Silverware caps a remarkable revival

It was around nine months ago when the very future of Haverhill Rugby Club seemed uncertain - the team was unable to field fifteen players regularly for games and, following the failure to amass a squad for two away fixtures already, reluctantly pulled out of the Greene King IPA Eastern Counties League Division One to avoid expulsion and an enforced lengthy duration in the wilderness. Following the departure at the mid-way point of a season that began so full of promise, a frustrated coach Andy Price duly walked away from the club whose players he had previously slammed for lacking commitment.

With the turmoil in full flow, the mere continued existence of the club looked bleak, with senior players such as Paul Bergin appealing to keep the club going. Following their voluntary departure from the EC League structure, the worst was confirmed - Haverhill would be condemned to the Suffolk Merit Leagues until the 2012-13 campaign at the earliest. The news came as no surprise - it had seemed fanciful that by dropping out they could return as early as 2011-12 - but it was still another bitter blow.

The 2010-11 season had started with so much promise - it did threaten to be a relegation scrap from the beginning, but there was still a genuine hope and belief that, should Haverhill survive, they would become an established EC One side. But that all quickly unravelled as the team was unable to field sides and struggled in many fixtures - Price was damning in his condemning of many of the players' commitment levels, and openly said he preferred playing those who were always available over those that were only available when it suited them, meaning some of the better players were left out when available for home games for others to take their place.

What a difference a few months makes. Almost as soon as Price had left, players began to commit again and Haverhill had larger squads for friendlies than they could field for competitive games. There had already been murmurs of discontent under Price's rule, and these seemed enforced by the number of players who came back to the fore following his departure. Haverhill went from being unable to field one full match-day squad to having such an abundance of players they could afford the luxury of a second XV. With the club making preparations in the aftermath of Price's departure, a new, internally based management structure was announced and things were looking rosy for the season ahead. Haverhill will be forced to languish in the Suffolk Leagues for one season, but with this level of reorganisation going on it looked set to be a temporary banishment.

And that is how events are transpiring. Ever since dropping down the ladder, Haverhill have proven a strong side, superior to all in the division when on their day, and even showing their superiority to many EC sides. Their league record reads played eight, won five, drawn two, lost one. Of those negative results, the 14-7 loss at Bury St Edmunds III (October 22) was a blip, the 15-15 at Stowmarket II (on September 17) the result of poor kicking, and 13-13 draw with Diss Saracens was actually quite an achievement, coming against a team that many feared the even play but that Haverhill and captain Gavin Hope relished the challenge of facing as a test of their mettle. They also complemented those positive league results with a couple of wins to claim the Suffolk Shield - first thrashing Hadleigh 65-20 at Castle Playing Fields in the four-team mini-tournament before inflicting an even greater humiliation on EC Two side Felixstowe, beating them 60-5 in a one-sided final, winning the club's first ever cup. That result has earned Haverhill a place in the Suffolk Plate, where they will entertain Woodbridge on January 21.

The second XV is also going strong - their record reading played eight, won six (including a recent 50-8 thrashing of Ipswich YM III), lost two. The strength in depth does not just extend to the second XV either, with Haverhill boasting a wide array of youth sides. Tony Hope and co are now in talks with the EC League to confirm they can return to their 'rightful' place next season - and on recent evidence it is certainly where they belong. The players are in a similar position to the hockey team (albeit not quite so all-conquoring) in lacking a decent standard of opposition to face following their 'relegation', and are on course to return to the higher echelons of rugby to face sterner tests next autumn.

So the last nine months have seen quite a turnaround, from a club whose existence was at stake to one fielding two sides and easing past most teams they face. If their progress continues, and player availability remains this high and the club this unified, then a return to the EC Leagues looks a certainty. The main reason for not competing there is the inability to guarantee a first XV could be fielded, but by regularly fielding a first and second XV since their departure, they should have no problem meeting that obligation. If Haverhill continue their resurgence, which was finely rewarded by bringing home the Suffolk Shield, then they should have no problem in returning to EC Two next season - and, on this evidence, establishing themselves in that division. They may even prove enough to - whisper it - return to, and perhaps become established in, EC One. If the players remain unified and committed - which they have since Price's departure - then there is no reason for this objective to be unachieveable. Price promised EC One rugby within three years, and achieved it in two. That achievement was short lived, but with his departure Haverhill may yet fulfil that promise in the long term.

High flying start banishes bad memories

It seems like only recently that Haverhill Hockey Club were on the wrong end of a thrashing every week and captain Tina Bunch was bemoaning that they had 'forgotten how to win'. After struggling to survive in the East Women's League Division Two Division NW in the 2009-10 season they were duly relegated from Division Two NE following a regional reshuffle before the 2010-11 campaign. The year before had seen a last-gasp winner ensure their survival - and that only after another team withdrew from the league, nullifying other results - yet the romance was absent at the second attempt as Haverhill were relegated before the season's conclusion. It was certainly a dispiriting time as the endless battle to avoid relegation was finally lost and Haverhill were condemned to the Suffolk Premier League.

How spirits have changed since then. Now Haverhill have gone from being the whipping boys (or girls, even) to being the whippers themselves. Their record so far reads played six, won six, scored 34 and conceded six - so, on average, for every goal they concede, they score 5.6. Haverhill top the table with a three point lead and a game in hand over second placed Bury St Edmunds II. Not a bad start for a team deflated by the loss of relegation, and the season had barely begun when Bunch was brashly proclaiming that she expected her team to finish as champions.

Yet as the season unfolds - we are now almost a third of the way through (six games played of 20) - it seems that those ambitions were not naive, and that Haverhill could be confirmed as champions this season sooner than they were confirmed as relegated last season. They began with a comprehensive 6-2 rout of Bury St Edmunds II (September 17) and have continued in similar form, labouring to a 4-3 win at Ipswich IV (September 24) before enjoying their most comfortable win yet, sticking 11 past a sorry Christchurch II outfit (October 1). After a week off they crushed Felixstowe 4-1 (October 15), 'struggled' to a 4-0 win at Ipswich-based Castaways (October 22) before thumping Lowestoft II 5-0 (October 29). Saturday's (November 5) game is off as fourth-placed Harwich and Dovercourt are unable to field more than six players, meaning Haverhill are awarded a 3-0 win as a home walkover - the only disappointment being that they probably would have won by more than three had the two teams met.

