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All the news for Friday 13 January 2017

Clinical Spain win against Scotland women in Valencia


Scotland women v Spain

Scotland’s senior women were punished by clinical finishing in the third test match of four away to Spain. The Scots put in another good performance against their Spanish hosts, but lapses in concentration cost the team against a ruthless Spain side who ran out 3-1 victors.

Scotland got off to an attacking start and were dominating the opening stages of the game. Some slick play by Heather Howie won her side the first penalty corner of the contest. It was Spain who profited from it however; a quick break out from the corner ended with the ball in the back of Scotland’s net to make it 1-0 to Spain. Scotland played some impressive hockey but Spain maintained their lead in the fast and furious first quarter.

Scotland were forced to defend early doors in the second quarter. Goalkeeper Nikki Cochrane made a great save but Spain were awarded a dubious penalty corner, which was defended well to keep the score at 1-0. As the second quarter drew to a close Spain made the most of their pressure and scored a screamer of a reverse stick shot into the bottom corner. 2-0.

A strong start from Spain in the second half saw them make it 3-0 within two minutes of the game restarting. Soon after, half time substitute Lucy Camlin was called into action again with an impressive double save.

After the third goal Scotland defended much better and enjoyed the majority of possession. They threatened from a quickly taken corner; a swift exchange gave Bex Condie an opportunity to shoot at goal, but the shot was blocked and the danger cleared.

In the fourth quarter Scotland again enjoyed good possession but Spain were always a threat, prompting some excellent saves from Camlin.

The Scots were on the hunt to pull one back and they were eventually rewarded for their efforts. Some good build up saw Amy Brodie demonstrate some great strength on the ball to win a corner. The quickly taken corner resulted in a Jen Eadie screamer after great play between Katie Robertson and Sarah Robertson. Eadie worked well to create space in the D and unleashed a shot into the roof of the net. 3-1.

The game came to an end at 3-1 to Spain and the final meeting between the two will take place tomorrow lunch time.

Scotland Women’s Head Coach, Gordon Shepherd, said: “There wasn’t a quarter we played badly in. The biggest disappointment is not maintaining our performance for the full match. We dominated the possession and territory but it’s a few lapses in concentration that cost us.

“With selection in mind for World League 2 we’re looking for a good team performance in the last game tomorrow.”

Scottish Hockey Union media release

Sliders 0-4 Telkom Orange

Champions dump compatriots out of Club Championship


Sliders' Ndombela Sikwatta (left) vies for the ball with Telkom Orange captain Betsy Ommala during their Africa Cup of Club Championship Group A match at City Park Stadium on January 12, 2017. Orange won 4-0. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU |  NATION MEDIA GROUP

Sliders on Thursday bowed out of the Africa Cup of Club Championship after falling 4-0 to compatriots and champions Telkom Orange at City Park Stadium.

Orange, who had already qualified for the semi-finals with a match to spare, finished top of Pool A with 12 points after four wins.

Two goals from veteran striker Jackline Mwangi and one each from Maureen Okumu and Audery Omaido maintained the eight-time champions' 100 percent record in the continental showpiece.

The result ended Sliders' hopes of reaching the semi-finals. The 1999 winners had to beat Orange 8-0 to reach the semis but it proved to be a herculean task as they bowed out after finishing fourth in the pool.

Orange progressed alongside Nigeria's Kadu Queens, who finished second in the group.

In another Pool A match, Sharkia from Egypt secured their first win of the tournament after they hammered Ugandan side Weatherhead 6-1.

Orange captain Tracy Karanja believes the semi-finals will be a real test but remains optimistic they can go all the way to the final.

"We have gotten better with each game but the job is only half done. The battle has only just began and we need to be at our very best to reach the final," Karanja said.

Cynthia Onyango, who was restored in goal by Orange coach Jos Openda, was barely tested as the champions cruised to another comfortable result in the competition.

In Pool B, the 2015 finalists Ghana Police thrashed Dar Ladies 10-0 to enhance their chances of advancing to the last four. Cecilia Amoako scored a hat-trick in the lop-sided encounter.

Internationals Nafisatu Umaru and Martha Sarfoa grabbed a brace each with Lydia Nkansah, Serwaa Boakwy and Queensilla Agyemang also getting their names on the scoresheet.

The women's semi-finals will be played on Friday while the men will be play their last four matches on Saturday with the finals set for Sunday.

Daily Nation

Telkom Orange tackle Nigeria's Heartland in Cup semis

By BRIAN YONGA


Sliders' Ndombela Sikwatta (left) vies for the ball with Telkom Orange captain Betsy Ommala during their Africa Cup of Club Championship Group A match at City Park Stadium on January 12, 2017. Orange won 4-0. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU |  NATION MEDIA GROUP

Champions Telkom Orange will Friday afternoon lock horns with Heartland of Nigeria in the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Club Championship at the City Park Stadium.

The other women's semi-final clash will be an all-West African clash pitting Kada Queens of Nigeria against Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

Orange, who are eyeing a record ninth title, will renew rivals with Heartland, whom they beat 3-1 during the group stages of the 2015 edition at the Olympic Development Centre in Lusaka, Zambia.

Heartland have won the continental title twice including a 2010 win over Nigeria in Accra, Ghana.

Orange captain Tracy Karanja believes it will be a real battle to reach the final but is confident her teammates can make use of home soil to triumph.

"The real competition starts now and we have got to be on top of our game. We have improved with each game and I think we have what it takes to reach the final and defend the title," Karanja told Daily Nation Sport.

Heartland finished second in Pool B after they drew 3-3 with GRA on Thursday in their final pool match to finish on eight points, two behind pool leaders GRA. Heartland recovered from three goals down to secure the point they needed to sail through.

Their win locked out Ghana Police who finished on seven points and were placed third. Police had beaten Dar Ladies 10-0 in their last pool match Thursday.

