We were up against Ciren, who were unbeaten coming in to this match. Well, that's not the case anymore, as we put in a FANTASTIC team effort to come back from a goal down to clinch this most exciting match 2-1.

Cheltenham Junior outdoor training is cancelled for Friday 3rd December due to the weather and frozen pitch conditions. However- WE WILL STILL BE RUNNING THE 'EHB YOUNG UMPIRE AWARD' FOR ALL U13/U14 PLAYERS THAT HAVE NOT PREVIOUSLY DONE THE AWARD IN THE CLUBHOUSE ON FRIDAY 3RD DEC. Please arrive from 6.10pm onwards to start at 6.30pm and we should be finished by 8.00pm as there will not be a chance to go out to practice on the pitch afterwards. Therefore pick up time is 8.00pm and not 8.30pm as previously stated. Any parents who would like to know more about the rules of mini hockey are welcome to stay and listen as well.

The last session for training before we break for Xmas will be next Friday 10th Dec. Please come dressed in fancy dress as there is a prize for the best fancy dress for 1 boy and girl in each age group.The theme will be fun and games all evening with the newly trained young umpires having a go at umpiring the small sided games, so bring your whistles!

Looking forward seeing everyone next week and any of the U13/U14's on Friday

-- Mike Woods and Angie Pearce

THE LATEST...

Due to deteriorating temperature and a freezing pitch, we have decided to cancel U-12 & U13 training tonight. The younger age groups will go ahead.

Sorry for any inconvenience caused.

-- Mike Woods

Result 4 - 0 win.

Against a young Sherborne side, we always had the upper hand and dominated the match. We had 14 boys with Callum playing superbly for the opposition. We played some great hockey leading up to the goals with Alex Hewer making some great runs into some deadly positions and with one of his runs he scored. George Wilshaw added a second goal and was a real threat throughout the match. With new players Hamish and Ben playing very confidently the team was able to experiment with players trying out different positions, always makes for an interesting match. Two further goals in the second half sealed our win and we now look forward to the local derby with Gloucester next week.

-- Andy Boulton

Cheltenham Coyotes 0-1 Witney

Cheltenham Coyotes 4-0 Swindon

The Coyotes (U13/U14 Girls) squad travelled to Witney on Sun 14 Nov to play its first 2 matches in the National U14 Girls Club Competition (Midlands).

After a challenging (for the coach!) changing room team talk and a warm up on a local road, the Coyotes stepped on to the pitch in front of a supportive crowd to take on Witney who, alongside Worcester, seem to be the team to beat. After a few hesitant minutes at the start the Coyotes got into their stride and started to take the game to Witney.

We played most of the game in their half attacking the circle from every angle. Maisie Wilshaw and Megan Mather both made probing runs down the right channel and into the circle. Hannah Gleeson used free hits and long corners to apply further pressure. Alixe Cook and Alice Gwynn taking it in turns at CF and Saskia Beachus at LW tried valiantly to get on the end of crosses; missing some, connecting with others that were saved or winning short corners. The Coyotes probably had 6 short corners in all but in spite of working their routine well, they just could not penetrate Witney’s defence. One of Hannah Gleeson’s shots hit the post with such force that it bounced back out of the circle!

As captain, Harriet Parker was a steadying influence at the back and was relied on to make strong clearances even under pressure. In goal, Thyrza Peters was not significantly tested. Georgina Paton held her own at CB keeping the CF at bay while Jemma Robson, Sian White and Lily Stewart rotated through the wing back positions keeping a tight rein on their wingers. When a goal came 10 minutes from the end it was unfortunately at our end of the pitch. In only Witney’s second move that took them into our circle, a series of miss clearances and some bad luck led to them scoring a very scrappy goal. The girls showed great fortitude and fought back even harder but it was not to be.

There was only 10 minute break before the Coyotes had to take on Swindon. It was now essential that we had a got a good win under our belt. This time there was to be no disappointment. India Blake playing at CF demonstrated her goal scoring prowess of last season by scoring a very confident hat trick. It was also good to see Maisie Wilshaw now at LW score as well. Whenever Swindon started to threaten they were quickly dispatched by the defence and Ayesha Markham as the mainstay of the midfield with a hard-working Alixe Cook.

Thank you to Jean Levy for umpiring and to a very supportive crowd of parents. There is all to play for in the next 2 matches against Cirencester and Worcester on Sun 28 Nov.

-- Phil Robson

Two U12 Girls teams were entered into the Glos U12 Festival on Sun 14 Nov. A report on the COBRAS performance will appear shortly.

The CHEETAHS were represented by 9 players: Chloe Sullivan, Sophie Lennon, Hannah Basnett, Ellie Shea, Isobel Sanderson, Hannah Haggie, Sophie Rogers, Bronwen Tayler and Abigail Langridge. For 4 of the girls this was their first appearance for the club in a very challenging festival.

