In his own words: Wimbledon Hockey Club's Henry Weir prepares to fly out to India for the Champions Trophy, but domestically preparations have not been perfect...
"We [Wimbledon] lost 5-3 at home to NOW: Pensions Men’s Hockey League leaders East Grinstead in terrible conditions on Sunday.
It was miserably wet so we moved to a sandy pitch and what ensued was a scrappy match, which can’t have been great viewing for the few people watching on the sidelines.
It was really frustrating – for instance East Grinstead’s first goal came after one of our defenders slipped on the dodgy surface – and leaves us in fourth place, one point behind last year’s winners Beeston.
However, if we beat Southgate on Saturday that will make a satisfactory return just over half-way in to the season, and I hope we can remain in the play-off positions.
On Sunday I’m heading to India with England, as the Champions Trophy begins on December 6 in Bhubaneswar.
The top eight teams in the world will be battling it out, though it is hard to know who will be strong, as a number of countries tend to use the tournament to blood younger players.
To those looking to have a gamble, I’d recommend to save your money as anything can happen.
It should make for an exciting competition, then. And after an international break following an intense summer – which concluded in a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow – we are looking forward to taking part in another foreign campaign.
Up and down: Despite defeat at home to East Grinstead on Sunday, Wimbledon are still in the leading pack in the MHL Premier Division
We will have spent nearly 90 days on international duty this year by Christmas and I find that the further afield you are, the more disconnected you feel.
I miss certain home comforts, and about a quarter of my luggage will be taken up by snacks, which will be impossible to get out there.
For example I will be taking Ribena, Rich Tea biscuits and Nutri-Grain oatmeal and raisin bars, which are all essentials.
We have been told that Bhubaneswar is rather remote, so while there may be the odd sight-seeing trip, we’ll be spending a lot of our free time in and around the hotel complex.
It’ll be stickily hot, so I imagine there will be a lot of corridor cricket being played.
I’m rooming with Harry Martin, another younger member of the squad – he is 22 and I’m 24.
Before we fly we need to discuss which shows to download on to our computer hard drives, as I suspect the internet will be patchy over there.
I hope we can have social screening in our room – it’s so much more interesting when you can talk about what you are both seeing."
Essential viewing: I am hoping my room-mate is into Breaking Bad
I’m crossing my fingers that Harry is in to Breaking Bad. I’m on the fourth series and desperate to complete the whole programme.
If England can win another medal and I can see what happens to Walter White, then that would constitute a successful trip.
NOW: Pensions are one of the UK’s leading auto enrolment pension providers and the proud partner of England and Great Britain Men’s Hockey. Follow @NOWhockey or go to www.nowpensions.com
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