News for 17 September 2016
All the news for Saturday 17 September 2016
Oman holds Pakistan 2-2 in the first under 18 Test
Pakistan were surprisingly held to a 2-2 draw by the visiting Oman side in the first under 18 test at the National Hockey Stadium, Lahore.
The tie, which marked the return of international hockey in Pakistan after more than half a decade, was a 70 minute match of two halves.
It was the first international outing for both the sides; the first five minutes saw the game confined to the mid field area.
The hosts then raided the opponents 23 and occasionally entered the circle without threatening. Pakistan’s first attempt on the goal came in the 11th minute via a good top of the circle strike by Ali Aziz but the goal keeper was well positioned to pad it away.
Oman’s first real raid yielded a penalty corner in the 16th minute but the ball was not stopped properly.
Over the next 10 minutes, Pakistani raids came in waves, mostly from the left side, but wasted mostly through very poor attempts. Oman recovered and a free ball saw their forward in an ideal position but he messed with it. Next minute saw, a wonderful combined Omani move but the diving striker failed to put the final touch.
Finally the ice was broken in the 30th minute when Waqar put the hosts ahead with a well-placed top of the circle shot.
Last five minutes of the first half were completely dominated by Pakistan and several gild edged chances came their way. Adeel’s well struck hit was well saved by the net minder. Then Adeel waltzed past two defenders and his pass found Ahmed Nadeem in excellent position, who fumbled. Kharullah was also a culprit.
Within two minutes into the second half, Adeel’s magnificent dribbling run saw him past three Omanis. When he released the ball, it eluded the defence and Naveed Alam had the simplest of the tasks to tap the ball in to make it 2-0.
When it seemed, Pakistan would run away with the match, an Omani foray found Pakistan defence napping and Fahad Juma reduced the margin with a reverse push. It was game on!
As the tempo went up, the tempers also flared up. Pakistan’s Adeel and visitor’s Hmaid Abdulla were given temporary suspension orders in the 41st and 42nd minutes. The hosts regrouped and again created a number of chances without finding the target. Oman also occasionally entered Pakistan’s danger area mostly on counter attacks. But hosts had the better of the exchanges.
Against the run of play, Oman had the equaliser in the 59th minute. Again, it was Fahad Juma whose thunderous reverse hit gave the custodian no chance. They even had a golden opportunity to go ahead but failed to capitalise on their second penalty corner.
Pakistan tried desperately for the goal during the last five minutes. The theme of the day continued: chances came and went, including their only penalty corner of the match.
Pakistan manager Kamran Ashraf said," I am not disappointed by the performance of the players. It was these boys' first international outing so they were under pressure. We created more chances but did a lot of missing".
Oman's coach Yousaf Dervish, "Good result for us. We followed a plan: to attack on counters. Physical fitness also paid off."
Pakistan 2: Waqar Ali (30 minutes) & Naveed Alam (37 minutes)
Oman 2: Both goals scored by Fahad Juma (39 & 58 minutes)
PHF Media release
Midlands, Canterbury take out Ford NHL titles
Photo: www.photosport.nz
The Midlands Men and Canterbury Women have won this year’s Ford National Hockey League titles at the Whangarei ITM Hockey Centre.
In the men’s Challenge Shield final, Midlands powered to a 3-1 victory over the Canterbury Cavaliers thanks to a magnificent double from striker Connor Herewini.
Joseph Lyons opened the scoring for the men in orange in the ninth minute after getting a great last touch on a ball into the circle.
Canterbury responded midway through the second quarter when Nick Haig rocketed a penalty corner drag flick into the net to lock the game up one apiece at halftime.
It was end to end hockey in the second half before Herewini caught fire and produced two top class finishes in the 44th and 58th minutes to secure Midlands’ first Ford NHL crown since 2008.
Canterbury midfielder David Brydon was named Men’s Most Valuable Player for the tournament while Central striker Martin Atkinson scooped top goal scorer with 10 field goals from seven games.
In the women’s K Cup final, the Canterbury Cats held on to defeat North Harbour 3-2.
Canterbury came out firing and opened the scoring in the 11th minute when Olivia Merry went on a solo run an fired an amazing shot into the net past the shoulder of goalkeeper Brooke Roberts.
The Cats doubled their lead 10 minutes later when Joie Leigh capitalised on a bobbling ball from a penalty corner deflection and knocked into goal.
North Harbour struck back through Stephanie Elliot from a 27th minute penalty corner before Canterbury netted again right on halftime from the stick of Jenny Storey.
Harbour lifted the intensity after the break and cut Canterbury’s lead to one goal after Stephanie Dickins struck from a 46th minute penalty corner deflection.
Canterbury’s steeled themselves on defence in the final quarter and kept North Harbour from scoring an equalising goal despite huge pressure.
Canterbury captain Jenny Storey took honours as Women’s Most Valuable Player and Midlands striker Amy Robinson finished top goal scorer having netted five times during the tournament.
The Central Mavericks grabbed the men’s bronze medal after a thrilling 3-2 shoot-out win against North Harbour, after the score was tied 3-3 at fulltime.
North Harbour struck first with international guest player Rob Reckers pouncing on a deflected ball and flicking over the diving goalkeeper in the fifth minute.
Central equalised just two minutes later with Martin Atkinson drilling a powerful shot into the goal from the edge of the circle.
The Mavericks grabbed the ascendancy in the third quarter with Mac Wilcox scoring from a reverse stick shot in the 39th minute and an Oscar Stewart penalty corner flick right on three quarter time.
But Harbour weren’t done and forced the game into a shoot-out after Cory Bennett converted two penalty corner flicks in the fourth quarter.
In the women’s bronze medal match, Midlands put together a hard fought 2-1 result over Auckland.
Auckland opened the scoring for in the ninth minute when Deanna Ritchie got a great final touch on a crash ball into the circle from Samantha Harrison.
Midlands pulled level four minutes later thanks to a quick reaction from Lauren Turner who collected a loose ball and hit home on her reverse stick.
With the score locked up at 1-1 for much of the remaining game, Ellie McCleery delivered the winning blow from a goal mouth tussle five minutes from fulltime.
