Chichester hockey heroes swing back into action

On Saturday Chichester travel to Holcombe to resume their National League eastern conference season. Earlier in the campaign, Chichester lost 5-1 against a very strong Holcombe team which featured five international players.

Chichester are third after a great start to their debut season at national level. The main focus for Chichester has not changed from the start of the season – and that is to cement their place in the league for next season.

During the break Chichester have worked hard to maintain and develop both their fitness and basic skills. Chichester have had three tough mid-break encounters against Guildford, Fareham and Bath Buccaneers, who are all in the national western conference.

Chichester’s results were mixed, but the matches provided a good opportunity to try to develop positions and plays. The team are looking forward to playing Holcombe at their fantastic purpose-built facilities on Saturday evening in front of a big crowd.

Just 19 hours after that game, Chichester welcome Brooklands Manchester University HC to Kingsham in the quarter-final of the National Cup.

Chichester reached the semi-final stage in the mid-90s but have since never reached the quarter-finals. Brooklands MU compete in the top league in the country – one league above Chichester.

It will be a tough ask for Chichester but being underdogs has always suited a team who have surprised many over the past season and continue to impress.

The match starts at 1.30pm at Chichester High School, Kingsham Road – any support would be much appreciated.

Chi Priory Park Ladies II 0 Horsham IV 0

With Chichester ladies’ second XI being well placed in the league and having a stable team, they are able to get some consistency into the way they approach matches.

Horsham were the visitors on a bitterly cold day and it was a closely-contested game.

Chi put together some great passages of play which enabled the team to push forward and put pressure on the Horsham defence.

They should have made more of their opportunities but the Horsham goalie was equal to them. The defensive back four, which this week involved Becca Stemp, fought hard to keep Horsham at bay.

In the second half it was much the same, neither side able to find reward for their efforts. It was end-to-end action and although there was a scare for the home side a few minutes from the end, Cowley in goal ensured they didn’t concede.

Chichester slightly edged it on possession and were committed until the final whistle.

Chi PP: April Cowley, Tracy Austin, Rachael Trent, Sarah Pack, Tendo Manyarara, Lyndsay Hudson, Meg Goring, Lottie Greenlees, Becca Stemp, Jenna Greenaway, Merryn Young, Demelza Peake, Jenny Horton.