News 20 February 2014
All the news for Thursday 20 February 2014
SA hockey girls' 4-1 win secures 5-0 series whitewash
JONATHAN COOK in Pretoria
SA players celebrate the opening goal scored by Quanita Bobbs (right) during Investec South Africa's 4-1 win in the fifth Test at Tshwane University of Technology in Pretoria Wednesday. SA won the series 5-0. Photo: REG CALDECOTT
A trio of fine goals saw the Investec South Africa women’s hockey team take a 3-1 lead into half-time in the fifth and final Test against Scotland at Tshwane University of Technology in Pretoria Wednesday, and one more after the changeover resulted in a 4-1 victory and a 5-0 series whitewash.
Quanita Bobbs (2nd minute), Celia Evans (28th) and captain Sulette Damons (30th and 63rd minutes) got on the scoresheet for SA while Scotland’s Sam Judge scored her side’s goal in the 14th minute.
SA won the first Test 5-3, the second 4-2, the third 4-0 and the fourth 5-0.
The SA women and SA men fly out at 7.15pm Wednesday from OR Tambo International Airport for five-Test series against the Argentina men’s and women’s sides.
Into the second minute SA left half Bobbs capitalised on Western Province team-mate Illse Davids’ dispossession of a defender to open the scoring with a well-taken shot.
Scotland won the first penalty corner in the 10th minute and Cat Ralph’s hard-hit conventional strike was saved by Phume Mbande in goal while Becky Merchant’s follow-up went wide of the near post. Four minutes later (14th) the industrious Judge forced her way into the strike zone and drilled the equaliser past Mbande at the near post (1-1).
Buoyed by their success Scotland foraged their way back into the strike zone shortly after and SA central defender Lisa Deetlefs made a crucial intervention to avert danger.
SA fought back and a determined Candice Manuel won SA’s first PC in the 15th minute. Bobbs’ drag-flick was glove-saved by an acrobatic Nicola Cochrane high to her right.
A stick check won Scotland’s second PC in the 26th minute and Judge’s shot was repelled by Mbane for SA to break out at high speed. Tarryn Bright fed Kelly Madsen, and the Durban girl’s accurate cross from the right found an unmarked Celia Evans, whose shot then ricocheted off Cochrane into the goal for SA to go 2-1 after 28 minutes.
The crowd of schoolgirls erupted just two minutes later (30th) when SA recovered quickly from an untidy second PC and skipper Sulette Damons let loose a wonderful shot into the far corner past Cochrane (3-1).
There was much endeavour after the changeover and a few shots on goal but a fifth game in six hot days was no help to tired legs that have also been put through their paces in busy training sessions.
In the 61st, Nikki Lloyd somehow found the energy to scythe into the SA circle and an over-robust tackle led to a penalty stroke, Mbande saving Ralph’s attempt.
SA again broke out fast and in the 63rd minute Illse Davids’ pass to Tanya Britz saw the striker’s deflection run into the path of lightning-quick sharpshooter Damons, who netted yet another stunning goal (4-1).
SA had a PC near the end but Cochrane was up for it.
SCORERS
Investec South Africa (3) 4 (Quanita Bobbs 2nd minute, Celia Evans 28th, Sulette Damons 30th and 63rd minutes)
Scotland (1) 1 (Sam Judge 14th minute)
SA Hockey Association media release
Scotland beaten by South Africa in final test
Scotland team line-up for the final test against South Africa. Photo Credit: Reg Caldecott
Scotland Senior Women rounded off their warm weather training camp and international series with a 4-1 loss to South Africa in Pretoria today.
During hot and humid conditions, the Scots competed far more intensively than in yesterday’s fourth test, but two goals for South Africa Captain Sulette Damons, plus strikes from Quanita Bobbs and Celia Evans, ensured that the home side secured a 5-0 series win. Scotland’s goal came from Edinburgh University forward Sam Judge.
Summarising today’s performance, Scotland Senior Women Head Coach Gordon Shepherd said, “We were much improved today and the standard of performance was much better. We competed against South Africa, a side who are right at their peak after their summer programme.
“We did make mistakes at crucial times [during the series] and we were heavily punished by a pacey, clinical and well drilled team now on way to Argentina for a Test Series. However, the experience has been a great start to a Commonwealth Games year and the players have benefitted massively from being here as a squad.”
South Africa were on the front foot early in the match when Quanita Bobbs took advantage of a misplaced pass from the Scottish defence to drive a low shot past Nicki Cochrane and give her side a 1-0 lead in the second minute.
The Scots were unlucky not to secure an early riposte in the ninth minute after Cat Ralph’s penalty corner attempt was saved, with Becky Merchant sending the rebound wide of the target.
