Hungry for success

Aspiring hockey players will be put through their paces at trials for Maidenhead Hockey Club on Saturday, with coaches hoping to unearth a diamond from the rough.

Club skipper Steve Nattress is seeking to swell the numbers of players in his ranks and even hinted that Maidenhead’s 1st team could challenge for promotion this season.

Injuries and poor form put paid to a promotion challenge in the MBBO Premier last year, but the captain hopes things will be different this time around.

“Last year was positive with all the men’s sides finishing mid table or above,” he said. “The 1st XI was a mixed bag - we started well but tailed off with injuries and a poor run of form. We do have a very talented squad though and my personal hope is that our senior side will be look towards gaining promotion this year.”

The summer trials for men and women are set to take place at the astro turf pitch at Altwood School in Maidenhead on Saturday August 30 (women 9.30am-noon, men noon-2pm.)

Nattress believes increasing player numbers can lay foundations to challenge for honours with seven separate men’s teams.

“The trials are about getting everyone back together again and hopefully we can find some new players,” he said. “Last year we recruited almost a team’s worth of players and ideally we could do the same this year.

“The open day is about improving the size of the club rather than finding new players for the 1st XI. However, the more people we have in the clubhouse the greater likelihood of success.”

Saturday’s trials could be crucial to a successful season as hockey bids for the attention of sportsmen and women with football, rugby and cricket.

The spotlight will be shone on the juniors next Saturday (September 7) when the colts take part in trials at Altwood School between 9am and noon.