News for 27 October 2015
All the news for Tuesday 27 October 2015
U21 Jillaroos secure victory
Savannah Fitzpatrick helps U21 Jillaroos to a 3-2 win over Argentina
U21 Jillaroos v Argentina Tests, Argentina
Australia v Argentina (3-2)
The U21 Jillaroos fought back from a two goal deficit at half time to win 3 -2 in the penultimate match of the series.
Australia created good opportunities with Kate Hanna and Madi Ratcliffe narrowly missing chances to level the score in the first quarter with Argentina who opened the scoring.
Argentina seized the initiative after quarter time and pounced on a defensive lapse in the final minute of the half to take a 2-0 lead coming into half time.
Australia came out firing after the halftime break, applying more pressure to the Argentine defence and also controlling the play more with improved ball handling. Savannah Fitzpatrick scored to tighten the match going into the final quarter.
Goalkeeper Rene Hunter made some crucial saves in the final quarter and Australia equalised with a tomahawk shot into the Argentine goal after good lead up play.
In the final minutes, Australia forced a turnover with Krissy Bates intercepting and slipping a pass to Savannah Fitzpatrick, who secured a hat-trick for the match.
U21 Jillaroos head coach Craig Victory said, "Happy to come away from the match with a win after a first half that lacked the physicality and smarts required for international hockey. We created some excellent scoring opportunities again on counter attack and our penalty corner defence was also rock solid throughout the match.
"The athletes are continually building a good learning foundation from this tour, which will culminate in another high quality hit out against a very fast and skilful opponent in our last match tomorrow."
The final match of the series will be played Wednesday evening.
U21 Jillaroos squad - Argentina Tests
Athlete (Hometown, State)
Kristina Bates (Port Melbourne, VIC)
Lily Brazel (Baulkum Hills, NSW)
Mathilda Carmichael (Willoughby, NSW)
Savannah Fitzpatrick (Cabarita Beach, NSW) [QLD*]
Andrea Gillard (Lithgow, NSW)
Laura Gray (Goulburn, NSW)
Kate Hanna (Constitution Hill, NSW)
Greta Hayes (Maroubra, NSW)
Rene Hunter (Lithgow, NSW)
Ambrosia Malone (Gold Coast, QLD)
Gabrielle Nance (Kingscliff, NSW) [SA]
Aleisha Power (Clackline, WA)
Madi Ratcliffe (Warrnambool, VIC)
Michaela Spano (Adelaide, SA)
Grace Stewart (Gerringong, NSW)
Tina Taseska (Palmerston, ACT)
Sophie Taylor (Camberwell, VIC)
Renee Taylor (Everton Park, QLD)
*Savannah Fitzpatrick is a scholarship holder at the Queensland Academy of Sport.
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U21 Jillaroos v Argentina Tests, Argentina
Australia v Argentina (2-1)
The U21 Jillaroos secured their first win of the tour with a 2-1 victory over Argentina in Buenos Aires to square the ledger in the series with two matches remaining.
Australia was defensively well organized and in attack pressed Argentina's defence, forcing turnovers and then setting up counter attacks, which resulted in a number of circle penetrations.
Australia was rewarded for their early ascendancy when Renee Taylor scored a perfectly placed drag flick from Australia’s first penalty corner.
The second quarter followed in a similar vein, with Australia controlling the play for periods and dealing well with the fast counter attacks from Argentina. Australia went 2-0 up in the second quarter, with Renee Taylor again scoring off the back of another penalty corner.
The final quarter was a torrid affair, with Argentina scoring early to make the score line 2-1. Australia worked hard to repel a number of attacks in the final 10 minutes of the match.
U21 Jillaroos head coach Craig Victory said, “It will be a physically tough last few matches here in Buenos Aires with Argentina rotating their full squad of 26 through the 6 games series, it will come down to our quality basics delivered at speed and quality adjustments to avoid contests with the ball and create as many as possible without the ball."
The U21 Jillaroos next match of the series is on Monday.