A half chance fell to Aileen Davis in the 13th minute, before the national side were back on level terms sixty seconds late courtesy of a sumptuous strike from Sam Judge, driving into the circle and sending the ball into the corner of the net to make it 1-1.
Sam Judge was Scotland's goalscorer. Photo Credit: Reg Caldecott
Scotland then had a good fifteen minute spell with lots of possession but the South African rear-guard limited chances for the away side.
In the 27th minute, a penalty corner attempt from Judge was well saved, and from the rebound, South African counterattacked with blistering speed, finding Celia Evans in the circle to restore the lead at 2-1.
Three minutes from half-time, the Scots were left frustrated as penalty corner mis-trap at the top of the ‘D’ was recovered to feed Sulette Damons, who rifled a low shot into the right corner.
The second half was a far quieter affair, possibly due to the heat and a heavy workload for both sides this week.
Nine minutes from time, good work from Sarah Robertson led to Nikki Lloyd collecting the ball and driving into the circle where she was illegally stopped and a penalty stroke awarded.
Scotland's Nikki Lloyd on the attack against South Africa. Photo Credit: Reg Caldecott
Ralph’s strike was originally adjudged to have crossed the line despite the ball being smothered by the South African goalkeeper, only for South Africa protests to see the decision changed and the goal chalked off.
Scotland defender Cat Ralph was denied a 'goal' from the penalty spot. Photo Credit: Reg Caldecott
Amid the confusion, South Africa worked the ball downfield and Damons found herself clear and one on one with keeper to easily wrap up the scoring at 4-1.
Scottish Hockey Union media release
Dundee Wanderers target promotion in Europe
Dundee Wanderers squad for the EuroHockey Indoor Club Champions Trophy. Credit: Maureen Golden
National Indoor League Division 1 champions Dundee Wanderers make the long trip across Europe to Lithuania this week to compete in the EuroHockey Indoor Club Champions Trophy in Siauliu.
Scotland’s European representatives are drawn in Pool A alongside hosts Siauliu Gintra-Strekte-Uni HC, Slagelse Hockeyklub of Denmark and Italian side HF Lorenzoni.
English champions Reading, HC Rotweiss Wettingen of Switzerland, Turkey’s Keçiören Baglum Sport Club, and Belgian side Royal Antwerp Hockey Club make up the teams in Pool B.
Having just flown back from Scotland Senior Women’s tour to South Africa with club team-mates Becky Ward and Heather Elder, Wanderers’ player-manager Vikki Bunce is now relishing the club competition ahead,
“We are all looking forward to the trip, heading out there with the goal of promotion”, said Bunce. “We have a decent group so our goal is to reach the promotion pool with three points hopefully.
“It's always a bit of an unknown heading into club European competition but we believe we are the best we have ever been, currently unbeaten in two full seasons in the National League, so we are confident in our own performance but in no way complacent.
“This will be an excellent test for us as a squad so fingers crossed we reach our goals. We've had to do a fair bit of fundraising and would like to thank all those that have supported our cause through our various cake sales and treasure hunts.”
Dundee Wanderers' Vikki Bunce is aiming for success in Europe. Credit: Duncan Gray
Please visit the EuroHockey Indoor Club Champions Trophy competition page for information on the match schedule and competing teams.
Scottish Hockey Union media release
Blacks Sticks facing bonanza of home tests as World Cup looms
By David Leggat
A bumper period of international play is looming for the two Black Sticks teams in the next two months.
Confirmation of four home tests for the women's team against Korea and China provides an ideal lead-in to the inaugural Six Nations tournament in Hastings in April.
The games against Korea will be the first for New Zealand in Auckland since before the Olympic Games in 2012.
There has been an emphasis on taking the game to the provinces.
Hockey New Zealand hopes for a strong turnout at the games, to be played at the Auckland Grammar turf in Mt Eden.
The men's team - fresh off their silver medal at the World League 4 tournament in New Delhi last month - have three internationals against Japan in Mt Maunganui early next month as their lead-up to the Champions Challenge in Malaysia, where they will be favoured to win.
Both teams are off to the World Cup in The Hague at the end of May.
The women's team return from a successful trip to San Diego over the next couple of days.
They had a win and a loss against Britain, two draws and a last-minute win over the United States, courtesy of an Anita Punt drag flick from a penalty corner after the final whistle.
Women's national captain Kayla Sharland is pleased with the programme laid out for her side.
"Playing as many games as we can at international level definitely benefits us for the likes of the World Cup or Commonwealth Games [in Glasgow on July 23-August 3]," Sharland said from Honolulu, where the team stopped en route for home.
