Men's 2's - Division 9 Champions!

Petersfield’s Second Men’s team may not have been in the news much, but they have been very successful and have ended the season with another resounding win, which sees them win Hampshire Division 9 and gain promotion for the second year running. This team was put together two seasons ago, with a mixture of players from the Petersfield Veterans team, players returning to hockey after a time away from the sport and teenaged boys, who had become too old to play for the U16 squad, but who needed further development before they were ready for the 1st team. More recently, there have been even younger players joining the team, following the sad withdrawal of the U16 Boys team from the Hampshire League. Under the guidance of Duncan McDermot, who has managed this team from the start, the players have become a strong, unified team, with the mix of ages being an asset to the development of the squad. This season has seen them win 17 of their 18 games, with a total of 79 goals being scored and just 23 goals being conceded. Not only have all the players enjoyed being a part of this team – the camaraderie amongst the players is clear to see - but they have played some great hockey, which the parents of the younger members of the team have especially loved being able to watch. As a development squad, they have shown what can be achieved when the right mix of age and experience are put together – so much so, that a 3rd Men’s team is being considered for next season, to allow more players of all ages to play every week. Petersfield Men 2s have won their division with a 14 point advantage over their nearest rivals and should feel rightly proud to be entering Division 8 as champions, with every one of the following players having played their part in achieving this:

Symes, T McDermot, Wong (top goal scorer of the season), E Francis, Wassenberg, Anderson, MacFarlane, Carter, King, Knowles, J Budden (most improved player of the season), Stapleton, Burns, Hardy, O’Kelly, Brown, N Budden, P Francis, Cook Priest, Williams, M Knowles, Cornelius, Conran, Wood, Bilsland, Martin and Broadmeadow.

The future of Men’s hockey at Petersfield Hockey Club is bright!