THE HAGUE 2006

The Hague 14-17 April 2006

 The Hague Hockey Challenge hosted by HGC
 
 
Following the fantastic time we had in the Netherlands while at the August event held at HC Rotterdam when it became apparent of plans for a similar event, this time in The Hague over Easter 2006, the opportunity was too good to miss. We flew with KLM from Norwich and stayed at the 4* Golden Tulip Bel Air Hotel. Unlike previously the hockey ran from Saturday to Monday and again unlike our previous visit to the Netherlands this time we won!
 
Below are organisations whose assistance proved invaluable.

Stick/kit bags

Playing Kit

Pennants, t-shirts etc
     

Tour Operator

Golden Tulip Bel Air Hotel

Host Club
     

Carrier
 

Deja vu?

Start as we mean to go on!

Drinking rules established in the hotel bar.

Never trust Rob Kay with a camera!
       

We hit Den Haag.

The Sweepstake.

First stop something to eat...

...at the Argentinian steak house...
       

...Los Argentinos.

Getting into the european cafe culture.

While Ed tries to master the mysteries of the umbrella..

Vodka and Red Bull frenzy.
     

Meanwhile Spender showed Ed how it should be done.

Adam, Elton and Garnett.

 Will and Lawrence.

 Elton prepares the Jager Bombs.
     

The first of many.

Ed getting something across to Rob...
       

...and Will gets in on the photo opp.

The Havana Bar.

Jagermeister shooters

Which Jim is...
     

...not to...

...keen on!

However Joanna Krupa soon perks him up.

Mystic and Baynes jnr.
       

Will tries working out the next drinks order....

...which all becomes too much!

Elton, Garnett and Jim.

The Browne brothers and the two NCHC guest players..
       

Rob and Giles.

Alf caught in the middle.

Havana Bar.

Elton and Lawrence bonding.
       

More male bonding.

Yes hes certainly feeling much better now!

Ed giving Spenders breasts far too much attention!

What you saying about me breasts man?
       

Breast of friends .

Jims not impressed with tonights tally thus far.

Time for another Jager Bomb.

At this point Will found he had a wet trouser problem.
       

Nobody seemed to mind though.

Ed debating the effectiveness of his new underarm deodorant.

Lawrence is overpowered by the whiff however.

Robbie and Alerx spot something of interest.
       

Dont try this at home.

Thankfully he doesnt use petroleum based hair care products.

We hit the town.

God knows!
       

Lawrence leads a spot of impromptu street dancing.

Its just not Wills night.

Adam, Ed and Rob in the Irish pub, The Fiddler.

First show of Robs famous dance technique.
     

The Gimp.

Robs in full flow by this time.

The tournament begins.

Athletes primed like coiled springs.
       

Lining up before a group match.

Waiting for Rob and Ed.

The previous nights socialising meant we were too hung over to catch up and assist Sander.

The Eager Beavers' funnel catches another victim.
       

Rob marks the stag.!

Still waiting for Rob and Ed.

Our supporters brave the conditions.

Nothing untoward I can assure you.
       

Jim nearly scores a second.

Match preparations.

Another vodka and Red Bull frenzy at the Fiddler.

Adam looking distinctly worse for wear.
       

The Nike Tree tee makes its appearance.

Giles, Neil, Garnett, Elton, Lawrence, Ollie and Sander at The Fiddler.

The Stags and Eager Beavers.

The answer is yes!
       

Robbie and new friends.

"Bruce" couldnt avoid the Stags attentions.

The Banana Splits at Club Danzig.

Neil finally managed to get out of the grip of the Stags...
       

...but it was too good to last!

The Browne bros get on down...

...and are soon joined by Will.

Complicated dance routine instigated by the Banana Splits

Banana Splits in action.

Our youngest tour member, Alex, gets involved with the 'Splits...

...and shows quite good coordination!

However when it came to another of their games...
       

...which they again demonstrated...

...those of us who tried couldnt quite master it!.

Jim and Adam show off their moves.

Giving the driving range balls back.
       

The 'Splits and their bananas werent to be separated.

Morning after the night before.

Penalty flick comp commences. By the way its Adam in goal and not Mr Whiting.

Spender shows how it should be done.
       

The exertion takes its toll.

Not too sure if this effort from Ed beats the keeper.

But Wills obviously does.

Spender takes on liquid prior to our last group game...
       

...and is promptly attacked by Stoney.

Worryingly it looks as if Spender is spanking him!

Team photo...

...which soon...
       

...turns into...

...a bundle.

Stoney is accosted..

...by a topless...
       

...Banana Split!

Who is quickly reclothed by her team mates.

Our first and only carded player with Ingrid who awarded it to him.

True to form Brooks missed!
       

Sander makes a telling pass.

Whats going on here then?

Robbie becmoes an honorary Stag.

Spender shapes up for a drag flick.
       

Still sober-ish!

Garnetts training bra.

Robbie now totally sozzled.

Will colour coordinated.
       

Party night at HGC.

Lawrence feels the strain.

As does...

...everyone else.
       

Especially Wills feet.

Final team photo.

Fun and games...

...at the BBQ party night.
       

Winners trophy and voucher.

Magnum PI, Stags player of the tournament.

The Stags win social team award.

Elton and his medal.
       

At last Garnett has his hands on a trophy!

I have no idea what Eds doing?

Dag Holland

We have picked up our bags but meanwhile back in the foreign passport holders queue.
       

Helping ourselves to Garnetts snacks.

More essential match preparation.

Probably half time!

Jim lining up in the outfield.
       

Robbie showing off his bruise.

Post match liquid take up and texting.

Motley crew.

Ollie takes a nap.
       

BBQ night.

Elton on the decks.

Cup a soup beer.

Mmm tasty!
       

 

Makes a change from Ed!

Cat woman and whip.

Rob braves the red wine funnel!

Bar maid finds many admirers.
       

The Lawrence look!

Elton in his element.

He wears a lot of gold apparently.

It was too good to last!
 
 

© 2005 NUHC