ROTTERDAM TOUR 2005

ROTTERDAM 2005

Rotterdam 4-7 August 2005

Rotterdam Hockey Challenge hosted by Hockey Club Rotterdam



Following our success in Barcelona it was decided to invest the winners voucher we received from the organisers, Your Sporting Challenge, and put it towards another of their events: a short pre-season jaunt to Rotterdam. We flew from Norwich to Amsterdam early on Thursday afternoon and after an additional hour on a coach we arrived at our hotel in Rotterdam. We played a total of 6 matches: 4 group followed by a semi-final and then the final. Unfortuntaley we were unable recreate the onfield success of Barcelona and came home without the trophy as despite the presence of South Africa national men’s captain Bruce Jacobs we lost 3-2 in a fiercely contested final to the touring side Hamsphire Hogs, who themselves fielded a number of U18 England internationals. A great time was had by all and we would like to thank organisers YSC, the Dutch officials and hosts HC Rotterdam. The only downside was one of our players, Garnett Jones, snapping his left achilles ten minutes into the final which we felt was rather inconsiderate - he could have at least have waited and done it at the games conclusion! A great time was had by all and we intend to return in 2006. I think the photos below speak for themselves and tell the tale!


Event information Host Club Carrier NH Capelle Hotel Playing Kit Pennants, kitbags, t-shirts etc Venue Panoramic view

A sea of orange at Norwich Airport. First stop the hotel bar. Hampshire Hogs ladies. Exploring Rotterdam. Pit stop at the American Cafe Diner. Dutch Irish bar! Token cultural shot. Vacating the Irish bar. Shenanigans Early Ed exposure. This, in combination with a free drink, was this bars main attraction. Regular 2005 tour destination. Ed the Bitch Bride? Two Dutch lovelies enticing us into their establishment. Surveying the facilities. While Tris takes his usual power nap! Argentinean steak house the second night. Bruce strikes at goal in our group match vs. the Hogs. Tristan scores but we lose 2-1. Fine surface to perfect the sliding tackle. Bruce Jacobs in action. Mark Braybrook denied a shooting opportunity by a last gasp tackle. Shooters at the Beach Club Baja. More shooters. Tristan Baynes the tour captain. Rob Kay does the funnel. As does Garnett less successfully. Should stay in goal! Slap hit pass by 'Gadget' in our 6-2 win vs. Rotterdam. Sander gets the BC Baja treatment... ...and survives the experience! Mark's dribbling comes under close scrutiny. Now its Will's turn. He too survives. Mark crashes one in to score. Some of the best seats in the house. Surely he didnt think he'd escape? Rob Kay puts the Rotterdam forward under pressure. The Kay dance style is catching! Everyone hits the dance floor. Lekker Ding player takes a tumble during our 6-1 win. Garnett and Tris. Club house bar. GK Rob Whiting cant wait to inform us of his goal in a mixed game. Which is confirmed by one of the Sheffield ladies. The mixed game could be one too many for Jim. Rob's bruise gained in our first match of the second day. Staurday night BBQ and party. Mark looks concerned. A poor unfortunate is held captive on the table. Sheffield ladies getting on down. Neil, Garnett, Will and Phil. Rob takes his dancing outside. Where it continues. Evasive action. How to make a small South African disappear. Interesting tackling technique. I think they're having a good time. Sheffield ladies get the horn! Mystic in action. Hogs celebrate the first goal in their 2-1 group win. More high spirits. Tristan instigates an attack. Nathan from YSC gets in on the action. Bundle! The dying fly? Rob shows off his moves (and torso). Sheffield ladies team. Psyching ourselves up for the mens final while watching the ladies'. Lekker Ding take the lead in the ladies final. Which they hold on to to win 1-0. NUHC Rotterdam 2005 touring side. Jamie cream crackered immediately after the final. So near yet so far. Hampshire Hogs manager with the trophy. Step up from his normal mode of transport! McD's at Schiphol airport. Awaiting luggage at Norwich airport.. Tremendous reflex save by Jim. Guest player Sander opens the scoring vs. Lekker Ding. Will stetches to make contact in the semi vs. Edam. Mystic on the ball. PYS threads a pass. Robbie Whiting kicks clear. Jamie Older laments a scoring chance. Bruce strikes a reverese shot... ...which Whiting, while deputising for the opposition, saves. Two of the Sheffield ladies show off their synchronised gymnastic prowess. Fun and games on the pitch with an improvised water slide. Ingratiating ourselves with the umpires - Naomi in pink. Will keeps the ball in play during the final. Garnett looking dangerous down the right wing. Bruce doing his thing. Somehow Robbie lets this go through his legs to put the Hogs 1-0 up in the final. Game on. Unfortunately the first injury in the sweepstake had already gone! Desperate defending. Jim tips a short corner drag flick over the bar. Bruce scores to make it 2-3 and we are back in it. The Hogs are put under intense pressure as NU seek an equaliser. Unfortunately time ran out. El Toro restaurant complete with Argentinean beer! The drinks are lined up. Rob and Garnett hit the 'viagra'! Our South African connection. Ossie, the magpies Hampshire Hog, soon realises what it takes to tour with NU! The barmaid apparently looked like Skye Bishop Im informed. Cheers Eeerrgh! Event organiser Sander who was our rather handy guest player. Unfortunately there was no stopping Ed! Cheese! Eds at it again!


Event information	Host Club	Carrier


NH Capelle Hotel	Playing Kit	Pennants, kitbags, t-shirts etc


Venue	Panoramic view