After a nearly faultless February, with 100% of their matches won, twenty two goals scored and only four goals conceded, this month’s Team of the Month is the Men’s Hockey Seconds. We spoke to Captain Jonathan Bawden to find out more about their successes.
It seems that a strong sense of routine and good leadership skills have been key contributing factors. Ensuring a meet time that is suitable so drills can be practiced and a warm-up routine followed, for example. Also, ‘strong team talks’ have, according to Jonathan, resulted in much improved second halves of games, turning around what would have been lack luster displays into winning performances. These helped to ensure one of their best results of the season, a 4-1 win over promotion rivals Lincoln in February which, combined with other results, means the Seconds are just one win away from going up. Jonathan says this was particularly enjoyable as the game took place over Old Boys weekend ‘so everyone was amazingly hung over’!
However, that is not to say they are getting complacent on their success. Jonathan cites that a key area for improvement as being fitness, but anticipates the arrival of more players next year enabling greater availability and so more fresh legs on the field. He also adds, though, that the team still maintains a high level of fitness despite their antics on socials.
Also planned for next year is a re-entry into the BUCS league, as this year’s performances have shown to the AU the Seconds capabilities. This will hopefully be combined with playing a league higher in the Yorkshire League. Jonathan does not want it to stop there, though, and can see further promotions in the future. He says ‘we are much better than teams who are three divisions above us’ and, after this year’s achievements, who would bet against further success?
Though the end of the hockey season is nearly upon us, those who wish to join the club should not be put off. Stories will be flooding back about the infamous Easter Tour, and the clubs are hoping to create a fully fledged Third Team for the 2010/11 season, so the more available in September the better. As Jonathan says, ‘whether you’re a county hockey player or just a bloke from down the pub, there is always space in HUMHC for you!’
Matthew Bird
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