Dacorum & Tring AC made its mark on the England Athletics U17 and U15 Championships at Bedford Athletics Stadium thanks to yet another stellar performance from sprint sensation Chenna Okoh.

The 13-year old Cavendish School pupil placed second in the U15 boys 300m, only 0.10 off the winning time, posted by Joe Milton from Merseyside, who is a whole year older.

Okoh made his mark on the first day of the competition, winning his heat in a time of 36.83, and went on to win his semi-final in 36.53, the best time of all 22 qualifiers.

Also doing the club proud were Dom Ashwell, who placed fourth overall in the Under 15 Boys 100m in a fast 11.42, and James Weller, eighth in the U17 men’s pole vault, equalling his personal best leap of 4m.

The club is holding an open evening on Thursday, September 19, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, to try to encourage more people to join us and run for health, enjoyment, competition and a great social life!

The Herts Harriers U17s side racked up a comprhensive 21-2 win over Leicester Blue Sox to clinch a place in the national semi-finals.

This is the first time that a team from the Grovehill-based Herts Baseball Club has reached the last four of a national championships.

At U14 level, the Herts Cardinals always knew they would have their work cut out against the very strong London Mets in their national quarter-final and sadly the tie went to the form book and they were eliminated.

But reaching the final eight was a significant achievement and provides a base for further progress next season.

In an intra-club U11s competition, the Herts Dodgers overcame the Herts Giants in the deciding final game of the series to lift the championship trophy.

There were no Herts adult teams in action at the weekend, but the club hosted the national quarter-finals at the top level of the game in Britain.

A large crowd assembled at Grovehill Ballpark to take in the games, which determined who would complete the four-team line-up at the national championships September 14 and 15 at Farnham Park, Slough.

The Herts Falcons have already secured top seeding and automatic qualification for the event, and Sunday’s results mean that they will face the defending champion Harlow Nationals in the semi-finals, which will be a tough obstacle to overcome.

The U17 Herts Harriers’ semi-final will be played as part of the same event.

A week before the top adult level and the U17s have their championships, the adult fourth-tier Herts Raptors will be in action at Farnham Park on Saturday, taking on Haverhill Blackjacks.

All three teams would welcome the support of as many fans as possible who can make the short journey to Slough – full details will be made made available shortly on www.hertsbaseball.com.

Your weekly round-up of bowling across the borough

Tring

In the friendly against Waddesdon, Tring selected nine-year-old Jack Graves to play alongside his grandad, also Jack.

Jack junior gave a great account of himself and became the youngest player ever to represent the club.

The club hopes other youngsters will follow Jack’s example and take up the game.

Waddesdon ran out 111-75 winners with top rink honours going to Eric Cook, Jim Bowyer and Dennis Casserley.

The friendly against Potton End gave Tring a convincing 94-64 win, top rink going to Terry Floyd, Mike Kerr, Dennis Casserley and David Dickinson.

The friendly fixture against Dunstable proved to be a very tight affair, and Tring went down by one shot to lose 77-78, with top rink going to Joy Smith,Gerald Laishley and Malcolm Watson.

Lyn Boniface has progressed to the semi-final of the Watford and District Officers singles which will be played at Herts Bowls Club today, Wednesday.

The club will be holding its finals day on Saturday.

Berkhamsted

As part of their award in coming runner-up in the National Club Of The Year, Friends of England Bowls visited Berkhamsted on Saturday.

The weather held good and all present thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon, at the close of play there were just three shots in it.

Each side had won on three rinks but the overall winners were the visitors, who took the day 119-116.

The Friends top rink was L. Newby, G Willmott, M Cavill and P Lee while Carole Dunn, Alan Baker, Lesley Brown and David Brown took the honours for the home side.

The afternoon began with the usual charity spider, and winner Janice Murgatroyd received two bottles of wine.

On Sunday, Berkhamsted travelled to Aylesbury Town BC to play four rinks of triples.

Despite the efforts of the top rink of Tom Presland, Jill Howells and Kevin Clarke, who were 23-15 victors, Aylesbury had the edge on the other three rinks and ran out 78-67 victors.

Also on Sunday in their Watford & District semi-final against Kings Langley, Carole Dunn, Anne Furlong, Jackie Cormack and Mary Clarke lost by three shots despite leading for two thirds of the match.

Earlier in the week Berkhamsted had played another friendly against Chalfont St Giles.

Carole Dunn, Paul Mackness and Linda Ralph’s top rink score led Berkhamsted to a 24 shot magin, with 95-71.