Orange on the other hand topped Pool A with 12 points after winning all their four pool matches. Orange thrashed counterparts Sliders 4-0 in their last preliminary match Thursday.

A brace from veteran striker Jackline Mwangi, Maureen Okumu and Audrey Omaido gave the champions another emphatic win.

Mwangi is expected to lead the attack supported by Okumu, who has impressed in the tournament with her marauding runs and link-up play.

Omaido, who leads the scoring charts with seven goals alongside Elizabeth Opuko of GRA with seven goals, will also be part of the three-pronged Orange attack.

In the other last four, GRA, who are eyeing their maiden continental crown, will be favourites to reach the final against the Nigerians who are in to their maiden semi-final appearance.

Opuko, who also turns out for the national team, will be seeking to extend her good scoring form in the competition. The Ghanians won bronze in the last edition.

Queens, who finished second in Pool A, have impressed on their debut in the competition and will be out to upset their highly fancied opponents.
The men's semi-finals will be played on Saturday.

FRIDAY'S FIXTURES
Women's semis

Orange v Heartland - 2.15pm, GRA v Kada Queens- 6.45pm

Daily Nation

Rivalry reloaded as Orange clash with Heartland

By Elizabeth Mburugu


Orange Telkom Caroline Guchu blocks Nigeria Kada Queens Loveth Moogiate when they played Africa Cup Championship at City Park yesterday, on 07/01/2017 PHOTO: JENIPHER WACHIE

Mother of all battles is expected when old foes Telkom Orange and Heartland of Nigeria square it out in the women’s semi-finals match of the Africa Cup for Club Championships today.

City Park Stadium will be a war zone when the two sides clash to remain in contention of the continents most prestigious hockey gong.

The two sides have dominated the continent dethroning each each other year in year out. The last time the two antagonists played, Orange carried the day. Nigerians will be out to avenge their 1-3 loss to Orange during the 2014 championship held in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Heartlands who are the second successful women’s club in Africa after Orange are seeking to end the trophy drought.

Heartland finished second in pool B with eight points after playing to a 3-3 draw against Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA). The second semis match will see GRA tackle another Nigerian side Kada Queens. GRA who finished third in Zambia last year are eying their maiden crown.

Exuding confidence Orange Captain Tracy Karanja said that even though every team wants to dethrone them they are ready to defend their honour.

“Every team wants to beat us, but we are not going to let them have their way because this trophy belongs to us and to get it they have to go through us. All our opponents are determined to wrestle the trophy from us but playing on home turf we are not ready to settle for anything less than the trophy,” Karanja said.

The reigning continental queens drubbed arch-rivals Sliders 4-0 in their final group A match to maintain their unbeaten run. The win saw them finish on top of the log with 12 points after four victories. A brace from evergreen Jackline Mwangi and one each from Maureen Okumu and Audery Omaido were all the eight-time champions needed to extend their winning streak.

The loss dashed Sliders hopes of reclaiming the title they last won in 1999 in their debut on the continental scene. To progress, Sliders needed to beat Orange 8-0 but that proved to be a hard nut to crack.

Orange and Kada Queens advanced from the group. Sharkia ladies of Egypt secured their first win of the tournament after they clobbering Uganda’s Weatherhead 6-1.

The Standard Online

Big test for Kenya

As Ghana stands on the way in FIH World League

By Elizabeth Mburugu


Eastern Ibrahim (left) in action against Kenya Police Oliver Echenje at City Park on Tuesday. [PHOTO: JENIPHER WACHIE / Standard]

Ghanaian women’s sides Ghana Police and Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) are yearning to face Kenyans in the ongoing Africa Cup for Club Championships. The West Africans who make the bulk of the Ghana national team believe that the Kenyan test is all they need ahead of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) World League Two.

Ghana men and women qualified for the next round of the FIH World league series after beating Kenya by an identical score of 1-0 in round one played last year in Accra, Ghana.

National team vice captain Nafisatu Umaru who plays for Ghana Police told Feverpitch that they are hoping to play Kenyan teams several times so as to gauge themselves.

“We had two objectives coming to Kenya and apart from winning the trophy we wanted to gauge ourselves against Kenyan sides. We were eager to meet them in the group stages and the knockout but we were not pooled together so we hoping to play Telkom Orange in the semis because it will be good for us,” Umaru said.

The two Ghanaian sides were grouped in pool B together with Heartland Flickers of Nigeria, Wananchi of Uganda and Dar Ladies of Tanzania. Umaru said that after playing all their group matches the only encounter that made them feel tested was against their very on GRA.

“These matches are part of our preparation for the world league and I feel that we are yet to be challenged. We have played four matches so far and we only felt challenged when we played GRA most of who are our team mates in the national team,” she added.

She added that they are banking on the Kenyan matches because they want to increase their physical strength. “We want to improve on our strength and their is no better way of doing it that taking the Kenyan test. In Kenya, players have physical strength and that is what we lack in our team. Leaving without playing Orange will be a loss for us because we would have failed in achieving one of our goals,” she said.

Umaru concluded that their aim at World League Two to be held in Valencia,Spain is to their performance and move up on the FIH world rankings. This will be Ghana’s third participation at the global event having taken part in two since 2013. They finished eighth in the 2013 games played in South Africa and moved one place up to finish seventh in 2015.

The Standard Online

Black Sticks Men push forward with new squad


Photo: www.photosport.nz

The Black Sticks Men have retained plenty of experience along with some exciting young prospects in the 2017 National Squad.

The 23 strong squad is led by four players who have amassed more than 200 tests caps in Simon Child (274), Shea McAleese (243), Nick Haig (200) and Arun Panchia (205) with plenty of experience alongside them.

Canterbury defender David Brydon and Auckland striker Kim Kingstone are new faces having been named to the National Squad for the first time.

