News 17 June 2014
All the news for Tuesday 17 June 2014
India women wipe out Malaysia 5-2 to claim series
India were on course for a clean sweep in the six-match series against Malaysia as they blanked the home side 2-0 in their fifth game. (Hockey India )
Kuala Lumpur: The Indian women's hockey team completed a memorable tour of Malaysia, handing the hosts a 6-0 series whitewash after notching up a 5-2 win in the last match.
The series against Malaysia was part of the team's groundwork for the Commonwealth Games to be held in Glasgow from July 23.
The first goal for India came as early as in the third minute from the stick of Poonam Rani. No later in the 14th minute, Sunita Lakra beautifully converted a penalty corner into a brilliant goal.
Malaysia tried to reduce the margin in the 21st minute through a field goal. In the 28th minute, Anuradha put the ball in the net closely followed by Ritushah Arya who scored two back-to-back field goals in the 34th and 35th minute of the match. This gave India a huge lead of 5-1 before the half time.
In the second half, Malaysia scored their second goal in the 55th minute.
Malaysia managed to create a couple of opportunities in the dying minutes of the match but Indian defence restricted them from doing further damage.
The final whistle of the match blew announcing a well deserved triumph for the Indian Women. Team's midfielder and Captain Ritu Rani seemed excited on the win.
Commenting on the victory she said, "We have outperformed and swept the board against team Malaysia. I am extremely elated with the manner my team has performed all the way through - confident and consistent," says skipper.
"The clean sweep has lifted our spirits to a new high. I am delighted we lived up to the expectations of our coaches, selectors and the people of our country."
Congratulating the team on their grand finish, Dr.Narinder Batra, Secretary General, Hockey India said the trip has served as a fine build-up to the CWG.
"A magnificent performance by our Women's team has made us proud and has lived up to the expectations. With the kind of momentum the team has generated, we are certain that this is a good step forward in preparations for the Commonwealth Games 2014 to be held in Glasgow (Scotland)."
"On behalf of Hockey India, I would like to congratulate the team and the coaches on their splendid performance and a spectacular 6-0 finish in the tournament," he added.
IBNLive
The Rabobank Hockey World Cup England Review
Argentina defeat England women at the Hockey World Cup 2014 - Photo by Ady Kerry
For two weeks the Rabobank Hockey World Cup has blazed across computer and TV screens, through both YouTube and Sky Sports' amazing daily coverage.
The first week-and-a-half of the competition was the pool stages as Men's and Women's Pools A and B played each other in a round-robin format to determine who'd face who in the qualification stage that took place over the final four days.
In the Women's pool stages the USA took everyone by surprise topping the table in Pool B. They came into the tournament ranked 10th in the world and stormed to the top of the table, winning four out of five matches and drawing the fifth. Once in the Qualification stage they lost their Semi-Final in a shoot-out to Australia and then lost by one goal to Argentina in the Bronze play-off. While the USA may not go home with a medal, they should still be proud of everything they acheived in the Hague this summer.
The Women's Finals saw the Netherlands and Australia face off after having played against each other in the pool stages. That game went 2-0 to the Netherlands and true to form they defeated Australia by the same scoreline in the Final, delighting the home crowd and making it through the World Cup without losing a single game and conceding only one goal across seven matches. However, facing up to the World number one is no mean feat, and to get a silver medal out of it is also a great result for the Australians, ranked fourth in the world.
Argentina was the surprise success story in the Men's pool stages - ranked 11th, they managed to get into the semi-finals with 12 points under their belts and three points clear of their closest competitor Germany, though still a point behind the Netherlands. They faced Australia in the semi-finals, going down 5-1 by the time the full-time buzzer sounded, which sent them off to face England in the bronze play-off match on Sunday. A close game followed between the two but a couple of quick goals, despite some controversy, sealed their victory and meant both of Argentina's teams flew home with medals.
And so to the last game of the tournament between two of the Men's tournament powerhouses, Australia and the Netherlands in the Men's Final. Ranked first and fourth in the world respectively (the inverse of their women's team counterparts), both teams were expected to do well at the World Cup and neither had disappointed. Australia went into their semi-final against Argentina with five wins behind them and only one goal conceded, while the Netherlands faced England in their semi-final - they had a tougher time of it than Australia as England held them off for the most part, but one goal proved enough to send the home side to the finals. It was bound to be a high-scoring match and it was Australia who ended up on top, playing outsdtanding hockey and scoring a massive six goals to the Netherlands' one to take home the gold.
