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News for 13 August 2018

All the news for Monday 13 August 2018


2018 PSi International Test Matches: ZIM v NAM (M) - 3rd & 4th test
Harare (ZIM)

ZIM v NAM     4 - 6 (1 - 3)
ZIM v NAM     2 - 3 (1 - 3)

Namibia lead the 5 test series 4 - 0

2018 PSi International Test Matches: ZIM v RSA (W) - 4th test
Harare (ZIM)

ZIM v RSA     0 - 3 (0 - 0)

South Africa lead the 5 test series 4 - 0

FIH Match Centre



SPAR South Africa shine in defensive masterclass



The fourth indoor hockey test match in the Psi International series between Zimbabwe and SPAR South Africa took place at Hellenic Academy in Harare today. With the series already decided after SPAR South Africa won the opening three games the expected release of pressure for both sides did not materialise.

A cagey first half was highlighted by missed opportunities and a big call to disallow a Cindy Hack moment of brilliance. The goals wouldn’t come despite a few moments of brilliance and the game dissolved into a tactical battle searching for the opening.

South Africa’s best opportunities came from Cindy Hack and Robyn Johnson, both denied well by Jaime Haasbroek. Zimbabwe created their own good opportunities through Nicola Watson and Lylie Wilde, but Cheree Greyvenstein was up to the challenge.

As coach Lennie Botha rang out instructions at half time, the capacity crowd were in full voice behind the stellar performance of the hosts. An African drum playing group of fans were creating an environment that English football would be proud of.

The second half started in the same tentative way, but Zimbabwe were being pushed further and further back and the pressure eventually told when the reliable Jessica O’Connor finished a superb flick to give the South Africans the lead.

A period of pressure almost like a torrential rain pour then faced the Zimbabwean defence as possession and territory must have been nearly 80% in favour of the South Africans and Jordyn Cripstone pulled off the save of the series when a shot was flying in to the top right corner. It was a remarkable stick save that the crowd thoroughly enjoyed.

The second goal did arrive for SPAR South Africa through a wonderful piece of play by Jamie Southgate and Edith Molikoe. The goal was a nice prize for an improved performance by Southgate today. With two minutes to go Cindy Hack got her goal with a delightful reverse stick flick.

For the remaining three minutes South Africa held the possession to see out the game. It was a very professional performance to confirm the second clean sheet of the series and a 4-0 lead.

Team assistant coach Brighy Mashaba shared his thoughts on the fourth test: “We were really happy with our defensive performance, especially not making any errors in the critical areas of the pitch. We were tactically aware of our position in the game and controlled our approach and tempo at the different phases in the game. This helped us create the pressure that ultimately proved to be the difference for us.”

Series Results

1st Test – Zimbawe 2-4 SPAR South Africa
2nd Test – Zimbabwe 0-1 SPAR South Africa
3rd Test – Zimbabwe 2-6 SPAR South Africa
4th Test – Zimbabwe 0-3 SPAR South Africa

SA Hockey Association media release



High on expectations

As the highest ranked Asian team in the world, the Indian men’s team is clearly the favourite on paper to defend its title. For the women, it will be a tougher outing against higher-ranked China, Japan and Korea.

Uthra Ganesan


Top seed: The Indian men’s team has bagged three golds in the Asian Games.   -  AFP

The Asian Games have been a happy hunting ground for Indian hockey. The men have won a medal in every edition barring 2006 since the sport was included in the programme in 1958.

While the gold has come only thrice, including in the previous edition in 2014, the Indian men have finished runners-up nine times — seven times to Pakistan. The women, though, have won the title only once, in the inaugural edition in 1982. Since then, Korea and China have dominated the proceedings, with a runners-up finish for India and three bronze medals.

As the highest ranked Asian team in the world, the Indian men’s team is clearly the favourite on paper to defend its title. But Pakistan has seen a revival in the past few months and, going by its performance in the recent Champions Trophy, it will not be a cakewalk for India.

Korea and Malaysia are also not likely to be easy to beat, but India’s biggest concern will be its own inconsistency and complacency than anything else.

