News for 10 November 2016
All the news for Thursday 10 November 2016
Green Army Seal Scottish Series With Third Victory
In similar fashion to yesterday’s encounter, Ireland started strongly earning two penalty corners in quick succession but Katie Mullans’ and Chloe Watkins’ efforts were both denied. The pendulum continued to swing between the two sides as Shirley McCay and Zoe Wilson distributed the ball expertly but the final touch eluded the Green Army, while at the other end of the pitch Grace O’Flanagan was called on to make 3 crucial saves in a row.
It took Ireland just 3 minutes into the second half to get on the score-sheet courtesy of a well-worked penalty corner that saw Nicci Daly fire the ball home. There were chances aplenty for both sides as Ireland won no fewer than 6 short corners as the game went on but the Scottish defence refused to concede again. Likewise the Irish defence were put under some pressure as Scotland racked up 3 short corners in quick succession but Clodagh Cassin, making her senior debut, was wise to any shot and kept the score at 1-0. The win means Ireland enjoyed a clean sweep of the series, a timely run of victories that will likely be the sides last international fixtures of 2016 before a tournament-filled 2017.
Ireland 1 (Daly)
Scotland 0
Starting XI: G O’Flanagan, Sargent (Captain), Brown, Evans, Mullan, Tice, Loughran, Watkins, Daly, Matthews, Wilson
Subs: Cassin, O’Byrne, McCay, Beatty, Upton, Meeke, Barry
Scotland Match Series:
Sunday 6th November Scotland 0v2 Ireland 6pm Titwood
Tuesday 8th November Scotland 1v2 Ireland 5pm National Hockey Centre, Glasgow
Wednesday 9th November Scotland 0v1 Ireland 12.30pm National Hockey Centre, Glasgow
Irish Hockey Association media release
Ireland hold off Scotland to claim third win of the series
Kaz Marshall SCO v IRE
Scotland women lost 1-0 to Ireland in the final match of the test series against a tough Irish side one place above them in the world rankings.
The game, like the previous two fixtures, was a close competitive match with the visitors just edging the result through clinical finishing.
Ireland looked the most likely side to score in the first half but found Scotland’s goalkeeper Lucy Camlin on top form. Ireland won two penalty corners; the first was well saved by Camlin low to her right, while the other sailed over the bar.
The Scots’ best chance of the half came in 24 minutes when both Sarah Jamieson and Emma McGregor flashed shots goal-wards only to be blocked by the Irish goalkeeper.
As the half drew to a close the Irish were awarded two further penalty corners, neither were successful and the half ended goalless.
The Scots were caught cold in the opening minute of the second half when they conceded another penalty corner, despite a brilliant double save from Camlin, but Ireland`s Nicola Daly was on hand to force the ball home.
The reversal stimulated the Scots into action - they won two penalty corners but both of Kareena Cuthbert`s efforts were blocked. Then the Western Wildcats player had a good run and shot but it went wide of the target.
Although the Irish gained two further set pieces, the Scots continued to search for the equaliser. Another penalty corner was forthcoming but this time Cuthbert`s shot was charged down by an Irish defender.
Scotland, with a strong support at their back continued to press for the elusive goal as they moved the ball around the pitch at pace. Ireland battled hard at the back to keep Scotland at bay.In the closing minutes a cross by Millie Brown created a scramble in the circle but the danger was cleared and Ireland`s single strike separated the sides at the final hooter.
Scottish Hockey Union media release
Western Railways win title
The Western Railways players pose with the trophy after winning the 33rd Surjit Memorial hockey tournament in Jalandhar on Wednesday. Tribune Photo: Malkiat Singh
Jalandhar: Western Railways clinched the women’s title at the 33rd Surjit Memorial hockey tournament after beating Haryana in a thrilling final here today.
Western Railways, who beat Punjab in the semifinals, won 4-2 in the final.
Western Railways dominated the proceedings from the word go. In the 14th minute, Manjit Kaur netted the ball after dodging goalkeeper Sheweta. Anupa Barla struck in the 35th minute to consolidate Western Railways’ lead.