England's success at the World Cup was mixed: as our men made their way to the Semi-Finals the women languished at the foot of their table. Both teams had a somewhat surprising first result, as the men drew against Spain and our women lost to the USA, and from there each team walked a different path. The men battled into the semi-finals with a final victory over Belgium before losing two close games against the Netherlands (the Semi-Fibnal) and Argentina (in the bronze medal match) to finish fourth, while it was too little too late for the women as they beat Germany in their last pool game but had to fight for 11th place, beating Belgium after a shoot-out in the final match.
The World Cup might now be over, but you can see World Cup highlights and full-match replays all on the FIH YouTube channel!
You can next see England's men and women on home turf at the Investec London Cup on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. This is the first tournament to be at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, hockey’s Olympic legacy stadium, and will be held across five days on 9-13 July.
England Hockey Board Media release
England Hockey's Danny Kerry on the case after Argentina defeat
By Mike Haymonds
Argentina celebrate their win over England[GETTY]
ENGLAND were the diplomats – but not so England Hockey performance director Danny Kerry.
Argentina played an extra man for over two minutes in the bronze medal play-off of the Rabobank World Cup which England lost 2-0 in The Hague on Sunday.
After their protest had been heard, England chief executive Sally Munday, who will be at the opening of the new Lee Valley stadium at the Olympic Park today, said: “We chose to help the FIH governing body refine their processes, which can be difficult to manage with multiple substitutions in matches.”
Danny Kerry, the England performance director, has promised a robust, searching review of the women’s performance in the Rabobank World Cup in The Hague.
While the men were embroiled in a protest over the way they lost out on a bronze medal in a 2-0 defeat against Argentina on Sunday, the third-ranked women’s camp is under pressure for coming 11th.
England lost their first four games before restoring some pride with a 3-1 victory over Germany in their final group game but still finished bottom of their pool.
They then faced the embarrassing prospect of playing Belgium, the lowest ranked team of the tournament, in the 11th/12th play-off in the knowledge that it would be their worst ever World Cup finish. Another under-par performance saw them avoid the wooden spoon only after a penalty shoot-out. Two-time Olympian Alex Danson described England's failures as "a living nightmare", adding "it will probably be the toughest learning curve we'll have."
“If there was a simple answer I’d give it to you” said Kerry, who was the women’s coach before Jason Lee took over. “What we need to determine is whether it’s the beginning of a long term decline or a situational one. Have the successes over the past three years masked something or is it systemic?”
He could not explain England’s abysmal penalty corner routine which has seen them score twice from 26 attempts or the paucity of prolific forwards.
With the resources at England Hockey’s disposal (£16.1 million from UK Sport over four years) and players on full-time contracts it remains a mystery as to why no-one has been developed to replace Crista Cullen who was deadly from the set-piece and retired after London 2012 with the women gaining the bronze medal.
Kerry believes the University of Birmingham forward Lily Owsley and Canterbury’s Grace Balsdon are promising prospects.
He said: “I can assure you we’re working our socks off on this skill and one will come through. But it takes time. We are also doing all we can to find natural goalscorers but they need to be discovered at an early age.”
Whilst acknowledging the squad could not be faulted for their training, dedication and preparation Kerry knows there are glaring deficiencies to be addressed and tough decisions to be made in future.
Men’s coach Bobby Crutchley and his captain Barry Middleton at least led the men to the semi-finals where they were knocked out by the hosts Holland 1-0. But after Argentina had been presented with their medals, it was revealed that they had 12 men on the pitch for 2mins and 26 seconds of England’s play-off. That would usually mean the captain taking the blame and being suspended for five minutes. The technical officials missed that in the only blip of an immaculate tournament that sent TV coverage of the sport around the world.
Argentina should have been down to 10 men when they scored their two goals in a minute.
An official protest was lodged, and the captain will be suspended for their next World Level game. That was little consolation to England. England Hockey chief executive Sally Munday said: “We chose to lodge our protest to highlight the issue and help the FIH refine their processes for this sort of situation, which can be difficult to manage with multiple substitutions throughout hockey matches. I must stress that we don’t feel anything was done deliberately by Argentina, and we accept the course of action that the FIH have taken in response.
“Overall it’s important to reflect on what an amazing tournament the World Cup has been for the profile of hockey in the public eye. Not only did the Dutch put on a quite brilliant tournament, but Sky’s unprecedented level of coverage for the World Cup in the UK has clearly captured the public’s imagination.”
