‘England Hockey should be ashamed of themselves’

Head coach Ben Barnes has slammed England Hockey administrators for the rescheduling of the South League fixture list that sent Fareham to Bath and Sevenoaks on consecutive days – over 275 miles spent on the motorways inside 24 hours.
Chris Davey (black) scored Fareham's consolations in heavy losses at Team Bath and Sevenoaks. Picture: Ian HargreavesChris Davey (black) scored Fareham's consolations in heavy losses at Team Bath and Sevenoaks. Picture: Ian Hargreaves
Chris Davey (black) scored Fareham's consolations in heavy losses at Team Bath and Sevenoaks. Picture: Ian Hargreaves

To compound the agony, Fareham lost 5-1 to Team Bath and then 7-1 at Sevenoaks – results which have heightened the likelihood of them being relegated at the end of the season.

Even though there are still four weekends of the season left, Fareham’s Storm Caira postponed fixture at Bath University (February 9) was hurriedly rearranged just 24 hours before their scheduled visit to Sevenoaks.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Barnes described it as ‘a criminal fixture list that did us no favours. England Hockey should be ashamed of themselves.

‘It was a tough weekend, not only for the players, but also the umpires and technical officials, with everyone expected to drop everything. It needs a rethink.’

Fareham have another double header this weekend with Canterbury (Saturday) and Southgate (Sunday) due to visit Henry Cort for 1.30pm push backs.

Fareham found themselves 2-0 down inside ten minute at Bath, but cut the students’ lead to 3-1 when Chris Davey scored.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But two Bath goals inside 90 seconds ended any prospect Fareham had of getting back into the game, Scott Rawlings scoring his side’s fifth as his elder brothers Danny and James looked helplessly on.

Play-off chasing Sevenoaks put six goals past Fareham without reply back in the autumn and looked set for a potential massacre when they led 5-0 at half-time before running out 7-1 winners.

Davey again scored Fareham’s consolation.

“Sevenoaks were playing their only game of the weekend, so were obviously much fresher,’ said Barnes.

‘Playing back-to-back games after long journeys took its toll on us. They were sharper and we looked tired.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘Both Bath and Sevenoaks finished far better than us. We struggled to contain penalty corners both days and not score our own.’

England Hockey offered the following response: ‘Our regulations regarding postponed matches are clear, and have been in place for more than 10 years.

‘The hockey calendar is already congested and there are no weekends left free solely for rearranged games.

‘Matches are rearranged for a fortnight after the original date, in order to best ensure the league is completed by the due date.

‘In terms of travel, in a semi-national league the distance that Fareham travelled to fulfill the two fixtures is less than some teams will regularly travel for just one game.’

Related topics: