Men's Second XI
League: North 2
Captain: Liam Edwards
Vice Captain: Jonathan Moore
| Date | Opposition | H/A | F/A |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 06 Sep 2008 | Wotton-Under-Edge2:00pm Balcarras | Home | 12-2 |
| Sat 13 Sep 2008 | Chippenham3:00pm Chippenham Sports Centre | Away | 1-2 |
| Sat 20 Sep 2008 | Cardiff 2nds11:00am Balcarras | Home | 2-2 |
| Sat 27 Sep 2008 | Cardiff and UWIC A11:30am Sophia Gardens | Away | 0-2 |
| Sun 28 Sep 2008 | Devizes 2nds12:30pm Devizes Leisure Centre | Away | 3-2 |
| Sat 04 Oct 2008 | Whitchurch B2:00pm Balcarras | Home | 7-3 |
| Sat 11 Oct 2008 | Cirencester1:10pm Deer Park School | Away | 5-6 |
| Sat 18 Oct 2008 | Westbury and UB A2:00pm Balcarras | Home | 2-2 |
| Sun 19 Oct 2008 | Brighton and Hove2:00pm Balcarras | Home | 2-4 |
| Sat 25 Oct 2008 | Leominster12:00 noon Bridge Street Sports Park | Away | 3-3 |
| Sat 01 Nov 2008 | Bristol University A2:00pm Balcarras | Home | 3-2 |
| Sat 08 Nov 2008 | Lydney12:30pm Whitecross School | Away | 3-3 |
| Sat 15 Nov 2008 | Somerset Gryphons1:30pm Clevedon Community School | Away | 2-0 |
| Sat 22 Nov 2008 | Robinsons B2:00pm Balcarras | Home | --- |
| Sat 29 Nov 2008 | Bristol and West A12:00 noon Ridings School | Away | --- |
| Sat 06 Dec 2008 | Bridgend2:00pm Balcarras | Home | --- |
| Sat 13 Dec 2008 | Cardiff and UWIC A2:00pm Balcarras | Home | --- |
| Sat 10 Jan 2009 | Evesham 1sts12:30pm Balcarras | Home | --- |
| Sat 17 Jan 2009 | Whitchurch B1:30pm Whitchurch High School | Away | --- |
| Sat 24 Jan 2009 | Cirencester2:00pm Balcarras | Home | --- |
| Sat 31 Jan 2009 | Westbury and UB A12:30pm Coombe Dingle (water based) | Away | --- |
| Sat 07 Feb 2009 | Leominster2:00pm Balcarras | Home | --- |
| Sat 14 Feb 2009 | Bristol University A2:00pm Coombe Dingle (water based) | Away | --- |
| Sat 21 Feb 2009 | Lydney2:00pm Balcarras | Home | --- |
| Sat 28 Feb 2009 | Somerset Gryphons2:00pm Balcarras | Home | --- |
| Sat 07 Mar 2009 | Robinsons B12:30pm Red Maids School | Away | --- |
| Sat 14 Mar 2009 | Bristol and West A2:00pm Balcarras | Home | --- |
| Sat 21 Mar 2009 | BridgendTBD | Away | --- |
| Name | Age | Position | Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adam Fuller | 17 | Defender | 51 |
| Ben Troughton | 16 | Forward | |
| Chris Purnell | 28 | GK | 01 |
| Jo Hammonds | 36 | Forward | 46 |
| Jonathan Moore | 26 | Midfield | 34 |
| Liam Edwards | 25 | Defender | 12 |
| Mark Browning | 18 | Defence | |
| Mark Giles | 25 | Midfield | 7 |
| Neil McLester | 27 | Defender | 86 |
| Nick Hume | 19 | Midfield / Forward | 24 |
| Pete Hay | 29 | Coach | 33 |
| Richard Whitfield | 28 | Midfield | 79 |
| Robert Cullimore | 16 | Midfield / Forward | 38 |
| Tarran Evans | 18 | Midfield | 20 |
| Tim Williams Ellis | 16 | Midfield / Forward | 81 |
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gloucester City A | 22 | 15 | 3 | 4 | 72 | 45 | 27 | 48 |
| West Wilts | 22 | 13 | 3 | 6 | 69 | 50 | 19 | 42 |
| Cardiff & Uwic A | 22 | 11 | 4 | 7 | 75 | 49 | 26 | 37 |
| Leominster | 22 | 12 | 1 | 9 | 66 | 64 | 2 | 37 |
| Westbury & UB A | 22 | 10 | 6 | 6 | 55 | 37 | 18 | 36 |
| Cirencester | 22 | 11 | 2 | 9 | 70 | 70 | 0 | 35 |