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U21 Jillaroos v Argentina Tests, Argentina
Australia v Argentina (1-3)
The U21 Jillaroos went down 3-1 to Argentina in their second pool match.
Argentina earned the first penalty corner mid-way through the opening quarter, scoring with a low drag flick. Three minutes later, Argentina sealed a second strike with a well-taken field goal.
Facing a two goal deficit at quarter time, Australia started the second quarter better, however, conceded a third goal after a turnover in the defensive third.
After some positional and structural tweaks at half time, Australia stepped up the pressure and won possession in the third quarter. The team’s hard work was quickly rewarded with a backhand strike from Greta Hayes, however, it wasn’t enough to seal a second victory on the night.
U21 Jillaroos head coach Craig Victory said, “We are here in Argentina to experience playing against another of the world’s best hockey nations in their home country. The matches have been fast, skilful and even contests, so we will relish and I’m sure thrive on the challenge of the next three matches.”
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U21 Jillaroos v Argentina Tests, Argentina
Australia v Argentina (3-3)
It was a fast, attacking end-to-end contest for the U21 Jillaroos and Argentina in their first test match Sunday night, which ended in a 3-3 draw on the final siren.
Argentina started the match off well, leading 2-0 coming into quarter time. The U21 Jillaroos settled and worked their way back into the match with Renee Taylor scoring off the back of a penalty corner.
Kristina Bates levelled the score coming into half time, scoring an opportunistic goal after good lead-up play.
The second half showcased a fast and skilful contest with Australia going ahead in the third quarter, thanks to a goal from Madi Ratcliffe. Leading 3-2 at three-quarter-time, Australia had chances to seal the victory, however, a final penalty corner strike hit the post.
Argentina scored a breakaway goal with three minutes remaining on the clock, levelling the score 3-3 on the final siren.
U21 Jillaroos head coach Craig Victory said, "It was a good start to our tournament after a long journey and three days of training and acclimatization. Argentina is a fast and skilful team and I was pleased with our ability to settle and get back into the game after a slow start. Structurally we improved throughout the game and we will look to continue to do so in game two."
The U21 Jillaroos' second test match against Argentina was postponed due to stormy weather. This will now take place on Wednesday night, 6pm local time.
U21 Jillaroos squad - Argentina Tests
Athlete (Hometown, State)
Kristina Bates (Port Melbourne, VIC)
Lily Brazel (Baulkum Hills, NSW)
Mathilda Carmichael (Willoughby, NSW)
Savannah Fitzpatrick (Cabarita Beach, NSW) [QLD*]
Andrea Gillard (Lithgow, NSW)
Laura Gray (Goulburn, NSW)
Kate Hanna (Constitution Hill, NSW)
Greta Hayes (Maroubra, NSW)
Rene Hunter (Lithgow, NSW)
Ambrosia Malone (Gold Coast, QLD)
Gabrielle Nance (Kingscliff, NSW) [SA]
Aleisha Power (Clackline, WA)
Madi Ratcliffe (Warrnambool, VIC)
Michaela Spano (Adelaide, SA)
Grace Stewart (Gerringong, NSW)
Tina Taseska (Palmerston, ACT)
Sophie Taylor (Camberwell, VIC)
Renee Taylor (Everton Park, QLD)
*Savannah Fitzpatrick is a scholarship holder at the Queensland Academy of Sport.
Hockey Australia media release
Greenfields African Hockey Championship Day 4
Botsio makes his mark as Ghana dazzle at men’s African Hockey Championships
Kenya, Ghana & South Africa remain unbeaten at women’s African Hockey Championships
Fiji hockey shows improvement
The Fiji men's hockey team at the Oceania Cup. Photo: Facebook / Fiji Hockey Federation
Fiji men's hockey coach Shaun Corrie believes his team showed significant improvement during last week's Oceania Cup.
The Pacific champions finished a distant third behind Australia and New Zealand, and ahead of island neighbours Samoa after winning the bronze playoff 11-1.
Despite conceding a combined 29 goals against the Trans-Tasman big guns, Shaun Corrie insists their performance was much better than in the past.