Twelve players in the new group competed for the Black Sticks at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games while the remaining two spots will be filled in the coming months bringing the squad up to 25 athletes.

Hockey New Zealand High Performance Director Terry Evans said it was great to carry through the core of last year’s Olympic squad.

“We’ve named a strong squad and are confident they can continue to progress as a group and achieve great things,” he said.

“It’s great to have the commitment of the senior guys and will be exciting to watch several of the young players evolve with more time in the black shirt.”

Following the departure of Colin Batch, recruitment for a new head coach is currently in progress with an appointment hoped to be named as soon as possible.

2017 BLACK STICKS MEN’S NATIONAL SQUAD

2017 BLACK STICKS MEN’S DEVELOPMENT SQUAD

Hockey New Zealand Media release

WA & NSW victorious at U21 Indoor Championships

WA men and NSW women take out gold

Holly MacNeil



Wollongong, NSW – In a case of deja vu, both the U21 men’s and U21 women’s Australian Indoor Championship finals went to shoot-out today, with the WA men and NSW women coming away victorious at the Illawarra Stadium in Wollongong.

In the U21 men’s Indoor Australian Championships, the WA men held on to the form they’ve been boasting for the entire competition to take out the Championship over home team NSW.

WA began the game chasing NSW after Paul Counsell gave NSW an early lead with a field goal five minutes into the game. WA weren’t about to let the home team come through with the win though, with their competition in the lead up to the final seeing them win seven game and draw one.

It was Hayden Vaitekenas who came through for WA, landing his own field goal 12 minutes into the game. That was where the goals ended for both teams, with the remaining 28 minutes of play seeing eleven penalty corners go unconverted.

The final score meant one thing; a shoot-out would decide the Championship. New South Wales were up first, and it was a miss for Thomas Miotto. WA‘s Andrew Vaitekenas also missed, as did NSW’s Brady Anderson.



It was on the fourth shot of the match that WA came shining through, Matt Tate scoring a beauty of a shot past defender James Doherty. NSW needed the next shot to go in to keep their chance of the Championship alive, but it wasn’t to be as defender Cameron Hyde saved his third, securing the victory for WA.

Rounding out the men’s competition, the ACT finished in third position, 2016 silver medallists QLD finished fourth, while defending champions VIC finished in fifth place.
 
In the women’s competition, WA were off to a fantastic start with Chloe Carter scoring a field goal in the fourth minute. The team from WA had another seven forced opportunities at goal, but they couldn’t manage to convert. For NSW, after eight shots on penalty corner they came through with the goods with only a minute to go in the game, Kelsey Hughes scored a penalty corner goal levelling the score and take the Championship to a shoot-out.

After leading for the majority of the game, WA couldn’t hold on to the shoot-out to win the Championship, with NSW’s Jessica Watterson and Rachel Divall both scoring in the shoot-out and allowing NSW to retain the Championships which they also won in 2016. WA moved up the ranks one place from last year, claiming the silver, while VIC finished third, ACT fourth and QLD in fifth position.



As some consolation for the WA women, Chloe Carter was presented with the awards for both the Player of the Final and the Top Goal Scorer of the tournament.

With the U21’s Championships over, attention turns to the Under 13 Carnival which begin today and runs until Sunday, 15 January.

Supported by Destination Wollongong, Illawarra South Coast Hockey Association, the University of Wollongong and Hockey NSW, the Indoor Festival of Hockey is a three-week extravaganza of indoor hockey, showcasing the best players in the country at Open, Under 21, Under 18, Under 15 and Under 13 level.

Now in the second year of an initial two-year agreement, more than 1000 participants, spectators and volunteers will be involved over the next three weeks.

Anyone visiting Wollongong for the Indoor Festival of Hockey over the next three weeks is encouraged to visit the Visit Wollongong website for information and ideas of what to see and do.

Hockey Australia thanks all of its partners and the outstanding team of volunteers and officials for their great work at the Indoor Festival of Hockey.

Final standings – Women’s U21’s Indoor Australian Championships

1. NSW (champions)
2. WA (silver)
3. VIC (bronze)
4. ACT
5. QLD

Award Winners - Women’s Open Indoor Australian Championships
Top scorer: Chloe Carter (WA) (14 goals)
Player of the Tournament: Madeleine Murphy (VIC)
Player of the Final: Chloe Carter (WA)

Final Standings – Men’s U21’s Indoor Australian Championships

1. WA (champions)
2. NSW (silver)
3. ACT (bronze)
4. QLD
5. VIC

Award Winners - Men's U21’s Indoor Australian Championships
Top scorer: Benjamin Andaloro (NSW) (15 goals)
Player of the Tournament: Jake Staines (ACT)
Player of the Final: Cameron Hyde (WA)

Indoor Festival of Hockey schedule - remaining events
13-15 January: U13 Indoor Australian Carnival (boys & girls)
17-21 January: U18 Indoor Australian Championships (boys & girls)
21-25 January: U15 Indoor Australian Championships (boys & girls)

Spectator entry
Entry to the Illawarra Hockey Centre is free of charge.

Hockey Australia media release

EuroHockey Indoor season gets underway in Portugal and Puconci


Portuguese Team

The EHF is delighted that in 2017 our Under 21 players are on display at the EuroHockey Indoor Championships and Championships II in Lisbon and Puconci, starting tomorrow and followed next week by the Women’s EuroHockey Indoor Championships in Vienna.

Always hotly contested events, it will take 20 games in Lisbon to determine who will be crowned Junior Kings of Europe in Lisbon.

So who’s who and what are the expectations for the events?

In Lisbon: 13th – 15th January 2017

Pool A: Austria, Belarus, Switzerland, Croatia

A tough pool as current champions and hot favourites Austria will be challenged by 4th and 6th ranked Belarus and Switzerland, with Croatia making the final line complete. They were promoted in 2015 and are hopeful to retain their Championship status.