| Bristol Univ. A | 22 | 10 | 3 | 9 | 58 | 46 | 12 | 33 |
| Cheltenham A | 22 | 9 | 4 | 9 | 56 | 56 | 0 | 31 |
| North Bristol | 22 | 7 | 2 | 13 | 48 | 68 | -20 | 23 |
| Som Gryphons | 22 | 6 | 4 | 12 | 44 | 67 | -23 | 22 |
| Lansdown | 22 | 6 | 3 | 13 | 35 | 53 | -18 | 21 |
| Team Bath Buccs. C | 22 | 3 | 3 | 16 | 36 | 79 | -43 | 6 |
FINAL LEAGUE POSITION
8th
GAMES WON/DRAWN/LOST
Played 22, Won 9, Drawn 4, Lost 9
GOALS SCORED/CONCEDED
Scored 56, Conceded 56
OVERVIEW OF THE SEASON
The peaks and troughs of the second team's season have mirrored the rolling Cotswold Hills that surround Balcarras. After the highs of last year's promotion, the team had to quickly adjust to life in North Division 1.
The campaign started well with some promising early victories and after a month we found ourselves with a nosebleed near the top of the league. This is the point where the wheels fell off the wagon. A typical game would involve playing swashbuckling hockey, build up a two-goal lead going into the interval and then push the self destruct button in the second half. Unfortunately the season finished in disappointing mid-table mediocrity; although with a couple more wins we could have realistically been pushing for promotion right until the final game. The team can take heart in the great spirit shown by all, and a real determination to turn things around. Next season promises to be a true test and with such a talented squad we should be challenging for promotion.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SEASON
As a team there were several clear highlights:
Playing Lansdown off the park in the first derby game was a delight to watch and the master class given by Cullimore, Troghton and Williams-Ellis, in the games against North Bristol and Team Bath, were at times simply majestic. Also the "Catenachio" defence and international umpires at Cardiff & UWIC are also worthy of a quick mention. Individual highlights include any of Robbie Cullimore's Exocet finishes and Jon Moore grabbing a champagne moment with a 16-yard lob. When he's not putting 15 year old boys in hospital, 37 year old Jo "the Hammer" Hammond has proved there's more to life than SAGA holidays with a 60-yard smash and grab against Lansdown. Finally Rich Whifield's performance at the Cotswold bowl showed that there's more to his game than just backpost tap-ins.
PLAYER RECOGNITION
- Adam Fuller for playing all season with a real maturity and incredible consistency
- Neil Mclester for his unfailing support over the last two years and miraculously managing to shed about 4 stone over Christmas
- Ben Troughton and Jo Hammonds for the steady supply of goals and much-needed banter
- Chris Purnell deserves recognition for putting up with such a workshy defence
- Nick Hume for reincarnating himself as a centre half with a deceptive aerial
- Mark Giles for making sure Jon Moore turned up to games.
- Fran Centamore deserves a special mention for keeping the fines kitty ticking over. And don't forget to ask Timmy what was going on at the ballet!
Kudos to Lee Robson for all his hard work with the coaching. And thanks to Bob, Roy and Shaun for umpiring games.