Many of you will be aware of the developement that is planned for the west side of Thirsk over the next few years. There have been several meetings held to discuss the sports and recreation facilities that will be part of this project. Thirsk hockey, rugby, football and “The Clock” along with Thirsk Senior School, are involved in seeing what each sport can achieve in the provision of new and additional facilities.
At a recent meeting the following notes were made of the position so far:-
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We were shown a briefing paper which is going to form the basis of the tender document that HDC are putting out to companies to quote for phase one of the project. Phase one is the planning stage, including pulling in funding grants, physical planning, with the idea that by the end of 2012 we would have a blueprint together showing the scale of the project both physically and financially. Then for stage two, which will include the tender stage for works and management of the build over a period.
We were asked for any comments, and hockey made one or two regarding any club house facilities (it seems, a rebuild of the current changing rooms is the preferred option). We also asked that we should not close off the possibility of another artificial pitch into the future, especially as over time surfaces may improve to be useable by a wider range of sports. We also tried to tease out exactly what HDC involvement will be with regard to it and community facilities in Thirsk in the longer term.
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As further infomation is provided this will be reported here.

The Wednesday training sessions will continue after Easter, starting on 18th April. Due to the large number of under 10 and under 12 who would like to take part it will be alternating weeks for boys and girls. On the 18th it will be the girls turn, so boys on the 25th, and so on.

The other age groups will be for both boys and girls together.

The programme will be:

6 – 7   U10 and U12 (Girls only on 18th then alternative weeks for boys, then girls.)

7 – 8   U14 and Back to hockey group.

8 – 9   U16 and seniors.

The 21st April saw the end of season day on the club astro with the formal re-opening of the surface and lights after a major refurbishment. With under 10 and under 12 games in the morning, presentations, lunch, the formal opening at 1.30 and then under 14 and senior games in the afternoon it was a full day. Lunch was donated by all the parents and provided as much food as would be needed for twice as many people than the 200 that took part. Under 14, under 16 and senior presentations took place at the end of the day. Sales of hot dogs and drinks, and the tombola raised a few hundred pounds for the club funds. A great effort by all who took part, played, organised, umpired and managed. Thank you to you all.

Thirsk Men’s 1st XI played their final game of the season at the weekend vs. Wakefield. Thirsk started slowly and quite quickly found themselves 3-0 behind as they failed to react first to the Wakefield drilled passes into the D. Thirsk then upped their game and started attacking more with some good runs down both flanks. One of these found Luke Young at the back post who converted to take Thirsk 3-1 down at half time. The second half saw Thirsk start brightly but Wakefield broke again twice to increase their lead. The game was more even than the score suggested and Ben Scaling and Andy Young played their way up the entire field for Ben to strike a second goal for Thirsk. As Thirsk tired, Wakefield finished with two more goals to leave a 7-2 defeat for Thirsk. Thirsk will start next season in division 3, but with the younger players beginning to impress at first team level it should be no surprise to find the team at the top of that division next season.

Thirsk Mens second’s travelled to Harrogate for the final game of the season. With an inexperienced team, and several  players  trying new positions for the first time, it was always going to be difficult. But Thirsk did create some nice chances, Dan Lawson firing wide,  and Rafe Skippings being denied what looked like a certain penalty flick. Thirsk were 2-0 down at half time despite some good saves from Mason Fenlon in the Thirsk goal.
Thirsk pulled a goal back early in the second half, when Peter Woodward’s cross was met brilliantly by Patrick Jackson, who fired a first time shot into the net. But it was Harrogate who finished off strongest, with four second half goals, despite some valiant work in defence by John Atkinson, Jon Statham, Mike Rushmere, and Ben Irving, who had a great game. Harrogate running out 6-1 winners.
Well done to all who have represented the team this season. We achieved our goal of remaining in Division 5 North, following last season’s promotion, and can look forward to an improving team for next season. Thank you also to Dick Edwards, who has umpired the team so well throughout the season, a key member of the squad. Also to vice captain Trevor Bosomworth who has organised the team for most weeks and even when not able to play for the last four games of the season through injury.

The 21st April will be the official opening of the refurbished pitch and lighting. We will be having junior games in the morning for under 10 and under 12, with under 14, under 16 and seniors in the afternoon. We are intending to have food on sale and the team and club awards will be made. This is the last chance for all to get together this season before the summer break, so please would all members, young and old make the effort to be there.

Both England Hockey and the National Hockey Foundation will be represented as major financial contributers. It would be good to show them that we appreciate their support by attending the day.