Pool B: Poland, Russia, Portugal, Czech Republic

Pool B will have the runners up, Poland, from 2015 along with 3rd ranked Russia, a young Czech team who again like Croatia are here due to be being promoted from the Championship II in 2015. Also featuring are the hosts Portugal who, led by their captain Nicolas Wenzel are very excited about hosting the Championships. We caught up with Nicolas last week as the team had just arrived in Lisbon. On playing in the Championships he said “It’s always great to represent our country and doing it at the highest level is what every player aims for. We obviously had to train hard to maintain our competitiveness, like in the last European Championships in Torun, Poland we just managed to stay in the Championship division”

His opinion of the toughest opposition? “Well every team in this Division is going to be a tough opponent, but I’m probably going to go for Austria, as they’ve always had great sides and won the last Euros”

On playing at home he said “Most of us haven’t played an international indoor tournament at home, so it’s going to be something new, but I’m sure it will be an extra boost to give our best. On the other hand we also know, that playing at home could put us under some pressure, but we’ll try to convert that energy from the crowd and use it to our advantage.”

Coach Mário Almeida added that a lot of the training in the build up to the event has been games rather than ‘normal’ training. He added “Because it is a very tactical discipline and, on the other hand, players come already with intense training from their clubs.” He added that it is really important for Portugal to host such high level Tournaments, remarking that “We have good things to show, things that will change the perception of us as a team. It also demonstrates a great confidence of the European Federation in our organizational capacities, which should make us proud.”

We are delighted that the event will be LIVE STREAMED from tomorrow:

https://www.youtube.com/user/EHFEuroHockey/feed

Results will be posted here:

http://eurohockey.org/competitions/eurohockey-indoor-junior-championships-men/

In Puconci: 13th – 15th January 2017

One Pool: Turkey, Norway, Ukraine, Wales, Slovenia, Slovakia, Italy

7 teams will compete in Slovenia for the 2 promotional slots on offer for the 2019 EuroHockey Championships.

A total of 21 games in a round robin format will be sure to make this a very competitive event.

Turkey and Ukraine will be aiming to regain their Championship status that they lost in 2015, but with Italy back after a few years out from U21 Indoor hockey they may prove to be the dark horse in Puconci, as their form has not been tested for a while.

Results will be posted here:

http://eurohockey.org/competitions/eurohockey-junior-indoor-championships-ii-men/

Don’t forget to follow us on:

Twitter @eurohockeyorg #EHI2017

Facebook EuroHockeyorg

EuroHockey media release

Austria the favourites for Under-21 Euro Indoor title



Lisbon, Portugal and Puconci, Slovenia herald the new year of European indoor action with the Under-21 Championships getting under way on Friday.

In the top tier, Austria head up Pool A – which also features Belarus, Switzerland and Croatia – and will be looking to defend the title they won in 2015.

They showed they will be one to watch with a 10-3 win over hosts Portugal with goals from Lukas Glaser, Florian Steyrer, Oliver Binder, Florian Unterkircher, Lucas Loser and Jan Abel all scoring.

Speaking about the challenge ahead, Steyrer said: “We were very good in the match and had a couple of nice combinations, but it did not work to 100%. We are on the right track and looking forward to starting the competition."

In Pool B, Poland, Russia, Portugal and the Czech Republic will battle it out.

For the hosts Portugal, captain Nicolas Wenzel said: "It's always great to represent our country and doing it at the highest level is what every player aims for.

“We obviously had to train hard to maintain our competitiveness, like in the last European Championships in Torun, Poland when we just managed to stay in the Championship division."

"Well every team in this Division is going to be a tough opponent, but I'm probably going to go for Austria, as they've always had great sides and won the last Euros"

Championship II takes place in Puconci with Turkey, Norway, Ukraine, Wales, Slovenia, Slovakia and Italy battling it out for the title with two promotional spots on offer.

** Live streaming from Portugal can be seen here:
https://www.youtube.com/user/EHFEuroHockey/feed

Euro Hockey League media release

Crunch time as teams play for Scottish Indoor National League positions

This weekend sees teams jostling for position in the final encounters of the league section of the indoor first division championship. The next stage divides the sides into two pools with semi-final places to be gained and relegation to be avoided.

There seems to be no stopping indoor upstarts Bromac Kelburne, they are unbeaten in pole position with an impressive goal tally of 44 in five games. Further, no defences have managed to put the breaks on Johnny Christie - the lethal Paisley striker has bagged 20 goals to date.

The league leaders will be aiming to maintain current form and see off Grange and Hillhead to finish top of the pile at the end of the day, although one might expect Grange and Hillhead will have other ideas.

Stuart Neave, Inverleith`s coach, seems to have accepted that his side will not finish top of the league part of the competition. The champions will be out to take full points from the remaining fixtures against Uddingston and Western Wildcats, but they are a point adrift of leaders Bromac Kelburne who seem invincible at the moment.

On this weekend`s encounters, Neave said: "The job for us this weekend is to focus on each game and to continue to improve on each performance, which I believe we did prior to the break.

"It is highly likely that we will be in Pool B for the group stage of the competition, and regardless of which other teams are also there our focus and goals will remain the same."

The champions may to have to compete for pole position in that pool with their great rivals Grove Menzieshill who occupy third spot in the table.

Grange are the favourites of many to join Kelburne in Pool A if they can hold onto fourth place; they are currently three points ahead of Hillhead. The Edinburgh side may struggle to take something from the Kelburne encounter earlier in the day but will hope to take the three points from Clydesdale in their second match.

The sides in the lower section of the league face a challenge to pick up any points if they are scheduled to play the top four, but Hillhead have the chance to put some pressure on Grange if they can see off Western, while the clash between Clydesdale and Uddingston will inevitably yield points to the victor.

