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News for 24 February 2019

All the news for Sunday 24 February 2019


2019 FIH Pro League (Men) - 24 February

Weekend fixtures

22 Feb 2019 21:00 (GMT - 3)     ARG v GER (RR)    0 - 0 (CANCELLED due to rain and thunder)   Cenard, Buenos Aires
24 Feb 2019 16:00 (GMT - 3)     ARG v NED (RR)     -     Cenard, Buenos Aires

Live streaming on https://fih.live (Geo blocked if there is TV coverage)

Unofficial Pool standings

Rank Team Played Wins Win Draws Loss Draws Cancelled Draw Losses Goals For Goals Against Goal Difference Points Percent
1 Belgium 4 2 1 1 0 0 14 9 5 9 75.0
2 Australia 4 2 0 1 0 1 12 11 1 7 58.3
3 Great Britain 3 2 0 0 0 1 12 9 3 6 66.7
4 Netherlands 3 1 1 1 0 0 12 11 1 6 66.7
5 Germany 3 1 0 0 1 1 5 5 0 4 44.4
6 Spain 3 0 2 0 0 1 10 11 -1 4 44.4
7 Argentina 2 0 0 0 1 1 2 4 -2 1 16.7
8 New Zealand 4 0 0 1 0 3 10 17 -7 1 8.3

The FIH inexplicably and confusingly use a system not used in any other sports League in the World, of making the Percentage more important than Points until the end of the League when they will revert to Points only. Fieldhockey.com prefers to use the conventional Points and so the Unofficial Pool Standings on this site are reflected in this manner.

FIH Match Centre



2019 FIH Pro League (Women) - 24 February

Weekend fixtures

22 Feb 2019    ARG v GER (RR)     2 - 2 (4 - 3 SO)     Cenard, Buenos Aires
23 Feb 2019    CHN v GBR (RR)    2 - 2 (Shoot out 2/5 - 3/5)    Wujin Hockey Stadium, Changzhou   
24 Feb 2019 18:30 (GMT -3)     ARG v NED (RR)     -     Cenard, Buenos Aires

Live streaming on https://fih.live (Geo blocked if there is TV coverage)

Unofficial Pool standings

Rank Team Played Wins Win Draws Loss Draws Losses Goals For Goals Against Goal Difference Points Percent
1 Australia 5 3 1 0 1 11 7 4 11 73.3
2 Argentina 3 1 2 0 0 6 4 2 7 77.8
3 Netherlands 3 2 0 0 1 6 1 5 6 66.7
4 New Zealand 5 2 0 0 3 8 6 2 6 40.0
5 Belgium 3 2 0 0 1 3 3 0 6 66.7
6 Germany 3 1 0 2 0 7 5 2 5 55.6
7 Great Britain 3 0 1 0 2 3 10 -7 2 22.2
8 United States 2 0 0 1 1 2 7 -5 1 16.7
9 China 3 0 0 1 2 5 8 -3 1 11.1


The FIH inexplicably and confusingly use a system not used in any other sports League in the World, of making the Percentage more important than Points until the end of the League when they will revert to Points only. Fieldhockey.com prefers to use the conventional Points and so the Unofficial Pool Standings on this site are reflected in this manner.

FIH Match Centre



Great Britain women claim bonus point thanks to shoot-out victory over China in Changzhou



Great Britain’s women claimed their first points of the FIH Pro League thanks to a shoot-out victory over host nation China in Changzhou.

The Olympic champions took a 3-2 win in the one-on-ones, giving the Europeans a bonus point in addition to the point both teams earned when regular time ended with the score locked at 2-2. The result moves Great Britain up the standings to seventh position, while China now sit in ninth place. To see the complete women’s FIH Pro League standings, click here.

China and Great Britain came into this match - the first FIH Pro League fixture to take place in Asia - searching for their first points in the competition, with both nations having suffered defeats in Oceania at the hands of New Zealand and Australia.

China (FIH World Ranking:10) enjoyed the better of the first period and took a deserved 1-0 lead over Great Britain (WR:2) into the quarter-time break thanks to a late strike from Liang Meiyu, who produced a brilliant volley to fire home after an initial save from goalkeeper Amy Tennant.

The Rio 2016 Olympic champions looked like a completely different side in the second period and hit back with two goals in quick succession. Twenty-year-old Lizzie Neal restored parity with a cool finish on her backhand, guiding her sweep-shot inside the right post for her first international goal before Giselle Ansley put Great Britain into a 2-1 lead when her unstoppable penalty corner drag-flick sailed into the top right corner.

There was no change to the score in a relatively cagey third quarter, although Amy Tennant was twice called into action when Yong Jing and Zhong Jiaqi threatened.

In a bid to salvage the match, China replaced their goalkeeper with an outfield player with six minutes to go. It was a tactic that almost backfired when GB twice went close, the second of which saw Player of the Match Lily Owsley crash a backhand shot into the side-netting with three minutes remaining.

However, a rare mistake from the excellent Anna Toman with two minutes left to play resulted in a penalty corner to China. It was a chance that the home side would not waste, with Gu Bingfeng slamming a penalty corner into bottom left corner to deny the visitors all three points and force a shoot-out.