She added: “The response and interest we’ve had has been massive, and of course it’s been great to see an England team in the semi-final of a World Cup. Hockey had a huge boost from the 2012 Olympics, and tomorrow we officially open our new legacy venue on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park – Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre.
“The buzz around the World Cup gives us huge optimism going into our calendar of major events which we’re hosting on the Olympic Park in the coming years – starting with the Investec London Cup next month and looking ahead to EuroHockey 2015 next summer where both teams will be pushing for medals. This certainly is an exciting time for hockey in this country.”
Daily Express
No more joint World Cups, say FIH
By S. Ramaguru
Australian players celebrating after beating Holland 6-1 to win the World Cup. - EPA
THE HAGUE: The International Hockey Federation (FIH) are not planning on having the men’s and women’ event run simultaneously in the coming years.
FIH president Leandro Negre said that Holland had done a “fantastic job” in organising the event that it is difficult to see another nation emulating it.
“This was a great tournament with plenty of excitement on and off the pitch.
“More than 250,000 tickets were sold and each day we a near capacity crowd at the Kyocera Stadium which seats 15,000 spectators.
“Running a tournament over 16 days is a hectic task but one that the Dutch completed with ease and incident free,” he added.
Negre said he doubted that other nations would bid for both events in the near future, as the escalating cost would be a deterrent.
“The cost of running a 16-team event for the men and women will be huge. So we do not plan to have it again. Furthermore, from a marketing point of view we would rather have two different nations holding the tournament at different times.
“The game is growing in popularity and we see this through the extensive media coverage during the tournament. Over 150 countries broadcasted the matches live and with online screening the numbers were huge,” he said.
The next World Cup for the men will be held in New Delhi in 2018 while England will host the women’s event.
Australia retained their title after a 6-1 win over Holland. Argentina finished third beating England 2-0.
In the women’s event, the title went to hosts Holland while Australia and Argentina finished second and third place respectively.
The Star of Malaysia
AHF set to limit president tenure
THE HAGUE: In line with a call by the International Hockey Federation (FIH), the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) will look at limiting the tenure of the president to three terms.
AHF acting president Tan Sri P. Alagendra said that these changes would be tabled at their AGM to be held on Aug 31 in Kuala Lumpur.
“We are reviewing the constitution and among them is to limit the president’s term. Each term will be for four years. Once our members approve we will then implement it,” he said.
Alagendra took over as acting president after the demise of Sultan Azlan Shah last month.
The late Sultan has been president of AHF from 1994 while Alagendra was the secretary general.
Meanwhile, the FIH have confirmed the new four-quarter rule change will start with the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea in September.
“The game will be over 60 minutes. But we will stop the clock for penalty corner executions. In that way it will not affect the reduced playing time,” he said.
Each quarter will be played over 15 minutes with two minutes break. The half time break will remain at 10 minutes.
The Star of Malaysia
This decision of Hockey India is uncalled for
K. Arumugam
S2H EDITORIAL: A recent decision by Hockey India – setting up a mammoth size committee to oversee and make opinion on Indian hockey’s performance especially the ongoing World Cup – is uncalled for.
A national governing body issued an official statement midway through a tournament. It has put its national team in an awkward position. This is unfortunate. This is the difficult situation the Indian team here is in here in The Hague.
Hockey India announced setting up of a 11-member committee which will take up everyone associated with the present Indian world cup team, and some parameters thereto is set out. The announcement made public after India lost to Australia, has put the team in bad light. Its good that the team still remained focused on the job, and came out with one of the best displays, that was against Korea.
The timing was hurting. It was announced even India has to play one more match. This is not the way for parent body that affectionately organize send off party before every World Cup or Olympics. The world media, well versed with the our hockey adminos, developed curious interest on the issue, and almost speculate the future of coaching staff. World media’s interest on India is huge thanks to it hosting many tournaments and the big money in the Hockey India league. Coming close on the unwanted and distasteful views of Dhanraj Pillay, Hockey India’s emotional but not-so-mature approach, further vitiate the atmosphere, fuelling speculation.
The official statement also says that but for one goalkeeper India would have played for still below ranks. This is poor portrayal of Indian team’s performance. Not a good understanding and analysis either. Hockey is a team game, the team wins or loses. Singling out one player for win or defeat , though the intention was different, like often media does, is both unethical and unprofessional. It does neither good to the player concerned nor to the team spirit. Same way we can now interpolate that but for Akashdeep Singh India would have lost many matches, after all he is top scorer for India. Akashdeep or for that matter any other forward, get the feed from someone else -- like Sardar Singh, SV Sunil against Korea for instance -- and he only gives a finishing touch. Everything in hockey is a combined effort.
