New skipper has plenty on Plate

South Saxons begin a new season under a new captain tomorrow (Saturday).

Pete Watters has stepped down as the hockey club’s skipper for a number of reasons and his successor, Paddy Cornish, begins his reign with a Sussex Plate first round tie at home to Hailsham.

Cornish said: “I am looking forward to being captain, but I’ve never had a senior role before so I’m quite nervous. But give it a couple of weeks and hopefully I’ll be alright.”

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Saxons have undertaken some pre-season fitness classes at Helenswood Sports Centre and held their second training session at Horntye Park Sports Complex on Tuesday night.

The Hastings club finished second in South Hockey League Sussex Area - Division One last season, only missing promotion after losing a play-off against the equivalent placed Kent team.

Hailsham have been promoted into South Hockey League Sussex Area - Division One on the back of their runners-up finish in Sussex Open League Division Two last term and they beat Saxons in a stormy 2010/11 Sussex Plate semi-final.

“It’s a good game to start with,” added Cornish. “We’ve got a couple of players out injured and a few unavailable, but we’ve got quite a good squad so hopefully we shouldn’t miss them too much.”

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Jamie Busbridge is likely to be out for around eight weeks after a blow to the side of his head last term affected his ear and required an operation. Fellow forward Dave Draper is resting a knee problem. Push-back is 1.30pm.

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