The San Diego trip had involved hard work for the squad and Sharland was pleased with the spirit of the players in the final game.
"It was a pretty full-on couple of weeks, seven games in 10 or 11 days and continuing our gym programme," she said.
"There were definitely a few heavy legs [in the final] but the girls pushed through mentally, which was good."
The likelihood is coach Mark Hager will look to tinker with the occasional selection for the Korean games.
But the China double-header is expected to mirror the squad for the Six Nations tournament - which in turn won't differ much for the World Cup.
What lies ahead
Women's Black Sticks (ranking: No5
March 28-29: Two internationals against world No8 Korea in Auckland
March 31-April 1: Two internationals v world No7 China in Taupo
April 5-13: Six Nations tournament, Hastings
Men's Black Sticks (No6):
March 12-15: Three internationals against world No14 Japan in Mt
Maunganui
April 21-May 6: Champions Challenge, Malaysia
•Both teams head to the World Cup in The Hague, starting on May 31.
The New Zealand Herald
Punjab Warriors rally to beat Ranchi Rhinos
Affan Yusuf of Punjab Warriors takes a shot on Wednesday
Punjab Warriors came from a goal down to eke out a hard-fought 3-2 win over defending champions Ranchi Rhinos to finish on top of the points table of the second edition of Hockey India League (HIL) at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium here on Wednesday.
The win gave Warriors five points to take their tally to 40 from 10 games ahead of Delhi Waveriders (39 points).
Rhinos finished their league engagements at the fourth spot with 26 points from 10 matches.
Rhinos started on a positive note and broke the deadlock in the 14th minute through their first penalty corner which was ably converted by captain Moritz Furste.
Warriors drew parity in the 21st minute when Sandeep Singh converted their second penalty corner with a high drag-flick that beat Rhino goalie Francisco Cortes all ends up.
The visitors had a bright chance to surge ahead in the 27th minute through legendary Australian striker Jamie Dwyer but his shot from close range from a rebound was kept at bay by an alert Cortes in Rhinos goal.
But it didn't take long for Punjab Warriors to take the lead as Australia Kieran Govers converted his side's third penalty corner in the 30th minute to go into halftime with a 2-1 led.
Rhinos drew level in the 40th minute level when Ashley Jackson made use of a penalty corner with a high flick to the left corner of Rhinos goal.
But Sandeep scored another goal from a penalty corner in the 52nd minute to restore Warriors lead and become the top scorer in the tournament with nine goals.
Rhinos got a bright chance to equalize when they earned another penalty corner but this time Jackson's attempt was denied by Jaap Stockmann in Warriors goal.
DNA
Sandeep show takes Warriors to top of pile
Arnab Lall Seal
RANCHI: If Ranchi Rhinos were hoping to end the group stage on a high, they were in for a shock as Jaypee Punjab Warriors handed them their fourth consecutive defeat at the Hockey India League here on Wednesday.
Sandeep Singh scored a brace for Warriors as they beat the defending champions 3-2 and finished on top of the group with 40 points. They will now take on Rhinos again in the semifinal here on Saturday. The other last-four match will be between Delhi Waveriders and Uttar Pradesh Wizards.
The match started on a subdued note but things hotted up once Shivendra Singh helped Punjab Warriors win the first penalty corner ten minutes into the match. But to the dismay of the visitors, Shivendra himself failed to trap the ball after Lucas Rey had pushed it into the circle.
Four minutes later, Rhinos took the lead after Moritz Fuerste converted their first penalty corner. Justin Reid-Ross, who has been quite successful in converting the set-pieces, played the dummy and Fuerste slotted it past goalkeeper Jaap Stockmann.
Rhinos could have doubled their lead towards the end of the first quarter but Stockman was alert enough to keep out Amon Tirkey's shot.
The momentum shifted after the break and Warriors won their second penalty corner after Reid-Ross failed to trap the ball with his stick and received it on his foot. This time they made no mistake as Sandeep scored his eighth goal of the tournament.
With the crowd egging them on, Rhinos upped their tempo and kept attacking in search of a goal. But Stockmann was a veritable wall at the Punjab cage. To make matters worse for the home side, Warriors extended their lead five minutes from the end of second quarter after Kieran Govers converted his team's third penalty corner. This time Cortes failed to judge the direction completely as Govers slapped it towards the bottom right corner.
Trailing 2-1, Rhinos found the equalizer five minutes into the third quarter. It was Rhinos' second penalty corner of the night and Ashley Jackson hit it with a lot of power towards the top-right corner. Stockmann went for it but it was unstoppable even by his standards.
Rhinos could have scored again two minutes later but this time Stockmann did well to keep out Fuerste's shot hit from the edge of the circle.
