News for 19 March 2016
All the news for Saturday 19 March 2016
Black Sticks secure series victory over Korea
Photo: www.photosport.nz
The Black Sticks Men have taken a series victory following a convincing 6-1 win against Korea in the third test at Lloyd Elsmore Hockey Stadium in Auckland.
New Zealand were dominant from start to finish and were ruthless in attack, scoring three goals in each half to equal their second biggest score line of all time against the Koreans.
Stephen Jenness scored his second successive double while Shay Neal, Hugo Inglis, Nick Wilson and Kane Russell also found the back of the goal.
The result sees the Black Sticks seal a series triumph with two wins and a draw ahead of tomorrow’s fourth and final test at 3pm.
Head coach Colin Batch said it was pleasing to follow up Thursday’s big win with another good performance.
“It was really important for us to play two good games over the weekend and we had one today, but we need to be at our best for the last game tomorrow,” he said.
“One area we have improved in hugely is our counter attacking ability and we finished off a few really good ones today.
“We want to play our best game in the final test so we move on pretty quickly from this one.”
Striker Shay Neal opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a stunning effort taking the ball into the circle, running past the charging goalkeeper and hitting in on his reverse stick from an acute angle.
Just two minutes later the Black Sticks extended their lead when Stephen Jenness made a great receive in front of goal and tapped in.
New Zealand then headed into halftime with all the momentum following another terrific piece of teamwork from Nick Wilson and Hugo Inglis. Wilson made a good tackle on halfway and broke away, passing off to Inglis who dove past the keeper’s feet and struck home on his reverse.
The Black Sticks showed no signs of slowing after the break and opened a four goal buffer in the 38th minute when Hayden Phillips sent a precision pass into the circle for Jenness to score his second with a nice deflection into the top of the net.
With less than 10 minutes to play the Kiwis turned defence into attack after defending a penalty corner and charging up the field for Nick Wilson to pull off a slick finish.
Korea finally struck with an opportune goal from Jung Jun Lee two minutes out from fulltime before Kane Russell iced the game with a penalty corner drag flick to score his side’s sixth goal.
The Black Sticks play their fourth and final test against Korea at Lloyd Elsmore Hockey Stadium tomorrow at 3pm.
Pre-sale tickets are still available for Sunday’s game and are cheaper online that at the gate through www.dashtickets.co.nz
BLACK STICKS 6: (Stephen Jenness 2, Shay Neal, Hugo Inglis, Nick Wilson, Kane Russell)
KOREA 1: (Jung Jun Lee)
Halftime: Black Sticks 3-0
Hockey New Zealand Media release
Black Sticks men seal series win over Korea with second straight dominant display
By Clay Wilson
Shay Neal opened the scoring for New Zealand during their 6-1 win in the third test against Korea in Auckland. PHOTOSPORT
The New Zealand men's hockey team have sealed a series victory over Korea with a second straight dominant display in the third test in Auckland.
After coming from 3-0 down to draw the first match 3-3 on Wednesday and romping to a 7-1 victory in the second test on Thursday, the world No 8 Black Sticks hammered the ninth-ranked visitors 6-1 at Lloyd Elsmore Park on Saturday.
It gives the Kiwis a 2-0 lead going into the final match of the series at the same venue on Sunday, their final match before they attempt to defend their title at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia from April 7-17.
Both the New Zealand men's and women's teams are scheduled to play in a European series from June 18 to July 6, which will be their final matches before the Rio Olympics start on August 5.
Black Sticks men's head coach Colin Batch said it was pleasing to follow up Thursday's big win with another good performance.
"It was really important for us to play two good games over the weekend and we had one today, but we need to be at our best for the last game tomorrow.
"One area we have improved in hugely is our counter-attacking ability and we finished off a few really good ones today.
"We want to play our best game in the final test so we move on pretty quickly from this one."
New Zealand scored goals in all four quarters in another emphatic performance on Saturday, Northland striker Shay Neal opening the scoring in style by going to the left of the Korean goalkeeper in the 13th minute and putting the ball in from an acute angle on his reverse stick.
Wellington's Stephen Jenness tapped one in two minutes later to make it 2-0 at quartertime and just on the stroke of halftime the hosts had their third, Nick Wilson making a tackle on halfway and breaking away before a diving Hugo Inglis beat the keeper on his reverse side.
Eight minutes after the resumption it was 4-0, youngster Hayden Phillips making a precision pass in his third test and Jenness deflecting into the top of the net for his second goal of the day.
The goals continued to flow in the third quarter, Wilson getting on the scoresheet and defender Kane Russell slotting home a drag flick from a penalty corner.
Korea found a consolation goal with just a minute to play, Jung Jun Lee showing good skill to tap in an aerial ball behind his head.
New Zealand 6 (Stephen Jenness 2, Shay Neal, Hugo Inglis, Nick Wilson, Kane Russell) Korea 1 (Jung Jun Lee). Q1: 2-0. Q2: 3-0. Q3: 4-0.
Stuff
Black Sticks thrash Korea
Nick Wilson scored against Korea. Photo / Getty
The Black Sticks Men have taken a series victory following a convincing 6-1 win against Korea in the third test at Lloyd Elsmore Hockey Stadium in Auckland.
New Zealand were dominant from start to finish and were ruthless in attack, scoring three goals in each half to equal their second biggest score line of all time against the Koreans.
Stephen Jenness scored his second successive double while Shay Neal, Hugo Inglis, Nick Wilson and Kane Russell also found the back of the goal.
The result sees the Black Sticks seal a series triumph with two wins and a draw ahead of tomorrow's fourth and final test at 3pm.
Head coach Colin Batch said it was pleasing to follow up Thursday's big win with another good performance.
"It was really important for us to play two good games over the weekend and we had one today, but we need to be at our best for the last game tomorrow," he said.
"One area we have improved in hugely is our counter attacking ability and we finished off a few really good ones today.
"We want to play our best game in the final test so we move on pretty quickly from this one."
Striker Shay Neal opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a stunning effort taking the ball into the circle, running past the charging goalkeeper and hitting in on his reverse stick from an acute angle.
Just two minutes later the Black Sticks extended their lead when Stephen Jenness made a great receive in front of goal and tapped in.
