The new league season is fast approaching for Bedford Hockey Club’s senior squads, with just one more week of pre-season friendlies before the new campaign begins on 21st September.
This past weekend, all 14 league squads were anticipating action but there were several oppositions unable to raise sides.
There was a rapid arrangement of intraclub matches for some, and a redistribution of players across those teams which were performing for others, to ensure all those available got some match play.
There were mixed results for those teams whose scheduled matches continued, particularly at the top end of the club.
Although there was no shortage of goals in the Men’s 1st team match away to West Hampstead 1st’s – nine being scored in total – not all were in Bedford’s favour, the final result being 6-3 to the home team.
Both the club’s second team squads also had to settle for second place, the Ladies’ 2nd team, with a home fixture, falling 4-2 to City of Peterborough 1st’s.
The Men’s 2nd’s fell 3-1 away to West Hampstead 2nd’s.
Other results were much more positive, the Ladies’ 3rd team securing a 4-1 victory away to City of Peterborough 2nd’s, with the Men’s 3rd team enjoying a 3-2 win over Northampton Saints 2nd’s in front of a Chester Road home crowd.
The Ladies 5th and 6th sides both travelled to St Ives for their action, and each returned victorious, having kept clean sheets with the 5th’s match ending 4-0 and the 6th’s triumphing 2-0.
St Ives’ Men’s 6th XI travelled to Chester Road to battle it out with Bedford’s 6th’s, St Ives returning home defeated as Bedford were victorious with a 5-3 win.
Lastly, it was a short trip up the road to Luton for the Ladies’ 7th XI fixture, ending with a 3-2 triumph.
All teams will be hoping that the final upcoming friendly fixtures, nine home and five away matches, will take place on 12th September.
Next Sunday will also see plenty of action at Chester Road; Sunday Juniors having kicked off again this weekend, whilst the club’s Walking Hockey group will be heading to Letchworth to take part in a tournament alongside Letchworth, Chiltern and Welwyn.
Words by Jean Fitch