Potten End

A defeat away to Tring for the men and a similar reverse for the ladies against Clarence Park could only offer the silver lining of highest winning rink honours for Janice Burke, Sheila Howling and Pam Smith in their 62-35 reverse.

There was better news against Hemel Hempstead in the Dacorum Shield, where Potten End claimed all five points with a 95-36 victory.

And against Bovingdon in the same competition, a 59-47 earned a similar five point haul.

Graham Floyd and Phil Bunting took part in the Watford & District Pairs final on Saturday afternoon, and after intense game were edged out by one shot after an extra end – and a measure – to Dave Richardson and Steve Davies from Kitcheners.

Potten End also travelled to Linslade on Sunday afternoon but lost 91-51.

Hemel Hempstead

After a wet weekend that resulted in cancellations, Bank Holiday Monday provided perfect weather for the club’s annual gala, with members competing for the prestigious George Deane Cup.

A good turnout meant that all six rinks were used by teams selected in an earlier draw.

All participants thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon and the trophy was won by the team of David Fleming, Daphne Bull, Don Connors and John Tierney, with 28 points.

Runners up were Ron Nash, Jeff Streeter, Roger Wakefield, and Brian Smith with 26.

Mrs Sheila Deane presented a large bottle of cognac for the spider prize and a £100 donation to the club’s supported charity.

The ladies played a close friendly at Chesham BC, losing 60-62. Top Hemel rink was Lyn Larkin, Sheila Ratley and Sheila Pell.

Fortunes were mixed in the Dacorum District Shield contests. Playing away to Bovingdon in a hard fought game, Hemel scored 64-52 which gave the team 4.5 points. Top rink went to Malcolm Smith, Joan Smith, Alan Bennitt and Geoff Ingleby.

Potten End proved tougher adversaries and after a good-spirited contest Hemel lost 36-95, with none of the rinks returning a positive result.

On Saturday in the Watford & District Men’s Triple final, Tony Young, Dieter Kinzelmann and John Tierney took on Garston at Herts BC, but ended runners up, losing 27-8.

Kitcheners

Kitcheners went to Little Gaddesden on Saturday in a four mixed triples match and won 85-59. Colin Starling, Roy Phipps and Yvonne Owens were highest triples.

On Saturday Dave Richardson and Steve Davis won the Watford & District Pairs against Potten End and Dave won the Officers Singles against Rowley Lane.

On Sunday 30 players took part in the Lady Captain’s Gala Day.

Steve Delderfield took third place, Colin Starling was second but the winner was Dave Richardson to complete a very good weekend.

Kings Langley and Southall, both unbeaten in the league this season, retained that status and shared the spoils after a Tuesday night draw which failed to produce a goal at either end.

Adam Hallissey provided some top quality crosses in a tight first half which deserved better than the sum total of a blocked Tom Carter shot while Southall struggled to threaten, a Jean-Claude Yabolia shot that brought a save from Ant Ladyman the best of their efforts.

Kings kept up the pressure in the second half and pressed hard for a breakthrough.

A shot from Lee Burgoyne and a scissors kick from Adam Hallissey were both saved, and then a Hallissey through ball to Tom Carter was turned just wide.

Carter then did everything right to unleash a shot that looked to have broken the deadlock but Jarrow pulled off a flying save and then saved with his feet from Connor Toomey.

A Shaun Owen swerving corner nearly found the top far corner direct and a Paul Insley shot on the run was narrowly wide.

Cyrus Vanterpool could have struck the sucker punch two minutes from time, but blazed over when well-placed and Kings had the final effort with a Burgoyne shot going close.

Leverstock Green FC Whites – who previously played as Leverstock Green Ladies U18s – limbered up for their 2013/14 campaign with a tournament win at Sandy.

In the opening game against Garston Ladies they dominated the 10 minutes each way match with Cally Salter scoring from an Emily Pimlott layoff after eight minutes before Emily herself doubled the lead just before half time when she turned, swivelled and shot from a Leigh Burrows set up.

Chloe Williams extended the lead further in the second half when the Garston goal keeper fumbled a speculative shot before Cally completed the rout with an exquisite lob from 25 yards.

The second match against Woburn Lionesses was an equally one sided affair.

Natasha pounced on a goal keeper error on just three minutes to poke the ball home from close range

Cally doubled the lead on 12 minutes when she made an scored an excellent goal after a mazy run in which she beat four players.

Another goalkeeper fumble saw Frankie Novelli pounce to make the scoreline 3-0 before sister Anna fired home the fourth with an excellent finish just before full time.

The third match was the usual tough encounter against St Martins where both sides cancelled each other out and chances were few and far between, with St Martins possibly having the clearer cut chances before a tense encounter finished 0-0.