In the 40th minute, Jaspreet Kaur reduced the margin through a penalty corner conversion. However, Mayengbam Lily Chanu converted an indirect penalty corner two minutes later to restore Western Railways’ two-goal lead.
In the 51st minute, Neha converted a penalty corner for Haryana. However, Western Railways quashed this late push by Haryana, while scoring a goal themselves through a penalty corner conversion by Navneet Kaur in the 67th minute.
The winners bagged Rs 1 lakh and the runners-up bagged Rs 75,000. Jaspreet Kaur of Haryana XI was declared the best player of the tournament and received Rs 11000. North Central Railways got the fair play award.
In the men’s section, Army XI will take on Railways, while Punjab National Bank will face Namdhari XI in the semifinals tomorrow.
The match between Army XI and Punjab & Sind Bank today ended in a 1-1 draw, the olive greens managing to secure a berth in the semis on the basis of better goal average.
The Tribune
Ventures capture T&THB indoor title
Trinidad and Tobago Hockey Board’s national indoor champions 2016 Ventures following their 2-1 penalty shootout win over defending champions Paragon. The two battled to a 1-1 draw in regulation time. Back from left: Cherill Mc Clean, manager, Kayla Escagy, goalkeeper, Yael Jagbir, physio, Amanda George, Karissa Wyke, Amanda Tang Nian, Lindsay Williams, Ornella Schneider, captain, Scot Dopson, coach; Front: Sarayah-U Plaza, goalkeeper, Gian-Anya Sealy, Cian Lue Sue, Jade Piper, Lisa Benjamin, Rose-Anne Reyes. Photo: Derek Lee
Ventures began preparations for their 90th anniversary by winning the Trinidad and Tobago Hockey Board’s 2016 national indoor women’s Open title beating defending champions Paragon 2-1 in a penalty shootout competition on Sunday at the Woodbrook Youth Facility, Hamilton Holder Street, Woodbrook.
Malvern fought off a late surge from Paragon in the Open men's final, winning 4-3 in their first indoor title in almost a decade.
Ventures and Paragon had battle to an entertaining 1-1 draw in regulation time with Gian-Anya Sealey equalising for the girls in green and white after Kristin Thompson had given Paragon an early lead.
In the shootout, Allana Lewis scored for Paragon, but items from Amanda George and Cian Lue Sue gave Ventures the crown.
Harvard Checkers scored a last minute penalty corner to edge Shandy Carib Magnolias 4-3, while Queen’s Park won by default from last year’s winners Petrotrin in the third place playoff matches.
Malvern and Magnolias continued to dominate the under-19 boys and girls divisions respectively with wins over Paragon and Checkers in the finals.
QPCC defeated Carib in the Trinity men’s final, while Fatima took the mixed veterans title via a penalty shootout with the Parkites.
Ventures, the oldest surviving all-women sports club in the country, will celebrate their 90th anniversary next year.
The celebrations will begin with their 14th annual invitational international indoor competition at the same venue from January 5-8, 2017.
Former winners GOA Reds of Canada is expected to make a welcomed return to the tournament.
The Trinidad Guardian
Massachusetts tops Monmouth in play-in game
Massachusetts Athletics
Izzie Delario's goal in the final four minutes gave the Minutewomen the 4-3 edge. Massachusetts Athletics
WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – University of Massachusetts field hockey rallied back from a halftime deficit and earned the decisive goal with three minutes, 24 seconds to go in the game as the Minutewomen won their NCAA Championship Play-In Game at Monmouth 4-3 on Wednesday, Nov. 9.
Izzie Delario scored twice and assisted on another goal while Sarah Hawkshaw scored once and Nicole Miller added a goal. The trio of forwards accounted for all 10 of the UMass points in the game.
Julie Laszlo scored two of Monmouth's three goals while Casey Hannah added one tally.
With the game knotted at 3-3, Miller created a scoring opportunity as she raced into the circle from the left side of So Sweet A Cat Field. Miller sent a play by Monmouth goalkeeper Christen Piersanti, which Delario raced onto and hammered into the cage.
