Eating Turf #1

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ISSUE

ALL THE SPORTS, ALL THE TIME

Surf and Turf: Rowing, Badminton, Motorcross and more

REGULARS

EATING TURF // AUTUMN 2012

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REGULARS

ISSUE 1: 11 OCTOBER '13

CONTENTS An idiot’s guide

american football

p7

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Reed shows the right way to finish on top

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Squash captain disappointed with timetabling

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An idiot’s guide to: American Football

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badminton boys aim to net promotion

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sholing fans shouting their team to glory

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play-offs still within reach

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sharman helps solent out of a spot of bother

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itchen itching to show who was best

EATING TURF // AUTUMN 2012

FEATURES

Reed shows the right way to finish on top

EATING TURF // AUTUMN 2012

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FEATURES

Amateur motocross riders descended on Owslebury for the latest Twinshocks and Evo races this past weekend, which saw Scott Reed claim overall honours in dominant fashion.

Christoher Ashby

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he picturesque Hampshire circuit had the sun shining down on it as the 21-year-old took a victory and a brace of second place finishes on his Suzuki 500cc.

The 2013 season has been one of frustration for Reed who has been trying to find the right bike as well as continuing his recuperation from a severe knee injury.

After a brief practice session around the high octane track, which is based next to a farm, it was straight into five-lap sprint races which tested all riders fitness as well as their technical ability. For Reed, the day couldn’t have got off to a better start.

“I got a decent start,” the 21-year-old said. “Luckily for me a few riders had some problems and I was able to move into second, then I just got my head down and chased the leader down.

“Once I caught him it didn’t take me long to see where he was strong and where he wasn’t so when the opportunity came I had to take it.

From there I was happy with the win.”

With a sizeable gap between races, Reed remained focused on his task and so nearly made it two from two after running winner Norman Emery on his Maico 490 close to the line.

Reed explained: “I had a bad start and was about ninth which meant I had to work my way through the traffic. I made a few mistakes but 5

luckily a few other riders did when they went offline so I kept plugging away and dug deep which allowed me to put a charge on for the lead.

“Coming into the last lap I had a good run on the lead rider but just ran out of time and had to settle for second. Had there been another lap I think I would have been able to pass him and taken another win.”

As the gate dropped for the final race of the day, the Staines-based rider agonisingly missed out on the hole shot, leaving him prone to the debris kicked up by those in front.

With the laps ticking by, Reed soon started to make his way through the field as fitness began to tire many – leaving it between the Suzuki rider and Paul Webb, on KSI 480, to battle for the final victory.

Reed said: “Race three was much the same as the second moto, but this time I had a decent start and was third. I took a bit of time to get into second and then I slowly reeled the leader in on the last lap but just run out of room and run out of time.

“To win the overall in the class was good though, was just a shame I couldn’t have taken three victories.”

It is a quick turnaround for Reed now as attention turns to the Dorset Classic this coming weekend.

Owslebury hosts their next Twinshock and Evo’s meeting on October 27.  EATING TURF // AUTUMN 2012

FEATURES

Squash captain disappointed with timetabling Solent squash captain Callum Greasley expects a tough season after discovering that university time-tabling will stop key players being regularly involved.

Joe Thomlinson The university attempts to timetable Wednesdays as a free day for sports but are not always able to do this due to clashes.

Greasley said: “There are only two or three of us that actually get Wednesdays off due to sports degrees.

“We would like the university to try to be more flexible and let people with Wednesday lectures play, or at least give everyone Wednesday afternoons off.”

Alongside the poor timetabling Greasley believes that the club’s facilities are holding them back.

The squash club is only allowed one court on a Monday for training due to overcrowding at the leisure centre.

The loss of time available to players on the court is a real concern to the new captain.

Greasley said: “The court standards are pretty poor, especially one of them. The fact that we don’t get both courts for training does hamper us.”

However, Greasley does accept that funding cannot be handed out without thought.

He said: “We would like better courts but understand that many other clubs do want funding too so it’s not possible.

