News for 27 February 2019
All the news for Wednesday 27 February 2019
2019 Test Match BEL vs RUS (M)
Beerschot
Result 26 February
BEL v RUS 3 - 0
FIH Match Centre
2019 Test Matches: FRA v WAL (W) - 1st Test
Antibes
Result 26 February
FRA v WAL 2 - 1
FIH Match Centre
FIH Series Finals: Pools composition and match schedules for Kuala Lumpur and Dublin revealed
Lausanne, Switzerland: The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has today revealed the composition of the pools as well as the match schedules for the FIH Series Finals events to be played in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Dublin, Ireland this year.
The event in Kuala Lumpur will gather Men’s teams while the one in Dublin will involve Women’s teams.
The FIH Series Finals include some of the best teams in the world and are one of the roads to reach the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. Indeed, the top two teams from each FIH Series Finals will secure a place in the Qualification Events for the next Olympic Games which will be held in October and November 2019.(*)
The composition of the pools is as follows:
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Men’s) 26 April – 4 May 2019
Pool A: Canada, Austria, Wales, tbc**
Pool B: Malaysia, China, Brazil, Italy
Please view match schedule here.
Ireland, Dublin (Women’s) 8-16 June 2019
Pool A: Ireland, Czech Republic, Malaysia, Singapore
Pool B: Korea, Scotland, Ukraine, France
Please view match schedule here.
The pools and match schedules for the other FIH Series Finals will be confirmed shortly.
(*)note: if Japan, Scotland or Wales finish in the top 2 of their respective pools, they will not secure a place in the Olympic Games Qualifiers. Japan have already qualified as both host and winners of the Asian Games; for Scotland and Wales, the reason is that England are the nominated country for GBR’s qualification pathway. If any of these three teams do finish in the top 2, the team that finishes third does NOT automatically qualify for the Olympic Games Qualifiers. Any such additional place is determined by the FIH Hero World Rankings as at the completion of the continental championships (8 September 2019)
(**) The team of Vanuatu has withdrawn from the event; consequently, FIH, according to the published regulations, is currently looking into a replacement
FIH site
Hockey Series Finals in jeopardy
Crucial event for India in Olympic qualification year
Uthra Ganesan
As tensions escalate with Pakistan and future international sporting events in India come under a cloud, the biggest and most immediate casualty in an Olympic qualification year is likely to be the Hockey Series Finals in June, one of the qualifying events for the Tokyo Olympics.
The top two teams from that event will advance to a 14-team, double-headed play-offs with seven qualifying for the 2020 Games, making it crucial for India to host and participate in the eight-team June 6-16 competition.
The issue flared up after the International Olympic Council (IOC) directed all future international competitions and talks of hosting others in India be suspended in the light of recent visa issues for Pakistani athletes.
Last year a Kosovan boxer, Donjeta Sadiku, along with her two coaches, was denied participation during the AIBA World women's championships.
Far-reaching effects
In a communication to Union Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) chief, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, had warned the incident could have far-reaching effects and India was likely to miss out on hosting major Games.
While Hockey India officials refused to comment on the issue, the FIH (International Hockey Federation) remained non-committal on India's hosting rights but did admit it was engaging with the IOC for details.
Taken note
“We have taken good note of and totally respect the decision of the IOC taken in full compliance with the principles of the Olympic Charter.
“We will engage with the IOC to understand and get clarity on the concrete implications of this decision. Only then will we be able to provide any further comments on FIH events planned in India or for which India is bidding,” FIH CEO Thierry Weil told The Hindu.
Sources, however, said FIH president Narinder Batra was working behind the scenes to ensure there would be no fall-out, especially given the fact that the teams scheduled to participate in the Bhubaneswar tournament are unlikely to face any issues.
The Hindu
Polish hockey team to tour Pakistan in April
Kashif Abbasi
ISLAMABAD: Poland’s hockey team will tour Pakistan in April to play matches with the local development squads, it was announced on Tuesday.
Pakistan Hockey Federation president retired Brig Khalid Sajjad Khokhar, flanked by secretary Shahbaz Ahmed Senior, announced this here at a press conference after the PHF congress meeting.
Poland’s team would visit Pakistan on a one-week tour during which they would play matches against national squads at different venues of the country. The PHF, Khokhar added, would constitute four development squads for the Poland matches.
“Pakistan is a safe country for sports and international hockey is reviving in the country,” he stated.
The PHF president and secretary said the Asian Hockey Federation had allotted a Hockey Five Tournament to Pakistan, adding the dates of the event would be announced later.