Despite the deficit, Monmouth kept the offensive pressure on UMass and drew a penalty corner seconds before the scoreboard clock expired. However, the UMass defense locked down and sealed the victory as it turned aside back-to-back penalty corner opportunities for the win.
Hawkshaw posted the Minutewomen to a 1-0 lead with her 15th goal of the season, scored on a reverse-stick shot in the 12th minute. Hawkshaw dribbled to her left and fired a cross-cage attempt out of the reach of Monmouth goalkeeper Christen Piersanti.
The Hawks answered with consecutive penalty corner goals off the stick of Julie Laszlo. Monmouth evened the game at the 13:11 mark and went ahead on Lazslo's second of the game, scored with only 51 seconds to go in the first half.
The back-and-forth battle continued in the second half when Massachusetts rallied only to see the Hawks answer back as the game headed into its final minutes with a tie score.
The Minutewomen evened the game at 2-2 early in the final frame. Delario raced to the right endline and turned toward the cage before she sent a goalmouth pass to Miller at the left post. Miller redirected Delario's pass off the goal backboard for her ninth goal of the season.
Delario put UMass back in front only nine minutes later. The Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, native found an open space in the Monmouth defense even with the left post and struck a hard shot into the right side of the cage for the senior's 11th goal of the year.
Hanna responded for the Hawks and brought the score to 3-3 via a corner deflection. Laszlo sent a play toward the cage and Hanna tipped the ball up into the top portion of the goal with 17 minutes, 55 seconds left.
The Minutewomen (14-7) move on to face No. 2 Maryland in the NCAA Championship First Round. The Terps are the No. 2 seed and enter the game with a 17-4 record. The winner of the contest advances to face the victor of North Carolina (17-5) versus Stanford (13-6) in the Elite Eight.
NCAA
American advances past Kent State in play-in
American Athletics
American advances to face No. 1 seed Duke Saturday afternoon. American Athletics
WASHINGTON – Natalie Konerth scored the game-winning goal with 2:15 left to play to lift 19th-ranked American field hockey to a 2-1 win over Kent State in an NCAA Play-In Game Wednesday at Jacobs Field.
The victory gave the Patriot League champions a 14-6 overall record and extended a winning streak to three matches.
The Golden Flashes, champions of the Mid-American Conference, ended their season at 14-7.
Junior midfielder Samantha McCormick finished with a goal and an assist for the Eagles, who led an 11-4 edge in shots and an 11-2 advantage in penalty corners.
Following a corner in the final minutes, McCormick found Konerth open at the right post and she drove in the game-winner from close range. It was the senior's team-high 14th goal of the season.
Junior Ines Delpech put the Golden Flashes ahead in the 21st minute, scoring off penalty-corner assists from Jessica Nesbitt and Silvia Figa Malgosa. Kent State kept the 1-0 lead despite AU's 6-3 edge in shots.
McCormick evened the match for the Eagles at the 51:43 mark when she also converted penalty-corner assists from Rachel Stefano and Haley Bowcutt. AU had all eight penalty-corner chances in the second half.
Sophomore Maura Jacobs needed two saves to get the win in the Eagles' net, while Andrea Rinehart had three saves for Kent State.
American travels to Duke on Saturday to face the top-seeded Blue Devils in a first-round match at 2 p.m.
NCAA
UNE advances in NCAA field hockey tournament
The Nor'easters stop Farmington and are back in the second round – the end of the road the last two seasons.
By BRAD SPIEGEL
UNE players celebrate a goal against UMaine-Farmington in the first round of the NCAA Division III tournament Wednesday in Biddeford. UNE won 5-0. Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer
BIDDEFORD — The University of New England field hockey team has reached that spot again, the one that marked the end of the last two seasons.
This time it intends to get that one step further.
The Nor’easters, ranked 19th nationally in Division III field hockey, advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament Wednesday night with a 5-0 victory against the University of Maine at Farmington.
