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Roller Hockey News 2003-2004 Season
Trophy Cabinet
All conquering roller hockey team Herne Bay United are to ask the company running the Pier Pavilion to provide them with a showcase cabinet for all their trophies. United's first team have just completed another exceptional season in which they became national champions for the 11th time. They added the National Cup, to secure the 'double' for a third successive season. To add to this, the club also picked up a number of youth trophies, including the Under 15 National Cup and Under 13 National Championship.
United play their home matches at the Pier but at present there is no cabinet in which to display the trophies. HBU official Aileen Barker has decided to raise this point at tonight's annual meeting. "I am asking that Active Life look into having a display cabinet for trophies and cups won by its users in the Pier Pavilion," she explained. Active Life is the trust that runs the Pier Pavilion, the venue for Herne Bay United's home games. "Visible signs of achievement are good marketing tools, they advertise the sports, the club and the venues," she continued. "With such a display on site, the centre would be seen as the venue for success."
Posted: 29 July 2004
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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Senior National Cup: Herne Bay United 9 - 3 Manchester
Herne Bay United are celebrating winning the double for the second year in a row. Having clinched the Premier Division league title, they justified their favourites tag to life the National Cup beating Manchester 9 - 3.
Simon Hosking proved an inspirational figure rewriting the record books with a goal after just three seconds. Hosking added three more to his score in the first 10 minutes, before Karl Smith made it five, by chipping a Hosking shot over the Manchester keeper's shoulder. Then with Hosking taking a breather, HBU took their foot off the gas, allowing Manchester's ever-dangerous Mark Colton to score twice from the edge of the box past an unsighted HBU goalkeeper Garrett Priestley.
Bay led 5 - 2 at half time and upped the tempo in the second half, forcing Manchester to concede an own goal. Colton added his third for Manchester but that proved the end of any Manchester comeback. Bay player manger Phil McVey made it 7 - 3 from the penalty spot, and when Hosking rejoined the line HBU domination was complete when Neil Austin and Brendan Barker added two more. McVey has guided Bay to another successful season, apart from the opening 4 - 3 Premier League loss against Bury, the club's only defeat.
Team: Garrett Priestley, Phil McVey, Karl Smith, Nick Barton, Sam Jackson, Simon Hosking, Neil Austin, Matt Barton, Brendan Barker, Dan Barton
Posted: 15 July 2005
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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Intermediates and Minors National Cup
NRHA Cup finals day proved a showcase for the Herne Bay teams. HBU beat Middlesbrough 10 - 6 to win in the Minors under 13's cup and also won the Intermediates under 15's cup, beating Herne Bay 9 - 6, in an exciting game enjoyed by players and spectators alike. The day started with Herne United wining the National League Division 1 play-off by beating Southsea.
Meanwhile HBU Minors and Schoolboys travelled to Holland recently to compete in an invitation tournament. Both teams were able to test themselves against teams from Holland, Germany, Spain and France. The Minors were second in the age group, while the Schoolboys finished third. The event was played on an outside rink, a new experience for the youngsters. Keeping upright when it rained was a problem, but it proved an excellent weekend.
Posted: 15 July 2004
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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Premier League: Bury 6 - 9 Herne Bay United
Herne Bay United manager Phil McVey says there will be no relaxing as they bid for a league and cup double. Neil Austin hit four as Bay came from behind to secure their 11th Premier Division championship in a row with a 9 - 6 win over Bury. They now prepare to face Manchester in the National Cup Final at Old Street in London on July 10. McVey said: "I am proud of the lads, we knew it was going to be difficult. Bury are a very good side, but we stuck to our game plan, and with hard work and commitment got the result we needed."
