On tonight's show, we round up Gillingham's transfer window and look ahead to the second half of Holcombe Hockey Club Women's season in the Division 1 South.
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00:00 Hello and welcome along to Invictus Sport, it's the only show on your TV dedicated to
00:20 wrapping up all of Kent's sporting action.
00:23 I'm Bartholomew Hall and here's what to expect on this Friday the 2nd of February.
00:28 The day after the night before, we give you a round-up of Gillingham's deadline day moves,
00:34 back on the pitch, Holcombe ladies pick up on promotion charge as season gets back underway
00:39 and taking flight, KMTV's brand new sports show following the University of Kent's American
00:44 football squad, the Falcons.
00:48 But of course as always we start today with a round-up of the sports headlines and Ebbs
00:52 Fleet United have announced former Aldershot manager Danny Searle will take over as interim
00:57 head coach ahead of their televised game against Oldham this weekend.
01:01 Searle returns to the UK after working a spell as assistant manager at FC Banek Ostrava in
01:06 the Czech Republic.
01:07 He'll be in the dugout whilst club management work to recruit a new permanent team boss.
01:13 It comes after we broke the news on Mondays in Invictus Sport that Fleet had parted ways
01:17 with the 44-year-old German manager.
01:19 Kudrypa had stepped down as boss following a defeat last time out against Oxford City
01:24 which saw the club return to the National League relegation zone.
01:28 Harry Finch is set to become Kent's first choice wicket-keeper for Red Bull cricket
01:32 for the 2024 season.
01:34 It comes after the 28-year-old signed a deal to stay at our county's side until the end
01:39 of the upcoming season in December.
01:41 He became the first choice after Sam Billings stepped down as Kent captain in the four-day
01:46 format.
01:47 Head coach Matt Walker says Finch's keeping has improved game on game and that they've
01:51 decided not to look for another keeper at this stage.
01:54 Kent's season gets underway with a county championship match against Somerset on 5th
01:58 April at Canterbury.
02:01 The Invicta Dynamos are expecting at least two players back from suspension this weekend
02:05 as they take on Oxford City's stars twice.
02:09 The Moes have been depleted since a controversial fight between players in Streatham caused
02:13 more players to be suspended.
02:15 Matty Bell and Brandon Charge are both free to return to the ice this weekend.
02:19 Head coach Carl Lennon says the additions will be massive for the Gillingham side after
02:23 having to call on the Bear squad last time out.
02:26 It's also kids for a quid this Sunday at Planet Ice, with children aged five to 15 able to
02:31 enter for a pound when accompanied by a full-paying adult.
02:36 And plans for a huge bicycle factory in Ashford have been delayed once again over concerns
02:41 that it will impact the road network.
02:43 Who'd have thought it?
02:45 More bikes could lead to more traffic, while bosses at Brompton Bicycle want to put their
02:49 new headquarters and factory on land close to Ashford Designer Outlet.
02:53 National Highways says it needs more information before being able to comment on the scheme,
02:57 and has asked the local authority to delay making a planning decision.
03:01 If built, it's said the factory could make 200,000 bikes a year.
03:06 Impressive.
03:07 This year's transfer window in January has finally closed.
03:11 Four players have now officially left Gillingham FC, whilst four have actually joined the club.
03:16 Key strikers Tom Nicol and Macaulay Bond have departed from Priestfield, whilst Jorge Ortado
03:21 and Josh Andrews are both hoping to make their mark as some of the replacements.
03:28 It comes as Steven Clements' side are set to host Walsall this weekend.
03:31 Here's our reporter Jack Darkin with a round-up of all the moves that happened at the Gilles
03:35 last month.
03:37 Steven Clements' side had a productive and busy window, with four departures and four
03:41 new arrivals.
03:42 The departing striker Lewis Walker opted to join National League side Woken on an 18-month
03:46 contract.
03:47 This was followed by defender Che Alexander leaving the Gilles after agreeing to terminate
03:51 his contract.
03:52 Macaulay Bond joined League One and Cambridge United on loan until the end of the season.
03:56 And Gillingham's final departure of the transfer window was forward Tom Nicholls,
04:00 who left Priestfield for fellow League Two rivals Mansfield Town.
04:03 Here's what Steven Clements had to say about Macaulay Bond's departure.
04:06 I wish Macaulay all the best.
04:09 He's been a good professional.
04:11 He hasn't caused me any problems at all around the place.
04:14 He's well respected within the group.
04:17 But somebody in my position, you have to try and freshen things up in that department.
04:25 And this isn't just Macaulay.
