Yorkshire Phoenix TFC

This weekend saw a team of Paul Lawrenson, Martin Hodds, Stuart McIlroy and Eoin Adams fly out to Amsterdam to take part in the International Grand Prix.

The team where unable to repeat the previous weeks success after been drawn into a tough group, going down to 0-4 to Falcons Athens, 1-3 Rijnmond and they picked up a draw with SC Stembert B 2-2.

Martin Hodds was the clubs only representative in the individuals event but was again eliminated in the groups, after going down to Austria's Wolfgang Leitner 0-3 and to Laurent Coucke 1-3.

This weekend saw the Phoenix travel south to take part in the 2008 Milton Keynes International Open.

Saturday saw six Yorkshire players take part in the individual events. Paul Lawrenson, Martin Hodds, Stuart McIlroy, Kenny Beggs, and Kevin Adderley all took part in the Open event whilst Tony McCann played in the Veteran catergory. Unfortunately all players where drawn in large tough groups and failed to make it through the group stage.

Sunday saw a change in fortune for the club as Phoenix had their most succesful International Open to date! Yes the club saw the A Team make it to the Semi Finals of the Team Open! They where even within 5 minutes of making it to the final!

The draw provided tough oposition in World Top 15 and Greek number 1 side - Atlas and host team TSPA Whitestar C. Phoenix had the seeds first and won the match 2-0 after Stuart McIlroy got the decissive victory after the team received a 3-0 walk over for the greeks only fielding three players. Both Martin Hodds and Kenny Beggs picked up important draws. Phoenix then faced the Whitestar side. Despite been the third choice side for the TSPA, the Yorkshire boys where not taking the match lightly. Infact Stuart McIlroy was drawing his individual game 3-3 at halftime against Elliott Bellefontaine, until a late second half goal gave him victory. Paul Lawrenson, Kenny Beggs and Martin Hodds all recorded victories also to win the match 4-0 and to top the group!

The quarter finals drew the Phoenix against TSPA Whitestar A. The team was made up of four England players. TSPA Champion Kevin Dyson, England verterans Phil Homes and Steve Hawkins aswell as World Cup bound Jeremy Bradley. The Yorkshire side had nothing to lose going into the match as they where regarded to many as the underdogs - and how they proved them wrong! A gutsy performance from all four players saw Stuart McIlroy come back on three occasions to draw 3-3 with Kev Dyson, Martin Hodds held on to a topsy turvy 2-2 draw with Hawins whilst Kenny Beggs killed off any chance of Jeremy Bradley being able to play, holding him to a 0-0 draw. Paul Lawrenson was to brake the drawing trend by holding on to an early 1 goal lead to win his match 1-0 over Phil Holmes, thus taking Phoenix on through to an unlikely Semi Final placing!

Again, the semi finals was to be a hard match - the toughest of the day. However the side was worth their placing as they ran Greek side Olympia right to the very end. With five minutes left on the clock Yorkhire where ahead on goal difference, however three late goals conceded swung the match in the greeks favour and then the dream was over.

A fantastic performance by all and a weekend to remember. Phoenix also fielded a second side in the event thanks to Richard Ppper joing alongside Kev Adderley and Tony McCann. However with only having three players the B side where unable to advance beyond the group stage.

With success still in the minds of the players, attentions now move to this weekend where a side of Paul Lawrenson, Martin Hodds, Stuart McIlroy and Eoin Adams travel to Holland to play in the 2008 Amsterdam Grand Prix.

This weekend will see the Phoenix travel south to the 2008 Milton Keynes International Open.

The club will be fielding two sides in the team event on Sunday aswell as a large turnout in the individual event on the Saturday

Kenny Beggs has continued his charge to finish second in Super League after a 4-0 victory over fellow Ulster man Eoin Adams. League table updated.

The England World Cup squad was announced today and Yorkshires Martin Hodds has been selected for the team event, which takes place this summer in Austria.

