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News for 23 April 2018

All the news for Monday 23 April 2018


Women’s hockey World Cup: England players to vote on social media activity

By Rod Gilmour



England defender Giselle Ansley says that the team will vote on whether they remain on social media or turn off Twitter and Instagram altogether during the Vitality women’s World Cup.

While Sophie Bray netted a sublime hat-trick as England ended with bronze, New Zealand beat Australia to announce themselves as contenders for this summer’s big event in London.

England women will now decide on whether to replicate their Olympic success by shielding themselves from the outside world or continue boosting the team’s popularity or hockey’s showpiece event, as they bid to win the event for the first time.

“We downgraded a bit on match day,” said Ansley of their Gold Coast plans. “That was to make some kind of bubble around us like Rio. This is a new squad and a new team and we have to find what works for us.”

The squad relaxed the social media rule for last summer’s EuroHockey Championships, where they finished with bronze. At the Commonwealth Games, the decision was taken to turn off social media on game days only.

“The world’s moved on in two years,” joked women’s captain Alex Danson.

Given that the England women’s cricketers decided against social media activity during their World Cup tilt – after consulting with their hockey counterparts – it is likely that Kerry’s side could do the same.

Ansley added: “We’ll have plenty of conversations about it. It won’t be shared but we’ll make a decision on what we end up doing.”

The Hockey Paper



Jeroen Hertzberger handed Netherlands return by coach Max Caldas

By Rod Gilmour



Dutchman Jeroen Hertzberger is no stranger to battling back from disappointments. At London 2012, he was omitted from Paul van Ass’ Olympic squad. After Rio 2016 and the Netherlands’ fourth place finish, the 32-year-old was again handed the chop.

But Hertzberger’s form this season has not gone unnoticed by Dutch coach Max Caldas, with the Hoofdklasse’s top scorer rewarded for his persistence with a return to the national squad.

“Jeroen called himself also a team player, but we used different definitions,” was Caldas’ views on his initial axe.

One of those definitions was his work outside the circle where, says Caldas, it was “difficult to play with him”.

Progress has undoubtedly been made in this area and a four-hour meeting with Hertzberger has changed Caldas’s perceptions as he looks ahead to the Champions Trophy in June and the year-end World Cup.

Hertzberger, who made his Dutch debut in 2007, said: “When Max invited me for an interview, I knew that there was a chance that he would ask me to join.

“Deep inside I have always been hoping for that. For the last year and a half, I have worked very hard to show that I belong to it.”

Hertzberger has been in prolific form this season. His 26 goals, including a hat-trick last week, has also propelled HC Rotterdam into the Euro Hockey League final 4 next month. On Sunday, he scored Rotterdam’s final equaliser in a 4-4 draw at HDM.

“We have worked with new players in the past year and we are satisfied with the growth that these players have gone through and we have started to score more field goals,” Caldas said.

“But we think there is still room for improvement. Jeroen is very goal oriented and if we choose him for the Champions Trophy or the World Cup, he can help us with that. He, like everyone else, has to fight for his place.”

It seems that Caldas is also keen to use Hertzberger as a secondary option alongside corner striker Mink van der Weerden.

“I spoke with Roelant Oltmans last, now coach of Pakistan’, Caldas told Dutch media. “It’s nice to have four corner specialists, but who is your number one? With us is that Van der Weerden and the rest is on a lower platform. We need to develop more corner specialists.”

The Rabobank Champions Trophy takes place between 23 June and 1 July in Breda.

The Hockey Paper



Racing secure a European spot once again as French table-toppers


©: Frank Uijlenbroek/world Sport Pics

Racing Club de France got the draw they needed against CA Montrouge to ensure they top the French regular season table and earn a European spot once again.

Timothee Clement scored a hat trick for Montrouge, opening the scoring in the 3-3 draw only for Niko Martin-Brisac to level the game at 1-1.

It advanced to 2-2 by the end of the third quarter with Jean-Laurent Kieffer on the mark for RCF before Martin-Brisac and Clement exchanged goals in the closing quarter.

The draw was enough to move Racing level with Saint Germain on points in the table and top by virtue of a single goal on goal difference.

Saint Ger had completed their regular season schedule already with this game for RCF originally meant to be played on March 17.