“It has been decided to give special representation to women in the federation’s affairs,” Khokhar said, adding. “A 20 per cent quota for women has been allocated, and in this regard Tanzeela Amir has been appointed as PHF general manager.”
Talking about the poor performance of national team at the 2018 World Cup, he said an inquiry report on it was yet to come.
Meanwhile, a number of ex-Olympians under the leadership of Manzoor Junior while addressing a separate press conference here in Islamabad termed the PHF congress illegal. They appealed to Prime Minister Imran Khan, the PHF patron, to intervene in the affairs of hockey, noting the performance of national team and the federation during the last four years had remained pathetic.
Manzoor Junior, Khawaja Junaid, Khalid Bashir, Rao Saleem Nazim, and Karachi-based Gulfaraz Khan, Syed Haider Hussain and others at a hurriedly-called a press conference, made serious allegations against the PHF.
They alleged the incumbent PHF regime, after the end of its tenure, illegally kept running the federation affairs for six months before getting re-elected unopposed last year on “the basis of bogus and fraud scrutiny of clubs”, as they sidelined those, whom they considered a threat.
Manzoor Junior announced that the ex-Olympians were going to hold a nationwide campaign against the PHF, lamenting the fast declining standards of hockey in Pakistan was distressing for hockey fans.
During the last four years, Manzoor underlined, the PHF despite getting government funds to the tune of millions of rupees failed to show any visible progress.
“The ex-Olympians feel very sad as Pakistan lost the opportunity to participate in next year’s Olympics after due to sheer negligence on the part of PHF the national team could not participate in the FIH Pro League,” he said.
Instead of spending millions of rupees on national junior team’s visit to Canada last year (where Pakistan conceded 26 goals and scored only one) the PHF should have saved that money to ensure participation in the Pro League, Manzoor said.
The Olympian said Shahbaz had tendered resignation as PHF secretary by saying that if government had no time to look into hockey affairs, then he too had no time for the same. “But now, he has taken back his so-called resignation,” Manzoor said.
This unusual stance of Shahbaz, the former Olympians present at the presser alleged, was aimed at pressurising the federal government for securing funds.
“The prime minister should intervene to resolve the hockey crisis, and both PHF president and secretary should be sent home,” they said.
Alleging that the PHF laundered 70,000 Euros from Pakistan to Holland last year, the ex-Olympians urged the PM should look into this scam too.
The Olympians also alleged that PHF’s official letter/s was also misused by federation in a bid to secure visas. They also said that in Tuesday’s congress, the PHF did not allow several members to participate in the meeting.
Dawn
Four UniKL imports 'balik Kampong' before final
By Jugjet Singh
KUALA LUMPUR: Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) hammered Maybank 4-1 in the semi-final first leg of the TNB Cup to virtually qualify for the finals on March 2 (Saturday).
However, barring a surprise upset in the return leg on Thursday (February 28), UniKL will not be at full strength as they will have to do without their best foreign imports for the final.
This is because three of their Dutch and Irish imports will have to 'balik Kampong' (translation: return to village) before the final.
Dutchmen Valentin Verga, Robert Kemperman and Martijn Havenga, as well as top Irish goalkeeper David Harte, who helped UniKL win their first League title in nine years, will not be around to help them to a double.
Instead Dutch club, Kampong HC, will be welcoming Kemperman, Havenga and Harte, while Verga will return to Amsterdam HC.
SV Kampong is a Dutch field hockey club based in Utrecht. It was founded in 1902, making it the second oldest hockey club in the Netherlands.
This is because the four will not be available from March 1 onwards, as they have a contract to play in the European Hockey League (EHL) knock-out stage from April 17-22.
Even though there is ample time, the European Hockey Federation (EHF) has only allowed their players to ply their trade overseas until Feb 28 (Thursday), even though their tournament will only be held at a much later date.
And while UniKL team manager Datuk Amir Azhar Ibrahim is still waiting for a positive reply regarding their appeal to EHF, Kemperman said the window is firmly shut on and they will have to return.
"No way, I know the EHF will not allow us to play in the final, as the window will be shut on us to play overseas by the end of this month (February).
"I know there is an appeal from UniKL to EHF, but no, the EHF will not entertain it and we can only watch on when UniKL play in the final this Saturday (March 2)," said Kemperman.
Terengganu Hockey Team (THT) were in the same boat with Verga two years ago, and he had to sit out the final as well.
In the other semi-final, national player Faizal Saari scored a brace (28th, 46th) with South Korean ace Jang Jong Hyun (52nd) delivering another goal for Terengganu HT as they powered their way to a 3-1 win over Tenaga Nasional.
