Leicester Hockey Club

Phew, what a weekend! The Anglo-German Zepter Cup Leicester hosted at the weekend at Leicester Grammar School was an absolute delight, even if it was exhausting.

The preparations had been sound, especially by Rachel Mould and fellow parents who had planned all the food and drink over the weekend. Lawson Williams and Emma Colbourn did the running around transporting our German visitors and Jane Jelley spent the entire weekend with a whistle in her hand.

For Lawson and Gaynor the weekend began early on Friday morning with a trip to Stansted to collect the teams, Club zur Vahr from Bremen and Mariendorfer, the junior side that feeds Berliner HC. There were 20 in the party from Berlin and 41 from Bremen. They returned to Leicester in a coach and the club's swish new mini bus provided by Lawson. Club zur Vahr dropped off their gear at the Premier Inn and then spent the afternoon in Leicester, exploring Highcross while the Berlin girls went first to Fosse Park and then returned to LGS for a swim, kindly organised by Jo Mould. Later that evening all, plus many of the Leicester girls and parents, went to the Horse and Hounds for a meal and then off for an early(ish) night before Saturday's hockey.

The Mariendorfer girls were staying at a very plush campsite, very generously offered by Tim and Mandy Gladdle on their lawn.

Saturday dawned and Emma Colbourn brought the Mariendorfer girls to LGS for breakfast whilst Gaynor and Phil Jelley walked the Club zur Vahr girls over for their breakfast. Sponsor Hani Rifai from Zepter UK arrived with colleague Angela Mo and they set up their tent. The official photographer was there and the action began with Leicester v Club zur Vahr. The 10-1 score in favour of the German side was a little harsh on Leicester as the girls really battled hard and at 6-0 there was a huge roar when Hope Senior broke away to score a good goal for Leicester.

Leicester had the toughest opening day as their second match on Saturday was also against a German side with a 7-0 loss to Mariendorfer. The big scorelines do not say everything as Leicester showed the players have really progressed since their last meetings with German teams in Leverkusen last year. Some players were also playing 11 a side for the first time so there was much to learn.

Elsewhere, Ashby were going down 10-0 to Mariendorfer with Beeston doing well to keep Club zur Vahr to 7-1. The game between Ashby and Beeston was much more even with Beeston showing greater stamina to win 6-3.

Leicester first teamer Ness Hawkins, Hannah Smith, Lauren Turner and Beijing Olympian, Jennie Bimson, were round and about leading some skills work and posing for photos. Thanks to Kerry Williams for organising that.

There was a special match between Leicester U15s and Club zur Vahr too. The German side brought 22 players across and so Gaynor arranged this match to stretch the German girls. There was a shock for Leicester as Club zur Vahr took an early lead with a penalty stroke but Grace Gladdle equalised and from then on Leicester edged the game, winning by 3-1. Thanks go to Margaret McCloughlin who came across specially to umpire.

The excellent evening meal at LGS was followed by local band M48, some impromptu cricket, a raffle and some fine dancing by Sophie Callery's little brother Louis.

Sunday saw hotter temperatures, a plague of greenfly, and some better results for the hosts. A great 0-0 draw was fought out with Beeston followed by a tremendous win over Ashby by 2-1. Ashby took the lead but Tara Johnson levelled things before Freya Taylor's superb winner. All the Leicester girls played well and have made great progress. Mariendorfer stayed in contention with a 5-0 win over Beeston and then a titanic struggle went on between the German sides in which Club zur Vahr triumphed 2-1 to effectively seal the tournament. They rounded off with a 9-1 win over a gallant Ashby side who celebrated their goal as if it was the winner!

On to the thank you speeches and medal ceremony. Tim Gladdle, whose company Bray and Bray had provided some sponsorship and Hani Rifia from title sponsors Zepter UK gave out the medals to all and the cup to Club zur Vahr which was very graciously received. Both Club zur Vahr and Mariendorfer provided the club and Gaynor with some lovely gifts and then it was all over bar the packing up, the hugs goodbye and the loading up of the buses as our new friends took their leave.

It was a huge success and we would love to do it all again but it was also hard work and special thanks should go to all parents of the youngsters, Jane, Phil and Helen Jelley, Hani and Angela from Zepter, Rachel and Chris Mould, Matthew Law, M48, Lawson and Julie Williams, Emma Colbourn, Jo Mould, Trem for sorting out programmes, Hazel McSweeney and Glyn Johnson for support in coaching and organising the girls, the wonderful Gladdles and the teams from Ashby and Beeston for making it such good fun. We look forward to seeing our German friends again soon.