Sporting review of 2011 - part 1

We begin our review of the sporting happenings over the last 12 months by taking a look at what unfolded in 1066 Country between January and June.

JANUARY

* Jason Hopkinson begins his reign as Hastings United manager with a 2-0 defeat away to Cray Wanderers on New Year’s Day.

* Badminton talent Cathy Bargh wins the over-45 women’s singles and doubles at the 2011 Yonex International Veterans Championships in Scotland, beating a three-time former Olympian in the singles.

* Rye United book their place in the last 16 of the FA Vase courtesy of a 3-0 victory away to Chesterfield-based Staveley Miners Welfare.

* Teenage table tennis talent Yolanda King, from Hastings, makes her England senior debut at the 66th English Open in Sheffield.

FEBRUARY

* After seven successive defeats, Hopkinson picks up his first point with a 2-2 draw at home to Folkestone Invicta. Two games later, he gets his first win with a 3-2 success at home to Tooting & Mitcham United.

* Lee Richardson, from St Leonards, announces his retirement from international speedway after a very successful 10 years of riding for Great Britain against the world’s best.

* Rye United make it seven away wins in the FA Vase by coming from behind to win 2-1 against Leverstock Green, from Hemel Hempstead.

* Former Hastings United striker Ade Olorunda makes a match-winning return to The Pilot Field with Tonbridge Angels amid claims he was the target of racial abuse from a spectator.

* Frances Candy scooped a silver medal playing for the Great Britain women’s over-55 tennis team in the ITF Seniors World Team Championships, as well as experiencing the New Zealand earthquake which claimed 181 lives.

MARCH

* Rye United’s magnificent FA Vase run comes to an end as they lose 3-1 after extra-time away to King’s Lynn Town in the quarter-finals. Despite having two players sent-off, Rye came close to winning in normal time.

* Kenyan athlete Gordon Mugi, pictured, wins the 27th Hastings Half Marathon in a time of 1:08:00. His compatriot Rebby Koech clinches the women’s title in 1:15:13 and record crowds lined the streets to cheer on the runners.

* Bexhill snooker star Jimmy Robertson books his place in the World Championship by winning seven frames on the bounce to defeat former winner Ken Doherty 10-6 in the final round of the qualifiers.

* Former Battle and Hastings Priory cricketer Michael Yardy flies home early from the ICC World Cup in India suffering with depression.

APRIL

* Sedlescombe-based Cathy Bargh defeats both of last year’s European Championship finalists to retain the over-45 women’s singles at the 95th All England Seniors Open Badminton Championships.

* South Saxons suffer a 3-0 defeat to Tunbridge Wells in a South Hockey League promotion play-off and are then surprisingly beaten by lower grade Hailsham in a stormy Sussex Plate semi-final.

* Jimmy Robertson’s big moment at The Crucible ends in disappointment as he succumbs 10-1 at the hands of Mark Selby despite winning the opening frame. Selby would become world no.1 later in the year.

* Rye United are beaten 2-1 by Three Bridges in the John O’Hara League Cup final at a sun-soaked Sussex County Ground in Lancing on Good Friday.

* Hastings United escape relegation from the Ryman League Premier Division on goal difference despite losing 3-2 at home to fellow strugglers Aveley on the final day and winning just one of their last eight games.

* Hastings Priory begin the Sussex Cricket League season with a 93-run victory away to Chichester Priory Park, Matt Machan scoring 151 not out on his league debut. Priory, in fact, would go on to win their first four matches.

MAY

* Northiam shooting star George Digweed lands his 19th World Championship triumph by coming out on top at the World English Sporting Championships in San Antonio, Texas.

* Rye United secure a runners-up finish in the Sussex County Football League on the back of a 3-0 final day victory away to champions Crawley Down.

* Bexhill cricketer Jamie Bristow-Diamond and first team manager Hamish Russell help save the life of Lewes Priory player David Tungate, who had collapsed after being struck by the ball.

JUNE

* Darrol Parris and Jamie Podmore are appointed joint managers of Sussex County Football League Division Two club Bexhill United following Robin Powell’s arrival as chairman.

* Leo Fernandez becomes the second player from O’Sullivan’s Snooker Club in Bexhill to be crowned English Amateur Champion in three years after Jimmy Robertson’s success in 2009.

* Staplecross-based golf professional Ben Evans finishes tied eighth in the Scottish Hydro Challenge on the European Challenge Tour.

* Hastings United attacking talent Sam Adams joins Rye United, with then Hastings manager Jason Hopkinson claiming the club couldn’t match what Rye were offering.