WEST GIPPSLAND HOCKEY ASSOCIATION Inc.

PRESS REPORTS FOR:   Saturday 26 August 2006

West Gippsland Hockey finals began on Saturday at Bellbird Park in glorious weather. The pitches were rather slippery but everyone ran hard and played the game in great spirit. The U9’s played a round robin which all players seemed to enjoy enormously.

Under 11

Elimination Final

Drouids 1 defeated Warriors 0

A very close first half with a late goal by James Pugh took Drouids into the lead. The second half was a nail-biting affair with Warriors having most possession in their attacking half. William, Prue, Todd, Alec and Kyle held the defence together with Liam making critical saves. Drouids held on in a highly competitive game.

What a fantastic effort from all Warriors players.  Much of the play was within Warriors goals but unfortunately they were unable to score.  Warriors U 11 players wish to thank their coach Andrew Marks for teaching them hockey skills and how to enjoy the game.

Qualifying Final

Gulls 2 defeated Aztecs 1

This was another tight tussle between Gulls and Aztecs. Evan Tyson was a ball of energy all over the game. Jesse Dent played a great game in defence and certainly stopped many Aztecs attacks. Luke McWha ran the ball well and Nic Noll played great hockey. Danielle Stephenson scored both goals.

An exciting and evenly matched game with Katie Finger playing a tenacious game and Shannon Ward stopping many of the Gulls forward attacks. Sean Griffiths, Dean McMaster and Matt Phyland worked hard and played their positions well. A great team effort. Goal Scorer: Adam Smetana.

Under 13

Elimination Final

Aztecs 6 defeated Warriors 1

This was an exciting game with all players contributing. Leesa, Tori, Dylan and Jordan ran the ball continuously with great passing and trapping. Steph, Maddie and Josh defended with precision to keep Warriors to one goal. Congratulations to Luke Taylor who scored his first goal for the season and also to Beth who showed great improvement with some aggressive and confident play.

Qualifying Final

Drouids 3 defeated Gulls 1

A fast moving match with a great all round performance from all the Drouids players. Goal scorers: Liz Christian, Lachlan McLean, Matt Zurrer

Gulls played a great game with Ashley with Kiarn defending well. Kelsi and Melinda tackled better this week with Aubrey consistently pushing the ball forward which enabled Michael to score. Great team effort.

Under 15

Elimination Final

Aztecs 4 defeated Warriors 0

A very tight first half with both defences under pressure. Aztecs broke through with a superb goal by Stephanie Crookston. The second half saw Aztecs pepper the goals with no luck. Eventually Jesse Ward ran through the defence to score. He followed up quickly with another goal then is perfect position Heidi Smitt scored Aztecs fourth goal. Well done to all.

Warriors last match of the season was played in beautiful dry sunny conditions.  The game was closer than the score would suggest.  Murray Purvis was reliable in goal and James Bellfield’s contribution was invaluable.

Qualifying Final

Gulls 4 defeated Drouids 1

Ewan, Wes, Tiarna and Lara were all strong this week and kept the ball up forward for Will Sarah Ricky and Michael to score. Justin was dynamic in defence. Everyone played as a team to ensure the Gulls would play in the Grand Final. Excellent work kids! Go Gulls!

It was a very hard game and all team members tackled well and passed to each other to gain advantage. Our one goal was scored by Julian Hannah who constantly worked to try to score.

Under 17

Elimination Final

Drouids 1 defeated Warriors 0

Drouids played a fantastic team game. Nick Burr (goal scorer), Leigh, Jevan, Tow W, Zach, Lloyd and Matt played great running games and passed excellently to position. Tristan, Katie and Shane defended grandly. Tom C, Jack and Liam moved well and became dangerous forwards.

Warriors played a stirring game against Drouids.  Mark, Peter, Lyndon, Bethany and Michael defended with tenacity.  Andy, Bronwyn, Daniel, Clay, Evelyn, Kathryn and Murray played as a team.  Well done Warriors.

Qualifying Final

Gulls 3 defeated Aztecs 2

The first half had great intensity from both teams bringing 2 goals to both teams from fast breaks. The second half was equally intense with Gulls getting the upper hand but only just. This was an excellent team effort. Rochelle McFarlane excelled in goal, ably supported by Neil Forth and Matt Waller. Goal scorers: Isaac Armstrong, Chris Fox, Chris Miles.

Aztecs displayed the great skills they have developed over the season. Gabrielle Higgins and Jade Whitehead were the Aztecs goal scorers. These scores were the final product of excellent team play – each player was watching for others to pass to and travel with. The narrow defeat today means that Aztecs will be fired up for next weeks final.