Then it was on to another physical encounter against Bishops Stortford which was a very stop start affair with several players succumbing to injury and a total of seven minutes extra time being played.

The game was settled by a Chloe Williams wonder strike on seven, minutes when she volleyed the ball into the top right hand corner from all of 30 yards.

Green jointly topped the group with St Martins with three wins but won the competition thanks to their far superior goal difference.

Reports from around the clubs as the cricket season edges towards its conclusion

Radlett v Hemel Hempstead

In an end of season game against a team which has already been promoted, Hemel Hempstead were distinctly second best. Duncan Howard (3-29), Bretty Penny (3-59) and Nick Hodgins (2-35) kept Radlett to under five an over as they finished on 241 all out, but Hemel’s batting was not up to the chase. Penny (48) and Hem Ilangaratne (30) seemed to have set them on their way but then the order fell apart badly and the final wicket fell at 124.

Radlett win

Hemel Hempstead II v Baldock I

Facing a side which had already been relegated, Hemel Hempstead made heavy weather of recording the club’s only Saturday win on the penultimate weekend of the season. Batting first, the home side were floundering at 12-3 after six overs before Graham Clark (44), Liam Jahn (31) and Dave Mudd (31) helped them scrape to 203. Baldock also struggled and a marathon spell of spin from Bryan Davies who finished on 5-80 earned Hemel a narrow win.

Hemel Hempstead win

Hemel Hempstead III v Old Haberdashers

Mid-table Hemel had little to play for but Old Haberdashers were able to dig their way out of relegation bother with this narrow win. Scott Radcliffe was pick of the Hemel bowlers with 4-26 as Haberdashers posted 152, and in reply Hemel could only reach 146 with opener Aaron Wilson (37), Tom Waterton (33) and Anjam Khan (36) the highest scorers.

Old Haberdashers win

Hemel Hempstead IV v County Hall II

Hemel Hempstead need a win this weekend and results to go their way elsewhere to avoid the drop from Division 8. An opening partnership of 67 from Chris Nuttall (42) and Rahul Wickramsinghe (24) got them off to a good start but the batting fell away and they finished on 144. Matt Bateman’s 3-22 wasn’t enough to halt the County Hall challenge as they strolled home to win by four wickets.

County Hall II win

Hemel Hempstead V v Southgate Adelaide III

Hemel Hempstead posted 214-7 but still lost in the last over in a defeat that sees promotion-chasing Southgate nicely-placed in second as the season comes to a climax. Chris Wright (78) and Tony Linfot (42) led the way for Hemel, Harry Milkins recording 3-41 as the Hemel attack tried in vain to stem the Southgate run surge.

Southgate Adelaide win

Berkhamsted v Northwood Town

Andrew Joyce led the way as Berkhamsted posted an impressive 260-2, scoring 125 before being snared by a stumping. Doug Foster reached 68 and Ollie Chinneck added a useful 38 before Berkhamsted’s declaration. In reply Northwood were dismissed for 230 with Riaz Richards the pick of the Berkhamsted bowlers on 4-73

Berkhamsted win

Kings Langley round-up

Dunstable ended Kings Langley’s outside chance of promotion as with an 82-run win. Kings won the toss and decided to field but were left chasing 236 to win after the division leaders ended their innings on 235-9.

Kings failed to get to grips with the challenge and were bowled out for 153 in the 39th over.

Kings Langley II won their derby game against Boxmoor by 37 runs but had to wait until the penultimate ball for the victory.

Kings scored 236-9 off their 53 overs with Tony Morton scoring 76 and Tim Piper and Dave Houghton both adding 30.

Former Kings player Ross Bargeant took 4-55 for Boxmoor and top-scored for the visitors with 45. A.

Desai was the next highest scorer with 33 as they were eventually dismissed for 199. Duane Smith claimed 3-36, Dave Houghton 3-17 and Tony Morton 2-20.

Kings Langley III recorded a six wicket win over Northwood III but stay in fourth place, one point behind the team in the last promotion place. Northwood won the toss and decided to bat first and scored 153 all out in the 42nd over. Dave Percy and Gordon Sambidge both took four wickets and Mark Walker two.

Kings never looked in trouble as they chased down their target and secured the victory in the 35th over with Sifan Naeem scoring 50, Russell Knights 37 and George Hunt 20.

Kings Langley round-up

Abbots Langley have made a swift return back to Division 2 of the Saracens League, sealing promotion by seeing off Waltham Cross Rosedale by 10 wickets.

They need nine points from the last game to finish their campaign as champions.