The Capital Cobras snatched the men’s 5th/6th playoff in a high scoring 6-4 result led by a hat-trick from Black Sticks striker Stephen Jenness.
Capital also won the women’s 5th/6th playoff after defeating hosts Northland 3-2 in a shoot-out after the game went into fulltime tied 1-1.
The 2016 Ford National Hockey League is proudly supported by the Whangarei District Council and Trillian Trust.
CLICK HERE for full results, standings and goal scorers
http://hockeynz.co.nz/Events/2016-Ford-NHL
FORD NHL FINALS DAY RESULTS – MEN
FINAL
Bayleys Midlands 3: (Connor Herewini 2, Joseph Lyons)
Canterbury Cavaliers 1: (Nick Haig)
BRONZE MEDAL
Central Mavericks 3: (Martin Atkinson, Mac Wilcox, Oscar Stewart)
North Harbour 3: (Cory Bennett 2, Rob Reckers)
Central won shoot-out 3-2
5th/6th PLAYOFF
Capital Cobras 6: (Stephen Jenness 3, Phil Roper 2, Rowan Yeo)
Auckland 4: (Joe Crooks 2, Kieran O’Connor, Jonty Keaney)
FINAL MEN’S STANDINGS
1. Bayleys Midlands
2. Canterbury Cavaliers
3. Central Mavericks
4. North Harbour
5. Capital Cobras
6. Auckland
7. Northland
FORD NHL FINALS DAY RESULTS - WOMEN
FINAL
Canterbury Cats 3: (Olivia Merry, Joie Leigh, Jenny Storey)
North Harbour 2: (Stephanie Elliot, Stephanie Dickins)
BRONZE MEDAL
Bayleys Midlands 2: (Lauren Turner, Ellie McCleery)
Auckland 1: (Deanna Ritchie)
5th/6th PLAYOFF
Northland 1: (Samantha Polovnikoff)
Capital 1: (Charlotte Eastman)
Capital won shoot-out 3-2
FINAL WOMEN’S STANDINGS
1. Canterbury Cats
2. North Harbour
3. Bayleys Midlands
4. Auckland
5. Capital
6. Northland
7. Central Mysticks
Hockey New Zealand Media release
Midlands and Canterbury win National Hockey League titles in Whangarei
ROBERT VAN ROYEN
Canterbury captain Jenny Storey scored her team's third goal and was named tournament MVP. John Davidson
Midlands and Canterbury won the men's and women's National Hockey League titles in Whangarei on Saturday.
The top qualifying Canterbury Cavaliers and Cats had been hoping to do the double, but had to settle for one title courtesy of the Cats beating North Harbour 3-2.
But the Cavaliers were outclassed by Midlands in the men's decider, losing 3-1, their second loss to Midlands in as many days. 
Joseph Lyons scored the first goal for Midlands against Canterbury. Heath Johnson
Midlands forward Connor Herewini scored two spectacular goals in the win, which saw them hoist the Challenge Shield for the first time since 2008, and ensured Canterbury will have to wait at least another year to end their 11-year drought.
The red and blacks dominated early proceedings and perhaps wrongly had a goal disallowed after a ball was ruled to have been lifted dangerously into the circle.
Despite being on the back foot for the majority of the first quarter, Midlands opened the scoring when Joseph Lyons did brilliantly to get the final touch on a ball into the circle in the ninth minute.
Canterbury's Nick Haig equalised just before halftime to leave everything to play for in the second spell.
Up step Herewini.
The classy 22-year-old caused the Cavaliers all sorts of problems with his penetrating dribbling, and there was no better example of it when he put his team up 2-1 late in the third quarter.
Herewini danced through the Cavaliers into the circle with speed and grace, before gliding down the baseline and lifting the ball into the net from the toughest of angles.
With Canterbury desperately searching for an equaliser as time ticked down, Herewini killed the game off two minutes from time by turning in the circle and rifling the ball into the back of the net.
He celebrated by throwing his stick into the turf, before his team mates swarmed him, fully knowing the title was theirs.
The match was moved to a different turf after a heavy downpour. which also saw the women's final between Canterbury and North Harbour moved from 1pm to 5pm, drenched Whangarei.
Three first half goals to the Canterbury Cats was enough for them to win the K Cup for the first time since 2012.
Olivia Merry and Joie Leigh put the red and blacks 2-0 up early in the second quarter, before North Harbour pegged one back through Stephanie Elliot three minutes from the break.
But Cats captain Jenny Storey, who was named women's MVP after the final whistle, fired home on the stroke of halftime to make it 3-1.
North Harbour cut the deficit to 3-2 early in the final quarter, but Canterbury held firm to be crowned champions.
Stuff
India’s senior men’s hockey core probables to return to camp in Bangalore
Bengaluru: After finishing eighth at the 2016 Rio Olympics, the Indian senior men’s hockey team will return to the national camp starting 18 September 2016 ahead of an all-important season. The three-week camp will set momentum for the 4th Men’s Asian Champions Trophy slated to begin in Malaysia next month where India go in as favourites.
The camp will include 26 core probable players including skipper PR Sreejesh, Sardar Singh, Akashdeep Singh, Chinglensana Singh, Danish Mujtaba, Surender Kumar, Abhinav Kumar Pandey, Akash Chikte, Rupinder Pal Singh, Pardeep Mor, Jasjit Singh Kular, Birendra Lakra, Satbir Singh, Dharamvir Singh, Talwinder Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Mohd. Amir Khan, Affan Yousuf, Manpreet Singh, VR Raghunath, SV Sunil, Devindar Walmiki, Nikkin Thimmaiah, SK Uthappa, Kothajit Singh and Ramandeep Singh.
The camp will be four weeks and will focus on fitness, skill, tactics and also introspecting on the challenges that faced the team during the Rio Olympics.
“This camp is crucial as we prepare for some major tournaments starting with the Asian Champions Trophy in Kuantan, Malaysia where we will meet arch rivals Pakistan among other top teams. There are some areas we would specifically like to focus on and experiment with different tactics in terms of creating field goals and also earning PCs. We will be touring Australia in November and hope to carry the good form Down Under. The next two years for Indian hockey is crucial with the upcoming Hockey World Cup in India in 2018. All the tournaments we would play in the lead up will only help prepare us for the big event,” stated Chief Coach Roelant Oltmans.
