Merry Christmas one and all!

Top of the league at Christmas. If anyone had offered me that at the beginning of the season I would have snapped their hands off. It's a great place to be and we've got the opportunity to still be there at the end of the season.

From captain and coach, we hope that you all have a fabulous Christmas and New Year. Keep safe and well. Training restarts 2nd january 2008 (weather dependent!!) and the first league match is 12th Jan, hopefully we'll have a match on 5th Jan.

Jason - don't have too many mince pies!!

Dunkirk spirit & Bungle the Bear

Bungle the Bear wasn't pitch side unfortunately...but he did manage to make an appearance at the Club's Christmas party supping some girlie drink - as can be seen by the photo.

He was overheard regaling Alex with his exploits and Alex was so overwhelmed he became all blury!

Looks like we have another sicknote. Ben was seen dancing on the dance floor (where else?!) and I'm sure he spent much of the game hobbling up and down the side line screaming like a girl...with Alex!

PIVOT!!!

The match report will be up soon (apologies to all those desperate to read it!). In the meantime, have a look at Derby Asterdale's website and the match report. Nice to read someone else's take on the match which isn't too biased -

http://derbyasterdalehc.forumotion.com/match-reports-f1/mens-2nds-v-newark-t51.htm

The spirit to come back from 3-nil down was pretty amazing. I personally didn't like playing, just couldn't get in to it, but thankfully there were 13 other players that did. The spirit split over a bit (Mr Wilson!) but that's not a bad thing (I'd be saying something different if we had conceded whilst down to 10 men, I'm sure!) and that spirit helped us rob Asterdale of all 3 points, and to be fair a decent result considering.

Disturbing!

Don't forget to read the post below, which is the email from the Parking Attendant. Robin has submitted a claim for his fines refunded...small problem we already spent them bowling on Saturday!!

Talking of which, Saturday was a good night and thanks for everyone turning up to celebrate being top of the table at the halfway point. The only problem is this photo....which Jazz Hands sent me as I walking home. I immediately turned around and headed towards Jon's house!!

An apology from the Grantham umpire

A very rare occurrence but this email was received through Susan Tate. I think Gavin is Paul and obviously Scott did more than we thought he did to get his name remembered!!

Hi Susan,

My name is Kevin Martin and I umpired Newark Men's 2 nd X1 against Grantham 2nds yesterday.

Could I ask you to pass on my apologies to I think the player called Gavin who plays for the 2nds. There was some dispute during the match about myself not awarding a goal (albeit an own goal) to Newark. I actually green carded the player for the strength of his protest!

Having re read the rules I admit the goal should have stood, as the final score was 6-0 to Newark it is not so bad. That said I did say after the match I would apologise if I was wrong, so please pass on this message to Gavin (and the 2nds captain on the day (Scott).

I am trying to find out when they changed the rule to allow 'own goals' when there had not been an 'attempt' on goal even though an attacker touched the ball inside the d.

regards and thanks

Kevin Martin

Team Selection

We had a masive headache this week at training - 17 quality players to select from and only 12 players needed. So we had to choose those players that had come to training. Harsh but something we've tried to stick to all season.

Next week we play Derby Asterdale and we need to ensure that everyone makes a big effort to come to training and then we can select the best team possible.

A few notices!

JASON - Jason has a rash, if any one can help please see him directly.

BOWLING - This Saturday (8th Dec) from 8pm. A chance to let off some steam on the bowling alley and spend those fines!! Those that have paid more have more shots. Those players that have paid less fines will have to sit and watch the rest of us play. I knew there was a reason to keep getting fined heavily!! ;)

CLUB XMAS PARTY - Sat 15th from 7.30pm. Tickets available from your illustrious Captain. £7.50 adults £5.00 juniors. Karaoke, food, disco and lots of fun!!

Derby Asterdale drew 1-1 with Leicester Uni at the weekend. DA are obviously a very different team to that which we beat 9-2 at the beginning of the season. They have done really well and we'll have to be on top of our game to get the result we want.