Football: Stowmarket Town make early signings

The football season is barely over but already Stowmarket Town are planning for 2011/12 with two players already signed up.
Defender Nathan Birch and striker Wayne Proctor made a tremendous start to life as Stowmarket players last year, helping them secure their highest place finish since relegation in 2005 and both have agreed to stay at the club.
Birch, Supporters Player of the Year, and Proctor, a 31-goal scoring machine had been approached by Ridgeons Premier Division sides but decided that the exciting progress, team spirit and the passion to push the club to the promotion places next year was all important in making their decision to stay. 
As for Stowmarket Town and manager Steve Jay, this shows great ambition for the coming season.

General manager John Griffin said: "We are really pleased that both boys have decided to stay with us next season. 

"They, along with the whole squad, had a great year and we achieved our objectives in 2011. Next season, we want to take that next step and these signings show our serious intent to put Stowmarket back on the map. 

"It's now down to Steve and I to strengthen where needed but it's important the players of last year remain in place as we were only a few performances away from joining Diss and Gorleston."

Chairman Neil Sharp added: "We have all worked hard off the pitch these last two seasons and the signing of these two exciting players shows that this hard work is paying off. 

"We will now help the manager wherever we can in strengthen the squad and support the general manager's approach for consistency in the players that were here this year. 

"They all deserve great credit for a wonderful 2010-11 and fingers crossed for next season."

Bowls: Rookery earn Edwards Cup victory

Stowmarket's Rookery Bowls Club are through to the second round of the Bert Edwards Fours Cup thanks to a 55-50 victory over Woodbridge.

Rookery will be at home to Bungay Town on June 4 after the border team beat Felixstowe & Suffolk 61-44 in their first round match.

Motorsport: Second podium finish for Webster

Protyre Formula Renault BARC Championship title contender Josh Webster took his second podium of the 2011 season at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit over the weekend to move into fifth place in the driver standings – just 17 points shy of the series lead.

Stowmarket-based Josh, a member of the MSA Academy, was unfortunate to miss out on the pivotal pole position for round three by the tinniest of margins – a mere 0.005 seconds – and that proved to be the determining factor in the first of the weekend’s races.

Not quite able to usurp pole-sitter, and Fortec Motorsport team-mate, Kieran Vernon into Paddock Hill Bend for the first time, the 17-year-old Suffolk racer had to tuck-in and settle for a nonetheless welcome second place with hardly anything to choose between the pair in terms of pace.

Little more than a second separated the two front-runners throughout the 19-lap encounter but with overtaking in a Formula Renault car nigh-on impossible at the 1.2-mile Kent track, Josh had to shadow Vernon to the flag – posting second fastest lap in the process with a time of 45.658 seconds.

Qualifying for round four was a more troublesome affair for Josh as he lost vital track time due to an issue with the floor on his FR 2.0 coming loose and requiring an urgent pit-stop mid-session. Missing the optimum time to be on track due to the enforced pit visit, and with it the chance to challenge for pole position, he brilliantly salvaged the sixth fastest lap – only 0.184 seconds shy of the top spot.

Moving into fifth off the start, the Nine Telecom Group, Admiral Group, Integra ICT, Sunwise, Melbek Technology, Everyone Active and Flying Saucer supported racer slipped to sixth on lap two but got back into fifth on lap 11 when Vernon crashed out from fourth at Graham Hill Bend.

Missing out on the fastest race lap by just eight 100ths of a second, Josh displayed tremendous pace once again and as part of a very close finish on lap 20 he missed out on the podium places by only 0.6 seconds.

“It was all about qualifying this weekend, as it always is at Brands Indy”, said Josh, “The first session was really close and we only just missed taking pole position. In the race I got away well and had a good run into Paddock but Kieran had the door closed and that was it, we had to settle for second.

"In race two, my tyres seemed to take ages to come on so that made things pretty difficult early on but fifth in the end gives us more good points for the championship which is what we need. It’s a real shame we had the problem with the floor of the car coming unbolted in second qualifying as we could easily have been on the podium again if we’d been on the first two rows.”

There are just two weeks to wait for the fifth and sixth rounds of the 2011 Protyre Formula Renault BARC Championship season which will be held on Saturday, 28th May, at Oulton Park in Cheshire.

Bowls: Latest results

Ipswich & District Triples Bowls League
Division A: Stowupland 5.5 (73) Capel St Mary Kites 1.5 (63).
Division D: Woodbridge 3 (64) Combs Ford 4 (71).