Bury started the game knowing a draw was all they needed to pip United to the title. Both teams made a cautious start and Bury took a ninth minute lead when Jess L'Anson scored with a well taken finish. Brendan Barker then hit a post before setting up McVey whose first time shot was deflected into the net by Simon Hosking. Bury regained the lead three minutes later when a cross from Sean Pearce rebounded off McVey's foot and past keeper Garrett Priestley. A L'Anson penalty made it 3 - 1 and United's championship chances looked as if they were slipping away. However Barker pulled one back, after a defence splitting pass by Sam Jackson. Then Neil Austin coolly slotted home from the edge of the box to make it 3 - 3. Bury didn't give up, and went 4 - 3 up with another deflected shot, before L'Anson completed his hat-trick to extend the lead 5 - 3, only for Austin to score his second for Bay.
Seconds after the restart Austin grabbed his third to put Bay level again, before Hosking made it 6 - 5, as Bay went in front for the first time in the game. A long shot by Pearce made it 6 - 6. Austin grabbed his fourth goal of the game to give United a 7 - 6 lead. McVey sealed the win and the league championship with a well taken penalty in the last minute.
Team: Garrett Priestley, Phil McVey, Karl Smith, Sam Jackson, Simon Hosking, Neil Austin, Matt Barton, Brendan Barker, Dave Garlick, Nick Espejo
Posted: 20 May 2004
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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Premier League: Herne Bay United 9 - 6 Letchworth
Herne Bay United player manger Phil McVey is confident the club can retain their National Premier League title. United beat their arch rivals Letchworth 9 - 6 at the Pier last weekend in their final home game of the season. They have two games left, at Sheffield and against Bury St Edmunds, the team level on points with United.
McVey said: "I was pleased with our first half performance, but we eased off in the second, and we have to work on that. Overall I was happy with the result, and I am confident the lads will do the business and keep the title."
United looked the better side in the first half with accurate passing, great movement off the ball and seven goals, a hat-trick by Neil Austin, two each from Simon Hosking and Brendan Barker. Letchworth looked a shadow of their usual selves, with only one player making an impact on the first half with two goals that seemed to go under United keeper Garrett Priestly. United allowed Letchworth back into the game with four second half goals, the last with just 48 seconds left on the clock.
Team: Garrett Priestley, Phil McVey, Karl Smith, Nick Barton, Sam Jackson, Simon Hosking, Neil Austin, Matt Barton, Brendan Barker, David Garlick
Posted: 29 April 2004
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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NRHA Centenary Tournament
Herne Bay United staged an eight-team international tournament over Easter to celebrate the centenary of the National Roller Hockey Association. The local club finished a creditable fourth, despite facing more experienced opposition. Player manager Phil McVey said: "I was proud of the lads, everyone gave 110 per cent, and I thought we were unlucky not to make the final. All the foreign teams involved were semi-professional and train four or five times a week. We only train once a week for two hours. We raised our game and proved we are as good as them."
HBU began with a 3 - 2 win over Bury St Edmunds in the tournament"s opening game. They came from behind with goals by Simon Hosking, Brendan Barker and McVey. They followed that with a 2 - 1 win against Spanish side Ripollett. Barker lost two teeth after being hit in the face by an opponent's stick in an early off-the-ball incident. Hosking gave united a 1 - 0 lead at half time. Ripollett levelled only for Nick Barton to score the winner with a well take slap shot.
It left HBU needing a draw against Turquell from Portugal to reach the semi-finals. Barker sat out the game, and Hosking was another absentee due to a one-game ban. The game finished 3 - 3, only for HBU to lose 6 - 2 against eventual winners Iserlohn from Germany. Bay then put up a brave fight in the third/fourth place play-off against Andorra before losing 5 - 4.
