News for 11 March 2019
All the news for Monday 11 March 2019
2019 Test Matches POR vs SUI (M) - 3rd Test
Lisbon
Result 10 March
POR v SUI 1 - 5
Switzerland win the 3 match series 3 - 0
FIH Match Centre
Azlan Shah Cup: Poland make it 6
The 28th edition of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup will be a 6 team affair after all.
Poland, who have a world ranking of 21, have confirmed their participation .
This was conveyed by Perak HA and Azlan Shah Organising Secretary M. Selvakumaran through a Whatsapp message.
“ We have confirmation that Poland will be participating and thank the AHF Chief Executive Officer Dato Tayab Ikram for his assistance,” said Selva.
Earlier, South Africa withdrew after initially confirming their participation.
The tournament will be held in Ipoh from the 23rd to 30th March.
The other teams participating are India, Canada, South Kore, Malaysia and Japan.
Malaysian Sports
Azlan Shah Cup: Scrooge South Africa withdraw
Sultan Nazrin with former Malaysian hockey greats.
KUALA LUMPUR: South African players will miss the chance of a lifetime to play in the 28th Edition of the Azlan Shah Cup, because their Hockey Association (SAHA) had asked them to fork out almost 70 per cent of the flight expenses.
Many players naturally refused, and SAHA pulled out their team a few days back.
This is strange because the 'almost free' tournament just received RM2.06 million in sponsorship yesterday, which was handed to the Sultan of Perak, Nazrin Shah, in a gala ceremony in Kuala Lumpur.
The organisers are now banking on Poland to make it six again, as the other confirmed teams are hosts Malaysia, India, Japan, South Korea and Canada.
And if Poland do not confirm in two days time, it would be run as a five-team tournament.
Azlan Shah Cup organising secretary M. Selvakumaran said: "This is the only tournament in the world which caters for accommodation, food as well as internal transport to and fro Kuala Lumpur (airport) to Ipoh for invited teams. All the teams need to do is pay for their players and officials flight tickets and show up with playing gear."
But South Africa HA are no strangers to this, as they has also asked their players to fork out nearly RM3,000 each to play in the recent World Cup in Bhubaneswar, India.
Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) deputy president Datuk Dr S. Shamala said: "This is one of the most prestigious Invitationals in the world which has stood the test of time and has seen the best in the world play and lift the trophy.
"It's a pity South Africa could not make it due to financial problems, and so we wait for Poland. And if the tournament becomes a five-team affair, we will let the FIH (International Hockey Federation) decide its format."
There are no plans to include a Malaysian B team if Poland does not answer the 11th hour call-up as the Cup will be held on March 23-30.
Some of the sponsors are Astro RM400,000, Perak State Govermnent RM300,000, KL Teh Land and Development Sdn Bhd RM300,000, Lumut Maritime Terminal RM200,000 and many others.
Teams and officials are even provided with water, as Spritzer has pledged 20,000 bottles.
South Africa surely missed the freebee of their lives to expose their players by being an international scrooge.
Jugjet's World of Field Hockey
South Africa withdraw from Sultan Azlan Shah Cup
By T. Avineshwaran
KUALA LUMPUR: South Africa have pulled out of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup due to financial reasons.
The news was confirmed by Malaysia Hockey Confederation (MHC) deputy president Prof Datuk Dr Shamala Subramaniam, who said the team was not able to finance flight tickets from South Africa to Malaysia.
”Sadly, South Africa have pulled out and we didn’t want this to happen,” said Prof Shamala.
“We would have sponsored their stay in Malaysia but they lacked finances for flight tickets.
”We have spoken to Poland to invite them and they have given us a positive response. We really hope that they could participate in this tournament.
”If Poland decline, there will be changes in the tournament duration.
“We will do the best to ensure it doesn’t impact the quality of the tournament.”
Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, India and Canada are the only teams participating in the tournament.
The tournament is scheduled to start on March 23 and ends on March 30 at the Sultan Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh.
Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah received the mock cheques for the tournament from sponsors in a ceremony yesterday.
About RM2.063mil worth of sponsorship was pledged for the tournament and Prof Shamala said it was a testament to the tournament’s credibility.
”The Cup is a prestigious tournament and respected around the world,” she added.
“The increase in sponsorship is a testament to the tournament’s credibility.
The Star of Malaysia
Japan invite Malaysia for Olympic Test event.
Malaysia will get to test the playing surface and facilities of Hockey for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics a year in advance.
Immaterial of the fact that their road to Tokyo is tough, Malaysia are being invited by Japan to participate in the 4 nation Test event that will be held from 17-21 August.
The other two trans invited are India and New Zealand.