The unfullfilled fixtures panel sat last night and came to a decission with regards to some of the incomplete games concerning players who cannot meet the final league meeting. This was the statement made:-

The Unfulfilled Fixtures Tribunal met to discuss the position in Division One, following the withdrawal of Mr Malcolm Dickson from his 2007/08 commitments.

The Tribunal comprised Mr Richard Pepper , Mr Paul Lawrenson and Mr Marlon Hoods .

The Tribunal noted that Mr Dickson's remaining fixtures were against Mr Paul Lloyd, Mr Anthony McCann (twice) and Mr Munzi Munns. The Tribunal also considered the current league table and the season's earlier results.

The Decision

The Tribunal ordered that the outstanding results be recorded as below

Mr Paul Lloyd 2 Mr Malcolm Dickson 0
Mr Anthony McCann 1 Mr Malcolm Dickson 2
Mr Munzi Munns 2 Mr Malcolm Dickson 0
Mr Anthony McCann 2 Mr Malcolm Dickson 0

In addition, the Tribunal ordered that two competition points be deducted from the accumulated total of Mr Malcolm Dickson, in order that he should not gain from the awarded win.

The latest world rankings have been published. Phoenix have moved back up in the team rankings to No.39. Martin Hodds still leads the Phoenix charge in the Open rankings in 138th place.

This weekend saw Craig Heward clinch the 2007-08 Super League title with one meet remaining. The title was won after a 2-0 victory over Richard Pepper meant no one else could catch the unbeaten champion.

With Trevor Cummings withdrawing from the season Eoin Adams looks likely to be confirmed as the other relegation candidate.

In Division One, Paul Lloyd is in pole position for the championship and promotion having gone through season to date unbeaten. The battle for the play off places looks tight as any two from Malc Dickson, Tony McCann and Neil Munns look to fight it out.

Meanwhile in the Conference Steve Worthington has been crowned champion after completing his season with an almost 100% record from fellow Lancashire player Terry Hitch in second. Both players will now take place in Division One next season.

For all the results from week 3 and up to date tables please see the relevent sections.

Ahead of this weekends latest League meeting, the Super League table has been updated after the following games where played:-

Last weekend saw the Phoenix relinquish their status of English Champions. They didn't let go without a flight though. First match up was against EPL (English Premier League) were the Phoenix had their worst result of the day, although the scoreline showed a 0-4 defeat, the individual matches where a lot closer. Martin Hodds was narrowly edged out by Paul Sutton, Stuart Mcilroy suffered second half heartache losing 1-2 to Matt Lampitt, Craig Heward lost out to former English national champion Justin Finch, and Kevin Adderley lost out to Dave Pawsey.

Second match up was against the much fancied TSPA Whitestar. The table soccer super team was to field one of their strongest sides to date to attempt success. However a galliant display was to come from Phoenix. Paul Lawrenson beat John Turpin 2-0, Martin Hodds came from behind to beat TSPA Champion Kevin Dyson, Craig Heward scored in the dying moments to beat Jeremy Bradley and Stuart McIlroy was unlucky conceding a second half goal going down to England player - Steve Hawkins. Well done on the 3-0 victory Phoenix!

Last match was against World Ranked Number 6 side San Siro Worthing Five Star. The Phoenix went into the match knowing victory would secure a place in the final and an opportunity to gain revenge over EPL. A draw would guarantee third place and virtually secure a place in next seasons European Team Championships. With the Worthing outfit down to three men, Kevin Adderley recorded a 3-0 victory meaning the Phoenix where already 1 up before the start. At half time everything was looking good with Martin Hodds suprisingly leading Chris Short 1-0 and Craig Heward was leading Mike Parnaby by a goal to nil. However the luxury was not to last - final scores where, Martin Hodds 1-3 Chris Short, Stuart McIlroy 0-2 Chris Thomas. Craig Heward did however clinch a vital draw 1-1 with former Phoenix man Mike Pranaby. Despite not making the final the club will now virtually qualfiy for the Euro's later this year providing Worthing continue their position in the worlds top ten.