Stick2Hockey.com
Indian men's hockey team regroup to prepare for Asian Champions Trophy
The upcoming camp will be crucial for training the team for the upcoming Asian Champions Trophy.
After finishing eighth at the Rio Olympics, the Indian senior men's hockey team will return to the national camp starting from Sunday ahead of an all-important season.
The three-week camp will set momentum for the 4th men's Asian Champions Trophy slated to begin in Malaysia next month where India go in as favourites.
The camp will be four weeks and will focus on fitness, skill, tactics and also introspecting on the challenges that faced the team during the Rio Olympics.
"This camp is crucial as we prepare for some major tournaments starting with the Asian Champions Trophy in Kuantan, Malaysia where we will meet arch rivals Pakistan among other top teams. There are some areas we would specifically like to focus on and experiment with different tactics in terms of creating field goals and also earning PCs," said chief coach Roelant Oltmans.
"We will be touring Australia in November and hope to carry the good form Down Under. The next two years for Indian hockey is crucial with the upcoming Hockey World Cup in India in 2018. All the tournaments we would play in the lead up will only help prepare us for the big event," he added.
The camp will include 26 core probable players including skipper PR Sreejesh, Sardar Singh, Akashdeep Singh, Chinglensana Singh, Danish Mujtaba, Surender Kumar, Abhinav Kumar Pandey, Akash Chikte, Rupinder Pal Singh, Pardeep Mor, Jasjit Singh Kular, Birendra Lakra, Satbir Singh, Dharamvir Singh, Talwinder Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Mohd. Amir Khan, Affan Yousuf, Manpreet Singh, VR Raghunath, SV Sunil, Devindar Walmiki, Nikkin Thimmaiah, SK Uthappa, Kothajit Singh and Ramandeep Singh.
DNA
Hockey camp to start on Sunday
BENGALURU: The Indian hockey team, which finished eighth at the Rio Olympics, will get back to the grind after a short break. They will begin their preparations for Asian Champions Trophy (ACT) at the SAI, South Centre on Sunday.
Hockey India on Friday named a 26member core probable group for the three-week camp. The Asian Champions Trophy will be held in Malaysia next month. The tournament will be followed by India's tour of Australia in November. Apart from those who made the Rio cut, the other notable inclusions in the camp are Birendra Lakra, who returns from injury, and Dharamvir Singh.
Speaking about the camp, chief coach Roelant Oltmans, said, "This camp is crucial as we prepare for some major tournaments starting with the Asian Champions Trophy. There are some areas we would specifically like to focus on and experiment with different tactics in terms of creating field goals and also earning penalty corners."
"The next two years for Indian hockey is crucial with the upcoming Hockey World Cup in India in 2018. All the tournaments we would play in the lead up will only help prepare us for the big event," he added.
The Times of India
Indian senior women's hockey camp to commence on Sunday
BHOPAL: After their first Olympic appearance in 36 years, the Indian women's hockey core probables will regroup for the national camp in Bhopal starting on Sunday. The core probables of 29 players will return to camp after a three-week break.
The women will work towards improving their game and skill set ahead of the 4th Asian Champions Trophy starting October 29 in Singapore. That will be followed by the Australia tour in November.
"The Olympics was a major exposure for the players and they know now what it takes to be in the top league and play at the highest level. We take this as a positive learning and will work towards improving on our basics and further develop the game ahead of what promises to be a grueling season for the team. The girls will come back fresh from a three-week break and will be vying to play some good hockey," stated chief coach Neil Hawgood.
The list of players:
Goalkeepers: Rajani Etimarpu, Savita, Sonal Minz; Defenders - Deep Grace Ekka, Deepika, Sunita Lakra, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Hnialum Lal Ruat Feli, Namita Toppo, Rukmani Dodray; Midfielders - Ritu Rani, Lilima Minz, Navjot Kaur, Monika, Renuka Yadav, Lily Chanu Mayengbam, Nikki Pradhan, Narinder Kaur, Lalhlunmawii, Navdeep Kaur; and Forwards - Rani, Poonam Rani, Vandana Katariya, Anuradha Devi Thockchom, Preeti Dubey, Sonika, Anupa Barla, Jyoti Gupta, Punam Barla.
The Times of India
When India won the Sub-junior Asia Cup 15 summers ago.
Tushar Khandker, one of the present Senior Men’s team’s national coaches, is player of the tournament while Rajpal Singh, now a high ranking police official with Punjab Police is Best Player of the final. Goalkeeper Suraj Kanta gets special award for his role in India winning the crown. Jugraj Singh, heartthrob of millions before a car accident consumed his hockey career, led the side for the crown without losing a match, and striking a whopping 54 goals in six encounters. When was this all happened, and what tournament are we talking about ?
As brimming boys sweat it out in the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in Delhi under the watchful eyes of coaches Mukesh Kumar and BJ Kariappa, and are reading for the third appearance of India in the Asian Hockey Federation’s fourth age group Asia Cup, this site looks down the line on how India fared in the inaugural edition.
Exactly 15 summers ago, Jugraj Singh was all of 16 years but was shouldering the onerous responsibility of leading Indian challenge in the inaugural Sub-Junior Asia Cup. Ipoh’s well known sporting field, Azlan Shah Stadium, hosted the AHF’s belated venture into Under-18 age category.
The event then used to be called AHF Youth Asia Cup, later rightly changed into Sub-Junior Asia Cup. It was for Under-18 boys as used to be the case now.
In the early 2000s, unlike nowadays, there used to be frequent tournaments for different age groups.
Between 2000 and 2001 in a year’s spell, in the run up to the 2001 Junior World Cup, for instance, India played in around 10 tournaments: were the reigning champions of Asia School Games, both Asia’s Under-16 & Under-18 Champions, gold at the Samaranch Cup, KL Six Nation and Akbar el Yom in Cairo, Egypt. India lost only the Asian Junior Championship in the final to South Korea on tie-break.