04:26 There's lots of people involved in that department.
04:29 We haven't scored enough goals.
04:30 So it's my job to try and improve that.
04:33 And obviously sometimes a player can be at a club and it doesn't actually just work
04:37 out for one reason or another.
04:39 Now as I say, I've got no ill feeling towards Macaulay.
04:42 I've always gotten on well with him.
04:44 And I wish him all the best at his next club.
04:46 Gillingham's first signing of the window was defender Romeo Hutton.
04:49 He arrived at Priestfield halfway through the transfer window.
04:52 He made his first appearance for the club against Forest Green Rovers.
04:56 One of three new strikers who joined the Gilles this window is Josh Walker on loan from Burton
05:00 Albion until the end of the season.
05:02 His first start came in a 2-1 defeat to Milton Keynes, where he scored on his debut.
05:07 Another striker includes Colombian international Jorge Otado on loan from Watford.
05:12 He was one of two players that joined on deadline day.
05:15 The left-footed number nine will be hoping to make an impact on the pitch.
05:18 And finally, the biggest news for Gillingham this window comes as Josh Andrews joins the
05:22 League Two side from Birmingham City on a permanent deal.
05:25 The 22-year-old frontman spent the first half of the season on loan with fellow League Two
05:29 side Accraton Stanley, netting six goals for them.
05:32 Here's what Stephen Clements had to say about Gillingham's transfer business earlier
05:35 this week.
05:36 With 18 games left in the season for Gillingham, head coach Stephen Clements will be hoping
05:57 that his new additions will help them clinch promotion by the end of the season.
06:01 Jack Darkin for KMTV.
06:09 And as you've been hearing, Gillingham are set to welcome Walsall at home.
06:13 This time, Walsall walked away with all the points after a 4-1 win in October.
06:19 Ebbs Fleet will take on Oldham Athletic in the National League at home on Saturday.
06:23 The game will be in front of the TV cameras as Ebbs Fleet face their first game after
06:27 parting with first team manager Dennis Kutryb.
06:31 In the National South, Dover and Dartford are on the road.
06:33 The Darts needing to bounce back after losing to Weymouth last time out.
06:36 Meanwhile, Dover could extend their winning streak to two as they continue in their efforts
06:40 to climb from the relegation zone.
06:42 Maidstone will host table leaders Yeovil who revealed a new team badge this week.
06:50 And in the Izmir Premier, Margate welcome Dulwich and Chatham Town will head to Whitehawk.
07:01 Best of luck for all our Kent sides this weekend.
07:10 Don't forget you can keep up to date with all the latest football news by reading Kent
07:13 Online.
07:14 But did you also know you can have your weekly digest of Gilles news sent directly to your
07:19 email inbox.
07:20 Just search Kent Online email alerts and sign up on the website for all the latest written
07:24 transfer news, match reports and interviews.
07:27 And if the Gilles isn't your cup of tea, there's plenty more email alerts to choose from including
07:31 all the latest non league football news too.
07:35 Now it's time to remind you that you can also keep up to date with all the latest sports
07:38 news, interviews and features from right here on Invicta Sport by heading to our website
07:42 kmcv.co.uk.
07:44 When you get there, click on the sports tab and you'll see videos like this one about
07:48 the finale of last season's British Touring Car Championship, which took place at Kent's
07:52 very own Brands Hatch.
07:54 Today at Brands Hatch, the 2023 British Touring Car Championship season will reach its conclusion.
08:00 Ash Sutton has been dominant all season long, but Tom Ingram is knocking on the door ready
08:05 to push him off the top step.
08:08 As for our two Kent drivers, Jake Hill was far too away on points to claim the title,
08:12 but still stood within grips of second place overall.
08:16 And Broadstairs-born Michael Kreese sat 23rd in the championship after rejoining the independent
08:21 team hard mid-way through the season.
08:24 He was hoping to take advantage of the weekend's format to get ahead.
08:27 We had a bit of trouble with the car yesterday in qualifying.
08:31 We had a few issues develop with it and a bit of set-up problems as well.
08:34 So we're pretty much starting 24th I think today, so we can only go forward.
08:38 I mean there's 27 on the grid, but I think my aspiration is top 15, get some points and
08:44 then try and get into the top 12 for the race two and then hopefully get a reverse grid
08:48 like I did at Silverstone and start on pole for race three.
08:51 Back up at the top and 46 points ahead of his rivals, Sutton just had to deny Ingram
08:56 a race win to confirm his fourth championship title.