It has been a winning start that has been transformed into the winning season Bunch was hoping for and expecting. The skipper has even been critical of her side's performance after winning 4-0 (at Castways), calling for them to improve further - something that seems a far cry from last season. It seems no team in this division has provided serious competition for Haverhill this season, which brings into question the quality of the league. After all, how can a team losing heavily each week suddenly become the team inflicting rout after rout? Is the drop in quality so great that the EML's basement side can become a completely dominating presence in the Suffolk league? It is a worry, as if this is the case it may see Haverhill back to where they were last season - if they become accustomed to playing such poor opposition, then there is a chance that standards will drop and, when they are (seemingly inevitably) promoted back to the EML, that they will not be prepared for the rise in standards and be unable to deal with the vastly superior teams. I have put this to Bunch on several occasions, but she does not seem too concerned.

That is because she takes the more optimistic view - that her side have become better, and not merely that the competition have got worse. Clearly there is a strength in depth that was lacking last season - after all, it is not merely Bunch's team that are cruising to promotion, but Haverhill II have also launched a perfect start in Suffolk Division One, their 3-0 win over Bury St Edmunds III on Saturday, October 29, (pictured here) the latest of their five successive wins, scoring 16 goals (3.2 per game) and conceding five in the process as they approach the half-way stage of their seven-strong league (seven games remaining). Their results have often been tighter - beating Grasshoppers II 2-0 (September 17), Lowestoft III 1-0 (September 24), Sudbury III 4-2 (October 1) and Ipswich V 6-3 (October 8) - but they still have a perfect start, and clearly a large pool of talent is available if Haverhill can field two teams capable of bossing their respective divisions.

Bunch's team also seems to have been boosted by the returns of absentees who had been away at university, injured or for maternity reasons, and now they are looking and increasingly strong outfit, scoring from all over the pitch rather than struggling to score from anywhere. Vicky Haylock and Mandy Williamson are both regularly getting on the scoresheet, and Bunch herself is frequently finding the net often too. Many players names are cropping up in relation to strong performances and scoring goals, such as assists from Jane Farrow and Jenni Bradnam and good displays from Kim Thomas and Helen Salter.

Among the second XI, Cara Ainsworth and Emma Hilson seem to be regularly among the goals, while Kate Ellis and Lisa Smith have performed well between the posts, and the strength of that side, with players struggling to force a way into the first XI, is a testament to the depth of talent now available. Bunch has said that players will get opportunities in the first XI, but at present there is clearly no need to disrupt two winning formulas. Availability continues to be good, despite there being just 12 players at the Lowestoft II game - last season saw a struggle to even field a second XI.

Things are looking good for both teams, though perhaps we will have to wait until next season to see if their successes can be attributed to improvement or deterioration of the competition. I think it is probably a combination of the two - the Suffolk leagues clearly are lower quality, but at the same time Haverhill have improved markedly from last term. Availability alone improves a squad, giving coach and captain more options to prove from. Both sides have acquired a sense of youthfulness, and both are clearly enjoying their winning ways. While the opponents may be worse, it can still be difficult to reverse a losing mentality into a winning one, and that has been achieved emphatically. Both Haverhill sides should assure promotion before the end of their campaigns, and if both can keep their squads intact, should offer a strong challenge when they do take the step up a division.

Rusty Rovers need rest to recuperate

It has been over two months since I last blogged - and how things have changed. In that piece I spoke about how well Haverhill Rovers had started the campaign and, despite an indifferent pre-season, were playing some good football and enjoying some comprehensive victory - this written after the 5-1 drubbing of Ely City. Since then, however, things deteriorated quickly, and Rovers have picked up just one league win - 3-2 at CRC two games later - and suffered five league defeats, including the 3-0 home drubbing by Brantham Athletic on October 15 (pictured here), a team they 'cut to shreds' with a 3-2 FA Cup win little over a month before, and three draws. There has been some cup consolation - reaching the quarter finals of the Cambridgeshire Invitation Cup and the Suffolk Cup (where they will play Mildenhall Town in January) and the last 16 of the Ridgeons League Cup - but they have still exited the FA Cup following their 1-0 loss at King's Lynn Town, and more recently crashed out of the FA Vase to the same scoreline at Felixstowe and Walton United on Saturday (October 22).

I have not been able to attend the New Croft much lately - I was at the 5-1 FA Vase thumping of Norwich United, but since have only been to the 3-1 Ridgeons League Cup win against CUP on Tuesday from which to draw my latest conclusions about the team. Firstly, and what was noticeable on the team sheet and the pitch, is that this was a squad ravaged by injuries, suspensions and availability. Nowhere was this more evident than at the back of the park, as Rovers have been struggling to find any centre-halves lately. Marcus Hunt was available, and composed as usual at the back, although Adam Dellar, Sam Holmes and Ryan Geoghegan were all absent through injury, while Stuart Wardley began the first of a four-match ban for a ludicrous sending off in the 4-3 loss at Ely. Also missing was captain Paul Abbott, leaving Hunt to be partnered at the back by midfield bruiser Stuart Kingham and flanked by the newly promoted Cobi Guyon and the ever-reliable Greg Strong.

This uncertainty in defence was evident - Rovers started much the better team, but soon fell behind against the run of play and were then on the back foot. Kingham looked unfamiliar as a centre half and provided some tantalising opportunities for Jordan McDermott and Anthony Blandford in the CUP attack, with Hunt having to come to the rescue. Strong and Guyon looked good at the back and surging forward, but the unfamiliarity throughout the back four was clear. CUP hit the post when a goal ahead and squandered a number of good chances, and the Ridgeons Division One outfit could perhaps count themselves unfortunate to not at least force extra time.

