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Use of Hockey AstroTurf Pitches
BRHC are taking the first steps to return to hockey, in the interest of safety for all this will not be a blanket re-opening of the facility but a controlled and phased opening based on guidelines from the UK Government, England Hockey, (our National Governing Body) and Ben Rhydding Sports Club Limited.
Another Successful Season for the #rhydding
Congratulations to the Ladies 3s and the Mens 4s on gaining promotion this season
Continue reading Another Successful Season for the #rhydding
Coronavirus: Limited Facilities Now Available
Following updated advice from the Government and England Hockey, we are now able to update our own internal advice and begin to open the pitches up for coaching. This will be available only to members and will be organised with club coaches. Further details will be available shortly in another Post.
All sections of the club are now open in one way or another but it is important to note that the clubhouse is not open and no-one should attempt to enter the clubhouse.
Members who wish to use the grounds for Running & Training are now able to do so. This does not cover the astro-turf pitches for which separate guidelines will be provided. It is essential that any members wishing to run/train must follow the same guidelines as other Sports when using the grounds, namely:
- Running/Training on the grounds at BRSC is for Members only
- When using the car park park a safe distance from other cars
- The Clubhouse will not be open, so there will be NO toilet facilities available
- Small groups not larger than 6 people
- Social distancing should be observed at all times
- Please bring your own drink/food and take them away with you, including any rubbish!
The various leagues are planning fixtures in the hope of starting next season on time but with various backup plans to cater for a later start. These may include a later finish to next season – so bear this in mind when planning your early summer holidays in 2021
As we become aware of further updates and guidance we will update this page.
Leap Year Ball
Leap Year Ball – Saturday 29th February 2020
Tickets are £45 per person, 3 course meal, disco and also live band. Tables of 10 are being encouraged so please support this venture. To make it work, and raise much needed funds we need to sell a minimum of 150 tickets – this is only 15 tables!!
Contact Janet Raw (jan.raw@tiscali.co.uk – 07961 966952) to reserve your table or place.
Ben Rhydding – Elite Champions
Ben Rhydding Ladies 1st team got the season off to a great start by winning the Yorkshire Elite Cup.
They did this by beating Doncaster 2-0 in the semi-final followed by victory over hosts Wakefield by 3-1 in the final.
Success for Ben Rhydding Masters Players this Summer
A COMPREHENSIVE 3-0 win for England Over-55s against Germany earlier this month in the final of the Exin Masters World Hockey Cup in Spain saw Ben Rhydding hockey player Andy Locke complete a clean sweep of medals.
That success means that he has secured National Cup, Divisional, Home Nations and World titles in one year, with Ben Rhydding, the North and the England sides respectively.
The England Over-55s side scored 26 goals and conceded only once on their way to the world title, during a tough 1-1 draw against Australia in which Locke sustained a broken nose.
Their shut outs included beating Wales 7-0, France 3-0, New Zealand 1-0, the USA 7-0 and Holland 3-0 on their way to the final win against Germany.
World Cup success with England completed an intensive period for Locke, which started with Ben Rhydding Men’s Over-50s team beating Isca in May at Lee Valley, to secure their third national title in the last five years.
Referring to the World Cup win, Locke enthused: “It was a really tough competition, playing many of the games in over 40 degrees of heat.
“Exin and Club Egara organised an amazing event with men’s and women’s teams aged 35 to 60 coming together from all over the world for the world’s largest ever international hockey event.
“Despite getting my nose smashed by a ball in the Australia game, some terrific care from the Spanish hospital in Terrassa meant I was able to play in the final.
“The win topped off an incredible year, but the overriding feeling I have is one of huge gratitude for the amazing friends I’ve made through the sport of hockey.”
Locke was not the only successful Ben Rhydding player in Spain. Rachel Doherty and Abigail Box, along with Issy MacDonald (team coach), were representing England at the Exin World Masters event in Terrassa.
The trio won bronze with the England Women’s Over 40s team, while Jo Ellis won gold with the England Women’s Over-35s team, who beat Australia 1-0 in the final.
Ellis also took the honour of overall top goalscorer in her age group. Finally, the ageless Mary Pawson won world gold while playing for the England Women’s Over-65s team.
Under 18 Girls – Runners Up Again
The large travelling support saw Rhydding get off to a flying start against last year’s runners up and favourites Reading, when Rafa Brandao-Lee opened the scoring with a rasping drag flick past their opponents’ international keeper.
The lead was short lived and Reading replied in clinical fashion when they pounced on a slow transfer in the Rhydding defence to force a penalty corner, which they equalised from.