New Zealand then headed into halftime with all the momentum following another terrific piece of teamwork from Nick Wilson and Hugo Inglis. Wilson made a good tackle on halfway and broke away, passing off to Inglis who dove past the keeper's feet and struck home on his reverse.
The Black Sticks showed no signs of slowing after the break and opened a four goal buffer in the 38th minute when Hayden Phillips sent a precision pass into the circle for Jenness to score his second with a nice deflection into the top of the net.
With less than 10 minutes to play the Kiwis turned defence into attack after defending a penalty corner and charging up the field for Nick Wilson to pull off a slick finish.
Korea finally struck with an opportune goal from Jung Jun Lee two minutes out from fulltime before Kane Russell iced the game with a penalty corner drag flick to score his side's sixth goal.
The Black Sticks play their fourth and final test against Korea at Lloyd Elsmore Hockey Stadium tomorrow at 3pm.
The New Zealand Herald
Black Sticks reaping rewards
By David Leggat
Hockey international Black Sticks v Malaysia.
If you want an example of time spent together producing a quality result look no further than the men's Black Sticks and their win over South Korea at Lloyd Elsmore Park in Auckland on Thursday night.
The world No8-ranked New Zealand are halfway through the second of two four-game series against Malaysia and South Korea.
Thursday's 7-1 spanking of a team ranked one spot behind them was a class exhibition borne in large part out of a demanding match and training programme in recent weeks.
New Zealand were scratchy against 13th-ranked Malaysia, winning the series 2-1 with one drawn.
The opener against the Koreans on Wednesday was instructive. New Zealand were 3-0 down at halftime. However, they lifted their performance, played with greater cohesion and earned a draw, through striker Blair Hilton five seconds from time.
By contrast, they bossed the first half of Thursday's contest, led 3-0 at the break and ran away with the game in the last 10 minutes, scoring a further four goals.
"The difference [between the first and second matches] was we were a little more clinical," said striker Stephen Jenness, who scored two of the seven goals.
"Our passes connected and we got into the right positions to put the ball in the net. It was one of those nights where everything fell for us. But there are still areas we can work on."
Captain Simon Child also grabbed a double on Thursday, both top-class strikes. Although happy on a personal level, he was more pleased the team produced high quality hockey.
"We played at a level we know we can. We've set ourselves a benchmark for the next two games," he said.
Child reflected that the Malaysian series had been New Zealand's first outing for five months.
Cobwebs were removed. Thursday night was the payoff for the six games, and accompanying time on the practice pitch.
"It's about maintaining that level," Child said.
"Typically we get up for very important games but perhaps let ourselves down against teams we would normally beat.We have to get stuck into the next two games [today and tomorrow at the same venue], play good, consistent hockey and get a really positive result."
- New Zealand's women's squad of 18 has been named for the Hawkes Bay Cup in Hastings in April.
Experienced quartet goalkeeper Sally Rutherford, defender Julia King, midfielder Anita Punt and attacker Charlotte Harrison are all back after missing the recent six-test series in Argentina.
Coach Mark Hager has also named two groups of 18 players for each of two tests against world No19 Canada in Hamilton on March 27 and 28.
The New Zealand Herald
Shaw Names Squad For Hawkes Bay 
Following on from a 3 match training series against Great Britain in Bisham Abbey, Graham Shaw has named his squad of 18 for the Hawkes Bay Cup in New Zealand. Shaw is confident the training series in GB was good preparation for the squad as they get set to compete against several top nations. “The 4 days spent in Bisham Abbey was perfect preparation for the Hawkes Bay Cup. It was ideal experience to play 3 high level games against top quality opposition; a team in full preparation for Rio. Overall we were happy with the level of performance, maybe a little disappointed to not get a result in one of the games but we learnt a lot about ourselves and were we sit right now”.
Ireland’s Women’s hockey team will travel to New Zealand to play in the highly competitive Hawkes Bay Cup from April 2nd-10th. The tournament will play host to 8 teams, 5 of whom are ranked in the top 10 in world hockey. The tournament offers vital experience for Graham Shaw’s young squad as they will come up against several sides they may otherwise not meet throughout the year.
The Green Army are drawn in Pool B alongside host New Zealand, China and India while Pool A is comprised of Australia, Korea, Japan and Canada.
Ireland’s first match sees them pitted against China, the team who dealt them the cruellest of blows at World League 3 in Valencia last June; that penalty shoot-out will long live in the memory of anyone who witnessed it but Shaw is determined his team have learnt from that experience “There will obviously be emotion involved in that opening match but we will be 100% focused on each opponent and take one match at a time. There were plenty of lessons to take from Valencia and the China match in particular, I’m confident we’ve matured as a squad and will be as prepared as possible when we face the world number 5”. True to tournament hockey, the Green Army will play again the following day against India, their closest ranked opponent before finishing up the pool games against world number 4 New Zealand.
Shaw continued “We are delighted with the invitation to Hawkes Bay as the only European nation. This is a fantastic opportunity for the Green Army as the level of opposition we will face will provide a real test and give us a great insight to where we sit with the top nations in World Hockey”.
Squad for Hawkes Bay Tournament
1. Ayeisha McFerran (GK)
2. Pamela Smithwick (GK)
3. Yvonne O Byrne
4. Shirley McCay
5. Cliodhna Sargent (VC)
6. Hannah Mathews
7. Lena Tice
8. Zoe Wilson
9. Megan Frazer (C)
10. Gill Pinder
11. Katie Mullan
12. Chloe Watkins
13. Nicci Daly
14. Nikki Evans
15. Anna O Flanagan
16. Emily Beatty
17. Naomi Carroll
18. Deirdre Duke
World Rankings:
Australia 3
New Zealand 4
China 5
Korea 9
Japan 10
India 13
Ireland 15
Canada 19
Irish Hockey Association media release
U.S. Women's Indoor Teams to Compete in Can Am Series
TORONTO, Canada - The U.S. Women's National Indoor Team and U.S. U-18 Women's National Indoor team traveled to Toronto, Canada to compete in a Canada American Indoor Test Series. Both teams will play three test matches against Canada on Saturday and Sunday.
After some preparation, Indoor USWNT Indoor Head Coach Jun Kentwell and her coaching staff have selected the following athletes to represent Team USA at the Can Am Series.