The midfield was a little more composed and usual, despite the absence of several key players. Joe Boreham and Jamie Challis both looked comfortable in the middle, but both are the same fit - a holding midfielder. Neither has the creativity or the inclination to surge forward or pick out a pass, and they provided little penetration to the team, something illustrated when Louis Harper's introduction for Boreham at the interval provided a fresh impetus. That central creativity has often this season come from Joe Harvey, who is absent through a broken toe but expected to return for Rovers' next game at Diss Town on November 5. I never understood why manager Peter Betts rated the midfielder so highly when he returned last season, but with his pre-season goal haul this year and a fine run of form, that faith was beginning to be justified. Another key and noticeable absentee is Marc Abbott, who looks likely to be out until the New Year after breaking his leg. He set the bar high last season and failed to perform at that level consistently, but on his day is one of the finest midfielders in the division. In terms of creativity, Wardley's raking accurate passes to set up attacks were missed on Tuesday, though fortunately his absence is not long term.

Down the flanks though Rovers are still looking strong. Greg Strong and Paul Abbott are offering thrust from the back, and both interchange nicely with respective wingers Jack Wilkinson and Harry Halls. Wilkinson's return is a big plus for the club, as at one stage it looked like he may remain at parent club Needham Market after returning there to help ease their own injury crisis recently. He has looked increasingly accomplished since his arrival, another shrewd loan signing by Betts, and has grown in stature. He put in a man-of-the-match performance against CUP, created a number of good goal scoring chances, was confident in taking shots from range and composed to convert the penalty. On the opposite side, Harry Halls had been one of the season's revelations with his fine start, but had been absent lately through injury. He showed signs of returning to that form - which Marc Abbott proved last season is not easy - but if he can excel, then he will be another fine home-grown product.

There is also a fine selection of youth coming through - Cobi Guyon has done well since his promotion to the first XI, while Luke Youngs, Haverhill Cricket Club wicketkeeper and son of captain Simon, had a fine, albeit brief debut, combining with Wilkinson to set up Scott Lodge for Rovers' third. There has been much shuffling between the sticks - Alex Archer, who looked good but somewhat uncomfortable when dealing with corners and free kicks, returns to parent club Peterborugh United, Joe Harrington's brief stay ended when he was offered a trial at Ipswich Town and second-choice stopper Jamie Greygoose departed for Great Yarmouth Town. Luke Howard has looked an able goalkeeper since his introduction, although perhaps he could have done more than palm Tony Beck's deflected shot into the path of McDermott for CUP's goal, and hopefully he will remain throughout the campaign and become more settled and assured.

Things are still looking promising in the final third though, especially with Shaun Banham's return. I never held the centre forward in much high regard from what little I saw of him at Hamlet Croft before he left at the end of the 2009-10 campaign, where it seemed he got into the side more on merit of being better than Martin Westcott than being outstanding himself. I saw him squander a number of opportunities and thought Rovers would be scoring many more goals with a more clinical presence upfront. However, since returning he has scored and won penalties in both games, so is clearly an able - and improved - striker that is a welcome addition to what becomes a worryingly thin squad when hit by a number of injuries. Increased precision up front has been provided by Lodge and Dan Cornwell, who have both had fantastic starts to their Rovers careers and can hopefully maintain that path - however, the worry is that Rovers could be left short by injury to either two, or either could be snatched away if they prove to be a success.

So, it has been a difficult few weeks for Rovers, but there are signs that they may be beginning to turn around. Sam Holmes, Paul Abbott, Cornwell, Harvey, Adam Dellar and Geoghegan should all return for their next game at Diss Town, leaving only Marc Abbott and Wardley missing the next few games. At full strength they are a force to be reckoned with, and it seems unfortunate that they have recently been hampered by not only injuries to key personnel, but also some poor refereeing decisions against them. Confidence comes and goes in football with results, and going into this respite on the back of a win, albeit against lower-league opposition in a cup, could prove just the catalyst to igniting a good run. This time least year they enjoyed a seven-game winning run and an 11-game unbeaten run, and a string of victories could come just as quickly as this recent run of defeats. Hopefully they will, and Rovers can begin to ascend the table and book their place in another cup final.

Rovers enjoy an Ely good start to the season

Twelve goals in three games is not something you would expect to hear said about Haverhill Rovers, but their recent thumpings to bounce back from their opening day defeat in Gorleston stand as a testament to both the mentality of the side and the attacking talent that manager Peter Betts has finally added to what was previously a solid but blunt side. Last season and the one before it, games were, all too often, painful to watch as Rovers would either toil to get a goal or struggle to defend a slender lead that should have been much more. Last season they enjoyed a strong midfield, albeit lacking in pace and width, and one of the strongest defences in the league. However, their problems were evident upfront as Dalton O'Brien always looked better at holding the ball up rather than putting it in the net and Peter Betts' favoured 4-5-1 approach was never set up to suit Owen Paynter. The lack of attacking quality was never more evident than when they crashed to a 2-0 defeat in the final of the Cambridgeshire Invitation Cup at Cambridge United's Abbey Stadium, John Sands pouncing twice in quick succession to illustrate the difference in class.

Now though it would appear that Rovers have successfully addressed their attacking deficiencies. Scott Lodge and Dan Cornwell are both fine additions to the side and have been firing home goals for fun lately, but what is perhaps more exciting is that Rovers' goals are coming not just from these two, but from other players as well. Betts has already spoken about his high expectations, and how he thinks they can bag between 15 to 20 goals each at Ridgeons Premier League level, and looking at last season's poor goal scoring form that could propel them significantly up the table and solve their striking woes.

However, it is perhaps up front where the biggest problems also remain, as a cursory glance at the substitute's bench reveals a lack of alternatives should the pair be unfit or unavailable. Betts has already said he will not play 4-4-2 with both each game, and going 4-5-1 he does have a variety of option to go 'in the hole' or supporting striker role, but there are no other out-and-out centre-forwards at the New Croft. Owen Paynter has signed for Mildenhall Town, Callum Harrison has gone to Long Melford, Dalton O'Brien has had to return home to St Neots for personal reasons and Craig Cutts, who never managed to consistently perform at this level anyway, has dropped down to step seven and the Kershaw Premier League. So while the front two may be fit and firing together at the moment, it is a worry who should replace them should injury take its toll later in the campaign.