There are also unexpected pace setters in the women`s first division with Edinburgh University, who played in the second division last season, currently top of the pile in their first ever season in the top flight. But they face four-times champions Dundee Wanderers in their first outing, the Taysiders are likely to be on a backlash as they lost their first game in a couple of seasons 4-3 to Milne Craig Western.

Annie Arthur, Kirsty Abraham, Susan Graham, along with set piece expert Becky Dru have been among the goals for the students, but among their talented ranks Wanderers have playmaker Vikki Bunce whose lethal touch has frequently turned games.

Whatever the outcome Edinburgh will hope to return to the win ethic against Aberdeen Bon-Accord in their second game.

The other top billing is the opening encounter of the day between Tayside rivals Wanderers and Grove Menzieshill, the latter are three points adrift but with a game in hand. Whatever the outcome both Dundee sides, along with Western, are almost certain to contest the top four spots. The Glasgow club have possibly the best chance of picking up maximum points as they take on Wildcats and CALA Edinburgh from the lower reaches of the table.

Scottish Hockey Union media release

English National Schools Indoor Super 6s Finals


Ipswich School (blue) vs Whitgift School in the U16 Boy's final at the National Indoor Championships at the NIA Arena, Birmingham

This weekend sees the first national finals of the year with the Schools Super 6s finals. The Girls event takes place at Bromsgrove School, the Boys at Whitgift School. The U16 tournaments take place on Friday 13 & Saturday 14 January and the U18s on Saturday 14 January & Sunday 15 January.

Details of qualifiers are below. Click on Pool headings to see match schedules and results which will be added during the event.

You can also follow the action on twitter, use the hashtag #super6s 

Girls Competition
Under 16 – POOL A
Midlands 2 – Malvern
North 2 – Egglescliffe
West 1 – Kings Bruton
South 2 – St George’s
East 1 – Kent

Under 16 – POOL B
Midlands 1 – Repton
North 2 – Ripon Grammar
West 2 – Millfield
South 1 – Cranleigh
East 2 – Haileybury

Under 18 – POOL C
East 2 – The Perse
North 1 – Queen Ethelburga’s
West 2 – Dean Close
Midlands 2 – Malvern
South 1 – Cranleigh

Under 18 – POOL D
East 1 – Framlingham
North 2 – Hymers
West 1 – Millfield 
Midlands 1 – Repton
South 2 – Beaconsfield High

Boys Competition
Under 16 – POOL A
South 2 – King Edward VI , Southampton
East 1 – Ipswich
Midlands 1 – Repton
West 2 – Dean Close
North 1 – Altrincham Grammar

Under 16 – POOL B
South 1 – Whitgift
East 2 – Bishops Stortford
Midlands 2 – Trent
West 1 – Millfield
North 2 – QEGS Wakefield

Under 18 – POOL C
South 1 – Whitgift
Midlands 2 – Oakham
West 2 – Dean Close 
East 1 – Ipswich
North 2 – Egglescliffe

Under 18 – POOL D
South 2 – Kingston Grammar
Midlands 1 – Repton
West 1 – Queens Taunton
East 2 – The Perse

England Hockey Board Media release

Dharmaraj relishes challenge of taking women’s hockey team to new heights



KUALA LUMPUR: K. Dharmaraj (pic) has a proven track record in coaching.

He guided Malaysia to win the men’s Junior Asia Cup for the first time in Kuala Lumpur in 2012. A year later, he helped Malaysia finish a creditable fourth spot in the 16-nation Junior World Cup in New Delhi.

Now he’s ready for his next challenge – to help the national women’s team finish in the top two of the World League Round Two, which begins at the Tun Razak Stadium here tomorrow.

And it’s one challenge he relishes.

“I have done it before and I can do it again. My challenge now is to help the women’s team put up a strong challenge against stronger teams in the tournament,” said Dharmaraj.

“Sunday will be exactly one year I’ve been in charge of the women’s team ... and I aim to be the first coach to help Malaysia reach the World League Semi-Finals.”

National womens hockey coach K. Dharmaraj.

The top two teams from the eight-team tournament will advance to the World League Semi-Finals – either in Brussels, Belgium (June 21-July 2) or Johannesburg, South Africa (July 8-22).

World No. 21 Malaysia are the third highest-ranked team in the tournament after No. 15 Italy and No. 16 Ireland.

Malaysia are in Group B with Ireland, Kazakhstan and Hong Kong while Group A comprises Italy, Wales, Thailand and Singapore.

Dharmaraj believes he has the players to achieve their target.

“I have named the best 18 players for the tournament and they have vowed to give their best in every match ... they’ve trained really hard for the tournament,” he said.

“We have played against stronger teams ... like world No. 5 New Zealand in Auckland last month and my girls did well to beat them 1-0.

“I have faith in my players and I believe they will give their best to finish in the top two.”

Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal is also confident that the team can finish in the top two.

“We have faith in Dharmaraj ... the women’s team have made progress and are not afraid of facing teams from Europe, like Ireland and Italy,” said Subahan after receiving mock cheques of RM100,000 from Tenaga Nasional general manager Datuk Omar Sidek and RM30,000 from DG Securities director Seniljit Singh for the World League Round Two tournament.

The Star of Malaysia

MHL: Teams ready to go the extra mile to end Terengganu’s domination

by Aftar Singh

KUALA LUMPUR: The new Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) season starts today, with eight Premier Division teams in action.

But the same question arises: can any team stop Terengganu from running away with a fourth double – Premier Division and TNB Cup (overall) titles?

Terengganu have dominated the local hockey scene for the last three years.

This year, they have declared their intention to win all four titles at stake. They already have one in the bag – the Tan Sri P. Alagendra Knockout Trophy.