Of all the things what surprises, and brings tragedy to the issue in question, is not just the timing, not just the intension, not just the misplaced priorities, not just the immature analysis of team’s performance but the unprofessionalism that it brings with it.
India hired best coaches and brains at hefty cost. Who will take a call on the quality of their services and deliveries? The eleven member committee? What is their competency?
The are all old Olympians, most of them in the mid 60s, and those who don’t keep pace with modern hockey. And the most important, but most embarrassing question: what are their coaching credentials?
Harbinder Singh for long was our women’s coach, delivered nothing. Ajit Pal was the coach of the Indian team that finished last in the 1986 World Cup team, where Rich Charlesworth and Terry Walsh won their gold. Col Balbir Singh also coached Indian women to last position in a World Cup.
These people cannot judge anyone, as they are completely out of place, and are not in sync with modern game.
They have, by and large, been advising Indian administrators for over three decades, and all we know where it has all led to.
Hockey India has improved administration from one-man-one-typewriter IHF to functional, professional setup that it is now.
It has brought money into the game, and opened doors of commercialism through Hockey India League.
But its time it leave technical matters to technical people for whom huge PUBLIC money is being spent.
Only two people are accountable for team’s performance. Firstly, the professional CEO of Hockey India to see whether are there any lapses from administrative point of view when the team made its preparatory programs. Secondly, the highly paid professional High Performance Director.
The concerned HI communication gives an impression that this effort – committee and all – is being made in the wake of poor results of The Hague.
What was the expectation then? Was India projected by anybody, even remotely, to be a team of semifinal? Chief coach Terry Walsh was on record before the team left India that 8th position will be a reality. So was it.
Not in the last two decades did India defeat Korea in any major tournaments the way it did here in the Hague. It was not a fluke.
The has been playing a particular style, which almost made leading teams like Belgium and England to struggle for win. First two games were touch and go affair. The game gave positive signals that it plays with a structure, patience is back, set plays coming off perfectly. Perfection in penalty corner was the only shortcoming in terms of getting and converting.
India was outplayed only by Australia (0-4), and if one have witnessed Dutch in the final, the quality of Australia would have been properly understood.
So, the point, is that India showed improvement match after match, though results were not coming the way it should have been, but it blossomed with the clean sweep of Korea. Had we not improved match after match here, we would not have contained Australia to 0-4, and then made 3-0 of Korea.
We have defeated both Asians here, Malaysia and Korea, and thus built up a huge advantage in the preparation for the forthcoming Asian Games, which is our target tournament. We drew Japan, lost to Korea and Malaysia in the 2002 World Cup for instant.
HI need to look at the positives, but unfortunately played into the hands of terminally negative minded hockey critics, who never foresee a future for hockey.
Hockey India has certainly made a mistake by taking a hurried, popular and face-saving step. This will not help our hockey to come back.
By all means, it seems, HI will listen to the ‘wisdom’ of most of oldies.
This is the worrying factor for those who spend their personal fortune to be where action is, and make genuine and proper analysis.
This is technically and morally not proper the likes of Terry Walsh and Roelant Oltmans will be judged by the oldies whose wisdom and selection of team have time and again been proved fatal to India.
This is really a pathetic back to wall situation.
Stick2Hockey.com
Monkstown Hockey Club beat Ukrainians to win European Trophy in Sardinia
by David Varian
After defeating the Italians champions Bra HC 6-0, the Austrian champions Navax AHTC Wien 5-1 and the Azerbaijan champions Atasport 3-2, Monkstown qualified for the European Trophy Final on Monday in Cagliari, Sardinia versus the Ukrainian champions HC OKS-SHVSM. The Ukrainians were top class opposition with a squad that included 9 internationals.
In sweltering heat of over 30 degrees, Monkstown started brightly with Caruth deflecting over from close range and David Nolan firing just wide. Monkstown’s defence was playing solidly and stifled the disciplined deep approach and indoor hockey push and deflect tactics which the Ukrainians used. On 28 minutes the deadlock was broken when David Carson picked the ball up on the left hand half way line and made a great run holding off two defenders down the left wing and his reverse cross was turned home by a sliding Peter Caruth.