For the women, it will be a tougher outing against the likes of China, Japan and Korea — all ranked higher than India. But the side did manage to beat them all twice in recent times — at the Asia Cup and the Asian Champions Trophy — and that will give it confidence. However, the girls’s performance in the World Cup, where they were eliminated in the quarterfinals, won’t help their morale.

Men:

PR Sreejesh (Captain), Chinglensana Singh Kangujam (Vice-Captain), Krishan B Pathak, Harmanpreet Singh, Varun Kumar, Birendra Lakra, Surender Kumar, Rupinder Pal Singh, Amit Rohidas, Manpreet Singh, Simranjeet Singh, Sardar Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, SV Sunil, Mandeep Singh, Akashdeep Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Dilpreet Singh

Women:

Rani Rampal (Captain), Savita (Vice-Captain), Rajani Etimarpu, Deep Grace Ekka, Sunita Lakra, Deepika, Gurjit Kaur, Reena Khokhar, Namita Toppo, Lilima Minz, Monika, Udita, Nikki Pradhan, Neha Goyal, Vandana Katariya, Lalremsiami, Navneet Kaur, Navjot Kaur

Sportstar Live



No one sponsored PHF to clear hockey players’ dues

PHF Director Media says Brig Khokhar arranged funds through own resources

Mohsin Ali



ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Director Media Raja Mohsin Ijaz has clarified that no one sponsored the federation to clear the dues of hockey players and management.

“Instead it was PHF President Brig (R) Khalid Sajjad Khokhar who arranged the funds through his own resources to take care of Pakistani players,” he added.

He rubbished the claims made by some quarters that the PHF was given money by some private sponsors or any other organisation saying it is true that a private TV channel offered their help to the PHF in clearing the dues of the players, but Brig Khokhar refused to take help and thanked the channel for their offer.”

The PHF Director Media also told The Nation that the green shirts have landed safely in Jakarta for the Asian Games hockey event and started practising without taking any rest. “The basic aim of sending team 10 days earlier was to give the players ample time to adjust to the conditions and play a few practice matches. Head coach Roelant Oltmans, manager Hassan Sardar, Rehnan Butt and others are with the team. I am in contact with the team officials and they have prepared well for the event.

“They have informed me that they are focusing on penalty corner conversion, special drills and physical fitness, while the early arrival will also help them in settling down and playing a few practice matches. The green shirts will play first practice match against Japan on August 16, while they have second practice match against Oman on August 18 and they would still have time to play a few more matches against local clubs,” he added.

Mohsin said: “It is the best time to win Asian Games hockey and qualify directly for Tokyo Olympics. The players are goning through six-hour training sessions without any interval, while coach has been emphasizing on sudden attack on opposing teams. The special sessions for players with top physiatrists were also arranged for their counseling and it will surely help the players in getting ready for big and pressure matches against India, Japan and Malaysia.

“The head coach is trying to convince the players to play natural as well as aggressive game especially during the first two quarters and go all-out attacking. The video analyst is with the team and he is constantly showing videos of the sessions to the players, which is helping them in overcoming minor or major flaws,” he added.

He said Pakistan team is fully capable of defeating any given team. “I must appreciate that the PHF chief Brig Khokhar and secretary Shahbaz Senior have gone out of their skins to arrange funds and send the team aboard before clearing all their dues. It was never witnessed earlier that the president of any federation had borrowed money and taken loans from personal friends to clear dues of the team management and players.

“Not only this, the PHF president and secretary also utilized all their skills and resources in bring international hockey in Pakistan and soon they are going to organise the first Pakistan Hockey League in the country and the participation of international players will not only embellish it but also help our players learn a lot from them by playing alongside them. Credit must be given to the PHF top brass for doing these wonders in such limited resources.

“I hope PTI government under the leadership Imran Khan will give special attention towards providing funds to all sports especially to the national game hockey, which will help in providing the facilities to our hockey players and regaining lost hockey glory,” Mohsin concluded.

The Nation



Defending Champions make a charge at the CTM Premier Hockey League


Monique Bartsch (Madikwe Rangers) evades the attention of Donna Small and Lerato Mahlangu of the Orange River Rafters  – Photo: Sean Burke / PHL

It was a day filled with goals, 21 in just five games as the defending champions in the Men’s and Women’s tournaments, the Maropeng Cavemen and the Orange River Rafters, finished perfect weekends with two wins from two. They are joined by the Addo Elephants and the Blyde River Bunters as other teams who got two wins on opening weekend.