U.S. Women's National Indoor Team
Mary Beth Barham (New Haven, Conn.), Samantha Carlino (Amherst, Mass.), Makayla Gallen (Glen Mills, Pa.), Katherine Gerzabek (Springfield, Pa.), Rhian Jones (Rye, N.Y.), Madison Orobono (Macungie, Pa.), Abigail Pitcairn (Pittsburgh, Pa.), Hannah Prince (Gorham, Maine), Jacqueline Sumfest (Lewisburg, Pa.), Claire Webb (Exton, Pa.), Corinne Zanolli (Newtown Square, Pa.)
U.S. U-18 Women's National Indoor Team
Bryn Boylan (Doylestown, Pa.), Mayv Clune (Quakertown, Pa.), Alexandra Davidson (North Andover, Pa.), Jessica Dembrowski (Palmyra, Pa.), Megan Duvernois (Collegeville, Pa.), Ashley Dykema (Newport News, Va.), Emily Fraser (Ballston Lake, N.Y.), Gianna Glatz (Medford, N.J.), Sidione La Plante (Middletown, Pa.), Anarose McDonough (Kennett Square, Pa.), Halle O’Neill (Hummelstown, Pa.), Meredith Shoulder (Alburtis, Pa.)
“A number of players who played well at the U-16 and U-19 National Indoor Tournaments have been given the opportunity to take their game to a new level and get some international experience,” added Kentwell. “I think we will learn a lot this weekend about ourselves and where we need to improve. Canada is our strong Pan American rivals so it will be a good test for these young teams”
Tryouts for the 2016-17 U.S. Women's National and Junior National Indoor Teams will be held at The Training Center (Spring City, Pa.) on April 3, 10 and 17 from 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. EST.
All participants interested in trying out must hold a current USA Field hockey Membership and be a USA citizen.To register for the tryout click here.
Each athlete must indicate on the registration form which date they will be attending. ATHLETES ARE ONLY REQUIRED TO ATTEND ONE OF THE TRIAL DATES
If you are unable to tryout on those dates, contact the U.S. Women's National Team Head Coach Jun Kentwell at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for alternative arrangements.
USFHA media release
Mazzilli sharp and ready for OZ showdown
Agustin Mazzilli says Royal Leopold “need to be really sharp and strong in every aspect” if they are to get the best of Oranje Zwart in the KO16 next week.
They play the reigning champions in what promises to be one of the ties of the round. Leo have been in great form in recent weeks and showed how far they have come when they drew with Dragons recently, a side who beat them 10-0 in the Belgian final last season.
They look comfortable in the playoff positions, sitting in third place behind Dragons and Racing Club de Bruxelles but eight points ahead of the fifth place team Braxgata.
In addition to the Dragons draw, they ran up a huge 12-0 win over La Gantoise and they are unbeaten since the return after the winter break with the likes of Max Plennevaux and Dimitri Cuvelier stepping up. They do have a doubt over Dorian Thiery’s fitness.
“We are playing really well at the moment and really enjoying every training,” he said. “We are really looking forward to it and all our players are training better and more professionally every week.”
It is the Argentine playmaker’s third season with Royal Leopold and his fourth season in total in Belgium, a place where he very much enjoys playing his hockey.
“Every year I'm approached by other teams from other countries but, at the end, I'm always staying, haha!
“They treat me really well and I always feel comfortable here so it would be difficult to leave the club. Bernard Verdussen is the men who is in charge of me and it always a pleasure to talk with him.
“My team mates are also one of the things that make me stay because of their hockey quality and the way they make me feel.”
It will be his second EHL campaign with Leopold. The first saw them beat Izmailovo Moscow 4-1 before drawing with Atletic Terrassa to advance to the KO16 where they bowed out of the competition 3-2 to Rot Weiss Koln.
Mazzilli describes it as a “very nice experience” and an “important game for some of our young players” and will serve the team well when they meet OZ.
Looking at that game, he says that Leo will need to be at their best to beat the Dutch champions, saying: “they are one of the most important teams in the EHL and that is why we need to focus and be ready to fight.
“They have great control of the game with players like Rob van Der Horst, Sander Baart, Bob de Voogd and a very strong corner with Mink van der Weerden. So, we will need to be really sharp and strong in every aspect on the game to beat them but I think we are strong enough up front to score some goals.”
Euro Hockey League media release
Kampong's young stars excited for ABN AMRO Junior EHL
One of the extra features of the EHL weekend in Amsterdam next week will be the ABN AMRO Junior EHL which pits four of the continent’s best Under-14 clubs against each other.
Spain’s Club Egara, Germany’s UHC Hamburg, Belgium’s KHC Dragons and the Netherlands’ SV Kampong will be hoping to match their senior men’s counterparts and take home the biggest prize on the continent available to them.
For Kampong, it has been a particularly special time. They won a playoff before Christmas to represent the Netherlands in the four team competition at an event complete with broadcast interviews and media attention.
Last week, they were visited at the Wagener Stadium by Dutch international andlast year’sEHL winner with Oranje Zwart, Jelle Galema, who spoke to the young players about his EHL experience, building the excitement ahead of next week’s main event.
The side has known success in the past, winning the Dutch championship both indoors and outdoors last season under the guidance of coach Jan Eshuis and assisted byKaj van den Ent, Reiner Vellinga and Danny Post (indoor).Seven of the players have been taking part in Dutch regional training programmes in addition to competing well in their league against the likes of Pinoke and Rotterdam.
And team manager Marie-Christine van der Meer says the team is “in a winning mood”. Eshuis adds that they Are “a team of friends” with a perfect atmosphere in the team and “this experience will stay with them for the rest of their lives”.
Looking back at the qualifiers, Kampong won out in a three-team playoff day with Amsterdam and Oranje Zwart, providing a taste of what was to come.
“The boys played in front of a big crowd,” van der Meer said. “A lot of parents and friends came to watch the three games. It was their first encounter with the camera’s. All this pressure didn’t bother them one bit, in fact they played better then ever. It gave them wings. The team captain Julius Schwartz doesn’t need media-training: he looked very cool!”
Then, last week, Kampong’s young stars enjoyed a special invitation to the Wagener Stadium, the home of the KO16 at Easter, to soak up the atmosphere from the historic venue.