“The university is going to concentrate on the teams that are doing the best and obviously the squash club isn’t the strongest so they concentrate on the football, EATING TURF // AUTUMN 2012

which is.”

Despite the poor facilities and lack of training time Greasley is of the opinion the team should improve on last year’s results.

“I am hoping we have a good league season and at least win our first round in the cup.” He said.

Matt Lisk

Nathaniel Holland speaks to Matt Lisk.

Matt Lisk is aiming for an injury-free campaign this season to improve his own game and help the Solent squash team improve from last season’s bottom-of--the -table finish.

Lisk, 19, struggled with a few niggling injuries throughout last season and aims to stay fit to help Solent have a better season in the BUCs league this year.

The Live and Studio Sound student says that he is confident that, when fit, he can beat anyone on his day; “There was limited chance to do 6

pre-season and I just need to get fitter.

“I know that at my top fitness I can give anyone in this league a run for their money but at the moment I’m not even close to full fitness.

“With a full team, we can really do some damage this season and last season there were games that we should have won but we struggled to field a full team some weeks.

“This year there is no reason why we shouldn’t be in and around the top spot in the league.”

The second year had a good season last year and has been rewarded with the responsibility of captaining the team this year.

The Leicester-born player is also confident of the team’s chances ahead of the season opener next week.

The new captain said: “If we can get a top three finish I will be very pleased and then hopefully a little run in the cup as well so we can show what we can do.

“Personally I just want to improve as much as I can. Last year I lost three games and I want to better that this time round.

“Hopefully I will be playing at number 1 or 2 again this season so of course I am expecting some tough matches, but I don’t want to lose more than I did last season.”

Solent face the University of Bristol second team at St Marys sports hall on Wednesday 16th October at 2pm. 

FEATURES

An Idiot’s Guide to:

Terry Mayers ne of the most frustrating experience’s I face as an avid follower of all things sport is the Super Bowl weekend.

As my friends and family book the following Monday off work and stock up on caffeine substances to get them through, I find myself feeling a little left out.

This is not for the want of trying.

I’ve tried desperately to learn the rules from my closest associates but to no avail.

It’s now time to confess that when it comes to American Football I’m an idiot.

However, thanks to our very own Solent Redhawks team player Alex Mann, I was given an idiot’s guide to the Yanks’ national sport.

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AIM OF THE GAME The aim of the game is to move the ball towards the other team’s zone.

This can be achieved by running with the ball until tackled, or throwing the ball down-field to a team mate.

SCORING Touchdown (6 Points): This is achieved when a team passes the opposition’s goal line with the ball.

Field Goal (3 Points): This is when a player kicks the ball through the opposition’s posts.

Extra Points (1 Point): Similar to a rugby conversion a player can score an extra point, after a touchdown by kicking the ball through the opposition’s posts. (Note an extra point can also be scored by taking the ball in the end zone again.)

Safety (2 Points): Awarded when a defensive player successfully tackles an opposing attacking player in his end zone.

DOWNS Ever wondered what the markings on the pitch every ten or so yards were for?

This to so the attacking team can move the ball forward in chunks of ten yards or so.

Each attempt to move the ball forward is a down; either side is given four downs to move the ball forward.

If they fail they must surrender the ball to the opposition if they are successful however, their four downs begin again.

POSITIONS Like our very own English version of football there are eleven positions on the pitch.

The Offence: These players attempt to move the ball forward in order to score points, the key man is labelled the ‘’quarter-back’’.

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This is because the quarterback can run with the ball, hand it to a running back or move the ball downfield.

The Defence: The defence do exactly that: defend their end zone from being entered by the opposition.

Defensive players usually resemble your archetypical NFL player with bulging muscles and powerful pecs.

They need powerful physiques to stop the runs of the opposition and shut down the opposing quarter -back passes.