Be it as it may.
India did not enter for the first edition of Sub-Jr Asia Cup, but was cajoled to join. Once entered, it put in place a three-week camp and an experienced team was picked up.
India had the luxury of selecting a good team: Most of the boys selected had figured in the rarely held, but highly competitive Senior Nationals and Grade I tournaments in the month preceding the Ipoh. This hard grind paid off. Captain Jugraj Singh had been declared Best at the U&I Championship and got a reward of Rs. 25,000. Six players, viz Rajnikant, Sumesh Kanta,, Tushar Khandker, Amarjeet Singh and Raju were also part of the Victorious Asian School Games and also Asian Under-16 Asia Cup, which won the gold under the coaching of Ajay Kumar Bansal six months ago. Two players, KP Roy and Raju played in the latest Akbar el Yom Cup in Cairo.
The experience told on the Ipoh Turf.
At least in three matches, Indian were on target within five minutes of play. They struck a 7-0 win over Oman in the opener and 10-nil over Singpaore. India faced tough challenge in Malaysia which was seen off with an entertaining 6-4 scoreline though. Brunei was the last pool encounter, the Indian won it 17-1. It drubbed South Korea 7-0 in the semis before thumping down Uzbekistan with the same score in the final.
In all, India collected an amazing 54 goals. Winger Rajpal Singh was hailed as Skilful Sikh in the media. Jugraj Singh showed his early glimpses of penalty corner prowess, amassing 14 goals. Three Indians were taken into Asian XI.
The Indian Hockey Federation organized a grand welcome ceremony both at Chennai and New Delhi for the returning heroes on June 12, 2001.
Each player was supposed to be paid Rs.20,000 but only those 12 players who came to Delhi got it, others dispersed from Chennai to their homes, were left in lurch. That used to be IHF style in those days!
That is for the academic, but what stood was almost half of the team members went on to play for India another decade. The seeds of their growth were sown in Ipoh.
Significantly, India went on to win the Junior World Cup four months later.
Similarly, we hope to see germination of great players this time at Dakka, which will host the fourth Sub-Junior Asia Cup from 24th September onwards – and also crown at Lucknow where the Junior World Cup will be held in three months time.
The victorious inaugural Sub-Junior Asia Cup team: Suraj Kanta, Jugraj Singh, Raju, Tushar Khandker, Rajpal Singh, KP Roy, Amarjeet Singh, Sandeep Michael, S. Kartik, KP Dinesh, Bipin Thimmaiah, K. Nayas, Sandeep Kumar, Imtiaz Ahmed, Yadwinder Singh, Bikramjit Singh, Jagat Jothi. Coaches: Rajinder Singh, AE Brient, Surinder Singh Sodhi.
Stick2Hockey.com
New look UHC face big Mannheim date
The German Bundesliga returns to action with a double-weekend as UHC Hamburg begin their competitive preparation for EHL Round 1 with a potentially spectacular game on Sunday against Mannheim.
The three-time EHL champions have undergone more personnel changes than most with Florian Fuchs going to to Bloemendaal, Jonas Fuerste retiring while the likes of Ricardo Nevado, Pilt Arnold, Philip Witte, Niklas Bruns and Dominic Giskes are all not around.
It means a number of new faces in Kais al Saadi’s panel but he is looking forward to the challenge, saying: "We want to return to the league playoffs and the Euro Hockey League [later stages]. However, I am aware that this time it will be a little harder. We will need time to develop.”
They start their campaign on Saturday at TSV Mannheim before the eye-catching date with Mannheim, the regular season champions last year who have since added Olympic gold medalist Gonzalo Peillat.
For Mannheimer coach Matthias Becher, he is confident for the new campaign which begins with a game against Klipper on Saturday. "Our preparation was very good, we can not complain and have integrated [Peillat] well; he is a real gain.”
For the UHC challenge, Becher added: “Let's see how they line up! We would rather focus on ourselves, our own areas where there is still concern and room for improvement.”
For defending champions Rot-Weiss Köln, they start off against Nuremburg before making the trip to Uhlenhorst Mulheim on Sunday.
In a great new initiative, you can watch Rot-Weiss live online via the following link: http://www.rot-weiss-koeln.de/index.php/livestream
Euro Hockey League media release
Holcombe face Surbiton in great season opener
Holcombe’s Dan Fox in action against Wimbledon at the Finals Weekend last season. Credit: Simon Parker.
Holcombe play host to Surbiton on Saturday evening as the Men’s Hockey League Premier Division gets off to a great start.
With at least three of their Rio Olympic stars available for selection Holcombe – who did not lose a league match in the regular season last term - are hoping they can repeat the 3-1 win they secured over Surbiton last November.
“We have some of our GB players available, some not, but we’ve had a good pre-season so we should hit the ground running,” said Holcombe president and first team manager Keith Martin.
George Pinner, Dan Fox and Sam Ward are all available, while Ashley Jackson is doubtful but may still come into the squad in time for selection.
Also available is South African international Jonty Robinson who has signed from Southgate, but Brazilian international Stephane Vehrle-Smith has left the club and Nick Catlin has signed for East Grinstead.
Surbiton will take a new-look team to Holcombe, both on and off the field.
The new management team of head coach Mark Pearn and Matt Jones have brought in a host of exciting talent with a broad range of international experience.
Goalkeeper Harry Gibson has joined from Hampstead and Westminster, Rob Farrington and Arjan Drayton Chana have moved from Cannock, Liam Ansell has signed up from Den Bosch in Holland, while former Harvestehuder players David Goodfield and Brendan Creed are now at Surbiton
“Playing Holcombe first match is a fantastic opportunity to benchmark where we are,” said Matt Jones. “We’ve got the looks of a promising outfit, we just need to deliver now. Winning in pre-season is great, but we need to prove ourselves on the big stage.”
The other four top flight matches are on Sunday, with champions Wimbledon playing host to Brooklands Manchester University.
The team they beat in the final back in April, Reading head to East Grinstead, while Canterbury – who narrowly avoided relegation last season – are on the road to Hampstead and Westminster.
