West Gippsland Hockey
With
many more games been played on the new synthetic ground, the hockey clubs are
embracing not having to deal with the poor conditions of the slow grass. The
synthetic becomes more faster, and many player are now displaying better stick
control, which has showed with some of the score lines in the past few weeks.
Warriors One def Drouids 2 –1
A very chilly morning saw the Warriors players running around just trying to warm up. Tessa Martin and Toby Taylor blocked and tackled well. Seth Calway and Hudson worked the ball up the field. Matthew Interlandi passed the ball well. Kate Rinehart scored both goals for Warriors. Most Disciplined Player Award went to Tessa Martin for playing her position so well.
With
Drouids playing with five on the bench, the score line didn’t show how well the
team played. Dougal Wright, Austin Williamson and Henry Grant displayed great
attacking skills, and tried hard all game. Mikayla Smith is showing improvement
in her attacking, and getting into play with every chance she’s got. Kelsey
Powell and Nathan Smith dominated the forward line, with Nathan scoring the goal
for Drouids. New comers Max and Alanna Hunt and Samuel and Alex Grigoleit are
displaying a great knowledge to the game, and fitting in well with their
teammates.
Gulls
One def Aztecs 3 – 0
The Gulls one had an attacking game today, with a great first goal by Gabi, followed by the excitement of Max's first goal and then a last goal by Olivia. The team supported all these well. Alex and Gilly showing their continually increasing ball skills and Darcy, Jake and Ruth defending well.
Drouids drew Gulls 1 – 1
The first half was very competitive with neither team really getting on top. Nathan Smith, Jarrod Smith and Chelsea Beca provided great run into attack. Isaac Daly and Felicity Johnson were impenetrable in defence. The second was an enthralling contest with both teams having chances to score. Gulls drew first blood. This seemed to sting the Drouids team into action. Felicity Johnson was switched from defence to attack, and was able to score the equalizer following a pass from Jarrod Smith.
Goal scorers: Felicity Johnson 1
Gulls drew with Drouids in a very exciting match. The score
was one goal all but there were many chances and near misses by both sides. It
was good to see teamwork operating which enabled Sam Gilbert to score. Mitchell
Nunan and Matthew Dutneall set up Sam's goal with superb interception and
passing. Isabelle Mann was quick in seeing opportunities to take the ball out of
danger. Eliza Greenall played one of her best games yet and Travis Gallagher was
in usual fine form. Isabella Donders was energetic in defence. Daniel Greenall
was great in goals and kept many Drouids shots out. A special thanks to Daniel
Coates and Gabriella Carbon who played up and
filled the gaps well.
Warriors def Aztecs 3 – 0
The Aztecs played a defensive game today and continue to improve each week. James Carey was a strong and consistent player backed up well by Brad Akers and Tim Giles. Everyone contributed including Leah Rasmussen, Erin Spragg, Jesse Brown and Tara Bagnall. A big effort from our under 9 players Brittany and Anthony Forrest who helped clear the ball on quite a few occasions. The first half of the match saw most of the play at our opponent’s end but both teams remained scoreless. The second half saw some great play from the Warriors who managed to score three goals despite some great stops from Ariane Ross and Jesse Brown.
Warriors demonstrated good skills in hitting, direct passes, stealing, and pushing the ball along the muddy turf. The second half saw three great goals scored by key offensive players Lachlan Naylor, Josh Horsburgh and Olivia Stagg. The whole team played well together, with good performances by Matthew Lubberink, Oscar Bateman and Kate Rinehart. Despite the final score line, Aztecs had kept up a good defensive game, and the umpiring was very fair.
Drouids def Gulls 5 – 1
This was a fast paced game. Stephanie Zurrer scored the first goal early in the game. Callum Hobson later pushed the ball through the legs of Gulls defence to score the second goal. Gulls took the ball forward however Drouids defence was strong, preventing a strong hit at goal scoring. Jack Shaddock was reliable in goals. Meghan Wright and Zoe Bush showed determination in tackling the ball. Lachlan Hannah scored a goal and then another resulting from some 1:2 team play between Zoe & Lachlan. Both teams kept up the hard pace in the second half. Mitchell Park displayed some excellent play scoring a goal for Drouids. Eddie Edmonds saved a good shot on goal by Gulls however the Gulls broke through the strong Drouids defence to score a goal near the end of the game. Well done both teams.