Tenaga managed to get on the scoresheet with a late consolation goal off Arif Syafie Ishak in the 60th minute.
RESULTS — TNB Cup Semi-final, First Leg: UniKL 4 Maybank 1, Tenaga Nasional 1 Terengganu HT 3.
FIXTURES — THURSDAY: TNB Cup Semi-final, Second Leg: Tenaga Nasional v Terengganu HT (Tun Razak Hockey Stadium, 3pm), UniKL v Maybank (Tun Razak Hockey Stadium, 5pm).
New Straits Times
Kemperman wants to see UniKL in final despite impending goodbye
By T. Avineshwaran
All in: UniKL’s Robert Kemperman (right) dribbling past Maybank’s Adam Aiman Mamat during their TNB Cup semi-final first-leg match at the Tun Razak Hockey Stadium yesterday. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS / The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Universiti Kuala Lumpur’s (UniKL) Dutch international Robert Kemperman has vowed to bring his side into the TNB Cup final although he would play no part in it if they qualify.
Kemperman, together with his countrymen Martijn Havenga and Valentin Verga as well as Irish international David Harte, will return to Europe as the European Hockey Federation (EHF) window to play in overseas leagues ends tomorrow.
The players have a contract to play in the EuroHockey League knockout stages which is scheduled to be held from April 17 to 22.
Harte, Havenga and Kemperman plays for SV Kampong while Verga turns out for Amsterdam in Holland.
Kemperman said he will give his best in the second leg of the semi-final tomorrow.
“There is a window we can play in. The final is after that window. EHF are very strict. No exception and we have to accept the rules,” he said.
“Having been in the Malaysian league since the start it will be disappointing not to play in the final but we will support them from the stands.
“That’s why we want to be at our best in the second leg. We may have won 4-1 against Maybank but we conceded a goal, so we have to be careful.”
UniKL, who were missing coach Arul Selvaraj through illness, have the upper hand.
Their goals were scored by Havenga (8th), Razie Abd Rahim (20th), Ashran Hamsani (22nd) and Kemperman (58th). Haziq Samsul scored for Maybank in the 60th minute.
Maybank had three penalty corners but failed to convert any as they looked blunt up front.
Maybank coach Azrul Affendy Bistamam said their game plan didn’t work well as they looked to hold UniKL but were undone by two early goals in the first half.
However, he is optimistic that his charges will make a comeback in the return leg.
“Penalty conversions were not that good and we will be watching videos from this match to rectify our mistakes,” said Azrul.
“We will work hard in the next match and try to surprise them.”
The Star of Malaysia
Terengganu not sitting comfy after Tenaga win
KUALA LUMPUR: The return leg of the TNB Cup semi-final will be a brand new game for fancied Terengganu.
Head coach I. Vickneswaran commended his players for their spirited performance in the 3-1 win against Tenaga Nasional in the first leg semi-final yesterday, but urged his charges to forget about the result and think about securing a place in the final.
“We took our chances. That was the difference. My players gave their hearts out and showed how much they wanted to win,” said Vickneswaran.
“Our goalkeeper Hazrul Faiz was good as he thwarted many chances.
“We will fight thinking it is a fresh game. In hockey, 3-1 is never comfortable. We must have a strong mentality and I believe my players have what it takes to do it.”
Terengganu’s goals were scored by ace striker Faizal Saari (28th and 46th minute) and South Korean Jang Jong-hyun (pic) (52nd) while Tenaga’s goal was scored by Arif Syafie Ishak in the 60th minute.
Tenaga head coach Nor Saiful Zaini said if his players continue to muff their chances they can forget about making the final.
“We had 10 clear chances and failed to score. That is a huge blow for us,” said Nor Saiful.
“Terengganu were clinical. I must see how we can make a comeback. We must think of getting three goals in the next match. The chances are there and we must score.”
The return leg for both semi-finals will be held tomorrow at the Tun Razak Hockey Stadium.
The Star of Malaysia
'Crazy' 3pm game for players under fiery sun
Jugjet Singh
KUALA LUMPUR: Poor maintenance at seven stadiums has led to the Malaysia Hockey League TNB Cup semi-finals being held at a torturous 3pm and 5pm at the Tun Razak Stadium in the scorching heat yesterday (Feb 26).
The Google weather report showed an intimidating 36 degrees Celsius when the first semi-final started.
But for the players on the pitch, it’s even worse as it’s always two degrees hotter on the artificial pitch as water evaporates. Many of them will tell you that.