South African defensive duo Erin Hunter and Kara-lee Botes were in fine form for the St. Lucia Lakers as they defeated the Namaqualand Daisies in their opening game of the CTM Premier Hockey League 2018. The Daisies are a completely newly drafted team in 2018 having previously played as the South African Under 21 side in PHL 2016 & 2017.

The Lakers could not have asked for a better start as they went ahead in the 10th minute through Chane Hill. It had been an even opening period and that was the story that continued to unfold for the duration of the game. With possession, circle entries, penalty corners and shots on goal all ending even, a moment of magic would decide the game and for the Lakers they found it through Kara-lee Botes. The indoor and outdoor double International took advantage of space afforded to her from a fumbled penalty corner and smashed it into the bottom left corner.

The Daisies managed to get one goal back, but it would be nothing more than a consolation when Toni Marks scored. It was a solid victory for the St. Lucia Lakers and one that would leave coach Inky Zondi feeling satisfied with the opening weekends work.

The Addo Elephants secured their second victory of the tournament twice coming from behind to finish level at full-time and to take the victory against the Golden Gate Gladiators and full points in the shootout. It was not an easy start for the Elephants on the back of their opening day victory as the Gladiators came out with a point to prove leading 2-0 within 7 minutes through Matthew Roman and Wade Dollman.

Daniel Bell started to take charge of the match in the middle for the Elephants, in one of his best performances in the PHL, and as the Elephants grew into the game they got back into it through a sensational moment of brilliance by Julian Hykes. Getting the ball out wide Hykes showed incredible hands to beat two Gladiators defenders before finishing with a superb tomahawk. It was one of the goals of the 2018 CTM PHL so far.

He was not done there and four minutes later pulled level with his fourth goal of the tournament and eighth goal of all-time putting him second on the all-time scorers list. The second half started much like the first with Sam Mvimbi scoring for Gladiators to regain the lead before Andrew Manson scored a superb goal to level the game. With no more goals the game headed to shootouts where Matthew Martins saved 3 for the Elephants to give them a second victory in the tournament.

“It was quite tough going 2-0 down, but it was a big effort from the team to come through with the win via the shootouts.” Shared Elephants captain Miguel da Graca after the game, “We are a goal scoring team and will always score goals, so we knew we could get back into the game at any point and we are happy we did that”

It was a frenetic opening quarter in the matchup between 2016 finalists Madikwe Rangers and the defending champions the Orange River Rafters. National captain Sulette Damons put the Rafters ahead with a fine finish after seeing an earlier shot saved. Things got even better for the Rafters 60 seconds later when Lerato Mahlangu punished poor defending from the Rangers with a clinical finish. With all the momentum going for the Rafters, the Rangers pulled one back with a superbly crafted goal between Kristen Paton and Lisa-Marie Deetlefs, seeing the latter flick it into the back of the net.

The Rafters re-established their 2-goal lead when Sulette Damons, having an inspired game, fired in a tomahawk shot which Kelsey Minnaar pounced at just the right second to deflect it between Mmatshepo Modipane’s legs. It was the way the score line would remain until half-time.

The Rangers managed to get the ball into the back of the net on two occasions in the third quarter, but both were rightfully ruled out. The fourth quarter saw the action dry up except for a few body blows that will leave a few bruises, but in the end the Rafters signed off for 6 out of 6 while the Rangers have it all to do after two defeats in the opening weekend.

“I’m delighted for the win, we had a good first half and we did enough in the second half to keep them out when our own play dropped.” Said a delighted Rafters captain Sulette Damons.

The Maropeng Cavemen meant business and started with a blitz against the Mapungubwe Mambas. The left side of field was flooded with Cavemen domination as the likes of Rainer York, Peabo Lembethe, Cameron Mackay and Rusten Abrahams all troubled the Mambas. The Cavemen dominance was converted onto the scoreboard early with Chad Futcher and Cameron Mackay both netted in the opening quarter.