Saint Germain had given themselves a chance at winning the title when they beat Racing 3-2 in their last outing a couple of weeks to go but they needed a favour which did not come through. They both now advance to the playoff stages of the competition.

Euro Hockey League media release



Sevenoaks closer to safety


Univ of Nottingham celebrate a goal. Credit Andy Smith

Sevenoaks took a first step towards securing top flight hockey next year with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Conference East champions Oxted in the Men’s Hockey League promotion play-offs on Sunday.

Sevenoaks, who finished the season second from bottom in the top tier, had to come from behind with Jason Ellis-Woodley giving Oxted an early lead before Tim Warrington levelled the scores.

Thomas Rhodes then put Oxted back in front just after the break but strikes from Michael Shelton and Duncan Parnis gave Sevenoaks the win.

Conference North champions the University of Nottingham also had to come from behind against Conference West champions the University of Exeter.

Sam Hooper slotted home from a penalty corner for Exeter after 12 minutes but second half goals from Luke Hudson and Adam Laitt saw Nottingham grab the win. The deciding games will be played at the Finals Weekend in London next week.

Elsewhere, Deeside Ramblers have been relegated from Conference North after losing both of their relegation play-off games, their latest defeat being a 5-1 loss at the hands of Old Georgians on Sunday.

James Tindall led the scoring for Old Georgians with a brace and they will avoid relegation if they can beat Cheltenham next weekend.

England Hockey Board Media release



Beeston draw first blood


Beeston celebrate a goal. Credit David Kissman

Investec Women’s Hockey League Conference North champions Beeston drew first blood in the promotion play-offs with victory over Conference West champions Stourport on Sunday.

It was a narrow 1-0 win for Beeston with Rosy Stephens scoring the only goal of the game from open play with two minutes of the first half remaining.

That puts them at the top of the table on day one, with the other game between Hampstead & Westminster and Slough ending in a 1-1 draw.

Joyce Esser nudged Hampstead in front after just five minutes but the Investec Women’s Conference East champions couldn’t hang on with Lizzy Totten equalising for relegation-threatened Premier Division outfit Slough just after the break.

But it’s still all to play for with the play-offs coming to a conclusion at the Finals Weekend in London next week.

In the relegation play-offs, Southgate took a huge step towards survival as the Investec Women’s Conference East side added to their three points with a valuable draw against Cannock of Conference West. Ruth Graham scored for Cannock and Caitlin Wales replied for Southgate.

England Hockey Board Media release



Sevenoaks and Beeston make moves for English hockey top flight

By The Hockey Paper


Univ of Nottingham celebrate against student rivals. (PIC: Andy Smith)

Sevenoaks captain Tim Warrington said his side took in past Play Off experiences to rally back and defeat Oxted – and take a big step towards securing top flight hockey next season.

Sevenoaks, who finished the season second from bottom in the top tier, produced a hard-fought 3-2 win over Conference East champions Oxted in the Men’s Hockey League promotion play-offs on Sunday.

Sevenoaks had to come from behind with Jason Ellis-Woodley giving Oxted an early lead before Warrington levelled the scores.

Thomas Rhodes then put Oxted back in front just after the break but strikes from Michael Shelton and Duncan Parnis gave Sevenoaks the win.

Warrington said: “It was particularly pleasing that we found the fighting spirit to come from behind twice to take the points. We’ve had a very challenging season, being on the wrong end of results most weeks, so to have the mental strength to find a late winner was great to see.

“I think our experience in the play offs last year contributed to our result. Last year we beat both Bath Buccs and Durham Uni 3-2 and we took confidence from that when we were 1-0 and 2-1 down, knowing that we had history of finding a way to win last year.”

Conference North champions the University of Nottingham also had to come from behind against Conference West champions the University of Exeter.

Sam Hooper slotted home from a penalty corner for Exeter after 12 minutes but second half goals from Luke Hudson and Adam Laitt saw Nottingham grab the win. The deciding games will be played at the Finals Weekend in London next week.

Elsewhere, Deeside Ramblers have been relegated from Conference North after losing both of their relegation play-off games, their latest defeat being a 5-1 loss at the hands of Old Georgians on Sunday.

