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North West Hockey League
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2005-6 Division One
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Merseyside Hockey Development season concludes. (May.2006)
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Northern hosted another Merseyside Hockey Development tournament on Sunday 7th May,
with our under 11 Northern Stars (above) finishing with silver medals
at the end of a keenly contested day's play between seven local teams.
With the team shirts already en route to the McDowalls' wash-tub,
the Stars were allowed to display their football allegiances in healthy proportion.
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There was a photo call also for gold medalists Mini Panthers,
who won the event despite defeat to the Northern team,
who slipped up in a later match when 'squad rotation' kicked in!
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The day also saw the presentations (left) for the Merseyside Hockey Development League,
which has run through the winter, with Northern Stars again finishing second to the Panthers.
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Packed House for Championship Dinner. (Apr.2006)
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Well over a hundred people were out to celebrate our championship successes,
at the end of season dinner that followed this year's agm.
Above, our title-winning men's first teamers are well into the festivities.
1st Team awards went to Players' Player Andy Hooton,
and Top Goalscorer Jason Batty.
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It is also champagne and silverware for Tom Pfeiffer (right),
as he reports on a season that saw his second team also clinch their league championship.
There was also a personal success for Tom, collecting the Forbes Leishman Trophy.
There were celebrations too of a different kind for the thirds,
who have successfully consolidated their position at the end of a testing season,
clinging onto their league status after last year's promotion.
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Above, Nikki Hannah recounts a good season's performance,
that saw her ladies first team record a fifth place finish.
The 1st Team Top Goalscorer trophy went to Debbie Batty.
Gill Delves-White (right) is standing down after 5 years in charge of the ladies seconds,
who were narrowly pipped to their title in the final fixture,
finishing in an excellent second place.
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Alan Newport has become something of a fixture himself,
as a long-standing committee member.
After an amazing 25 years, Alan is finally standing down from his role as fixture secretary,
and was on hand to receive a richly deserved accolade,
along with the Richard Dawson Trophy for services to the section.
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The Beavers and their parents were out in force,
to hear Ian Douglas report on a successful season that has seen the Beavers win most of their fixtures.
Be assured that the wine stayed this end, and it was cola at the bottom end.
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Robert Anderson (right) collected the Kenneth Ferguson Trophy as the best U16 player.
The Eric Wright Junior Hockey Award went to Robert Edwards,
while Will Beeching picked up the John Birch Memorial Trophy.
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Outgoing but Outclassed. (Apr.2006)
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Retiring president Mike Bishop signed off his year with an end-of-season hockey extravaganza.
Retiring but not shy.
Mike is certainly not one to shy away from the opportunity to take on the hockey ladies.
Fortunately he seems to have rustled up some help from a few fellas who look like they've played the game before.
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The Ladies looked the fitter side from the start, and ended the match 6-4 winners,
after the men had squandered a 3-1 half time lead.
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Mike is pictured below right,
cutting a fine figure in his day-glow legwear,
along with some of his fellow athletes.
Meanwhile the ladies demonstrate a few hockey skills.
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Ernest Dalley Trophy.
We have entered the U13 Ernest Dalley Trophy on Sunday 2nd.April at Southport & Birkdale Sports Club in Trafalgar Road.
The boys’ playing programme begins at 10 am and the girls’ at 10.45am
The whole tournament should be finished by 4pm including the presentations.
Click here for full details
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North West Hockey League
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2005-6 Division One
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Men clinch Championship - again. (Mar.2006)
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A cunning ploy to deprive Northern of our first team championship has been thwarted.
With the title apparently sealed, the championship celebrations (
see below
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and the team seeming incapable of winning any further games this year as a result,
our nearest rivals had 3 league points re-instated from a match earlier in the season.
Fortunately, in a temporary lapse of stupor, we were able to gain the additional win needed,
coming back from behind to beat neighbours Southport 4-2.
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The firsts are pictured above after the Southport win,
with umpire David Lewis struggling to keep up with play.
The first club to win the North West League twice in the same season?
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A good day all round, with the 2nd team’s 0-6 thrashing of Prescot securing promotion,
leaving rivals West Derby needing a double-figures victory in their final game to deny us another championship.