Hopefully, like me, you will now be feeling a little more confident that you can join in the fun, on the Super Bowl weekend next February.  EATING TURF // AUTUMN 2012

FEATURES

Badminton Boys Aim to Net Promotion Captain Phil Turrell admits this year’s British University and College Badminton campaign will still be as tough as ever, but retains huge ambitions for Team Solent’s chances this forthcoming season.

Dan Church

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uffering heartbreak in the form of relegation from the Western 2A Division last campaign having gone the entire academic year without a win, Turrell is upbeat about the team’s chances for an instant return after being condemned to the third-tier.

When asked about his side’s prospect of success for the upcoming season, the 21 yearold answered: “We have big, big ambitions. Obviously we came down unfortunately last year, but with a strengthened squad this year were looking to go back up.

“We’ve got some tough away games, some long trips and a nice little home game against Winchester as well.

“Quite a tough league, but we’re looking to do quite well. And obviously from a personal view as well we’re looking to win most weeks. Quite high expectations.”

The Western 3A Division provides new surroundings for Team Solent, with the daunting task of long away trips to Welsh Universities such as Cardiff, Swansea, Newport and Aberstwyth. University of West

EATING TURF // AUTUMN 2012

England (Bristol) and Winchester complete the line-up for this year’s league competition.

Alongside brand new opponents comes an injection of fresh faces into the badminton squad, with a handful of new first year members selected amongst the team’s ranks.

With former squad member Martin Fox being Solent’s only casualty this term having graduated from Southampton Solent this summer, Captain Turrell was impressed with a first-look at the fresher’s talent.

One absentee meant Turrell had to sit alongside new coach Steve Smith in Monday’s first training session since the turn of the new semester, in order to assess which newbies would make the final squad cut of eleven players.

Eventually brand new first year’s Craig Chalmers, Josh Tunstall, Liam Bellingham and Cameron Perrier were selected amongst the carefully chosen members to represent Solent in the BUC’s league this season; something Turrell didn’t expect to change during pre-season.

“I wasn’t expecting world8

class players, but we’ve got some good strong players. Especially in the squad, and we’re looking to strengthen the double pairs.

“So yeah, quite pleased. Better than I expected.” Turrell added.

Solent finished the last campaign on a high despite going the entire season winless, picking up their first point of the campaign with a credible 4-4 draw at home to University of the West (Bristol) back in March.

However Turrell, who studies Applied Sports Science, is hoping to go one better and seal an opening day victory when Solent host Cardiff Metropolitan University Men’s 1st on Wednesday 16 October; due to start at 14:00 in East Park Terraces sports hall.

Questioned whether he thought Solent were ready for their curtainraising clash at home to Cardiff, Turrell replied: “At this moment in time, possibly not 100% ready but we’re definitely getting there.

“The selections are being made now, the squads being constructed.

Definitely looking for a good opening to the season and hopefully a good win to start.” 

FEATURES

Sholing fans shouting their team to glory

the end of the season the whole place was buzzing and the name stuck.

“We are becoming quite famous.

There’s no atmosphere like Sholing in the local area. 

5 Minutes With...

Sholing fans have made quite a racket down at Portsmouth Road over the last nine months.

Joe Watson

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wo Boatmen followers, Sean Whelan and Mick Travers, have been the root cause of the noise with their incessant and fanatical chanting when supporting their team last season.

The trend caught on and the pair branded themselves ‘The Ultras’ after showing a resemblance to the fanatical supporters’ group of AS Roma.

Armed with nothing more than light-hearted banter and a cluster of chants, the Sholing’s equivalent are far from any match-day skirmishes.

The Ultras’ numbers have been growing and they receive free admission into Sholing’s home matches worth around £250, providing they exercise their vocals cords.

Their passion and humorous antics are welcomed by manager Dave Diaper who feels the added noise is beneficial to his team.

He said: “They are like the extra

man and have pulled us through a few games.

“Where ever we have been over the last six months, the Ultras have made their presence known.

“They come up with some great chants and add to the atmosphere.

“We’ve always had a decent base of supporters but now they are even more vocal.

“The door is open to anyone who wants to be an Ultra.