Finally, top flight newcomers Loughborough Students are at home with Beeston providing the opposition.
Relegated Cannock begin lift in the Men’s Conference North with a home game against the University of Durham, while last season’s runners-up Bowdon go to Doncaster on Sunday.
Last season’s Conference West winners Cardiff and Met head to runners-up Team Bath Buccaneers on Sunday, while Conference East champions Richmond begin with an away game, at Indian Gymkhana.
For full details of all pre-season player movements see http://www.englandhockey.co.uk/fl/ehl/playermovement_m.asp?l=1
FIXTURES – Saturday, September 17
Men’s Premier Division
Holcombe v Surbiton 18:00
Men’s Conference East
Indian Gymkhana v Richmond 16:30
Sevenoaks v Wapping 17:00
Men’s Conference North
Cannock v Univ of Durham 12:00
Olton and West Warwicks v Leek 16:30
Men’s Conference West
Isca v Univ of Bristol 14:00
FIXTURES – Sunday, September 18
Men’s Premier Division
Hampstead and Westminster v Canterbury 14:00
Loughborough Students v Beeston 14:00
East Grinstead v Reading 14:00
Wimbledon v Brooklands Manchester Univ 14:00
Men’s Conference East
Brighton and Hove v Southgate 13:00
West Herts v Oxted 14:00
Teddington v Cambridge City 14:30
Men’s Conference North
Deeside Ramblers v Oxton 13:30
Doncaster v Bowdon 14:00
Men’s Conference West
Cheltenham v Chichester 12:30
Univ of Birmingham v Univ of Exeter 12:30
Team Bath Buccaneers v Cardiff and Met 13:00
Old Georgians v Fareham 11:45
England Hockey Board Media release
Champs Surbiton prepare for Holcombe test
Surbiton women celebrating winning last year’s. Credit Simon Parker.
Last season’s champions Surbiton face a tough clash with rivals Holcombe as the 2016-17 Investec Women’s Hockey League begins with a mouth-watering clash in Rochester on Saturday.
The first match in a double header with their respective men’s teams, the women’s match starts at 4pm and Surbiton will be hoping for a repeat of the 2-0 win which saw them reach the final last season.
Surbiton will be without their three Rio Olympic stars Giselle Ansley, Georgie Twigg and Hollie Webb until mid-October, but their strength in depth will mean Holcombe will take nothing for granted.
For their part, Holcombe will be without all of their Great Britain stars from the Rio Olympics, but manager Chris Haigh said: “We are a little bit short all round, but it’s a great opportunity for the younger players to come in and show what they can do.”
Holcombe could give debuts to GB international striker Ellie Watton as well as South African internationals Quanita Bobbs and Erin Hunter who signed up this summer.
Elsewhere, top flight newcomers Slough face a trip to Leicester on Saturday.
Having topped the Investec Conference East table last season, Slough battled through the promotion play-offs to secure their place in the top flight, and they will be aiming to preserve that status this season.
Canterbury lost out to Surbiton in a dramatic shootout in last season’s final, and they will want to get off to a winning start when they go to Bristol to play Clifton Robinsons.
The University of Birmingham reached the play-offs last season, and they have a home game to start, with Bowdon Hightown – who narrowly avoided relegation last term - coming to Edgbaston Park Road.
And East Grinstead are also at home, with Reading providing their opposition.
Relegated Buckingham begin life in the Investec Conference West with a trip to Swansea City, while last season’s runners-up Stourport go to Oxford Hawks.
Top of the Investec Conference West last season, Sutton Coldfield have transferred into the Investec Conference North and begin their 2016-17 fixtures with a game at Beeston.
Last season’s Investec Conference North table-toppers, Wakefield start with a home game against runners-up Ben Rhydding.
And in the Investec Conference East Wimbledon – who finished second to promoted Slough last term – begin their new bid for promotion with a trip to Hampstead and Westminster.
For full details of all pre-season player movements see http://www.englandhockey.co.uk/fl/ehl/playermovement_f.asp?l=3342
FIXTURES – Saturday, September 17
Investec Women’s Hockey League
Investec Premier Division
Univ of Birmingham v Bowdon Hightown 12:30
Clifton Robinsons v Canterbury 13:00
East Grinstead v Reading 13:30
Leicester v Slough 14:00
Holcombe v Surbiton 16:00
Investec Conference East
Sevenoaks v St Albans 12:00
West Herts v Harleston Magpies 13:30
Hampstead and Westminster v Wimbledon 13:30
Southgate v Cambridge City 14:00
Northampton Saints v Chelmsford 14:15
Investec Conference North
Loughborough Students v Brooklands Poynton
Beeston v Sutton Coldfield 12:00
Liverpool Sefton v Timperley 12:30
Wakefield v Ben Rhydding 13:30
Belper v Univ of Durham 14:00
Investec Conference West
Swansea City v Buckingham 12:00
Gloucester City v Exe 12:00
Isca v Trojans 12:00
Oxford Hawks v Stourport 12:00
Olton and West Warwicks v Bristol Firebrands 12:00
England Hockey Board Media release
Scottish National League preview
Kelburne v Grange
The National League season gets underway this weekend and excitement has been buzzing away in Scotland’s hockey community. Both the men's and women's leagues are set to be competitive and it is expected that it will be a season that will excite and entertain hockey fans across Scotland.
It has been twelve seasons since any team other than Bromac Kelburne has lifted the men’s National League Division 1 trophy. Grange have been in there challenging and the Edinburgh side start off this season`s campaign with a home fixture against Gordonians. There has been change in the Grange ranks; gone are goalkeeper Sean Hadfield, Aussies Arin Doig and Todd Harmsworth along with Andrew Campbell and Michael Fenelon. Scotland international Duncan Riddell has returned to his Grange roots and some players have been promoted from the youth set-up.
The Grange coach David Knipe is not talking about league aspirations at this time, but simply said: "I think we will be highly competitive in every competition, I`m really looking forward to the season and watching the team develop."
Edinburgh University could be dark horses for a top four spot at the end of the season. There is quality in the student ranks with four Scotland players - penalty corner expert Dan Coultas; Jamie Wong; Gordon Amour; and goalkeeper David Forrester who has returned to Edinburgh.