It was a position of dominance they would not give up despite Caleb Syce getting one for the Mambas, two new drafts for the Cavemen put the result beyond any doubt as Lethu Thomo and Steven Paulo both netted for Mark Sanders men to seal the result, a second victory and the bonus point for the defending champions. The Cavemen will be particularly impressed with the performances of Rusten Abrahams, Peabo Lembethe and man of the match Thabang Modise who had an absolute blinder.

Victorious captain Tommy Hammond shared after the game: “I was happy yesterday, but I am much happier today. We are missing a host of the experienced players this weekend and the younger ones have put their hands up to make sure it’s no easy selection decision.”

In the weekends final game the Blyde River Bunters took on the Wineland Wings. The Wings are missing a host of their players to the indoor national team currently in Zimbabwe. That didn’t stop them opening the scoring through on-form striker Tarryn Glasby, who netted the third of the tournament already.

The Blyde River Bunters though showed why they have the best record of any women’s team in PHL as they fought back immediately with a goal by Carmen Smith taken excellently from a rebound. They then went ahead in the 23rd minute through Thati Segaole from the penalty stroke. It would be the only goals of an eventful game that meant the Blyde River Bunters also confirmed a six-point weekend joining the Orange River Rafters at the top of the log. 

Results – Sunday 12 August 2018

08:00 – Women – Private Property St. Lucia Lakers 2-1 Old Mutual iWyze Namaqualand Daisies
10:00 – Men – Old Mutual iWyze Golden Gate Gladiators (2) 3-3* (3) Kilimanjaro Addo Elephants
12:00 – Women – Top T Madikwe Rangers 1-3 Italtile Orange River Rafters
14:00 – Men – Elf Laminates Mapungubwe Mambas 1-4 Origins Maropeng Cavemen
16:00 – Women – Tivoli Taps Blyde River Bunters 2-1 Ceramic Industries Wineland Wings

SA Hockey Association media release



Queensland & NSW Claim National Country Honours

Ben Somerford



Queensland and New South Wales have been crowned the women’s and men’s national champions respectively at the 2018 Australian Country Hockey Championships in Berri on Saturday.

Queensland took out the women’s division with a 1-0 victory over New South Wales in the gold medal match, settled by Holly Gilbar’s 10th minute field goal.

The Maroons had been the stand-out side during the championships, with four wins and a draw from their five round robin matches before crushing South Australia 6-0 in the semis to book their spot in the final.

Queensland’s Emily Hetherington finished as the top scorer with nine goals, with Gilbar next on five, equal with teammate Heather Morris and NSW’s Amelia Leard.

The Australian Defence Force defeated SA 2-1 in the bronze medal match.

In the men’s division, NSW were emphatic in the decider, with a dominant 5-0 triumph over Queensland with five different individual scorers.

After a goalless opening 20 minutes, NSW quickly opened up a three-goal buffer with goals from Benjamin Ferguson (24’), Michael Dillon (25’) and Luke Witchard (29’).

Nicholas Milne (52’) and Taylor Dolbel (68’) added further goals to cap a dominant week for NSW.

NSW’s John Fernance finished top scorer with 12 goals, although he didn’t score in the gold medal match, while WA’s Regan Blyth managed nine goals.

In the bronze medal match, WA toppled the Australian Defence Force 5-1.

The Australian Country representative teams were also announced following Saturday’s matches.

Senior Men’s team:
Grant Dilger (c) (QLD), Justin Alford (NSW), Brett Borreson (QLD), Jack Chadwick (VIC), Troy Cooper (QLD), Michael Dillon (NSW), Philip Dumpleton (QLD), Ben Hanlan (NSW), Sean Herbert (SA), Nicholas Milne (NSW), David Reid (NSW), Dean Robertson (NSW), Cale Rout (VIC), Peter     Sceresini (QLD), Gus Schofield (NSW), Jed Schofield (NSW), Matthew Souchon (WA), Jeremy Stephens (QLD)
Manager: Brian Wild, Coach: Rob Laffin, Assistant Coach: Cory Letts, Physio: Simone Williams, Umpire: Christopher Ibell