Sandeep scored his second goal of the match as Warriors took the lead at the closing minutes of the third quarter. The goal put him on the pedestal among goal-getters, with the count racing to nine.
Result: Jaypee Punjab Warriors 3 (Sandeep Singh 21, 52 pc, Kieran Govers 30 pc) bt Ranchi Rhinos 2 (Moritz Fuerste 14pc, Ashley Jackson 40pc)
The Times of India
Punjab Warriors beat Ranchi Rhinos 3-2
RANCHI: Veteran drag-flicker Sandeep Singh struck twice from penalty corners to help Jaypee Punjab Warriors beat defending champions Ranchi Rhinos 3-2 in the last match of the Hero Hockey India League on Wednesday.
Sandeep scored in the 21st and 52nd minutes while Kieran Govers got the other Punjab goal in the 30th minute by converting another penalty corner.
Captain Moritz Furste (14th) and Ashley Jackson scored for the home side -- also from penalty corners.
All the five goals of the match were scored from the penalty corners.
Both sides qualified for the semifinals while Delhi Waveriders and Uttar Pradesh Wizards also made it to the last four.
Jaypee Punjab Warriors ended the league stage on top of the table with 40 points from 10 matches. Delhi Waveriders were second on 39 points while Uttar Pradesh Wizards and Ranchi Rhinos were on 28 and 26 points respectively.
Dabur Mumbai Magicians and Kalinga Lancers failed to make it to the semifinals as they finished fifth and sixth on 18 and 17 points respectively.
The semifinals and the final will be played here on February 22 and 23 respectively.
The Times of India
Punjab finish league on top
Ranchi - Veteran drag-flicker Sandeep Singh struck twice from penalty corners to help Punjab Warriors beat defending champions Ranchi Rhinos 3-2 in the last league match of the Hockey India League here today.
All the five goals of the match were scored from the penalty corners.
Sandeep scored in the 21st and 52nd minutes while Kieran Govers scored in the 30th minute for the Warriors, which go to the top after the win. Captain Moritz Furste (14th) and Ashley Jackson scored for the home side – also from penalty corners.
The two sides will again face each other in the semifinals that will be played on February 22. Delhi Waveriders will take on Uttar Pradesh Wizards.
“It was a good game to win. It’s advantageous to enter the semifinals on a winning note. It feels great to finish the league stage at the top. This win will make us confident and we will play our best against Ranchi in the semis,” said Barry Dancer, coach of the Warriors.
“We did not play well in certain parts and that cost us the game today. We did not perform well in the last few matches and I am hopeful that the team will come back well in the semifinals,” said Gregg Clark, coach of Ranchi Rhinos.
The Tribune
Semifinals: Its Delhi Vs UP and Ranchi Vs Punjab
s2h Team
The two teams who battled hard today at Ranchi, Rhinos and Punjab, will again face off in the second semifinal on Saturday. Punjab needed an outright win to top the pool, a point ahead of Delhi Waveriders, and count, to choose its semifinal and it did it exactly.
Having lost the top spot to Punjab, hitherto topper Delhi Waveriders slipped to second spot and thereby will meet UP Wizards in the first semifinal on Saturday.
Despite conceding lead in the early stages, visiting Punjab came out on top against Rhinos to post a memorable 3-2 win today on the last day of the league phase.
The 30th match was exciting, to say the least, as both teams churned out a great game, with unseen amount of physical play
Three greens and four yellows marked the proceedings, even as Rob Hammand and Moritz Furste, playing for countries located extreme on the global map, showed their acrimonious stuff, both getting simultaneous yellow cards
Perhaps, the teams decided to win to gain psychological advantage, though its Punjab, that has not lost a single match after the opener, again came out triumphant in this battle of nerves.
Today, Rhinos struck much against the play, Moritz converting team's first PC, while Sandeep Singh came out with his own to even out, and then Kieran Govers put Punjab on ascend.
Ashley Jackson, who missed last two matches on account of injury, stamped his return with an angular strike off another penalty corner.
Much later, in the 50th minute, Sandeep struck through other side of the cage compared to his previous one, to give Punjab its continuous eighth win.
With his strike, he became the top scorer with as many as nine goals in his kitty, one ahead of Argentine Gonzalo Peillat.
Local hero Birendra Lakra was declared Man of the match for his excellent work at defence
Stick2Hockey.com
Hockey India League semifinal timings advanced
RANCHI: Hockey India League ( HIL) on Thursday advanced the match timings for the first semifinal on Feb 22 and the bronze medal playoff Feb 23 by 30 minutes.
The first semifinal and the third and fourth position playoff, scheduled for 6 pm earlier, will now be played at 5.30 pm at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium. The change has been done to accommodate additional training period for teams between the matches.