It is never easy for the University coach Graham Moodie with such a large turnover of players each season, this time he will be missing five, but former under-21 Ross Jamieson has returned. Edinburgh`s opening fixture is away to PSL Clydesdale at Titwood and Moodie is content to take it one step at a time. He said, "Our current target is to win our first match and we will look at overall goals for the season in October once we know exactly where we are as a squad."
However, Moodie will be encouraged that his charges won the equivalent fixture last year 5-0, Coultas netting a hat-trick of set pieces.
Defending champions Kelburne start the quest for their 13th consecutive league title away to Hillhead and new coach Gordon Shepherd will be hoping to get off to a winning start. Other top four candidates Western Wildcats and Grove Menzieshill clash at Auchenhowie in a contest that many feel could go either way. Western Wildcats` coach Harry Dunlop viewed the start to this season`s first division campaign as testing, as after they take on last year`s runners-up Grove Menzieshill, they then face 12-times league winners Bromac Kelburne.
Once again Dunlop eyes a top four spot by the end of the season and a crack at the European play-offs. But Menzieshill will be a tough nut for Dunlop`s Wildcats - last season the Taysiders completed the double, 4-2 at Auchenhowie and 5-0 in the return. The Wildcats will be without arch-striker Scott McCartney, his lethal touch was so often a match winner in the past, and Scotland striker Luke Cranney who has signed for Grange.
Wildcats GHK Kaz Marshall
Sam Judge`s Edinburgh University begin the defence of the women`s National League Division 1 title with a home game against Kelburne at Peffermill. Although Judge has still to finalise her squad, definitely missing will be Great Britain player Sarah Robertson who is still on holiday.
As with the men there has been a considerable turnover in the ranks; gone is Scotland goalkeeper Nicki Cochrane and newly capped Scotland international Mairi Drummond, both have gone south, along with Louise Fleming. The latter has freed up what Judge has termed a "wildcard spot" in the squad, that place has now been given to Louise Campbell.
"It`s really important for us to get off to a winning start, just to build confidence in the squad and set the tone for the season," said Judge. "I`m sure we can win, I`d be extremely disappointed if we didn`t beat Kelburne, especially as it`s at home."
Judge has cited Grove and Milne Craig Western as the biggest threats to her aspirations, who play against Watsonians and Erskine Stewart`s Melville respectively. The other two games on the first day of National League will see CALA Edinburgh take on Hillhead and Dundee Wanderers play Western Wildcats.
The opening weekend of the National Leagues is sure to serve up some fantastic hockey, who will get off to a winning start?
Scottish Hockey Union media release
Scotland U21 men to play England at Lilleshall
Scotland U21 Men v Wales 2016
Scotland U21 Men will travel to Lilleshall on Monday to play two matches against England U21. The games will be played on Tuesday 20th September at 5pm and Wednesday 21st September at 11am.
There is a good mix of youth and experience within the squad. Four players (Callum MacKenzie, Joe Waterston, Cammy Golden & Aidan McQuade) join the squad after competing, and winning bronze, at the U18s EuroHockey Youth Championship II tournament in Glasgow this summer. They are joined by four of the six U21 players (Gordon Amour, Patrick Christie, Lee Morton & Jamie Wong) that represented Scotland in the recent World League 1, also held in Glasgow. Unfortunately Ed Greaves and Hamish Imrie are unavailable due to club and work commitments abroad.
Murray Collins and Robbie Shepherdson are also in the squad, both of whom have represented Scotland Seniors over the summer but were unavailable for the Spain test matches in July.
Scotland Men U21 Head Coach Graham Moodie said: “Due to the Senior Men’s involvement in World League up until last week we have had limited preparation for the games at Lilleshall as a squad, however we are taking a strong squad with a lot of potential. England U21 are a top side who will be expecting to do well at the Junior World Cup in India in December and this will therefore be a great test for our guys.
“Our clear focus will be on our performances over the two games and using these games to build on the positive steps forward we made in Spain in July.”
Scotland U21 Squad:
Steven McIlravey (Grove Menzieshill) GK
Murray McDiarmid (Western Wildcats) GK
Gordon Amour (University of Edinburgh)
Murray Collins (Loughborough University)
Robbie Shepherdson (Loughborough University)
Fraser Henderson (Bath Bucaneers)
Jock Breckenridge (University of Edinburgh)
Aidan McQuade (Grove Menzieshill)
Patrick Christie (Durham University)
Ben Cosgrove (Grove Menzieshill)
Jamie Wong (University of Edinburgh)
Cameron Golden (Grove Menzieshill)
Joe Waterston (Grange)
Lee Morton (Kelburne)
Luke Cranney (Grange)
Tom Graham (Durham University)
Patrick Lonergan (Clydesdale)
Callum MacKenzie (Cannock)
Scottish Hockey Union media release
All the best ... Part 2
By Jugjet Singh
TERENGGANU Hockey Team (THT) rose from the ashes to top the Malaysia Hockey League Premier Division Standings when they beat Sapura 4-1 at the Batu Buruk Stadium Friday.
And THT's good luck continued at the Kuala Lumpur Hockey Stadium, when Tenaga Nasional beat Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club (KLHC) 2-1.
The Tenaga upset left KLHC third on the standings, in a match which they were supposed to win and top the table.
After yesterday's upsets, all THT have to do now is to beat Tenaga Nasional at the Batu Buruk Stadium Sunday to lift the Premier Division League title.
"For me, we played the best game of this season to beat Sapura and top the standings for the first time this season. And with Tenaga Nasional pulling off a big upset against KLHC, from outsiders, we now have a chance to defend our League title.
"My players, for sure, will not want to let this golden chance slip away from our grip," said THT coach Sarjit Singh.
Yesterday, last seaon's top-scorer Faizal Shaari with 17 goals, finally scored his first goal for THT in the 48th minute, while Jang Jong Hyun scored a hat-trick in the 6th, 10th and 24th minutes. The Sapura consolation was scored by Firhan Ashaari in the 59th minute.