The Metrological Department of Malaysia had sent out warnings of a heat-wave striking the nation until the end of March, and even the National Sports Institute (NSI), on its Twitter account, had advised athletes to take precaution when playing under the sun.
The NSI warning for Tuesday (Feb 26) was: “Don't let embarrassment keep you on the field. If you feel dehydrated or sick, tell your coach right away.”
The other ISN warning on Twitter was: “Pay attention to early signs and symptoms of dehydration.”
However, none of the semifinalists -- Terengganu Hockey Team, Maybank, Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) and Tenaga Nasional requested Tournament Director, Jusvir Singh for the matches to be held at a later time, to avoid heat stroke.
“The first plan was to hold one semi-final at Tun Razak and the other at the Tengku Abdullah Stadium in Bangi simultaneously at 5pm. But one team wanted to play in Terengganu, and another team in Ipoh.
“And since there was no consensus, we decided to play at the Tun Razak at 3pm and 5pm for both legs,” said Jusvir.
The seven stadiums in the Klang Valley all have defects, which made them unplayable.
As the Tun Razak Stadium has bad lighting, night matches can't be played there at night.
And both the stadiums at Bukit Jalil are under repair after shoddy workmanship saw the pitches become brittle inside one year.
The newly laid Petaling Jaya City Council Stadium is also under repair even though it was laid less than a year ago.
The over-used Kuala Lumpur HA Stadium in Jalan Pantai has water pump issues, making it dry as a desert.
And next to KLHA Stadium, the Ministry of Education Stadium is unsuitable because of a bumpy pitch -- and it was also recently returfed.
The UiTM Stadium in Shah Alam has good lighting as well as water pumps, but it was also found to be too bumpy and poorly laid.
And even the brand new Tengku Abdullah Stadium in Bangi is already plagued with issues. Its pitch is bumpy while its lights are yet to be tested and approved for night matches.
To make things bearable for the players. Jusvir and his team changed some rules.
* Players were allowed four minutes of water breaks (instead of two).
* Players were allowed to run to the sidelines and drink whenever they want.
* Bottles of water are allowed to be kept at the back of goalmouths, and the goalkeepers are allowed to remove their helmets when not under attack.
And for those players and officials sweating it out on the reserves’ bench, electric fans were given.
“Hopefully, this will help players to cool down,” said Jusvir.
Maybank and UniKL players had to do their warm-up exercises at 2pm, an hour before the game.
Perhaps, they could have skipped the warm-up moves as the blazing sun was enough to heat them up.
In the end, UniKL proved too hot for Maybank with a 4-1 triumph in their 3pm match.
In the other semi-final, which started at 5pm, Terenggany HT overpowered Tenaga Nasional 3-1.
New Straits Times
Celebrating the Career of Chuck
by Tyron Barnard
Lloyd (Chuck) Norris-Jones OLY. Photo: LNJ Facebook page
On the 6 May 2012, South Africa’s hockey men were taking on Japan, the hosts, in the final of the Olympic Qualifying tournament. South Africa had been required to qualify for the Olympics a second time after the African Cup victory was seen as not good enough. To add to the challenge the group stage saw the hosts and the South Africans draw.
South Africa had taken an early lead and were under immense pressure from Japan. But when the moment arose, the ice cool Lloyd Norris-Jones finished clinically to give SA the lead. Although Japan would later score it was Chuck’s goal that took South Africa to the London Olympic Games.
A couple of years later on my birthday in November, South Africa took on Egypt in the African Cup final and trailed twice in the game. Lloyd scored the last goal of the game with a superb break with speed and individual brilliance to wrap up the game. It was a superb birthday present for me and yet another moment when Chuck had made South Africa proud.
It was sad news when Lloyd told me he had decided to retire from International hockey, as despite his 140 caps for the country, I would have loved to see him play a bit more. I definitely would have loved my son to have the opportunity to watch the most lethal attacker we have had in South Africa in my hockey watching days.
Where I really appreciated Chuck was when I was taking my first steps into the world of hockey journalism, he took the time to sit, chat and share information for me to write about. We had some fantastic chats around hockey at coffee shops or over the phone and I don’t expect that to stop any time soon. Thanks for the hockey memories Chuck, here is to many more!
While South African Hockey fans will feel a loss, the fans of Hamburg are fortunate to be experiencing a gain!
SA Hockey Association media release
William Marshall retires from international hockey
Willie Marshall celebrates his goal in the final of EuroHockey Championship II – photo by Mark Pugh
After 177 caps and 19 goals William Marshall has announced his retirement from international hockey. Marshall competed in three Commonwealth Games for Scotland and was part of the EuroHockey Championship II winning team in 2017, scoring in the final.