The first semifinal will see the Delhi Waveriders take on the Uttar Pradesh Wizards while the Jaypee Punjab Warriors will face defending champions Ranchi Rhinos in the second last four clash.
The Times of India
HIL comes to its climax with top Aussies involved in three semi-finalist teams
Australian hopes will be high as the Hockey India League comes to a dramatic climax this weekend with the semi-finals and medal matches taking place on Saturday and Sunday in Ranchi.
Kookaburras Matt Gohdes, Tristan White and Jason Wilson will line up for the Delhi Waveriders against fellow Aussies George Bazeley, Eddie Ockenden and Luke Doerner of Uttar Pradesh Wizards with a place in the second ever HIL final at stake. While both White and Wilson are fresh to the Delhi cause for 2014 Gohdes knows what it takes to reach the gold medal match. He was a part of the Waveriders team that beat Jaypee Punjab Warriors in last year’s semi-final, only to lose the final to a Ranchi Rhinos team containing Western Australian Fergus Kavanagh. Bazeley, Ockenden and Doerner will be looking to go one better than in 2013 when their Uttar Pradesh Wizards finished with the bronze medals.
Delhi Waveriders finished second in the standings at the conclusion of the league phase, missing out on top spot by just a solitary point; 39 to Jaypee Punjab Warriors’ 40 points. The Warriors side, coached by former Kookaburras coach Barry Dancer, also contains the likes of Jamie Dwyer, Kieran Govers, Rob Hammond, Simon Orchard, Chris Ciriello, Mark Knowles and Jake Whetton. Their table-topping escapades have seen them win seven of their ten matches, losing only once – their opening day defeat to the Delhi Waveriders.
In the semi-finals they’ll face a Ranchi Rhinos team missing Kavanagh, who was an unfortunate late withdrawal from the tournament, forced out by a back injury. The two teams played out a 3-2 thriller on Tuesday evening with the Punjab Warriors coming out on top thanks in part to a Kieran Govers penalty corner.
HIL newcomers Kalinga Lancers, whose roster contains Australians Kiel Brown, Russell Ford, Tristan Clemons, Glenn Simpson and Aran Zalewski, narrowly finished bottom of the league after ten games. They missed out on fifth place by a single point to Dabur Mumbai Magicians for whom Kookaburras Matthew Butturini, Joel Carroll, Tim Deavin, Trent Mitton and Glenn Turner all play.
Visit the official tournament website at league.hockeyindia.org on Facebook at Facebook.com/TheHockeyIndiaLeague.
Match schedule
Saturday 22 February
17:30 local time. Semi-final 1: Delhi Waveriders v Uttar Pradesh Wizards
20:00 local time. Semi-final 2: Jaypee Punjab Warriors v Ranchi Rhinos
Sunday 23 February
17:30 local time. Bronze medal: Loser of semi-final 1 v Loser of semi-final 2
20:00 local time. Gold medal: Winner of semi-final 1 v Winner of semi-final 2
Ranchi is 5.5 hours behind AEDT and 2.5 hours behind AWST.
Catch the action on TV
Feb 23 - Semi-Final No 1 - 1.00 am AEDT - Fox Sports 2
Feb 23 - Semi-Final No 2 - 11.00 am AEDT - Fox Sports 2
Feb 24 - 3 v 4 Place - 3.00 am AEDT - Fox Sports 3
Feb 24 - Final - 11.30 am AEDT - Fox Sports 2
Or watch online at www.starsports.com/hockey.
Hockey Australia media release
US Indoor Hockey Shows Positive Results at Big Apple
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo -- The competition in all divisions of the Big Apple International Indoor Championship this past weekend once again proved strong and showcased elite men’s and women’s teams from the U.S. and Canada. The U.S. men and U19 women both fell in their first crossover match while the U.S. women took home the trophy with a decisive 8-1 victory over Canadian team A & C Academy Sunday evening in the women’s division. U.S. squad member Susan Ciufo tied for top goal scorer with 12 field goals and 1 penalty corner tally and her teammate Erin Matson was named player of the tournament for the division.
"The Big Apple International Indoor Tournament was again run in top form, giving our team another quality event to prepare for the upcoming Pan Am Cup,” said women’s Coach Denise Zelenak. “We not only built on our teams’ systems and skills, we also tested our physical and mental focus under a very intense format, playing six matches in two days with the semi-finals and finals scheduled back to back. The team played very well and finished strong on Sunday, ultimately winning the tournament."
On the men’s side, four of the nine teams came from Canada and three of those made the semi-finals. In the final match, a tight schedule and a small squad affected the Calgary Maroons who traveled from the far west. After playing four games on Sunday with just one extra player, the squad had no legs left to compete with the Lions, who also had to play four games on Sunday, but had the advantage of having a full second line.