“It’s free entry for them providing they sing for their supper”.

Co-founder Whelan recalls the bitter December evening it all started and believes they are making a name for themselves.

He said: “It was freezing and Sholing went a goal down against Newport so we started singing.

“The following week against Frome Town we started singing again and as the season went on we started making up songs.

“The team started to win and by 9

Jack Stephens Date of Birth: 27/01/94 Hometown: Torpoint Earliest sporting memory: Michael Owen goal against Argentina at France ‘98 Best sporting memory: Sergio Aguero’s goal to win the league for Manchester City in 2012.

Worst sporting memory: Leeds getting relegated from the prem.

Sporting Idol: Kevin Sinfield or Roger Federer.

Favourite hobby away from football: Tennis Girl you’d most like to take out: Nicole Scherzinger, for sure Bloke you’d most like to take out: Ricky Gervais Favourite sporting venue: Elland Road Favourite film: Deja Vu Favourite music artist: David Guetta And finally, why do you love football? Because it’s just such an unpredictable game.

Interview by Luke Osborne EATING TURF // AUTUMN 2012

FEATURES

EATING TURF // AUTUMN 2012

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FEATURES

PLAY-OFFS STILL WITHIN REACH Team Solent Men’s Basketball Coach Sylvan Donneaud still believes his side can finish in a top five position despite back-to-back defeats in the National League Division Three.

Luke Weston & Andy Lawon

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olent lost 74-67 to London Greenhouse Pioneers last Saturday at St. Mary’s but the coach still feels he has the squad to finish in the play-offs.

Donneaud, who has been coach of Team Solent for five years, said: “It’s a long season. We’ve lost two out of two so far but we still have 20 games to play.

“Realistically I’d like to finish in the top five.

“There are eleven teams in the league so we know it will be tough.”

Team Solent edged the first quarter 29-24 over the Pioneers but the visitors settled down in the second quarter and started to take control of the game.

‘The Suns’ trailed by five points going into the final quarter and then nine points with only a few minutes to go but they couldn’t find the next gear, which was something Donneaud was keen to point out.

“We stayed in contact all game by 7-9 points and then were only three behind going into the last minute.

“I’m more disappointed we didn’t step up and raise the intensity especially at home when we have the crowd with us, pushing for us to get the points to go ahead.”

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“I’d like to finish in the top five” Defensively Solent struggled with their opponents able to get inside on numerous occasions, which was a worry for the Frenchman.

“They had a lot of easy looks inside and offensive rebounds which we will need to work on defensively.

“We need to make sure we stop easy baskets because every time they score it stops us playing our high tempo game.”

It was also clear to see a height difference in the sides, which can be a major disadvantage with Team Solent being restricted to only shooting outside.

Donneaud who both played and coached in Chamonix highlighted this and how vital it is especially for Team Solent.

“When you have a small team, it’s important to shoot well otherwise you’re going to be in trouble; so we will have to shoot well to stay in every game.”

Up next for Solent is a trip to Canary Wharf London Lituancia this Sunday with a 2.15pm start.  EATING TURF // AUTUMN 2012

FEATURES

Sharman helps Solent out of a spot of bother Alex Barnes

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ubstitute goalkeeper Karl Sharman was the hero for Team Solent’s reserves with two penalty saves in a shoot-out as they edged past Walkford to reach the second round of the Hampshire Intermediate Cup at Test Park.

Sharman replaced Solent goalkeeper Matt Phillips who was injured during a collision with Walkford striker Joe Liddicoat.

The stand -in saved two spot-kicks after the teams had failed to score in more than two hours of open play.

Walkford, who are run solely by local resident John Nicholls, have now lost five matches in succession after being promoted to a higher division during the summer when a number of teams dropped out of the top league.

Despite being the clear favourites, Solent could not get into their rhythm and Walkford pressed the early advantage.

The visitors contrived the first meaningful shot of the match after eleven minutes but Liddicoat’s effort flew over the bar.