Bowling first, Abbots turned the screw from the start, with Waltham Cross slumping to 3-3 and then 60-7.

Aussie star Chris Chellow, arguably the best player in the Division, made early inroads with 2-8, and then a pacy spell from Aiden Bryne (5-25) followed by Ibby Usman (2-20 saw Cross dismissed for a meagre 93.

Abbots showed no mercy when they started their innings. Barry Warner (33 not out) and Chellow (60 not out) may only have scored four off the first over but battered 75 runs to all parts of the ground over the next five overs.

The match ended with a massive six to take Abbots to 98-0 off only 10 overs to complete a perfect end for them and Mat Dunstone in his first season as captain.

Abbots Langley IIs said goodbye to their faint hopes of promotion after another defeat.

Their season has tailed off dramatically – after leading the table in mid season and looking good for a fop four place, a spell of six games without a win has dashed their dreams.

They fielded and bowled well in dismissing Waltham Cross Rosedale IIs for only 116, Andrew Rueth (3-14), Dom Smith (2-14) and Anish Koraya (2-11) doing the damage.

But then Abbots lost their first six wickets for 46 and although George Agius (41) and Koraya (10 not out) tried to steady the ship they were skittled out for a paltry 85.

Abbots Langley IIIs had been unbeaten for seven games,but Waltham Cross Rosedales IIIs ended that run.

Batting first and fielding a team with only three players over 18, the Abbots early batting fell apart and at 62-5 it looked bleak for them.

A patient undefeated innings of 49 from 13-year-old starlet Lewis Hodgins backed up by Clive Winder’s 38 put Abbots back on track and they ended on a respectable 166.

Sadly it was never going to be enough on a good track. Chris Theaker was the pick of the bowlers with 2-40, but Cross passed the total with loss of only four wickets.

Although Abbots Langley IVs had only suffered three defeats in their last 14 games, they were outplayed for most of the afternoon by a strong Waltham Cross IV outfit.

Graham Bell with a belligerent 45 and 32 from Bob Russell saw Abbots to an under par 133, as wickets fell regularly.

Bell starred with ball as well, taking 3-8, but with catches being dropped Cross took only 27 overs to reach their target and a convincing win, to leave Abbots safe in midtable, but with every reason to look forward to successful season next year.

Berkhamsted notched their sixth consecutive win on Tuesday night against a battling London Tigers side.

They made the perfect start by taking the lead in the fourth minute when a Josh Chamberlain corner was headed on by Ed Canham and Connor Calcutt was on hand to poke the ball in from close range

An impressive run by overlapping full back Dan Griggs was brought to a half when he was upended, with the home side awarded a penalty for the foul.

Visiting goalkeeper Jamie Adim tried to delay the kick and put his hand in the face of Chamberlain, who was waiting to take the penalty kick.

Adim was promptly sent off, but luckily for Tigers they had a keeper as a named substitute and Arlys Pampolim came on between the sticks and saved the spot kick.

A low shot from the recalled Adam Mead that slipped by the post was one of the few clear cut chances as the 10 men did well to hold on to the interval.

Yousef Slterefi had a chance to equalise when he was left clear after a Griggs miscue, but Carl Tasker made a great save.

Berkhamsted boss Micky Vipond decided to freshen things up bringing on Frankie Jowle, back from suspension, and James Towell and then gave a debut to James Bent, the former Leighton and Hemel player.

Jowle was soon in action on the end of a Towell cross.

The long overdue second goal came when Calcutt was played in by a fine through ball and he ran on to net his seventh goal in eight days with quarter of an hour remaining.

Towell was denied by a save after good work by Calcutt before Jowle created the third goal with a very inviting cross that Bent headed home powerfully to claim a goal on his debut.

The win moved Berko back up to fourth in the Premier division, with a game in hand on each of the top three teams.

On Saturday, internationals mean no Premier League games so it is Non-League Day and Berko are hoping it will boost the crowd for their home FA Vase tie with Hertford Town.

The old Berkhamsted Town club once reached the final at Villa Park of this prestigious national competition that is sponsored by Carlsberg. Everyone should be available to Mick Vipond for this important game.

Next Tuesday Berko have a home league game against Hillingdon Borough scheduled.

Hemel Hempstead Town climbed to the top of the table after their impressive start to the season continued with a 6-1 thrashing of a young Bedford Town team at fortress Vauxhall Road on Tuesday.

A David Hutton hat-trick, two goals for Ben Mackey and another from David King contributed to the rout and the luckless Eagles could only claim a consolation strike at the death.

Mackey opened the scoring in the 10th minute, calmly converting when through one on one with keeper Dan Green.