Greenock Hockey Club is where the journey started for Marshall before moving onto Kelburne and eventually Surbiton in London. He also received excellent support from Winning Students while studying at the University of West of Scotland (UWS).
Marshall said, “I’ve been toying with the thought of retiring for a few months, as my career away from hockey has to become my main focus now. It wouldn’t be fair on myself or the team to try and continue. It’s the right time to move on from international hockey and focus on my career.”
It was in 2006 that Marshall made his Scotland debut when he took to the pitch at the Celtic Cup against Ireland. He added, “I was really nervous and forgot my passport, which made it even worse. But it was an amazing experience and an honour to make my debut for Scotland.”
Marshall highlights players like Ali McGregor, Graeme Moodie, Graham Dunlop, and David Mitchell as being really supportive and helpful in the early days.
“My first cap was amazing and my three Commonwealth Games were all incredible for different reasons. Delhi for the sheer passion for hockey; Glasgow for the home crowd – I’ve never experienced anything like that, I remember being mobbed in George Square just for being a Scottish athlete; and Gold Coast was great for the show they put on and how passionate they are about the sport.
“I’ll never forget my first goal for Scotland – we were 6-0 up in Egypt and I scored a short corner and ran off celebrating by myself! I thought all the boys were following me but when I turned round they were all waiting for me on the half way line!”
Marshall was part of Scotland’s EuroHockey Championship II winning side in 2017, which finally saw the team promoted to the EuroHockey Championships – taking place this summer on 19-24 August in Antwerp.
“The hardest thing about the decision to retire is not being involved in A Division,” Marshall explained, “after all the effort to get there, all the years trying to get out of B Division, to step away now is the hardest thing.”
A 4-0 win over Belarus in the final match of Hockey Series in Lousada was Marshall’s last game in a Scotland shirt. The win saw the Blue Sticks progress to the Hockey Series Finals, which will happen in Le Touquet, France, on 15-23 July.
“Lousada was a good way to end things – it’s nice to finish on a high, and it sets the boys up for the next round.”
Marshall (14) 26 June 2015 at The National Hockey Centre, Glasgow Green.
Scotland v Czech Republic – photo by Duncan Gray
Marshall would like to thank all the players, and particular staff in the Scotland men’s squad for their support. He said, “I’m extremely grateful to everyone who helped me and I’d like to thank all the staff for their support. Derek Forsyth has coached me since U16 and he’s been solid throughout my career, taught me a lot, and it’s been a pleasure to be part of his team. Graham Moodie has been awesome and massively influential for me since I first came into the squad – he’s a really talented coach who will go far.
“Dave Reid has been phenomenal, like Derek he’s always coached me down the years – he’s always been there, he’s a really good coach. Emma Traynor was excellent and was a good motivator for me to keep going; and Heather Binnington was such a great support for me when I broke my leg.”
Scotland men’s Head Coach Derek Forsyth said, “I’ve known Willie for a long time and he’s been an excellent servant to Scotland. He’s shown tremendous dedication to the team and programme down the years, and deserves all the accolades he gets on his retirement.
“In particular I have to highlight his determination to return from his broken leg in 2015. He was a big loss for us but to come back from that and play such a big role over the last few years, playing at the highest level, really pays tribute to him. It shows a lot about his character.
“I can still see him running to the corner flag by himself in Egypt after his first goal for Scotland. Incredible. A great Scottish player and I’d like to wish him all the best for the future.”
10 September 2016 at the National Hockey Centre, Glasgow Green.
FIH World League 1 match – Scotland v Portugal
Scottish Hockey Union media release
Surbiton’s Marshall steps back from Scottish set-up after 12 international years
©: Frank Uijlenbroek / World Sport Pics
After 177 caps and 19 goals William Marshall has announced his retirement from international hockey. Marshall competed in three Commonwealth Games for Scotland and was part of the EuroHockey Championship II winning team in 2017, scoring in the final.
Greenock Hockey Club is where the journey started for Marshall before moving onto Kelburne - pictured playing against Real Club de Polo in the EHL - and eventually Surbiton in London. He also received excellent support from Winning Students while studying at the University of West of Scotland (UWS).
Marshall said, “I’ve been toying with the thought of retiring for a few months, as my career away from hockey has to become my main focus now. It wouldn’t be fair on myself or the team to try and continue. It’s the right time to move on from international hockey and focus on my career.”
