WEST GIPPSLAND HOCKEY ASSOCIATION Inc.

PRESS REPORTS FOR:   Saturday 2nd May 2009

Under 9’s

Drouids Blue 2 def Gulls 0

In brilliant sunshine Drouids Blue had a narrow win over the Gulls. It was a close contest with the score at nil all at half time. Courtney McDonald scored the first goal early in the second half with Mia Pedersen and Aaron Black combining to score just prior to the final siren. Grace Park and Nathan Smith were tenacious in defense. A good game played by all.

Gulls were boosted by 2 new players this week. It was a hard fought game with Samuel and Alex working in the back line with Bell in the middle. While Stuart was everywhere tackling and passing the ball up to Eliza in attack.  

Under 11’s

Drouids 1 def Warriors 0                       

A crowded and un-positioned Drouids overpowered Warriors with the use of strong hitting and tackling. Jack Shaddock and Charlie Parks made brilliant attempts at directing the play.

Gulls 9 def Aztecs 0 

Great team play amongst all the Gulls players with lots of passing to ensure the ball moved well down the ground.  Goals were scored left right and centre by Alec Bedford, Ryan Claxton, Daniel Greenall, Pippa Dent and Courtney James.  Newcomer, Sam Gilbert just missed out on a couple of goals but tackled well along with Nick Mann to get the ball down to the goals.

A very strong attacking Gulls, quickly scored and it took a determined and rapidly improving Aztecs to slow the flood of goals. In only their third game were a talented Travis Dow, an increasingly confident Brad Akers and Sam Coulter, who is finding her rhythm in the position of goalie. The team is to be congratulated for their never say die attitude, good team effort.

Under 13

Drouids 1 def Warriors 0

Charlie Park playing up from under 11 scored Drouids first and only goal after an excellent build up and pass from Jenna Pedersen.   Lachie Hannah was doing good work in defense with Tara Pedersen and Stephanie Zurrer. Ed Edmonds was swapped from defense to attack and made an immediate impact.  Callum Hobson had some nice touches in the forward half and Tara continued to be a ball magnet in defense in the second half.  GK Danielle Cooper made some important saves late in the game.

This was a fast moving game with both teams running hard. Damien Crawford and Samantha Cumming combined well in goals. Jack Rinehart and Brenton were both strong defenders

Aztecs 3 def Gulls 1

Chloe Bourke scored the first goal for Aztecs within seconds but the Gulls tied that goal going into half time. Michael Finger put Aztecs ahead early in the second half and Sarah Chandler sealed the win with a third goal late in the second half. Campbell Ross gave his all throughout the game, an excellent effort for his time with the team. Dylan Forrest defended goals bravely, ably supported by his sister Megan Forrest and Karen Pedder.

Under 15

Drouids 5 def Warriors 1

This was an exciting game for spectators to watch. Drouids defense was solid with Will Edmonds and Prue Grant as strong as ever. Matthew Zurrer was on fire in attack with great support from under 13s Jenna, Ben and Jacob. Liam Watts blocked some strong hits as goal defender. Great running and positioning from Alyce Hatfield, Jordan Di Pietro and Keshia Leggett, well done team.

Hard fought first half. Great defense from goalie Sam Cumming. Brendon Noye scored first goal for Warriors. Great work from Josiah Bertoli. The whole back field had to work hard to stop the onslaught of goal shots coming. Forwards struggled to keep it our way. Overall great determination.

Gulls 1 def Aztecs 0 

Aztecs had a couple of shots at goal with Luke Taylor and Michael Finger both very close, however misjudgment of angles meant that they didn’t convert their efforts into scores.   Adam Smetana did a great job as goalie and managed to keep the score at 1-0. Bridgett Ockerse won the most disciplined player award for the match.

Under 17

Drouids 6 def Warriors 1                       

The Drouids played so well as a team today, with great passing skills and talk amongst the players achieving a great overall score.  All players also held their positions well and goalie Bronte Hobson blocked a few attempts at goal. It was a great game to watch.

Our U17 team made up numbers with the help of the U15 side. They were keen to do well, but found it hard against a older and complete team. Warriors started a bit slow in the first half conceding a number of goals to the stronger Drouids team. But a penalty stroke in the last few minutes put the Warriors on the board.  In the second half Warriors continued to play hard and made a number of goal opportunities for themselves.

Women

Drouids 12 def Gulls Green 0    

Drouids played at their optimum. Despite the opposition’s low team count, the Drouids kept up the ante with fast accurate passing and canny interception of the ball and setting up the play for Becky Smythe’s 9 goals.

Despite the small team Gulls green played a fantastic game. Deanne Smith rejoined the team this week to play a fantastic game as the brilliant goalie.  Nora Ross, Alana Ruberto and Cathy Gower all ran their hardest as they played the forward line. Kate Martin and Maida Anderson both did a great job at play very defensive half backs coving and backing up well. Tina Dent played a fast moving defender as a fantastic full back stoping many attempts at goal.

Warriors 2 drew Aztecs 2

The game was a fun game of good skill and even competitiveness.  Lisa played as hard as always and was well supported by all of our team, we welcome Rebina, who played for us for the first time.

Men

Warriors 2 def Drouids 0

Drouids team played some excellent hockey however Warriors scored their two goals from fast breaks by their forwards. Drouids forwards had most of the play however their shots on the Warriors goals were all wide of the mark. Sam Stenson playing his first men’s game for Drouids contributed well throughout the game.