Weekend Preview: Preseason Review

As we prepare for the final weekend of pre-season before term kicks off I thought it important to reflect on the magical month that has been filled with hockey, hockey socials, chat, sleepovers, and not much else. Make it to the bottom of the email for an inspirational image on the importance of reflection. 

This year brought an especially long pre-season with term starting a week later & a BIG season ahead. I personally wish this could continue and I didn’t have to do actual work, although I wilby continuing procrastination in the form of weekend preview writing (writing this from the library). Guest writer appearances are welcome - I hear it looks great on the CV. 

SBDotY 

Following the success of last year’s inaugural SBDotY big things followed this year. 3 teams from 2 universities ventured to Wilberforce Road for the inevitable decimation by the WBlues, MBlues and Nomads (the UEA were too scared of the defeat that lay ahead and surrendered before making the journey). Not only was the game won on the pitch but also off. My prediction of the UCL freshers getting us banned from Hawks was dangerously close but luckily they were sent on their merry way & we got to enjoy another great SMash. Happy days. 

SBDotYp2

Los Squanditos and Las Bedquitas headed to Warwick on what can only be described as a great success (off the pitch). The Squandimobile was dominated by the Beds & saw several renditions of High School Musical on the journey to Warwick. The welcoming hospitality of complimentary red bulls upon arrival sadly did not continue into providing equivalent teams. Cbatts was the hero with a match winning, last minute finish. Unfortunately however, the game finished 3-0 to Warwick men’s 1s as well as a tough, close 3-2 loss for the beds against Warwick women’s 1s/2s. The midland’s version of Kanto was found and spoken to, many “purple’s” were consumed and then revs was a blast. Overall, a massively social win with Warwick practically begging the Squandies to return in January for a Wednesday social with no match. Watch this space. 

Blues tour to Edinburgh 

Enjoy some specially selected lines from DoD reports from Edinburgh as a tour summary. 

After looking through the DoD reports that emerged from the Edinburgh tour I have made some conclusions:

• GBoz was a dictator, being named as a bad wbloke many times. Including a report with the title: “Putting up a White Flag: memoirs from Vladamir Bozianu’s Edinburgh training “camp”. 
• Too many Blues inside jokes 
• BMorgz made her debut appearance 
• Just this: ”Cheers Laird. Also your story was sh*t. Also radar doesn’t even like you” - apparently referring to Fresher take me out where MBlues captaino crumbled under pressure 

Turns out Edinburgh are quite good at hockey and both sides lost :( 

Glad that everyone made it back safe. 

Socials 

Some wonderful socials have been masterfully cooked up by your social secs - although Henry, where were you ?! Don’t worry (or look out) there’s plenty more to come, they’re just warming up ;) 

A month long pre-season = a month of socials. There has been no sign of slowing down with the last week including many, many back to back nights out including Boozy Bowling & Revs the next day. Claims of retirement do not appear to have any substance. 

To smarten up with the start of term next up is Black Tie Swap – PMA is simply not good enough for this one and wilby fined. 

Pre-season stats 

Analysis is an important part of high performance sport. I don’t have the skills for this so here is my round-up of pre-season. It might not be that good because as Chen says “I am not Pep Guardiola”. 

Games played: 25 

Goals scored (on pitch): 69 - no joke I spent too long adding these up 

Goals scored (off pitch): unsure, ask the freshers 

Addies trips: 3 

Boat race wins: 8 

Concussions: 2 less than last year 

2 man steps in freshers revs: 1 

Mash nights: too many 

Flights of stairs fallen down: 1 (and surprisingly this wasn’t me!) 

Bikes fallen off: 1 

Pre: seasoned 

These are all entirely accurate ^^

Tomorrows matches 

Strap in for a big Wilby Weekender, tomorrow ALL matches are home!!!

Starting with the Squandies & Beds in the morning, WBlues & MBlues at lunchtime, Nomads & Wandies mid afternoon and finally the Blundies at 16:30. This is what dreams are made of. 

(would be 10/10 if the Rovers were also at home but get excited for their 24/25 season debut next week!) 

10:30

Squandies v Cambridge Nomads 2s 

Beds v Cam South 2s

12:30 

WBlues v Loughborough 2s

14:00

MBlues v Cambridge Hockey Club 1s 

15:30 

Nomads v Saffron Walden 1s

Wandies v Cam City 2s 

16:30 

Blundies v St Neots 2s

See you pitch side. 

Bring the encouraging, wholesome & family friendly support xx

Garrod & Blewis