The one-on-ones proved to be the perfect place for Toman to atone for her earlier error, scoring the winning goal after Amy Tennant produced an superb goalkeeping display to deny Zhang Jinrong, Wang Na and He Jiangxin. 

“It has been a tough journey for us in the Pro League so far”, said Great Britain’s Player of the Match Lily Owsley. “We had zero points so today we put ourselves under a lot of pressure to get points on the board. We know China are good, they are skilful. We went out to attack and also to enjoy ourselves. This is the end of quite a long trip for us, but it has been enjoyable and, apart from the results, it has been a massive learning curve.”

The FIH Pro League action continues on Sunday (24 February) with the action returning to Buenos Aires as Argentina host the Netherlands men and women.

FIH Pro League
23 February - Changzhou, China

Result: Women’s Match 15
China 2, Great Britain 2 (2-3 After Shoot-Out)
Player of the Match: Lily Owsley (GBR)

#FIHProLeague

Official FIH Pro League Site



Women's team earn first FIH Pro League points against China


Hollie Pearne-Webb against China in the FIH Pro League

Great Britain's women earned their first points in the FIH Pro League after winning a shootout against China.

Having earned a point for their 2-2 draw in normal time, Britain then earned a further bonus point in the shootout to register their first positive result in the league so far.

Anna Toman's shootout was decisive on her 50th international appearance, while goalkeeper Amy Tennant also played a key role in the shootout victory.

Sarah Jones earned her 100th combined GB and Wales cap, while there was an international debut for Holly Hunt and a first goal for Lizzie Neal.

After the best part of a month overseas, the women's team will have been pleased to end on an upbeat note, and they now look forward to their next games away to USA and Argentina at the tail end of March.

Full report

In front of an enthusiastic Changzhou crowd, it was China who struck the first blow as Meiyu Liang scored with a remarkable volley. A penalty corner was saved by Amy Tennant, but as it looped skywards, the advantage was played and Liang smashed home first time with a super effort.

Britain played with real purpose in the second quarter, and debutant Holly Hunt almost capitalised on a defensive mixup but saw her effort saved. Soon enough though GB had a goal, Lizzie Neal producing an excellent finish on the reverse after Hollie Pearne-Webb's pass was deflected.

Not long afterwards Britain took the lead, Giselle Ansley firing home a rocket of a drag flick to earn a 2-1 half time advantage.

China fought hard in the third quarter, and Tennant had to produce an important save soon after the interval. There was then more defending to do after possession was lost at the back but Britain held onto their advantage after 45 minutes were played.

China removed their goalkeeper in the final quarter, and with GB having just lost their referral, the hosts were awarded a penalty corner in the dying embers of the game after Britain failed to clear their lines. Bingfeng Gu flashed an effort low into the goal and so it was a point apiece for a 2-2 draw.

The home side took the first advantage in the shootout when Hannah Martin hit the post, but Tennant more than played her part in goal to keep Gb on the front foot. Erica Sanders and Hollie Pearne-Webb scored well either side of a Sarah Robertson miss, so it was then left to Anna Toman to score the winner on hrt 50th international appearance, sending the side home with a further bonus point.

With coach Mark Hager absent as he finalises his work permit, the team were led by David Ralph and it was pleasing for all concerned to end this first trip on a high.

Away games against New Zealand, Australia and now China have offered a challenging start to the FIH Pro League, and a relatively inexperienced squad will have certainly benefitted from time together on the road. Now with a new coach looking to embed his ideas into the team over time, they will look forward to their next challenges with renewed vigour.

China 2
Liang (11', PC)
Gu (59', PC)

Great Britain 2
Neal (20', FG)
Ansley (22', PC)

Great Britain win shootout 3-2

Starting XI: Tennant (GK), Toman, Pearne-Webb (c), Ansley, Balsdon, Evans, Jones, Robertson, Martin, Rayer, Owsley
Subs: Hunt, Sanders, Howard, Petty, Defroand, Neal
Unused sub: Cochrane

Shootout:
China 2: Liang (goal), Wang, Zhong (goal), Zhange, He
Great Britain 3: Martin, Sanders (goal), Robertson, Pearne-Webb (goal), Toman (goal)

Great Britain Hockey media release



Great Britain women claim shootout win in China


GB's Hannah Martin in action during the win against China

Great Britain's women claimed their first points of the FIH Pro League after a 3-2 shootout win against China.

The match had seen Liang Meiyu give the hosts the lead before Lizzie Neal and Giselle Ansley put Britain 2-1 up.

Gu Bingfeng equalised and the 2-2 draw meant both sides earned a point.

In the shootout, Anna Toman, whose error led to the penalty corner from which Bingfeng equalised, scored the winner to claim an extra point and move Britain up to seventh in the standings.

GB had gone into the game on the back of defeats by New Zealand and Australia.

"It has been a tough journey for us in the Pro League so far," said GB's Lily Owsley.

"We had zero points so we put ourselves under a lot of pressure to get points on the board.

"We know China are good, they are skilful. We went out to attack and also to enjoy ourselves.

"This is the end of quite a long trip for us, but it has been enjoyable and, apart from the results, it has been a massive learning curve."

