Men's AXI vs Salisbury

After the shock "HELLO" to season 24/25 from the Redmen last week, it was a far more genteel turn out on Saturday with our old pals The Strollers making the trip down the A36 from the city with the tall pointy thing. And making the trip from Bishy were Aunty Lynn and Ralphus, so it was great to see them pitch side after Ralph's replacement knee surgery. Talking of that sort of stuff, it appears Umpire Langridge is also making steady progress with his Hip replacement and all at the Club wish him a speedy return to whistling duties! 

An impressive array of Salisbury personnel lined up on pitch 2, including 82 year old John Ewing, who will be representing Wales Over 75's in the forthcoming Masters World Cup! But with all the hockey in last week's tome from Fairhead, our Agency Ed thought it high time to get back to proper reporting. Courtroom 4 it seems is no more, so it's find a room wherever you can as the new Sporty team don't put any rooms on the white board anymore. Presumably, they no longer expect people to shower and change after a game? This week's recipient was none other than Uncle Fester aka Sheffs, who having been instructed to take a Stroke, duly followed it up with a significant series of chances missed, to ensure TPA was heading firmly in his direction.

The usual merriment was however curtailed as the FM then went to work. Good returns this week, especially after the Boneo incident pre-match. This when the FM was offered a paltry £1 and a "mystery" gift in lieu of fines on a take it or leave it basis. It will come as no surprise that the offer, given the current Political topic of the day, was well and truly left! But onto far more serious and sobering matters. As a pause in chitter-chatter brought an unexpected announcement from the aforementioned Ralphus. Sadly he was confirming that following his knee replacement, he had been pleaded with by his Surgeon NOT to play any more hockey! And so dear reader, as gasps of astonishment rent the hushed changing rooms, this curtails the playing career of the Club's longest Serving playing member with no fewer than 60 consecutive playing seasons under his belt!

A sad day for Cockburns XI and the Club, but the Agency have procured this summary from Ralph, which it was felt appropriate to re-produce herein. Luckily, there is an opening as CSR Monitor and it is hoped Ralph may take this up to ensure his continued presence at games 

C. Mason

Appx 1 from RT:-

"I first started playing hockey at Taunton's Grammar School aged 11 and when I left school I joined the OT Hockey Club. That was season 1964/65. I have played every season since which brings us to season 2023/24 which makes 60 consecutive seasons. The club has changed it's name and form during that time but it is still the same club as far as I am concerned. Fortunately, my working career was always based in the Hampshire area so I have always been able to play for the club.

Unfortunately, I never kept a record of number of games played or goals scored during my playing career.

My playing never reached very high standards but I regularly played 3rd XI standard and latterly many seasons with the A XI.

I'm probably most proud of my involvement with helping to run the Southampton International Hockey Tournaments for 25 years and which helped with funding the club move from the Highfield site to our present home at the Sports Centre.

During my playing career I also went on numerous foreign tours to France, Holland, Belgium, East Berlin (when the Berlin wall was still standing) and Ireland. Some of these I had a hand in organising which was great fun. Domestic tours were also part of the A XI season with trips all around the UK.

I've been fortunate to have stayed relatively injury free throughout my playing career but the problem with my knee resulting in surgery to replace it has meant that I have had to call time on a long playing career in which I have made lots of great friends and great memories.

I've loved every minute of it.

Ralph"