On a more positive note though, the goals are coming in from across the park now. The midfield is looking ever stronger, despite their being few additions of note - rather it is strengthened by improvements of players already at the club. Harry Halls has been a revelation, both in terms of pace and finishing - he put Rovers ahead with an audacious finish in the 3-0 thumping of Walsham-le-Willows in their first home game of the season, and he again found the net in the 5-1 rout of Ely City and was instrumental in setting up the final strike as well. Another player that has improved immensely over the close-season is Joe Harvey - I saw little of him that impressed me last season, but Betts always insisted that he is a brilliant midfield player since he re-joined. Now he is starting to achieve that expectation, with a good goal haul pre-season and some strong performances so far 'in the hole', almost playing as a striker at time, and will no doubt continue scoring throughout the season.

Jamie Challis is looking strong in the holding role. Another player who I found unimpressive since following Rovers, he still fails to be spectacular but is becoming increasingly able and impressive in his position, but tackles in and setting up play again with short passes. It is a testament to his improvement that he is keeping last season's quintessential midfield bruiser Stuart Kingham out of the starting XI, but following an unimpressive performance from him Betts has no excuse to break up a side on a hat-trick of victories with the two New Croft wins surrounding the 4-1 FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round win over Stowmarket Town.

Another player that has been struggling to force his way into the starting XI again is Marc Abbott - he blew hot and cold last season, showing moments of brilliance but also games of obscurity, and his form dipped towards the end of the campaign from the high standards he had set himself. He was needlessly sent off in pre-season to condemn Rovers to their second 2-0 defeat by Needham Market in as many years, and has not featured often since. He will have to be performing at his best consistently - and Betts has said that on his day he is among the best in the division - to return to the starting XI. Louis Harper will also have to seize the opportunities presented for himself to try and become a regular starter, and with a long season ahead opportunities are sure to arrive. The variety of options now provide Betts with a nice selection problem to have.

One new arrival in the centre of the park that has impressed is Jack Wilkinson. Now Betts has decided, in my opinion wisely, to play the 19-year-old at left-wing and Greg Strong at left-back, the side looks to have a new found pace and thrust out wide that has been lacking since Dan Emmanuel's brief stay at New Croft. Wilkinson is pushing forward, and also showed a calmness to finish against Ely last Tuesday (August 23). Midfield certainly looks a strong prospect at the moment, especially considering both Jack Higgs and Joe Boreham are due to return to action soon to provide further competition for places. It is questionable whether Neil Cogger will ever fully return, especially to his prime, but he would provide a further welcome boost, and the current squad strength would reduce the burden on how often he would play.

At the back, the side still looks as strong as ever, especially if the defensive line-up can remain uninterrupted. Dan Pilcher is the only notable player to have departed, though Rovers seem more than capable of covering that loss. Wilkinson is capable of filling in at left-back, though Strong continues to hold down that place with consistently good performances both defending and attacking. On the other side of the pitch, Paul Abbott continues to put in strong performances following his elevation to captain. He was knocked out in Rovers' rout of Ely, but the emergence of Ryan Geohagen, who looks equally capable as full-back and centre-half, and even when pushed further up the pitch, is another plus for Rovers.

In the middle of defence, Stuart Wardley and Marcus Hunt continue to show composure and forge a strong partnership. Hunt, who won Echo player of the season last year, has not dipped since choosing to relinquish the captaincy, though was perhaps a bit rash in conceding a penalty against Ely. Both also showed their finishing skills with a goal apiece in that game, and can be relied upon for several goals a season. Last year saw their partnership secure one of the best defensive records in the division until the late-season collapse following injuries disrupting the side, and if they can stay together again they look set to continue that.

Wardley, the fans' player of the season, has affirmed his commitment to Rovers by spurning the advances of AFC Sudbury and instead choosing to stay on a smaller pay packet at the New Croft. He has spoken of his involvement in the side, how he enjoys Betts' style of football (a testament to what the manager is trying to build) and said that it would take 'a very good offer' to get him to leave Rovers. Defence then looks equally well covered, especially considering Sam Holmes is set to return soon.

The only other area of concern is between the sticks. Alex Archer looks a very capable goalkeeper, and showed nerve to save Ely's penalty, and hopefully he will remain at the club throughout the season with Jamie Greygoose deputising, though the latter is the necessary choice for FA Cup matches due to Rovers' loan agreement with Peterborough United. Liam Cutts, who looked increasingly capable as Matt Morrison was frozen out of the side, has left, along with Morrison, while Joe Harrington barley had chance to impress during his short stint, but has clearly got potential to be trialled by Ipswich Town.

Still, this Rovers side is certainly the strongest looking I have seen in my time here. Betts has spoken about the need for consistency now after Ely 'set the standard' for the tempo they should be playing at. Kirkley and Pakefield will set a sterner test on Saturday (August 27), as will a trip to CRC the following Wednesday (August 31) with Cambridge United's first XI not in action mid-week. However, the focus now is on Brantham Athletic on September 3, home to last year's Ridgeons Premier top scorer Ollie Mann, with victory against them bringing an FA Cup First Round Qualifying game against either one of UCL Premier Division sides King's Lynn Town or Soham Town Rangers. If Rovers can maintain their blistering start to the season with goals galore and few conceded, then there is no reason why they cannot maintain that sort of form and aim for a top four finish - perhaps even promotion? The challenge will come in maintaining that throughout the campaign as injuries and suspensions take their toll, but Betts certainly has a stronger and deeper squad to handle those pressures than he did last season.

My full interviews with Betts and Wardley are in today's (Thursday, August 25) Echo.

Rovers look rusty as new season looms

Pre-season preparations have begun and Haverhill Rovers look to still be burdened with many of the same shortcomings of the last campaign. The team has largely remained the same one that finished eighth in the Ridgeons Premier League in May - Owen Paynter has left for Mildenhall, though his (lack of a) contribution, albeit perhaps not played to his strengths, will not be missed - while Matt Morrison no longer stands between the sticks, while a few new faces have arrived in the shape of youngsters Joe Harrington, Jack Wilkinson and Ryan Geoghegan, though there are no long-established stars entering the fold, no speedy wide players or 20-goals-a-season strikers gracing New Croft.

