Club’s delight at silverware success

MILES OF SMILES . . . Oldham Ladies Hockey Club’s first team celebrate the Greater Manchester League Division One title at the club’s presentation night

HOCKEY:

OLDHAM Ladies Hockey Club celebrated a trophy-laden 2010-2011 season at Crompton and Royton Golf Club.

Club president Jayne Cooper congratulated the three teams on a successful campaign and urged players to continue their commitment to the cause and keep up the club’s success in its 60th year.

The first team were crowned Greater Manchester League Division One champions and also won the Division One Knock-out Cup. They just missed out on the treble after losing in the final of the All-Divisions Cup.

Louise Howard, who will captain the side next season, was the player-of-the-season, while Oldham’s Karen Rowley honoured for being the club’s and the league’s leading hot-shot.

Skipper Jordanna Boon was the player-of-the-season for the seconds, who maintained their top-flight status. The top goal-scorer was Gill Lord.

The thirds finished mid-table in Division Three thanks to some fine results against the top teams. Deb Alcock (player-of-the-season) and Rachel Geraghty (top goal-scorer) were their stand-out performers.

Oldham were also the winners of the Greater Manchester Hockey Summer League and runners-up at the Clitheroe tournament.

The most improved player prize went to first-teamer Becky Blair for an outstanding season on the right wing.

The Brenda Burgess Trophy for sports person of the year, which is awarded for work in all aspects of the club, including training, matches and social events, went to social secretary Laura Rice.

Jayne Cooper received the Wooden Spoon — awarded for an innocent or unexpected incident, which in her case was an expletive half-time team talk to the thirds. Feeling guilty for her outburst, Cooper went on to score the winner in the second half from her defensive position.

The President’s Cup, for outstanding services to the club, went to first-team goalkeeper Sarah Simpson.

And third-team captain Alison Chadwick picked up the Lil Silk Cup, which was presented by Chris Silk and her father Vinny in memory of Chris’ mother who was a great supporter of Oldham.

The award goes to the player who has overcome adversity to maintain their support of the

club.