Britain's next game in the nine-team league is away against the United States on 31 March.

BBC Sport



Great Britain fall short but take first points

By Anne Porterly


China scored late equaliser against GB PIC: FIH.Live

After nearly a month away, Great Britain women earned their first FIH Pro League points and climbed off the bottom of the table – but they will rue a huge opportunity missed against China for a first win.

Anna Toman rallied Great Britain to a shoot-out victory after the Wimbledon player had initially been at fault for China’s late equaliser with under two minutes left as the scores were left tied 2-2 in Changzhou.

The Olympic champions took a 3-2 win in the one-on-ones giving Great Britain a bonus point in addition to the point both teams earned in regular time.

World No 10 China had enjoyed the better of the first period and took a deserved 1-0 lead when Liang Meiyu produced a brilliant volley from close range to fire home after an initial save from goalkeeper Amy Tennant.

The Olympic champions were a different side in the second quarter and hit back with two goals: Lizzie Neal with a lovely finish on her backhand and Giselle Ansley with a fierce PC drag-flick into the top right corner.

Lily Owsley, who continues to impress in the Pro League, crashed a backhand shot just wide with three minutes remaining as China replaced their keeper.

However, a rare mistake from the excellent Toman, who instead of taking danger away from the circle decided to dribble back in the D with China attackers lying in await cost the visitors. The hosts were awarded a PC and Gu Bingfeng slammed home.

Sarah Robertson and Hannah Martin missed their attempts in the shoot-out, but Erica Sanders, Hollie Pearne-Webb and Toman, with their last, slotted home.

In between, Tennant produced a superb display to deny Zhang Jinrong, Wang Na and He Jiangxin.

However she could nothing about Mengling Zhong’s audacious attempt: ball juggling from the 23m line before lobbing over Tennant into an open goal.

“It has been a tough journey for us in the Pro League so far”, said the impressive Owsley. “We had zero points so today we put ourselves under a lot of pressure to get points on the board.

“We know China are good, they are skilful. We went out to attack and also to enjoy ourselves. This is the end of quite a long trip for us, but it has been enjoyable and, apart from the results, it has been a massive learning curve.”

Sidelines

Holly Hunt made her international debut against China, with the 21-year-old having been with the 20-strong women’s squad for the past few weeks. Meanwhile, Sarah Jones made her 100th international appearance for Great Britain, while Toman notched her 5th. David Ralph led the women’s team for this fixture, with new coach Mark Hager finalising his work permit to move to the UK in March.

Argentina women defeated Germany 4-3 in a shoot-out point after a 2-2 scoreline in normal time in Buenos Aires. However inclement weather then saw the men’s match cancelled. A long way to go for Germany men, with no extra day scheduled.

The Hockey Paper



Ralph and Owsley: Why we're upbeat after that result in China


Hannah Martin and Anna Toman in the FIH Pro League

Great Britain's women came away upbeat after earning their first points in the new FIH Pro League.

Playing in their third fixture, the ladies took two points; one for a 2-2 draw and a further bonus point for winning a shootout 3-2.

Following defeats away to New Zealand and Australia, this was a welcome result to get the team's FIHPL campaign up and running.

Player of the Match Lily Owsley said, "Following disappointing results in New Zealand and Australia we put the pressure on ourselves today to have to win the game. It was incredibly frustrating to not come away with 3 points but it was a big step forwards for us and in a long tournament it’s a big positive to get some points on the board.

"I think we’ve learned a great deal in a very short space of time. It’s just the start of this exciting journey and looking forward to seeing where [new coach] Mark [Hager] can take this team."

David Ralph, who led the team while Mark Hager finalised his work permit to move to the UK in March, said, "Today was a tough game for us, China played well and posed some problems for us. We were delighted to come from behind to take the lead in the game and we now need to learn how we then go on to win from that position.

"The players deserve huge credit for coming back in the game and also for winning the shootout at the end having conceded so late on. I thought Amy Tennant did well in the shootout and gave Anna the chance to win it for us in her 50th international game.

"Our Congratulations also go to Sarah Jones on her 100th international game. It’s been a long trip for us so it was nice to finish off with some points!! It’s also great to see Giselle score again and also Lizzie Neal scoring her first international goal is another positive for us."

Great Britain Hockey media release



Indian skipper Manpreet Asia’s best


Manpreet Singh won the 2018 Player of the Year award. The 26-year-old had won the Rising Player of the Year award in 2014. File

Indian men’s hockey team skipper Manpreet Singh has been honoured with the 2018 Player of the Year award by the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF), while women’s team striker Lalremsiami bagged the Rising Player of the Year prize.

Manpreet led the Indian team to an unbeaten streak at the Asian Champions Trophy in Muscat where the team was declared joint winners with Pakistan. He also contributed in the team’s silver medal win at the Champions Trophy in Breda, Netherlands, and continues to remain instrumental in the Indian midfield.

The 26-year-old Manpreet, who belongs to Mithapur, Jalandhar, had won AHF’s Rising Player of the Year award in 2014. He is currently attending the national camp in Bengaluru.

Lalremsiami rising player

The 18-year-old Lalremsiami has shown remarkable progress in the women’s team. She was impressive at the 2018 World Cup and the Asian Games, where the team won a historic silver medal. She also played in the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires, where the under-18 team won the silver medal.