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Blank Weekend. (Mar.2006)
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Weekend of Saturday 4th March.
Little play was possible on the astro,
and none of it was hockey.
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More Junior Hockey dates for the diary. (Mar.2006)
Sunday 2nd April. Ernest Dalley Memorial Tournament for U13 Girls and U13 Boys to be held at S&B. We are putting in one team of each.
Sunday 9th April. U13 Girls Tournament at Northern.
Sunday 7th May. The next round of matches in the Merseyside Hockey Development League, and U15 Girls tournament, at Northern.
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North West Hockey League
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2005-6 Division One
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Men's Firsts clinch Championship. (Feb.2006)
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Congratulations to the men's first team,
who have secured the North West Hockey League Division 1 Championship,
with 4 games still to go.
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P
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W
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D
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L
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F
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A
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Pts
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Northern Men's 1s
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18
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16
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1
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1
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80
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34
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49
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Liverpool Sefton Men's 1s
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19
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12
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2
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5
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70
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49
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38
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Urmston Men's 1s
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18
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11
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3
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4
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70
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44
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36
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University of Liverpool Men's 1st
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20
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8
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8
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4
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67
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44
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32
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Neston South Wirral Men's 1s
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18
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8
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6
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4
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60
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50
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30
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South Cheshire Men's 1s
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18
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7
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3
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8
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56
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54
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24
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Nelson & Rossendale Men's 1s
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18
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8
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0
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10
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53
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59
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24
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Knutsford Men's 1s
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18
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6
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3
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9
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41
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53
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21
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Bramhall Men's 1s
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19
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6
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2
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11
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61
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61
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20
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Southport Men's 2s
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18
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6
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2
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10
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56
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70
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20
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Morecambe Men's 1s
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18
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4
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1
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13
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33
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82
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10*
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Timperley Men's 2s
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18
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1
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3
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14
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27
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74
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6
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Above, with the celebrations well underway,
a slightly bleary squad show off their new trophy.
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SATURDAY, 26th FEBRUARY, 2006
NORTHERN Men's 1st XI 5 – Knutsford Mens 1st XI 2
Northern needed just three points to finish top of the North West Hockey 1st Division and see them playing in the North Hockey League next year. They did not disappoint and confidently took a well earned 5-2 win at the club last Saturday. The Northern squad were ready for this game and knowing they were so close to achieving 1st place only added to their drive and determination. Team sprit was high and this showed in the way their hockey was played. The game started at exceptional pace and it was clear that Northern were not going to make this easy for the Knutsford side. Northern were applying the pressure well and Knutsford were stuggling to advance, only the odd ball getting through which was gracefully collected and dealt with by Will Beeching, the Northern sweeper. Good marking from Phil Moody and exceptional work from Phil Calder helped settle the Northern midfield. It wasn't long before Jason Batty came into the D from the right and saw calder making a well timed run, the ball was despatched and Calder slapped it home to put the Northern side ahead. The next great forward move from Northern saw a ball through Phil Caler to Adam Batty touched into the path of Jason Batty. Jason rounded the keeper only to hit the right post. Never one to miss a chance, Jason took the rebound to put Northern 2-0 up. Knutsford then started to come back and some good running at the Northern defence left a man on his own who put away his lose ball. Olly Hayes stepped back off the bench and proved how invaluable he is when a ball from Anthony Symondson ran into his path. He hit it first time and the crack of the backboard was the first the Knutsford keeper knew about it. Northern were awarded a short corner. Jason Batty struck it well and hit a Knutsford foot on the line. Whilst ten of the Northern side were appealing for a penalty stroke, the umpire played advantage and Olly Hayes put the ball away for Northern's fourth goal. Phil Calder managed a complete lack of control at the top of the Northern defence which left the Knutsford centre forward with a clear shot at goal, he took his chance to make it 4-2. A great move near the end of the game saw a number of players involved in a break from the Northern defence, through the midfield leaving Olly Hayes thundering into the circle. Jason Batty was waiting for the square ball and didn't miss his oppurtunity. An good game, an exceptional season and promotion into the next league. Congratualation to Anthony Symondson and the first team squad. The majority of players saw this as something to celebrate and a good night was had by all.
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