James Tindall led the scoring for Old Georgians with a brace and they will avoid relegation if they can beat Cheltenham next weekend.

Meanwhile, Investec Women’s Hockey League Conference North champions Beeston drew first blood in the promotion play-offs with victory over Conference West champions Stourport.


Beeston overcame Stourport on Sunday (PIC: David Kissman)

It was a narrow 1-0 win for Beeston with Rosy Stephens scoring the only goal of the game from open play with two minutes of the first half remaining.

That puts them at the top of the table on day one, with the other game between Hampstead & Westminster and Slough ending in a 1-1 draw.

Joyce Esser nudged Hampstead in front after just five minutes but the Investec Women’s Conference East champions couldn’t hang on with Lizzy Totten equalising for relegation-threatened Premier Division outfit Slough just after the break.

But it’s still all to play for with the play-offs coming to a conclusion at the Finals Weekend in London next week.

In the relegation play-offs, Southgate took a huge step towards survival as the Investec Women’s Conference East side added to their three points with a valuable draw against Cannock of Conference West. Ruth Graham scored for Cannock and Caitlin Wales replied for Southgate.

The Hockey Paper



Irish Mens EY Hockey League Weekend Round Up

Pembroke made the big move into the fourth EY Champions Trophy playoff place by virtue of a 3-0 win over Railway Union on Saturday and a 7-2 success against Cookstown on Sunday.

Alan Sothern was in sparkling form, scoring six times in the latter game to add to the opener a day before, as they condemned the bottom two sides to a pair of heavy defeats.

The upshot of those results means they move back into fourth place, overtaking Monkstown despite their hugely impressive 6-2 win over reigning champions Glenanne.

Guy Sarratt had Town leading from within a minute, adding another soon after. Karl Smith made it three before Glenanne rallied with two Shannon Boucher goals – 3-2 at half-time.

But Smith, Geoff Cole and Ross Quirke all got in on the act in the second half to make Monkstown the first side to beat the Glens – a week after they were confirmed at EYHL victors – with plenty to spare.

Banbridge are also in the shake-up for the playoffs following a 5-0 win over Cookstown on Saturday. They are on 23 points with a game in hand on Tuesday against Lisnagarvey. Monkstown are on 26 with a trip to Annadale still to play while Pembroke are on 27 and face Cork C of I next.

Dale became safe thanks to a 2-2 draw with Lisnagarvey, surviving a late penalty stroke miss from Daniel Buser. Garvey had led twice but goals from Adam McAllister and Peter Caruth tied things up each time.

C of I are also safe for another year despite a 4-0 loss to Three Rock Rovers on Saturday at Garryduff.

As such, the relegation situation comes down to Railway Union and Cookstown. The former are bottom and anything other than a win over third place Lisnagarvey means a return to the Leinster leagues.

For Cookstown, a win at second placed Three Rock would guarantee them a relegation playoff shot.

Men’s EY Hockey League results

Saturday: Annadale 2 (A McAllister, P Caruth) Lisnagarvey 2 (A Williamson, D Buser); Cookstown 0 Banbridge 5; Cork C of I 0 Three Rock Rovers 4 (J Walker, P Blakeney, D Walsh L Madeley); Glenanne 5 (G Sarratt 2, K Smith 2, G Cole, R Quirke) Monkstown (S Boucher 2); Railway Union 0 Pembroke Wanderers 3 (A Sothern, K O’Hare, N Burns)

Sunday: Pembroke 7 (A Sothern 6, S Sweetnam) Cookstown 2 (R Millar, G Allen)

Extended day 17 reports

Saturday

Cork C of I 0 Three Rock Rovers 4 (J Walker, P Blakeney, D Walsh L Madeley)

Three Rock Rovers continued their good record against Cork C of I, winning at Garryduff for the second time this season with a comfortable 4-0 result.

Peter Blakeney’s corner goal in the 15th minute was backed up by a James Walker effort a couple of minutes into the second quarter. Daragh Walsh’s lovely dinked finish in the third quarter put the result beyond doubt and Luke Madeley added a corner drag to close out the victory.

It was Three Rock Rovers’ fifth win in succession in the league and the weekend’s other results mean they are guaranteed to play Lisnagarvey in the Champions Trophy semi-finals for a second successive year. C of I remain in eighth place and safe by virtue of results elsewhere.