The Indian men’s team was awarded the Best Performance of the Year for being the only Asian side to have reached the top-eight in the World Cup.

The Tribune



Down to two with Namibia causing an upset



The semi-finals took place in each of the three tournaments at the South African Indoor Hockey IPT 2019 in Pietermaritzburg this morning. The battles were intense with no match being decided by more than 2 goals. It was superb.

Women’s B Section

Namibia 4-3 SG Witsies

Namibia were expected to comfortably beat Witsies, as they had already done in the group stages. But Bridget Kee, coach of the Witsies, presented a master class in tactical awareness and the young Wits side matched Namibia blow for blow in an epic. They trailed 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2 each time levelling the tie before Kaela Schimming eventually settled the tie for the Namibians.

North West 2-1 KZN Robins

They will be playing North West after the Potchefstroom side overcame a tough test from the KZN Robins. Lize Steyn was the hero capitalising on a Robins error in the 30th minute to take the lead and they never let go after that.

FINAL – North West vs. Namibia

Women’s A Section

SPAR KZN Raiders 4-3 KZN Inland

Arguably one of the best Indoor hockey IPT games in the time I have been following the sport was presented to an excited crowd. 8 times defending champions SPAR KZN Raiders were stunned by the intensity of the hosts and found themselves trailing 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2. They also were indebted to Cheree Greyvenstein who saved a penalty stroke. They levelled three times through Jess O’Connor, Kaz Bowyer and Kelly Reed. With just 3 minutes left on the clock they took the lead through Cindy Hack and managed to hang on until the final whistle.

Western Province 0-1 Southern Gauteng

Southerns managed to set up a repeat of the 2018 final in a defensive masterclass, inspired by their keeper Petro Stoffberg they took their one golden chance through Cloe de Souza. The youngster has managed to score some big goals for Southerns in this tournament to the delight of Blake Goosen. The management of the game from the Southerns defence was greatly marshalled by Kara Botes and Alex Kavanagh as they held on for a 1-0 win.

FINAL: Southern Gauteng vs. SPAR KZN Raiders

Men’s Tournament

Western Province 5-3 KZN Inland

Western Province surprised some, but none more than the hosts as they changed up their game plan to emerge as finalists. Having brought a younger, fresher squad littered with Psi talent, Province have probably exceeded their expectations of the tournament. Having led 4-1 at half-time they consolidated with a solid second half keeping the hosts at bay. For coach Ross Willis it was a superb result in his first IPT as a coach.

KZN Raiders (2) 1-1 (3) Namibia

The shockwaves were felt in the second semi-final as Namibia trailed to a superb Lungani Gabela goal but soaked up the pressure and made some superb last ditch saves from Liam Hermanus on the line. The Raiders tried to see down the clock, but Brynn Cleak stole in to net an equaliser right at the end. The match went to shootouts and after Jarryd Jones fired wide all others scored giving Namibia a historic win that ends 12 years of either Inland or KZN Raiders winning the men’s Indoor IPT.

FINAL – Western Province vs. Namibia

SA Hockey Association media release



New champions crowned at the South African Indoor Hockey IPT



Four days of intense action at St Johns DSG in Pietermaritzburg culminated in two fantastic finals played in front of a capacity crowd on Saturday night. In both the men’s and women’s tournaments there is a new name being carved into the trophy after Western Province and Southern Gauteng respectively dethroned the defending champions KZN Raiders.

The Women’s final saw a repeat of the 2018 final as the SPAR KZN Raiders looked to defend a trophy they had won for each of the previous four years. They had secured their place in the final with a thrilling 4-3 win in the KwaZulu Natal derby against Inland earlier in the day. They also reached the half way point in the lead when Jessica Lardant finished from a penalty corner with the last play of a very tentative half of hockey.

They looked to build on that but were met with resolute defence from the Johannesburg side, who last won the trophy in 2013, with Kara Botes particularly impressing alongside her skipper Robyn Johnson. The play was largely happening between the circles but both Petro Stoffberg and Zimi Shange were more than a match for the chances that were created sporadically.

Southerns pulled level when tournaments top scorer, 17-year-old Cloe de Souza, pounced on a lack of defensive awareness to convert. This after a superb double save from Shange in goals. That goal gave Blake Goosen’s ladies the momentum and they continued to take advantage of the situations that arose. They would take the lead through their superb captain Robyn Johnson in the 36th minute and would see a chance to extend the lead through a penalty stroke saved by Shange. In the end they were able to hold out for a famous victory and break the stranglehold of the Raiders.

The individual awards were as follows:

Goalkeeper of the Tournament – Nicole la Fleur (Western Province)
Upcoming star of the Tournament – Kayla de Waal (Western Province)
Player of the Tournament – Amy Greaves (KZN Inland)



In the men’s tournament a first-time winner was going to be awarded as Namibia and Western Province took on each other. Namibia had earlier knocked out the 4-time defending champions the Raiders.