It was in 2006 that Marshall made his Scotland debut when he took to the pitch at the Celtic Cup against Ireland. He added: “I was really nervous and forgot my passport, which made it even worse. But it was an amazing experience and an honour to make my debut for Scotland.”
Marshall highlights players like Ali McGregor, Graeme Moodie, Graham Dunlop, and David Mitchell as being really supportive and helpful in the early days.
“My first cap was amazing and my three Commonwealth Games were all incredible for different reasons. Delhi for the sheer passion for hockey; Glasgow for the home crowd – I’ve never experienced anything like that, I remember being mobbed in George Square just for being a Scottish athlete; and Gold Coast was great for the show they put on and how passionate they are about the sport.
“I’ll never forget my first goal for Scotland – we were 6-0 up in Egypt and I scored a short corner and ran off celebrating by myself! I thought all the boys were following me but when I turned round they were all waiting for me on the half way line!”
Marshall was part of Scotland’s EuroHockey Championship II winning side in 2017, which finally saw the team promoted to the EuroHockey Championships – taking place this summer on 19-24 August in Antwerp.
“The hardest thing about the decision to retire is not being involved in A Division,” Marshall explained. “After all the effort to get there, all the years trying to get out of B Division, to step away now is the hardest thing.”
A 4-0 win over Belarus in the final match of Hockey Series in Lousada was Marshall’s last game in a Scotland shirt. The win saw the Blue Sticks progress to the Hockey Series Finals, which will happen in Le Touquet, France, on 15-23 July.
“Lousada was a good way to end things – it’s nice to finish on a high, and it sets the boys up for the next round.”
Scotland men’s Head Coach Derek Forsyth said, “I’ve known Willie for a long time and he’s been an excellent servant to Scotland. He’s shown tremendous dedication to the team and programme down the years, and deserves all the accolades he gets on his retirement.
“In particular I have to highlight his determination to return from his broken leg in 2015. He was a big loss for us but to come back from that and play such a big role over the last few years, playing at the highest level, really pays tribute to him. It shows a lot about his character.
“I can still see him running to the corner flag by himself in Egypt after his first goal for Scotland. Incredible. A great Scottish player and I’d like to wish him all the best for the future.”
Euro Hockey League media release
East Grinstead boost their English playoff chances with win over Holcombe
©: Frank Uijlenbroek / World Sport Pics
Victory over rivals Holcombe on Saturday boosted East Grinstead’s push for a spot in the Men’s Hockey League Premier Division play offs, but defeat to Brooklands MU on Sunday leaves the battle for the play-offs very much still on.
Goals from Tijn van Groesen and David Condon (pictured) helped East Grinstead beat Holcombe 2-0 and climb above them in the table, but the West Sussex side were beaten 2-0 at home by Brooklands MU 24 hours later with Thomas Russell and David Flanagan scoring for the away side.
Those results mean there are four teams within three points of the fourth play-off spot, but with five more games still to come everything is still to play for.
Leaders Surbiton condemned Holcombe to another loss on Sunday as they ran out 4-1 winners. Arjan Drayton Chana scored twice while David Goodfield and Hayden Beltz also found the net. Connor Caplan scored Holcombe’s only goal.
Matt Guise Brown was the star of the show for Hampstead & Westminster in their 8-1 win over Sevenoaks.
Guise Brown scored four times for the side level on points with Surbiton. Chris Cargo sealed a double of his own with Jonny Gooch and Rhodri Furlong scored a goal apiece, while Tim Warrington was Sevenoaks’ scorer.
Carson brothers James and George scored for the University of Exeter in a 3-3 home draw with Beeston. Gareth Griffiths, Chris Proctor and Mark Gleghorne put Beeston 3-2 ahead before James Ferguson levelled the scoring only five minutes from time for the hosts.
And goals from Ben Roe and Ed Horler (2) helped Wimbledon clamber their way away from relegation fears with a 3-0 win over Reading on Saturday.
Euro Hockey League media release
Glens set to reach ISC semis as Kilkeel withdraw, joining TRR, Garvey and C of I
Glenanne look set to advance to the final four of the Irish Senior Cup without hitting a ball as Kilkeel withdrew from the competition over a club rule that states they cannot play on Sundays.
The Mourne club held an EGM in midweek to change the club’s constitution but the longstanding rule was upheld. As such, the scenario was to either find an alternative date agreeable to Hockey Ireland and the Glens or concede.
The likelihood of finding such a different date is a difficult one in an already backlogged season due to the pre-Christmas World Cup and other matches falling foul of the weather and so the latter option came to pass on Saturday morning.
