Yes!
Was it entertaining? Definitely!
Saturday night HBU V Bury – Match of the YEAR!
It is a shame that matches like that only occur once or twice a season but it has to be said ‘ if only there were more rinks like the Pier Pavilion’ where you have a proper seat to sit on and an excellent view from where ever you sit.
The programme opened with a match between 2 HBU teams from the Junior and Schoolboy age group followed by a cracking Premier League game which actually lasted 2 hours not counting the 10 minute half-time break!
There was an entry charge of less than 3 pounds per adult and less than 2 pounds per child, and might I say the Pier management take 80 pence from every ticket. HBU do of course also pay the normal rink hire and any referee expenses. BUT still some people complained that entry had been charged and others thought they were very smart when they managed to slip in without paying. They should be ashamed not pleased.
The HBU club ran a 100 Club in preference to the usual Raffle which meant 3 spectators went home with cash prizes and they at least thought they had value for money! There were quite a few people there on Saturday night who had not seen RH before and they were impressed by the sport, the skills, the pace, the excitement and the atmosphere it created. They want more but what can we offer them? One person even offered to give up his Arsenal Season Ticket if he could see a game like that every month!
HBU have worked for years to foster what is now an excellent relationship with the local newspapers and I know at least one of them was present at the game. There will be good press coverage this week as the club ALWAYS send in reports of ALL games – from Minors to Premier league – whether they win, lose or draw. This week they have 1 lost game and a comprehensive ND1 success to report and they will both be there.
The HBU Club wish to thank all those who took the trouble to travel to Herne Bay and contributed to the atmosphere. Hopefully you will do it again if not at the Pier then somewhere…. Cup Finals at the Space Centre in London on 25th June might be a good idea and there are the Play-offs for Promotion/Relegation for PL and ND1 to consider.
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Reporter: Aileen Barker
