Ladies return to action against leaders

Ashford Ladies return to action with all three teams at home this weekend.

The firsts host East Women’s League Division 2 South East leaders Brentwood (11.30am), while the 2nds get the action underway in a re-arranged Kent League Division 1 against Burnt Ash (10am).

The 3rds take on Sevenoaks 5ths in a Division 2 game, at 1pm. Meanwhile, the men’s Antiques, skippered by Harry Pickering, who celebrates his 70th birthday next week, face Maidstone Vets (2.30pm).

The club plan to take two junior teams to Holland at Easter, continuing the links forged with Sjinborn Hockey Club near Maastricht over the last three years.

First team player Elliot Bingham, who is studying at a Dutch university, is arranging the tour.

Meanwhile, Robert Taylor from Taylor’s Lettings, has presented the club’s group of 20 volunteer coaches with sponsored jackets.

The club has seen a big rise in junior players over the past year, especially in the under-8 and under-10 age groups, with more than 200 youngsters now involved,

The girls and boys under-16 teams and the boys under-14s are now among the top teams in the county.