Senior Women’s team:
Samantha Daly (c) (VIC), Brooke Anderson (QLD), Haylee Brodin (QLD), Georgia Ellis (WA), Minka Elliott (QLD), Rachel Hoey (NSW), Chelsea Hird (VIC), Amelia Leard (NSW), Jess Luchetti (NSW), Jackleene Macarthur (ADF), Georgia McCormick (VIC), Heather Morris (QLD), Brittany Parker (NSW), Katrina Rekunow (NSW), Alison Stock (ADF), Mindee Stone (VIC), Madeleine Stower (QLD), Sarah Watterson (NSW)
Manager: Leanne Andaloro, Coach: Wayne Gaynor, Assistant Coach: Stuart Hyslop, Physio: Jessica Karafilis, Umpire: Claudia Hartas             

Under-21 Men’s team:
Max Ferrier (c) (VIC), Brodie Carrigan (SA), Darby Chalmers (NSW), Tarack Chappell (QLD), Simon Churcher (VIC), Heath Cremasco (WA), Brayden Dalton (WA), Sean Fitzgerald (VIC), Mitchell Ivory (ADF), Liam Mackay (QLD), Lachlan Nisbet (SA), William Orth (NSW), Daniel Pittendreigh (QLD), Zaige Porra (VIC), Chris Souchon (WA), Liam Sweeney (WA), James Thomson (VIC), Jackson Willie (QLD)
Manager: Jeff Sly, Coach: Sara Rogers, Assistant Coach: Jamie Pain, Physio: Liam Geraghty

Under-21 Women’s team:
Ainsley  Clanchey (QLD), Millah Allcorn (NSW), Philippa Bairstow (WA), Chloe Blight (WA), Jade Chapman (SA), Sophie Collings (SA), Tiahnee Cropper (NSW), Hayley Crowhurst (SA), Dee-Jay Hands (WA), Courtney Hogan (NSW), Abbey Mathers (VIC), Tayah Medlin (WA), Eryn Norie (VIC), Bailie Wheatley (NSW), Zali Spencer (WA), Sarah Steinhardt (QLD), Brianna Sutton (NSW)
Manager: Geogetta Powis, Coach: Phill Foreman, Assistant Coach: Tenille Harrington, Physio: Annie Helwig, Umpire: Chloe Scott

Hockey Australia media release



McCann and Mannheim need to be at their best for epic ROUND1 group


©: Frank Uijlenbroek/ World Sport Pics

Mannheimer HC coach Michael McCann says his side will have to be at their very best if they are to get out of one of the toughest possible ROUND1 pools in Barcelona.

They have been grouped with English regular season champions Wimbledon and Russia’s current league leaders Dinamo Elektrostal.

It will be one of the series to watch from October 5-7 at the Pau Negre Stadium and a definite highlight of the weekend.

“This is a very tough pool with three quality teams,” McCann said of the draw. “We will have to be at our best to get through to the KO stages of the competition.

“At the same time, I think it's very positive for us as we will have the play our best hockey to qualify and we will not be coming into ROUND1 under-estimating any of our two opponents.”

Indeed, the German side faced Wimbledon two seasons ago in the KO8, missing out on a place in the FINAL4 in dramatic fashion, falling in a shoot-out in Eindhoven.

McCann says, though, that there is no sense of vengeance on his mind: “Our team has certainly changed since then as I'm sure Wimbeldon’s has as well.

“Both teams have grown from that experience in 2017 and I hope if we can win on Saturday v Elektrostal, then we can turn the tables on a disappointing end to the 2016-17 EHL season.”

As for Elektrostal, he knows them well and saw first hand their qualities in Barcelona when they beat Cardiff & Met and were within a few minutes of eliminating Uhlenhorst Mulheim.

The Moscow club has since built a strong lead in the Russian league at the halfway stage over Dinamo Kazan and will be in the midst of their playoff season when the EHL comes around.

“I was lucky enough to assist with the Russian team in Barcelona last year, so I know many of the players that we will be facing in October.

“They are a very physical team that will run all day and stay in every contest. They are also a very quick counter attack team with a lot of individual quality.”

Euro Hockey League media release



Police, Butali inseparable after weekend victories

By AYUMBA AYODI

Just who will blink first?

That is the question as Butali Sugar Warriors and champions Kenya Police claimed comprehensive victories at the weekend at City Park to stay at the top of the men’s hockey Premier League.

Talisman George Mutira scored a hat-trick as Butali crushed Strathmore University 5-0 on Saturday while Police swat aside Parklands 3-0 on Sunday.