Glenanne 2 (S Boucher 2) Monkstown 6 (G Sarratt 2, K Smith 2, G Cole, R Quirke)

Monkstown inflicted the first defeat of the season on Glenanne, making a strong case to try and snatch the fourth and final EY Champions Trophy playoff place.

They led from the first minute as Guy Sarratt dragged home amid an excellent early salvo. Sarratt made it 2-0 with another corner before Karl Smith got the third off the back of some lovely work from Stephen Cole.

Shannon Boucher got one back from a corner but Monkstown continued to be the greater attacking force for the most part and were only denied more by some last ditch defending from Rowland Rixon-Fuller. As it was, Boucher struck again before half-time to keep Glenanne in touch with another corner goal, 3-2 at the break.

But Smith put down the uprising with his classy second goal and finish with an upright reverse. A brilliant counter-attack led to the fifth as Matteo Romoli drew out Iain Walker before slipping to Geoff Cole to score. Ross Quirke completed the win when he rounded Walker and smashed home.

Railway Union 0 Pembroke Wanderers 3 (A Sothern, K O’Hare, N Burns)

Pembroke posted a 3-0 derby win over Railway Union to keep them in range of the EY Champions Trophy playoff places. Alan Sothern gave them the upper hand right from the start when he flipped the ball over the first runner before punching a shot down and up into the net – adjudged to be via a deflection – to make it 1-0.

They went 2-0 up in second half when Sothern tipped a corner move behind his back into the path of Keith O’Hare who slung home a low push.

And the win was complete when Pembroke took advantage of a high Railway press, flicking the ball out of defence to Kirk Shimmins who swept to Sothern in the right corner. He picked out the unmarked Nick Burns who scored into the goal unattended by a padded goalkeeper. Railway now have to hope Cookstown do not get any further points and then win their own game at Lisnagarvey next Saturday.

Annadale 2 (A McAllister, P Caruth) Lisnagarvey 2 (A Williamson, D Buser)

Annadale survived a late penalty stroke to earn a share of the spoils against Lisnagarvey in a result that pushed them to confirmed safety for the 2018/19 season.

Andy Williamson got the only goal of the first half when he netted in the 29th minute. Adam McAllister equalised with a superb near post finish three minutes into the second half but Garvey had the lead back within a few minutes, Daniel Buser reversing into the bottom corner from the top of the circle.

Player coach Peter Caruth levelled once more with 12 minutes to go with a deflected corner slap but it looked like Garvey would nick the win when they were awarded a corner in the closing stages. Buser, however, put it wide of Jonny Moore’s goal to ensure the draw remained in place and Garvey finish the league in third place.

Cookstown 0 Banbridge 5 (J Wright, J Moffett, J McKee, M Barlow, E Magee)

Banbridge continued their interest in the playoff places with a 5-0 win at Cookstown with goals from Jamie Wright, Joss Moffett, Jonny McKee, Mark Barlow and Eugene Magee.

Sunday:

Pembroke 7 (A Sothern 6, S Sweetnam) Cookstown 2 (R Millar, G Allen)

Alan Sothern struck six times to send Pembroke back up to fourth place and into the EY Champions Trophy playoff places, going one point above Monkstown.

Stephen Sweetnam started the scoring just a couple of minutes in before Sothern started his spree, getting on the end of Keith O’Hare breaking out of defence before cutting back to Sothern. He won and scored their fourth corner for 3-0 and then added another corner goal when Ronan Flannery was fouled.

He scored again from a bizarre move in the second half when a Cookstown clearance rebounded off their own foot into the star striker’s path. A quickfire pair of reverse-stick shots built a 7-0 lead before Ryan Millar and Greg Allen got a couple of consolation goals.

For Cookstown, they remain in ninth place going into the final game of the season when they travel to Three Rock, hoping to stay clear of Railway who are two points back and face Lisnagarvey.

Irish Hockey Association media release



UCD Win Irish EY Hockey League For Second Year In A Row

Needing just a point from their final two games, UCD won the women’s EY Hockey League in emphatic fashion, storming to a 7-1 win at Ards to put themselves out of range of Cork Harlequins.