In recent years, Kilkeel have also withdrawn from the EY Hockey League promotion playoffs due to Sunday games being scheduled. Hockey Ireland’s Cup Competitions committee will make a final call on the matter on Wednesday before the semi-final draw is made.
The Glens go through to the final four along with Three Rock Rovers who refound their mojo to beat Banbridge 4-3, putting their league travails behind them to remain unbeaten in all domestic knock-out competitions since the spring of 2017.
Three Rock Rovers put their league travails behind them to continue their remarkable run of results in domestic knock-out matches as they Banbridge 4-3 in the Irish Senior Cup.
They have now not lost a match of this ilk since the spring of 2017 as Luke Madeley fired the winner at Havelock Park.
Rovers had led 3-0 in the first half with Mark English scoring against the run of play before Madeley and Jody Hosking propelled the Dubliners into a great position.
Bann roared back into contention with a double from Eugene Magee before Josh Moffett made it 3-3 but Madeley arrived with his second to win it.
Cork C of I win was their first of the season in normal time as John Jermyn fired a hat trick of set-piece goals to earn a 3-2 in Co Tyrone against Cookstown.
The Olympian fired his side in front with a drag-flick special only for Greg Allen to peg them back. A Jermyn stroke and another penalty corner shot slung them into a 3-1 lead and while Stu Smyth got Cookstown back into the tie, they could not deny C of I a place in the last four.
Lisnagarvey beat Pembroke for the second time in eight days at Comber Road with Matthew Nelson scoring twice.
In the Irish Hockey Trophy, the finalists were confirmed with Waterford continuing their incredible rise as they saw off Rathgar in a shoot-out after Steven Roberts and Ben Johnson exchanged goals.
The Deise side will come up against former winners NICS in the final after they also won a shoot-out to reach the final.
In Leinster Division One, the refixture between Avoca and Dublin University was postponed again as there were no umpires appointed to the fixture.
Men’s Irish Senior Cup quarter-finals: Banbridge 3 (E Magee 2, J Moffett) Three Rock Rovers 4 (L Madeley 2, M English, J Hosking); Cookstown 2 (G Allen, S Smyth) Cork C of I 3 (J Jermyn 3); Kilkeel scr Glenanne w/o; Lisnagarvey 3 (M Nelson 2, J Bell) Pembroke Wanderers 1 (H Spain)
Irish Hockey Trophy, semi-finals: Rathgar 1 (S Roberts) Waterford 1 (B Johnson), Waterford win shoot-out; NICS 3 North Down 3, NICS win shoot-out
Irish Junior Cup quarter-finals: Banbridge II 1 Three Rock Rovers II 3; Glenanne II 2 Lisnagarvey II 2, Glenanne win shoot-out 4-2; Monkstown II 4 Belfast Harlequins II 0; YMCA II 1 Instonians II 2
Semi-final draw: Monkstown v Three Rock Rovers; Instonians v Glenanne
Leinster Division 1: Dublin University v Avoca postponed
Neville Davin Cup semi-final: Railway Union 4 (A O’Callaghan, A Colton, R Devlin, D Sheill) Dublin University 0
Munster Division 1: Ashton 1 (C Buttimer) Catholic Institute 1 (C Sparling)
The Hook
Pholo adds competitive edge to UJ hockey
Former South African star Tsoanelo Pholo has been appointed as the women’s hockey coach at the University of Johannesburg. Photo: Supplied
As a player she overcame challenges at the highest level. Now, new University of Johannesburg hockey coach Tsoanelo Pholo is keen to bring a competitive edge to the varsity’s women’s team this year.
The 35-year-old former South African star, who scored seven goals in 53 internationals before retiring in 2010, joined the management team late last year and is relishing the chance to pursue her passion for the game at UJ.
She has no doubt that the squad have the potential to make an impact in student hockey in the country.
“The UJ hockey set-up is on its way back to being as professional as the top teams in the world,” said Pholo.
“I am a very competitive individual so I am here to achieve nothing but positive results.”
She said it was still too early for her to provide an accurate assessment of the squad, but she added that “I can tell you there is some exciting talent at UJ”.
Pholo said their main goals for the year were the Varsity Hockey tournament, in which the women play every alternate year, as well as the University Sport South Africa week and the Southern Gauteng premier league.
Having grown up in Maseru, Lesotho, Pholo moved to Johannesburg when she was nine and now lives in Midrand.
Her appointment came about after she received a call from UJ late last year. She said she had managed to make the transition from international player to coach without a hitch.