After 25 minutes, Walkford’s Barnaby Nicholls chased a long pass into the penalty area and slid for a ball that Phillips was also racing towards.

Phillips was brave but he ended up being

“It was a lucky escape for Solent”

EATING TURF // AUTUMN 2012

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clattered in a collision that left the Solent ‘keeper limping.

Phillips managed to hobble through the rest of the half before being replaced at the interval.

Sharman took his place and was soon busy as Walkford’s second half sub Sam Nash fired a shot at him a minute after the restart.

Three minutes later and Nash was testing Sharman again. The Walkford striker broke clear and fired a low shot which the stand-in keeper managed to block with his legs.

At the other end, Solent were struggling to find the target. Rafael Da Costa fired in a number of free kicks but none of them troubled Walkford stopper Alec Dimmock.

The Dorset-based team’s backs to-thewall performance was making life difficult for Solent’s strikers. Walkford skipper Scott Assinder, Matt Groves and Darren Newport were almost unbeatable with some superb tackling inside their own penalty area.

Walkford’s desperate defence managed to hold out and the two sides found themselves facing the dreaded penalty shoot-out.

Dimmock saved Solent’s opening penalty and Sharman was under pressure from the off. He was not fazed at all, diving to his right and deflecting the ball around the post with an outstretched glove.

Both sides scored their next spot-kicks but Walkford’s Ollie Nicholls rattled the crossbar with his effort. Both sides scored again before Teddy Lands thumped his kick into the woodwork.

Walkford had the chance to equalise but Sharman became the hero when he saved Ryan Butterfield’s low shot with two strong hands to enable Solent to pick up the win.

It was a lucky escape for Solent and will serve as a wake-up call for later rounds. 

FEATURES

Itchen itching to show who was best Rowing crews from around the Hampshire and Dorset region competed at the 57th South Coast Championships at the start of September with Itchen Rowing Clob coming away with the biggest prize before a series of accidents and the heavy weather forced an abandonment.

Alex Barnes

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he chaotic event was hosted by Deal Rowing Club from the Coastal association and teams from Hampshire, Dorset and the West of England Amateur rowing association were invited to compete.

The regatta was hammered by high winds and rough seas that sent huge breaking waves on to the shoreline as crews attempted to launch for their races.

The biggest result for a Hants and Dorset crew was the massive victory for Itchen Rowing Club as they raced in the Senior Four Championship race for the Bideford Bowl.

The bowl is the top prize in south coast rowing and Itchen were joined on the start line by fellow Southampton club BTC and Christchurch.

BTC and Christchurch were sunk at the half-way mark when the rough conditions overwhelmed their boats,

leaving Itchen, the 2013 Hants and Dorset champions, racing Bexhill and the host club Deal.

The Southampton crew were undeterred and they marched through to take a three -lengths victory with Bexhill just holding off the home club for second.

The most successful club on the day were Coalporters as they came through to win the Veteran Fours Championship and the ladies open junior category.

Isle of Wight club Ryde won the men’s Junior Fours championship over Herne Bay and Lymington. The club also won the Hants and Dorset Junior Fours championship and were the only crew, alongside Itchen, to achieve the coveted double The regatta was called off following Coalporters victory in the ladies open Junior race due to safety reasons.

During the regatta a young novice crew from Lymington sank and 13

then capsized after the safety crew asked them to take their blades out.

This resulted in 14 year old cox Max Hishon nearly becoming trapped underneath when his lifejacket inflated.

A member of Southampton rowing club was lucky to survive when he was hit side-on by his boat.

As the crew came into the shore they got caught side-on in the breaking waves and the boat was pushed over.

One member of the team had fallen to his knees on the shore side of the boat when it was hit by another large wave and slammed into his head. He was able to walk away with no more than a bang to the head.

Two championships, the Ladies Junior and Men’s Junior-Senior, were called off along with the remaining open races including novice, veteran over 50 and senior open.

For video reports of the day, head to www.southcoastjournalism.co.uk EATING TURF // AUTUMN 2012