Darts: Latest results

Royal William Stowmarket Darts Summer League

Week 3: Finningham White Horse 3 Old Newton Sports & Social 6; Elmswell Fox 4 Stowmarket Crown 5; Haughley Kings Arms 1 Stowmarket Royal William 8; Stowupland Crown 3 Stowmarket Walnut Tree 6; Stowmarket Meadlands Club 5 Stowmarket Kings Arms 4.

Football: Presentation night fun for Salvation Army

By John Ellitson
This is the occasion when both teams gather at sponsors, The Authentic Oriental Food Restaurant and eat drink and listen to speeches before the awards are given.
It was a bit like a football match with the first team v the reserves in competition.

Who could sit at the table where the food would be served first? The reserves lost this due to bad decisions by Baker and Wings (For those who are reading this in remote parts of the world or north of Watford, you are right they are the ones with the dodgy knees) but they made it to the table first.(Wrong table)

Next competition which team could eat the most duck? Did you hear about the couple who go to a Chinese restaurant and order chop suey. The waiter brings out a pot with a lid but the couple don’t get around to eating, because every so often the lid lifts up a tiny bit and a tiny pair of eyes peer out at the couple. Finally, the stunned man calls the waiter over, points out the weird situation, and says, "No matter what, we're not going to eat that. Are you sure that's chop suey?"

"Oh I'm sorry sir," the waiter replies, "That's my mistake - I've brought you Peking duck." Read it again Mrs. Rossiter and you will get it.
Duck was brought, battle commenced, and the first teamers gave it a real go with duck disappearing like Rottweiler Jamie’s shots on goal FAST, but unlike Jamie they were on target. Wings put the reserves ahead when he was heard shouting ‘more, more,’ More duck arrived on every table.
I was privileged to sit with the beautiful ladies belonging to Sam and Danny, the guys who have managed the first team this year. Lady Sam and Lady Dan were our champions whose motivation was in the saying ‘Your strength lies in your continued belief that what you just ate was indeed duck’ they believed it and finished our duck, Wings an all (pun).
The final competition was the speeches of the managers, both spoke well but the reserve manager Paul Salmon won this because he mentioned ME.
Scores 1st team 1, Reserves 1 Ladies on my table 1
When the Chairman Mark Cross stood up with Secretary Adrian Moye and Paul Salmon someone told me they were out for a walk. And Cross says, "Windy, isn't it?" Moye says, "No, it's Thursday!" Salmon says, "So am I. Let's go get milk shake." If that was true what hope does the club have?

Thankfully we have a great committee and hard working club officials whose hearts are in the Salvation Army Football Club.
There is a saying - If at first you don’t succeed, parachuting is not for you, well thankfully we are not in the parachuting business but FOOTBALL. We didn’t succeed well this season this season but with the great set of lads at this club and the background support we will rise up and fly with Wings (he gets everywhere) aim him high (back to Jamie’s shooting) PROMOTION.

Volleyball: Stowmarket have eyes on bigger things

Winning ways:  Stowmarket's Mark Ames is seen hitting out in the Weymouth Grand Prix in this picture by Tom Ames.

Having reclaimed the Suffolk Cup in April, Stowmarket Volleyball Club are looking to get more people in the area playing over the summer so they can go on to bigger and better things.

From May 24, the club will join forces with Stow Stingers, playing on The Rec on Tuesday evenings throughout the summer.

Club spokesman Andrew Whitefield said: "Adults and high school students are welcome to join these free sessions from 7pm until dusk.
"There's plenty to look forward to over the summer, with the Suffolk Open at Chilton Fields on June 12, a charity tournament at Amberfield School in Nacton on the 26th and a community volleyball day, including a novice tournament, exhibition matches and have-a-go sessions on Saturday July 26."

That's not to mention tournaments in Lowestoft, Great Yarmouth, Cambridge and further afield.
For more information, see http://www.stowmarket-volleyball.org.uk/ or contact Andrew Whitefield (andrew@stowmarket-volleyball.org.uk, 01473 261865 weekdays daytime or 01473 687811 evenings and weekends).



Golf: Centre appeals for course help

Stowmarket Golf Centre pro Duncan Burl is seeking help in improving things at the nine-hole course after a lack of rain has caused problems.

He said: "There is no escaping the course is in pretty sorry state at the moment. Ten weeks of dry weather has been great for the sun tan but no good for the course.

"We are caught in a trap at the moment, the daisy man is booked in to come after the next decent rain but the fairways can't be cut for three-four days before he arrives.

"So added to drought we now have long grass, daisies, dandelions and rock hard bouncy greens - not much use to anyone."

