"Success is a team effort" says captain Anika (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Hockey Club success is team effort says captain Anika

1:57pm Wednesday 20th March 2013 in Andover By Sports editor Kerry Miller

“Everybody is ecstatic” was the simple summing up by Andover Ladies’ Hockey Club captain Anika Drage following her side’s title clinching performance on Saturday against Basingstoke Ladies.

“We have been close for two or three years but never quite made it but this year we have done it.”

And done it in style they have staying unbeaten all season and taking the title and gaining promotion with two games still to play.

Although they will doubtless go all out to complete the season unblemished they also have the small matter of the National Vase semi-final to play over on Guernsey. A squad of 13 will travel plus support staff on Sunday April 7 flying back directly afterwards for what is arguably the club’s biggest ever match.

Anika added “We are looking forward to the game but must focus on Saturday as it has been a great squad effort so far despite suffering a number of injuries.”

The skipper was quick to praise new goalkeeper Hazel Stacey, describing her displays as “unbelievable – we travelled to Devon recently with the bare 11 players but she kept us in the game”.

The side has welcomed back Laura Molloy and Lizzie Vincent but Anika insisted that the success has been a team effort and the player of the year awards will be very difficult this season.

On Saturday the Ladies are home to Havant II at John Hanson School with a 11.30am start.

 

Read about Andover Hockey Club in Friday's Advertiser