Hutton extended the lead, heading home on 36 minutes and then coolly converting at the back post to make in 3-0 in the second half.

King took advantage of slipshod Bedford defending to tap home the fourth, and despite keeper Green doing his best to keep them out there was more to come.

A tap-in for Mackey in the 88th minute capitalised on a poor clearance, before the Eagles claimed their consolation soon after.

The agony wasn’t over, though – Hutton completed his hat-trick in the second minute of stoppage time when he once more found space at the far post and carefully placed the ball into the net from four yards.

It wasn’t a mixed result when the Falcons netball club hosted a charity tournament on Saturday – the event has been voted a winner for both fun and fundraising.

Eight mixed teams battled it out on the day, with players each stumping up £10 to be involved, with Drink & Ball crowned as overall winners on the day.

Celebrations continued into the evening at Northchurch’s George & Dragon pub

Felicity Beadshaw, one of the organisers, said: “A big thanks to everyone involved – especially the Knox-Johnston courts at Berkhamsted School and the George & Dragon.

“Thank you to the Rex cinema, Zen hairdressers, Ashridge gym, Top Photography and Ciente salon for offering up raffle prizes.”

The tournament, which supports Rennie Grove Hospice Care as well as raising money to support club activities, will be back next year.

History will be made in Hemel Hempstead on Sunday when two of the latest additions to Rugby League’s professional ranks meet in the Kingstone Press Championship One play-off.

In their first season in the pro divisions, Hemel Stags and Oxford RL have both exceeded expectations in making the top six and both sides are now anticipating to their first taste of play-off rugby.

Just making the play-offs is massive according to Hemel coach Troy Perkins.

“It’s a great achievement from everyone involved in the club, the players, support staff and the coaches,” he said.

“Our goal at the start of the season was to make the play-offs and to qualify with three games remaining was massive for us.

“It’s been a long road. We started training three times a week in November and the boys have bought into what we’re doing.

“There’s been a lot of commitment from a lot of players along the way but we’ve achieved our first goal and now hopefully we can progress in the play-offs.

The excitement has been building all week, according to Perkins. “We trained earlier this week and the place was buzzing,” he said. “All the boys are really looking forward to it. Play-off footy is what we all play for.”

Their form hasn’t been great over the last few weeks, having been beaten by both London Skolars and Gateshead Thunder but Perkins is confident that his team will be at their best on Sunday and the fact that they beat Oxford 30-16 at Pennine Drive in August will give them confidence.

“We’re confident in our own ability and playing at home is a massive advantage for us,” he said.

“We’ve lost a couple of players recently through injuries and other reasons. Jermaine Coleman did his knee last Saturday in the team run and Mason Caton-Brown, who has been an important part of our team this season, went back to the London Broncos to make his Super League debut and will remain with the Broncos this week.

“Of the team that’s likely to play on Sunday, there are seven local juniors and 10 under the age of 21. It’s a young squad and they are going to improve over the years. They will learn from what we’ve done over the whole season and will learn from whatever we do on Sunday.”

With such an inexperienced squad has the approach to the play-offs been different? “I don’t think we’ll approach it much differently, we know we’re on our last chance.

“With those recent losses the boys knew in the back of their mind that it didn’t really matter but this week it will be sudden death. They don’t need reminding it’s do-or-die.”

Tickets for the game, which kicks off at 3pm, cost £12 for adults, £6 for concessions (U18s, Dacorum Card holders, over 60s) and £1 for U16s

Three players from Hemel Storm’s School of Excellence – Jack Burnell, Nick Allin and Elliott Beardsworth – have been selected for the U17 East Region team that will compete in the national regional tournament in Nottingham this weekend.

The trip caught the eye from the clutch of candidates from across Hertfs, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk who have been attending training camps throughout the summer.

The tournament will give national team coaching staffs the chance to identify and select players for their squads in preparation for competition in Europe.

East Region head coach Pete Charlwood said: “I have been really impressed by all three players from Hemel Storm. They have shown commitment and focus throughout the summer programme and fully deserve their selection.

“All three are an asset to the squad and they each bring a different strength. Jack brings a consistent outside threat that will stretch the opposition, Elliot brings tenacious on ball defence as well as a solid outside threat, and Nick is a strong ball handler and natural leader at the point guard position.

“I am hopeful that the boys will have a strong tournament and it’s especially exciting for Jack and Nick being a year young”.

Jack will again represent the East in the British Shooting competition that is staged at the tournament. Jack won the title previously as an U15 player.

David Allin, Storm’s youth programme manager and coach, said he was delighted that the Hemel lads had made the final cut.