Women’s

Elimination Final

Drouids 2 defeated Gulls Green 1

Drouids played and enthusiastic team game. Persistent tackling by Amy Worley thwarted many attacks on goal. Bec Smythe, Stacey O’Brien and Celeste Richards dominated the forward line with great support from Jenna Slate. Strong defence from all halves and some great saves from Shelley Olsen in goals.

An enthusiastic group of women took to the field in ideal conditions. The team played with determination and skill. Julie Anderson showed a good turn of speed and Michelle Goulter ran, attacked and defended well. The second half saw Gulls lift their work load, attacking their goal repeatedly with Emma Wallin scoring Gulls only goal. Well played Ladies!

Qualifying Final

Warriors 3 defeated Aztecs 1

In a game played in cooler conditions and really long grass, the game was fast and entertaining.  Goal scorers Janelle New scored early with a lovely shot on goal passed by Lisa Hatfield.  Wendy Taylor scored a goal on her second attempt at hitting the ball after it was passed around the goal keeper by Janelle New.  Wendy our hearts were in our mouths!!  Sally Messer scored the third goal. 

Aztecs, coming off the bye, were a little flat and didn’t play with flair. It was difficult to penetrate the Warriors defence. The first quarter of the game demonstrated some good play with the only goal being scored by Alicia Wood-Davies. Penni Beck again played a hard game with support from Marg Powell, Jan Park and Jackie Mowat on the backline. Melissa Scott made some great saves in goals. Rowena Beck and Sam Nap fought hard in attack

Men’s

Elimination Final

Drouids 7 defeated Aztecs 2

Drouids ran fast and hard all game. Alister Wright found the goals four times with the other Al’s (Alex Zurrer and Alistair Milne) putting one in each along with Jayden Leggett. Mick Smythe played another great game while Julian Hannah and Dan Wiglesworth playing strong in the midfield. The Drouids played a cracker of a game and are ready for a tough preliminary final next week. Good effort by Aztecs and thanks for a great game and season.

Aztecs opened the scoring through Dean and had other opportunities in the opening minutes, but lack of numbers took its toll and Drouids leveled 1-1 at half time. Two quick goals in the second half from Drouids and then Graham scored but after that it was one way traffic. Excellent defence by Patrick and Leigh and good forward thrusts from Brendan and Warren.

Qualifying Final

Warrior 2 def Gulls 1

A fast and spirited game in the first half saw Warriors move ahead thanks to some great short passing and a goal to David King. Warriors short passing game was put under pressure by Gulls numbers.  Gulls were able to level the score making the most of the second half.  After a number of attempts from short corners Kris Braeden put a second goal in for Warriors.  The pace of Steve Kehayas was the turning point in an exciting Warriors win.

The entire Gulls team arrived to contest the semi-finals. It was with great regret that the junior players were unable to be included in the team. Gulls fought unsuccessfully to goal in the first half. With renewed energy the team combined well resulting in a goal to Rob Greenall. Everyone played well.

Next Saturday is Preliminary Final day at Bellbird Park, Drouin where the following games will be played:

9.45am             U11                 Aztecs Vs Drouids

10.55am           U13                 Gulls Vs Aztecs           

10.55am           U17                 Aztecs Vs Drouids

12.15pm          U15                 Drouids Vs Aztecs

1.35pm            Women            Aztecs Vs Drouids

1.35pm            Men                 Gulls Vs Drouids

On Saturday night at the Drouin Secondary College, the West Gippsland Hockey Association held its Junior Presentation Night to celebrate a wonderful year of junior hockey played at Bellbird Park in Drouin.  The following were presented with Most Valuable Player awards in their age group.

UNDER 11

Male: Brendan Noye (Warriors)                  

Runners Up: Michael Finger (Aztecs) & Evan Tyson (Gulls)

Female: Prue Grant (Drouids)        

Runners Up: Bethany McWha (Gulls) & Danielle Stephenson (Gulls)

UNDER 13

Male: Ashley Gaylard (Gulls)                       

Runners Up: Jesse Ward (Aztecs) & Sean Bulmer (Warriors)

Female: Liz Christian (Drouids)                 

Runner Up: Kate Christian (Drouids)

UNDER 15

Male: Ewan Wallin (Gulls)                

Runner Up: Julian Hannah (Drouids)

 

Female: Tiarna Kramer (Gulls)                   

Runner Up: Lara Trevorrow (Gulls)

UNDER 17

Male: James Leitner (Aztecs)                     

Runner Up: Mark Baker (Warriors)

Female: Emma Wallin (Gulls)                      

Runner Up: Samantha Nap (Aztecs)