“ABN-AMRO invited us to the Wagener stadium to get accustomed with the environment and we organised a practice-match. We enjoyed a presentation from Jelle Galema and his mental coach Joost Leenders of de Talent Academy.“Jelle and Joost explained the challenges you must cope with while playing in front of a big audience, when there’s a lot at stake.“One of the goals of the day was to feel the vibe of playing in the big stadium. We were accompanied by a film-crew of the Youtube channel 'Hockey Helden tv'.”
ABN AMRO Sponsor Manager Joris Hermsen was also present and he said it is an event the company is delighted to be involved in.
"ABN AMRO is organises the ABN AMRO Junior EHL for the third time. It's a great tournament and you see the aspiration of these kids. All are trying to win the cup, but also hoping to one day play with their team for the EHL in front of an even bigger crowd.
"With this pre-event with Kampong, we hope to push them in the right direction and inspire them to be the best they can be and try to get the most of their talent."
The team plan to get together with the Kampong first team during the EHL weekend and the senior players have previously conducted a clinic with the JC1 team. Indeed, they regularly send text messages to the team via Twitter and Facebook, showing the power of community in the club.
Asked what the Kampong Under-14 side is looking forward to most, van der Meer adds: “It is a very unique privilege to participate in the EHL tournament. Our boys are very excited and proud to represent The Netherlands and, for most of the players, it will be their first international match.
“The boys look forward to the professional VIP EHL treatment: our own players bus and the team gets to sleep in the hotel. Family and friends have been encouraged to buy EHL tickets for maximum Kampong-cheer moments!”
ABN AMRO Junior EHL fixture schedule, March 27-28, at AHBC Amsterdam (NED)
Sunday 27 March
M1 11.00h KHC Dragons - SV Kampong (pitch 2)
M2 12.00h Club Egara - UHC Hamburg (pitch 2)
M3 13.30h UHC Hamburg - SV Kampong (pitch 2)
M4 16.15h Club Egara - KHC Dragons (pitch 2)
M5 17.30h Club Egara - SV Kampong (pitch 2)
M6 18.30h UHC Hamburg - KHC Dragons (pitch 2)
Monday 28 March
¾ JEHL ** 09.00h pitch 1
Final JEHL ** 10.15h pitch 1
Euro Hockey League media release
Buckingham aim to avoid the drop
Univ of Birmingham's Vanessa Hawkins, right, in action against Buckingham's Amie Hone, Oct 10 2015, Credit Andy Smith
Buckingham’s hopes of avoiding relegation come down to the final game of the regular season in the Investec Women’s Hockey League Premier Division on Saturday – but they face a match at play-off chasing East Grinstead.
Currently bottom of the table, Buckingham could leapfrog Bowdon Hightown if they win on Saturday and their rivals lose, thereby avoiding automatic relegation and booking a place in the play-offs to preserve their spot in the top flight.
But on the other side of the coin hosts East Grinstead will want to beat Buckingham - and hope Holcombe fail to beat Clifton – in order to climb above them and take the fourth and final place at the League Finals Weekend, which is being staged at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in London on April 16-17.
“We’ve been to the play-offs so many times we’re used to it!” said Buckingham Head Coach Zak Jones. “We had quite a few long term injuries before Christmas, and we discussed as a team about how we would make the great escape.
“We wanted to give ourselves the chance to stay up, and we’ve done that. It would be nice to be mid-table and comfortable, but we are where we are.
“It’s frustrating that we missed a stroke against Clifton and we could’ve drawn with Canterbury – if that had happened it would be a very different situation.”
Elsewhere, table-topping Surbiton entertain Leicester as they bid to go unbeaten throughout the 18-match regular season, while second-placed Canterbury are also at home against third-placed University of Birmingham in a clash that will be repeated in the League Finals Weekend.
And in the other top flight clash, Bowdon Hightown will want to ensure they avoid automatic relegation by beating hosts Reading.
In the Investec Conference West, both Bristol Firebrands and Trojans are playing to avoid the threat of relegation. Level on 14 points, the two are locked together and either could face the relegation play-offs.
Trojans host bottom of the table University of Bristol, while Bristol Firebrands go to Oxford Hawks.
Similarly, Maidenhead and Chelmsford are battling to avoid having to play through the relegation play-offs in the Investec Conference East.
Just one point separates them, and Maidenhead host third-placed Wimbledon this Saturday, while Chelmsford face Conference winners Slough at home.
And in the Investec Conference North, champions Wakefield go to the University of Durham, while Ben Rhydding head to Belper and second-placed Beeston are on the road to Springfields as they look to move up to second.
FIXTURES – Saturday, March 19
Investec Women’s Premier Division
Clifton v Holcombe 14:00
Canterbury v University of Birmingham 14:00
Reading v Bowdon Hightown 14:00
Surbiton v Leicester 14:00
East Grinstead v Buckingham 14:00
Investec Conference East
Maidenhead v Wimbledon 14:00
Sevenoaks v Ipswich 14:00
Harleston Magpies v Cambridge City 14:00
Hampstead & Westminster v St Albans 14:00
Chelmsford v Slough 14:00
Investec Conference North
Belper v Ben Rhydding 14:00
Springfields v Beeston 14:00
Univ of Durham v Wakefield 14:00
Brooklands Poynton v Liverpool Sefton 14:00
Whitley Bay and Tynemouth v Loughborough Students 14:00
Investec Conference West
Trojans v University of Bristol 14:00
Swansea City v Gloucester City 14:00
Oxford Hawks v Bristol Firebrands 14:00
Isca v Stourport 14:00
Sutton Coldfield v Olton and West Warwicks 14:00
England Hockey Board Media release
England Men's Cup Final places up for grabs
Stuart Pilgrim finds the net for Beeston against Brooklands
This Sunday the semi-finals of the Men’s Cup take place with City of Peterborough, Beeston, Surbiton and Chichester all hoping to get themselves into the final for a chance to play at Lee Valley where they will be keen to get their hands on the cup.
Surbiton, runners up last year will head into their clash with Chichester in confident mood. As well as a successful league campaign where they have qualified for the league championship playoffs, the Sugden Road outfit’s cup form has been outstanding.
They started their Road to Lee Valley with a 10-1 demolition of Chelmsford, with David Beckett grabbing a brace. Indeed Beckett, who won this competition with Cannock in 2014, has seemingly enjoyed the cup competitions. Surbiton’s No10 helped himself to a double against Chelmsford, five against Plymouth Marjons (in an 11-1 win) and then another brace against University of Birmingham in a 3-1 win in the last round. Beckett is not the only threat and Chichester will have their work cut out to keep a rampant Surbiton quiet.
