Having temporarily assumed editorship of the Bulletin, it is disappointing to have to begin my first offering with the very sad news that Herbert Clarke, a member for nearly 60 years, died last week. What impressed me about Herbert was the way he lived life to the full and retained a youthful outlook  on life right to the end. The fact that he played for 10 minutes in a game just two seasons ago, when in his late seventies, speaks volumes about the man. Indeed he was playing regularly for the 5th XI only a decade ago and always tried to make an appearance on the pitch every year for some years after that. I remember travelling to a 5th XI game about ten or twelve years ago and stupidly I took up an offer from Herbert, who had just taken delivery of a new car, of a lift to the game. Herbert informed me that he had been forced to trade the old one in because it didn't have enough oomph and that the 2 litre injection version was more his sort of car. He then took me on a breakneck trip across south London at speeds Nigel Mansell would have been proud of.

Herbert's funeral will be on February 6th at 10.30am at the Christ Church, Victoria Road, Erith. Hopefully we can give an old friend a good send off, particularly as Herbert left a sum for all his friends to have "a bloody good party". As usual JB has written a fitting epitaph to one of the great charachters of the Club and a copy accompanies this bulletin.

OTHER NEWS

On a lighter note is an incident from last Saturday's 1st XI game against Bognor is worth recounting : It was an icy cold afternoon and in the final minutes the umpire gave the last of a number of confusing decisions which prompted Danny Mitchell to suggest that he might be better off umpiring a netball game. Shrill blast on whistle - "Over here you !" - shouted the umpire, fumbling in his pockets. Fortunately for Danny his hands were too numb for him to sort out his yellow card and as he said afterwards : "By the time I'd found it I had calmed down so I just told him to shut up."

Bar News : At the time of writing, the bar is getting close to completion so with any luck we might be in there by the first weekend in February.... Look out for details of forthcoming social events to celebrate the opening properly.

Finance : Whilst the new bar facilities will be very welcome, the months of building work have meant that the season's bar income is well down on budget and consequently the Club has been forced to ask Captains to increase the match fees for the time being. In addition I would urge those players that still haven't paid their annual subscription to do so immediately.

MATCH REPORTS

1ST XI  v Bexleyheath won 3-2 (Moat, A.Couves, Layton)
After a 5 week Christmas break, the 1st team began in a New Year spirit. An extreme miscarriage of justice saw the captain sent off, during which time 2 goals were conceded. Half-time didn't come too soon and after a pleasant team talk by Brad the team went out determined to put things right : Moat crossed the bridge - their keeper - and "badooomed" a short corner in. At one down, Blackheath started to take control with Mingle missing a sitter. Things were righted when a truly phenomenal goal was scored by the skipper. Stout defending from Neil and Polu ensured that Blackheath were able to win with an exquisite strike from "our lad" Jez..
 v Brighton won 3-2 (Moat, J.Couves 2)
Not one of the side's better performances but 3 points in the bag thanks mainly to a brilliant penalty stroke save by Rob Thompson and some timely tackles by Ravi. Alex scored from a short corner (having had several practice attempts earlier) - John Couves converted a stroke then scored from what was the best move of the game involving Polu, Brownie, Nim and finally John putting the ball into the roof of the net.
 v Canterbury (Kent Cup) lost 1-6 (Moat)
A brave attempt by Blackheath in the end produced a result that rather flattered the National League high-flyers. Our boys started very defensively albeit successfully against a fairly relentless Canterbury attack and it was some 25 minutes before the opposition got their first goal from a rather fortuitous penalty stroke. It was clear they were getting somewhat rattled by then which had prompted the sending off of a Canterbury player for a very reckless challenge. We couldn't capitalise on this but continued to soak up pressure and some fine work by Rob in goal and several goal-line clearances by Ravi kept it to just the one goal deficit at half-time. The second half saw Blackheath push forward in an attempt to get an equaliser. Unforunately this left gaps at the back and Canterbury soon added a second goal and soon after a third thanks to a very undeserved short corner. Then, to much delight amongst the throng of Blackheath supporters, we earned and converted our first short corner of the game. Buoyed by this, Blackheath pushed forward again and for a time it was Canterbury who were having to defend. Sadly though a breakaway goal knocked the stuffing out of our lads, heads went down and Canterbury capitalised with two further strikes.
 v Bognor won 3-2
No report received.

