Snow! Fun and pretty, but may reduce korf
Status report from a snowy New Year!
Alas, the wonderfully wintry weather has taken its toll on the korfball calendar in Milton Keynes. MK Roos, Wallabies and MKX lost out on their training sessions last week, MK Colossus look at risk for this evening, and all SMKA and OKA league matches this weekend were postponed- meaning disruption for MK Colossus, two MK Bucks sides, and MK City.
Walton Rogues returned to training last week, but a scheduled hall closure has left them without training this week and looking for an alternative venue for next week; they are taking this opportunity to get their affairs in order with an impromptu general meeting.
Hopefully, it'll be back to business as usual (not to make it sound like too much of a chore!) before you know it!
New Year New Sport – Take up Korfball
Looking for a new sport to play? Want to play in a team, or meet new people, or are you on a New Years fitness drive? Korfball is one of MK’s fastest growing sports, with four adult clubs, a youth team “MKX”, a 10-team local league if you want to play matches, winter and summer training, tournaments and a great social scene! It’s indoors in winter so less likely to be disrupted by weather than outdoor sports and less cold! And because it’s played by mixed-sex teams, all men and women can join the fun.
All clubs offer up to two sessions for free so you’ve got nothing to lose if you want to give the sport a try! Don’t worry if you’ve never played before, all the clubs are set up to offer beginner coaching and teach you all you need to know, and all you need is normal sports kit and trainers.
Choose a club…..
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MK Colossus train on a Monday night in Bletchley at 6:15pm
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Walton Rogues train on a Tuesday night in Walnut Tree at 8:15pm
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MK Roos train on a Wednesday night in Shenley Brook End at 7:30pm
- MK Bucks train on a Thursday night in Bletchley at 8:30pm
To find out more about korfball and links to all the club websites, have a look at our “About” page. All the clubs will have a contact person, or if you’ve got a general query or not sure where to turn, then you could try local chair Katie on 07908 913872.
Captain's Report: MK City vs Bucks 3 (8-8) and Wallabies (8-1)
Chasing its first ever win against a Bucks side, MK City played SMKA league games against MK Bucks 3 and then MK Wallabies.
Captain's Report : MK City vs Isis 3 (12-3)
MK City travelled to Oxford again to play Isis 3. We didn't know much about our opponents except that we had drawn with the second team so on that basis we were confident. Penalties have featured heavily through our games so far this season, so the Captains pre match top tips (instructions) were 'Watch the contact' and 'Absolutely no arguing with the referee'.
We started quite tentatively. Pete was so busy 'watching the contact' his Isis player ran through to score a running in shot. Pete muttered something about 'cutting' and I would like to say he was beaten by a 6ft 4 Dutch International, but he wasn't. Isis were lifted by their lead and played the ball round having most of the possession. The City attack tried all sorts and then the equaliser came from a distance shot from the Captain. 2 more goals were exchanged and it was 2-2. The second Isis goal was a penalty, Tim was adamant he had not touched his player and he hadn't (it was the Captain that gave the penalty away!).
The Captain called a time out. She contradicted herself by asking for a bit more aggression and interception and as Isis was struggling to play the ball out of defence, man on man tight marking. City worked hard to stop Isis playing the ball out of defence and it soon paid off. The Captain intercepted the ball hurled it to Cameron under the post and he scored a short shot. City then pulled away to 5-2 at half time.
It was one of the more relaxed half times as we had found our rhythm so were keen to get back on. Then news came that Isis was losing a girl. On the one hand good news but we went there to play a match! New strategies were agreed and we were back on.
Within minutes Cash scored a running in shot and with a change of ends we had the extra girl in attack. The Captain became the non shooter and called the attack from the post. The Isis boys were standing off and so the collect was being lost but we stuck at it and eventually the long shot dropped for Cam.
The referee called the score as 6-3, which only Tim noticed and, credit to Tim, he tipped he Captain off rather than debating with the ref. The Captain stopped the game as Isis went to take a free pass and tried to 'confirm' the score from the other end. By our reckoning we were 7-2 up and we knew Isis had not scored in the second half. Ignoring all her own advice the Captain continued this 'discussion' with the ref across the pitch, aware that if Isis scored that free pass the ref could be calling the game at 6-4! The ref could not be moved and the game went on (Isis did not score the free pass). The attacking division finally worked out how to score against a 3 and we were 8-2 up.
We moved the ball well in attack and defended hard, both ends made it very difficult for Isis the play the ball out. Pete conceded a penalty when he got run by that 6ft 4 Dutch International again and I am not sure when but Isis scored. Fortunately we scored another 4 and the final score was 12-3, or so we thought. The ref had the score as 11-4, but Isis gallantly confirmed they had only scored 3. It was very timely as I was about to break the news to Joe we were going to have to take one of his goals off him!
After a nervous start (with hindsight the Captain may have over egged the softly softly approach), City played well as team and the goals were shared. The Captain was very proud of the 'boys' for showing restraint and keeping their heads. We conceded 2 penalties and a handful of free passes, not ideal but good based on the last few games, a very controlled performance (we will make a Korfballer out of you yet Tim).
Captain's favourite moment was when Tim turned his ankle. Not the actual turning of the ankle but as the Captain weighed up the lead and asked Tim if he wanted to go off, she received a "No way", which went beyond the call of duty given City were 10-2 up with 5 minutes to go.
First A Emma (2), Chelsie (1), Cameron (3), Tim
First D Emma (2), Laura (1), Joe (2), Pete (1)
Darren's Thoughts
OK we are nearly at Christmas, so here is what I have been thinking (surprisingly it is all about korfball). I have had a few thoughts about the clubs. Next week I will give some views on MKX and the youth set up and then the week after I will get personal with opinions on a few players (thin ice eh!). If you have any views then please add them to the website.