In the second half the Ukrainians pushed forward more and won three short corners in a row which were defended by the hard running out of Kyle Good and the line defence of Nick Dee and Lee Cole. On another occasion the Ukrainians broke free down the right only to be thwarted by a great save from David Fitzgerald. As time went on Monkstown were getting more opportunities on the break where Gareth Watkins fired narrowly wide from a good position, Kyle Good hit the post and there was an excellent save from an Andy Ewington short corner shot. However on 66 minutes Monkstown sealed the victory when a thrust from Kyle Good found Gareth Watkins on the left by line and his excellent cross was pushed home from close range by David Carson. The final few minutes passed without event and Monkstown were crowned champions which sent their crowd of 60 supporters wild. The Monkstown strength in depth was key to the victory where the whole 18 man squad needed to be used in the stifling conditions that we very different to what we are accustomed to at home. In fact the squad drank 60 litres of water to maintain hydration during the match.
It was a fitting end to the career of player/coach Graham Shaw who has played first team hockey in Ireland and Europe for almost 20 years and won over 150 caps for Ireland, who announced his retirement from playing after the match.
Also a special word to David Fitzgerald who was voted Goalkeeper of the Tournament.
Monkstown HC 2 (Carruth & Carson) v HC OKS-SHVSM (Ukr) 0
Irish Hockey Association media release
Loreto Secure Bronze Medal
By Sally Ann Fanagan
Loreto returned to Dublin yesterday delighted with their medal finish. Going into the tournament ranked fourth, but without the services of four of their regular first team players due to the Leaving Certificate exams and Nikki Keegan’s forthcoming wedding, their realistic target was to avoid relegation and their real ambition was to achieve their 4th place ranking………a bronze medal never felt so good!
Pitted in Pool A along with two Russian club sides and a Belarus team, all largely unknown opposition, Loreto came out of the blocks well in their first match on the Friday against Mestrostroy, the stronger of the two Russian teams. The score could have been four all at half time but instead it was Loreto who lead three nil thanks to a combination of Loreto taking their chances in front of goal and their goalkeeper Louisa Healy making some brilliant saves at the other end. Two goals came from Niamh Small and the third from Hannah Matthews from a well-worked pc routine. In the second half, Mestrostroy upped their tempo and fully pressed Loreto , pulling back two goals, the second one with twelve minutes to go. This led to a nervy final spell for Loreto but, with veteran Caitriona O’Kelly in inspired form throughout, Loreto held out for a terrific and well-earned victory.
In match two on Saturday, Loreto faced an easier challenge against the Belarus team Victorya Smolevichi. Although technically and tactially weaker, the Belarus team provided stout resistance until the deadlock was broken by a trademark penalty corner direct strike from Sarah Clarke just before half time. Tensions eased in the second half and further goals from Hannah Matthews and Rachel Keegan secured the win. Matthews goal was from a penalty stroke put away with ablomb following excellent approach work by Mulcahy who drew the foul from the Belarus goalkeeper. Also impressive in attack were Niamh Small and the younger brigade of Ciara Vincent, Sarah O’Loughlin and Carly Baker.
The final pool game on Sunday was a semi-final in effect with both Loreto and the crack Russian team, Izmaylovo, playing each other having both won their first two matches and with the winner guaranteed a place in Monday’s Final. Loreto played probably their best hockey of the weekend in the first 20 minutes of this match, putting it up to the Russians with the greater percentage of territory and possession. However, they fell behind to a goal from a penalty corner, despite the efforts of Zoe Ennis on the post. A second goal five minutes later was a blow, coming from a turnover in midfield. Renowned as a classic counter-attacking side, Izmaylovo stole the ball and played a series of scintillating passes, finishing with a player rolling the ball into the goal from close range.
Loreto regrouped at half time and, playing in sweltering heat for the third day in a row, coach Trevor Dagg used their full bench to impressive effect. Young replacement goalkeeper Ruth Murphy showed in the second half why she is ready to take over the mantle from Louisa Healy, while the midfield engine of Ali Meeke, Ais Campion and Triona O’Kelly were well supported by Cathy McKean, Roisin Ryan and Aine McCrann. The team effort was rewarded with a cracking pc goal from Sarah Clarke, possibly putting a dent in the backboard! Izmaylovo were too experienced to allow Loreto any more joy and wound down the clock with power and precision. A final score of 2-1 put Loreto into the third/fourth crossover match next day.
