The 7s wound up their 2nd league campaign with yet another resounding defeat. With Graham away leading the 5s to glory we had a bit of a makeshift midfield again, and never imposed ourselves on rather physical opposition. We kept it to 1 - 0 till nearly half time but after that we were under regular pressure and goals inevitably followed despite a couple of spectacular saves from Nick and persistent dogged tackling from Steve and Isaac. We did manage a bit of a threat when we moved the ball quickly, and one end to end move showed what we can do when we focus - Steven played a 16 square to Isaac, Lewis took a short pass from Isaac under pressure but moved it quickly up to his dad who turned his marker and sprinted to the corner. Debutant Mark Ainger was in front of goal as the pass came over, and did enough to win a short corner. That was as good as it got.

Played 17, won 2, drawn 1, lost 14, scored 16, conceded 62. 7th out of 7 in Division 8. Not a great year, but we fulfilled all our fixtures with a full 11, usually 13 or 14. Plenty of other sides in Div 7 and 8 missed that target! We saw Aaron White, Isaac Lewis, Sam Ainger and Isaac Handley settle in to adult hockey, and Mike Scott, James Pidduck and (right at the end) Mark Ainger graduating from the 'back to hockey' program. Of last year's starters, Keiran and Callum moved up to higher things. Injuries to Graham, Clive and myself deprived us of valuable experience for long stretches of the season. Steve Bailes, Ian Rawlinson and Nick Izzard, who had settled back in as our regular keeper by Christmas, held it all together through a challenging campaign.

We managed to use 38 players, with the two Aaron's (White and Dutt) proving the most consistent. Ian led the way with 6 of the goals, trailed by Geoff H with 2. Nobody else got past 1.

Player of the Year goes to the hard working, committed, creative and fearless Aaron White. But once again special mention to Graham, now 75 and still shaming us all with his fitness and sharpness.

Thank you everyone for keeping going through a long, rather cold and sometimes frustrating winter. I hope you will all be back to give it another go in September (and there will be plenty of summer friendlies to keep you in trim as well)