CLUB CAPTAIN`S MID SEASON REPORT.

I hope you have all enjoyed the Christmas break and may I take this opportunity to wish you all my very best wishes for 2010.

The 2009/10 season was all ways going to be a challenge for RHC? There has had to be a re-building and re-structuring of all sides throughout the club. The main aims and objectives of the season being to keep the 1st team up, try and get the 2nd team closer to the 1st team and consolidate all other teams in their respective divisions.

I`m not sure if all club members are aware but, from this time last year. RHC has lost 35 players. The majority of these players being from the 1st/2nd team level. We have picked up 9 new players, 5 at 1st/2nd team level (3 being Goal Keepers!). This has meant that many players have had to play at a higher standard than what realistically they are ready for. Many players have had to double up on a Saturday, We have not been able to consistently field competitive sides as we would like and we have only had to cancel 3 fixtures (2x 5th team and 1x 4th team) in the first half of the season due to lack of players.

I feel that RHC has done remarkably well in the first half of the season considering and the current statistics are as follows:

1st team: Played 12, Won 0, Drawn 1, Lost 11, 1pt, currently 12th in NHL div 1.

2nd team: Played 12, Won 4, Drawn 1, Lost 7, 13pts, currently 8th in YHA div 2.

3rd team: Played 12, Won 1, Drawn 1, Lost 10, 4pts, currently 11th in YHA div 3.

4th team: Played 11, Won 6, Drawn 1, Lost 4, 19pts, currently 5th in YHA div 5.

5th team: Played 10, Won 4, Drawn 3, Lost 3, 15pts, currently 4th in YHA div 9.

6th team: Played 6, Won 6, Drawn 0, Lost 0, 18pts, currently 1st in YHA men’s development league.

The 5th team have also made it to the YHA cup D final to be played on 25th April 2010.

We can see that we are competitive at 6th, 5th and 4th team levels. The 2nd team are in a tight league 2 wins or 2 losses could see them push for promotion or be in a relegation battle. The 1st and 3rd teams are in the relegation zone but, 2-3 wins could see them safe if other results go in our favour.

The second half of the season is upon us and there is everything to play for. I`m confident that with a big push from all players and an increased effort in commitment from everyone, that RHC will achieve its aims and objectives set for the 2009/10 season.

This leads me into a big Plea! I will not hide the fact that we struggle to field 6 sides on a Saturday. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE Can all players make the effort to do the following:

It is imperative that all players look at the remaining fixtures and inform their captain of their availability for the next 4 games and ideally till the end of the season.
  If you can`t make a start time can you make an alternative game on that day. If so let your captain know immediately.
If you are not available let your captain know ASAP and inform him of when you will be next available for selection.
Confirm and reply to your captain immediately. If we need to cancel a fixture we need to make this decision on Wednesday night at the latest to avoid being penalised by the league!

With this information the playing panel will be able to field stronger, more competitive sides and make the remainder of the season more enjoyable. Too many players are not confirming their availability or replying to their captains quick enough. This leads to all the last minute chopping and changing and weaker sides being fielded than what needs to be. So come on! DO YOUR BIT FOR RHC! There is everything to play for in the second half of the season! It won`t just happen… WE HAVE ALL GOT TO MAKE IT HAPPEN!!

Many Thanks and Good luck. I will look forward to catching up with you all at the club over the second half of the season.

Mark Cuff
RHC Club Captain.