Prior to the Final match between Russian side Izmaylovo and Leicester which the hosts Leicester won 2-1 to secure first place, Loreto dug deep into their reserves of energy to produce one more big effort for a medal. This time it was Spanish outfit Complutense they faced, a young side who had lost narrowly to the eventual winners Leicester (2-1) in their pool game and who were going to be hard to beat. An inspired performance by goalkeeper of the tournament, Louisa Healy, somehow kept Loreto in the match, her heroics drawing gushing praise from the online match commentators. Loreto fell behind in the third quarter, despite brave defending by Sinead McGirr and it was McGirr herself who contributed to Loreto’s equalizer in the last ten minutes when she swept a pass from a pc switch into the path of Hayley Mulcahy who smashed the ball into the goal. With no further scores, the match went into a dramatic shout-out.
Loreto won the shoot-out by 3 goals to 2, thanks to the class of goalkeeper Louisa Healy who saved from three of the Spanish attempts, while Ciara Vincent and Hayley Mulcahy showed how you eliminate a gk, keep your nerve and slot home the ball! It was fitting that the winning shoot-out goal was scored by the Captain Hannah Matthews who played brilliantly throughout the tournament. Having lost two IHL finals in recent years to shoot-outs, success this time round brought scenes of great celebration for players and supporters!
Irish Hockey Association media release
Ireland O50s claim bronze at Masters
Ireland O50s v New Zealand
Ireland O50s played New Zealand in the bronze medal playoff in the 2014 masters World Cup in Rotterdam .
New Zealand started much better than Ireland and very quickly were awarded a corner this was well cleared by Rochie.
This spured Ireland to attack through a typical Claire bell right wing run. Claire turned along the back line and placed a perfect ball on the flick spot for Marion to slot home. This lead didn't last long and New Zealand scored at the left post from a direct stroke at their next corner. 1-1 at half time. Ben Epstein used half time to settle his team and the second half was different ball game. From the start of the second half Ireland looked a different team. A quick aerial from Jane Salter put Kathy Walsh through on goal where she slotted ball home.
Ireland's third goal came after an intricate passing move when jpnners drew the keeper and slipped it to Claire bell to score.
Ireland were now passing the ball with ease and more goals looked likely. A right side attack found Dymphna hill in space outside the circle and she quickly rounded the keeper and scored.
The fifth goal was scored by Kathy Walsh after a left sided individual run. The sixth and final Goal of the game came from well worked corner Maggie Hunter slipped the ball back to Jane Salter to score at the left post. Final score 6-1 and Ireland claim the bronze medal the highest finish in masters hockey for an Irish team.
Irish Hockey Association media release
Bronze Medal for Women's Masters
Scotland’s women’s Masters rounded off their World Cup in Rotterdam at the weekend with a Bronze medal win. Roving reporters Janice Moir and Jill Reid give us a summary of the final two games of the tournament.
12th June Scotland 45's V RSA 45's
Scotland started nervously and in the opening minutes gave away possession a bit too easily, however, once into the game they played some very good possession hockey. RSA defended well and dominated the midfield with controlled passing and play. Despite a few chances at both ends the half ended 0-0. The Scots confidently started the 2nd half, but a momentary lapse of concentration allowed RSA to score early in the half. Although RSA always looked dangerous on the break the Scots controlled most of the game in the 2nd half, but found it difficult to break down RSA, who played 10 behind the ball. Despite intense pressure in the last 20 minutes the Scots could not score and the game ended 0-1. Very disappointing for the Scots who knew they should have won if they had taken their chances. The game set them up well for their final game against USA 40's.
13th June Scotland 45's V USA 40's
Scotland's last game started late because of scheduling issues, which could have caused problems for flights home, but the USA team very sportingly helped to allow the game to go ahead. Once again Scotland's effort and work rate were phenomenal, putting lots of pressure on the USA 40's, who were constantly at the Scots heels. The pressure paid off when Scotland scored at a penalty corner through vice-captain Lizzie Sturrock in the 30th minute leading to half time score of 1-0. The 2nd half continued in the same vein as the first with the USA pressurising the Scots and gaining penalty corners, which Scotland defended well. The team worked non-stop, supporting and encouraging each other and as the game went on energy was sapping and the younger USA team continued to press. Exhilaration at the final whistle when the game ended 1-0, meaning Scotland won a Bronze medal. A great result for a "young" team forming, who are looking forward to the Home Nations in Swansea in two weeks’ time.
