WEYMOUTH Hockey Club’s four senior sides have all enjoyed a promising start to the 2013/14 season.

The men’s first XI are currently top of Hampshire Division Two and have won their last 10 games.

They have scored 61 goals in 11 outings this season, notably through Andrew Stiles (13), Daniel Bowles (9) and captain Simon Harvey (8), and have the best defensive record in their league.

The men’s second XI, captained by goalkeeper Jack Legg, who missed out on several months due to a fractured shoulder, are also going well in Hampshire Division Six where they lie third.

After struggling for much of last season, their current league position is a great reflection of the summer school put on last year to attract new members to the club.

Several regular team members came to the summer school as complete beginners and have impressed in the way they have picked up the game.

The men’s teams are always keen to attract new members and would welcome players of all abilities to training every Wednesday (from 7-9pm) at Redlands Sports Centre’s Astroturf pitch, where they also play their home fixtures each Saturday.

For further information, contact club president Andy Stiles on 07740300393 or first XI captain Simon Harvey on 07796431514.

Ladies’ training also takes place at Redlands on Tuesday nights from 7-9pm. New members are encouraged to turn up on the night or contact club president Susie Stone on 07912311514.

Stone also runs training sessions for juniors on Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings.

Years Six, Seven, Eight and Nine train from 6-7pm on Wednesday evenings and Years Two, Three, Four and Five train on Sunday mornings from 9.30-10.30am.

The ladies’ first XI, under the captaincy of Emily Austin, currently sit fifth in the West Clubs East Division, while the seconds lie fourth in Channel Division Two.

Seconds’ captain Liefy Hen-drikz has benefitted greatly from the youth programme as many players make the transition straight from the older age group into the senior team.

Weymouth Hockey Club also runs a highly successful Easter festival that typically attracts around 40 teams from all over the UK.

The three-day event caters for men’s, ladies’ and mixed teams for both indoor and outdoor hockey.

For more information on the festival, including how to enter, visit weymouthhockeyclub.co.uk.

FIXTURES

January 18, Hampshire Two: Bournemouth III v Weymouth, Havant IV v New Milton, Portsmouth & Southsea v Chichester III, Tadley v Basingstoke II, University of Portsmouth v Southampton University III, Winchester III v Southampton II.

Hampshire Six: Bournemouth V v Southampton IV, City of Portsmouth III v Gillingham II, Fleet/Ewshot II v Eastleigh, New Milton II v Winchester VI, Romsey II v Ports & Southsea II, Weymouth II v Havant V.

West Clubs Women’s East Division: Bournemouth II v Weymouth, Swanage & Wareham v Mendip, Team Bath Buccaneers III v Frome, West Wilts v Yeovil & Sherborne II, Wimborne Wayfarers v Salisbury II.

West Clubs Women’s Channel Division Two: Poole v Salisbury IV, Salisbury V v Gillingham II, Swanage & Wareham III v Yeovil & Sherborne IV, Weymouth II v Bournemouth V.