This is the third straight NCAA appearance for UNE (20-3) under Coach Danielle Collins. In each of the past two the Nor’easters advanced to the second round, only to be stopped short against a nationally ranked team.
This year’s second-round game will come at 11 a.m. Saturday at third-ranked Tufts (16-2).
But first came Farmington (13-5), which was held to two shots on goal.
“(Farmington) came out battling … The first round is one of those games where everyone has nerves to start,” said Collins, now 71-23 in her four years as coach.
“Once we scored that first goal it got a little easier to get in the rhythm of things.”
Collins feels this year’s team – the 20 wins is more than the 17 each of the last two teams had – is ready for a longer tournament run.
With a 101-19 goal differential, UNE has shown it can score as well as hold down opponents.
“(Farmington) prepared us for the next round. We wanted to play that fast-paced game and they were able to stay with us, and that’s exactly what Tufts is going to do as well,” Collins said.
The Nor’easters were led by freshman Bridget Cavanaugh’s two goals. Their second-leading scorer, Nicole Matarozzo, added two assists.
Cavanaugh, who mostly plays defense, moved up to midfield against the Beavers.
“In high school I played a lot of positions so I’m used to stepping up and taking the midfield position,” said Cavanaugh, a West Friendship, Maryland, native who notched the fourth and fifth goals for UNE.
“I like to do it and it’s fun. I had the opportunity during this game and I took advantage of it.”
The Beavers (13-5) were making their first NCAA appearance since 2007, when they lost in the first round for the second straight year.
Coach Cyndi Pratt thought that her team matched UNE’s effort, but falling behind early made it difficult to compete.
“Once the momentum got going their way they certainly kept it going,” said Pratt, who is in her 13th season. “They got a goal early so we were playing catch-up from there. It was (for) 65 minutes (that) we had to play from behind. We weren’t able to generate any offense to make it competitive after that.”
Marge Gardiner scored the first goal at 4:27 off a penalty corner. Matarozzo received the stroke and set up Gardiner with a behind-the-back pass.
Becky Zakorchemny doubled the lead 13 minutes later when she tipped in Olivia’s Madore’s shot from the left side of the box.
Farmington had a few chances early in the second half but UNE’s defense of Gardiner, Brooke Marshall and Sydney Liptak helped keep Holly Smith’s shutout intact.
A little more than six minutes into the second half, the Nor’easters scored again when Desirae LeBlanc deflected a Matarozzo shot past goalie Patty Smith (12 saves).
Nickyia Lovely and Jenessa Talarico, both with a shot on goal, led the Beavers.
Torrie Nightingale was strong on defense, breaking up a few fast-break chances.
Press Herald
Hockey action coming
By ILONA HANNE
Anita McLaren was one of the Black Sticks who Stratford fans saw in action in the town in 2015, and now she may be back next month in test series between the Black Sticks Women and Malaysia.
Once again Stratford is at the heart of some great national and international hockey action over the next two months.
A test series featuring the Black Sticks women against Malaysia will take place in December at the TET Hockey Turf in Stratford, while the Future Black Sticks camp is taking place in the town over the next few days.
The Malaysian team, who are currently ranked 21 in the world, will be taking on the Black Sticks women, currently ranked No 4 in the world for a five test series starting on Monday, December 12.
While the player selection for either team won't be announced until closer to the time, spectators can be sure they will be able to watch some of the top players in the world compete on a turf which has already seen plenty of world class hockey played on it.
Denise Hill, executive officer of the Taranaki Hockey Federation, says there are sure to be some fresh faces in the Black Sticks line-up for this test series as well as some seasoned old hands.
"Hockey is a great sport to watch at any level, but being able to see our national team take to the turf in Stratford is fantastic, and the series is guaranteed to great to watch."
Denise says the Black Sticks will be holding a coaching session for youngsters during their stay in the town.
"It will be a great opportunity for youngsters to meet some of their sporting idols and get some top level tips on their game."