The Western Province men had selected a younger side for this tournament and gave Ross Willis his first go at the men’s side had played with a great self-belief throughout the tournament and started the final in the same way. 16-year-old wonderkid Mustapha Cassiem opened the scoring before Idrees Abdulla and Dayaan Cassiem made it 3-0 before the half-time break. All three goals were hallmarks of great special awareness and indoor hockey upbringing.

Namibia, who are meticulously led by all round nice guy Trevor Cormack, fought back in the way they always do and created a spectacle for the fans when they pulled the score back to 3-2 through Cody van der Merwe and Dakota Hansen. Both teams created chances, but neither was able to make them count and when the final penalty corner was repelled by Western Province they could celebrate their first senior indoor IPT title.

The individual awards were as follows:

Goalkeeper of the Tournament – Anton van Loggerenberg (Western Province)
Upcoming star of the Tournament – Mustapha Cassiem (Western Province)
Player of the Tournament – Dayaan Cassiem (KZN Inland)

In the Women’s B Section Namibia were the champions as they triumphed over North West in the final to secure promotion to the A Section in 2020.

Final Standings – Women’s A Section

    Southern Gauteng
    SPAR KZN Raiders
    KZN Inland
    Western Province
    SPAR KZN Mynahs
    Northern Blues
    Mpumalanga
    Western Province Peninsula

Final Standings – Women’s B Section

    Namibia
    North West
    KZN Robins
    Southern Gauteng Wits
    KZN Inland B
    Eastern Gauteng

Final Standings – Men

    Western Province
    Namibia
    KZN Raiders
    KZN Inland
    Southern Gauteng
    Northern Blues
    Eastern Province
    KZN Mynahs
    Southern Gauteng Wits
    KZN Inland B
    Mpumalanga
    Eastern Gauteng

SA Hockey Association media release



2019 Indoor IPT - Final day results

The full results from the final day's play

Men

KZNIB v MPU (Play Off 9 - 12)     3 - 2 (1 - 2)
SGW v EG (Play Off 9 - 12)         6 - 2 (3 - 2)
KZNM v SG (Play Off 5 - 8)         2 - 7 (0 - 4)
NG v EP (Play Off 5 - 8)             6 - 3 (3 - 1)
WP v KZNI (Semi Final)             5 - 3 (4 - 1)
KZNC v NAM (Semi Final)         1 - 1 (1 - 0) (2 - 3 SO)
MPU v EG (11/12)                 5 - 1 (3 - 1)
SG v NG (5/6)                     3 - 2 (2 - 2)
KZNIB v SGW (9/10)             2 - 7 (1 - 4)
KZNI v KZNC (3/4)                 1 - 3 (1 - 2)
KZNM v EP (7/8)                 4 - 9 (4 - 3)
WP v NAM (1/2)                 3 - 2 (3 - 0)

Women's A Section

WPP v NG (Play-Off 5 - 8)         1 - 4 (1 - 1)
MPU v KZNM (Play-Off 5 - 8)     1 - 4 (0 - 2
KZN v KZNI (Semi Final)             4 - 3 (1 - 1)
WP v SG (Semi Final)             0 - 1 (0 - 1)
WPP v MPU (7&8)                 1 - 2 (1 - 2)
KZNI v WP (3&4)                 2 - 1 (1 - 0)
NG v KZNM (5&6)                 2 - 2 (0 - 1) (1 - 2 SO)
KZN v SG (Final)                 1 - 2 (1 - 0)

Women's B Section

EG v KZNIB (5&6)             2 - 4 (1 - 0
NAM v SGW (Semi Final)     4 - 3 (3 - 2)
NW v KZNR (Semi Final)     2 - 1 (1 - 1)
SGW v KZNR (3&4)         1 - 4 (0 - 2)
NAM v NW (Final)             3 - 2 (2 - 0)

SA Hockey Association media release



ROUND-UP: Invested Women's Hockey League


Clifton's Holly Savage scoring from a deflected penalty corner against Beeston. Credit Peter Smith

Clifton Robinsons climbed into the play-off spots, boosting their hopes of glory in the Investec Women’s Hockey League Premier Division with a 3-0 win over Beeston on Saturday.

Previously sixth, they climbed above their rivals thanks to three early goals. Nicola Moss got them off the mark with a second minute field goal, and Aileen Davis doubled their lead from a penalty corner five minutes later.

Finally, Holly Savage scored what would turn out to be the last goal of the game from a penalty corner in the 18th minute.

Elsewhere Surbiton returned to the top of the table with a 2-0 win over previous leaders Holcombe. Autumn Brown scored the host’s opening goal after 26 minutes, while Jenna Woolven made it two-nil with a 58th minute strike.

East Grinstead stepped up to third with a 2-0 win over Buckingham, who dropped out of the top four.

Sophie Bray’s 21st minute goal and Rosario Villagra’s 50th minute strike gave East Grinstead the points.

At the other end of the table Slough and the university of Birmingham battled out a 2-2 draw. After Mel Ball had given hosts Slough a second minute lead, Aisling Madden scored for the University of Birmingham.

Jo Turnbull put the visitors ahead with a penalty stroke on 26 minutes, only for Kitty Baccanello to level for Slough on 62 minutes.

