A Jolly Good Sport

As most of you know, we both enjoy hockey and played for teams when we were last in New Zealand. That year, with their 'international' gracing the pitch, Pete's grass team were the champions. On our return, it did not take us long, to get in touch with our Selwyn Hockey Club contacts, and so for the last four months, our weekends revolved around hockey. We both played two games on the weekends (grass on Saturdays and turf - kiwi speak for artificial surfaces - on Sundays). However, the winter season has now finished so now is a good time to report on the season!Pete was pleased to see that Selwyn Green, the grass team he played for in 2004, was still going strong and had not folded during his absence (unlike the old Esso/Waterside team did). Just like putting on a comfy pair of slippers, Pete rejoined the team and was able to slip back into the old routine. Nothing much has changed. After the game they still have a couple of touchline beers, before going onto the pub (always the Bush Inn http://www.cobb.co.nz/bushinn.html) to drink cheap $6 'super' jugs of beer (1.2 litres). Pete even managed to convince the new barmaid that the team also get plates of free chips!

Looking forward to a cold one!

In the grass grade a combination of round robin games and then play offs determine the champions. Pete's team won the round robin stage convincingly, losing just one game out of twelve. However, in the play offs, they drew the semi final but were knocked out on the basis that the opposition scored the first goal! Very annoying, particularly as Pete's team had already beaten the opposition three times during the season.

Pete's turf team is the Selwyn first grade team. This team consists of many players that play in the other Selwyn grass team (Selwyn Blue). The other Selwyn grass team has a bit of a 'history' with Pete's grass team so he often gets a little bit of ribbing for associating with the others. As for the first grade turf team, it is also a fun team to play with, but there is not a crate of beer waiting on sidelines, and the team don't go to the pub after the game. It probably has something to with the times they play, Sunday lunchtime! People rush back home for their Sunday roasts. Results wise, the team had a mixed season as they had a good start to the season, had a bad middle patch and finished the season with some good wins.

On the turf, Chantal joined Selwyn's first grade team. Just like in 2004, this team consisted of many young players, some as young as 15 years old! No beers after those games as half the team was underaged! Yes, she is the oldest player by a few years, and even the coach is much younger than her!

Results wise, Chantal's turf team had a successful season. They performed well during the first half of the season and just missed out on the mid season promotion spot (yes the season is split into two mini seasons). During the second half of the season they made the final, courtesy of a calmly taken penalty in the semi final by their experienced Dutch 'international', but ended up losing the final. Next season promises to be a good one as most of the team will be playing together again.

Unfortunately, Selwyn did not enter a women's team into the mid week league, which was a shame as it was what Chantal preferred to be playing as a second game. Mainly because she knew the lady who ran the team. Therefore, she joined the grass team. Selwyn ladies were very short of players, hence why! She found it quite tricky going back to playing on grass as it is so much harder to trap and control the ball. The team is quite the opposite of the `First Grade' team, as Chantal seems to be one of the youngest players! Unfortunately, they did not win any games but did manage to draw one! I think it might be best not to mention the goal difference!

Anyway, the season has now ended and neither of us suffered any injuries, even when we had things planned on Saturday evenings (and we know Pete has a tendency to get injured before big nights out). However, a few bumps and bruises have been gained. The most spectacular is the one on Chantal's thigh, which was achieved by succeeding in stopping a goal being scored. Even though goalkeepers wear a lot of padding (the normal goalie was ill and she stepped in) some body parts are uncovered. It hurt a lot, but stopping a goal being scored and therefore winning the match made the pain worthwhile!

No mini skirts for a while then

The winter hockey season is now over, but there is a chance of playing some summer hockey if Pete gets his act together and organizes a team.

http://www.canterburyhockey.org.nz/.