Surbiton’s opponents Chichester have had a tough season in the league, finishing second bottom in the West Conference, meaning they will have to do battle in the relegation playoffs to secure survival. The cup has been a welcome distraction for the side from West Sussex with a 3-2 win over fellow Conference outfit Fareham, coached by former Chichester man Ben Barnes, kicking off their cup run. A 3-0 win over Bath Buccaneers in the next round was followed by a splendid display to dump out Premier Division Hampstead and Westminster, 4-3. Local bragging rights and a place in the semi finals were secured in the next round when they defeated old foes Havant, 3-1.
The other semi-final will pit Beeston against City of Peterborough. City have had a strong league season, finishing second in the East League behind promoted Wapping. Goals have been easy to come by for City in the league, scoring 64 times. So it has been the case in the cup, too. A 12-1 win over Bourne Deeping was followed up with a 5-1 win over Henley and then a 5-2 win over Banbury.
Waiting for them are Beeston. The Premier Division outfit have had an up and down season by their lofty standards but find themselves on the brink of a knockout final. Having hammered Lindum 8-0 thanks in part to a hat-trick from Stuart Pilgrim, the Bees saw off 2014 finalists Brooklands MU on penalties and then did for Sheffield University Bankers 2-1 in the last round. Beeston have a proud history in the competition and will be desperate to make it to the finals once again.
England Hockey Board Media release
England Boys' Schools Cup
Repton Boys U14 winners 2014-15
The Boys U18 Cup has reached the quarter final stage and two teams, Repton, the holders, Dean Close and Oakham have now qualified for the semis & final at Lee Valley on 20-21 April
Boys' U18 Cup Quarter Finals
Queens Taunton 2-4 Repton
Simon Langton 1-1 Oakham (Oakham win 1-4 aps)
Kingston 2-3 Dean Close
Ipswich - Whitgift (playing 18 Mar)
The U18 Plate has also reached the same stage and three teams have also made it through to the semis at Lee Valley
Boys' U18 Plate Quarter Finals
Kings, Chester 4-2 Rugby
Merchant Taylors, Northwood 4-3 RGS High Wycombe
Portsmouth GS 3-3 Hurstpierpoint (PGS win 5-4 aps)
Bablake - Prior Park (playing 18 Mar)
The draw for the semi finals will be made on Monday 21 March at 4.00 pm via @englandhockey twitter.
The Boys U18 competitions join the final stages of the U14 and U16 championships at Lee Valley, 19-21 April. These competitions see qualifiers from Regions playing in two pools of four with the top teams in each pool playing in the final. Details of qualifiers, where known, and how to purchase tickets for the event can be found here.
England Hockey Board Media release
USIU tackle wounded Jaguars in hockey league
Tonny Nyukuri of Greensharks vies with Stephen Wokila of USIU-A during their Kenya Hockey Union men’s Premier League match at City Park Hockey Stadium on November 29, 2015. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Third-placed United States International University-Africa (USIU) will be wary of an upset when they tackle hosts Western Jaguars in a Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) men’s premier league match on Saturday in Kakamega.
The fixture is one of 10 league matches lined up this weekend - eight in Nairobi and two in Kakamega - as the second leg of the league gains momentum.
The university students are on 43 points, 14 behind leaders Kenya Police and 12 behind second-placed champions Butali Sugar Warriors.
With the top two not in action this weekend, USIU will look to gain ground as they maintain their challenge for a top two finish. The university side has played 23 matches and have five more to go before the season ends in May.
They beat Kenyatta University Vultures 1-0 in their last league assignment to extend their winning streak to five matches and USIU coach Tom Olal wants his charges to maintain the consistency.
“Kakamega has always been a hostile ground for visiting sides but we are determined to take all three points tomorrow (Saturday),” he said. “The lads are on a roll and we want to continue with that good form until the season ends.”
Jaguars on the other hand will be out to recover from last weekend’s double loss to Strathmore University and Sikh Union in Nairobi. The losses left Jaguars in 12th place with 24 points after 21 matches. And coach Michael Malungu has demanded a response from his players who also host seventh-placed Wazalendo on Sunday.
"We didn’t play well last weekend in Nairobi and lost but we are determined to make amends. We are now at home where our record is remarkable,” the coach said.
At City Park Stadium, third from bottom Parklands host bottom placed Mombasa Sports Club in a relegation battle. The game is one of two must win matches for the visitors who are fighting to avoid the drop to the national league.
On Sunday, they will be up against high flying Greensharks and defeats in both matches will all but seal their spot in the national league. The Coastal club are winless this season and have lost seventeen times, picking only three points from the 21 matches they have played so far.
“We are fighting to stay up and we vow to give our all in the remaining matches, every match is now like a final for us,” said MSC skipper Fredrick Arika.
In the women’s national league, champions Telkom Orange welcome MSC women’s club on Sunday with the latter taking on Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) on Saturday.
FIXTURES (All Matches at City Park Stadium unless stated)
Saturday
National men: Multimedia v JKUAT (12pm)
National women: JKUAT v MSC (2pm)
Premier men: Jaguars v USIU-A – Kakamega (3pm), Parklands v MSC (4pm), KCAU v Sikh (6pm)
Sunday
National women: Orange v MSC (9am)
Premier men: Jaguars v Wazalendo – Kakamega (9am), Greensharks v MSC (11am), Parkroad v KU Vultures (1pm)
National men: Thika Rovers v UON (3pm)
Daily Nation
Nat U-16: Sabah Boys on song
by Jugjet Singh
Pic: Sabah HA secretary Avtar Singh
SABAH Boys demolished Malacca 5-2 in Group X of the 1MAS-Milo National Under-16 tournament to claim the favourites tag Friday.
Sabah will now face Selangor, who lost 2-1 to Malacca on Thursday, to decide their fate. A win or a draw will see Sabah play in the final, but if Selangor wins big, they will advance on goals difference.
In the Boys Group Y, Terengganu and Pahang will battle for a ticket to the finalSaturday, while the Girls Group X and Y champions will be decided in the final group matches.