Sunday saw Martin Hodds as the lone Phoenix player in the individual event. A tough draw meant that he was not to advance from the group. Results where:- 2-2 Dave Pawsey, 1-3 Chris Short, and a 5-1 victory over junior player Elliott Bellefontaine.

Saturday saw the team event take place. Phoenix where drawn in a tough group and missed out on making it through the groups, losing out 1-2 to Norway's Skien and 0-4 to Belgiums Charloi.

Sunday was the individuals. Martin Hodds, Kenny Beggs and Eoin Adams all failed to advance from the groups in the Open. However Tony McCann made it to the Quarter Finals in the Veteran event before losing out 2-4 to home teams Issy's Eric Naszalyi. Well done Tony!

Latest world rankings have been released today. Yorkshire Phoenix drop two places to 40th in the World Team Rankings. Martin Hodds leads the Phoenix charge in the Open catergory in 136th, with Richard Pepper being the leading Phoenix veteran in 65th. All details can be found in the World Rankings section.

This weekend will see the Phoenix fly out to Paris to take part in the latest FISTF World Ranking event. A team of Martin Hodds, Kenny Beggs, Eoin Adams and Tony McCann will be taking part. Good Luck guys!

Yorkshire Phoenix where featured in yesterdays Yorkshire Post newspaper. An online version of the article can be found at:-

This weekend saw several Phoenix players take part in the 2008 International Grand Prix of Manchester.

A world class field was in hand, as the draw proved for our players. Despite this, Craig Heward advanced from his group before going out to Top French player Axel Donval 1-4. Paul Lawrenson narrowly missed out on getting through the groups on goal difference after beating Solway's Ben Staples 2-0 and drawing 2-2 with Scottish number one - Mike Burns. Richard Pepper missed out on advancing in the vets despite beating German Olaf Siedel 1-0. Richard was to later reach the semi finals of the plate event.

On the Sunday Phoenix took part in the Team Grand Prix. The day saw a return to action for Trevor Cummings, who was playing his first matches since the end of last years Super League meeting. Despite the extended break, Trev won all three of his matches! The team itself though where drawn in a group of death with former world number one club - Italy's Bologna Tigers, Germany's number one outfit SW Gemaba Hitdorf, and Scotland's Hot Club D'Ecosse. Phoenix lost 1-3 to Bologna, 1-3 to Hitdorf and drew 2-2 with Hotclub with Paul Lawrenson recording Phoenix's other victory.

This weekend will see Phoenix field two sides at the 2008 International Grand Prix of Manchester in Oldham. Seven players will also be playing in the individual events. Good Luck Phoenix!

Last weekend saw four Phoenix players take part in the 2008 Montague Open near Peterborough. The event organsied by Huntington Hawks, was the third English circuit event of the season. It was a succesful day for Yorkshire, as all four players made it to the semi finals!

Paul Lawrenson, Martin Hodds and Richard Pepper where all drawn in Semi Final Group One and Kevin Adderley was joined by Whitestars John Turpin and Jeremy Bradley in semi final Group 2. Group 1 saw Paul draw 1-1 with Rich and 1-1 with Martin. That meant going into the final game, a victory for either Rich or Martin would be enough to advance to the final. With 30 secs to go Martin struck the winner to beat Rich 2-1! In group Two Kevin drew with John but was easily outgunned 6-0 by Jeremy.

In the final it was Martin versus Jeremy. Martin struck first after only ten seconds to take the lead, only to concede minutes later. The rest of the game was a dull affair as far as finals go. Not even extra time and shots could seperate the two. Finally in the sudden death shoot out Jeremy took the title after both places squandered shots.

With a new year, comes the latest world rankings. Phoenix are now the 38th Ranked Team in the world. Martin Hodds leads the Phoenix charge in the Open catergory in 133rd place out of 1244 registered players.

Tony McCann recently got his Division One campaign underway with a 2-1 Victory over Kevin Adderley. Full details can be found in the League tables section.

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