Rhubarb October 2022

martyrs REPORTS 2021/22 HOCKEY

This combination of virtues proved as potent as it was idiosyncratic.The Martyrs cruised through the early group stages, vanquishing Sherborne, Haileybury, and others. Having attacked the generous midday buffet with similar enthusiasm, not even the post-lunch lull could stifle Martyrs’ ruthlessness.The final group game saw Framlingham satisfactorily dispatched (lots of goals to not very many). The Martyrs had topped the group. Minds turned to the final; a rematch with the blue and brown, old foes Framlingham. Surely nothing could stop this Rhubarb coloured juggernaut? But fans of Martyrs sport will be painfully familiar with this scenario.As soon as victory seems inevitable, you can rest assured that Teddies boys will find a way to avoid it.The Martyrs certainly had a target on their backs.The most decorated team in tournament history, the side everyone was desperate to beat. And so it was… Framlingham victorious, emphatically so. And what happened to effect such a turn around? Had lunch finally caught up with us? Should Framlingham management take credit for savvy deal-making as the transfer window snapped shut? Perhaps just good old-fashioned complacency was to blame? So, if pride came before an ignominious tumble, what comes next? The unfulfilled promise of a fifth trophy may well be sufficient for senior squad members to postpone retirement for another 12 months. It may even be enough for the Martyrs to secure new contract terms with Teddies own supply of recent Olympic and Commonwealth heroes.

HAILEYBURYVIs 19th September 2021 T he Martyrs have developed something of a reputation at the HaileyburyVIs. Following a fallow year at the hands of Covid, the Rhubarbs were eager to re-establish old patterns come September 2021. Tanaka Chitsenga (Cowell’s, 2012-2017) experienced an unforeseeable travel calamity en route to the venue, leaving the side without a recognised goalkeeper for the duration of the group stages; The Creeds (Segar’s – Alec, 2002-2007, George, 2005-2010 and Freddie, 2009-2014) turned out in force and delivered more than their fair share of attacking flair, and the sort of competitive niggle guaranteed to ensure we were on the wrong side of every tournament umpire for the whole day; • And so it was.True to form: •

MARTYRS

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Harry McHugh (Apsley, 2004-2009) stood fearlessly on the goal line liberated of gum-shield, shin pads and face mask, content to ‘pick’ (or otherwise absorb) whatever missiles were fired in his direction; Ali Precious (Field House, 2004-2009) continued to do for hockey what Emile Heskey offered the Premier League for so many years; And Tom Powell (Kendall, 2013-2018),Tom Niblett (Apsley, 2017-2022) and Alex Niblett (Apsley) reminded the rest of us what it looks like to be young, fit and full of potential.

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One more crack in 2022, let's see…

Report by Jasper Joyce (Kendall, 2005-2010).

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