Sabah HA secretary Avtar Singh said: "We finished fifth last year with these same set of players, and I believe we will be able to beat Selangor and play in the final."
Sabah have been very active for the last three years and results have started to show, as their girls and boys teams in the Junior Hockey League were also impressive.
"We have the facilities and coaches in place now, and these (Under-16 and JHL players) are the first set of players to emerge from our development programmes. Hopefully in a few years time, we will have a few players in the national senior and junior sides," said Avtar.
Sabah got their goals off Faiz Aiman (13th), Saifuddin Azli (21st, 43rd), Muhajir Rauf (40th, 45th). The Malacca goals were scored by Muhibuddin Moharam (18th, 50th).
RESULTS: Boys Group X: Malacca 2 Sabah 5; Group Y: Johor 2 Pahang 3.
Seventh-Ninth: Kuala Lumpur 0 Perak 1; 10th-11th: Kelantan 2 Perlis 0; 12th-13th: Kedah 2 Negri 7.
Girls Group X: Malacca 2 Negri 1; Group Y: Kuala Lumpur 4 Kedah 2.
Seventh-Ninth: Johor 0 Terengganu 1; 10th-11th: Perak 3 Pahang 2.
TODAY: Boys' Group X: Sabah v Selangor (KLHA, 4.15pm); Group Y: Pahang v Terengganu (KLHA, 5.30pm).
Seventh-Ninth: Perak v Penang (MOE, 7.30am).
Girls Group X: Negri v Penang (MOE, 4.15pm); Group Y: Kedah v Selangor (MOE, 5.30pm).
Seventh-Ninth: Terenggnau v Sabah (KLHA, 7.30am).
NOTE: All matches at Ministry of Education (MOE) and Kuala Lumpur HA (KLHA) at Jalan Pantai.
Jugjet's World of Field Hockey
Malacca edge Selangor 2-1
BY Jugjet Singh
MALACCA Boys placed a foot in the final of the 1MAS-Milo National Under-16 tournament when they edged Selangor 2-1 in Group X yesterday.
Malacca play Sabah today, and a win would see them claim the final ticket. Selangor play Sabah on Saturday.
Yesterday, Muhibuddin Moharam's brace in the 15th and 29th minutes gave them the full points, while the Selangor goal was scored by
Zarreman Shamier in the 17th minute.
Malacca coach Norhamezi Omar said: "Selangor gave us a good fight especially towards the last 10 minutes of the match but my players held on to the slim lead.
"We play Sabah next, who are the favourites in Group X, and I believe it will be another uphill battle but my boys are determined to play in the final and will give their best."
RESULTS: Boys' Group X: Selangor 1 Malacca 2; Group Y: Terengganu 4 Johor 2.
Seventh-Ninth: Penang 3 Kuala Lumpur 1; 10th-13th: Kelantan 5 Kedah 1, Negri 1 Perlis 2.
GIRLS' Group X: Penang 2 Malacca 0; Group Y: Selangor 1 Kuala Lumpur 1.
Seventh-Ninth: Sabah 8 Johor 0; 10th-13th: Perak 6 Perlis 0, Pahang 5 Kelantan 1.
TODAY: Boys Group X: Malacca v Sabah (KLHA, 4.15pm); Group Y: Johor v Pahang (KLHA, 5.45pm).
Seventh-Ninth: Kuala Lumpur v Perak (MOE, 7.30am); 10th-11th: Kelantan v Perlis (KLHA, 3pm); 12th-13th: Kedah v Negri (MOE, 3pm).
Girls Group X: Malacca v Negri (MOE, 4.15pm), Kuala Lumpur v Kedah (MOE, 5.45pm).
Seventh-Ninth: Johor v Terengganu (KLHA, 7.30am); 10th-11th: Perak v Pahang (KLHA, 8.45pm)
NOTE: All matches at Ministry of Education (MOE) and Kuala Lumpur HA (KLHA) at Jalan Pantai.
Jugjet's World of Field Hockey
HIL good prep for Rio Olympics
Tony de Souza reflects on HIL 2016
Tristan White in Delhi Waveriders kit
Following Tristan White's call-up to the Kookaburras' squad for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup next month, hockey writer Tony de Souza of the Wollongong Advertiser reflects on the Coal Hockey India League and White's participation in the sport's premier franchise competition.
Australian Kookaburra players have embraced the Coal Hockey India league as a stepping stone for their advancing skills in the Asian sub continent and preparations for major tournaments such as the Rio Olympics coming up in August
The month long competition has also given the Australian players much needed experience playing in humid Indian conditions besides getting to know a new culture and also earning extra money hence making some of the players now semi-professionals.
The league, which was in its fourth year, was also a major boost for Australian hockey as it also involved current and aspiring Australian hockey players, Australian coaches and officials and the media with former Hockeyroo Kate Hollywood commentating for India’s Star Sports, which was televising the Indian league live and on Fox Sports.
Tristan White, Kookaburra and Wollongong player, who played for the third placed Delhi Waveriders, said the Indian league was definitely growing in value to world hockey.
"It is developing world hockey and creating an exciting brand of hockey that is accessible for fans all over the world to watch."
This Hockey India League has definitely taken over the reins of other overseas leagues such as the Dutch, Spanish and English where other Kookaburra players are also involved and trying to make a living from.
Delhi's Shivaji hockey stadium was an electrifying place to be when I was there for the home team's game against the defending champions Ranchi in their second pool match
The atmosphere was similar to a Twenty20 cricket game when fire crackers went off every time Delhi scored and their fans went wild creating such noise and cheers that the home team won the game 7-4 after a dismal start in the competition
Delhi, who won the league in 2014, were spurred on with this win and went on to beat the Kalinga Lancers 6-0 in their next game and qualify for the semi-finals.
The next day I moved to Mumbai at the Mahindras hockey stadium where the home team, Dabang Mumbai were facing the favourites the Jaypee Punjab Warriors, coached by former Australian Olympic winning coach Barry Dancer.
This stadium, formerly called the Bombay Hockey Association ground, was the venue for the 1982 Hockey World Cup together with the neighbouring Wankhede Test cricket ground a few metres away in Mumbai.
This match saw the mighty strong Punjab Warriors led by Australian captain Mark Knowles easily beat the Mumbai team 6-1.