However, last season's side was doing remarkably well throughout much of the campaign, punching above its weight with impressive results, and only really nose-dived in the latter months due to a succession of injuries. Neil Cogger was sorely missed, and will hopefully return soon, while Stuart Kingham's absence was perhaps even more keenly felt as not only did that remove the team's midfield shield, it often saw manager Peter Betts push then-captain Marcus Hunt into that role, partnering Stuart Wardley instead with Sam Holmes, disrupting the team. Some stages of the campaign saw a whole host of first XI players out injured, though it is these two positions where Rovers most lack cover.

If players can remain fit throughout the course of the campaign, then Rovers are likely to be in a position to improve on last season's finish, but that is unlikely. Player injuries are an unavoidable part of the game, and building a squad to cope with them is also a challenge, especially on a limited budget. Financially, however, the club is sound - they broke even (well, made a £22 profit) following their move to the New Croft, and in this era that is an achievement in itself for a football club. More people are getting involved due to the new facilities, with over 500 people at last Wednesday's (July 13) glamour game that saw Rovers crash to a 2-1 defeat against a youthful Ipswich Town side, further swelling the coffers. Furthermore, the financial heavyweights of the division, such as Leiston, are beginning to see their cash reap reward as they progress up the non-league pyramid, making in an increasingly level playing field for Rovers to compete on.

So now the players should be competing in a division with less financial firepower aiding their opponents, even if the likes of Wroxham, Mildenhall Town, Hadleigh and Dereham Town will likely enjoy secure backing, while Brantham Athletic, whose fine end to the season failed to make amends for their poor start, have maintained the services of league top scorer Ollie Mann. Rovers have struggled to attract and maintain top players, but some of Betts' additions have proved to be surprisingly effective and, mixed with the strong collection of local lads he has amassed, the team have become a force.

Dalton O'Brien, who was the team's top scorer last year and has gone some way to rectifying their lack of bite up front, clearly lacked sharpness when he took to the field against Ipswich. He was presented with several good chances, but failed to capitalise on any despite coming close. Callum Harrison was eager to make a menace of himself as Rovers crashed to a 2-0 defeat against Neeham Market on Tuesday (July 19), but he too failed to find the net. The Ryman North side had started slowly and failed to assert their superiority, a testament to Rovers' defence, but a man up in the latter stages they eased out the victory with two goals inside 50 seconds.

In the midfield, Joe Harvey - who I saw little of last season, and remembered most for his anonymous performance in the Cambridgeshire Invitation Cup final defeat to Mildenhall Town - seems to be coming back to the form Betts promised he is capable of, as confirmed with his strike against Ipswich, while Joe Boreham also put in an assured performance when he took to the field against Needham. Kingham showed his strength again as the back-four shield, evidenced by Needham not finding the net until after he had left the field.

Marc Abbott, however, has been disappointing so far, his misery compounded with the needless sending off against Needham after he clattered into the opposition. He did not appear to start the scuffle that followed, and both he and new-captain, brother Paul, proclaimed his innocence, but it was a red-card tackle, even if it seems pointless to issue such warnings in friendly games. Marc Abbott enjoyed a fine start to last season, though his form dipped towards the end, and if he can recapture and maintain that early form he will be as valuable an asset as any new signing. Cogger is the other midfield maestro who will be able to have a significant influence on the campaign if he can remain fit throughout. Elsewhere in the middle of the park, cameos were made by Louis Harper, Matt Clarke and Jamie Challis, and though all were reliable, none were stand out.

At the back, the team continues to look solid, but that is not where previous problems have been. Wardley continues to be strong, although he is losing pace and not getting younger, and he persists in being one of the team's quality players, evidenced through his penalty precision and passing accuracy, which sometimes make it seem a shame his main strength is at centre half and not in a more creative position on the pitch. He formed a fine partnership with Hunt, who will continue to play for the club despite no longer being captain, and the two were indomitable when together, having on of the best records in the league for maintaining clean sheets. It was only after their partnership was disrupted that Rovers' goal difference plummeted following thrashings like the 6-0 rout at Mildenhall Town. If that partnership can remain undisturbed throughout the season, then Rovers will continue to be strong at the back, especially with Kingham in front of them.

Completing the back four, Greg Strong was another player who enjoyed a fine season for Rovers since heading to New Croft from Saffron Walden last season. He has looked strong both in defence and going forward, leaving Betts with the dilemma of whether to play him at left-back or at left-wing following the arrival of Wilkinson, who also favours that position. Dan Pilcher is another defensive addition who would bolster the team further at the back.

On the opposite side of the pitch, new captain Paul Abbott is the stand-out choice for right back, and continue to excel in that role. However, despite the numerous times I have seen him foray forward, his scoring record is disappointingly close to zero. Obviously goals are not the most valuable commodity for a defender, but they are a welcome addition nonetheless. Ryan Geoghegan has looked promising since joining, and put in a strong shift at the back against Needham. Furthermore, he showed his versatility when Betts shifted him further up the field as the game wore on, and though did not excel in that role, proved reliable enough to earn himself a man-of-the-match performance. The mere fact that he was just one of four players to last the 90 minutes was an endorsement.

Following yesterday's (Thursday, July 21) 1-1 draw at Thetford Town, Rovers still have five pre-season games to warm up and shape up - at Halstead tomorrow (Saturday, July 23), at Leiston on Tuesday (July 26), at Herne Bay on August 7, and in between them they host Histon on Thursday (July 28) and Ware on August 2. They are certainly attracting some top names in their friendly fixtures - whether the best preparation is in playing better teams (and likely getting beaten) or in playing inferior teams (and likely winning, gaining confidence though perhaps under-estimating future opponents) remains to be seen, but for Rovers this will be put to the test when they travel to Ridgeons Premier new boys Gorleston on August 13. Hopefully by then, Betts will have added the few missing components to his side, have removed the rust from his squad and have them back to last season's winning ways.

For all the latest sport, grab a copy of yesterday's (Thursday, July 21) Echo.