She adds the test series will be great for the town overall, with both teams set to be staying in Stratford during the week. "Plus with Christmas coming up, local businesses will be able to consider taking their staff for a Christmas function to watch some world-class hockey in their own backyard, with tables available for booking at the restaurant at the facility on Saturday afternoon."
Meanwhile the Future Black Sticks will be in town from tomorrow, Thursday, November 10 until November 14.
Denise says the camp will be attended by 24 athletes, all part of the under 21 Junior World Cup Squad before the team departs for Chile on November 17, ready to take on Belgium for their first game of the tournament on November 24.
The young athletes will be running skills sessions in primary schools in Inglewood and Stratford on Friday this week, while the rest of their time will be spent making sure local youngsters benefit from the camp as well.
"It is great to be able to host this camp in Stratford," says Denise, "It is a great location and the turf is just fantastic. We are sure the athletes will all enjoy their time here and we encourage people to come along and watch them in action, training on the turf."
Black Sticks Women vs Malaysia, five test series: December 12 - 6.30pm. December 13 - 6.30pm, December 15 - 6.30pm, December 17 - 3pm, with a curtainraiser match featuring Taranaki Invitation teams U18 vs Women prior and the final match played Sunday, December 18 at 1pm. Tickets cost between $5 and $10, with families $25. Online sales start later this month. Tables will be available.
Stratford Press
Burras Junior World Cup Team announced
18 athletes to head to India
Holly MacNeil
Thursday, 10 November 2016 (Melbourne, VIC) – The Burras team who will compete in the 2016 Junior World Cup in Lucknow, India was announced today.
A squad of 18 athletes will head to the event, which is held only once every four years, where they will compete against 15 other countries to take out the title. Amongst the countries taking part are Belgium, England, India, Korea, the Netherlands, Pakistan, New Zealand, Argentina, Canada and Austria.
Included in the 18 athletes selected, are Rio 2016 Olympian Blake Govers, and fellow senior Kookaburra Tom Craig. National Development Squad athlete Kiran Arunasalam is also included, with the remainder of the squad comprising members of the National Junior Squad.
The Burras will face off directly against Argentina, Austria and Korea in pool A of the competition to determine who will make the quarter finals.
National Junior Coach Ben Bishop said: “The selection of the squad for the 2016 Junior World Cup was extremely difficult. We have a very talented junior group who recently won the Sultan of Johor Cup, so to cut numbers down to 18 was a hard task.
“We have selected a group who we believe will give us every chance of success at the Junior World Cup, and we are now focused on doing everything we can to make sure we’re in top form for the competition.
“High quality, competitive international competition is hard to come by for young Australian hockey athletes because of our geography and the cost of travel. The outstanding financial support we receive from the Australian Commonwealth Games Association through its NextGEN AUSComGames program plays a significant role in helping us prepare for the Junior World Cup.”
Australian U21 men’s squad for the 2016 Junior World Cup
Athlete (Hometown, State)
Kiran Arunasalam, (Doncaster East, VIC)
Joshua Beltz, (Old Beach, TAS)
Matthew Bird, (Coolbellup, WA)
Tom Craig, (Lane Cove, NSW)
Matthew Finn, (Paddington, QLD)
Stephen Gale, (Bulleen, VIC)
Frazer Gerrard, (Cottesloe, WA)
Blake Govers, (Wollongong, NSW)
Max Hendry, (Camberwell, VIC)
Tim Howard, (Wakerley, QLD)
Sam Liles, (Tamworth, NSW)
Kurt Lovett, (Parkes, NSW)
Ryan Proctor, (Engadine, NSW)
Lachlan Sharp, (Lithgow, NSW)
Joshua Simmonds, (Ringwood North, VIC)
Ashleigh Thomas, (Baulkam Hills, NSW)
Jack Welch, (Hobart, TAS)
Corey Weyer, (Biggera Waters, QLD)
Burras Junior World Cup Pool Fixtures
December 9: 12.30pm AWST / 3.30pm AEDT Australia – Korea
December 10: 7.30pm AWST / 10.30pm AEDT Australia – Argentina
December 12: 2.30pm AWST / 5.30pm AEDT Australia – Austria
Hockey Australia media release
Wins against Germany has boosted our confidence: Harendra
BENGALURU: The wins over fancied Germany en route to title triumph in last month's four-nation Invitational Tournament in Valencia has bolstered the confidence of Indian hockey colts ahead of the upcoming FIH Junior World Cup, feels team's chief coach Harendra Singh.