In the top flight’s other clash Bowdon Hightown were 2-1 winners at Canterbury with Megan Batchelor and Aine Curran scoring their goals, while Eugenia Bianchi scored for Canterbury.

Investec Conference East

Hampstead & Westminster scored a late winner in a 1-0 win over promotion rivals Sevenoaks to remain top of the Investec Women’s Conference East.

Lucy Hyams found the net in the 67th minute from open play to ensure that the home side kept their two-point advantage over Wimbledon at the top of the table.

Wimbledon kept the pressure on Hampstead & Westminster with a 6-1 victory at Cambridge City earlier in the day.

Rosie Pickersgill scored a brace and goals from Mairi Drummond, Crista Cullen, Fiona Burnet and Eliza Brett were enough for the away side to secure all three points and leave it all to play for at the top on the table.

Elsewhere Bedford won 1-0 at home to Southgate, Harleston Magpies also won 1-0 at home to Horsham and St Albans versus Ipswich ended 0-0 at full time.

Investec Conference West

Gloucester City closed the gap to seven points at the top of the Investec Women’s Conference West with a 4-0 victory at home to bottom of the table Exe.

Charlotte McShane gave the home side the lead in the 20th minute with a goal from a penalty corner before Tina Evans doubled their advantage with a goal from open play in the 23rd.

Megan Brazil added a third goal for Gloucester in the 39th before Frankie Mayes sealed all three points for the home team with a goal in the 66th minute.

Olton & West Warwicks performed well away from home, successfully securing a point against top of the table Stourport as their game ended in a 0-0 draw – the first points Stourport have dropped this season.

Elsewhere, Barnes were victorious away from home in a 4-3 thriller against Oxford Hawks, Trojans leap-frogged Reading with a 2-0 victory at home and Isca versus Swansea City ended 0-0 at full time.

Investec Conference North

Loughborough Students maintained their position at the top of the Investec Women’s Conference North with a 4-0 victory at home against Ben Rhydding.

Beth Peers scored a brace as part of the victory with her goals both coming from open play in the 16th and 19th minutes.

Jane Kilpatrick made it 3-0 before half time with a goal in the 27th minute before Madeleine Pearce made it 4-0 in the 39th to seal all three points.

Leicester maintained the pressure on the leaders with a 2-0 win at Sutton Coldfield.

Rachel Mack gave the away side the lead in the 16th minute and Olive Hepi secured the win with a goal from free play in the 38th.

Elsewhere, Belper ran out 2-0 winners at home to Fylde, Brooklands-Poynton won 3-0 at home to the University of Durham and Leeds won 1-0 at Timperley.

RESULTS:

Investec Women’s Hockey League (Saturday, February 23 2019):

Investec Women’s Premier Division: Canterbury 1, Bowdon Hightown 2; Clifton Robinsons 3, Beeston 0; East Grinstead 2, Buckingham 0; Slough 2, University of Birmingham 2; Surbiton 2, Holcombe 0.

Investec Women’s Conference West: Gloucester City 4, Exe 0; Isca 0, Swansea City 0; Oxford Hawks 3, Barnes 4; Stourport 0, Olton & West Warwicks 0; Trojans 2, Reading 0.

Investec Women’s Conference North: Belper 2, Fylde 0; Brooklands-Poynton 3, University of Durham 0; Loughborough Students 4, Ben Rhydding 0; Sutton Coldfield 0, Leicester 2; Timperley 0, Leeds 1.

Investec Women’s Conference East: Bedford 1, Southgate 0; Cambridge 1, Wimbledon 6; Hampstead & Westminster 1, Sevenoaks 0; Harleston Magpies 1, Horsham 0; St Albans 0, Ipswich 0.

England Hockey Board Media release



UniKL defender Najmi reminds Malaysia he’s still national material

KUALA LUMPUR: Univer­siti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) defender Muhd Najmi Faizal Jazlan is raring to make a return to the national hockey team after walking out eight months ago.

The 24-year-old Kangar-born Najmi left the national team last July due to family matters but that’s all settled now.

And he showed his eagerness to don the national colours again by going all out for UniKL in the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) this season.

“I still have the desire to play for the national team as I’m still young. I’ve proven myself in the MHL by playing with national defender Muhd Razie (Abdul Rahim),” said Najmi, who has represented Malaysia 70 times.

“I can marshal the defence and also deliver goals from penalty corners.”

Najmi made his international debut in the four-nation tournament in Japan in 2016 and last played for Malaysia during the six friendly matches with Argentina last June.

There’s a good chance for Najmi to be called up as national chief coach Roelant Oltmans wants more defenders in the team following a wrist injury to national defender Muhd Syed Syafiq Syed Cholan.

“Syed has been ruled out of the MHL due to the injury. And I’m all ready to play for the national team if given the chance,” said Najmi, who started his career in the MHL in 2012 by playing for Nur Insafi.

The following year he joined Tenaga Nasional for one year before switching to UniKL in 2014.

“I’m happy to play for UniKL as we’ve made steady progress since 2014. Last year we won the TNB (overall) Cup and this year, we clinched the Premier Division title by staying unbeaten.

“And I’m confident we’ll nail our second title – the TNB Cup,” he said.

UniKL face Maybank in the two-leg semi-finals scheduled on Tuesday and Thursday.