“This weekend was a good test for the guys,” said Men’s Coach Andrew Thornton. “The Canadian teams were very competitive and full of current and former international players. Our two group game losses were against the eventual finalists falling 4-2 and 8-6. We then won the next two games and qualified for the quarterfinals. We played a good quarterfinal game but ran out of legs and fell 5-3. I am pleased with the progress the guys made over the weekend. We are looking forward to the Canadian series in March.”
Zelenak and Thornton are now one step closer to selecting the teams that will compete in the Pan American Indoor Cup in Montevideo, Uruguay April 2014. The event serves as the qualifier for the next Indoor World Cup. Both squads will also travel to Canada in March to prepare for the PanAm event.
The U.S. U19 women’s team competed fiercely in the collegiate division against several NCAA Division I teams from the East Coast.
“I am very proud of the level of performance from the U.S. U19 athletes at the Big Apple International Indoor Tournament this past weekend,” said Junior Women’s Coach Rennie Milne. “It was great to get the players competing as a squad for the first time this season since the U19 Indoor Pan Am Cup planned for December 2013 was cancelled. The U19's performed well above expectations and only fell short of making the final by one game. I am looking forward to working with this group of athletes in the future.”
The Women’s squad is holding open tryouts March 15 and 29. For more information and to register, click here.
U.S. Men’s Indoor Big Apple Squad
Ajai Dhadwhal (Agoura Hills, CA), William Holt (Camarillo, CA), JaJa Kentwell (Spring City, PA), Jesse Larson (College Park, MD), Chris Pothier (Marlborough, MA), Nicholas Richardson (Kents Hills, MA), Sebastian Scheurer (Greenwich, CT), Trevor Shattuck (Lutherville, MD)
U.S. Women’s Indoor Big Apple Squad
Susan Ciufo (Bangor, PA), Ashley Dalisera (Millersville, MD), Amy Daniel (Mountain Top, PA), Lauren Hibshman (Allentown, PA), Amanda Fleischut (Doylestown, PA), Maria Keesling (Downingtown, PA), Erin Matson (Chadds Ford, PA), Rachael Milne (Hatfield, PA), Maddy Sposito (Ridgefield, CT), Kimberly Tunell (Wilmington, DD), Mallory Weisen (Lock Haven, PA)
U.S. U19 Women’s Indoor Big Apple Squad
Emily Braunewell (Ambler, PA), Maeve Doherty (Millersville, MD), Megan DuVernois (Collegeville, PA), Selena Garzio (McAdoo, PA), Caroline Hanks (Niskayuna, NY), Alexa Hoover (Collegeville, PA), Elizabeth Mata (Severna Park, MD), Lauren Moyer (York, PA), Meredith Sholder (Fleetwood, PA), Cassie Sumfest (Lewisburg, PA), Angela Virtu (Blue Bell, PA), Rebecca Zamojcin (Phoenixville, PA)
USFHA media release
Olak target MJHL top division
CONFIDENT: Manager optimistic of advancing past playoffs to seal promotion
By JUGJET SINGH
FORMER double champions Old La Sallians Associations of Klang (Olak-PKT) are looking for a winning start when they meet Nur Insafi of Penang in the Division Two playoffs at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil today.
Olak were the Division Two Group B winners, while Nur Insafi won Division Two Group A -- thus setting up a sizzling encounter.
"Our target this year was to become winners in our group and we achieved it. Now we want to play in Division One next year and to achieve that, we need a winning start against Nur Insafi," said Olak manager Joseph de Silva.
The top two teams from each of the three second division pools qualified to play in the second round where the top four teams will not only play in the overall championships but also gain promotion to Division One next season.
It does look like Olak will achieve their target, as Nur Insafi are in dire straits.
Nur Insafi came through the group stages of Division Two with a perfect record, winning all their matches but despite a proud record, the Penang team are not counting on progressing to the knockout stages via the playoffs.
Nur Insafi travelled to Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday with only 16 players as those in school had to stay back to attend classes.
After their first match against Olak-PKT, the numbers will be reduced to 14 as two players will travel back to Penang to attend school.
Being a privately funded club, Nur Insafi are also facing financial woes as the trip for the playoffs will cost them RM10,000.
"We will just troop onto the pitch and give it our best shot. It is unfair to have us play weekday matches when it was initially agreed by the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) that this would not be the case," said Nur Insafi coach Thaitchana Murthi.
"We appealed but were told the decision was made and we have to adhere to it. So I am left with an under-strength side as parents are reluctant to let their children miss school."