Artemis Great Kindrochit Quadrathlon 2011

Getting up at 5am is never easy, especially not when that morning’s routine consists of stomaching a bowl of cold pasta a squeezing into a wet suit to begin swimming across a mile-wide loch. That’s what I faced when the alarm rang on July 9 as I knew that the months of dread/anticipation and weeks of training had led to this moment – the start of the Artemis Great Kindrochit Quadrathlon 2011. Described as ‘Scotland’s toughest one day event’, it had struck me as the next bad idea to pursue after my friend Steven Cockburn and I had completed the Tough Guy Challenge in January.

It began with a 0.8 mile swim across Loch Tay in the Scottish Highlands, followed by a 15 mile hike up seven munros, a seven mile kayak back to the starting place, a 34 mile bicycle ride around the loch and finally a water melon being chopped in half with a sword to stop the clock. A couple of laps of open water swimming, a few rounds of a mere in a kayak and a bicycle ride cut short by a puncture were our training the week before, though the sheer scale of the pending task had not dawned on us yet. After a five hour drive from Cheshire, we spent the afternoon failing a navigation test for being unable to read map nor compass (though my original plan of follow the people and follow the path worked a treat), packing kit into bags and seeking aid to fix numerous bike punctures before a pasta dinner and a poor night’s sleep.

The morning dawned, and after struggling to reach past my waist, let along to my toes, when constrained by a wet suit, we waded into the loch, which at 15 degrees was not as cold as we had expected. Still, the cold shocked me early on as I struggled for breath and pace in the loch, though I warmed up and got used to the temperature and crossed the loch in 38 minutes for the first checkpoint.

We changed and began the walk, which to the first munro, Meall Greigh (1,001 metres high), seemed eternal. We finally found the ascent and reached the top in good time for the second checkpoint. Meall Garbh (1,118m) metres came next, at which point some of the 7am starters were beginning to fell run past us. As I set the pace ascending Steve was able to go faster going down, giving us a good system of me catching him on the way up each. An Stuc (1,090m) was next, at which point I realised it was not going to be up and then along seven peaks, but rather up and down each one individually.

Ben Lawers (1,214m), the tallest of the seven, was next, and a relief when I reached the top as I thought it was the fifth. From the summit we could see the top of Beinn Ghlas (1,090m), which looked deceptively closer than it was, and from there we climbed Meall Corranaich (1,060m) before heading down to the reservoir and the lunch stop. Meall Nan Tarmachan (1,043m) seemed forever away after the lunch stop, and the mountain rescue helicopter picking someone up from the summit in a stretcher reminded us of the dangers.

It was then a daunting walk all the way to the horizon and the glittering Loch Tay, and we arrived to start the kayak stage we had been walking for nine and a half hours – well behind schedule, but over an hour ahead of the cut off time. Despite the indignity of being overtaken by kayakers who did not appear to be breaking a sweat, we were making good time on the water, with the waves assisting us. It was hard to tell how far we had gone or how long we had been going, but checks with safety boats assured us, and when we had touched Bikini Beach and crossed the loch we had taken less than one hour 45 minutes.

Now looking forward to the final push, the real stress began – we got to the bikes to find Steve’s back tyre again flat. We rushed around and after many wasted minutes got him on a rental bike, only for that back tyre to burst half a mile in. We fitted a new inner tube, which promptly blew, so I headed back to the start with Steve walking behind to get him a new rental bike.

Eventually we got him on this, minutes before the cut off time, and set off. The roads were not what my road bike favours, being covered in scree and pot holes, meaning I failed to build up much speed, while the relentless hills left me doing wheelies as I was in such a low gear upon reaching the top.

When we rounded the loch the road improved, and after a quick fish’n’chips stop I finally managed to build up some speed. Inevitably, however, I soon felt my back tyre going flat. Fortunately someone who knew what they were doing generously stopped to help me in fitting a new inner tube, as the tyres on my bike prove a nuisance to remove. That fixed, we headed off, down an eternal hill and up a longer one, and finally around the far side of loch to the home straight when – depressingly unsurprisingly – I felt my back tyre going flat.

I asked the marshals how far was left – just six miles – so I pumped the tyre up from 40psi to 110 and decided to finish on a slow puncture. I explained to Steve that due to this I’d have to zoom on ahead, which I duly did, and with just over a mile to go (I was unsure of the distance at the time) I decided to give my tyre one more inflation. This only compounded the problem, as the valves came undone with the dust cap, and after being pumped up I could hear the air hissing out faster.

Undeterred, I set off with zeal and fortunately saw the finish line was imminent. I headed down and through the field with the flop-flop noise of my now-flat tyre behind me, ditched the bike and sprinted over the line to my relief. Steve followed six minutes later, and after 16 and a half hours of pain and frustration, we were finally crowned quadrathletes, slicing the water melon in two and donning our medals with pride. Despite there being no alarm, getting up the next morning proved even more difficult as the muscle pains set in.

Three Peaks Challenge

Hiking 26 miles up almost 1,200 ft of mountain, driving close to 900 miles, surviving almost exclusively on chocolate and just two hours sleep, all in 24 hours – it’s hard to choose the most discomforting, but all were worth enduring, simultaneously, to achieve the coveted self-proclaimed title of Three Peaks Conqueror.

It was with this determination that myself and fellow fool/brave adventurer Steven Cockburn, 24, from Cheshire, set off to achieve the goal on May 29, largely spurred on by our failure to do so eight months earlier. That time, poor timing had seen us make the error of attempting to climb one of the mountains in the dark, which resulted in us getting lost and being forced to abort.

This time, the plan was much clearer – we would leave my second home of Cheshire at 10am, arriving to start the tallest of the peaks, Ben Nevis, in the Scottish Highlands, at 5pm. We would leave there at 10pm, just before sunset, arriving at the second, Cumbria’s Scafell Pike, at 4am. Completing that in four hours would give us five hours to reach Snowdon and four hours to do the hike and make our 24 hour target.

The quest began well, as we reached Fort William around 4.15pm, giving us time to enjoy a McDonald’s before pulling up by the mountain. At 4,409 ft high, Ben Nevis is the tallest mountain in Britain, and with the ten mile walk starting from almost sea level is also the furthest hike.

