BRISTOL & West Hockey Club’s Men’s 1st Team finished the local summer league in a brilliant second place.
The team narrowly missed out to Bristol Indians on goal difference, by six goals, after both teams finished on 10 points.
The locally-named ‘Calcutta Cup’ saw Bristol Indians crowned champions this year for the first time, after a 4-1 victory over B&W.
B&W still lead 2-1 in the overall standings since the competition was branded three years ago.
Pre-season preparations have begun for the men’s 1st team as they prepare for life in the West Premiership for the first time.
The fixtures have been announced and the lads will face a tough test away to Swansea HC for their first game – although a team member’s wedding on the same day has meant this could be rearranged; it’s safe to say that poor Andy McKay has received a lot of banter from the team about his poor choice of planning!
Love is very much in the air at B&W, with two September weddings for 1st team players – the club would like to wish Andy & Holly, as well as former 1st team captain Jonathan Wilson and Chloe, all the best for their futures together.
The Performance Squad is already being put through its paces by the coaches, with pre-season friendlies soon to be played against Old Bristolians, Gloucester, Penarth and Team Bath Buccs, in a busy schedule that should prepare them well for the gruelling season ahead.
Our hosts, Mangotsfield School, have invested in two more brand new hockey goal nets, which means we now have four goals in great condition to be enjoyed by all at the club and school, for many years to come.
B&WHC continues to grow: we now field six men’s and four women’s teams, ranging from highly competitive to social levels of the game.
The club has a great junior set-up for all ages, and also offers great social hockey in a mixed environment.
As well as this, we also boast a competitive indoor hockey team: the men’s 1sts finished third in the West area recently.
If you’re interested in getting involved, please visit www.bandwhc.org.uk for more details.
Harry Bryant