Besides Mutira, Constance Wakhura and Seth Obuni also scored to see Butali Sugar, the 2016 champions, uphold their lead on superior goal difference since they tie with Police on 30 points each.

From their 11 outings, Butali Sugar and Police now have 10 wins and one loss each.

However, the sugar men have scored 33 goals with their mean defence conceding seven for the goal difference of 26. The men in blue have also scored 33 but have conceded 14 for the goal difference of 19.

Butali Sugar team manager Kamal Sembi predicted that the league will go down to the wire with their return match against Police perhaps being the decider. Police gunned down Butali 3-0 in the first leg.

“All matches are tough but beating former champions Strathmore by that huge margin was excellent…the boys woke up to the beat and heat,” said Sembi, adding that they have wiped out the dust from their Police defeat to focus on a good end to the second leg. “We need to maintain the momentum.”

Police deputy coach Fredrick Masibo said they have no pressure against any team adding that they will tackle all their opponents evenly.

“Nothing will distract us from our main target of defending the title,” said Masibo, who decried the lengthy period they had taken after their last match.

“We won but not convincingly because we are slow on the ball perhaps. It is tough to maintain the momentum after being away for almost a month.”

On Sunday, Police took control of the game but it took 15 minutes before Samson Kabirir put them on the board from a field goal.

The second quarter failed to produce any goals but some individual brilliance from Amos Barkibir saw him stretch Police's lead in the 34th minute from another scintillating field goal.

The fourth quarter was a thriller with Parklands missing golden opportunities to come back on Police. Their skipper Fredrick Okeyo failed to place in Franklin Kiyodi’s connection with Allan Odongo also blasting wide in two occasions.

Barkibir, Felix Okoth and Richard Birir were also culprits, missing open chances but Victor Wekesa connected in a back flip to put Police beyond reach in the 58th minute.

Daily Nation



Hockey to receive ‘six-figure sum’ as part of €1.5m Olympic money

Funds have been drawn from a €12m dividend from the Irish Aviation Authority

Sarah Bardon


The Irish Hockey team following their reception at City Hall. Photograph: Cyril Byrne / THE IRISH TIMES

Hockey will be awarded a six-figure funding boost as part of an additional €1.5 million being announced for Olympic preparations on Monday.

Minister for Transport Shane Ross will outline the allocation of funding for more than 10 sporting organisations on Monday with rowing, sailing, athletics, paralympics and the Olympic Council of Ireland all set to benefit.

Mr Ross had pledged the monies in response to the achievements of the women’s hockey team at the World Championships last month.

Senior sources said hockey would receive a “healthy six-figure sum”, amounting to hundreds of thousands, as part of the distribution.

The funding, which will be awarded and distributed by Sport Ireland, must be spent this year by all bodies benefiting.

It is expected to be directed towards athlete support, competition support, Tokyo camps and preparations, high performance programmes, support and equipment.

The Irish Times understands the money has been drawn from a €12 million dividend from the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA).

Under an arrangement reached with the Department of Finance earlier this year, €6 million was given to the exchequer and €6 million was given to the Department of Transport.

Of the monies given to the department, €1.5 million will be allocated to sporting organisations to assist with Olympic preparation ahead of Tokyo.
Under pressure

The Minister had come under pressure to clarify where the funds were coming from after making the announcement at the homecoming of the hockey team last week.

There was criticism this was not additional money, but senior Government figures outlined it was part of the IAA dividend, which had been allocated previously.

Ireland had been the second-lowest ranked of the 16 teams going into the World Championships in London. It reached the finals of the tournament but was defeated by the Netherlands.

Sport Ireland’s total funding to Irish hockey was in the region of €900,000 before today’s announcement.

The Irish Times



Trans Nzoia floor Kerugoya in hockey opener

By BRIAN YONGA

Kenyan champions Trans Nzoia Mixed on Sunday began their campaign on a high with a 2-1 win over former regional winners Kerugoya Girls on the first day of action at the Brookside East Africa Secondary School Games here.

Sharon Oduka was the star of the match, bagging a brace to give her side maximum points. Jenifer Wangari scored Kerugoya's consolation goal.