“It wasn’t easy to retire as a player to pursue my dream of becoming a world-class coach, but I have been coaching for 19 years so it wasn't an unnatural transition,” she said.
She has quickly made her mark as a coach. Besides taking charge of a number of representative teams, she guided the South African U18 team to the semifinals of the Youth Olympic Games last year.
Pholo has also qualified at the highest level (level 4) in the Federation of International Hockey structures, which she achieved in 2018.
“I am passionate about hockey and the development of the next generation of players,” she said.
“My goal is to be a catalyst in spreading the sport to every corner of South Africa; every township, small or rural town, mining communities and urban areas. I am actively seeking opportunities that support this goal.
“Coaching is about seeing the potential in every player and being the catalyst to bringing the best out of individual players. It is about being the glue that connects all that talent in a team.”
Fullstop Communications on behalf of University of Johannesburg Hockey
To raise standards of umpiring, Hockey India will conduct online test for officials
In a bid to raise the standards of umpiring and officiating in the country, Hockey India on Tuesday announced it will conduct an online test on March 29.
The online Test is designed as part of a program for professional development of the umpires and technical officials.
It will help them enhance their skill-based and knowledge-based expertise. It is also expected to illustrate the officials' knowledge levels of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) rules and regulations.
The online test will focus on testing the practical and theoretical knowledge of the FIH Rules of hockey.
It is mandatory for any candidate appearing for this test to be registered with a Hockey India Permanent/ Associate State Member Unit.
The registration for the test begins on Tuesday and close on March 15 at 5 pm.
"Organising this online test will only raise the bar of umpiring and technical officiating in India," said Rajinder Singh, Secretary General, Hockey India.
"We have several young men and women who want to stay connected to the game by professionally pursuing umpiring and Technical Official courses and we wanted to ensure they are on par with the international standards."
Daily News & Analysis
Players’ voices to be heard in action plan
Hockey New Zealand has today shared the findings of the review of the Black Sticks women’s team environment with the players and management team, asking them to help develop an action plan that will meet their needs.
The independent review undertaken by Maria Dew QC highlighted that Hockey New Zealand’s systems had failed to enable player issues to be responded to at the time.
Hockey New Zealand Chair Mike Bignell delivered a face-to-face apology to the players and the management team in Auckland this morning.
“The failings resulted in unacceptable outcomes for some of our players and consequently the broader management team. It should never have got to this point and Hockey New Zealand unequivocally apologises to all those who have had a poor experience in the environment,” says Bignell.
“We’re sorry we did not have the right support in place to ensure legitimate concerns were investigated. We welcome the opportunity to meet confidentially with anyone who believes their concerns are not being addressed.”
Bignell says that as part of the sport’s programme of continuous improvement, Hockey New Zealand accepts the review’s recommendations and is working on a range of initiatives to strengthen their high performance environment.
“While our systems clearly need strengthening, so do our relationships. Hockey New Zealand must engage better with our players and their representatives the Hockey Players’ Association, as well as providing resources and support to ensure athlete wellbeing.”
“This is a hard-working group of women, many of whom balance fulltime employment or study with the demands of training to perform at the highest level against teams that are fully professional. There’s no doubt these women are tough.”
Hockey New Zealand People and Culture Committee Chair Shane Collins says with hockey’s desire to always put people at the centre of their sport, it is vital that all parties are involved in developing the action plan.
“As recommended by the reviewer, we are taking time to reflect properly on the review and develop a plan that will ensure the players’ voices are heard.
“Consequently this collective action plan will take some weeks to complete, however we have already identified a number of immediate actions that we believe will help the team move forward positively.”
Collins says one of these actions is working on establishing a role which will have oversight of the welfare of the Black Sticks Women’s players, and will also be an additional communications channel for players.
Other actions underway include:
· The commencement of the recruitment for a new permanent Head Coach. Applications have now closed, and Hockey New Zealand is looking to make an appointment next month.
· The appointment of an experienced HR professional to advise the Board and sit on the People and Culture Committee. Their focus would be to revise the organisation’s people-related policies and develop a workplace code of conduct.
· Scheduling sessions for the players to educate them on a range of HR policies including health and safety, wellbeing, discrimination, bullying and harassment.
Both Black Sticks teams are now focused on the FIH Pro League with three more home rounds against USA (women) and Spain (men), Argentina and Australia.
Bignell says the goal for both Black Sticks teams remains to win a medal at the Tokyo Olympics.
“Our commitment as a Board is to ensure that we give the players, coaches and management the best possible environment to win on the world stage.”
Mike Bignell Statement
Summary of Findings
Hockey New Zealand Media release