What a contrast this year has been to last, Chiltern Men have been playing in the Wessex League Division 3 competition against teams mainly based in the Reading area but as far down as Winchester. We started the season slowly with essentially a brand new team of players losing our first 3 league games. We then turned it around with the addition of extra players helping us go unbeaten in the league bar one game. The team finished second in Division 3 earning promotion to Div 2 for the 2009/10 season. Well done lads.
















We also had great success in the Plate competition, we faced Basingstoke Bobcats (who are a mid table team in the 2nd Division) in the 1st round and beat them by 31 points. This game was possibly the best we played all year with tenacious defence and a fluid offence. The quarter finals of the cup was slightly easier as Whitley Wizards U18s had a bye through to play us and, once beating them, we were through to the semis against the, at the time, top team in Division 1. This however was a bridge too far. We gave it our best shot but alas they had two giant centres standing at a lofty 6ft 8” which we struggled to compete with. A good cup run none the less.

Training has been intense this year with large numbers each week, we seem to have a healthy number of players and we’ve improved the standard thanks to Rod Cooke coaching us. Compared to the beginning of the season we have certainly improved dramatically and this is evident in our performance. The youth members have again bolstered our numbers and I see them getting better each week, a few of them have started to gain experience in the Men’s team and I expect them to become permanent squad players.

We will be missing one of our stars next season as Freidrich is on his way back to Germany. He has been a regular fixture in the squad for this season with his ability to put points on the board when the teams play is poor; his play has helped us out of bad situations. Good luck in the future. I’d also like to thank Caroline for her help with the administration, Dan and the Ladies team have also supported us with the table officiating throughout and finally Rod for coaching us this year (and hopefully next ;-). Without this support we would not be able to compete, thanks all.

Chiltern Men will return next season with a more experienced squad and tougher competition through being promoted to the 2nd Division, I’m looking forward to the start of the season already…

Yours,
Dave English
Men’s Secretary