The Mumbai team was coached by another former Australian and Olympian player Jay Stacy and led by Queenslander Mathew Swann who scored Mumbai's only consolation goal in the final minute of play.
Definitely, the name of the Mumbai team did not exhibit its true meaning with the team finishing second from the bottom and failing to qualify for the semis. Dabang is an Indian expression symbolising the fighting and winning spirit of the Maharashtra region where Mumbai city is based.
The conclusion of the league moved to Ranchi, home of the Ranchi Rays who were favoured to win the competition after topping the table with seven wins and playing in front of their home fans.
But, it was not to be.
In the first semi-final, Ranchi lost to the Kalinga Lancers in a dramatic shoot-out after a 2-2 draw, and the Delhi Waveriders succumbed to the Punjab Warriors 3-1.
To add further embarassment to the Ranchi team playing at home, they lost the bronze medal match to Delhi 2-0 with Mandeep Singh scoring the only field goal in the second quarter which counted as two goals in the new goal scoring format.
Tristan White, the only Australian in the Delhi team, was very happy to walk away with a podium finish.
He said after the game,” I remember saying to the team after we lost the semi-final that ‘ I’m not finishing fourth, so let’s just go and win this one’!”
“So, that’s what we did. We played relaxed and with a bit of flair and we dominated the game, the score line didn’t show our domination. Nice to finish the tournament on a winning note but was disappointing that we missed the chance to win the tournament but good signs for next season.”
But a disappointing end for young Kookaburra Flynn Ogilvie in his debut season for Ranchi and other Kookaburras Trent Mitton and Fergus Kavanagh but looking forward for next season.
Expectedly, the Punjab Warriors, with seven Kookaburras in their line-up including Indian captain Sardar Singh overpowered the Kalinga Lancers 6-1 in the final with three great field goals from Armaan Quereshi, Matt Ghodes and Satbir Singh.
Another sad episode for the Kalinga team with five Kookaburra players and Australian coach of New Zealand Mark Hager but happy memories for their top goal scorer and Kookaburra Glenn Turner from Goulburn.
Tony De Souza is the hockey writer for the Wollongong Advertiser and contributor for the Illawarra Mercury and Agencies
Hockey Australia media release
Canadian men’s field hockey brothers hope to make 2016 Olympics a family affair
Shaheed Devji
Going to the Olympic Games is often a once in a lifetime opportunity for anyone who is lucky enough to be a part of the experience. For a group of Canadian men’s field hockey players, the chance to go to the Games with a sibling presents an even more unique possibility.
The Canadian senior Men’s National Team currently features three sets of brothers: Stephen and Brenden Bissett, Sukhi and Balraj Panesar; and Iain and John Smythe. All are vying for selection to the Canadian team headed to the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil this August.
With more than thirty athletes competing for sixteen spots, cracking the squad as an individual would be an accomplishment in itself. And the brothers know that making the team as siblings might be a long-shot, but it’s not impossible.
As rare is it would be, it wouldn’t be the first time Canadian field hockey brothers represented Canada at the same Games.
At the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China, Peter and Rob Short both suited up in the red-and-white.
Brothers Harbajan and Ranjeet Rai represented Canada at back-to-back Olympics, in 1984 and 1988 respectively, albeit separately.
Here is a look at the three duos looking to etch their names in the history books in 2016 and what it would mean to them to represent Canada at the Olympics as brothers.
Stephen and Brenden Bissett
Stephen and Brenden are two of three Bissett brothers who have suited up for Canada internationally. They – along with brother Matthew (Stephen’s twin) – have combined for 66 senior international matches played for Canada.
“When I was growing up, I used to always play two years up on their team,” Brenden says. “I think that kind of helped develop my skills at an early age.”
Up until recently, however, Brenden was the only one representing Canada internationally. With Matthew’s last game coming two years ago, and Stephen not a part of the program, Brenden was the lone brother carrying on the tradition.
After some time away, Stephen returned to the program in January and travelled with the Men’s National Team to South Africa, where they officially kicked off the Olympic year.
“I actually really enjoy having him around,” Brenden adds. “We’re also competitive with each other. If he’s lifting a lot weight in the gym, I’m going to try and lift that amount as well. We kind of push each other.”
Little brother Brendan has been a rising star on the team over the last 18 months, having played in the previous two tournaments: the 2015 Hockey World League Final and the 2015 Pan American Games, where Canada took silver and officially qualified for the 2016 Olympics.
He’s hoping he can share future on-field success – namely going to the Olympics – with at least one of his brothers.
“At one point the three of us were on the Junior team and we all used to play midfield,” he says. “It was be a Bissett mid-line. Hopefully we can bring that back for the Olympics, with a couple Bissetts on the team.”
Sukhi and Balraj Panesar
The Panesar brothers hail from Surrey, British Columbia and have been integral parts of the Men’s National Program at the Senior and Junior level over the last year.
The two are coming off successful individual years in which they both received accolades recognizing their performances. Balraj was named Field Hockey Canada’s Junior Men’s Player of the Year, while Sukhi was a nominee for the International Hockey Federation’s Rising Star of the Year.
“At the age he is now, he’s definitely better than I was,” says older brother Sukhi, who has 58 senior international matches to his name. “He’s a steady player and he’s much better defensively than I am, which is good.”
One of the youngest players training with the Senior squad, Balraj has an outside shot at making the Olympic team. And he if does, it wouldn’t be the first time the Panesars represent Canada together at a major international event.
The brothers, who are three years apart in age, represented Canada at the 2014 Junior World Cup. Balraj was in his first year as a junior and Sukhi, the older of the two, was in his third.
“He was always asking me for advice and help,” Sukhi recalls. “Just trying to figure out what it was like being a part of the Junior program.”
Last year, they played in a senior match together for the first time in New Zealand.
Having played together on the United Brother’s team in Surrey growing up, now they are both well on their way long careers together with the Canadian National Team.
“You know your brother pretty well, compared to the rest of your teammates,” Sukhi says. “So it’s easy if you need someone to talk to or anything in the car ride to and from practice.”
Iain and John Smythe
The brothers Smythe are also part of a trio of brothers. While they all grew up playing for the Vancouver Hawks club team, older brother Geoff was drawn more to football in the end. It was his two years brothers, Iain, 30, and John, 26, who went on to play field hockey internationally.