Posted: 15 April 2004
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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Senior National Cup: Herne Bay United 6 - 2 Bury (Played: Saturday 3 April)
Herne Bay United stormed in to the final of the NRHA Senior Knock-Out up with a highly satisfying 6 - 2 win over Bury St Edmunds at the Pier Pavilion. The result more than made amends for Bury's shock victory at the Pier in the opening match of the league season. United started at a fierce pace and were 2 - 0 up inside five minutes. Neil Austin netted the first after a skilful pass by player manager Phil McVey and McVey then grabbed his first goal of the campaign with a long-range effort. Just 20 seconds after the restart Jess L'Anson made it 2 - 1 but United's Austin then claimed his second after good passing with Karl Smith. Yellow cards for McVey and Bury's player Sean Pearce followed, McVey's offence giving the visitors a penalty which keeper Garrett Priestly deflected wide. A brilliant shot from Brendan Barker put United 4 - 1 in front at half time, and in the second period the home side continued to dominate.
Bury had no answer to the excellent play of United striker Sam Jackson, who set up Austin to score his third goal to make the game safe. With five minutes to go United's Austin struck again before Bury's L'Anson claimed a late consolation.
Team: Garrett Priestly, Phil McVey, Karl Smith, Nick Barton, Sam Jackson, Chris Espejo, Neil Austin, Nic Espejo, Brendan Barker, David Garlick
Posted: 7 April 2004
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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Premier League: Middlesbrough 4 - 11 Herne Bay United (Played: Saturday 27 March) and Manchester 6 - 7 Herne Bay United (Played: Sunday 28 March)
Herne Bay United gained two crucial wins away to Middlesbrough and Manchester at the weekend. On Saturday they won 11 - 4 on Teeside, and the following day came from a goal down with two minutes left to beat Manchester 7 - 6 in the National Premier League. They continue their pursuit of a league and cup double at the Pier on Saturday at 8pm, in the national cup semi-final against championship rivals Bury.
At Middlesbrough United started strongly with Simon Hosking scoring twice early on, and after a period of pressure from the home side, completed his hat-trick. Referee Tony Czifra then awarded two penalties to the home side; the second, to United's disgust, against Hosking for playing the ball while his knee was touching the floor. Mark Waddingham slotted both past United keeper Garrett Priestley. Hosking scored twice in a minute to make it 5 - 2 to United, but Brendan Barker was then controversially penalised for a high stick in the box and Waddingham scored again. While waiting for the penalty, United player Neil Austin tried a bit of gamesmanship and whistled to try to put the Middlesbrough striker off, but second referee Ken Stockton sent him to the sin bin for five minutes. Player manager Phil McVey asked the referee for a time out and, when this was not forthcoming, Austin, already in the sin bin complained, and was issued with a yellow. This meant he should have also received an accumulated red card, banning him from the rest of this game, and the next, but the refs failed to notice and a red card was not shown. United, however, scored another two before the break through Sam Jackson and now Hosking, making the score 7 - 3 at half time.
The second half saw United take control scoring another four with only one against. The final result was 11 - 4, Hosking taking his tally to seven.
In Manchester, Hosking was out with an ankle injury, but Austin scored after only two minutes, Manchester equalising through Paul Manford seven seconds later. Manchester's captain Mark Colton then scored twice to make it 3 - 1, but Brendan Barker, with a penalty, and Austin, with an excellent finish, made it 3 - 3 at half time.
In the second half Austin gave United the lead, but Andrew Simms and Mark Colton put the home side 5 - 4 ahead. With only five minutes left Sam Jackson forced home the equaliser but with two minutes to go Manchester scored again. Jackson made it 6 - 6, then with only 20 seconds left Austin scored the winner.
McVey said: "I am very happy with the results, it puts us in a strong position in the league. To win against Manchester after being a goal down with less than two minutes to go, proved the team have got the desire and determination to keep us on top of the league."