After a slow start in the first match the girls began to play as a team working well together. They all showed great team spirit standing down to ensure that everyone had a chance to play in at
least three out of the five matches.

For a team who had little experience of playing together, they did exceptionally well against some stiff opposition and the afternoon ended with smiles all round with the possible exception of Ellie, who injured her hand in the final match. We hope she is alright.

The scores were as follows:

Chelt Cheetahs 0-2 Worcester
Glos 2 0-0 Chelt Cheetahs
Chelt Cheetahs 0-0 East Glos
Cirencester 1 3-0 Chelt Cheetahs
Chelt Cheetahs 0-3 Chelt Cobras

A huge thank you to Karen Langridge, Abigail’s mum, who helped support the team giving them advice and pep talks. Her help was greatly appreciated by two parents who have very little knowledge of the game. Thanks also to the junior umpires who gave the team pointers on how to improve their game after each match.

-- Anne Sullivan

Cheltenham U-14 Squad came up against a strong and well organised Bath Buccaneers team in the second tranche of pool matches for the England Hockey U-14 Tournament. The boys battle valiantly and never gave up, however the forwards had few chances to show their skills. Ethan Hunt, playing in goal, made some great saves. Andrew Boulton and Gregor Moore were resolute in defence. Monty Chapman, Ben Cupper and Harry Caro worked tirelessly in midfield. Sam Woods and Alex Hewer pressed well up front. They were ably backed up by the rest of the squad. But the Bath Buccaneers team were too strong and combined well to play some good team hockey to beat our boys. Final Score 5-0.

The next round of matches is at Balcarras on Sunday 28th November. Two wins from our last two games (against Devizes and Cirencester) should see us qualify for the Regional Play-offs, however we will need to play our best to achieve this.

On a glorious Sunday at the start of half-term, the U11 and U12 girls combined to enter two teams in a re-arranged festival.

The Cobras made a good start to the season winning 4 out of 5 games. Whether playing in midfield or defence India Blake started the season the way she finished the last – scoring goals! In attack and midfield she was ably supported by Juliette Lamden and our 3 U11s – Annabel Chess, Holly Corlett and Bethan Faulks – who all gained value experience. Annabel worked with terrier like determination throughout; Holly made some impressive runs down the right wing and always tackled back; and Bethan’s efforts at LW were rewarded with a goal in our final game. In defence, Lily Stewart and Jemma Robson were as solid as ever with Chloe Sullivan making her first appearance in goal. There was only one momentary slip against Cirencester A that prevented a clean sheet.

Results and scorers were as follows: Cobras 2 (India (2)) Lansdown 0; Cobras 4 (India (2), Jemma, Juliette) Worcester 0; Cobras 2 (India (2)) Cirencester B 0; Cobras 0 Cirencester A 1; Cobras 2 (India, Bethan) v Glos City 0.

Considering the Cheetahs were playing without a GK, they did extremely well winning 3 of their 5 games against stiff opposition. Cheetahs 0 Cirencester A 2; Cheetahs 1 (Millie) Glos City 0; Cheetahs 2 (Millie (2)) Dursley 0; Cheetahs 1 Lansdown 0; Cheetahs 0 Cirencester B 1. The Team was made up from the following: Louise Lovatt, Brittany Sutton-Page; Hannah Basnett; Lucy Kirkpatrick; Rose Jones; Alice Hunte; Millie Broom and Isabella Galligan.

Thank you to the parents who stepped in to help manage the teams and the fantastic parental support throughout, which is always appreciated by the girls. And thank you to Beth Maitland and Andy Stewart for umpiring.

-- Phil Robson

The October newsletter for Cheltenham Junior Association is now available. It has been emailed to members, it is available from the front desk at Balcarras and it is even available by clicking here!

In their latest match, the Cheltenham Badgers took on local rivals Lansdown. Cheltenham went ahead with a direct goal early in the game from Alex Diesel. Great play down the left from Lawrence Hage and Alex Diesel created more chances. However, the game was a well balanced affair with chances at both ends and the half ended 1 - 0 due mainly to good saves from both goal-keepers.
The second half followed the same pattern and eventually the Cheltenham went 2 up with a well taken goal from Tom Hage. Lansdown came back stongly and after a series of saves from Henry Davies (making his debut), Lansdown pulled one back. Another individual goal from Tom Hage restored the two goal advantage. Again, the game was end to end and Cheltenham managed a further goal from Sam Woods (his first for the Badgers) ending the game 4 -1. It was a game which demonstrated good hockey from both sides. Tom Hage, Tom Mitchener, Tom Bannister, Max Holland and Ben Bolwell - captaining the team - all gave good second half performances but the Man of the Match was our goal-keeper Henry Davies.

-- Mike