Scottish Hockey Union media release
Queens baton relay arrives in Scotland with hockey baton bearers
The Queens baton arrived in Scotland on Saturday and was paraded round Edinburgh which featured some baton bearers from the Scottish hockey community.
This weekend saw the U21 coach and GB Olympian Graham Moodie, Inverleiths Michael Gibson and Scotland goal keeper Allan Dick parade the baton round the capital.
Throughout the Queens relay across Scotland it will feature many baton bearers from the Scottish hockey community. From Kelburne and Scottish hockey board member Barbara Morgan to Uddingstons head of youth hockey Ross McWilliams to Dundee based umpire Gavin Cruickshanks.
There is a wide range of hockey baton bearers across Scotland, make sure you cheer them on by having a look at the Queens relay to find your nearest spot to watch the baton travel around Scotland.
Congratulations to all hockey baton bearers, here is the full list below.
If you know of a hockey baton bearer that isn’t listed below then please email in and let us know! Make sure you send in your pictures once you have carried round the baton so we can share on our social media channels.
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Lauren Boag
Gavin Cruickshanks
Callum White
Duncan MacInnes
Iain Harper
Chantal Guillot
Carol Anderson
Lizzy Sturrick
Graham Moodie
Barbara Morgan
Ross McWilliams
Stephen Dick
George Thornton
Pippa Bell
Fiona Harfield
Susan Whiteford
John Bennett
Maureen Golden
Paul Golden
Harry Byers
Allan Dick
Michael Gibson
Anne McRae
Lorna Clyne
Dominc Cruickshanks
Mary Anderson
Scottish Hockey Union media release
Athletes Give Their All on Proving Grounds of 2014 US Women's National Championship
LANCASTER, Pa. – Monday marked the first day of competition for top athletes from across the country at the 2014 Women’s National Championship in Lancaster, Pa. Competitors gathered at the Home of Hockey for the chance to show off their skills in front of the U.S. Women’s National Team High Performance Staff, including Head Coach Craig Parnham. With the opportunity to represent the red, white and blue for 2014-15 on the line, athletes laid it all out on the field for an exciting opening day.
The six-day tournament is broken down into two pools. Pool A consists of U21, White, Red and Blue, while Pool B includes Patriots, Freedom, Courage and Eagles.
In the first match of the event, the U21 squad took on White. U21 got on the board first five minutes into the match when Moira Putsch (Media, Pa.) netted a goal. The score remained 1-0 until Emma Bozek (Cortlandt Manor, N.Y.) earned two goals within two minutes of each other in the 35th and 37th minutes. White answered back at the 51 minute mark when Allyson Fuller (Endicott City, Md.) finished a penalty corner. U21 proved to be too much for White as they scored another three goals before time was up to close the game 6-1.
Next up, Red faced off against Blue for an action-packed first half of play. Blue got on the board early at the one minute mark thanks to a goal by Katie Weeks (Kenilworth, Ill.). Lauren Moyer (York, Pa.) answered back for Red ten minutes later, only for Blue to retaliate twice within 60 seconds and go up 3-1 in the 14th minute. After another goal by Blue in the 28th minute, Moyer netted her second goal to bring the game within two goals at half-time. Lauren Pfeiffer (Mount Laurel, N.J.) and Weeks scored twice more for Blue in the second half to bring home a 6-2 victory.
Patriots and Freedom took to the pitch next. Natalie Cafone (Fairfield, N.J.) gave Freedom the lead in the eighth minute, followed by back-to-back goals by Caitlin Van Sickle (Wilmington, Del.) in minutes ten and 18, putting Freedom up 3-0. Cafone earned a hat trick, scoring two goals shortly after the half and then, unsatisfied with three, netted a fourth goal in the 68th minute. Two more second half goals by Freedom’s Heather Morris (Pottstown, Pa.) and Meghan Plank (Glen Mills, Pa.) gave them an impressive 8-0 win over the Patriots.
Courage and Eagles rounded out the day’s action in Lancaster, Pa. The Eagles opened up scoring early with a goal by Jordan Page (Ephrata, Pa.) in the second minute. Seven minutes later, Kelsey Harbin (San Marcos, Calif.) put the Eagles up 2-0. Just before half, the Eagles’ Amanda Magadan (Randolph, N.J.) struck once more. The half-time score of 3-0 in favor of the Eagles held through to the final whistle of the second half, with neither team able to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
Stay tuned to usafieldhockey.com for all information about the 2014 Women’s National Championship.