Team: Garrett Priestley, Phil McVey, Karl Smith, Sam Jackson, Simon Hosking, Neil Austin, Nick Espejo, Brendan Barker, David Garlick
Posted: 1 April 2004
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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Premier League: Herne Bay United 12 - 1 Manchester (Played: Saturday 13 March)
National league leaders Manchester were replaced at the top by Herne Bay United after suffering a 12 - 1 thrashing at the Pier Pavilion on Saturday. There was no hint of the second half collapse to come as Manchester had the majority of the possession for the first 10 minutes. They made their pressure pay with one of their two Spanish players, Jaixer Burgos, scoring with a slap shot from long range. But four minutes later man-of-the-match Brendan Barker levelled when his cross-shot was kicked into his own goal by a defender. Barker scored again with a great flick shot from a tight angle but only a string of good saves from goalkeeper Dave Garlick preserved the lead. Garlick later made two penalty saves after Nick Barton and player manager Phil McVey had been sin-binned. Late in the first half Sam Jackson put United 3 - 1 up from close range and the ever-dangerous Barker made it 4 - 1.
In the second half Manchester's attacking desperation was repeatedly exposed on the counter-attack. Simon Hosking made it 5 - 1 after only 40 seconds and Jackson rounded off a brilliant team move for his second goal. Barton and Barker finished with three each, Hosking two, and Nick Espejo and Karl Smith one each.
McVey said: "That was our best performance in the 18 months since I've been managing the side. Every one of the lads did exactly what was asked of them. If we can maintain that form, there's no reason whey we shouldn't retain our title. Brendan Barker and Dave Garlick were exceptional, although the whole team were magnificent." United have a tough weekend away to Middlesbrough and Manchester in a fortnight.
Posted: 18 March 2004
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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National Division 1
United dominated the National Division 1 tournament at the Pier on Sunday, beating Herne United 5 - 1, Farnham 8 - 1, Retford 6 - 2 and Houghton Regis 4-1. Captain Joe Fidock said: "We expected a much harder game against Herne but it wasn't as easy as the scoreline suggested. Despite the 7.20am start the whole team were really up for the challenge and played good team hockey."
Team: Jon Barton, Byron Davis, Arran Bowyer, Joe Fidock, Joe King, Paul Nelson, Charlie Pughe, Stavros Zacharia, Alexis Zacharia
Posted: 18 March 2004
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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Premier League: Letchworth 3 - 4 Herne Bay United (Played: Saturday 21 February)
Herne Bay United got their National Premier League championship challenge back on track with a 4 - 3 win at Letchworth. Having lost their opening game of the season, champions United knew they had to win to stay in contention for this year's title. The visitors applied early pressure and their hard work paid off when, after three minutes, striker Simon Hosking put them ahead with a well taken goal. With five minutes of the half remaining, United's player-manger was shown a straight blue card for a rash challenge. Their opponents were awarded a penalty, which Carlos Amaral coolly slotted home to tie the game. United's response was immediate when striker Hosking deflected a slap-shot from Barker straight past the helpless goalkeeper. They looked to see out the half but, with 30 seconds left, Jordi Cobot equalised with a close range effort.
The second half began, as the first ended, with Letchworth on the attack. United's goalie Dave Garlick had to make a string of fine saves to keep the score level. Eight minutes after the restart United's Sam Jackson scored to put his side ahead for the second time in the game. Neil Austin scored with a slapshot into the top corner of the goal to give United a two-goal lead with only 10 minutes to go. Letchworth again pushed forward, and after a passage of fine play, Carlos Amaral scored his second of the game, but they could not beat the impressive Garlick again.
HBU: David Garlic, Phil McVey, Karl Smith, Sam Jackson, Simon Hosking, Neil Austin, Matt Barton, Brendan Barker, Garrett Priestley
Posted: 26 February 2004
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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SECRHA Juniors
Herne Bay United's junior team were in impressive form for the first Secrha tournament of the season at The Stirling Centre in Rochester. The team, made up of five juniors and three schoolboys, defeated Reading 17 - 0, Plymouth 10 - 2 and Maidstone 12 - 1. The tournament was good warm-up for the juniors, who travel to Peterborough on Saturday for the semi-finals of the National Cup Qualifiers.
