HT Lions

HT Lions have had a really enjoyable season, playing in a dual age group league of both under 13’s and under14’s. This resulted in a number of keenly contested games.

I was delighted at us being the highest placed of six under 13 teams. We finished third in the League sandwiched between four under 14 teams. It is a particularly difficult time to play a year up as this seems to be the age when the boys suddenly shoot up and bulk out.

With the exception of Alex, our goal keeper, there seemed many occasions when we were dwarfed by players a good 15cm, (or 6 inches in old money), taller than us. The net result is that we played 18 games, winning 10, drawing 3, and losing 5.

Top scorer for the season was AJ Woodland who netted 18 times. A special mention also goes to our goalie Alex, who has improved in all areas through the season, standing up to some hefty challenges, one of which left him on crutches and out of the game for 6 weeks.

Two players will be leaving us this season, AJ Woodland, a regular starter for the last two seasons and my son Ben Arnold who has been at HT for the last seven seasons. Both are off to boarding schools with Saturday commitments. As a result, I will be standing down as Manager after four years and I thank those that have assisted me during this time, in particular Adrian Jones and our Coach this season, Ryan.

I don’t want to single out any one boy as a stand out player, but what has been fantastic, is watching them all bond and grow as a unit. We have gone from being a team who sat at the foot of the table in the early years to one that regularly competes at the top.

The greatest attribute I see is the spirit and attitude that the boys play with in every game and I am sure this will stand them in good stead to win the league next season!

Next year will see the return of Adrian who will jointly manage with Glyn Jones and I wish both them and the boys every success.  I may even pop down to the touchline on the odd occasion to cheer you along. Many thanks for the boys’, parents’ and helpers’ continued support.

Keith Arnold

The HT Lions for 2010-11 were: Nathan Andrews, Ben Arnold, Andrew Beck, Harry Bloodworth, Matthew Cooper, Adam Cranefield, Jonathan Dunne, Ryan Gardner, Alexander Jones, Christopher Jones, Benjamin Kendall, Matthew McClure, James Outten, Matthew Pilgrim, Thomas Pocock, Matthew Scott, Neil Stephenson and Alexander Woodland.