09:00 His team, Rooten-based Alliance Racing, is set to move north to rugby next season, meaning
09:05 winning the title here at Brands Hatch would be the last time they could call it a home
09:09 race.
09:10 But with three races in the day, Tom Ingram tried his best to keep the championship alive
09:15 as long as he could.
09:17 The Bristol Street Motors man used a safety car in race one to his advantage, where the
09:22 1.3 second gap between him and Sutton was depleted, the pack bunched up to tee up a
09:28 two race sprint to the line to keep that championship running.
09:32 But despite the late drama and leading from pole position, 28-year-old Sutton kept it
09:37 clean and calm to bring it home and become the youngest ever four-time British Touring
09:43 Champion.
09:44 I'm just trying to soak it all up.
09:47 It's just mega.
09:48 I'm just excited to claim my fourth title.
09:50 The only driver to do it in a front-wheel drive car and a rear-wheel drive car is phenomenal.
09:55 But big thanks to the team behind me, Napa Racing UK, Alliance Racing.
09:59 We were sort of nursing a noise from the front of the car in terms of a tyre issue and I
10:03 didn't want to get a punch out.
10:04 We were focused on bringing it home but the pressure was definitely on there at the end.
10:09 But to get over the line, it was a sigh of relief.
10:12 With the championship already secured, the intensity of the final two races were somewhat
10:17 subdued but no less entertaining.
10:19 Mechanical issues for Michael Kreese meant not finishing the final two races but it was
10:24 the newly crowned champion Sutton who commandingly won race two from pole, equalling the modern
10:31 day record of 12 wins in a season.
10:34 And there we have it.
10:35 Huge cheers behind me as Ash Sutton claims his first win after becoming a four-time British
10:41 Touring Car champion and adding another podium to his dominant tally this season.
10:49 Race three features a reverse grid where the champ had to start in ninth for the final
10:52 round of the season.
10:54 But for Platseeth driver Jake Hill it meant the opportunity to end things on a high as
10:58 he took advantage of a sensational wheel-to-wheel battle with Steven Gelli and Josh Cook, incredibly
11:04 slicing past both in one move to take his sixth win of the season.
11:08 Ultimately sitting third in the standings overall, equalling his best ever result.
11:14 So as the sun sets on a glorious Touring Car Championship season, Kent's involvement here
11:19 at Brands Hatch in the premiere of Britain's racing calendar awaits its return in 2024.
11:26 Exciting stuff.
11:27 Not long now before the BTCC gets back underway and of course we'll be going along to Brands
11:31 Hatch to cover it once again.
11:33 Now we've reached half time which means it's time for a break but coming up we'll be hearing
11:37 from Holcombe Hockey Club's Robin Hodges ahead of their second half of their Division One
11:42 South campaign which gets underway with a doubleheader this weekend.
11:45 Plus, KMTV's brand new sports show entirely produced by our students in our Year in Television
11:50 programme has premiered this week.
11:52 We'll be hearing from one of their editors.
11:53 See you in a few minutes.
11:54 Bye bye.
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15:10 Hello and welcome back to Invicta Sport live on KMTV.
15:14 Now Holcombe Hockey Club's ladies begin the second half of their Division 1 South campaigns this weekend
15:20 with a home clash against league leaders Surbiton.
15:23 It comes after gaining promotion in their Super 6's Division 1 campaign
15:27 after champions Beeson were found to have fielded an ineligible player.
15:31 Nick Banderach's side are the top scorers in the league so far with 33 goals in 9 games.
15:36 I caught up with player Robin Hodges earlier today
15:39 and started by talking about what it feels like to get back to work after the Christmas break.
15:44 Christmas break I think was so needed for everyone.
15:48 I mean obviously some of us still played indoor which is brilliant because you can get your touch in
15:54 but then our overseas players were able to go home and they were really able to rest
15:59 and even though still keeping up with your fitness and what not.
16:03 But yeah it's good we're back as a group now and Christmas was a time where we needed to just take that step back.
16:10 Now of course and you mentioned the indoor run that you had.
16:14 I mean what a success.
16:15 I know that it came a little bit late, a little bit delayed because of some decisions that need to be made
16:19 but you know promotion I mean you've got to be happy with that.
16:24 Yeah no it was all a bit touch and go going into the second weekend.
16:28 If I'm 100% honest it was more of a let's stay up rather than get relegated.
16:33 But I think that worked in our favour because we just played with so much confidence and composure
16:39 and we won every single game and thankfully we then ended up getting promoted.
16:45 Not just winning but actually finished top of the table.
16:49 I know brilliant stuff.