“I think a lot of our aggression on the field and hard-nosed attitude comes from living with brothers and all boys,” says John, who has played 35 senior international matches for Canada. “We were always wrestling and play fighting and probably real fighting and all that. That, I think, transferred into our sports life.”
That dogged determination has led Iain to play in 111 international matches for Canada. As one of the oldest players on the team, going to the Olympics is Iain sole focus as he nears the end of his career.
“I’m more or less focusing on my own play and I think he is as well, to be selected and be on that team,” he says. “It would be amazing if we both went but at the same time, I can’t really focus on that. I’ve got to focus on my own game.”
After starting his international career at the Junior level, John took some time away from the National Program while dealing with Crohn’s disease. After two surgeries and seeing his older brother flourish with the National Team during that team, he was inspired to return.
“Growing up I always looked to him for inspiration,” John says. “All the success he was having, that lit a little bit of a fire underneath me and gave me the opportunity to go for it again.”
John has been back in the National fold since 2011 and, given what he saw growing up, his older brother Iain isn’t surprised.
“He’s got that young attitude where you don’t really give your older brother respect, and fight dirty and play hard,” Iain says. “Any chance he would to get one up on me he would take.”
Now, as they always have, they battle as hard as they can on the field, in training and in matches, for the opportunity to represent Canada at the same time on the world’s biggest sporting stage at the Olympics.
“I think it would actually mean more to our parents,” John says. “They’ve watched us grow from such a young age with field hockey to where we are now and they’re so proud.”
Safe to assume that’s something each pair of brothers has in common.
Field Hockey Canada media release
Scotland players welcome Euro bid win
Scottish Hockey's successful bid to host the Men’s EuroHockey Nations Championship II in summer 2017 has been warmly welcomed by Scotland's players, writes Nigel Duncan.
Dutch-based striker Kenny Bain revealed that the Scotland squad are excited by the challenge and the Dutch-based striker believes it will encourage players considering retirement to think again.
Bain said: “I’ve been in touch with the boys in the squad and we’re buzzing. It is now time to show real character after recent disappointments.”
Scotland will play Azerbaijan, Czech Republic, France, Portugal, Russia, Ukraine and Wales from 6 to 12 August 2017 at the National Hockey Centre and a top two finish secure promotion to the Championship Division in 2019 where Europe’s best hockey nations compete.
Scotland narrowly missed out on promotion last year when they finished third behind Poland and Austria.
Scottish Hockey Union media release
Malaysia provides youth platform for women to shine
Women's hockey in Malaysia has a bright future thanks to youth development projects (Photo: MHC)
Malaysia is a nation currently transforming its hockey development under the guidance of one of the world's most experienced coaches - Hockey World Cup winner, Olympian and International Hockey Federation (FIH) Master Coach, Terry Walsh.
One of the Federation's most recent projects has seen the launch of a new women's youth league system, created to help raise the standards of young players and subsequently help the nation rise up the women's world rankings.
Their national women’s team is currently ranked 20th in the world and regularly finish behind Asia's higher ranked nations, including China, Korea, Japan and India in continental events.
Things could be about to change however, as The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) has taken steps to promote hockey among girls and women through the realisation of this new competition.
The all-new Women’s Teen League Championship 2016 started in February and will run until 10 April. It comprises 14 clubs from across nine states and has been very well received according to one of the MHC Vice-Presidents and former national men’s team coach, George Koshy. He said: “The league has had a lot of encouragement and support. MHC is determined to improve the performance of women’s hockey in Malaysia while also increasing female hockey talent in the country.”
Plans to raise the standard and profile of women’s hockey in Malaysia was the focus of a speech by another MHC Vice-President and lead voice for the women’s team, Professor Dr. S. Shamala, earlier in the year. Dr Shamala said that 2016 was going to be a very important year for Malaysia's women’s team as it provided a platform to prepare the team for several big tournaments in 2017 and 2018.
“I am very happy with the team’s achievements in 2015. We retained the gold medal in the South-East Asia Games for the sixth time. We also put in a great performance in the second round of Women’s Hockey World League before losing 1-0 to Poland in the semi-finals, thereby missing our chance to qualify for the Olympics,” said Shamala.
The MHC’s main ambition is to see the national women’s squad break into the top four world ranking in Asia. Currently, in the FIH world rankings, Malaysia sits behind China (5), Korea (9), Japan (10) and India (13).
With Terry Walsh as Technical Director and Muhammad Dharmaraj Abdullah coach of the women's team, Shamala thinks that pairing has all the hallmarks of success. “Dharmaraj has a splendid record with the men’s youth team and I thought that he was very creative in motivating the players, so it was a good thing that he was willing to be our coach,” said the Vice-President.
The establishment of the Women’s Teen League Championship will be key to developing young talent in Malaysia and raising the standard of play across the board. It is also a chance for clubs to put some investment into their players as the winning team will receive RM15,000 ($3,700 USD), while group stage winners will get RM5,000 ($1,200 USD).
For the MHC, while the new league is all about the long-term status of the game, key events are only just around the corner, with the Kuala Lumpur South East Asia Games taking place in 2017 and the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia. Hockey devotees in Malaysia will therefore be eagerly anticipating early signs of the programme’s success at these tournaments.
As another mark of their development, Malaysia will shortly celebrate the announcement of their 10th officially certified hockey field under the FIH Quality Programme for Hockey Turf.
Whilst hockey is played on numerous other fields throughout the country, all 10 of the FIH certified pitches in Malaysia are classed as Global* standard, including this latest pitch at the Stadium Hoki USM in Penang, manufactured by FIH Preferred Supplier Edel Grass.
This internationally recognised quality-assurance programme provides consistent and dependable industry standards for the performance, construction and durability of hockey turf installations worldwide and ensures the appropriate quality for the intended level of play. It aims to help inspire more people to play hockey, promote player welfare and protect the investment of those funding hockey facilities. As a result, many more Malaysians now have the opportunity to learn and develop their hockey skills in safe and reliable environments while playing on these certified fields.
Hockey projects such as these are key to inspiring the next generation - the overall aim of the FIH's 10-year strategy - the Hockey Revolution. To find out more about this strategy, click here.
http://www.fih.ch/inside-fih/our-strategy/
*Global certification is for non-filled water based surfaces that are primarily used for international and top level national competitions.
FIH site