He said: “All three players started with the Storm youth programme when we launched it just a couple of years ago and they’ve made terrific progress in a short time. I think the selections are recognition of the hard work that they’ve all put in and the skills that they’ve developed through our Club’s training environment.”

An impressive curled strike from full back George Tomlin was enough to see Tring Athletic through to the next round of the FA Vase.

Tomlin’s 74th minute goal against Eaton Manor in the first qualifying round of the competition proved the difference in a close-fought game in which both sides produced plenty of chances.

Athletic claims for a penalty after only three minutes after midfielder Trevor Gibbs was clattered in the area were waved away, and Greg Deer was off target with shots from the edge of the box.

The visitors could have taken the lead against the run of play when Manor’s Dan Crowie ran onto a chip over the Tring back line, but in form keeper Mike Underwood made a great point blank save.

Soon after the break Jack Sunderland burst through Manor’s defence but keeper Wilkinson Boateng managed to save with one hand.

With an hour gone, Manor came closest to ending the stalemate when Kevin Bondjango’s shot beat keeper Underwood but Stuart Steadman was on hand to clear off the line.

Then Deer and Tomlin put together a neat move down the right which ended with Tomlin’s curler into the top corner to take the lead.

There was a nervous moment soon after when Manor’s Michael Castle appeared to be tripped well inside the area by Tomlin, but again the appeals for a spot kick were ignored.

Dacorum & Tring Athletics and Road Running Club has again been recognised as an outstanding sports club, receiving the England Athletics ‘Accredited Club’ status for the second consecutive three-year cycle.

The club was first awarded Clubmark status in 2010 in recognition of the high standards of coaching, training, administration and child welfare it provides.

Karen Stephanou of England Athletics presented the renewed Clubmark certificate at the Dacorum & Tring AC HQ at the Sportspace athletics track at Hemel Hempstead’s Jarman Park.

The Clubmark status is part of the only national sports quality accreditation scheme, and ensures that accredited clubs operate to a set of consistent, accepted and adopted standards.

The club is open to athletes of all abilities from age 10 and up interested in all track-based events as well as cross-country, while the Dacorum & Tring AC Road Runners section welcomes runners of all abilities aged 16 and over.

Training takes place every Tuesday and Thursday from 6.30pm at the Sportspace track.

The club is hosting an open evening from 6.30pm to 8.30pm on Thursday, September 19, and all are welcome for an evening of athletics and road running.

Special guests on the night include the Mizuno Road Show Tech Truck, offering free gait analysis, 3D imaging and try-ons, Berkhamsted Sports sportswear and footwear specialists and registered physiotherapist Martin Storrie.

Tring Hockey Club is looking to build on a memorable season which saw the ladies first XI and men’s second XI both winning promotion.

The club’s reputation throughout the age ranges was reinforced with a number of men representing their country at over 50 or above, and junior players making the most of development opportunities at county level.

With the new season about to start, the club is on the lookout for players and volunteers to help develop the club further.

The club’s Chris Hartley said: “We are on the hunt for players of all ages, from seven to 75+, and of all abilities.

“With five mens teams including vets and super vets squads and three ladies teams there is plenty of opportunity for anyone wanting to play.

“We also run a junior section for players aged seven and up, who train every Sunday morning at Tring School astroturf and play in a number of tournaments throughout the year.

“The colts section, for school Year 9 and above, trains on a Wednesday night and we run a number of age-based teams for them.

“In addition, we have brought in professional coaches at every training session we run this year to help develop those skills further.

“It promises to be an exciting season, so why not give hockey a try? You are never too young or old to start and if you haven’t played hockey for a while, then simply dust off your hockey stick and get hitting those balls.

“Of course, it is not all about sport. The club also has a vibrant social life with events planned through the season. And of course after the match, the teams head back to the clubhouse to discuss the finer points of the game over some food and drink.”

Anyone wanting further information should visit www.tringhockeyclub.org or email cnsh@hotmail.co.uk

A weakened Kings Langley side crashed out of the FA Vase at the first hurdle as they were finally beaten for the first time in open play this season, seen off 3-1 by a Colney Heath side who took a three goal lead by half time and never looked in trouble.

With Joe Gallagher again playing deep, Kings carried little threat up front, but held Heath in check for the first 25 minutes.

But when Kieran Weekes cut in and shot from the right, the defensive frailties were revealed and Terry Caswell helped the ball over the line.

A very good turn and thumping shot from Dave Parkinson would have beaten any keeper for the second and when young stand-in keeper Josh Sear suffered a moment of indecision, Parkinson exploited it to put the game beyond reach in a disastrous 12 minutes.