Today, they could snatch the second when they take on Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club (KLHC) in the Charity Shield match at the Batu Buruk Hockey Stadium in Kuala Terengganu.

So, can these Premier Division regulars – KLHC, Maybank, Tenaga Nasional and Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) – stop the Terengganu juggernaut?

Or can these Premier Division debutants – TNB-Thunderbolt, Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI) and Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM)-KPT – do it?

One thing we do know is that these teams will do all they can to stop Terengganu from making a clean sweep of all four titles.

“We will go all out to stop them from winning the Charity Shield match,” declared KLHC assistant coach Mohd Harfizi Baharom.

Maybank team manager Mohd Sharafuddin Abdullah was just as optimistic.

“They have been unstoppable in the MHL for the last few years, but the time has come for other teams to rise and end their domination.

“As for us, I hope to see my team making steady progress with every match,” said Sharafuddin.

The Premier Division matches will be played on a home-and-away format and the final is on Feb 26.

There is also no increase in the total prize money – RM653,000 – despite the increase in the number of teams in the Premier Division from six to eight.

The Star of Malaysia

India a huge contender to win medal in 2018 Hockey WC: Christopher Ruhr

NEW DELHI: German international Christopher Ruhr, who is one of the highest paid players of Hockey India League (HIL) feels that the current Indian team's chances of a podium finish at the 2018 World Cup is bright.

"I think India and Argentina developed most of all big hockey nations over the past 2-3 years. I like the style India plays and I think they are a huge contester on winning an Olympic medal in 2020. Also a medal at the World Cup in 2018 - especially because the World Cup takes place in India and the crowds in India are always amazing, which gives the home team another percentage point in motivation," said Ruhr, who was roped in for a whopping $75,000 by MS Dhoni-owned Ranchi Rays.

The Times of India

India can win a 2020 Olympic hockey medal: Germany forward Ruhr

NEW DELHI: Germany's star forward Christopher Ruhr on Thursday heaped praise on the Indian hockey team, saying the 2014 Asian Games champions are one of the best contenders for a medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

The two-time World Junior Player of the Year said India can also win the 2018 World Cup because the prestigious tournament will take place in India and it could give extra advantage to the hosts.

"I think India and (2016 Olympic champions) Argentina developed most of all among the big hockey nations over the past 2-3 years. I like the style India plays and I think they are a huge competitor for winning an Olympic medal in 2020," Ruhr, who was part of Germany's team that won the bronze medal in 2016 Rio Games, said in a release.

"Also a medal at the World Cup in 2018 - especially because the World Cup takes place in India and the crowds in India are always amazing, which gives the home team another percentage point in motivation," he added.

Considered as one of the most devastating forwards in the world, the 23-year-old, who was recruited by former champions Ranchi Rays for a whopping $75,000 for his Hockey India League (HIL) debut, has enjoyed tremendous success while playing in India.

Apart from the 2013 Junior World Cup title here, Ruhr also featured in Germany's team in the 2014 Champions Trophy-winning team in Bhubaneswar.

Ruhr said he has been looking forward to playing in the Indian league ever since the German team lifted the Junior world title at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi.

"I am super excited to play in the HIL. Since I played the Junior World Cup in Delhi, I have been dreaming about playing in this country in front of the unbelievable crowds in each stadium. We don't have big crowds very often, when we play in Germany or Europe," said Ruhr.

"I can't wait to play with and against so many world class players and experience the hockey and the country itself," he added.

He also reckoned that the HIL stint will help his career at this stage when Germany prepare for the World Hockey League semi-final and final competitions to be held this year.

Ruhr was the leading goal-scorer with six goals at the previous Hockey World League (HWL) semi-final in Buenos Aires - which Germany won - and further scored three goals in the 2015 Hero Hockey World League Final in Raipur.

"Playing in the HIL will help me a lot for my career because I am going to see so many different styles of hockey and can adapt them to my game to make it more and more unpredictable," said the Dusseldorf native in Germany.

Ranchi Rays will begin their camp in Mumbai next week where they play their first match of the edition on January 21 against Dabang Mumbai.

The Times of India

HKFC Battle to Win Against Cricketers, in Hong Kong Hockey

By Bill Cox


Thomas Moore deflects a ball from Ishtiaq Ahmed past the HKCC-A keeper to make the score 3-0 in their HKHA Premier Division Match at HKFC on Sunday Jan 8. The final result was 4-0 to HKFC. (Bill Cox/Epoch Times)

HONG KONG—For the second half of the season, the HKHA Premier league has been split into two sub division A and B, with the top 5 teams at the half way stage in the A group and the remaining 5 teams in the B group. Home and away matches will be played between all teams making 10 rounds in total.

A group comprises the A teams of SSSC, Khalsa, HKFC, KNS and HKCC. With 5 teams in each division 1 team takes a bye at each match day.

On Sunday Jan 7 HKFC played HKCC at HKFC and SSSC played KNS at King’s Park. Khalsa had bye in this first round. In Group B, HKFC-B entertained KCC-A and Pak-A met with Shaheen-A. Valley-A did not have a match this week.

At King’s Park, SSSC-A confirmed their top position in the table with a fine 8-2 win over KNS-A, to move up to 28 points.

The Group A match between HKFC-A and HKCC-A produced a “Battle Royal”. Although HKCC finished the 1st half of the season mid-table and some way down on points they have strengthened their squad with a new recruit from Australia and have brought in Ken Asaku, an ex-Japan International as sweeper. HKCC are a hard team to beat, they have a good goalie, are tough in defence with good ball distribution skills and have a number of skillful attackers. They really are bordering on the top level.

HKFC moved ahead after 17 minutes of play slotting home after the initial shot from a penalty corner had been blocked by the keeper. But HKFC were hard pressed to convert a second goal.