USFHA media release
Lewis seals Paragon Outdoor double
Nigel Simon
Members of the Paragon and technical staff pose for a team photo after retaining their T&T Hockey Board Big-Four title to complete the outdoor double at the National Hockey Centre, Tacarigua, on Sunday night. Photo: Courtesy Paragon
National captain Alanna Lewis was the toast of her clubmates after her 55th-minute field goal earned team Paragon a 2-1 win over Shandy Carib Magnolias and with it the T&T Hockey Board Women’s Championship Division “Big-Four” crown at the National Hockey Centre, Tacarigua, on Sunday night.
Going into the match, Paragon (five points), winners of the league crown last week—their first in over two decades—needed maximum points to finish ahead of Notre Dame.
The Dames ended with seven points earlier in the day after a 2-0 blanking of Courts Malvern. A Blair Wynne brace in the 47th and 52nd minutes sealed the deal.
Paragon got the start they wanted when national forward Zene Henry fired in the go-ahead item in the 15th which they held on to until the interval.
Despite being out of contention for the title, Magnolias were intent on playing ‘party spoilers’ and drew level in the 45th through former national standout, Stacey Siu Butt.
However, ten minutes later, Lewis, the Paragon club captain, netted what turned out to be the decisive item as her team ended with eight points, one more than the Dames, to keep hold of their title.
Legerton leads Oilmen to 4-0 victory
The prolific Wayne Legerton was among the goals once more with a double to lead Petrotrin to a 4-0 thrashing of Defence Force and a successful defence of its Men’s Championship Division “Big-Four” crown.
The Oilmen started the day one point behind Defence Force (four) and knew anything less than full points would leave the door open for its opponent and Notre Dame to take the title.
However, at the half, their nerves were at ease after Alex Steele and Triston Grant scored in the 17th and 25th minute respectively for a 2-0 advantage at the half.
Legerton extended the lead to 3-0 in the 49th minute and four minutes later he completed the drubbing with his fifth goal of the tournament to secure yet another title for the Oilmen, who had their five-year hold on the league title ended by Notre Dame earlier this month.
In the day’s other match, the Dames got the better of Queen’s Park CC 2-0 via penalty-stroke shoot-out after both teams battled to a 3-3 draw at the end of the 70-minute contest.
T&T Hockey Board Big-Four results and final standings
Men’s Championship Division
Notre Dame 3 (Shaquielle Daniel 7th, Dillon Campbell 21st, Keith De Peza 24th) vs QPCC 3 (Jarryon Paul 22nd, Matthew Tang Nian 30th, Raphael Govia 42nd)—Notre Dame won 2-0 on penalty-stroke shoot-out
Petrotrin 4 (Wayne Legerton 49th, 53rd, Alex Steele 17th, Triston Grant 25th) vs Defence Force 0
FINAL MEN’S STANDINGS
Teams P W D L F A PSW PSL Pts
Petrotrin 3 2 0 1 9 2 0 0 6
Notre Dame 3 1 1 1 6 8 1 0 5
Defence Force 3 1 1 1 7 8 0 1 4
QPCC 3 0 2 1 6 10 1 1 3
Women’s Championship
Paragon 2 (Zene Henry 15th, Alanna Lewis 55th) vs SC Magnolias 1 (Stacey Siu Butt 45th)
Notre Dame 2 (Blair Wynne 47th, 52nd) vs Courts Malvern 0
FINAL WOMEN’S STANDINGS
Teams P W D L F A PSW PSL Pts
Paragon 3 2 1 0 8 3 1 0 8
Notre Dame 3 2 1 0 6 3 0 1 7
Magnolias 3 0 1 2 3 5 1 0 2
Malvern 3 0 1 2 2 7 0 1 1
NB: PSW — penalty-stroke win = two points, PSL — penalty-stroke loss = one point
The Trinidad Guardian
Applications Open
Australian National Men’s Head Coach
Hockey Australia is seeking to recruit a National Men’s Head Coach to commence following the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
The position of Head Coach of the Australian men’s hockey team is a prestigious and highly valued position within international hockey. Hockey Australia seeks a proven ‘world class’ coach aspiring to ‘world best’ performance and Olympic Gold in Rio de Janeiro 2016.
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Submit your application containing the above information via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
A full position description can be obtained at here.
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Applications close: Tuesday 8 July (5.00pm AEST)
Hockey Australia media release