The Star of Malaysia



Status Quo at the top of Scottish National League tables


Photo by Mark Pugh

Today`s results have left the status quo, Grange still have that six point cushion at the top of men`s National League 1, while in the women`s Clydesdale Western have a goal difference advantage over Edinburgh University, and with a game in hand.

At Auchenhowie Grange had to work hard to preserve their unbeaten record, at times they were a bit fortunate, but at the end of the day the champions came away with a 1-1 draw. The result probably suited them more than Western Wildcats, the Edinburgh side retained their six point advantage over the Auchenhowie outfit who failed claw any inroads into the points lead.

Western Wildcats were the livelier side in the opening exchanges, they went ahead in only seven minutes when a long ball from Dave Bond reached an unmarked Rob Harwood in the circle, the Scotland striker proceeded to fire a fierce shot into the roof of the net from a narrow angle.

Eventually Grange gradually dragged themselves back into the contest, they had two good chances to equalise but Western Wildcats` keeper Gavin Sommerville was equal to the task.

Grange were then fortunate to survive a lofted ball into their circle, which seemed to have been deflected over the keeper by Harwood who was then taken out by the same keeper, there was no goal awarded but instead a penalty corner which came to nothing.

Inside a minute of the restart Grange were level when Hamish Imrie was grounded in the circle and Dan Coultas converted from the spot off the post.

However, at the end of the day Western Wildcats could have taken all three points, they were awarded six penalty corners in the closing stages, and converted none.

Third placed Grove Menzieshill failed to take advantage of the share of the points at Auchenhowie by drawing 3-3 at Uddingston. Once again Aussie Brad Hughes was a catalyst with a double while Uddingston`s other strike came from Robbie McGuire.

Hillhead are still in fourth place after a 2-0 win over bottom side Gordonians, Ross Jamieson and Michael Sherry were on target.

Edinburgh University remain just outside the top four after a narrow 3-2 win over neighbours Watsonians. David Mawhinney bagged a couple while Matt Taylor got the other for the students.

Clydesdale remain in sixth with a 4-3 win over Kelburne. Jack McKenzie opened for Kelburne but Dale retaliated with strikes from Patrick Lonergan, Chris McFadden at a penalty corner and Struan Walker.  But before the first half was over Chris Nelson had pulled one back for the Paisley side at another set piece.

Clydesdale Western retained pole position in the women`s National League 1 with a comfortable 6-0 win over GHK. There were two goals each for Emma McGregor and Fran Lonergan with Georgie Smith and Heather Lang getting the others.

Edinburgh University are in second spot, on the same points but behind Western on goal difference, after beating Watsonians 2-1 at Peffermill. Amy Brodie put the students ahead in the first half, Jenny Walls doubled their tally after the interval. With ten minutes left Morven Cawthorn pulled one back for Watsonians, but there was no further addition to the scoring despite some late chances to the visitors.

Meanwhile Western Wildcats are tucked in behind the top two, only two points adrift after their 2-0 win over Grange, the goals came from Kaz Cuthbert and Kirsten Cannon.

Dundee Wanderers retained fourth spot after seeing off Hillhead 6-2 on Tayside. They were two up at the inteval through Jess Martin and a spot conversion by Charlotte Watson. A ten minute burst of scoring after the interval, Watson again and a double from Vikki Bunce, put the Dundonians 5-0 ahead. Carla McNiven and Wendy Andrews pulled a couple back for Hillhead, but Bunce completed the scoring for her hat-trick.

Grove Menzieshill moved into fifth spot in the table on goal difference from Watsonians with a 3-0 win over Glasgow University.  All the goals came in the first half, Katie Robertson opened at a penalty corner, Ellie Stott finished off a seven pass move, and then Lucy Smith scored with a back post deflection.

Scottish Hockey Union media release



Punjab-A, KP-A in Inter-Provincial Pakistan U-19 Hockey final

Islamabad : Punjab-A and KP-A made it to the final of the Inter-Provincial U-19 Hockey Championship-2019, after registering contrasting victories in the semi-finals played here at Olympian Shahnaz Sheikh Hockey Stadium on Saturday.

In the first semi-final, Punjab-A thrashed Punjab-B 5-0. It was Umair Sattar, who opened the scoring in the 7th minute of the first quarter. Ghàzanfer Ali made it 2-0 in the 17th minute. Rana Waheed scored third goal in 30th minute. Rizwan Ali scored 4th in 33rd minute and Ali Hurara scored goal in the 40th minute to complete the rout.

In the second semi-final, KP-A defeated KP-B 5-2. It was Jibran’s solo efforts, which provided KP-A thumping victory as the youngster scored a superb hat trick and was also involved in other two goals as well.

Usman Ali and Roman scored one goal each for the winners. Taimoor and Ismail scored one goal each for the losing team. The final will be played today (Sunday) at the same venue.

The Nation



Down memory lane with two legends of hockey in Kenya

By CHARLES OUKO


Kenya v India, for the 3rd Place at 1st World Cup in Barcelona in 1971.

The foundations of Kenyan hockey were undoubtedly laid by two classes of Indian immigrants: the Sikhs primarily from Punjab, and the Goans, from Goa.