Details are available from the club officials, and notices will be desplayed at the pitch.

The men’s second XI played away to York who had beaten them 7-1 in the home leg.  It certainly became apparent during the first 15 minutes that York were as determined to win as Thirsk were not to lose. They spent this time constantly in our half and despite several attempts to score were thwarted each time by determined and solid defence by Patrick Hunt, Jonathan Statham, Mike Rushmere and Ben Irving with Joe Dickinson covering his goal with equal resolve. It took three short corner attempts to finally break the dead lock but only after some 20 minutes. After this Thirsk seemed able to clear there lines better and get the ball into the York half. By concentrating on defence the forwards did not have many opportunities to even get a shot on the York goal. Half time 1-0, no disgrace given the York pressure, but a change in tactics would be needed to have a chance to score. Certainly the second half started better for Thirsk and by improving the passing, putting more pressure on the York players and playing forward well into their half, several chances were created. Even a short corner or two to Thirsk and shots from Rafe Skippings, Patrick Winstanley and Liam Evans made York more defensive and so took some of the pressure off our defence. John Atkinson made his presence felt in the mid-field and continued to rally the team to find a way to equalise. By pressing forward York were able to find some gaps and after a series of passes down the right wing found a forward in the D with time to take a shot. 2-0 but Thirsk not down. With some 5 minutes to go York broke down their left and despite a great save by Joe the forward caught the rebound and forced it past a defenders stick. The final whistle ended a spirited game and Thirsk seconds were not over run and gave a top division team a hard fought victory. 3-0 the final result.

The Men’s first XI played at home to Leeds Adel and started brightly with goals from Phil Hughes and Ian Foxley giving them a 2-0 lead.  Leeds managed to pull one back before half time when a miss-hit from the top of the D found a Leeds player just off the line who slotted in.  Leeds started stronger in the second half and forced a number of short corners.  It was from one of these that they drew even and then from a second strike took the lead.  Thirsk equalised within minutes this time Luke Young connecting at the back post.  Thirsk couldn’t hold on, firstly conceding a penalty flick and then a second from a breakaway in the final moments of the game – a well contested game which Leeds won 5-3.

Thirsk Ladies first team travelled away to Sheffield to play Sheffield Hallam 3 on the 31^st of March for their last game of the season. Thirsk started off very fast and with a very good run and great skill from defender Sarah Goacher running the length of the pitch and passing to Anna Hunter Thirsk scored their first goal.  There was great play from Hannah Rodgers in the middle moving the ball round players and Thirsk soon were rewarded with a second goal after the ball was slipped to Ellie Watson who placed it in the back of the net. Sheffield pushed  back and managed to score their first goal of the match however Thirsk retaliated and with a short corner Lynne Mckeown secured a third goal for Thirsk. Sheffield picked the ball up again and applied pressure scoring their second goal but Thirsk again were quick to retaliate and with good running from Hayley Maxwell a ball was slipped to Clare Goacher at the top of the D who hit it passed the keeper leaving the score at half time a 4-2 lead to Thirsk.
Thirsk improved their performance in the second half with shorter sharper passes around the Sheffield midfield and with Chrissy Stapley-Hinton and Daisy Jackson moving the ball up the pitch a short Corner was rewarded. Mckoewn placed the ball safely in the back of the net for her second goal of the match. There was great defending from Lauren Jeffrey, Beth Bradbury and Sarah Goacher intercepting passes and good goal keeping from Harriet Bagley, however Sheffield managed to sneak past and added to their score. Not long after Thirsk again retaliated with a second goal from Hunter. The match was an end to end game as seen by the yo-yo type results and Sheffield added to their score again with their fourth goal but without disappointment Thirsk ended the season on a high with Clare Goacher making a good run past defenders and the goalie to score the final goal with only 30 seconds to go. The final score was 7-4 to Thirsk.
Player of the match was awarded to Beth Bradbury, with a big well done and thank you to all the Ladies for their hard work and effort over the season to finish forth in the league out of the 12 teams.

THIRSK HOCKEY CLUB AGM

THE AGM WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY 19th APRIL 2012

THIRSK ATHLETIC CLUB 6.45 PM FOR A PROMPT 7PM START.

THE CLUB WOULD LIKE TO SEE A GOOD ATTENDANCE

The agenda will be: AGM_AGENDA_2012-1

Nominations are required for all club committee, team captains and junior team managers.

Full list is: HOCKEY CLUB OFFICERS BLANK 2012 -13