"We got into the circle against both Australia and New Zealand [and] we got corners against Australia and New Zealand but we couldn't finish it off. These are quality sides being ranked in the top seven in the world for both teams. Playing against the top two guns was exciting and now we've learned a whole lot during the course of the week. These big games hardly come our way and we've bettered our scores against Australia and New Zealand when we played ten years ago in 2005 here in Fiji so the guys have improved and I'm proud of the boys performance".
Shaun Corrie says the biggest challenge for Fiji hockey's ongoing development remains a lack of funding, with rugby, netball and football the main sports back home.
It was also the reason Fiji were unable to send a women's team to the Oceania Cup, while Samoa sent two teams, having not contested the Pacific Games earlier in the year.
Radio New Zealand International
HGC up to second place with OZ win
HGC moved into second place in the Hoofdklasse, overtaking Oranje Zwart thanks to a big 3-1 win in the Hague on Sunday to assert their credentials as title contenders.
Gonzalo Peillat’s twin corners built a 2-0 half time lead before Muhammad Rizwan got one back for OZ with ten minutes to go. Tom Hiebendaal, however, soothed any frayed nerves with a 64th minute clinching goal.
Amsterdam extended their lead to three points at the top of the Dutch Hoofdklasse thanks to a 4-1 win over SCHC on Sunday, with a Robert Tigges hat trick the key component in their first game under coach Dirk Loots.
A number of their rivals lost ground with Kampong drawing 4-4 with Rotterdam in a spectacular second half. Constantijn Jonker got the only goal of the first half for the Utrecht side but they looked like they were on course for an important win when Boet Phijffer, Pepijn Luijkx and Eric Bouwens netted for a 4-2 lead in the 63rd minute.
But two goals from Paul Spies in the closing stages earned Rotterdam a draw.
Bloemendaal shaded a 4-3 win over Den Bosch in Laurence Docherty’s first game in charge while Pinoké beat Schaerweijde 3-1. Hurley and Voordaan drew 1-1.
Euro Hockey League media release
The Road to Lee Valley: Women's Cup draw is now known
Sue Bodicombe presents a Hampstead and Westminster player with her medal
The second round of the Investec Women’s Cup took place this past weekend and there was no little drama as some big names fell on their swords.
The most eye-catching of the casualties has to be that of holders Surbiton, who were dumped out of the competition by Barnes of the South Clubs’ Women’s Hockey League Division One. The Sugden Road side had not lost a competitive domestic game since February 2014 and despite a depleted side, would have expected to get the job done on Sunday. Barnes had other ideas and a goal four minutes into the second half by Abbie Smith as well as some inspired goalkeeping from Katie Martin-Fagg handed them a shock win and ground Surbiton’s incredible streak to a halt.
Their reward is a home tie against Investec Conference East side Chelmsford who saw off Sevenoaks on penalties after an entertaining 4-4 draw in normal time.
There is an all-Premier division clash between East Grinstead and Clifton after both sides negotiated tough ties in the previous round against Gloucester City and Maidenhead respectively.
North Conference meets West Conference in another tie as Brooklands Poynton, winners over Cannock face Stourport. Doncaster fell to Stourport in the last round by virtue of a penalty shootout defeat.
Beeston won a roller coaster clash with Sutton Coldfield, eventually taking a 5-4 victory thanks in part to three goals from three different Sophies. Byrne, Hall and Robinson all notched goals for the Bees with Rebekah Walker bagging the first and Issy Davison scoring what proved to be the winner. Their reward is a trip to Investec Premier Division pace setters University of Birmingham.
Hampstead and Westminster, finalists in 2013-14 saw off Lindum, 3-0 and will face Premier Division outfit Buckingham, themselves 3-1 winners over Reading. Staines will host Holcombe and Boots have the stiff test of overcoming Bowdon Hightown. The Seahorses, who love a cup run, overcame Liverpool Sefton, 2-0 and will be hoping to continue their Road to Lee Valley in the next round.