16:50 Massive congratulations but obviously now back to your outdoor duties.
16:55 We know the goal of the group as a whole is to get back up into the premiership at the end of this season
17:01 and it's been a pretty successful first half.
17:03 Top scorers at the moment, 33 goals in 9 games.
17:07 Would you agree?
17:08 I mean how do you kind of assess the situation so far?
17:11 Yeah no it's been a great first half of the season.
17:16 All the girls and the whole group have really come together and we're actually starting to link so much nicer now
17:22 and building our set plays.
17:24 And I mean this weekend doubleheader it's huge for anyone let alone who we're playing against.
17:30 So yeah it's a lot to look forward to.
17:34 Now absolutely taking on the league leaders of course in the form of Surbiton.
17:38 Surely that's going to kind of set the mood for how you go into the second half of this season.
17:43 How do you shape up Surbiton?
17:46 Yeah so our thing is we're just going to stick to our same processes, stick to our game plan
17:53 and hopefully we can beat them.
17:56 Obviously it was a bit close last time but our aim is to just go in and hopefully get the win.
18:05 Absolutely and you've got a familiar face joining the squad this half of the season in the form of your sister.
18:11 She's just signed for Holcombe.
18:13 Have you played with her before? Are you looking forward to it?
18:16 Yeah I know we've played together multiple times.
18:20 Obviously growing up I've been playing since I was seven, she's been playing since she was five.
18:25 And yeah it's fantastic to have her.
18:28 We play mixed hockey together and we play the whole family as well, there's five of us.
18:32 So it'll be great and to have her up front and I'm a defender that's just even better
18:38 because you can see and hopefully we can connect and link up on the pitch.
18:42 Yeah absolutely.
18:43 Did you help her make her decision to join?
18:46 Was she kind of giving her, yeah absolutely come and join us at Holcombe, we've got this great project going on.
18:52 No, we've always said that everybody can make their own decisions.
18:58 I joined Holcombe just for the pure, just the name and the club itself is fantastic.
19:06 And Bethan has now come over and she feels the exact same and it's nice to know that she is comfortable
19:13 where she is and is being coached by some amazing coaches.
19:18 Absolutely. Now entry is free at Holcombe Park this weekend.
19:23 For anybody that's thinking of coming along and doesn't know what to expect,
19:26 what can they expect? What's the kind of mood like on a game day at Holcombe?
19:32 Oh it's amazing, the crowd in the stands, you can feel that out, you've got the clubhouse, there's music
19:38 and some fantastic hockey on show.
19:42 Absolutely and of course we just had the Olympic qualifiers, success for both of our Team GB squads.
19:48 It seems like hockey as a whole is kind of getting a bit more movement now.
19:52 We saw those games put on TV and streamed online for people to watch live.
19:57 What's your hope for the future of the game and for more people to watch it, especially in our local area as well?
20:03 Oh I mean, hockey itself, it just needs so much more exposure and it's such a shame it's only just now
20:12 starting to actually get those streaming platforms.
20:16 With the Olympic qualifiers, I think it hit top figures with the streams.
20:22 Locally it's just, spread the word, people be there, be here and you won't be disappointed.
20:30 I tell you what, I'm loving it, I'm loving this kind of rise at the moment and I'm sure many of our viewers will as well.
20:35 Hopefully they'll come along and support their local side as well in the form of Holcombe.
20:39 Best of luck this weekend.
20:41 Thanks.
20:43 Very best of luck to Holcombe ladies as they get going again this weekend.
20:48 Now, KMTV has just launched a brand new sports programme. Don't worry, Invicta Sport isn't going anywhere.
20:54 This one is all about American football and more specifically, the Kent Falcons.
20:58 Limitless, The Rise of the Falcons is produced entirely by students on our year in television scheme
21:03 in partnership with the University of Kent and it's just aired its first episode this week.
21:08 Joining me earlier to talk more about this was Jessica Hulks. She's one of the show's editor.
21:13 But before we hear from her, we're very excited to show you a clip from the episode itself.
21:18 Hello and welcome to this week's Tony Teaches.
21:22 So I was introduced to the sport by a friend and he said I had the build for a running back.
21:29 It took me to go watch the Super Bowl, the Woodies, watched it and from that moment onward I was like,
21:34 I am going to play running back, I'm going to play American football.
21:36 The morning, there's one on Monday night, there's one on Thursday night.
21:39 You know, every aspect of the sport is covered now, which is incredible.
21:43 It's taught me a lot of discipline, a lot of self-discipline.
21:50 And Jess joins me in the studio now. Jess, welcome to Invicta Sport.