They did so despite the absence of coach Miles Warren who remained in Dublin following the birth of his second child earlier in the week.

Nonetheless, any of his nerves would have been eased in the early Twitter updates. It took less than eight minutes for Katie Mullan to put UCD in front and six minutes later, Sara Twomey produced a great effort from the top of the circle for 2-0.

Abbie Russell and Katherine Egan piled on the goals before brief respite from Chloe Brown for Ards left it at 4-1. But more goals from Russell, Mullan and Lena Tice strung out the huge win.

“We will enjoy this but we have one more league game next week and want to finish strong and then take that on to the EY Champions Trophy finals,” UCD captain Deirdre Duke said afterwards.

“We are pretty proud of our record but it does bother us that we have that one loss [in the last two seasons]  but that has driven us on and is testament to how hungry we are for success. That loss at the beginning of the season spurred us on to where we are to today.”

At the bottom, Hermes-Monkstown gave their hopes of avoiding the drop a massive boost on Saturday when they beat Trinity 3-0 at Santry Avenue with Rosie Carrigan, Christine Quinlan and Rachel Moore on the mark.

That win means they have hope going into the final day of the season but need a win over champions UCD next weekend to have a chance of escaping automatic relegation.

Trinity are two points ahead of them in the relegation playoff place after a Sunday 1-1 draw at Cork Harlequins, Niamh Sweeney’s goal putting them 1-0 up before Cliodhna Sargent equalised. Pembroke are in range of both clubs after their 0-0 draw with Railway Union.

Railway are still in fourth place but can be caught by Loreto who beat Cork Harlequins 4-3 on Saturday. Loreto are three points back but have a game in hand next Sunday against Pegasus.

Pegasus got the point they needed to confirm their place in the playoffs with Cork Quins and UCD with a 1-1 draw against Belfast Harlequins.

EY Hockey League
Saturday: Ards 1 (C Brown) UCD 7 (A Russell 2, K Mullan 2, S Twomey, K Egan, L Tice); Belfast Harlequins 1 (R Johnston) Pegasus 1 (R McMillan); Cork Harlequins 3 (M Barry 2, A O’Grady) Loreto 4 (S Clarke, N Small, A Meeke, C Hamill); Railway Union 0 Pembroke Wanderers 0; Trinity 0 Hermes-Monkstown 3 (R Carrigan, C Quinlan, R Moore)
Sunday: Cork Harlequins 1 Trinity 1 (N Sweeney)

Week 17 – extended match reports

Ards 1 (C Brown) UCD 7 (A Russell 2, K Mullan 2, S Twomey, K Egan, L Tice)

UCD powered to the EY Hockey League title in typically emphatic style, leaving nothing to chance with a thunderous 7-1 win at Ards.

They did so despite the absence of coach Miles Warren who remained in Dublin following the birth of his second child earlier in the week. Nonetheless, any of his nerves would have been eased in the early Twitter updates. It took less than eight minutes for Katie Mullan to put UCD in front and six minutes later, Sara Twomey produced a great effort from the top of the circle for 2-0.

Abbie Russell made it three off the back of good build-up play by Mullan before the end of the first quarter. Katherine Egan stretched the lead further to 4-0 before Chloe Brown pulled one back from a corner.

It was not the start of a remarkable comeback, however, with Emma Russell sending the ball in to her younger sister Abbie to convert for 5-1. Lena Tice shot straight down the middle for number six and Mullan produced a typically powerful shot from the top for a magnificent seven.

Trinity 0 Hermes-Monkstown 3 (R Carrigan, C Quinlan, R Moore)

Hermes-Monkstown reignited their hopes of avoiding the automatic drop as they won for the second time this season against Trinity – the only side they have beaten in this league campaign.

They were by far the more efficient team in front of goal while the experienced Christine Quinlan bossed the defensive lines. It puts them within a point of the students with one game to go. If they can stun UCD – already confirmed as champions – next time out, they might in position to pull off a great escape.

After a lively Trinity start, Hermes-Monkstown took the lead on the quarter hour when Rosie Carrigan batted home the second phase of a penalty corner. The game became end to end after that with Rachel Burns’ reverse drawing the best from Liz Murphy while Carolyn Crampton kept out Natalie Esteves.

