Sports News

Hurst Football Club, which is currently playing home matches at Cantley has had a successful first half to the season writes Jeff Pitt. The first XI made a very strong start with several wins in succession to place them firmly at the top of the Reading Premiership league.

A period at the end of last year saw a number of indifferent performances, mainly due to some key players being injured. Now they have returned from injury, they have won the last few games convincingly, and now stand third in the league.

A semi final cup win in the next week or so will see the first XI appear for the first time in their history at the Madjeski Stadium for a cup final. We have strong opposition, a Senior League team that has performed consistently well over the last few years.

The second XI got off to a rocky start, but the team has settled and have won their last half a dozen games – now in fourth position in the league with a serious possibility of promotion. There have been good performances in cup competitions but the team was recently narrowly beaten in a cup semi final competition by a team two divisions above.

Youth and ladies teams

It is the club’s intention to offer junior football opportunities, a youth team and a ladies team, and there are people interested in following these up. Contact Jeff Pitt (0118 934 xxxx) or Ty Bolton (0118 979 xxxx) to register your interest.

We’re fund-raising for the clubhouse and new pitch, and welcome offers of help to steer this exciting project to fruition. Several people have already given their time and energies, and the club would like to thank the following for their assistance: Brian Clayden, Terry Bunyard, John Edwards & John Penney. The Valentine’s Dance on 15 February, penalty competition at the Hurst Horse Show on 28 and 29 June, and the Party in the Park on 5 July will help to raise much-needed funds.

Anyone for Tennis at the Dolphin School?

The Dolphin School in Hinton Road is offering the use of its tennis courts during summer evenings and weekends to people living in Hurst. In a letter to the Parish Council, the School also offered its hall (on Friday evenings) and the school field.

The Parish Council would like to know if people are interested in running a tennis club and booking system for the hall and the field. Please contact the clerk Mr Bob Wardle on 01xxx xxxxxx. The Dolphin School’s offer was due to be discussed at the Hurst Parish Council meeting on Monday 10 February.