The route first ascends steeply up a hill, and then around the corner where the view of the mountain and a loch come into view. It then ascends into the cloud, where we were greeted with increasing bemusement from people about us wearing shorts, warning us about the snow, gales force winds and minus 15 temperatures at the summit.

The snow did come, as did the hale and strong winds, but we persevered, and my poncho did a surprisingly good job of keeping me warm. After touching the summit and having a sip of champagne from two women attempting the same challenge – because of the times of day of the first two times, most people were met were all attempting the same challenge.

We began to descend and gradually get feeling back into our fingers. We did get a little lost taking the wrong route at the bottom, but followed the river to reach the car by 10.20pm.

The drive to Scafell Pike was long – I did the first half, snaking through the Highland roads and pouring rain, though I was glad we had only had light showers on the climb and not the heavy rain we drove through. As the car radio battled to find a signal, we were consigned to BBC Radio 4, which abandoned us to BBC World Service at around 1am.

Steve did the remaining half of the drive, snaking through the hairpin turns and blind bridges that lead to the Wasdale Head route up Scafell Pike. When we arrived at 3.45am it was so light we did not need torches. At 3,209 ft high, Scafell Pike is the smallest of the mountains, but certainly the most difficult.

The path first snakes around and up the hillside, all the while with a stream running down it, before disappearing altogether over a large patch of rocks. We found ourselves annoyed to lose the path again, though fortunately not as catastrophically as during our last attempt, and we soon resumed and made good progress. Once in the clouds the path seemed eternal, but we finally reached the top and could start our descent. The way down was hard as the path was steep, slippery and rugged, but once we cleared the mist we were welcomed to a beautiful view of Wastwater and continued to make good time.

I now took up the mantle of driving back to Cheshire (where we got a lift to Snowdon), this time being consigned to Radio 2 for the tricky drive through Cumbria, consisting almost exclusively of single-track lanes and blind hills/bridges followed by hairpin turns. The danger now was that we felt the task was completed – Scafell Pike had been our biggest adversary, and with the that in the bag we perhaps became a little complacent about the 3,560 ft high Snowdon.

We started that hike shortly before 1pm, already at some height on the Miners’ Track, and the first two miles were deceptively flat and smooth. However, things soon got harder – the path started to climb, and then there was almost two miles of steep climbing, mixing hill walking with scrambling.

The path to the summit smoothed off, but we were both drained. Snowdon was the only hike where we could actually see the peak long before reaching it. The train rode past as a tempting reminder for an alternate way down, and we finally had a view of more than just cloud and mist. Unfortunately, this enabled us to see just how far down and away we had to go back, in just under two hours.

The climb down was slow, as it was steep and perilous, but we were careful not to rush. We chatted to a fellow Three Peaks group, who had started an hour ahead of us, so we knew we were making good time.

After clearing the sharp and steep part though we could look forward to the smooth beginning, which enabled us to squeeze the last bit of energy from tired legs and reach the car park 23 hours and 45 minutes after we had set off up Ben Nevis. From there, it was a short drive home to enjoy a proper meal and then the arduous hike up the stairs for two nights’ worth of sleep.

A disappointingly fitting climax to the season

It was ultimately a disappointing end to the season, but a fitting one nonetheless as, much like the Cambridgeshire Invitation Cup final defeat that preceded it, Haverhill Rovers' inadequacies from an entire season were summed up in 90 minutes. Saturday's 1-1 draw against FC Clacton at New Croft started slowly, with neither side asserting themselves, but soon Rovers found their stride and even took the lead through a stand-out Callum Harrison. However, it seemed with inevitability that the visitors drew level - unfortunately following an error from Stuart Wardley, the likes of which seem to be becoming increasingly common - and from then on it seemed unlikely that Rovers would win. They made the chances, they tried and toiled and pressed, but they lacked the finishing prowess that has separated them from the heights of the Ridgeons Premier League this season.

Looking back on how the entire season has unfolded, Rovers can be quite pleased with their progress. Two seasons has transformed them from a basement team to a lower half team to a top half team. The frustration lies in that the start of the season showed so much promise and what they are capable of - they completed the league double over fourth placed Wisbech Town before October - but all their good work has seemingly fallen apart over the last few weeks, fading from a seven game winning run and an 11 game unbeaten run to a nine game winless run. The poor form to end the season was exactly what manager Peter Betts had feared before the run-in. Compared to pre-season under-expectation of merely avoiding relegation, an eighth placed finish is quite an achievement, but compared to having climbed up to third and applied for promotion, it is not. Achievements never seem as sweet when you know there could have been more.

It would seem that the reasons for Rovers' failure to progress, or at least maintain a level of consistency, relates largely to squad depth and a failure to score. Injuries have taken their toll in the closing stages of the campaign, but even manager Peter Betts admitted he is not looking to use that as an excuse. Stuart Kingham has been conspicuous by his absence, and proof of just how much this Rovers' team centres around him. When fit he has been the defensive linchpin, shielding captain Marcus Hunt and Wardley who frequently enjoyed clean sheets and one of the lowest 'goals against' records in the division, but without him Rovers have looked uncomfortable with nobody else well suited to that role. Hunt does not look comfortable when thrust forward, as he excels at tackling and breaking up play rather than passing and setting up play.

For all his strong performances Sam Holmes has not looked likely to form a partnership to exclude either Hunt or Wardley. Wardley has still been strong as the back, despite the more frequently occurring gaffes, although often frustrates by proving one of Rovers' best passers and finishers - he ends the campaign as third highest scorer with seven goals, behind Hunt with eight and striker Dalton O'Brien with ten, and not of all of these are from the penalty spot, where he is oft reliable save for the unusual recent miss at Kirkley and Pakefield that saw Marc Abbott assume spot kick duties in the 4-3 win at Hadleigh United that followed. However, Betts did not criticise Wardley for his increasingly erroneous performances, but instead was left to rue the lack of experienced cover available at centre half. "If we had cover he would play less games - in the first half of the season he was the best centre half in the league, but in the second his legs got the better of him and he's been playing with injuries", he said. If Rovers could rotate more and play him less - he has made 40 appearances this term - then perhaps he could remain such a commanding figure that Betts trusts to stop the most fearsome forwards throughout the course of a season. His presence at the back ensures he cannot be pushed forward, even though it is often his raking passes that set up the best chances, and Rovers now have the forward options so as not to resort to sticking him up front in the closing stages of games. No doubt he will continue to command a first XI place, and his input was noticed by being awarded the supporters' first XI player of the season.

