BHHC M1s 4-3 Southgate M2s
"The M1s had a good first half with some well worked moves. Southgate had a couple of near misses, but Brighton took the lead after 5 minutes with a drag flick from captain Adam Flett. Southgate received a green, but shortly after this Robert Shearer converted a penalty corner to bring things level.

The second quarter brought more action as both sides created chances, but with good saves from both keepers the score remained 1-1 going into half-time.

In the second half the visitors increased the pressure, and after one attack Matthew Burgess scored to make it 1-2. Southgate received a green, and soon after this Adam Flett scored another drag flick to even up the score. Things were looking difficult when Paddy Smith received a green and then a yellow near the end of the third quarter.

The final quarter was dramatic. A Southgate aerial reached Joe Hillyer in the D and he scored in the 55th minute to make it 2-3. Brighton fought to stay in the game and won a number of penalty corners. In one of these a rebound fell to Paddy Smith who finished to make it 3-3. Brighton won another penalty corner that Tim Upchurch converted with a drag flick in the 67th minute, making it 4-3 as the home crowd roared. Another huge three points for the M1s."

BHHC W1s No game.

BHHC M2s 4-0 Horsham M2s

Woking W2s 2-2 BHHC W2s

Horsham M3s 0-2 BHHC M3s

Middleton W1s 1-0 BHHC W3s
Alexandra Smart reports: "As we hit the final 4 week point when players can’t move down, the 3s were looking forward to fielding 16 of BHHC’s finest for a road trip across 27 roundabouts to Littlehampton. Two knee injuries, one Geography field trip and a last minute case of tonsil tennis (possibly tonsillitis) resulted in just 12 on the final team sheet.

On top of players dropping like flies, those who were playing decided to wait until Friday afternoon to organise the most complicated lift shares of the season. How do you get 12 people to Littlehampton, onto Lancing, and home after a few drinks in as few cars as possible. Thanks to Tesla Tours, Citroen Cabs, Joyriding with Jess and Ness’ Doggie Van, we smashed it. It’s unclear how many cars were still sat outside Mirriam’s house come Monday morning.

Despite my very clear (and visual) instructions outlining acceptable white shirts, Diva rocked up in the wrong kit. Ironically she told her car load, “we’re not turning back if you’ve forgotten anything”.

The warm up really set the tone of the game. Football lines had been sunk into the pitch creating trenches that made the ball bounce over your stick if you were anywhere near them. After missing pretty much every pass in the shot box warm up, we knew we clearly had the away team disadvantage with this pitch.

Middleton made pretty much their only circle entry of the game in the first 2 minutes. Jess made a great save that unfortunately rebounded dangerously into the striker. Quickly capitalising on advantage play, they batted the ball straight back towards the goal and scored. Not a great start to the game.

Despite being a genuinely lovely bunch of great humans, one of the umpires just wasn’t on our wavelength and I was called in after 10 minutes to address the stick tackling of our team. I’m sure my words back to the team – “so let’s try not to stick tackle” – really helped. The warning did kind of throw us off kilter and we definitely gave the opposition more time and space on the ball than we should have done for fear of getting carded and leaving our team with even fewer players.

It’s generally windy in Littlehampton which makes the whistle hard to hear sometimes. That’s what Jo’s saying after she hammered the ball at the goal after the whistle had gone for a penalty corner. The goalie had clearly heard the whistle and definitely wasn’t expecting the Whiting special that left a dent in her upper arm. After 10 minutes on the floor to get over the shock, she went on to have a great game and didn’t let us score in retaliation for the GBH.

It was almost funny how many goals almost got across the line. Wan was oh so close on the post so many times. If I was a better tennis player I would have scored a great volley from a lovely ball sent by Imo across the goal. If Imo’s dummy hadn’t been mistaken for a mis-hit she would have probably scored. If a defender hadn’t put her body in front of the goal to get smashed in the chest by another Whiting special, it would have been top bins for Jo. Beth also made it into the D countless times but with Middleton packing the circle we all struggled to get a clean shot off. And we’re still waiting for the VAR of the foot on the line that would have given us a stroke in the first 5 minutes and potentially changed the whole dynamic of the game. Thankfully we’re just a “social team” so don’t get too stressed about these decisions.

The second half was basically played in our attacking half, thanks to incredible defensive work. Diva controlled the back line and held a crucial position for transfers. Jess R went for several long runs to help attack the wings and Flo took the half time focus on board, stepping in front of her player to win every ball and even doing keepy uppies up the line to carry the ball forward.

Abby bossed in screen (literally - she was very bossy - but it was needed to get our press under control). Ellen dominated alongside Abby, pinching lots of balls to redistribute back up the pitch. Supermom Makin flew in to make some lovely runs in midfield and left with a bruise than took up half of her left leg. No, it wasn’t Whiting. We didn’t win but we played some great hockey and had a great social afterwards.

Mirriam cooked up a delicious Middle Eastern feast for teas. We’re not sure how we’re going to make the return to sandwiches next week. No offence, Graham & Jenny. There were rocky road cupcakes for Ellen’s birthday (just what she needed after a power nap in front of the rugby) and a sponge with lots of sprinkles for Jess H’s 13th birthday. Mirriam’s sip and paint activity was an absolute winner - it’s actually scary how good most of the team are at painting. Wan could make a killing on the seafront doing portraits of tourists. Highlights included Mirriam looking like an actual gangster and Jo with hair so high, it took up half of the canvas. The expletives coming out of Jess H’s helmet were an excellent well thought out touch.

PoMs: Equal votes for Flo, Abby & Jess R.

DoDs: So many contenders, no need to vote…
Mirriam - nearly carded as an over enthusiastic supporter with a potty mouth.
Alex - thinking a 90 year old lady in a tea cosy hat was Mirriam arriving. Half the team made the same mistake but I’ll take the hit because it was too funny. To be fair, she had a mobility scooter with a knee rest. Mirriam raced her doppelgänger back to the car park on her crutches and won. Go, Mirriam!
Jo - trying to kill everyone.
Diva - wrong kit."

BHHC M4s 10-0 Horsham M4s
"Rollo Squire x4, Nathan Thorley x3, Harley Harden, Evan Hitchen and Joe Wilkinson scored in a slightly one-sided game against Horsham.
MoM: Nathan Thorley. DoD: Will Brickell earned a green."

BHHC W4s 0-2 Eastbourne W2s

Worthing M4s 1-2 BHHC M5s

BHHC W5s 3-1 Hailsham W2s

BHHC M6s - Crawley M2s Cancelled due to delays.

Lewes W4s 5-0 BHHC W6s

South Saxons M3s 4-0 BHHC M7s

BHHC W7s 1-4 Burgess Hill W2s

BHHC M8s 0-1 Hailsham M2s

BHHC W8s 0-6 Burgess Hill W4s

BHHC M9s 4-0 Worthing M7s

Crowborough M3s 2-2 BHHC M10s

JUNIORS

Crowborough Crowletts Boys 5-2 BHHC Boys Flippers

BHHC Girls Gulls No game.

BHHC results on the EH website and the Sussex Hockey Association website.

Please contact bhhc.publicity@gmail.com with any queries.