Yardley Hockey Club

The Normans are named after Norman Yardley who was a famous cricket player for England in the late 1940s and early 50s. This shows how long the festival has been running and the close links Yardley Hockey Club have with it.
The Normans 2011 Tour came down to Paignton with 48 players/supporters, Yardley Hockey Clubs largest ever party to travel for the Festival.
Our party travelled by train, coach and car at various times over the Easter Bank Holiday, but the majority all met for the first time at the traditional Flag raising. Various teams, the Mayor and Miss Paignton were there to raise the flag to start the competition.
Straight after our team picture the first match got under way against the festivals host team the Oddfellows. Both teams were well matched testing each other defences and getting good shots at goal. During our short corners, Captain Jimbo called out references “4, 6 or 7 this time” when it was only ever going to go to Jimbo for a big hit. At one short corner drill Jimbo even got an Oddfellows player to help us out and was asked to strike the ball for us. Jeavon our youngest player was very strong in this game and scored the first goal after a telling cross into the “D” by Glenn who was our striker. Eventually Jimbo got a “marvellous goal” from a penalty corner from his trade mark big hit. The Oddfellows had chances but only managed to put one goal past the Normans, Gavin got our final goal after Jacob crossed across the “D” beating the keeper with power leaving Gavin a simple sweeping hit into the top of the net. We won 3-1
When we came off the pitch the next match needed spare players to make up a Festival X1. In the spirit of good sportsmanship we supplied six players and Zach scored a low drag flick shot in open play and although our players tired near the end we gave the opposition a good game. We lost 4-3
Next day we were still buzzing after winning on Good Friday and were looking forward to the next game. We had 15 players so subs were going to be rotated. Cleevillians started quickly and scored very early on and never really stopped scoring! They were running off the ball, pivot passing and recycling the ball. It was a joy to watch, if you were not playing against them, that is. Jimbo scored our first goal on Saturday from a penalty corner. At half time we were in a daze. Jimbo scored a second from a push back where he and Jeavon played a one two around the opposition midfield and again around the defence, then Jimbo beat the final defender going into the D flicking the ball over the goalkeeper .It was a spark of genius from Jimbo with a nonchalant chipped ball over the keeper into the open goal, Goal of the Festival. It was only a spark of genius as we ended losing the game 10-2. We had a few hours to lick our wounds before the next game at 4.15.
Back refreshed we set about getting a better team shape with a stronger midfield. We were playing a stronger team but to ours and their surprise we went into half time 3-1 up when they scored late in the first half. This frustrated the Old Cobblers and amazed ourselves too. Our goals came from hard work with disciplined team shape. Neal our keeper from Friday played outfield today and scored a hard earned goal as he chased a lost cause as the ball appeared to be going out over the back line and was left by all defenders and keeper but the cross into the “D” from Jon Smith hit the post and the anticipating Neal got to the rebound before the keeper, to score a great goal. Jacob one of our Badger players scored a great reverse stick lift shot, hitting the net sweetly. Our final goal came from Zach from a penalty corner; he deftly dummied the out running defender to take the ball strong side to power the ball into the right corner. Second half the opposition got an early goal and the Normans just could not hold on and lost 4-3.
Our last game on Sunday was looking an evenly matched game and we went into half time one goal down from a late penalty corner. But as the game wore on tired legs began to take hold from the weekends exploits. We lost 4-0.
NORMANS W 1 D 0 L 3 F 10 A 23
The Future Hockey stars played on Friday with ages ranging from 6 to 14, a big percentage of them were from Yardley Hockey Club. The game was played with a Badger style, letting the younger ones demonstrate their skills. They did this, to the credit of our Sunday training. This game was drawn!!
Our team played well but it was on the social side we excelled 100%. We helped cover with our players for a Festival X1 team, Umpired other matches, Invited a guest player even when we had a full squad (Graham), Disco and Karaoke at the Festival Bar till midnight.
Quote of the Festival came from Grace aged 11 “Are Policemen supposed to get drunk?” not sure who she was talking about???
Player of the tournament went to a secret players vote and joint winners were Jacob Smith and Zach Jarvis. Congratulations to you both.
Thank you to Glenn for organising our fixtures and being our excellent liaison with the officials in Paignton. A big Thank you to all our supporters on the pitch side for encouragement and well......support, Cheers.
A very special mention and BIG THANK YOU must go to Rob our Festival Umpire who firstly made all the games possible and secondly kept all the games fun but disciplined. Thank You.
Friday 10.15 Normans 3 v 1 Oddfellows
Friday 11.30 Torreadors 4 v 3 Festival XI
Saturday10.00 Cleevillians 10 v 2 Normans
Saturday4.15 Old Gobblers 4 v 3 Normans
Sunday 11.15 Normans 0 v 4 Pink Panthers