Into the second half, Quinlan was hoovering up everything at the back and she also launched the move to win a corner which led to her making it 2-0. Moments later, Rachel Moore powered in the third goal and the damage for Trinity was done.

Belfast Harlequins 1 (R Johnston) Pegasus 1 (R Murdock)

Pegasus got the point they needed to rubber-stamp their ticket to the EY Champions Trophy playoffs where they will meet Cork Harlequins.

For Belfast Harlequins, it keeps a mathematical chance of reaching the playoffs but they would require a remarkable turnaround in goal difference fortunes to get them there.

The Deramore Park hosts had the first corner chance in an end-to-end opening quarter while Lizzie Colvin and Henna Watt buzzed around. Becky Gamble was blocked by Sammy-Jo Greer to keep the scoreline blank in the first quarter. Marianne Fox was the more active keeper in the second period with multiple good saves, keeping out Alex Speers just before the big break, 0-0.

Plenty more corners came in the third quarter with plenty of goalmouth action before Rachael Murdock (nee McMillan) finally broke the deadlock just before the third rest period. Rachel Johnston, however, replied in kind from a corner won by Watt, setting up a lively closing phase but good defending from Fox and Gemma Frazer ensured the draw.

Railway Union 0 Pembroke Wanderers 0

The battle for fourth place and the relegation playoff spot will go right down to the wire after Railway Union’s 0-0 draw with Pembroke in the Dublin 4 derby.

Pembroke were the better team in the first quarter, winning two corners with Railway defending them well. The Park Avenue hosts came more into the game in the second quarter two corners of their own and a couple of shots on goal.

Michelle Carey and Emma Smyth fired narrowly wide in the second half while Gillian Pinder had a quick break down the middle from Pembroke’s most fluid move but the all-important goal proved elusive.

Railway continued to push for a goal in the final quarter but the final pass did not connect, leaving the sides to settle for a share of the spoils. The result leaves Railway three points clear of Loreto in fifth but the Beaufort side have a game in hand. At the bottom, Pembroke stay in eighth place, two clear of Trinity and three ahead of Hermes-Monkstown but with a much stronger goal difference.

Cork Harlequins 3 (M Barry 2, A O’Grady) Loreto 4 (S Clarke, N Small, A Meeke, C Hamill)

Loreto won a crackerjack of a game at Farmer’s Cross as Christina Hamill’s 51st minute proved the odd goal in seven, handing the Dubliners a huge boost in their pursuit of an EY Champions Trophy spot.

Quins – who were without Naomi Carroll – went 1-0 up six minutes in through Michelle Barry before Sarah Clarke thumped in a corner, continuing her good form for Loreto. Alex O’Grady restored the Quins lead 19 minutes in but Niamh Small had the game back level at 2-2 by half-time.

Two minutes into the second half, Ali Meeke put the Beaufort side in front for the first time but Barry’s second of the day put the game back in the balance at 3-3 with over half an hour still to play.

During that phase, Hamill got the only goal to put Loreto within range of catching Railway in fourth place, three points behind but with a game in hand going into the final weekend of the campaign.

Irish Hockey Association media release



Penultimate weekend of National League matches has big results


Photo by Andy Lovat

After the penultimate series of matches Kelburne and Edinburgh University are still favourites to retain their respective  men’s and women’s National League 1 titles.

Kelburne are still in line for their 14th consecutive league title after seeing off Edinburgh University 3-1 at Peffermill. The result leaves the Paisley side five points ahead of second placed Grange but with one game more played.

Despite the score line there was little between the teams in terms of possession and pressure, but a hat-trick of penalty corner conversions by Josh Cairns proved to be the catalyst that took the three points to Paisley.

Four goals from Irish striker Frank Ryan ensured that Grange kept up their challenge for the title with an 8-2 win over Uddingston. The outcome was never in doubt when the Edinburgh side went into a commanding three goal lead, the scoring was opened by Cammie Fraser who had just returned from the Commonwealth Games, Ryan and Luke Cranney. Uddingston pulled one back through Brad Hughes but Ryan struck again at a penalty corner to restore the three goal advantage by the interval.

