Arms & Bandit who stormed into the lead after impressive scores on the TV & film picture rounds to take the win. An incredible £535! was raised, including the auctioning off of the highly sought-after hand-knitted pink badger jumper by Becky Scarrott's nan, won by Richard Wilkinson (modelled exceptionally by Finn).

Saturday 29th January

Mens 4s
Harpenden Mens 3s 3-1 Broxbourne Mens 4s

The Broxbourne Mens 4s travelled to Harpenden hoping to continue the momentum from their first point of the season acquired last week. Once again, Broxbourne took the lead but were unable to sustain it. Sadly the result was a loss, with the draw looking like a possibility before a couple of goals late in the second half ended this prospect.

While Harpenden produced the more threatening chances at the start of the game, a great Broxbourne move was converted by Will Hodgson (one of the numerous youngsters who have joined the team this season). Frustratingly, the lead was only held very briefly. The Harpenden striker was given too much time in the D and was able to pull off a very smart finish into the bottom corner.

With the half-time score at 1-1, the hope was to try and sustain this scoreline. The possession and chances created in the opposition half were very minimal, mostly fashioned by Bobby Dyer, so it was seemingly unlikely that another Broxbourne goal was going to be scored. While a strong start to the second half instilled belief that there was a point to be taken from the game, with a high percentage of the play taking place in Broxbourne's half it was an increasingly difficult struggle. Wave after wave of Harpenden attacks flooded the away side and eventually proved to be too much, with the opposition managing to take a two-goal lead. With little counter-attacking threat from Broxbourne, the scoreline ended without further change.

The special mentions on this occasion goes to Will Hodgson and Elliot Buck for their fantastic performances. Having still only played a few senior matches, they showed great effort, ability, anticipation and tactical thinking. The appearance of John Edwards was also greatly appreciated, given the ongoing injury that he is experiencing.

Next week is the much anticipated game against Royston 3s. While the result was a 6-0 loss on the last occasion, Broxbourne played that game with 9 players and no goalkeeper. With a full team, it is hoped that a positive result can be obtained.

Mens 3s
Broxbourne Mens 3s 2-7 Bishop's Stortford Mens 2s

Match preparations for the men’s teams were dealt a bitter blow this week with poor availability across the men’s section. As such, both the men’s 3s and 2s teams were both not fully signed off, ratified and announced until 11pm on Friday night.

All the above in mind, rocking up with the bare 11 for the early bird 10:30 fixture, that didn’t stop the 3s arriving in peak physical condition. The team combined had consumed an impressive 100+ pints the night before and at least 7 bottles of wine. Stu Kopsis was the main wine drinker on Friday night, and was in a bad way after throwing up shortly before push back and requiring a lift from his parents to make the match. Post match analysis revealed at least 90% of the team were hungover (or still intoxicated) for the match. With all the about in mind, the less said about the match itself the better. The 3s had managed to win every home game this season up until now, but unfortunately this impressive record was ended.

The well-drilled 2nd in the league visitors started off in the ascendancy in terms of possession and attacking play. Their early good work paid off when they went 1-0 up. Against the run of the play, a rare Broxbourne counter attack was rewarded after some neat combination play between veteran strikers Kitch and Hayden. Kitch swept home, making it 1-1.

On the stroke of half-time, Broxbourne were very unfortunate to have a short corner awarded against them. Typically, the last touch of the first half resulted in Bishops Stortford scoring from this short corner to put them 2-1 up at the break. This was a bitter pill to swallow.

The second half spiralled downwards fast, and before they knew it Broxbourne were 6-1 down. It turns out alcohol may not be the best preparation for a game after all. Broxbourne managed to grab a second consolation goal after a mazy run from new recruit Chris Curtis (signed on a free transfer last month). Chris managed to score from a tight angle but some discussions in the bar after the match suggested that it may been helped in by an outstretched foot (Hayden’s). Still, the goal was given and Chris was awarded the goal.

The only other 2nd half highlights worth noting were a superb and intentional back stick tackle from Kev House (also hungover just to clarify). The wise centre back used all his vast experience and prevented the Bishops Stortford forward from being through on goal. This tackle went unpunished as the capacity crowd chuckled. During the second half, KP also inexplicably intentionally cleared a short corner attack but booting the ball away with his foot.

All in all, a match to forget. However, team spirit remains in tact and more beers were consumed following the match. Onwards and upwards to a tough trip to Bedford away next week.

Team: Charlie W (GK), Kev H, Stu K, KP, Rich M, Scott W, Nashy, Chris C, Kitch, Hayden, Sam G.

Mens 2s
Bedford Mens 3s 1-5 Broxbourne Mens 2s

Broxbourne mens 2’s lost in January

To top off a month of poor form the 2’s lost to Bedford 5-1. We were bad.
Baller scored a drag flick (it was slow and down the middle).
Bedford scored 5 so well done to them.

Mens 1s
Broxbourne Mens 1s 4-2 Blueharts Mens 1s

This week, the Badgers returned to Broxbourne for a game against the mid-table Blueharts. Following a strong performance against Norwich the previous week, the team were keen to keep up the high standards and arrived at the game confident of gaining their first points of the season. Broxbourne made a slow start to the game and Blueharts were able to capitalise on an early error to work the ball across goal for a deflection at the back post. Broxbourne grew into the game though and started to control possession which was rewarded with a penalty corner which Mitchell Chapman dispatched into the bottom corner. Shortly after, Broxbourne took the lead through Toby House cutting out a misplaced pass from Blueharts and driving hard towards the D to convert a reverse stick shot from the top of the D.