Indian junior hockey team beat defending champions Germany with a convincing 5-2 margin to win the four-nation tournament. The Indian colts had also defeated the Germans 3-1 in their opening match of the event.
"I feel beating Germany has made a lot of difference to the team's confidence. Until now, in the run up to the Junior World Cup, we had not played European teams," Harendra said here today.
"We had a good show against Spain where we beat them 3-1 in the league match and 1-0 in the semi-final. Our only loss was against Belgium. But the boys are in good shape and the final two weeks of camp here in Bengaluru will be crucial," stated the junior team's chief coach.
He also informed that the final selection trial for the Junior World Cup will be held here on Friday.
Indian hockey colts will begin their campaign at the Junior World Cup against Canada on December 8.
The Times of India
Door still open for fringe players to enter hockey squad
by S. Ramaguru
National coach Stephen van Huizen said that there would be changes to the team who won the bronze medal at the recently-completed Asian Champions Trophy in Kuantan.
KUALA LUMPUR: There is still time for the fringe players to stake a claim in the national team for the Melbourne Festival of Hockey, which will be held from Nov 23-27.
National coach Stephen van Huizen said that there would be changes to the team who won the bronze medal at the recently-completed Asian Champions Trophy in Kuantan.
The final selection for the four-nation Melbourne tournament has been put off to next week. The other teams are hosts Australia, India and New Zealand.
“There will be changes because some players are not available ... and also due to injuries. This is still part of our preparation for next year’s World Hockey League,” he said.
Stephen pointed out that the two injured players – Mohd Izad Hakimi Jamaluddin and Baljit Singh, who missed the Asian Champions Trophy – would play if they’ve fully recovered.
“Baljit is already in training and that augurs well for him. Izad is getting better. So, they will be considered for selection.”
Police trainees Mohd Razie Rahim and Nabil Fiqri Mohd Nor are likely to miss the Melbourne tournament although they are expected to appeal for their release.
Fitri Saari and Faiz Helmi Jali are also set to skip the tournament as they’ll be sitting for their college examinations.
“There’s still a lot of uncertainty in the team. We will wait to hear from the Police regarding Razie and Nabil and also check if Fitri and Faiz can sit for their examinations on another day,” said Stephen.
“We hope to sort all these out as soon as possible as the team will leave for Melbourne on Nov 19.”
Malaysia will open their campaign against the Kiwis on Nov 23, followed by India (Nov 24) and Australia (Nov 26). The classification matches will be held on Nov 27.
This will be the team’s last assignment for this year. Next year, they have the World Hockey League Round Two in March, followed by the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup and the World Hockey League semi-finals in June.
The Star of Malaysia
Strugglers Canterbury and Loughborough face off
Canterbury’s Tom Bean in action against Hampstead and Westminster. Credit: Mark Clews.
Both without a point so far, Canterbury and Loughborough Students face what could be a crucial match in the Men’s Hockey League Premier Division on Saturday.
Bottom of the table Loughborough have scored the fewest goals in the league so far at just eight, while Canterbury have conceded the most having leaked 32 goals in seven games so far.
“It’s a must-win game for us,” said Canterbury Manager Gary Wyver. “We need to keep up with Brooklands and Reading above us.
“It’s a new era at the club with so many players leaving last season. We’re a very young squad and several have come through the age groups here, but they are learning quickly and they’re playing well.
“We’ve just been unlucky, but at this level you can’t afford to have little lapses in concentration as you will be punished.
“The target for us at the start of the season was to avoid being in the relegation play-offs for a third season in a row, and that’s still the aim – but a mid-table finish is still within reach for us.”