A great game between Gulls and Drouids with the final score not really reflective of the play. Gulls worked hard to keep up the pressure to a quick attacking Drouids team. Nick Mann in goals was kept busy but managed to stop quite a few attempts at goal with some good saves. Alec Bedford showed great skill with good control of the ball. Josh Gilbert was again the power hitter for Gulls. Pippa Dent had some fantastic tackles, whilst Jess Ross had another outstanding attacking game. Sam Gilbert and Albert Ryan worked well in defence and Ryan Claxton showed what an asset to the team he is with some outstanding runs down the pitch. The second half Gulls worked hard as a team and it was reflected by keeping the Drouids score down. Well done to all.
Warriors def Aztecs 4 – 0
Aztecs def Warriors 4 – 0
Gulls
def Drouids 4 – 3
Undermanned, Drouids played a magnificent team game to nearly snatch a victory from Gulls. Lead by captain Luke Jamieson, Sam Stenson who played his best ever team game, and Kesh Leggett, Drouids played precision/structured hockey. Bronte Hobson was excellent in goals and was ably supported by James Pugh, Will Edmonds, Ben McCarty, and Tristin Walker. Forwards Kesh, Lachie McLean, Jake Bush and Jim McCormack were dangerous all game. The passing and teamwork were a pleasure to watch. Well done.
Goal scorers: Luke Jamieson 1 Kesh Leggett 1 Jim McCormack 1
Aztecs def Warriors 5 – 0
With both teams short
on payers, this meant that they both had to try very hard to pull out a goal.
Warriors tried to push the ball up the field, but the Aztecs were too strong and
many goals were scored by the Aztecs in the first half. Nick Brown got the ball
up into the attacking end a couple of times and Jacinta Brown tackled well all
game. Josh Hendricks cleared the ball as a defender several times and Aiden
Cummings did an awesome job at being goalie. Lauren Mascadri played the position
half back well and Jemma Rinehart and Lisa Shaw dominated the wings. The last
half of the game was a bit slow and the ground's condition being all muddy did
not help a bit. The game was suspenseful and gripping for all.
Drouids def Gulls 8 – 0
Drouids dominated this high scoring game played under difficult muddy conditions. The umpires used the “old bully” option to determine the outcome of a few tackles and falls. Amy French demonstrated excellent improvement in skills and won herself the tiger award. Telese Lane, Meg O’Brien, Prue Grant and Becky Smythe worked aggressively on the forward line leading to a very attacking game. Helen Timbury was tenacious in tackling. Marking improved in the second half after a pep talk from Fiona Conochie. Well done team.
Goal scorers: Meg O’Brien 1, Nicki Cann 1, Becky Smythe 3,
Claire Wigglesworth 2, Telese Lane 1.
Aztecs def Warriors 4 – 2
In another friendly and fun game with Warriors, Aztecs
continued to make their mark on the synthetic surface and consolidated second
place on the ladder. Excellent passing across the forward line by Alicia,
Natalie, Chloe, Steph C, Bridgette and Max (welcome back!) allowed the four
goals to be scored. Sam and Steph H were great in the half back role and
together with Jan (who was on fire in the first half) stopped many Warrior
attacks. Jackie and Robyn worked their usual magic on the back line with Barb
putting in some great kicks. Well done girls – a great team effort.
Goal Scorers: Natalie Tyson 2, Alicia Wood Davies, Chloe
Bourke.
Aztecs def
Warriors 3 – 1
This was a high quality game played at a cracking
pace. Both teams defences were worked hard all game. The score of nil all
at half time was a good reflection of the game. Unfortunately, we let in a
couple of goals in quick succession in the second half. Andy Messer was
able to get one back, but unfortunately Aztecs got a quick reply, and we were
unable to score again. Sam, Nick, Tyler, Rob and Andy worked
hard all
game up forward, and Steve, Dave and Lyndon, (we had to move him out of goals
after last week!) had to do an incredible amount of running from half back and
all played extremely well. Nev and Stu had a lot to do at full back and
played pretty well (no more running for Stu) and Mick played really well as a
fill in goalie, although he did think he could have converted a couple of missed
opportunities up forward.
Hopefully we can get some winning form
back next week.
Drouids drew Gulls 2 – 2
It was a very competitive and fast game on the synthetic surface this week, with a draw probably a fitting result. The Drouids played well as a team making it difficult to single out any best players. John Thomson scored the first goal giving the Drouids the early lead and then Gulls managed to score two goals, one from a penalty stroke, before Al Milne scored the equaliser minutes from the end of the game. Adam Tyson was a key contributor to both Drouids goals. Michael Smythe continues to play well in goals, adjusting to the fast pace of the new surface.
Goals: John Thomson 1, Alistair Milne 1