Tenaga coach Amin Rahim said: "We played for pride as we had not won in the last eight matches. There was no element of trying to deny KLHC a shot at the title, it was just that we had our pride to keep intact."
And Amin said his charges will do the same against THT tomorrow.
"Even though we are virtually out of running for the TNB Cup semi-finals, we will still give our very best against THT in our final League match of the season on Sunday.
"We have nothing against THT and their quest to defend their League title, we will again play for pride and end our League season with another win," said Amin.
RESULTS -- Premier Division: Maybank 1 UniKL 0, Tenaga 2 Kuala Lumpur HC 1, Terengganu HT 4 Sapura HC 1.
Division One: Quarter-finals First Round: TNB Thunderbolts x Nur Insafi x, SSTMI 5 ATM Airod 2, UiTM-KPT 2 Ipoh City Council 1, Politeknik 3 BJSS 2.
SUNDAY: Terengganu HT v Tenaga Nasional (Batu Buruk, 5.30pm), Kuala Lumpur HC v UniKL (KLHA, 8pm), Sapura HC v Maybank (Tun Razak, 6pm).
PREMIER DIVISION
P W D L F A Pts
THT 9 6 1 2 26 15 19
SAPURA 9 6 0 3 15 15 18
KLHC 9 5 2 2 26 15 17
MAYBANK 9 3 1 5 17 30 10
UNIKL 9 2 1 6 8 11 7
TENAGA 9 1 3 5 16 22 6
Jugjet's World of Field Hockey
Butali Sugar Warriors go hunting in Nakuru
By BRIAN YONGA
Butali Sugar Warriors' Maxwell Fuchaka in action during their Kenya Hockey Union men's Premier League match against Sikh Union on August 6, 2016 at City Park Stadium. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Champions Butali Sugar Warriors will be looking to inch closer to a playoff spot with victory away to Nakuru Hockey Club Saturday afternoon at the Menengai High School.
The match is one of 10 Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) league encounters lined up this weekend in Nairobi and Nakuru as teams chase playoff spots.
At City Park Stadium in Nairobi, 2012 champions Sikh Union Nairobi will be looking to pile more misery on bottom-placed Kenyatta University (KU) Vultures in another men’s premier league encounter.
Fifth-placed Strathmore University Scorpions will return to action after a month off to take on Vikings in a women’s league tie on Sunday.
Former champions Kenya Police will be hoping to continue with their resurgence when they come up against Parkroad Badgers while Strathmore Gladiators take on USIU in the university derby.
Butali have won their opening three matches and sit top of Pool A with maximum points. Victory this afternoon will move the champions to within two wins off a playoff spot as they bid to retain their title.
OBURU, ODHIAMBO RETURN
Butali coach Cliffe Okello will welcome back forwards Seth Oburu and Barnabas Odhiambo who have missed the last two matches due to injury.
Internationals Maxwell Fuchaka and Brian Musasia, who featured for Kenya in last weekend’s World League One Series in Ghana, will also feature.
“Our aim is to finish our preliminary matches with a 100 percent record as we prepare for the playoffs. The game will be tough because we are playing on grass and this will suit them (Nakuru),” Okello said on Friday.
Hosts Nakuru have a huge task in trying to stop Butali forwards Zack Aura, Emmanuel Simiyu and new signing Lawrence Okubasu who have been involved in the team’s 12 goals scored so far this season.
Nakuru coach Tony Agesa is however confident his charges can be able to shut out the champions.
“They are a quality side with good players but we are playing at home and confident of getting a good result,” Agesa said. Butali won both their encounters last season and will be favourites to claim another win on Saturday.
Vultures will be looking to move out of the bottom with a win against Sikh Union. The team has lost two of their last three matches and a win will see them revive their slim hopes of making the playoffs.
“I think our greatest challenge has been not converting the chances and that has seen us lose a lot of points,” Vultures coach Walter Onyango said.
In the women’s league, Scorpions will be aiming to make ground on the leading pack with a win against Vikings who lie sixth in the standings.
FIXTURES (All Matches at City Park Stadium unless stated)
Saturday
National Men: Impala v Karate- (12pm), Multimedia v Daystar University (2pm), TUK v Parkroad Tigers (6pm)
Premier Men: KU Vultures v Sikh Union (4pm), Nakuru v Butali (3pm)
Sunday
Premier Women: Vikings v Strathmore University (9am)
National Men: Karate Axiom v Kimathi University (11am)
Premier men: Nakuru v Parklands (9am), Parkroad v Kenya Police (1pm)
Daily Nation
No. 2 Duke stays unbeaten, tops No. 6 Louisville
Duke Athletics
Duke is off to its best start in program history following Friday's victory. Duke Athletics
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – In a meeting of unbeaten ACC squads, second-ranked Duke emerged with a 2-1 victory over No. 6 Louisville Friday evening at the Cardinals’ Trager Stadium. The Blue Devils moved to 7-0 on the season to secure the best start in program history.
Redshirt freshman goalkeeper Sammi Steele totaled six saves and senior midfielder Hunter Bracale provided the game-winner in the 63rd minute as head coach Pam Bustin’s squad notched its fifth victory over a top-20 opponent.
“To have come this far against such great opponents means a lot,” Bustin said. “We just have to keep learning from it. I wouldn’t say that was our best game tonight. It really wasn’t. But we were able, from our past experiences, to really dig in and keep our heads cool and come out when we had the opportunity to keep fighting. Our defense did a great job holding out a great Louisville attack, and our attack just kept taking their chances and going at it and didn’t panic. They just stayed in it until the opportunity came.”
The Blue Devils got off to a fast start, scoring on a penalty corner for the 11th time on the season just seven minutes in. Junior back Alyssa Chillano extended her point-scoring streak to four consecutive contests with the goal and Ashley Kristen and NCAA assists leader Margaux Paolino both picked up points with their contributions on the play.
“We came out and played really well,” Bustin said. “We’d been putting on some great pressure early in the game and I think it was important to have that opportunity to execute the corner.”
