WEST GIPPSLAND HOCKEY ASSOCIATION Inc.

PRESS REPORTS FOR:   Saturday 5 May 2006

On Saturday spectators at Bellbird Park were treated to a number of fiercely contested games of hockey. There were some excellent displays of skillful hockey across all age groups. Young players new to hockey this year are continuing to develop well under the experienced and dedicated coaches.

Under 9

Warriors 3 defeated Gulls Green 0

Warriors were on the attack from early on and scored thanks to Lauren Gooden. Gulls fought back hard but were unable to break through Warriors defence line. Lots of great teamwork enabled Warriors to score 2 more goals to win the game. Damian Crawford played a great game.

Clear weather and great teamwork made for a great game for Gulls. Jess Ross was fantastic in moving the ball forward while Robert Schmit and Nick Mann were great in defence.

Drouids Navy s 2 defeated Drouids Blue 0

All players were much improved this week with Sam Watts, Stephanie Zurrer and Riley Hicks all playing well with Tara Pederson showing some great ball skills. Congratulations to Mia Peterson on her first game of hockey. Goal Scorers: Zoe Bush, Edward Edmonds.

Gulls Gold 4 defeated Aztecs 0

This was a hard fought game with both teams attacking frequently. The McWha brothers dominated the goal scoring with 2 goals a piece and fantastic defensive work was displayed by the Gulls Gold team.

Despite numerous runs by Tayla Brown, Jake Brown and Stewart McKenzie the Aztecs remained scoreless. Chloe Scott fiercely defended the goal from all attacks. Congratulations to the team for listening well to instructions from their new coach Tony Chandler. Most improved player: Olivia Smetana.

Under 11

Aztecs 5 defeated Warriors 0

Aztecs got off to a great start with goals to Adam Smetana and Shannon Ward. Sean Griffiths showed good team support to help set up a goal. Ebony Scott was great in defence. A great game played by all.

Warriors tried hard to push the ball forward and showed great support of each other when in attack. Aiden Cumming tackled well in defence in his first game.

Gulls 5 defeated Drouids 0

Gulls dominated this game except for a brief period in the second half. Jessie Dent and Sam Tyson were in scintillating form up forward and Danielle Stephenson played the packs well.

Some great rebounding defense by Thomas Park and Alec Maddel of the Drouids was a highlight. Jacob Bush’s dribbling skills were also great to watch. Improved player: Todd Hicks.

Under 13

Warriors 1 drew with Aztecs 1

Great team play was displayed by the Warriors who were also strong in defense and across the midfield. Several players made strong runs up forward. Stuart Rayner was terrific in support of his teammates and made some brilliant forward runs. Goal scorer: Brittany Gapes

This was a great battle with both teams pushing hard for a win. Aztec defenders showed great determination to keep the score to one all. Goal scorer: Jesse Ward (from a short corner).

Gulls 4 defeated Drouids 3

Skill determination and teamwork were all displayed this week. Kiarn showed tiger-like skills in goal affecting a flying pounce across goal to deflect a Drouids shot. Stephanie ran her heart out and showed improving skills. Michael Kramer scored 4 goals with excellent help from his team mates.

Drouids displayed a great team effort, with every player contributing to a close and exciting match. Goal scorers: Lachlan McLean 2, Matthew Zurrer 1.

Under 15

Drouids 4 defeated Gulls 3

Both teams played a good hard game in the first half with no side dominating play. After the break Drouids pulled together well with good tackling, quick running and good positional play. First year players Danielle Haley and Alex Borg showed some fantastic play.

This was a fantastic game to watch with some superb hockey played by Grace, Natalie, Ricky, and Wes. Tiarna and Lara showed terrific skills. Good to see Justin Grigoleit back showing great improvement. Well done Gulls! Goal scorers: Ewan Wallin 3

Aztecs 2 defeated Warriors 0

Congratulations to all of the Aztecs team for a highly skilled and hard fought game. All players contributed to an impressive victory. Jasmine Allen, Courtney Eacott and Jason Paul were terrific in supporting the goalie. Goal scorers: Heidi Smitt, Melanie Whitehead.

Warriors fought hard with a number of good plays. Solid performances were contributed by a number of younger players. Improved players: Britney Naylor-Tress, Rachel Brideman.

Under 17

Aztecs 1 defeated Warriors 0

After an inspirational speech by coach Robyn Ridsdale, Aztecs were successful at scoring on their 13^th attempt at goal. All up a total of 17 attempts on goal were made.  James Leitner, Jade Whitehead and Gabrielle Higgins were our most valuable players.

With close teamwork, the Warriors staved off the many Aztec attacks. Lyndon Calway was fantastic in goal and well supported in defence by Mark Baker and Peter Koziel. Warriors were again short of players with several away with injury or illness.

Drouids 3 defeated Gulls 2

Drouids game was highlighted by the great goal keeping of Leigh Jamieson ably assisted by Lloyd Urquhart, Jack Dwyer and Tristan Johnson in defence. Goal Scorers: Stephanie Pearce 2, Jevan Leggett.

A greatly improved team performance this week by the Gulls team. All players tried hard in a very even game. Chris Miles scored from a short corner and Nathan Kemp scored from the field. Keep working at it Gulls!

Women’s

Warriors 5 defeated Gulls Green 3

Warriors played a great team game after coming off a bye. Catherine Horsburgh did an excellent job in goals, supported by great defending by Kym Rinehart. Goal scorers: Chris Hobbs 2, Lisa Hatfield 2, Janelle New.

Gulls Green are developing well as a team. Tiarna Kramer and Emma Wallin combined together repeatedly to take the ball into attack. Tina Dent continued her great form and Nora Ross, Laura Court and Ruth Eshuis all played well. Goal scorers: Cathy Gower 2, Michelle Goulter.

Aztecs 2 defeated Gulls Gold 0

A solid game for Aztecs this week saw the return of Penni Beck and Maryann Smith, both contributing significantly to the team. After a great team effort, Kerry Irwin scored early in the second half. Melissa Scott’s confidence in goals increases each game. Rowena Beck was the other goal scorer.

Gulls Gold showed great endeavour in the goal circle in the first half. Sharon Douglas, Robyn Follett and Wendy McLean did a fantastic job all over the field and Sue Van Hout was sturdy in defence.

Men’s

Warriors 15 defeated Aztecs 0

Finally with a full complement the Warriors men dominated the pitch against an undermanned Aztecs. Scott Marks and David King pulled off a fast flowing and sometimes cheeky performance. 8 players shared in the goal scoring, leaving Warriors in premiership shape.

Unfortunately Aztecs were outnumbered and outscored. Key players were Dean Crawford, Patrick Childe and Tom Anderson with Paul Black the most improved player.

Gulls 3 defeated Drouids 1

Gulls played a tough physical game against Drouids. Gulls scored all three goals in the first half and while they attacked well in the second half, were unable to add to the score. Goal scorers: Ben Hallyburton, Michael Van Dord, Rob Greenall.

After starting with 8 men and allowing Gulls to score 2 goals, Drouids finally fielded a full team only to have Alistair (Bear) Milne leave the field injured. Drouids young players kept up the pressure led by Chris Garden. Goal Scorer: Dan Wiglesworth.