Wardley's back four companions have also looked assured throughout most of the season - Greg Strong has been impressive in his debut season, while Paul Abbott continues to impress down the right an amaze me by failing to score from some of the chances he sets up. In the centre of the park, a deputy for Kingham is clearly needed - I thought that was Joe Boreham's purpose, but he carries more of an urge to get forward and be involved in play, and is also just a teenager and still learning his game, despite an impressive first season. Dan Pilcher has been solid since his return, though has struggled to present a case for regular first XI inclusion. Between the sticks, both Matt Morrison and Liam Cutts have endured their blunders, but both have generally looked reliable with the latter and able deputy to ensure Morrison's performances do not dip.

In the middle of the park, many of last year's problems remain with consistency and a lack of goals. Marc Abbott has held down a regular first XI spot and rightly so, but he has failed to reach the high standards he set for himself. A goal return of three is unremarkable, and after his early season performances, which led to Betts labelling him 'one of the league's best', he has stuttered, though his manager attributes this to exhaustion and injury. Jamie Challis has impressed since being relegated to the fringes of the squad, responding to that setback with a number of man-of-the-match performances to force his way into first XI contention, but he too lacks the attacking vision and prowess to fire Rovers to more goals. Joe Harvey re-arrived full of promise but has failed to impress, with a particularly disappointing performance in the cup final, but there is still time for him to improve.

Though Rovers' goal scoring concerns may initially appear to be more to do with their strikers, Betts insists it has as much to do with their wingers. O'Brien has a respectable ten goal return from his first season, but is still a long way away from being a 20-goals-a-season man. Betts said: "You could have Alan Shearer up front, but without the service he won't score. Dalton got lots when [Neil] Cogger and [Dan] Emmanuel were playing, so we need more strength in wide areas." Indeed, Cogger and Emmanuel sum up Rovers' lack of depth and pace, as with those two Rovers always looked likely to score, and Betts even labelled the squad his 'strongest' with their inclusion. Louis Harper has moments of quality on the wing but lacks pace and consistency, and while Jack Higgs has had an excellent debut season, thrust into the first XI following injuries, he lacks experience and consistency, and Ryan Kent has struggled to make a first XI impact following his dramatic late goal to christen New Croft with a win in Rovers' first competitive game there. Emmanuel is now confirmed to be at AFC Sudbury for next season after signing a one year contract, and it is questionable whether Cogger will be able to play regular football again following his injury woes. Betts has said he has summer replacements lined up to come to New Croft, and has insisted that these are first XI and not squad players, so hopefully these problems will have been addressed for next season.

Although the ammunition has been lacking for Rovers' frontmen, the strikers themselves have not been clinical. Owen Paynter looked like an inspired signing at first, though he has been hampered by injuries and made minimal impact. I was surprised that Betts seemed keen to maintain him in his future plans, saying: "The way we play has not suited his game. There's no doubting that he's a good player, it's just not been happening these last few months, but you don't finish as one of the top scorers in the division each season if you're not a good player." However good Paynter maybe, he seems to favour playing with a strike partner, while Betts' oft criticised insistence on a blanket 4-5-1 approach to games may deny him that opportunity. Perhaps the manager will be more flexible this year in presenting two forwards to opposition they can expect to beat?

O'Brien has enjoyed a good season, and though a respectable ten goal return leaves him some way off being a 20-goals-a-season man Betts believes he may become that with more ammunition from the wings. He has certainly looked capable up front, with experience beyond his years and strong beyond his stature. He has given Rovers more of a cutting edge up front, even if he is not as prolific as other team's forwards. A positive from Rovers' recent poor run of form has been the emergence of Callum Harrison, who I first noticed when Rovers dismantled CRC at New Croft before going on to complete the league double over the side that thrashed them home and away last season. He has looked formidable up front, and is one of a number of players Betts has praised as he forces his way into the first XI, the award of supporters' reserve XI player of the season acknowledging his progress.

Despite the improvements up front from last season, Rovers are still lacking a striker that will get past the 20 goal mark. Brantham Athletic's Ollie Mann contributed two goals to his ridiculous season total of 41 goals from 35 games when they beat Rovers 3-0 to avenge their earlier 3-1 defeat at New Croft, and if he is scoring that many for a side that finished five places and 14 points behind Rovers, imagine how many more points and places he could have secured for Betts' side? Mildenhall Town's John Sands showed what a difference a top class forward makes when he single-handedly won the Cambridgeshire Invitation Cup for his otherwise inferior side on a cold night at Abbey Stadium, and his goals tally of 31 strikes from 37 games has propelled Mildenhall to fifth. These are the players that Rovers need, but with money scarce it is difficult to see how they will attract them. Betts even expressed his reluctance to 'do a Leiston' and spent 'stupid money' even if he had the opportunity.

A quick glance at the table reveals Rovers' have a goal difference of three, and their goals for record is a paltry 50 - only two sides have lower (Newmarket Town on 45 and Wivenhoe Town on 48 - both of whom Rovers have doubled) and one the same (second from bottom Histon Reserves), and all three of those are in the bottom four. Only their defensive record has maintained a respectable goal difference, and even that somewhat unravelled with the thumpings at Leiston and Mildenhall. Their scoring record, and the fact that their centre halves and second and third highest scorers, is a damning indictment of what the club lacks. This lack of goals has often concerned Betts, who must now find a frontman to turn their dominance into points. Betts insists he will move to address these issues in the close season with 'four or five' additions to the side before the pre-season schedule gets underway.

After a lengthy campaign that offered greatness but delivered mediocrity, Rovers can still look back with a degree of satisfaction. They are now firmly established as top ten side, and now venture into most games as favourites instead of underdogs. They still lack the firepower to propel them further up the table and the defensive cover to build up from, but if Betts can address these issues in the close season then the 2011-12 campaign may deliver what fans were given a taste of before Christmas and will now come to expect.