A Ricardo Bailey lob over the bar with the keeper beaten was Kings’ sole first half response, but with the introduction of Kenny Adeshigbin at centre forward they at least made a game of the second half.

Consolation came towards the end as Colney keeper Tom Blackman made a hash of a clearance at the extreme left of his area and Gallagher swung the ball back into the middle for skipper Gary Connolly to head home while under pressure.

Even allowing for the loss of five first team regulars, it was a poor display and one that was best to get out of the system before next week’s FA Cup tie at Wealdstone.

Three goals in extra time provided the thrills as Berkhamsted extended their winning run to seven games on the spin, dumping Hertford Town out of the FA Vase in the process.

On-fire marksman Connor Calcutt claimed two more strikes including the winner in the tight 3-2 victory, but it looked touch and go when the visitors edged into the lead in the first period of extra time.

Manager Mick Vipond gambled on fresh legs and a more attacking formation to rescue the tie, and he was rewarded when his side equalised through skipper Dan Griggs with five minutes left and then Calcutt made it nine goals in four games two minutes from time.

The Broadwater crowd had to wait until the second half for goals, despite plenty of effort on both sides.

Ed Canham was a threat when he came up for corner kicks at the railway end and just before the break Carl Tasker produced his best save to keep out a free kick from Mark Summers.

After the restart Josh Chamberlain shot wide when clear at the back post for the Comrades, while for Hertford skipper Anthony Anstead hit the post when he spotted Tasker off his line.

Berkhamsted got their noses in front on the hour mark when Frankie Jowle broke and squared for Calcutt to continue his purple patch by sweeping the ball home.

The equaliser came when a Jamie Gavin deflection left Tasker stranded and the ball looped in at the back post.

At the other end a probing Lewis Rodrigoe free kick was met by Jamie Gavin whose header was just over the bar.

As the game went into extra time there was little to separate the sides, but then Hertford centre half Tommy Wade came up from defence and put the visitors in front as the clock ticked down on the first period.

Mick Vipond sent on Ashley Morrissey and Bekim Culaj for their first appearances of the season and gambled on a more attacking formation.

After skipper Griggs swept home the equaliser he put the ball in the net again only to be denied by an offside flag. Culaj put a shot wide as Berkhamsted went all out for the winner.

Calcutt’s decider came when his shot beat Harry Ricketts from a fine pass from the right wing by the speedy breaking Culaj. .

The victory has earned the Comrades a home tie against Buckingham Town in the next round, on Saturday, September 21.

Berkhamsted are back in league action against Hillingdon Borough on Tuesday night, when they will look to consolidate their fourth place in the Premier division table.

It’s back to cup action on Saturday with a trip to Daventry Town, who have a 100 per cent league record in the Calor League Central. Supporters are welcome on the team coach which leaves Broadwater at 11.15am on Saturday. The cost for will be £10.

If a replay is needed it will be at Broadwater on Tuesday, September 17 replacing the league trip to Oxhey Jets.

There’s also a Suburban League match at Broadwater on Saturday with Berkhamsted entertaining Tring Athletic reserves, kicking off at 3pm.

On Thursday night Berkhamsted’s U18s won 5-1 at home to Hillingdon. Kai Lewis opened the scoring in the seventh minute and Jay Caines doubled the lead after 18 minutes.

Keeper Liam Pereira got a yellow card when he conceded a penalty which Hillingdon scored to make it 2-1 at half time. Berko were on top throughout the game and it was no surprise when Caines got a third and substitute Brad Turner bagged a brace at the canal end. On Wednesday the U18s have their third home game on the trot, when they entertain the early division leaders Colney Heath.

In their first season as a semi-pro club the Stags have made it through to the second round of the Championship 1 play-offs after a tense thriller at Pennine Way.

The 30-26 encounter was tight from start to finish, and it was only a last ditch piece of doughty defence by Jack Molloy that kept the home side’s lead intact at the whistle.

Opponents Oxford kicked off but Hemel got on the scoreboard first, prop James Howitt forcing an offside on six minutes which BJ Swindells kicked for two points.

Oxford took the lead against a nervous-looking home defence on 17 minutes, full back Jonny Leather going over in the corner and converting the try himself.

And the visitors went further ahead soon after, thanks a string of handling errors by the home side which allowed Kenny Calladine to crash through under the posts with Leather again on target with the conversion.

With five minutes of the half remaining, a kick by Youngs on the last tackle saw former Leigh player James Hill outjump everyone to catch the ball and drop down over the line and reduce the arrears, Swindells spot on with a difficult conversion.