Team: Paul Nelson, Arran Bowyer, Byron Davis, Sam Jackson, Joe King, Philip Morris, Charlie Pughe, Stavros Zacharia
Posted: 26 February 2004
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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Premier League: Herne Bay United 12 - 2 Sheffield
Home team Herne Bay United went on a goal bonanza as they thrashed Sheffield 12 - 2 in the National Premier League. The fast-improving Sam Jackson began the scoring with two goals for United in the first five minutes of the match. This was the start of a spree of goals from the home side, with United's Austin making it 3 - 0 two minutes later. The frustration felt by the visitors showed in their sloppy defence, giving away a penalty to United. United's Hosking slotted in number four, and three minutes later added a second. Barker then made it 6 - 0 with a shot along the floor, which ended in the corner of the net. United continued to search for the next goal, which came in the form of a good passing from Barker who hit a direct shot at goal that caught a deflection off the stick of his team mate Hosking, making it 7 - 0 with just less than eight minutes remaining of the first half. Shortly afterwards, Barker made it 8 - 0, but then with only three minutes remaining of the first half, it was United who showed a weakness by allowing a Sheffield player to score. However, United quickly reacted and within 30 seconds Barker made it 9 - 1 followed by Jackson, the first half ended 10 - 1.
The second half started fast with a further goal by Barker within the first minute. Although Sheffield were given two penalties in close succession due to mistakes made by United's defence, they could not convert them. It was United player Hosking who made it 12 - 1 half-way through the second half, although Sheffield profusely disputed this goal because it had been unclear to them whether indeed the ball went over the line. Sheffield, relentless is striving for a goal in the second half, seized the opportunity to make it 12 - 2 after sloppy defending by United who had become complacent with their big lead. With 10 minutes to go, it was Sheffield who dominated the run of play, pushing the United players out on to the barriers, and were unlucky not to score. The final minutes saw United and Sheffield trying desperately to score another goal, although the game ended 12 - 2.
United's player manger Phil McVey said: "I was very happy with the first half performance. In the second half we weren't as focused, but it's another match under our belts and I'm confident we can continue to improve." United's next match is away to Letchworth on February 21.
Posted: 12 February 2004
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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SECRHA Under 15's
Herne Bay United intermediates, under 15s, travelled to Farnham on Sunday to play in the penultimate tournament of their league. They won three games out of four, beating Farnham 10 - 1, Plymouth 9 - 0 and Herne United 4 - 0, but lost to league leaders Herne Bay 4 - 2. They are now three points behind Herne Bay.
Team: Joe Andrews, Myles Barker, Robert Carnell, Kai Dillon, Tom Hawkins, Liam Holland, Myles Tichband
Posted: 12 February 2004
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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Premier League: Herne Bay United 6 - 4 Middlesbrough (Played: Saturday 24 January)
National roller hockey champions Herne Bay United bounced back from their shock opening game defeat to land Saturday's hard-earned 6 - 4 home win over Middlesbrough. Despite having a 100-plus crown behind them, United started slowly and a defensive error from player manager Phil McVey allowed Boro's Peter Lonsdale to open the scoring. HBU levelled within five minutes when Simon Hosking finished well from a tight angle then, 20 seconds later, Sam Jackson scored his first of the season to edge United in front. Middlesbrough responded with some fine team play, but could not break through United's strong defence and with four minutes of the half remaining man-of-the-match Neil Austin netted against the run of play to make to 3 - 1. HBU stepped up the pace and pressure as Hosking and Jackson scored again before Middlesbrough captain John Jones pulled one back with a deflected shot in off United's keeper Dave Garlick to make it 5 - 2 at the break.
Middlesbrough started the second half strongly, but could not break through the champions' solid defence. Having weathered the storm Hosking finished off the best move of the game, with a spinning flick shot into the bottom left corner of the net to complete the home tally. Middlesbrough striker Marc Rutland pulled two back for the visitors in the closing stages, but it was Bay who sealed their opening win.
