New Synthetic Field at West Gippsland Hockey
On a day that saw our first games played on the
fantastic new Synthetic Surface, there remained a feeling of great sadness
around the Ground as we mourned together the loss of our Life Member and friend,
Bill Mulconry.
Bill had been ill for some time, but his efforts in promoting
and developing Hockey in regional areas, particularly West Gippsland, will be
remembered always. Bill's Wife Gwen, also a Life Member of the West Gippsland
Hockey Association, visited the ground on Saturday, and witnessed first hand as
each Team lined up before their Games to observe a brief period of silence to
remember Bill and his contribution to Hockey in our Community.
Bill would
have been so proud to have seen games being played at our new facility, and he
will be genuinely missed around Bellbird Park.
Goal scorers: Austin
Williamson (1)
The Gulls Under 9's really enjoyed their first game on the Astroturf, substituting willing Team 2 players into the Team 1 side. The Greenall girls were a great addition: Eliza deflecting two dangerous attempts at goal and Alice just missing scoring. All the players tackled and passed well, enjoying being back at hockey after the holidays. Congratulations to Olivia Donders who was awarded the Most Disciplined Player.
Aztecs Under 9’s began play enthusiastically with their first match on synthetic turf. Alannah Balcombe was strong in attack, with long runs down the field. New players Branden and Blake Reeves fit into the team well, and showed good potential. The team worked brilliantly in defence and managed to block several goals. A fast paced, fun game had by all. Thanks to team coach Adam Smetana for his leadership.
Goal scorers: Josh Horsburgh (3), Vanessa Gooden (1) and Angelina Interlandi (1).
Warriors def Gulls 3 – 0
Warrior played brilliantly right from the start on the
unfamiliar surface and all looked liked they were veterans on the synthetic.
An early goal by Olivia Stagg was really exciting and she was
beautifully assisted by all her teammates. Josh Horsburgh had some great
saves, as goalie and he never let a goal in all match, Daniel had lots of
shots at goal and was finally rewarded for his persistence with a late goal.
Well done everyone.
Drouids def Aztecs 1 – 0
On a cold winters morning, Aztecs worked very hard and put up a great contest despite losing the game. There was some great attacking by Tarra Bagnall and Jesse Brown as well as some terrific running by James Carey and Ariane Ross.
Anthony and Brittany Forrest were strong in defence along
with Goalkeeper Hayden Prout. Tim Giles and Erin Spragg made good positioning
mid field. A great team effort, well done Aztecs.
Drouids def Aztecs 14 – 0
On a sad day for
all Aztecs, we took the field wearing black armbands with a list of eight
players on the brand new pitch. Unfortunately for us we were swamped early
on with Campbell Ross defending with all his might in the goals. An unlucky miss
in the attacking end came up with no result but showed our players to hold great
heart. At half time a visit by Gwen Mulconry lifted the spirit of all
players as the Aztecs continued to fight valiantly to the end, with Adam Smetana
extending himself in his role at full back.
Gulls def Warriors 2 - 1
Following the
silence in memory of Bill Mulconry, the game got underway with play moving
swiftly up and down the ground. Passing, tackling, applying pressure and
running were the order of the day with the team showing awareness of where
opposition players were and manning up. Damian Crawford demonstrated masterful
blocking skills in goal, Leigh Boreham scored and Adrian Cummings, Wade Oldham
and Carly Mattson were among those tackling amidst fierce competition for the
ball. With everyone calling, encouraging and getting amongst the play, the
Warriors worked well as a team today.
Goal Scorers: Leigh Boreham (1)
A
scratch match was played between the teams who had a lot of fun.
Thanks to the umpires for staying on to umpire for us all.
Warriors def Gulls 4 - 0
Gulls came out strong in the first half but Warriors were
able to respond and gain many short corners. Lisa Smith had a shot, which
rebounded and passed around till Belinda Hatfield found the back of the net.
Shortly after another goal went in before the end of the first half to Lisa from
Belinda’s rebound shot, with the whole team pitching in along the way. The
second half saw Warriors lose some momentum and the game became even and full of
laughs. Lisa scored again and so did Rebina. Well done everyone.
Aztecs def Drouids 3 – 2
Wearing black armbands in honour of club life member, Bill
Mulconry, Aztecs had the usual friendly game against Drouids. As the first
women’s game on the new pitch, it was fast and skilful and saw the young Aztecs
side find their feet on the new surface. The concept of having a synthetic pitch
in West Gippsland was first discussed after a friendly match on the State Hockey
Centre Pitch nearly 30 years ago – ironically this match was between Drouids and
Aztecs Women!
The attacking line passed the ball well between each other
and it was a real team effort that saw Aztecs just gets over the line. Natalie
Tyson and Alicia Wood-Davies’ goals were scored from scrambles in front of the
goal. Natalie played a fantastic game and looks to be well suited to this
surface, as does Anna Nielson who pushed the ball effectively. Jan Park was
elated to score her first ever timely goal and was also strong in defence
together with Tiffany Bourke and Sam Hill. These three halfbacks ran hard at the
ball and were key players in the game. The two Steph’s supported the attack well
and Chloe Bourke, filling in from Under 15 was also valuable in attack. Robyn
Ridsdale and Jackie Mowat defended effectively, stopping many a Drouid attack
but without Barb our goalie, the score would have been much higher. This win was
for you Bill!
Drouids were finding their feets this week on the new ground. With many attempts at goal, Aztecs were strong in defence, and Drouids were finding it hard to score goals. Claire Wigglesworth was able to score from a short corner. Keshia Leggett scored the second goal.
Warriors drew Gulls 1 – 1
This was a great game for our first go on the synthetic
turf. For the author of this report, his first go on synthetic ever in
just over twenty years of playing hockey. The game was played at a cracking pace
(for us anyway, maybe not for the spectators), which meant that everybody was
involved in the game nearly all the time. A poor lapse in concentration allowed
an early goal to gulls (sorry guys), but we fought back well with a good goal to
Nick Brown after a massive solo run by David King from half back right to the
teeth of goal. The score was one all at half time and that is the way it stayed
for the rest of the game. Both teams defended really well all game, making
it very difficult for anyone to score. Lyndon made some good saves as well
as a couple of mad dashes to the top of the circle to kick the ball clear, when
his full backs were out of position (sorry again!). Mick Crawford unfortunately
got a big whack on the ankle to put him out of the game, he was capably
replaced by Brendan Noye. It really was a good game all round by the guys,
Bruce, Steve and David ran
themselves into the ground all game. Well
played both teams it was a good game played in a good spirit.
Drouids def Aztecs 11 – 2
Boys first run on the new turf. Great goal by Aaron to open up the score followed by one by Matt Taylor. The team played an excellent game but were outnumbered and struggled to stay in touch though they put up a fight to the very end.
The Drouids started slowly, trying to adjust to the new surface, letting in two Aztecs goals before registering on the scoreboard. Dan Wiglesworth, Adam Tyson and Anthony McDonald had a good share of the play creating many opportunities for the forwards. At the other end of the ground Michael Smythe made some great saves in goals. John Thomson, Tom Copping, Dillon Thomson, Chris Addison, Rohan Lester and Alistair Milne scored the Drouids goals.
Goals scorers: John Thomson (4), Tom Copping (2), Dillon Thomson (2), Chris Addison (1), Rohan Lester (1), Alistair Milne (1).