Burl insists something needs to be done urgently to improve matters and said he was looking into grants and funding to allow the couree to have an irrigation system fitted.

"I am also going to chase local businesses for sponsorship to see if we can get some money in to get the ball rolling, or stop the ball rolling!" he added.

Burl has quotes from last year suggesting the cost would be about £10,000-£12,000 to dig a bore hole and lay the infrastructure to maintain the golf course for the long term.

"Once the capital work is done, the on-going cost of electricity to power the pump and maintenance will be absorbed by the increase in business."

Anyone willing to give up some time to help Burl is urged to make contact - duncan@stowmarketgolfcentre.co.uk

"I am looking for people with a knowledge of grants and funding and people with sales experience to help promote the golf centre," he said.

"I fully understand if golf is your leisure time and this sounds like work.

"I will get it done eventually but if you would like to help, the tea and biscuits are free!"

Darts: Latest results

Royal William Stowmarket Darts Summer League
Week 2: Stowmarket Crown 6, Finningham White Horse 3; Stowmarket Meadlands Club 2, Stowupland Crown 7; Stowmarket Walnut Tree 4, Haughley Kings Arms 5; Stowmarket Royal William 7, Elmswell Fox 2; Stowmarket Kings Arms 4, Old Newton S&SC 5.

Football: Giant-killing completes treble for Stowupland Falcons veterans

Norfolk & Suffolk Veteran League First Division champions Stowupland Falcons beat holders Norwich Trafford by the narrowest of margins in the League Cup final at Diss.
Both clubs had won their respective County FA Veterans' Cup and a close encounter was expected with the Suffolk side just about deserving their 1-0 success with Justin Fuller scoring from close range just before half-time.

Former Ipswich and Colchester star Gavin Johnson took the man of the match award - he hardly put a foot wrong in dealing with Premier Division Trafford's attacks.

Football: Youth success for Salvation Army

by Martin Cobbold

Salvation Army FC’s new youth training scheme has been progressing fantastically well since it started in March.

Current Salvation Army players and coaching staff, with Football Association-recognised coaching qualifications have been providing coaching for about 20 youngsters each Saturday morning and are now looking to register an Under 8s side for next season.

The club are still looking for players of this age and welcome any interest. If your child would be interested in this exciting new venture for an award-winning, Charter Standard club, get in contact with either Mark on 01449 677539, or Ian on 01449 614805. Alternatively, you can contact the club via salvationarmyfc@gmail.com.
Salvation Army First XI finished the season in style with a 5-0 drubbing of the already relegated Elmswell.

After having other sides’ results go their way in previous weeks to secure Division 2 SIL status for the coming season, the final game was a chance for the Chilton Fields-based side to relax and play the type of football they were capable of.

Manager Sam Dickie expressed his desire before the game to finish the season with a positive win and so it turned out thanks to goals from Lewis Stannard (2), Paul Gunton (2) and Neal Whitford.

In truth, the final result could have resembled a cricket score had Army been more ruthless in front of goal, but the season has ended on a high and with signs of promise to push on next season.
Unfortunately, the end of the season compounded a tough year for the Reserves as relegation from Division Four was confirmed, despite an end of season rally, where the side has only lost twice since mid-March.

However, the side will be intent on improving on this season when the 2011-12 campaign gets underway.

For more information on Salvation Army FC, visit www.salvationarmyfc.co.uk

Golf: Hole-in-one not enough to beat Stowmarket

A hole-in-one on the 190-yard ninth hole at Stowmarket Golf Club was not enough to earn Diss Juniors victory over the hosts.
Visiting captain George Osborn struck his ace against Stowmarket's Owen Clouting but the home team still managed a 3.5-2.5 victory in the Suffolk Junior Team Handicap Cup.

Football: Today's local results

Saturday, May 7

Kingsley Healthcare Suffolk & Ipswich League

Senior Division: Achilles 1 Haughley Utd 1; Crane Sports 3 Old Newton Utd 0.

Intermediate Division A: Old Newton Utd Res 3 Achilles Res 2.

Intermediate Division B: Haughley Utd Res 3 Cockfield Utd Res 2.

Division 2: Salvation Army 5 Elmswell 0.

Division 4: AFC Hoxne Res 5 Salvation Army Res 0.

Division 5: Old Newton Utd A 1 St Clements Hospital Res 8.