Trans Nzoia coach Joseph Onyango was pleased with the win noting it will set the base for their campaign. "We needed that victory because contesting for a title in a round robin format, each victory and point counts," said Onyango.

He added that returning to the competition after a two-year absence and having finished second in their 2015 debut, their main objective is to win title.

"We were lethargic in attack and got punished for not putting away our chances. Hopefully, we can recover in the next game," Kerugoya coach Joseph Maina said.

The other girls' match pitting Uganda sides Kakungulu Memorial and Namagunga ended in a barren draw.

Elsewhere, the games were officially launched on Sunday with pomp and colour marking the ceremony. With Burundi, Tanzania and South Sudan absent at this year's games, it was left to Kenya, Uganda and the hosts to steal the show at the ceremony.

Entertainment was in plenty with the hosts showcasing their rich culture through song and dance.

The niceties will be forgotten as teams battle from Monday right through August 19.

Daily Nation



Hudson Park win SPAR Schoolgirls hockey title


Hudson Park’s Tayla Jade-Marais (right, No 5) is poised to score the winning goal in the SPAR Eastern Cape Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge final against Alexander Road at Woodridge, near Port Elizabeth, on Saturday. Picture: Full Stop Communications

Hudson Park emerged as the latest champions in the SPAR Eastern Cape Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge when they defeated Alexander Road in the provincial finals at Woodridge, near Port Elizabeth, South Africa on Saturday.

In a tense and well-contested encounter, the East London side overcame their Port Elizabeth rivals 1-0, with a goal by Tayla Jade Marais in the third minute of the game deciding the issue.

Both sides had chances thereafter, but neither team were able to find the net and Hudson claimed their first title in the 30-minute final.

It completed a successful year for the school, who also qualified for the inaugural provincial finals in 2016, ending as runners-up.

In May, Hudson defeated 2017 provincial champions Clarendon to win the East London Coastal tournament and on Saturday they were unbeaten in the round-robin phase of the finals.

They beat Alexander Road 1-0 in the round-robin and confirmed their status as the top side in the final.

Hudson Park team manager Rosanne De’ath said it had been another wonderful tournament, to which they had been fully committed.

“We have had a fantastic time and we are really grateful to SPAR for the exposure this tournament gives us,” she said.

“It gets our hockey to a good level early in the year and we have played against a number of teams during the tournament that we would not normally face.”

She said they had entered the provincial finals with a plan to take the title.

“We wanted to make a good start and fortunately we managed to get on a roll [opening with a 5-0 win over York) and we finished off on a high.

“We are lucky to have a very good coach in Jerry Snyman, who sets out a game-plan but is also able to change that if necessary.

“The girls are well drilled and we are always prepared for any situation we face.”

For some players, such as Hudson captain Zimkhitha Weston, this was their final SPAR tournament as they are in matric. Weston paid tribute to the sponsors at the prize-giving.

“Thank you to SPAR for being such great sponsors for schoolgirls’ hockey,” she said.

“I want to thank all the girls who played because you guys are fantastic players.

“I am also really proud of my team. Thank you everyone and I am going to miss you next year.”

SPAR EC sponsorship and events manager Alan Stapleton confirmed that the tournament was here to stay.

“We are definitely going to carry on with this sponsorship because it is one of our favourite events,” he said.

“From SPAR’s point of view this tournament ties in with all our values of family, fun, friendship and a healthy lifestyle.

“All you players make it very special. There is very keen competition, but also a lot of camaraderie and friendship. As a sponsor what more could we ask for?”

He also acknowledged the role of national tournament director Les Galloway, of Durban, who initiated the tournament with the KwaZulu-Natal edition eight years ago.

“This was Les’s brainchild and she went to SPAR head office to set the wheels in motion and she makes sure that it all happens.

“We want to thank Woodridge and Maxime Bird and her team for pulling out all the stops to make sure the venue was ready after the heavy rain we had on Friday.”

He added that they appreciated the commitment the teams had shown during the year.

“To all the teams who have travelled during the year we want to say well done. We want this competition to be on the highest level and to have the best teams here, so it’s great to have that commitment.

“For all the matrics, this is your last hockey event playing with your friends and we hope you take away with you many special memories from the SPAR tournaments.”

Fulstop Communications media release for SPAR Eastern Cape Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge

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