21:58 Tell us about your show, Limitless, The Rise of the Falcons. What's it all about?
22:01 Yeah, it's all about American football in a wider sense, both in America and in the UK.
22:07 We're looking at specifically the team at the University of Kent and just trying to introduce it to more people.
22:14 Of course. You mentioned the club and the team here at the University of Kent, the Kent Falcons.
22:20 Tell us a bit more about them because they're quite a big cohort of people, aren't they?
22:24 Yeah, from what I know there's about 60 people. There's quite a big bunch of people at least.
22:29 And a bunch of coaches as well that all kind of work together to create the strongest team they can for whatever matches they get.
22:36 And they go against people from all over the county, I think.
22:41 Absolutely. And American football, it's quite a topic to pick as well because the kind of clues in the name, American football, it's not the most popular sport here.
22:49 But it is on the rise, isn't it? We're seeing matches being put live on TV here in the UK now.
22:54 Have you had to do a lot of learning as a group of producers putting together this show?
22:59 For sure. I think we're lucky to have one of the members of the Falcons on our team, Tony.
23:05 But the rest of us, I think, all kind of feel like newbies to the whole sport, to be honest,
23:11 because I think most of us just know it from TV and like movies and things like that.
23:15 But actually seeing how it's actually played, figuring out the rules, figuring out the systems, how it actually works, it's been quite interesting for all of us.
23:23 And of course, then putting it onto TV and turning it into a show as well.
23:27 What's been the most kind of surprising thing about putting together a show about American football?
23:32 It's amazing how much you can learn from your own research and then feeling like, yeah, that's exactly what other people should know.
23:41 Like you're almost a viewer yourself. You kind of get to understand what it is people want to know because you want to know it.
23:47 And, yeah, it's quite I'm quite proud of what we've been able to do so far.
23:52 Absolutely. And the first episode has already come out. It premiered this week on KMTV and people can watch it.
23:57 Go back and watch it on demand at kmtv.co.uk. Next episode's coming out next week.
24:03 What can you tell us about what to expect?
24:05 We'll be looking more at team culture specifically with the Falcons, of course,
24:09 but then also on a wider span of what it is to be on an American football team and what that consists of with players, coaches, things like that.
24:20 Brilliant. Looking forward to it. Jess, thank you very much for joining us.
24:23 Exciting stuff. Now, we've reached full time on today's episode, but there's just a few minutes of extra time to take a look at this week's action replay.
24:31 It's, of course, the segment where we take a look at clips and pictures that you, the KMTV audience, have sent in of you taking part in sport.
24:38 Let's see what we've got in store in this week's action replay.
24:41 This week's action replay starts with a trip to Fathersham's outdoor pool,
24:48 where Kent Online reporter Megan Carr has gone to brave the wintry weather and join those who take the cold dip weekly.
24:56 Tiptoeing into the freezing water, Megan said she was shaking with cold and her toes went numb instantly.
25:03 But despite wanting to get out straight away, Megan braved on and lasted a good 10 minutes in the pool.
25:10 That's impressive. You can read Megan's whole story at Kent Online.
25:14 Next up, and South Kent Harriers runner Max Hamilton-Andrews found himself shoeless during a cross country race.
25:21 Entering the Southern Cross Country Championships, Max was one of 720 finishers at Beckenden Place Park.
25:28 But after just 9 miles of grassland, he found himself looking through the mud for his brand new spikes, which had fallen off whilst running.
25:36 After eventually finding the missing boot, he managed to sprint past others to the end and finished in the top 500,
25:43 with a time of 1 hour and 2 minutes.
25:46 And if you've been wondering where KMTV reporter Abbey Hook has been this week, well, here's your answer.
25:53 Here she is snowboarding down the snowy Austrian Alps and making everyone here at KMTV very jealous with those stunning mountain views.
26:02 A little known fact about Abbey is that snowboarding is one of her favourite sports to take part in,
26:08 and she always looks forward to the freedom and excitement of sliding down a good snowy hill.
26:14 Well that's it for this week's Action Replay.
26:16 If you want to appear in next week's edition, send in clips of you taking part in sport by email or on social media.
26:23 Now don't forget, if you want to appear in next week's Action Replay just like Abbey,
26:30 then you absolutely can tag us in your clips and pics on social media @KMTVKent or send us an email to sport@kmtv.co.uk.
26:39 Just tell us what part of Kent it is you come from and what it is you do.
26:43 Well that is full time on today's episode of Invicta Sport. I'll be back on Monday with another, but for now, bye bye.
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