The Oxford defence cracked again just before the break when Eddie M’Baraga powered over for a trademark try, with the subsequent Swindells kick making it 14-12 at the break.

Oxford lost influential hooker John Clough to injury but they were still up for it, regaining the lead by kicking early in the set and scoring in the corner,

Five minutes later they scored a replica try to give themselves a six point lead, but both conversions were missed and that proved costly at the final reckoning.

Half way through the second half Hemel’s Mike Forgham broke from his tackler and raced 50 yards before Molloy just managed to reach the line with his outstretched hand and a Swindells kick levelled the scores.

Hemel were on the front foot now, and a quick ball to the right found Aiden Pritchard, who spun out of the tackle for a try.

Hemel completed their scoring when Harry Mostyn went in at the left corner, and Swindells again made the difficult kick.

Oxford rallied and piled on the pressure, and when winger Shaun Robinson was fed from a scrum to find the line and Alex Thompson kicked the points there were only four points separating the two sides.

Stags tried to run the clock down with possession rugby but with two minutes left a kick through bounced up into the grateful hands of Oxford’s Shaun Robinson who set off to run the 70 metres to the Hemel line.

Molloy gave chase and nobody gave the big loose forward much of a chance of catching the speedy winger, but somehow he managed it and Hemel held firm during the ensuing tackles to seal a famous win.

Facing SSML Division 1 side Winslow United in the FA Vase, Leverstock Green came within minutes of victory but faded badly in extra time to end up on the wrong end of a 6-3 scoreline.

Home side Winslow took the lead from the penalty spot after 13 minutes but Green were quickly back on terms, Stewart King cannily converting past an onrushing keeper.

Winslow piled on the pressure looking to regain the lead, but Green held firm and attacked on the break.

After the restart Winslow striker Vincent Shrieves began to make an impact after being well-controlled in the first period. In the 66th minute his free kick seemed a certain score but a superb Nigel Wharton save kept the sides level.

Heavy rain and a slippery pitch began to play their part, but the game was still finely poised.

12 minutes from time Connor Deadman advanced with the ball, and after his effort was cleared it fell nicely for Jon Davies to smash home and put Green 2-1 up..

Six minutes from time a Winslow corner caused confusion in the Green box and somehow the ball was bundled over the line to force extra time.

Winslow rattled in three quick goals before Green really knew what had hit them, and although Mark Shadbolt managed to reduce the arrears there was one further Winslow strike to come to put the result beyond doubt.

The Vauxhall Road faithful had to wait until early in the second half before Dean Brennan’s team finally broke down a determined St Neots outfit which according to the form book should have been easy meat for the high-flying Tudors.

But after six wins on the spin and a victory that puts them at the top of the league table, hopes are high that Saturday’s FA Cup clash with St Margaretsbury could be the start of something special.

Lewis Toomey, Ben Mackay and David Pearce all threatened before the break and when St Neots did start to push forward there was little to furrow the brows of the well-drilled Hemel defence, with Moussa Diarra and Kieran Murphy combining impressively.

A lucky bounce on edge of the box after 51 minutes finally gave the Tudors an opening, with David Hutton supplying the through ball that set Toomey up for an emphatic finish.

St Neots could have got back on terms when Ryan Sharman found space on the edge of the box as a corner came out to him, but his effort went high and wide.

Hemel moved up a gear, with Ollie Thorne going close with a header from a Pearce cross and Hutton seeing his drive after a Pearce shot was blocked being tipped over by the Saints keeper.

It seemed only a matter of time before the home side made the game safe, a Mackay shot also being well-saved with Pearce just failing to get to the loose ball.

The killer goal on 78 minutes was almost a carbon copy of the first, with Hutton finding Toomey who planted a drive confidently into the corner.

Hutton could have scored himself when Thorne’s clever back heel split the Saints defence but once again Conroy saved.

A parabadminton player from Potten End has hit a clean sweep after retaining his singles, men’s doubles and mixed doubles titles in the Welsh leg of the Four Nations tournament.

Martin Rooke, 40, of Hedgeside, competed in the Cardiff event over the weekend and returned with three gold medals. He is currently ranked world number one at the sport, which he took up just 21/2 years ago after an accident in 2006 left him mostly wheelchair-bound.

Martin is now preparing to enter the sport’s World Championships in Dortmund, Germany in November.

He said: “That is what I’m gearing up for now – I’m training as hard as I can twice a day, five days a week. I’m hoping to do as well as I possibly can.”

Martin is still seeking sponsors to help with the cost of competing. For more details email mart1705@hotmail.co.uk.