Thaitchana said despite the odds, he believed the players had it in them to progress.
Today: Nur Insafi v Olak-PKT (5pm), MSP-Pahang v Bakat-MSSK (7pm); Tomorrow: Olak -PKT v BJSS (5pm), Bakat MSSK v Politeknik-KPM (7pm); Saturday: BJSS v Nur Insafi (5pm), Politeknik-KPM v MSP-Pahang (7pm) -- matches at Pitch 2, National Hockey Stadium.
New Straits Times
Mawardi proves size does not matter
By Aftar Singh
Mawardi Hamirin (left) scored 10 goals in six matches for his team Olak-PKT in the Malaysian Junior Hockey League.
KUALA LUMPUR: Mawardi Hamirin has proven size does not matter. The Sabahan, who made his debut in the MHC-Milo-NSC Malaysian Junior Hockey League (MJHL), has been on fire.
Weighing 54kg and 164cm tall, Mawardi has netted 10 field goals in six matches to help Old La Sallians Association of Klang (Olak)-PKT emerge as Group B champions.
In fact, he is currently the top scorer in Division Two.
Olak-PKT has scored a whopping 38 goals and conceded only eight in seven matches.
Their only defeat was to MSP Pahang Juniors in Kuantan, where they lost 2-1.
They will face Nur Insafi in the Division Two second round Group X match at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Thursday before meeting the Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) on Friday at the same venue.
Mawardi, who turns 18 on April 26, said that he is more than pleased with his performance in the MJHL.
“My only regret is failing to score against MSP Pahang Juniors,” said Mawardi, who is waiting for his Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) results.
The Keningau-born player is grateful to Olak-PKT for having faith in him.
“Not many players from Sabah have managed to score 10 goals in six matches in the MJHL and I am proud to be one of them.
“I am playing my best hockey and I’m all fired up to give my best against Nur Insafi, who won all their six matches in Group A.
“We just need a win over them to book a place in the knockout stage, but it is easier said than done,” said Mawardi, who also wants to be the first player from Sabah to win the top scorer award in Division Two.
Olak-PKT team manager Joseph De Silva praised Mawardi as the most outstanding player in the team.
“Despite his small physique he is a lethal striker, and we are banking on him to deliver goals against Nur Insafi,” said Joseph.
MSP Pahang, who finished runners-up in Group B, will face Bakat MSSK-PHK of Kelantan in the Group Y match on Thursday in Bukit Jalil.
The Star of Malaysia
Clarke, Attieh help Saints hammer South East 6-0
...Strengthen hold on second spot
Zachary Clarke and James Attieh scored second-half braces as St Mary's College strengthen its hold on second spot in the T&T Hockey Board’s Secondary Schools League Boys’ Division with a 6-0 blowout of South East Port-of-Spain at the St James Barracks Ground, Western Main Road, St James, yesterday.
Maleik Ross handed the Saints a 1-0 lead the half with his sixth minute goal before Clarke netted in the 22nd and 30th and Attieh, in the 25th and 38th while Jarryon Paul also scored in the 37th to complete the drubbing.
The win was the third in five matches for the Saints who climbed to second on the table with nine points, while Queen's Royal College leads with 12 from four wins from as many matches.
The Royalians will go into their final match against away to Debe High tomorrow needing only a draw to claim the title while Fatima College, which also has nine points, hopes for a QRC loss and to defeat Woodbrook Government Secondary tomorrow as well.
In the Girls' Division, SEPoS stayed top of the table following a 0-0 draw with St Joseph Convent (PoS).
It was the second draw in four matches for SEPoS, now with five points, one more than St Joseph which has a match in hand.
Results, standings & schedule
Yesterday’s results
Boys Division
St Mary's College 6 (Zachary Clarke 22nd, 30th, James Attieh 25th, 38th, Maleik Ross 6th, Jarryon Paul 37th) vs SEPoS 0.
Girls Division:
SEPoS 0 vs St Joseph Convent (PoS) 0.
Current standings:
Boys Division
Teams P W D L F A Pts
QRC 4 4 0 0 13 0 12
St Mary's 5 3 0 2 26 5 9
Fatima 4 3 0 1 11 3 9
SEPoS 5 2 0 3 3 12 6
Woodbrook 3 0 0 3 0 14 0
Debe High 3 0 0 3 0 19 0
Girls Division
SEPoS 4 1 2 1 2 2 5
St Joseph 3 1 1 1 1 3 4
Holy Name 1 1 0 0 2 0 3
Providence 2 1 0 1 3 2 3
Woodbrook 2 0 1 1 0 1 1
Tomorrow’s matches
Venue: St James Barracks Ground, Western Main Road, St James.
