WE asked the captains at Chard Hockey Club to reflect on the season just gone.

First up, Hannah McGown, skipper of the title-winning ladies side.

Q. What were your targets at the beginning of the season and did you achieve them?

“At the beginning of the season, my vice captains, Amy Goss and Lyndsay Blackshaw, our coach James Spurdle and I set an ambitious target to not only win the league and gain promotion following our relegation last season, but also to keep a minimal ‘goals against’ and develop a strong consistent squad that we can carry through to the 2018/2019 season.

“We definitely achieved the first two, winning the league this year by 11 points and 74 goals; but I am more proud with how we have developed our squad (particularly with young players) and the commitment from players this season.”

Q. Who was your player of the season this year and why?

“Tess Down, who plays the defensive centre midfield role.

“Tess has been consistently reliable throughout the season and is solid in the centre of the pitch.

“She has a strong skill set and good vision, every player can rely on her to make an essential tackle, and she is also hot in the D, scoring 13 goals this season.”

Q. Who was your most improved player and why?

“Abbi Wheaton, who was also awarded Ladies Colt of the Year.

“Abbi’s work rate has been second to none this season, taking her from being a fairly timid player lacking confidence last season to being a first choice winger and forward this season.

“She scored eight goals and was crucial as an injector in the team’s short corner routines.”

Q. Who was your team’s ‘unsung’ hero this year and why?

“I could name several people who fit this role on the pitch, so I will have to look to the sidelines and say our coach James “Spud” Spurdle, and our all-around general assistant Pascal Szczepanksi.

“Spud has put massive effort into the ladies coaching this season but most importantly has been a rock on the sideline for many of our games, while also playing himself.

“Pascal is our go-to for everything else, attending every game with his wife Cecilia, even if their daughter Lorraine cannot play, and provides the team with water, half-time sustenance and first aid.”

Q. In which game did the team put in their best performance?

“We’ve had some big wins this season, but the closer scorelines have definitely been more enjoyable for us as a team and also the games where we have performed to a higher standard.

“Our best performance probably came at home against third-placed White Eagles 2nds, having beaten them 4-3 away a few weeks before.

“I was really pleased with our 5-1 win at home, as we truly showed the strong performance level of our team, displaying class hockey.

“We didn’t rely on a couple of key players, as every single player on the pitch was a credit to the team.”

Q. What are your hopes for next year?

“Next year we will be playing in Sedgemoor Division 1; we were very disappointed to be relegated from this league last season.

“I hope for a top four finish next season; some may see this as ambitious, but we have a strong team and some excellent players despite being a small club with only one Saturday league ladies team!”

Q. Are you hoping to keep a similar squad next season, or do you need fresh faces to fill gaps?

“I hope to keep a fairly similar squad; we have been lucky to have a regular squad of 16 this season.

“I think I am losing two or three players due to university and one house move.

“Of course, we are always checking out the upcoming junior talent from our Sunday team.

“And if anyone is looking to return to hockey or to move clubs, we are a very welcoming club!”

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MEN’S 1sts captain Jonny Crease looks back on a tough season.

Q. What were your targets and did you achieve them?

“Having been promoted for the previous two consecutive seasons, the team’s aim for this year was to remain in Southern 1.

“The team finished 11th out of 12 teams and it is currently unknown due to league shake-ups whether we’ll remain in the league or not.”

Q. Who was your player of the season this year and why?

“Our player of the year, decided by team vote, was Nathan Johnson.

“This is the second time Nathan has achieved this accolade and it is easy to see why.

“All players can rely on him to put in a solid performance in the middle of the pitch.”

Q. Who was your most improved player and why?

“Barnaby Willis, in his first season with us.

“As the youngest player on the squad he started the season lacking confidence.

“This improved tenfold through the season, and Barnaby was in the Under-14s boys team who won the County Championships, Chard’s first junior championship.”

Q. Who was your ‘unsung’ hero this year and why?

“Danny Grabham, who is consistent in his ability to make crucial tackles and foil opposition attacks, while also being dependable during Chard’s attacking plays.”

Q. In which game did the team put in their best performance?

“That probably came in our home game against fifth-placed Okehampton, where we won 3-2.

“This was a tense game and Chard put in a strong performance to hold onto the win.”

Q. Which league will you be playing in next season and what are your hopes for next year?

“If we remain in Southern 1 we will aim to stay within the league; if we are relegated we will be aiming for promotion.”

Q. Are you hoping to keep a similar squad next season?

“We are unfortunately losing Nathan and possibly Nick to university this year and Liam Murphy is due to move to Cardiff.

“Other than this we are looking to keep our current squad.

“We have brought in a few youth and second team players this season, and of course we are always looking for talented new players.”

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MEN’S 3rds captain Alan Cheffey also gives his thoughts.

Q. What were your targets and did you achieve them?

“The team always aims for a high finish in this division, which we certainly achieved, finishing fifth (behind our 2nd XI in second).

“This was a good effort for us considering we are made up of the oldies and many of the younger players playing their first full season.”

Q. Who was your player of the season and why?

“Riley Millet, who only turned 13 in December (the league’s age requirement) but played every match following this.

“Riley attended all training sessions and took on board all instructions given to him, which showed in his performances on match days.

“His development even saw him playing for our 2nd XI on the last game of the season.”

Q. Who was your most improved player and why?

“George Broomfield... once we discovered that he played full-back at school he was faultless!”

Q. In which game did the team put in their best performance?

“In my view the team put in their best performance when they beat the eventual league winners [East Devon C] 2-1 at home.

“This showed how strong a team we were in our league and also how far our younger players have developed throughout the season.”

Q. What are your hopes for next year?

“Next year we will be playing in the same league again, namely the GoCrea8 Hockey League South East 2 Division.

“Hopefully we will again finish in the top half of the table and, who knows, we might even follow our 2nd XI into South East 1.”

Q. Are you hoping to keep a similar squad next season?

“As a development team for our younger players, I expect we will lose a couple of youngsters to the 2nd XI.

“However, luckily we have a thriving junior side at our club and there will be more young players turning 13 who will be eligible to play for us.

“Like most years we will also lose a couple to university, and in addition I will be stepping down as captain, a role that I have held for several years.

“So we will be looking for someone to take over this role!”