The avalanche continued in the second half as Grange added another four, Ryan scored another two while youngster Jacob Tweedie also added two with Tom Hyndman getting a consolation for the Uddingston.

Western Wildcats recovered their winning form with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Grove Menzieshill on Tayside. It was a ding-dong tussle, Albert Rowling and Olly James put the home side ahead on two occasions but Owen Jenkings-Garcia and Rob Harwood replied for Wildcats. However, the points were finally clawed into the possession of the Auchenhowie side with a strike by Andrew McConnell with just three minutes left. The result virtually assures the Wildcats of a top four place with two games left.

Clydesdale started strongly against Hillhead with two early goals from Struan Walker, the first was a powerful shot which deflected in off a defender`s stick, that was followed by a rebound volley fired home after Paddy Longergan`s initial shot was blocked by the Hillhead keeper. Michael Delaney pulled one back for Hillhead but Walker completed his hat-trick before the interval with a tap in at the back post. The Titwood-based side finished the half 4-1 ahead following a penalty corner conversion by Chris McFadden.

Danny Cain converted another penalty corner with a reverse stick strike for 5-1 but Ross Jamieson pulled another back for Hillhead. The final Clydesdale goal came from Sam Hayes who dribbled along the base-line and forced the ball under the keeper from a tight angle.

Dundee Wanderers moved out of the relegation zone after seeing off bottom side Inverleith 2-0, Bobby Ralph and Callum Ross were on target.

Edinburgh University have all but retained the National League 1 championship after beating bottom side Kelburne 12-0. The students are now five points ahead of second placed Clydesdale Western with only two games remaining.

Once again striker Sophie Maunder was in lethal form with four goals, there were also two each for Zara Malseed, Hanna McKie and Ella Watt while Louise Campbell and Lara Tomkins also scored.

Milne Craig Clydesdale Western confirmed their second place in the table with a 3-1 away win at Hillhead with Lexi Sabatelli, Millie Steiger and Heather Howie on target.

Meanwhile, Wildcats are still in third spot after a goalless draw with Grove Menzieshill on Tayside. The visitors had the chance to take all three points but wasted two open play chances, while Grove Menzieshill spurned two late penalty corner opportunities, the result was a share of the points in the end.

In the last fixture of the day GHK won a close match against Grange with a 3-2 victory at home, a vital penultimate weekend win for the Glasgow side.

There’s more matches to come on Women’s National League 1 with a Sunday of contests as the season reaches its conclusion.


21 April 2018 at Old Anniesland, Glasgow. Scottish League Division 1 match – GHK v Grange – Photo by Duncan Gray

Scottish Hockey Union media release



Three Australian Officials Appointed For Youth Olympics

Ben Somerford

The future of Australian Officiating on the international scene is looking strong following the announcement of appointments to the third Youth Olympic Games by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) on Friday evening.

Australia will be represented by three officials at the upcoming event that is the ‘younger sibling’ of the Olympics to be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina from October 6-18.

Just seven years after his international officiating debut, South Australian Adam Webster has the honour of being appointed as the Assistant Technical Delegate, a role that has the responsibility of watching of the whole event.

This appointment comes after a successful Commonwealth Games campaign on home soil where he earned the position of Technical Official on the bronze medal match between England and India.

As an early 28th birthday present – Victorian umpire Rhiannon Murray, having just returned from a year abroad studying/working in Germany has been appointed to the event.

Following a quiet year officiating due to her other pursuits, this will be Murray’s fourth Hockey 5’s event having been appointed to three previous events within the Oceania region since 2015.

Also flying out of Melbourne for this event, will be James Unkles. At 27, James has been on the international officiating scene as an umpire for only three years with the Youth Olympic Games being his second appointment for 2018.

In March, Unkles was nominated by Hockey Australia to attend the 27th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup held in Malaysia – an event that had five of the world’s top 10 teams attending.

Hockey at the 2018 Youth Olympics will in the Hockey 5’s format – FIH’s approved ‘short form’ of hockey that is played with up to five players from each team on the pitch at any time, a pitch that has boards/boundaries designed to keep the ball in play longer.

The Australian contingent of officials will be well supported by officials from the Oceania Hockey Federation with an additional four officials being appointed from New Zealand and Fiji.