The final tie is between Ben Rhydding and Loughborough Students. Rhydding notched an impressive 13-0 win over Didsbury Northern in the last round whilst Loughborough were indebted to goalkeeper Laura Myers, who saved all of Leamington’s efforts in a penalty shootout to help her side through. This match has an interesting sub-plot as it gives a return to the Yorkshire club for former coach James Ross, now in charge of the Students. Will it be a happy home coming for the coach or will his former charges end his Road to Lee Valley? We will find out on 8 November when the ties take place!
For all the competition details including draws and results so far, click here.
England Hockey Board Media release
Holcombe hampered by England, Birmingham stay top, Ireland head to Rio
By Graham Wilson
GB captain Barry Middleton is one of a number of stars at Holcombe. GETTY
JULIAN HALLS says clubs with ambitions like the Holcombe outfit he coaches are being hampered by England Hockey's quest for gold medals.
Despite having a host of internationals at his disposal the double Olympian is not taking Holcombe's first season in the England League men's premier division for granted.
They are currently second in the league after seven games, four points behind leaders Surbiton, who saw off the threat of Hampstead and Westminster 4-2.
Halls hit out at critics who have accused the club and their millionaire backer David South of buying their way to the title.
He said: "I am the one who sets the targets and I will be glad just to avoid relegation. We want to stay in this division and not bounce up and down.
“The club gets a raw deal. What David spends on players is nothing like what he spends on the club and the community here. There is a great atmosphere at the club."
Despite a host of internationals at his disposal the double Olympian is yet to use them as last week alone GB had three Tests against Argentina which they won 2-1 overall.
Halls added: "I haven't had a full team at my disposal yet. I know it is Olympic year but the clubs don't have a chance.
“The internationals come here nursing injuries and absolutely shattered from training. The league gets devalued and we fail miserably in Europe. Somehow we need to break this cycle."
Susannah Townsend was on target for Canterbury in their win. GETTY
Halls also criticised the decision to bar internationals from the England indoor competiton which culminates in the semi-finals and finals day on January 31 at the SSE Wembley Arena.
"The players love this tournament and it gives them a welcome break from the heavy training work that they do," he added.
"There we are trying to sell tickets for this event and the stars are not going to be there. People want to see the top names. It's a joke."
Surbiton's Andy Hayward scored twice against his former club Hampstead in the England League.
Goals from Neil Hamilton and Stuart Loughrey had twice pegged the leaders back in a close first half, but a goal from Dave Beckett and a late finish from Matt Daly saw Surbiton over the line.
East Grinstead are one place off the bottom after they were beaten 4-3 away at Cannock despite two goals from Simon Faulkner.
Canterbury remain without a point after they went down 4-0 at home to Wimbledon.
Canterbury player-coach Kwan Browne, who is out with a ruptured Achilles, said: "Confidence is a bit low. I have been out since the summer and we have had a few other injuries too. We haven't had a full squad. We will be much better then." 
Ireland men have qualified for the Rio Olympics. GETTY
England striker Tom Carson scored a hat-trick as Reading rolled over Beeston in a fine second-half fight-back against Beeston.
In the womens’ Investec League Erica Sanders scored either side of half-time to put leaders University of Birmingham on their way to a 3-1 victory over East Grinstead.
Surbiton kept up the pressure on the leaders with a 2-0 win at Leicester with goals in each half from Jenna Woolven and Jo Hunter.
Holcombe came back from a goal down against Bowdon Hightown to secure a third win of the season.
Reading stay bottom after they lost an early lead to go down 2-1 at home to Clifton.
Cara Brogan-Jones, Hannah Griggs and Susannah Townsend were on target for Canterbury as they swept to a 3-1 win over Buckingham.
In International hockey Ireland men qualified for the Rio Olympics for the first time in over a 100 years after Australia won the Oceania Cup on Sunday putting out New Zealand 3-2.
Australia's win opened up a further qualification spot which Ireland took as a result of their fifth place finish at the World League in Belgium in the summer. The Irish men picked up the silver medal in the inaugural hockey event which took place in London in 1908.
They also beat England to the European bronze medal in London in August and become the 11th men’s team to qualify for Rio.