Both teams drew corner opportunities over the next 10 minutes, with Louisville goalkeeper Ayeisha McFerran and Duke’s Steele making stops to keep the score at 1-0. Steele turned away additional shots on two Louisville penalty corners toward the end of the period, and the Blue Devils would take the one-goal advantage into the intermission.
Duke maintained its strong defensive play in the second period until the Cardinals’ Taylor Stone scored on a penalty corner in the 52nd minute. Both sides continued to generate opportunities off corners, but it was the Blue Devils who would break through next on a chaotic sequence inside the circle. After a Haley Schleicher shot was denied on a defensive save, Bracale delivered her first goal of the season, tapping in the rebound at the far post.
Bracale’s tally put Duke back in front with just under eight minutes remaining.
Louisville pulled McFerran from the cage inside the final two minutes, but the Blue Devils remained solid through the end of regulation to earn their second conference victory.
“Sammi was just solid,” Bustin said. “She was real steady, real solid, just did her job and kept us in and gave us the opportunity to win the game. That’s all you can ask for from your goalkeeper.”
Duke finished with eight shots and four penalty corners while the Cardinals tallied nine shots and six corners.
The seven-game win streak is the best for the Duke program since the 2008 squad won eight consecutive contests en route to a 15-6 finish.
NCAA
No. 18 BC shuts down No. 3 UNC at home
Boston College Athletics
Boston College topped North Carolina for the first time since the 2008 season. Boston College Athletics
NEWTON, Mass. – No. 18 Boston College scored two unanswered goals – including the second-half game-winner – as the Eagles upset No. 3 North Carolina on Friday afternoon at the Newton Field Hockey Complex. Freshman Brigid Wood scored her first career goal to level the score in the first half, before junior Chelcie Mendonca tallied the game-winner in the second half to cap Eagles' the victory.
Friday's win was Boston College's first over the Tar Heels since 2008, snapping a string of eight straight UNC wins. The defending ACC champions – and national runners-up – went ahead 18 minutes into the game, but Wood answered at 26:26 and Mendonca put the Eagles head for good at 54:44. The Eagles now stand at 2-14 all-time against the Tar Heels.
Boston College withstood heavy UNC pressure as the second half wore on, with Carolina out-shooting the Eagles 12-4 in the frame. The Tar Heels had a pair of chances to score the equalizer with under two minutes to play, gaining a pair of penalty corners – including one with time expired – but the Eagles' defense stood tall. All of BC goalkeeper Audra Hampsch's four saves came in the second half.
"(Possession) was critical. A turnover can lead to a goal pretty quickly in this sport, especially to a team like Carolina," Eagles coach Kelly Doton said. "We had to possess the ball, specifically in the defensive zone. They have a lot of great goal scorers and create a lot of goal-scoring opportunities. One mental mistake on defense could've led to a goal. The shot selection by them – they had some opportunities in there. Our defense held and Audra did a great job in goal … Our defensive penalty corner unit came through huge. And again, the type of corners we saw on film that Carolina can execute – it was a big opportunity for them. Luckily these guys stepped up to the plate."
BC (3-3, 1-1 ACC) returns to action on Sunday, Sept. 18 when the Eagles travel to play Northeastern at 2 p.m. at the Huskies' Dedham Field in Dedham, Mass.
NCAA
Olympic Solidarity boosts hockey in Nigeria
New coaching structure to play a central role in Nigerian hockey development
The development of hockey in Nigeria recently received a significant boost thanks to a special initiative by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) as part of the International Olympic Committee’s Olympic Solidarity sports development assistance programme.
The IOC development grant was announced in August by Nigeria Hockey Federation President Abdul Ningi, a man who passionately believes that the initiative, which sees players and coaches trained under specially-organised FIH programmes, will have a massive impact on the sport in his country.
Mr Ningi applauded the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) for choosing hockey as one of the sports to benefit from the project, while NOC President Habu Gumel said: “The training will go a long way to boost the ranking of Nigeria’s performance in hockey in the continent and beyond.”
The first of the FIH-led programmes took place at the end of August, with experienced coach Nadeem Bhatti of Pakistan flying in to conduct a hugely beneficial one-week intensive training course for hockey coaches to help develop the sport from the grassroots upwards.
Mr Bhatti is very much at the heart of programme. As well as hosting regular coaching sessions, he has also been given the responsibility of creating a national coaching structure, a move that will significantly raise the standard of coaching throughout Nigeria and will unquestionably benefit the development of the sport in the region for many years to come.
Nigeria Hockey Federation Secretary General Agustine Balewa said the plans currently being put in place would “reposition our coaches for the challenges ahead, helping them to be in tune with the new techniques of the game”, while NHF President Ningi expressed his optimism that the expertise of Mr Bhatti had the potential to significantly enhance all levels of the sport in Nigeria.
Although arriving too late to have an impact on Nigeria’s involvement in September’s Hockey World League Round 1 events in Accra, Ghana, where the men’s and women’s national teams finished both finished in third place, it is clear that the Hockey Revolution is very much underway in Nigeria. It will be fascinating to watch their development over the coming years.
As stated in Rule 5 of the Olympic Charter, the aim of Olympic Solidarity is to organise assistance to National Olympic Committees (NOCs), in particular those which have the greatest need of it.
This assistance takes the form of programmes elaborated jointly by the IOC and the NOCs, with technical assistance coming from International Federations, if required. To learn more about the IOC’s Olympic Solidarity, click here.
FIH site
Business hockey is serious fun
You don’t have to be super talented to play, just enthusiastic.
Flamboyant: Winners of the last business day tournament were the Lumo Sumos, (back, from left) Niko Potgieter and Richard Hielckert; (front) Tanya Hielckert, Paula van der Merwe, Vanessa Parry and Kim Rolfe.
South African Port Shepstone hockey club’s final business tournament of the year will be played at Creston College this Sunday (18th), starting at 11am.
No experience is needed. It’s a fun, social day between companies.
A number of teams have already entered, so it should be a fun day for the whole family.
The format is five-a-side, or six with a sub. (Probably a good idea).
Maximum of three men per team, no more than one club/first team player per team.
Cost is R250 per team. For more info, contact Kelly at 083 5349779 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
South Coast Herald