A mixed bag for the club this week really. The 2nd XI scraped past Salford with an under-par performance, but will be pleased with the fact they sealed a perfect league season as champions. The 1st XI will be disappointed in their week, as they succumbed 6-4 to Liverpool John Moore to just miss out on promotion from BUCS 2A. Then on Saturday, they drew 5-5 with Golborne, but promotion was out of their grasp anyway, with results not going their way elsewhere. 

Wednesday's match reports

2nd XI crown perfect season

Having improved considerably under captain Bushy during the 2015/16 season, the 2nd XI were well-placed to better their third-placed finish last time out in Division 4A. And better it they have, completely blowing their opponents aside, winning every single game on their way to the league title. Whilst the performance last Wednesday against Salford was not their best, the winning mentality that has run throughout the team during the whole season got them through in the end. Particular highlights were the two most recent away games to Manchester and Salford, when the boys put in their two most accomplished performances of the season when the pressure was on against promotion rivals. Hopeless' men will be looking to crown an incredible season with victory at Roses, in what should be a tight encounter with York. Very exciting times ahead for the 2nd XI in Division 3A next season, with Chrissy taking over from Hopeless. A big thank you must once again go to captaincy team Hopeless and Ted, who have led the team magnificently this season. 

A captain's message from Hopeless

​Many could consider the 2s to be the difficult middle child. However, this year they have been exceptional. The most successful team last season has continued in their rich vein of form to claim their title as Northern 4A champions, winning every game in the process, no mean achievement for any team. If you have played one game or every game for the second team this season I would like to thank you for your dedication and exceptional effort on the pitch. With a special thank you to Ted who was an exceptional Vice-Captain, keeping me calm during many a storm, as well as a huge thanks to Daynal, who has coached us fantastically this year. The player awards this year were all well deserved with Ted winning Players’ Player, Kaiser winning Captains’ Player and our top scorer of Chris Hall being a rather clear front-runner. Onwards to Roses, I cannot express how excited I am to get involved this year; I am sure as a club we will emerge as a huge success having built on the performances of last year. Let us top off a fantastic season with the performances and results that we all deserve.

From your 2nd XI Captain,
Hopeless.

An emotional few days

Wednesday was perhaps one of the strangest socials in recent memory. Whilst the 1st XI had lost their title decider to John Moore, there was a very large turnout from the boys, partly aided by FunJuice and pizza at Casa del LUMHC. However, as the FunJuice and Snakebite slowly seeped into the system, so too did the emotion of an excruciating day for the 1st XI. This was in contrast to the 2nd team, who celebrated their 100% season with a team wine, and Alvin, Tom Taylor and Eileen, who were celebrating a much-merited 10-0 win for local partner club UCum. The contrast between the happiness of the 2nd team and the disappointment for the first team proved to be too much in the end, with most of the 1st XI departing before the end of social, with many suffering from a severe case of the bin. Compared to the normal high standard, sugar proved disappointing, considering that most of the club had already snuck off into the cold Lancaster night. 

End of Season dinner a roaring success

After an incredibly successful season for the club, with the 2nd and 3rd XI winning their respective titles and the 1st XI falling just short but playing some magnificent hockey in BUCS and Saturday League, it was time to celebrate on Saturday at the club's End of Season dinner at Lancaster House hotel. Sufficiently fuelled by the traditional present from the club to the playing staff, a magnificent night was had by all, particularly the Cartmel bar and Lancaster House hotel managers. Whilst normally not having many inhibitions, Draco surpassed his own usual standards, revealing perhaps a bit too much for his own good whilst in Cartmel bar, even if many of the women's club were interested after seeing photo evidence of his activities. The squad soon moved onto Lancaster House, where soup was drunk, main courses devoured, and men's and women's club awards handed out. Outgoing and incoming exec members exchanged gifts, although this procession was halted after the first exchange, between Chairmen Wow and SCENES, with VKs and Buckfast providing a new colouring for the Lancaster house floor. A number of soldiers were lost along the way, most notably Bambi, Chags and Conlad, but their fellow warriors carried on nevertheless, with a select band moving onto Sugar. A massive thanks goes to the social secs for organising such a merry occasion, and congratulations once again to all of the award winners:

1st XI Players' Player: Charlie Page
1st XI Top Scorer: Jack Whelan
1st XI Captain's Player: Alvaro Trapote
1st XI Coach's Player: Simon 'Holly' Jackson

2nd XI Player's Player: Ted Clifton
2nd XI Top Scorer: Chris Hall
2nd XI Captain's Player: Robbie Kaiser
2nd XI Coach's Player: Robert Haggis

3rd XI Players' Player: Ollie Pugh
3rd XI Top Scorer: Connor Morrison
3rd XI Captain's Player: Tom Taylor
3rd XI Coach's player: Daniel Milverton

Fresher of the year: Christian Penney
Cunt of the season: Daniel Milverton
Clubman of the year: Robert Haggis

The Week Ahead

With BUCS wrapped up, the attention now switches to Roses, which takes place on the first weekend back after Easter.  With week 10 deadlines and tests for most members, a relaxing week is in store, with calm training sessions planned for Wednesday and Thursday. Chairman Wow and social secs Eileen and Flo have their last ever socials in charge on Wednesday, which will surely be a celebration of a hugely successful year on and off the pitch.