Daily Express
Double Olympian claims England Hockey stifle ambitious clubs with medal obsession
England secured a bronze medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. GETTY
JULIAN HALLS says clubs with ambitions like Holcombe that he coaches are being hampered by England Hockey's quest for gold medals.
Despite a host of internationals at his disposal, the double Olympian is not taking Holcombe's first season in the England League men's premier division for granted.
Halls' "tough" visit to Brooklands Manchester University ended in a 5-2 victory, their GB captain Barry Middleton and England team-mates Nick Catlin and Sam Ward among the scorers.
Julian Halls represented Great Britain at 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games. GETTY
During the week GB had played three Tests against Argentina which they won 2-1 overall and Halls said: "I haven't had a full team at my disposal yet. I know it is Olympic year but the clubs don't have a chance.
"The internationals come here nursing injuries and absolutely shattered from training. The league gets devalued and we fail miserably in Europe. Somehow we need to break this cycle."
Holcombe are second in the league after seven games, four points behind leaders Surbiton, who saw off the threat of Hampstead and Westminster 4-2.
Daily Express
Gurbaj on sidelines despite HI lifting ban
Rachna Khaira
Gurbaj Singh
Jalandhar: Hockey India (HI) may have lifted the nine-month ban on Gurbaj Singh after the Punjab and Haryana High Court termed his suspension “illegal”, yet the Punjab player finds himself on the sidelines.
A national camp began at the Bengaluru SAI centre on Monday. The selection trials for the World League Final and Australia Test series have been scheduled for October 28. However, there has been no indication yet from HI to get the player back into the thick of action.
Gurbaj was suspended following the accusations that he created disharmony and groupism in the team.
Harbinder Singh, a member of the selection committee, said the core group was formed in July while Gurbaj was serving the ban. “Moreover, the core group has been formed on the recommendations of coaches alone,” said Harbinder. Due to the ban, Gurbaj has missed out on 11 international matches and a couple of domestic tournaments. Also, he was not included in the auction of Hockey India League (HIL) this year. Gurbaj said the ban has been termed as “illegal” and “extremely harsh” by the High Court, so HI should give him a chance to prove his mettle. “I am fit and capable to represent India, I hope to be back in the game soon. Till the time HI calls me back for national duty, I will focus on domestic tournaments. I have been informed by HI that the ban has been lifted but I have not been called back,” he said.
Former India captain and Hockey Punjab president Pargat Singh said: “Gurbaj is fit to play, he should be given a chance. He may prove to be an asset for the national team,” said Pargat Singh. The 27-year-old is gearing up to take part in the Surjit hockey tournament (October 30) in Jalandhar.
The Tribune
Hockey India welcomes Hockey Coorg as Associate Member unit
NEW DELHI: Karnataka will now boast of two member units with Hockey India (HI) introducing Hockey Coorg as an Associate Member unit from the state.
Hockey Karnataka already operate as a Permanent Member unit while the latest entrant Hockey Coorg will operate as an Associate Member unit.
The newly formed Hockey Coorg, will see PE Kalaiah, spearheading the unit as the President.
Hockey India, who currently has 20 Permanent Member units, will have 28 Associate Member units with the formation of Hockey Coorg and the region can now participate in the National Championships as a separate team.
Mohd. Mushtaque Ahmad, Secretary General, Hockey India said, "I am delighted to welcome Hockey Coorg as an Associate Member unit of Hockey India.
"The region of Coorg has always given our country some exceptional athletes in the sport of hockey, and with the formation of this new unit, I am confident that we will be moving towards a formidable talent pool who only are going to help us carry forward the legacy and honour of the sport, bringing many laurels to the country."
Karnataka has traditionally been a major contributor to the sport of Hockey and Hockey Coorg's primary functionality will be to manage the large talent pool from the Coorg region of the state that in the past has produced some great players like BP Govinda, Arjun Halappa, AB Subbaiah and MP Ganesh.
A few of the current players donning the national cap from Coorg are VR Raghunath, SV Sunil, SK Utthappa, Nikin Thimmiah and Nithin Thimmaiah.
The Times of India