After the game HBU player-manager McVey said: "I knew it was going to be difficult, we have only played one match before this one and that was back in October, so none of us are match fit. Most of the other clubs have played four or five matches already and Middlesbrough caused us a few problems. I'm pleased we won, but there is plenty of room for improvement if we want to retain our title." United's next match is at home against Sheffield on Saturday, February 7 at 8pm on the Pier.
HBU: Garrett Priestley, Phil McVey, Karl Smith, Nic Espejo, Matt Barton, Simon Hosking, Neil Austin, Brendan Barker, David Garlick
Posted: 29 January 2004
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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National Division 1
United National League Division 1 outfit remained undefeated after their latest round matches with two wins and a draw from three starts. HBU started their three-match programme with a 5 - 1 defeat of Stevenage. Despite going a goal down HBU captain Joe Fidock levelled within a minute and other goals came from Jon Barton, Fidock (2) and Byron Davis.
Their second game against Farnham was 1 - 1 at half time with a Davis goal for HBU, but Fidock completed a second half hat-trick to clinch a narrow 4 - 3 win in the final minute of play.
A share of the spoils ended the day with a thrilling 5 - 5 stalemate with Houghton Regis. Charlie Pughe spectacularly gave HBU the lead in the first minute but poor finishing allowed Houghton's ex-premier league team to build a 3 - 1 interval lead. HBU brought out the big guns after the interval as Davis and Arran Bowyer levelled just five minutes after the restart. Houghton showed all their experience to restore a two-goal cushion, but Davis scored with 30 seconds to go and Fidock just before the hooter.
HBU: Paul Nelson, Joe Fidock, Charlie Pughe, Stavros Zacharia, Jon Barton, Arran Bowyer, Joe King, Byron Davis, Lee Chestnutt
Posted: 29 January 2004
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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Premier League: Herne Bay United 3 - 4 Bury (Played: Saturday 25 October)
Two goals in the last 90 seconds condemned reigning champions Herne Bay United to a surprise 4 - 3 defeat against Bury St Edmunds in the first game of the new Premier League season. Bury St Edmunds were newcomers to the Premier league - but like United included England national players, both past and present. Four goals from Jess L'Anson turned a sometimes bad-tempered game in their favour at the Pier Pavilion on Saturday.
The game started at a high tempo, with both teams attacking on the break and creating many scoring opportunities. United goalkeeper David Garlick had to be at his best to keep Bury out, and they showed frustration when Sean Pearce was shown a yellow card for dissent. A dribble penalty was awarded to United, but player manager Phil McVey could not convert. Minutes later, however, Brendan Barker gave them the lead with an excellent shot and before long Simon Hosking was through one on one with the keeper to make it 2 - 0. In the last three minutes of the first half, United's Neil Austin hit the bar, and Barker was denied by a fine save, but in the last 40 seconds Bury missed an open goal.
In the second half United began to show signs of tiredness with lapses in thier defence and discipline. A little luck played a part in Bury's first goal three minutes into the second half when the ball hit L'Anson's chest and dropped onto his stick in front of goal, and he equalised four minutes later in a goalmouth scramble. United were back in front at 3 - 2 within three minutes, when the experienced Nick Barton, who had replaced McVey powered though to score. There were still 14 minutes to play, but United continued to lose possession too easily and with 90 seconds left they were punished when L'Anson cracked in a superb shot. Not content with a hat-trick, L'Anson then put his team in front with another impressive shot. Tempers were no running high and Hosking was given a blue card and sent off the rink, along with Bury's Pearce for his second yellow card.
McVey said: "I'm very disappointed with the performance. We were two goals up; we should have played possession hockey in the second half, but we showed a lack of maturity. Hopefully, we will learn from this defeat and we will work on the aspects of our game that let us down. Bury played very well and deserved the victory."
HBU: Garrett Priestley, David Garlick, Phil McVey, Karl Smith, Nick Barton, Matt Barton, Simon Hosking, Neil Austin, Brendan Barker
Posted: 30 October 2003
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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