At the other end of the table, leaders Holcombe go to Brooklands MU as they target a seventh league win, while second-placed Beeston travel to Surbiton to face a side who have lost just on league match so far.
Wimbledon moved up to third on the back of last weekend’s win at Reading, and they could climb further this weekend as they host fourth-placed East Grinstead, who they leap-frogged last Sunday.
Meanwhile, Reading will be looking to get back to winning ways as they go to Hampstead and Westminster.
Unbeaten Richmond play host to second-placed Sevenoaks in the Men’s Conference East on Saturday, and will climb above them if they win.
And if leaders Southgate slip up at home against Teddington, Richmond could also go top of the table.
In the Men’s Conference North, bottom of the table Leek host second-bottom Oxton, with both sides desperate for points to move away from the relegation zone.
And at the other end of the table, leaders the University of Durham are targeting an eighth-straight win as they host Sheffield Hallam.
The top two are preparing for battle in the Men’s Conference West, with unbeaten leaders Cardiff and Met at home against second—placed University of Exeter. The winners will go top.
Meanwhile, third-placed Team Bath Buccaneers go to Isca as they bid to keep up with the top two.
FIXTURES – Saturday, November 12
Men’s Premier Division
Wimbledon v East Grinstead 12:00
Hampstead and Westminster v Reading 13:30
Brooklands MU v Holcombe 13:30
Surbiton v Beeston 14:00
Canterbury v Loughborough Students 18:00
Men’s Conference East
West Herts v Indian Gymkhana 13:30
Southgate v Teddington 15:30
Oxted v Cambridge City 17:00
Wapping v Brighton and Hove 17:30
Richmond v Sevenoaks 18:00
Men’s Conference North
University of Durham v Sheffield Hallam 12:00
Deeside Ramblers v Preston 12:00
Doncaster v Olton and West Warwicks 14:00
Leek v Oxton 14:00
Cannock v Bowdon 18:00
Men’s Conference West
Isca v Team Bath Buccaneers 12:00
Chichester v University of Birmingham 12:15
Cardiff and Met v University of Exeter 12:30
University of Bristol v Fareham 13:00
Old Georgians v Cheltenham 14:30
England Hockey Board Media release
Tough trip to Surbiton for mid-table Leicester
Leicester’s Sophie Skelton in action against Clifton Robinsons. Credit Andy Smith.
Mid-table Leicester face a tough trip to table-topping Surbiton on Sunday in the Investec Women’s Hockey League Premier Division.
Last season’s champions and unbeaten so far this season, Surbiton will prove a tough opponent for Leicester who have three wins from their first seven games, including a 3-1 win over Canterbury last weekend.
“We’re looking forward to the challenge,” said Leicester Manager Sue Holwell. “We had a good result against Canterbury last week, but there’s a lot more to come. It has been a disappointing start to the season, but things are coming together.
“We’ve got some new players in this season and a couple of them didn’t arrive until late because they were playing in Australia, and we lost two to the England Under-21s in Spain. With one or two other senior players unavailable because of work, it has been a bit of a difficult start for us.”
Elsewhere, second-placed Holcombe are on the road to Bowdon Hightown on Sunday as they bid to keep the pressure up on Surbiton, while East Grinstead – who leap-frogged the University of Birmingham into third spot when they beat them last Saturday – entertain Slough.
The University of Birmingham will be hoping to bounce back from that loss with a home game against Canterbury, while Clifton Robinsons are hosting bottom of the table Reading, who secured their first points of the season with a draw against Bowdon Hightown last weekend. GB gold medallist Alex Danson, who joined Clifton in the close season, is expected to make her debut against her previous colleagues.
After battling to a win at Chelmsford last weekend, third-placed Harleston Magpies play host to Investec Conference East leaders Sevenoaks on Sunday.
Meanwhile, second-placed Wimbledon are on the road to Southgate as they bid to keep pace with unbeaten Sevenoaks.
Leaders Brooklands Poynton play host to the only unbeaten team in the Investec Conference North, with the University of Durham the visitors to Sale.