Ever since Kenya’s first Olympics hockey foray at the Melbourne 1956 Games, three men epitomise the spirit of Kenya’s Olympics hockey odyssey.

Joginder Singh Bhachu, alias “Simba wa Kenya”, captured the sporting imagination of East Africa by his rally driving exploits in the 1960s and 1970s.

During the same time, two other members of his Sikh community — Avtar Singh Sohal “Tari” and Surjeet Singh Panesar “Junior”, were likewise making a global name for themselves in hockey.

Together with compatriot Aloysius Eduardo Mendonca, Sohal and Junior rank up there with the greatest of Kenyan sports people.

Mendonca was an inimitable left winger, Junior an irrepressible centre half, while Tari was a ferocious left back.

Mendonca, known affectionately as ALU, passed on in Nairobi on March 10, 2017, at the age of 85. But his two counterparts still live in Nairobi, having defied attempts to make them switch nationality during their prime.

Between them, they represented Kenya in 332 international matches, all documented.

They also played at four successive Olympics (1960-1972), with Tari as Kenya’s captain between 1962 and 1972, including three Olympic Games.

INSPIRATION

Tari was born to Pyara Singh Sohal and Parmesari Kaur on May 22, 1938, in Nairobi. Junior was born 32 days later on June 24, 1938, also in Nairobi.

 “I watched the first Indian national hockey team tour Kenya in 1947. Their stick work and in particular that of their two star players — Dhyan Chand and Mana Singh — so thrilled me that there and then I purposed to one day follow in their footsteps,” says Tari by way of explaining what inspired him to play the game.

The two later honed their skills as students at Duke of Gloucester School (present-day Jamhuri High School) in Nairobi. Junior later joined Patiala University in India, studying Architecture, specialising in Interior Architecture. Amid his demanding hockey schedule, Tari somehow found time to work at the East African Breweries for 25 years, retiring as a sales and marketing manager.

For the towering Tari, who also had an unstoppable penalty shot, his record of Kenyan international matches reads thus: 167, with 23 of them being at the Olympics. His first recorded international was on May 12, 1957, in Nairobi versus South Africa.

Tari’s last international match was on September 7, 1972, against Argentina at the Munich Olympic Games. Junior’s international record of 165, likewise ended in Munich. However, both still played for a further six years at club level for their beloved Sikh Union Club.

At the Melbourne Games of 1956. Surjeet Singh Deol was Kenya’s hockey captain, and Kenya thereafter comfortably qualified for the next five hockey editions of the Olympics. Come the 1960 Rome Games, Tari and Junior were on the Kenya team.

Junior takes up the story, with an interesting tale of how he acquired his nickname: “The immediate past Olympics captain Deol was still on the team, at 36. A way had to be figured out to differentiate between the two of us, as our two first names were identical. He became ‘Senior’ and I was ‘Junior’!”

GREATEST MOMENTS

Of Kenya’s Olympics matches between 1956 and 1972, Tari played in 23 and Junior in an astonishing 31. Tari missed eight of Kenya’s 10 matches in Mexico 1968 after suffering a broken wrist. Junior’s Olympics appearances remained the joint world record for 40 years — broken only at the 2012 London Olympics.

At the Rome 1960 Games, Kenya, still a British colony, finished joint 7th with East Germany on the classification log of 16 countries.

At Tokyo 1964, Tari and company claimed the scalps of Holland, Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand, finishing 6th out of 15.

The success was replicated at Mexico 1968 when Tari led Kenya to an 8th place finish, with notable victory over France, Holland, Argentina and Great Britain.

One of the most remarkable games was in Munich 1972 when Kenya met India for the first time in the Olympics. Davinder Singh Deegan created history with his brace for Kenya but India had a narrow 3-2 victory.

Before that, the two countries had met as Kenya participated in the inaugural 1971 Hockey World Cup in Barcelona. The October 24 match was a David versus Goliath affair. India came into the match with nine successive Olympic medals, seven of them gold.

“In all fairness, we should have been playing in the final and not this particular match. In the match before, versus Spain, some biased officiating adjudged us to have scored an illegitimate goal. The whole world knew we were serious gold medal contenders,” says Junior about the match. Junior adds: “We took India to extra time, losing 2-1 in an unforgettable match”. Tari scored.

Of their greatest playing moment, Junior had no doubt: “The 4-0 beating of India in Jabalpur, in 1964. We led 3-0 at half time, and India were the reigning world and Olympic champions. The Indian media classified me the best centre half in the world”.

The achievements are a far cry from the current sorry state of Kenyan hockey.

“Personal interest has been placed before the national interest. Kenya has now not been to the Olympics for the past 30 years. While we were away, teams that we routinely beat, in our day, such as Germany, Holland and Argentina, have since gone on to Olympics glory,” he said.

Tari was Kenya’s coach at the Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games. He also served as an International Hockey Federation instructor in coaching and development for 19 years. Tari’s last words of the interview: “We hope the ongoing Astroturf Project at Sikh Union, Nairobi, will spur more interest in our beloved sport”.

The Sh40 million pitch is expected to host its first game mid this year, and these two Sikh hockey giants are closely involved with its development.

Daily Nation

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