Girls: Woodbrook vs Providence, 3.15pm
Boys: Woodbrook vs Fatima, 4.15pm
Venue: Debe, Penal
Boys: Debe High vs QRC, 3.30pm
The Trinidad Guardian
Top player turned International Indoor Umpire
Umpire Tim Benford during the NOW: Pensions Men's Hockey League 2013 Play-off match at Sonning Lane, Reading.
Former top player Tim Benford has been promoted by the FIH to the rank of International Indoor Umpire.
Tim played Indoor for Loughborough students for 10 years, winning 4 National Indoor titles and playing in 4 European club competitions between 2003 and 2008. An Indoor umpire since 2008, Tim has this year umpired at the Euro Nations in Vienna before taking charge of the Maxinutrition Hockey 5s Final at Wembley Arena.
Tim said of his achievement: “I am hugely honoured and pleased to have been promoted to an FIH International Indoor Umpire, I have always loved the indoor game and the experience of the semi-final and final of the Maxinutrition Hockey 5s at Wembley filled me with the same buzz and adrenaline rush as I experienced actually playing. I’d encourage any hockey enthusiast to get into indoor hockey; a fast, tactical and technical game”.
England Hockey Board Media release
4 New Hall of Fame Inductees Announced for 2013 / 2014
Irish Hockey are delighted to announce four new inductees have been selected for entry to the Irish Hockey Hall of Fame. The official induction will take place at the upcoming Irish Hockey Awards set for Friday March 21st at the Stillorgan Park Hotel. (Shortlists and winners for other awards will be announced over the next few days).
Jimmy Kirkwood, Joanne Menown, John McKee and Noelle Branagan will join other hockey greats of the game as the Hall of Fame enters its eight year (full list of Hall Of Fame).
2013 / 2014 Hall of Fame Inductees’ Details
Jimmy Kirwood (Queens/Belfast YMCA/Lisnagarvey) is one of the most exciting forwards to have played for Ireland winning 130 caps and scoring 36 goals. Jimmy also one a gold medal at the Seoul Olympics in 1988 playing for Great Britain. His International career was most distinguished having represented Ireland in European Cups in 1987 (Moscow); 1991 (Paris); and 1995 (Dublin) as well as Intercontinental Cups in 1981 (Malaysia); 1985 (Barcelona); 1989 (USA) and 1993 (Poland) as well as the World Cup in Pakistan in 1990. The highlights of his illustrious career were the Seoul Olympics, the World Cup in Pakistan and the European Cup in Dublin where he helped Ireland to reach an unprecedented fifth place.
Joanne Menown (Ards & Ulster) made her debut for Ireland on 25th September 1982 against the USA in an International Quadrangular Tournament at Durham University. During her illustrious hockey career she proved to be an outstanding attacking player with excellent pace and skill and an ability to score goals from any angle. She was a member of the team that won the 1983 Intercontinental Cup in Kuala Lumpur – probably Ireland’s most monumental victory in International hockey. In 1984 she played in the 1st European Cup in Lille as well as the 2nd European Cup in 1987 in London. In 1986 she also played in the 6th Women’s Hockey World Cup in Amsterdam.
John McKee At U21 Level John McKee won a silver medal at the 1978 European U21 Championships in Dublin and finished 8th at the first U21 Junior World Cup in Versailles. John (Belfast YMCA/Holywood 87/Banbridge) made his international debut in June 1980 in a 4-Nations Tournament in Aberdeen and went on to win 108 Irish caps and 40 Indoor caps in a distinguished hockey career. A talented, versatile player, he was equally skilful in both defence and attack. In 1981 he was in the squad for the 2nd Intercontinental Cup in Kuala Lumpur where Ireland reached the semi-finals. He played in two Intercontinental Cups – Barcelona 1985 and New Jersey 1989 and two European Championships – Moscow 1987 and Paris 1991. He also featured in the 1990 World Cup in Lahore and the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in New Zealand in 1991.
Noelle Branagan (Muckross, Pegasus & Leinster) won her first International Cap against the Netherlands in Dublin in 1981 and went on to have an illustrious international career winning 54 Irish caps. Her timing both in tackling and in distribution to her forwards was outstanding.
She was a member of the team that won the 1983 Intercontinental Cup in Kuala Lumpur – probably Ireland’s most monumental victory in International hockey. In 1984 she played at the 1st European Women’s Cup in Lille. Noelle captained the team in 1985 to a memorable 1-0 win over England in Dublin - their first home international match played on an artificial surface, and in 1986 to the 6th Women’s World Cup in Amsterdam.
For more information on the awards please click here
Tickets for the event are 50Euro and can be purchased by calling 01 7163264 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Irish Hockey Association media release