Reading started to dominate the play. Despite last-ditch defending by Nisha Cant and Abi Prentice, Reading converted three more chances to lead 4-1 inside the first 22 minutes.
Rhydding’s captain Becky Hadfield moved into the centre of the defence in an attempt to stop the fast pace Reading attack, but it took time for her side to find any sort of rhythm.
Sophie Dale was key in Rhydding not conceding again before the break, while the tireless work of Fiona Crackles, Lucy Williams and Matty Jaggar in the midfield gave Rhydding hope.
Ella Mawson and Anna Pateman had chances late in the half but Rhydding generally struggled to create openings.
As Rhydding left the field for the half-time break, the relief was that the deficit was only three goals.
The second half saw a far more positive Rhydding take to the field. From the first whistle they pressed Reading and began to win possession deeper in their opponents’ half.
Brandao-Lee hit the post twice, Niamh Brennan had her shot saved before Kirsty McMillan won the ball from the Reading full back and played Lauren Ellwood in on goal.
The resulting reverse stick strike flew into the net and Rhydding were back in the game.
Despite the Yorkshire side having more possession and territory, Reading were still a threat on the break and repeatedly won penalty corners on their visits to the D.
Dale and the Rhydding defence held firm and began to find space out wide with Milly Fewlass-Jones, Julie Cumberland and Izzy Weir all attacking from deep.
Crackles began to show her class in midfield and kept the momentum going forward winning another penalty corner. Hadfield scored Rhydding’s third goal from the resulting well-worked penalty corner and with six minutes left the comeback was almost complete. As Rhydding pushed for the equaliser against a now less than comfortable Reading side that was digging deep to hold their lead.
The dramatic final minute saw another save from the Reading keeper and then a fast break to score their fifth and decisive goal with less than 30 seconds left.
The match ended 5-3 to Reading, but the Ben Rhydding girls, although disappointed, will be proud of their performance.
The silver medal is the girls second of a remarkable season. They narrowly missed out on the National Indoor title in January, losing by a single goal in the final.
Next season will see 12 of the 16 girls still eligible to play for the under-18s again, so there is optimism they can go one better next time.
Back to Hockey
Never played hockey or not played since school?
Come down to Ben Rhydding Sports Club for our ladies’ summer ‘Back to Hockey’ sessions.
All welcome. No need to book.
Details available shortly
Mens Over 50s – Masters Champions Again
Ben Rhydding’s over 50s team travelled to the Olympic Park Lee Valley Stadium to face Isca (Exeter) Hockey Club. Having won in 2014 and 2016 and losing in the final last year, it was a great achievement to make the final again. However, every member of the team felt that winning would be the only satisfying outcome.
On a baking hot day, the self induced pressure on captain Neill Moore and his team was immense. Isca had put the mighty Reading HC out of the competition to reach the final and were always going to be tough opponents.
The first half saw both teams struggle with the heat and the newly laid pitch. Ben Rhydding were uncharacteristically making mistakes that overturned possession. Fortunately the defence held firm with a series of vital last moment tackles from Andy Locke and sprightly goalkeeping from Paddy Hagan (cheered on by 15 specially clad Hagan fans). Neill Moore kept England’s Andy Bachelor contained and Neil Horsman and Hugh Lambert provided vital control and release points from defence.
Manager Richard “Butch” Terry kept the team as fresh as possible by use of the strong bench and in the second half Ben Rhydding got a better grip on the game. The quality that Ben Rhydding were able to deploy up front (Rob Ward, Billy Marwaha, Ian Cussons, Howard Pickard and Jonathan Till) meant that they were always in with a chance of scoring and the goal duly came from Ward after some slick passing and a finish that the keeper was never able to predict.
The last 15 minutes were naturally very tense but Isca were restricted to one shot on goal which hit the post. The fitness of Fraser Priestley and the sensible use of the bench meant that the midfield combinations of Brian Kempson, Jon Bray, Richard Pughe and Mark French maintained enough control and the clock was run down to secure a 1-0 victory.
Winning a third national title in 5 years by a club from modest sized town in the north of England is a massive achievement. Probably 3 massive achievements! The title isn’t just about the final, all the rounds matter as there are no second chances, so everyone who played in the competition this season made a key contribution. These players are: Paddy Hagan, Neill Moore, Andy Locke, Neil Horsman, Hugh Lambert, Fraser Priestley, Brian Kempson, Jon Bray, Richard Pughe, Billy Marwaha, Ian Cussons, Howard Pickard, Jonathan Till, Mark Westwood, Rob Ward, Mark French, David Cutter and David Habin.