These are; Colin French (NZL) as Umpire Manager, Helen Travers (NZL) and Ernest Movick (FIJI) as Technical Officials and Nick Saunders (NZL) as an Umpire.

Hockey Australia media release



JHL: Penang Division Two champions

By Jugjet Singh

KUALA LUMPUR: Penang's MSSPP-PSHA lifted the Division Two Junior Hockey League title when they beat Malacca's MBMB Warriors 3-0 in a penalty shoot-out at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

The regulation time match was entertaining to the last drop, but ended 0-0 as both sides failed to find an opening in the semicircle.

However, there was good news for the losing side as well, as both the finalists qualified to play in Division One next season, while the two teams relegated to Division Two are Old La Sallians Association of Klang (Olak) and Perlis Young Lions.

"I am very proud of the commitment shown by my players to become champions of Division Two. They fought every inch for the ball, but could not score in 60 minutes.

"It was a tensed shoot-out, but in the end we prevailed and now we will paly in Division One next season as well. It was a double reward night," said Penang coach G. Uthayan.

In the bronze battle, KL Vipers came back from the dead to beat Anderson PHA 2-1 in a rain-interrupted match.

Anderson were leading 1-0 with a third minute goal from Iqbalnafis Rostam but rain stopped the match in the third quarter and when it resumed, Shafiq Abdullah equalised in the 49th minute and then delivered the winner in the 60th minute.

KL Vipers made their Division Two debut this season, and finished a laudable third.

RESULTS -- Division Two: Final -- MBMB Warriors (Malacca) 0 MSSPP-PSHA (Penang) 0 (Penang won shoot out 3-0); Third-Fourth: KL Vipers 2 Anderson PHA 1.

Division One: SSTMI 5 Sabah SS Resilient 1.

TUESDAY: Old La Sallians Association of Klang v Sabah SS Resilient (Pandamaran, 5pm), PJCC Tigers v BJSS Thudnerbolts (PJCC Stadium, 5pm).

Jugjet's World of Field Hockey



MSSPP-PSHA lift MJHL Division II crown

By Aftar Singh

KUALA LUMPUR: Penang State School Council (MSSPP)-Penang State Hockey Association (PSHA) lifted the Malaysian Junior Hockey League (MJHL) Division Two title after prevailing in a penalty shootout.

The Islanders defeated Melaka Historic City Council (MBMB) Warriors 3-0 in a penalty shootout after both teams played to a 0-0 draw in the regulation time in the final at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

Putera Ahmad Syahmie Ahmad Aswad, Muhd Haikal Hilman Mohd Hanfiah and Muhd Fariz Harizan scored for Penang in the penalty shootout while Melaka failed to net a single goal in the shootout.

Penang development coach Jiwa Mohan said they entered two Penang teams in the league and are overjoyed that MSSPP-PSHA did exceptionally well to live up to their target of winning the title.

“MSSPP-PSHA Juniors also did well to finish top six among the20 teams that featured in Division Two.

“We are happy that MSSPP-PSHA secure a 100% record in the league with eight wins and one draw. This is good boost for us in the knockout stage,” said the former international.

Penang and Melaka will be promoted to Division One next year and both the teams will also feature in the knockout stage together with six top teams from Division One.

Jiwa said that their next mission is to do well in the knockout stage, which begins on May 2.

“Both the Penang teams are made of training squad for Sukma (Malaysia Games) in Ipoh in September. But I want my players to continue their winning ways in the knockout stage,” said Jiwa.

Meanwhile, KL Vipers MSSM KL came back from a goal down to edge Anderson PHA 2-1 at the same venue to finish third in Division Two.

Iqbal Nafis Rostam gave Ipoh School the lead in the third minute but the KL team came alive in the last quarter to score two goals.

Mohd Shafiq Abdullah was the toast for the KL team as he equalised in the 49th minute before he was on target again to net the winning goal in the last minute (60th).

RESULTS

DIVISION ONE

SSTMI JUNIORS 5 SSMS RESILIENT 1

DIVISION TWO

FINAL

MSSPP-PSHA 0 MBMB WARRIORS 0

(MSSPP-PSHA win 3-0 in penalty shootout)

THIRD PLACING

KL VIPERS MSSM KL 2 ANDERSON PHA 1

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