Since the merger with Purley Walcountians in 1998, only one men’s veteran side remained at Purley to play grass hockey.
A plan to create a league side was formed and executed during the pandemic, a fine achievement of the committee and in particular the chairman Richard Stevens.
“The core membership of the league side are predominantly cricketers, most of whom are new to hockey and their development over the summer has been remarkable,” says Debbie Christopher.
The team were entered into the South East Oaks men’s league Division 5 and they came away from Croydon Old Whitgiftians 4th XI with a superb 9-0 win to open their league season in some style.
The Hockey Paper‘s selected report:
Having won their opening game of the campaign 4 – 2 against Ipswich 3 the previous week Broadland Exiles travelled in high spirits to Lowestoft, about as far East as you can go without getting your feet wet, to take on East Coast in the East league Division 4 North East.
Dan Cheeseman absolutely on top of his game cracked in four goals last week. Could he emulate tit this week? No problem. Why stop at four, when you can add an extra two to bring your tally to 10 goals in two league matches so far this season.
Target 50, 60, perhaps even 100 goals. Watch this space. A total of eight players contributed at least one goal each to the outstanding score line.
By contrast Broadland ladies fell by the wayside after a bright start and lost by three goals against local rivals Norwich City II in the East Women’s Division 2 North-East while Reepham in Division 3 North East (North) conceded to Broadland II.
Harleston Magpies 7 travelled to Taverham to play Broadland ladies 3 in the East Women’ Division 5 North East (North). to play out a goalless draw. Broadland with 4 new players to competitive hockey, had to hang on at times, with stand in keeper Dani Parke being their star player.
Wapping HC, above, have had plenty of pre-season action as they started out in the new London Leagues at the weekend.
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