It was not until 13 minutes into the second half that HKFC were awarded 2 penalty corners in a row and scored their 2nd with a shot from the left of the shooting area passing the goalie at head height. Their 3rd goal came from a strike from the edge of the circle towards the left hand post which was converted by Thomas Moore with 13 minutes left on the clock. They added a 4th goal as the match was coming to a close for a 4-0 win.

In the B Group games HKFC-B beat HKCC-A 6-2 and Pak-A won against Shaheen-A with the same score.
Hockey this week

Matches on Sunday 15 are SSSC-A against HKFC-A and Shaheen-A play Valley-A at HKFC; while at King’s Park and KNS-A meets Khalsa and HKFC play KCC-A.

The Epoch Times

New year honours for hockey's heroes


USA Olympian Kat Sharkey meets President Barrack Obama Photo: USA Field Hockey

As Rio 2016 recedes in the distance and the excitement generated at the Deodoro Stadium becomes another part of hockey’s rich history, so the athletes who created the buzz, the drama and the inspiration find themselves honoured in their homelands.

Possibly one of the greatest moments in the lives of the players from the USA women’s team was their meeting at the White House with President Barack Obama. Spokesperson for the team, Kait Mitchell, said it was: “A moment that the players would never forget.”

Meanwhile Craig Parnham, former Head Coach to the USA women’s hockey team, was named Coach of the Year by the USA Olympic Committee. This is the first time a 'field' hockey coach has won the title in the 20 year history of the award.

For the men's Belgian Red Lions, runners-up in the men’s final in Rio, a meeting with King Philippe and Queen Mathilde was just one of a number of events to mark their success. The Red Lions had never reached an Olympic final – they won a bronze medal in 1920 – but their rise up the rankings in recent years has been tremendous.

In a national poll to discover Belgium’s top 100 personalities of 2016, the Belgium men’s hockey team came in at number 11. They also won Team of the Year ahead of the men’s 4x400m relay team, the swimming relay team and the Belgian women’s football team.

On the other side of the world, New Zealand’s most long-serving players were also honoured in Queen Elizabeth’s New Year’s Honours List. Phil Burrows and Katie Glynn are both stepping down from the national men’s and women’s squads after years of international duty. Both receive Member of New Zealand Order of Merits (MNZM).

Burrows, the former Black Sticks captain and the team’s most capped player, represented New Zealand for 16 years before officially announcing his Black Sticks retirement in November last year.

"I was pretty taken-aback just to be nominated," said Burrows. "Hearing I was actually going to be on the list, I feel pretty privileged and honoured. I'm just a hockey player, you don't expect you get these kind of honours."

Katie Glynn announced her retirement a year earlier than Burrows after struggling with knee and back injuries.

Debuting in 2009, Glynn played 134 tests for New Zealand and scored 77 goals making her New Zealand’s second highest female goal scorer of all time.

Glynn had a stellar career competing at all the major global hockey events including the 2014 Hockey World Cup, 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, 2012 London Olympics, 2010 Hockey World Cup and 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games. An enduring image of the striker is her performance at the London Olympics with her head bandaged after she left the field for stitches following an injury.

The entire Great Britain women’s hockey team, with the exception of captain Kate Richardson-Walsh, will be receiving Member of the British Empire (MBE) awards after winning gold medals in Rio.

Skipper Richardson-Walsh will however be kneeling in front of Queen Elizabeth to receive an Order of the British Empire (OBE) as she already holds the MBE.

The team were invited to Buckingham Palace, home to Queen Elizabeth II, following their Olympic success to meet members of the Royal family. This included Prince Harry who was pictured joking with midfielder Susannah Townsend after she appeared on crutches following surgery on her knee.

All of this remarkable recognition is yet further evidence of development of the sport in recent years. With the sport's drive to increase professionalism across all levels of the sport through the FIH 10-year Hockey Revolution strategy, it is expected hockey players will receive many more prestigious national and international awards over the coming years.

#LoveHockey

FIH site

Richie McCaw-Gemma Flynn wedding watch: Nuptials in Wanaka

MARTIN VAN BEYNEN AND MADDISON NORTHCOTT


The happy couple pose together. MONIQUE FORD/FAIRFAX NZ

Richie McCaw's father has appealed for people to respect his son's and future daughter-in-laws privacy as they prepare for the wedding in Wanaka.

The All Black great and his fiancee, Black Stick Gemma Flynn, are expected to tie the knot at a ceremony at The Olive Grove wedding venue in Wanaka on Saturday.

Don McCaw, who farms in the Hakataramea Valley and is staying at his son's house in Wanaka, told Stuff on Friday he hoped the couple's privacy would be respected.


A security guard patrols The Olive Grove in Wanaka on Friday, which is expected to host the McCaw/Flynn wedding this weekend. GEORGE HEARD/FAIRFAX NZ

"It would be good if they could have some privacy. It's their day," he said.

​He said he could not help further as it was all "being taken care of."


The expected venue for the McCaw/Flynn wedding this weekend, The Olive Grove in Wanaka. GEORGE HEARD/FAIRFAX NZ

Don McCaw's comments are as close to an official confirmation the wedding will take place on Saturday in Wanaka as the public is likely to get at this stage. The magazine Woman's Day is believed to have exclusive rights to cover the wedding.

Security at The Olive Grove was clearly tight on Friday with guards at the gate and others patrolling the perimeter in a small ATV.

A large marquee has been erected at the property which has a landscaped area for wedding ceremonies and a stand of olive trees which allows for the bride to make a grand entrance down an aisle. The venue has stunning views of the mountains and lakes and has plenty of access for the buses which will ferry guests to the wedding.


All Blacks coach Steve Hansen arriving at Queenstown Airport from Christchurch on Friday afternoon. GEORGE HEARD/FAIRFAX NZ

A cottage on the property can be used for the bridal party as a preparation area.

Earlier on Friday, security guards at the venue had said a wealthy, privacy-seeking Chinese businessman was the reason for tight security.