Darts: Latest results

Royal William Stowmarket Darts Summer League
Week 1: Old Newton S&SC 7 Stowmarket Crown 2; Finningham White Horse 1 Stowmarket Royal William 8; Elmswell Fox 5 Stowmarket Walnut Tree 4; Haughley Kings Arms 5 Stowmarket Meadlands Club 4; Stowupland Crown v Stowmarket Kings Arms, postponed.

Football: This weekend's local fixtures

Friday, May 6

Norfolk & Suffolk Veterans League (7.45pm)

League Cup, final: Stowupland Falcons v Norwich Trafford (at Diss Town).

Saturday, May 7

Kingsley Healthcare Suffolk & Ipswich League (2.30pm)

Senior Division: Achilles v Haughley Utd; Crane Sports v Old Newton Utd.

Intermediate Division A: Old Newton Utd Res v Achilles Res (2pm).

Intermediate Division B: BT Trimley Res v Stowupland Falcons Res; Haughley Utd Res v Cockfield Utd Res.

Division 2: Salvation Army v Elmswell.

Division 4: AFC Hoxne Res v Salvation Army Res.

Division 5: Old Newton Utd A v St Clements Hospital Res.

Sunday, May 8

Flare Recruitment Ipswich Sunday League (10.30am)

Division MB3: Wetherden 08 v Claydon 07.

Football: New manager needed for Old Newton's second team

Old Newton United are seeking a Reserve team manager for the 2011/2012 season. 
The Reserves play in Intermediate A of the Kingsley Healthcare Suffolk & Ipswich League. 
Applicants should ideally have experience of managing at a similar standard and hold a Level 1 coaching badge, although the club are willing to help the right candidate achieve this. 
For further information or to apply for this position, please contact David Shave (chairman), 01449 673537, or email daveshave45@hotmail.com

Paper Talk: Stowmarket sport in the local media (Spotlight on Stowmarket)

Issue 3 of Spotlight on Stowmarket is in circulation this week but sport is not an overwhelming presence in its 20 glossy pages.
The only sporting interests featured are Stowmarket Bridge Club and Stowmarket Ramblers, although there is an appeal for details of anyone who competed in the London marathon and, slightly off patch, a request for entries to the Needham Market Raft Race on June 26.

Football: Two goals in a minute enough to beat Old Newton

Craig Lockwood is left crestfallen after seeing his save turned
into the first goal for Achilles.

Two lapses of concentration inside a minute cost Old Newton United dearly in this evening's SIL Senior Division game at Achilles.
The visitors lost 2-0 and conceded both goals inside 60 seconds after 18 minutes of the game.
Goalkeeper Craig Lockwood slipped up for the first one. He did well to keep out a long-range effort but failed to push the shot away cleanly and the loose ball fell straight at the feet of Julian Beaumont to score.

Shadow squad:
Old Newton
blooded several
youngsters and
they did not
throw in the towel
at Achilles.

Straight from the restart, the hosts won the ball and a deep cross evaded the retreating Old Newton defence to find Owen Symonds unmarked at the far post to make it 2-0.
Having secured their Senior Division status at the weekend, Old Newton used the match to give some youngsters a run out and they did enough to show they might have a promising future.

• See more pictures from the game, here.
• Read the Green'Un report, here

Rugby: Border raid leaves Stowmarket well beaten

A cross-border raid left Stowmarket well beaten in their efforts to add the county cup to their Eastern Counties One league title.
Stow suffered a 61-5 thumping by holders Essex side Colchester in the Suffolk Chadacre Cup final at Mill Road, home of the London One North side.
Stowmarket had seen off Sudbury and Mersea Island to reach the final but never got a look in, despite a try from Robert Burch.

Football: Sunday results

Sunday, May 1

Flare Recruitment Ipswich Sunday League 

Division MB3: Wetherden 08 6 Felixstowe Dolphins 0.

Frames Conservatories Direct Bury Sunday League

Division 2: Rougham Lions 2 Stow Excelsior 9.

Golf: Division Three's awesome foursome

All four players in Division Three of the Stowmarket Golf Centre's April Stableford competition lowered their handicap this week.

Leading the way was Chris Kenney, down three to 25 after gaining 23 points to win the division. Second was Jo Reedman, the leading lady, down two to 24. Terry Davies was also down two, to 18, while Wendy Southgate saw her handicap drop from 21 to 20.

Brian Richards scored 19 points to win the Division One title, reducing his handicap by one, to eight, in the process. He tied on points with both Bill Miller (down one to eight) and Martin Collett (down one to seven).

In Division Two, Bob Pearson led the way with 21 points, losing two shots from his 14 handicap. David Harper was second (down one to 13) with Graham Robinson dropping from ten to nine.