After the break, Broxbourne came under significant pressure from Blueharts. Mitchell Chapman and Charlie Frederick led the defensive effort from the back, making some crucial interventions to protect the lead. The defensive effort paid off though as Broxbourne scored the first goal of the half through another goal from Toby House, adding to his tally for the day. Blueharts responded and an effective dribble around the baseline and cut back to the penalty spot led to another well worked goal. The game remained tight as it reached the closing stages and Blueharts had a penalty flick overturned after a penalty corner effort hit George on the line above backboard height. It was Broxbourne though who were able to score a fourth goal following a mazy dribble by George Blemkin who cut the ball back to Sam Groves on the penalty spot who made no mistake. It secured Broxbourne's first win of the season and the team look forward to building on the victory next weekend against Chelmsford.

Ladies 4s
Shefford & Sandy Ladies 3s 0-6 Broxbourne Ladies 4s

The Ladies 4s were treated to a late match in the depths of Bedfordshire at Shefford & Sandy.

Originally scheduled for 4:15pm however due to an interesting mens match on the pitch before, it led to a delayed start. This didn’t however deter the badgers, who went into the match cautiously but determined having not played Shefford and Sandy earlier in the season, due to the opposition conceding the match.

Broxbourne started strongly and maintained their dominance throughout the match, with the ball rarely entering their defensive D and Georgia not having to touch the ball for the entirety of the game.

The opposition, who had some fortunate decisions go their way, showed some promising drives up the pitch however, these were dealt with pretty speedily by our player of the match Sue Thomas, who guarded the mid both front and back, whenever called upon supported by Jayne on the right.

Once settled, Broxbourne built up the attack with our 3 amigos (Brawny, Thommo and Fixy) up front and managed to end the first half 3-0 up.

The second half saw some tiredness set in, but gave players the opportunity to push beyond their comfort zone and experiment. Once again some fantastic runs from Ella and Alice brought the game to the Shefford defence and even Tors nearly scored in the second half!

A minor scare occurred when Brawny’s head clashed with the ball during an attack on goal, but after a short rest on the sideline, nothing could keep her from the action on the pitch. Thankfully a paramedic was on the side to take charge and check Brawny over and as ever Brawny was back in high spirits with the customary cigarette post game!

A number of opportunities were missed but Thommo and Brawny were still able to bag half a dozen goals between them this time. Thommo took the bragging rights scoring 4 and Brawny scoring 2.

The 4s is nothing without teamwork and this week was certainly testament to that!

Donkey this week once again went to Captain Tors, who managed to put herself twice on the team sheet, which led to a slight panic when she couldn’t figure out why she didn’t have enough players and for sending out the match details stating it was in December.

Next week, we face Berko and Hemel 4s at home at 10am, so a nice early start.

Ladies 3s
Blueharts Ladies 4s 5-2 Broxbourne Ladies 3s

A bright and breezy day in Hitchin, started off well for the ladies 3s. Donkey vote was sorted before the match when Tara decided the meet time was actually the pushback time.

Unfortunately decisions during the game did not come as easy for the umpires, with some very dubious calls and many missed calls. This caused complications when trying to settle into the game. Despite this the ladies managed to cope well and even managed some top third action. Blueharts coped better with the increasing windy conditions and capitalised on two opportunities before the break.

We settled at the break, got the frustrations sorted and began the second half much better, pulling back one goal through Hannah. Short corners kept coming for Blueharts, and they managed to extend the lead 3-1.

We dug in again and struck back through some great play and a goal from Kelly. At 3-2 we were playing our best hockey, and believed that there may have been something to take from the game. Sadly the bad decisions kept coming and some bizarre behaviour from one player in the opposition, seemed to flummox us and we succumbed to two late goals. A shout out to super sub Tors, who believed she wouldn’t play much and ended up on the pitch during the first half and the whole of the second half!

A 5-2 final scoreline doesn’t reflect the nature of the game, and we go again next week, buoyed by some great performances, especially Ali who skinned both knees when she slid through the D.

Ladies 2s
Broxbourne Ladies 2s 5-2 Berkhamsted & Hemel Ladies 1s

Determined to get some more points on the board, the Ladies 2s made a strong start to the game with excellent strikes from Cerys and Rosie giving a rapid 2-0 lead! Cerys quickly got her second from a well taken penalty flick to take 3-0 lead within the first 10 minutes (we won't mention the other P flick for Jess' sake). After this the game settled down with some great stops at the back by Kim until Berkhamsted & Hemel got one back late in the second half. Two more quick goals from penalty corners by Rosie and Cat put the game away before the visitors got one back in the final play of the game. A well-deserved POM for Cat, and Donkey for Poppy who forgot her shin pads.

5 goals for the Ladies 2s (in the correct goal) is unheard of this season, so let's hope we can continue this next Saturday when we have a double-header weekend. On Saturday the L2s face Blueharts, who we lost 1-0 to earlier in the season in a close battle, and on Sunday for the second round of the cup with an unprecedented encounter against Norwich Dragons.

What’s coming up this week:

Saturday 5th February

All nine teams back in action:

Ladies 4s (H) @ 10:00 v. Potters Bar Ladies 2s
Ladies 3s (H) @ 11:30 v. Berkhamsted & Hemel Ladies 2s
Ladies 1s (H) @ 13:30 v. Beeston Ladies 2s
Mens 2s (H) @ 15:00 v. St Albans Mens 4s
Mens 4s (H) @ 16:30 v. Royston Mens 3s

Ladies 5s (A) @ 10:30 v. Bishop's Stortford Ladies 7s
Ladies 2s (A) @ 11:30 v. Blueharts Ladies 2s
Mens 1s (A) @ 14:00 v. Chelmsford Mens 1s
Mens 3s (A) @ 14:30 v. Bedford Mens 4s

Sunday 6th February

EH Women's Tier 3 Cup - Round 2 (rearranged fixture)
Ladies 2s (H) @ 14:00 v. Norwich Dragons Ladies 2s