Elsewhere, second-placed Beeston have a home game against Liverpool Sefton.
The top two play each other in the Investec Conference West, with leaders Stourport aiming to preserve their unbeaten record against a Buckingham side who are looking to return to the top flight at the first attempt.
And in other action in the West, Olton and West Warwicks – who dropped to third last weekend when they lost to Stourport – will be looking to get back to winning ways when they entertain Trojans.
FIXTURES – Sunday, November 13
Investec Women’s Hockey League
Investec Premier Division
Surbiton v Leicester 12:00
Bowdon Hightown v Holcombe 12:30
Univ of Birmingham v Canterbury 12:30
Clifton Robinsons v Reading 13:00
East Grinstead v Slough 14:00
Investec Conference East
Chelmsford v Cambridge City 14:00
Southgate v Wimbledon 14:00
Hampstead and Westminster v West Herts 14:00
Harleston Magpies v Sevenoaks 14:00
Northampton Saints v St Albans 14:15
Investec Conference North
Brooklands Poynton v Univ of Durham 12:00
Ben Rhydding v Loughborough Students 13:30
Timperley v Belper 13:30
Sutton Coldfield v Wakefield 14:00
Beeston v Liverpool Sefton 14:30
Investec Conference West
Isca v Swansea City 12:00
Buckingham v Stourport 12:00
Olton and West Warwicks v Trojans 12:00
Bristol Firebrands v Gloucester City 13:00
Oxford Hawks v Exe 14:00
England Hockey Board Media release
Pick up hockey sticks, not guns, says Dilip Tirkey
Tournament to be held in regions under Maoist influence
Prafulla Das
Dilip Tirkey
Member of Parliament Dilip Tirkey, a former captain of the Indian hockey team, is a busy man. He is working overtime to bring to reality his dream of creating a village hockey championship with teams from several districts in Odisha and neighbouring States of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.
“The event aims to promote hockey at the village level with a view to keep the tribal youths away from Maoist influence in the region,” said Mr. Tirkey, who hails from Sundargarh district. The region where the matches would be played over a period of four months from December to March is part of the belt with a strong Maoist presence.
“The region should develop as a cradle of hockey instead of a nursery for Maoists. The youth of the region should pick up hockey sticks instead of guns,” said Mr. Tirkey.
The proposed rural hockey championship is scheduled to be inaugurated in Rourkela in Odisha’s Sundargarh district on December 10. A total of 25,000 young hockey players representing over 1,500 teams from the region are expected to participate in this unique event called the Biju Patnaik Rural Hockey Championship.
Aiming for a record
Mr. Tirkey, who believes it will be the largest field hockey tournament in the world, is seeking an endorsement from the Guinness World Records team.
After the inaugural ceremony, the teams would disperse to play matches in their respective regions as per a timetable being prepared for the championship.
There is no age bar for participants. Mr. Tirkey said he hoped to attract youngsters who can dream big and achieve what they want.
The Hindu
Postponement of Hall of Fame Event on 25 November
Lawrence West
It is with regret that Hockey Australia has taken the difficult decision to postpone the Hall of Fame Luncheon scheduled for Friday 25 November in Melbourne.
The Hall of Fame is a prestigious institution and we have high expectations for the events we stage. Low tickets sales have indicated to us that we will be unable to meet those standards if we progress as intended, precluding us from putting on an event befitting the Hall of Fame and those individuals whose contribution we are honoring.
Having explored alternative options, this is the most appropriate course of action at this time, albeit the most disappointing.
We have communicated to the inductees and award recipients, and while obviously disappointed, they are supportive of the decision to postpone. Their place in our Hall of Fame is assured and they will be recognised at an event in the future. We are working to determine the date and location of the future event.
Those people who booked tickets for the event will be reimbursed directly. Hockey Australia has sent additional information to them by email.
The board and senior management of Hockey Australia would like to acknowledge the understanding shown by the inductees, those individuals who had booked tickets and our event sponsor, SportEng.
Hockey Australia media release