The ATV security guards told Stuff they were doing some maintenance for the owner but did not appear to know his name and one had a radio. They were patrolling a fence line at the back of The Olive Grove property which separates the venue from a stand of kanuka which is under a QE covenant. The track through the stand has been closed.

With a big smile on his face, one of the security men said a Chinese businessman who liked his privacy was the reason for a sign at the entrance closing the track going past the perimeter fence.  

"You know how they like their privacy," he said.

The Chinese businessman appears yet another ruse to put the media off the track of the McCaw/Flynn nuptials.


Gemma Flynn took part in Say Yes To The Dress Australia as part of her wedding preparations.

All Blacks coach, Steve Hansen, who arrived at Queenstown Airport about 3pm on Friday, appears to have played the game as well.

"There is no wedding this weekend. I'm not even going to a wedding," he said as he entered Queenstown with his partner.

He later got into a silver Audi and, with his family and dog in tow, headed straight for Wanaka.

McCaw and Flynn, who have been an item since 2013, got engaged in Wanaka almost exactly a year ago.

Flynn shared a photo of a romantic lake-side picnic spot  on social media, and of a hike up Roy Peak in the pre-wedding buildup as the picturesque town appeared to be in full swing preparing for the big day.

The Olive Grove owner John Blennerhassett said the venue was booked out "months ago" for a wedding this weekend, but he could not say for whom.

"I certainly haven't heard of it being for a McCaw wedding but maybe my wife booked them in and didn't tell me," he said.

Their clients were "very happy to know they were confidential about who was getting married there", Blennerhassett said.

"It's got to be somewhere around here", he said. "It's a beautiful area."

The big question of Flynn's dress choice is still up in the air after audiences were left hanging in her recent episode of Say Yes to the Dress.

Flynn appeared on the show and tried a number of dresses on at a bridal store in Sydney watched over by her two cousins, her best friend, and her mum.

She said on the show she would spend a hefty $6000 to $8000 on the gown, but was modest about her choice in husband.

"My fiance is Richie McCaw, he used to play a little bit of rugby but now he's actually a commercial pilot.

"We met at a Black Sticks/All Blacks function in Hamilton and I was heading off to the Olympics, so I didn't think anything more of it.

"A couple of days later I received a message and he just said, 'Nice to meet you and good luck in London', and we just started talking from there."

Speculation of a possible ceremony last weekend was shut down when McCaw appeared in public without a wedding band.

Stuff

Richie and Gemma: It'll be the closest New Zealand will get to a royal wedding


Richie McCaw and Gemma Flynn are rumoured to be getting married in Wanaka this weekend. Photo / NZ Herald

It's not just like any exchange of vows - it's the closest New Zealand will get to a royal wedding.

But some things don't change, even when it is Kiwi sporting legends like All Black legend Richie McCaw and Gemma Flynn, Olympian and Black Sticks national hockey player.

The night before the big day - like any other parent - the couple's mums Margaret McCaw and Michelle Flynn were refining the ceremony which would see their children wed.

They stood, heads together, on the wedding platform at the Olive Grove, looking over Lake Wanaka.

Deep in discussion, they were only metres from the wooden archway where couples exchange vows at the exclusive venue.

The image of Margaret McCaw and Michelle Flynn comes after a week of speculation over the pending nuptials of their famous sporting children.

It's just over a year since All Black legend McCaw proposed to Flynn, Olympian and national Black Sticks hockey player.

While it was rumoured the couple had married last weekend - a year after McCaw proposed - the rehearsal suggests that promise made a year ago will be fulfilled this weekend.

As the mothers chatted, the wedding rehearsal saw Flynn and McCaw replaced by stand-ins. A couple in casual clothing stood at the archway, holding hands as family looked on.

Across the grove of olives, from which the venue draws its name, a group of young women - some with blonde hair - sat in the sun.

One of them was believed to be Flynn - the car parked next to the group was the same vehicle parked in McCaw's driveway across town later in the day.

The Olive Grove was a hive of activity the day before the expected wedding.

It appeared the couple were planning a country-themed reception. A large marquee - able to be seen from across the lake where McCaw has a holiday home - was surrounded by hay bales and barrel half-rounds.

At the back of the marquee were chillers from the Wanaka Bullock Bar. While it might not be the caterer, the pub's 1kg plates of ribs would fit with a country theme.

Guards from Auckland based Platform 4 Security had been patrolling the property for days, increasing in numbers as the week went on.

Not only was a cordon being placed around the wedding venue, the owners of the Olive Grove were pushing their boundaries out over land usually made available to walkers.

Men patrolling the perimeter of the property said access would be restricted to the boundary of the venue on Friday and Saturday. By Sunday, all would return to normal.

Guards at the venue were telling media that an expected visit from a wealthy Chinese businessman was the reason for tight security.

While there was no sign of any such businessman in town, there were high-profile people connected to rugby.

McCaw's good mate Rob Nichol from the NZ Rugby Players' Association flew into Queenstown Friday morning, one of a number of passengers carrying suit or dress bags.

Later in the day, All Black coach Steve Hansen arrived at his Wanaka holiday home - just a few hundred metres away from McCaw's place. Hansen wasn't giving anything away: "I'm not telling you whether it's been or it's happening tomorrow. If you want to know when he's getting married, call Richie."

Just around the corner, Flynn answered the door at McCaw's home, declining to comment. "Sorry, we're just a little bit busy today."

All Black legend McCaw and Flynn, a Black Sticks hockey Olympian, have been together for four years.

The couple have been in Wanaka with family on holiday since the New Year, sparking rumours the long-planned wedding was imminent.

McCaw has been seen at his favourite local haunts and was believed to have had his stag function at Urban Grind, a stylish bar and eatery in town where he is a familiar face.

The New Zealand Herald