2ND XI v Weybridge Hawks won 2-0 (A.Bartlett, o.g.)
Moderate result that flattered the opposition.
 v Dulwich lost 0-3
Lacklustre performance. Blackheath failed to capitalise on the chances they created especially in the first half. Dulwich took theirs - enough said. Looking forward to next week. (Not for long - ed)
 v Beckenham lost 0-4
No report received.

3RD XI v Guildford won 1-0
Sub-zero temperatures were lifted for 70 minutes on a Saturday afternoon by a white-hot 3rd XI side with some 'liquid' play instigated by Richard 'The Visionary' Cleall. The Kent Connection and Pat strung together some 'play maker passes' and produced a goal of orgasmic proportions from Jez. Rob 'the Space Cadet' Thompson made some inspired saves (although inspired by what is unknown).
 v Old Kingstonians won 1-0 (Gainey)
With wins against Guildford and OK's the 3's are in a threatening position behind the top 3. No doubt in the New Year things will be reversed. Neverthless 5 wins out of 9 games this year is our best pre-Christmas session for a long time. Thanks to the umpires and non third XI players who have helped out in our hour of need.

Heathens v Old Loughtonians lost 2-3 (Talbot 2)
A really enjoyable game in which the Heathens played the first 20 minutes with only 9 players but with a bit of luck could easily have earned a deserved draw. Old Loughts struck twice before half time but then a great fight back after the break led to two goals from James to level the score. Thanks to David Hardwick the game was a mostly good natured encounter, despite the best efforts of the Old Loughts umpire to turn it into a pantomime. Disappointingly we let them back in towards the end and they snatched a late winner. Man of the match was Alex playing his first game as centre half, with good performances from James and Craig.
 v Dulwich lost 0-2
Having lost the away fixture against Dulwich 12-1, it was with some trepidation that the Heathens approached this game - particularly as they were having to field a kicking-back. However it soon became clear that we'd improved significantly since then or, more likely, the Dulwich side on this occasion was not carrying as many 'ringers'. Defensively we were pretty solid and Colin had a great game as makeshift 'keeper. Sadly though the forwards showed signs that they'd enjoyed the Christmas break rather too well and failed to create many chances.
 v Beckenham lost 1-3 (Silk)
The Heathens welcomed newcomer Phil and returnee Duncan for the game on a cold afternoon at the club. Indeed it was Duncan who was instrumental in the goal which saw us take the lead after 10 minutes. Therafter it was backs to the wall as Beckenham pushed forward with increasing urgency. It was unfortunate that they equalised when our defense stopped playing following a blatant feet which went unnoticed by an otherwise good opposition umpire. After that we never regained the initiative but despite that it was an enjoyable game played in good spirits.

5th XI v Wallington II lost 2-3 (C.Couves, Heath)
A new year, a new team, a new result - we lost ! After 20 minutes, Couves converted a short, they converted a long. The second half was fiercely contested. Wallington went 2-1 up; we equalised from an opportunistic goal from Heath. Sadly we went down 2-3 and spent the last 20 minutes dominating the game but failing to equalise. Couves hit the post from a p.flick; Cobb (S) put a chance just wide. A really enjoyable game in which all the youngsters contributed their best hockey.
 v Burnt Ash won 2-1
No report received but young Cobb played particularly well up front apparently.

5ths/Vets/Heathens v Tunbridge Wells lost 0-2
It was soon clear that despite the impending festive season, there wasn't much Christmas cheer and goodwill amongst the Tunbridge Wells 'so called' 5th XI. At 2.15 with the rain beating down, only eight Blackheath players had arrived. Roddy explained the situation to their captain hopeful of a player to even things up. Not a bit of it. "Oh we're carrying a few players" their captain replied. Happily a ninth man arrived and the game started but before long it was very clear that TW were 'carrying' at least three first XI players and a twelth man in the guise of an umpire. Thanks to a muddy pitch and a good defensive performance, we were able to keep it respectable - at least as far as the score was concerned.