And that is not all for Japan is also looking forward to playing five Test matches against Malaysia in Japan this July.
However this looks highly unlikely as from the plans of the national team made available, they are scheduled to set up a training camp in Düsseldorf , Germany from 21-28 July followed by a 4 nation tournament in Spain from 29 July to 4th August followed by two matches against Holland.
Basically the national team will have a full calendar for July and August before the all important two leg final qualifiers for Olympics on October 25 and November 3.
Japan coach Siegfried Aikman said that they currently had 33 players in their national training squad and exposing them with such matches was necessary.
“We are taking the Azlan Shah very seriously and that’s why we brought 14 gold medalists and 2 very talented young players,” said Aikman this morning.
“We have a good relationship with Malaysia and I think the invite for the matches in July will be good for both parties.
“We have 11 players below 20 years old and they will form the core of our team for the Sultan of Johor Cup this October.”
And at the Azlan Shah Cup, Aikman has put his faith in two 19 year olds.
Kazuki Yoneda has replaced Seren Tanaka who broke a finger over the weekend while Ryosei Kato is a talented striker.
Malaysian Sports
ROUND-UP: English Men's Hockey League
Adam Dixon, Beeston scorer, in action against Hampstead and Westminster. Credit David Kissman
Surbiton extended their lead at the top of the Men’s Hockey League Premier Division to three points after an impressive 7-1 victory at home against Brooklands Manchester University, while title rivals Hampstead & Westminster lost at Beeston on Sunday.
David Goodfield scored from open play after just three minutes, and Alan Forsyth added a quick brace of goals on 17 and 21 minutes before Tom Sorsby added another in the 35th to leave the score 4-0 at half time.
William Marshall slotted in from open play in the 58th minute, and Zach Wallace and Ben Boon added goals for the home side in the 64th and 67th minutes before Sam Perrin scored a last-minute consolation for the away side.
Beeston cemented third spot and dealt a blow to Hampstead & Westminster with a 1-0 victory at home.
GB captain Adam Dixon scored the only goal of the game for the home side when he found the net from a penalty corner in the 25th minute.
East Grinstead versus Reading ended 2-2 on Saturday as both sides looked to close the gap on the teams above them in the table.
Rob Cope opened the scoring for East Grinstead in the 20th minute from free play to leave it 1-0 at half time.
Simon Faulkner doubled the home side’s advantage from a penalty corner in the 47th minute.
Matt Richards hit back for Reading in the 49th before levelling the affair in the 56th with a goal from a penalty stroke.
Elsewhere, Wimbledon eased fears of a relegation battle as they won 4-0 at home against the University of Exeter.
A brace from Ed Horler and goals from Eugene Malthouse and Phil Roper were enough to seal all three points for the home side.
Goals from Harry Trusler (2) and Ross Hetem proved too much as bottom of the table Sevenoaks lost 3-1 at home against Holcombe. Tim Warrington scored a consolation for the home side.
Men’s Conference East
Old Georgians secured the Conference East title with a 4-0 win at Old Loughtonians on Sunday.
Goals from James Albery, Tom Watson, Mat Ming and James Tindall helped them secure a 13th win in 15 games this season, giving them an unassailable lead of 12 points with three games left.
Canterbury were 3-1 winners at bottom of the table Cambridge City. Teague Marcano (2) and Tom Bean scored the goal for the away side and Alex Drummond got the only goal of the game for Cambridge.
Richmond moved within one point of a top six spot with a 3-1 home victory versus Southgate.
Simon Mantell scored a brace and Scott Wall scored the other for the home side. John Sterlini scored a consolation for the away side in the 44th minute.
Elsewhere, Oxted won 4-3 at Brighton & Hove and the City of Peterborough won 3-2 at home against Teddington.
Men’s Conference North
Bowdon came from behind at half time to win 5-1 at home against Alderley Edge and maintain their position at the top of the Men’s Conference North.
James Warburton gave the away side the lead in the sixth minute before Alderley Edge responded in the second half with goals from Elliot White, Ben White (2), David Egerton and Oliver Stoddart.
Loughborough Students cemented their position in the top six with a 3-1 at home against Belper.
Fergus Gibson and Roman Harvey-Kelly (2) scored the goals for the home side, Sam McCambridge was on the scoresheet for Belper.
Elsewhere, the University of Durham won 5-1 at home against Sheffield Hallam, Preston versus the University of Nottingham ended 1-1 at full time and Doncaster’s match at Leeds was abandoned due to a hail storm.
Men’s Conference West
Olton & West Warwicks closed the gap at the top of the Men’s Conference West to four points with a 5-2 win at Isca.
Goals from Harry Sherlock (2), Martin Ebbage, Timothy Idoine and Peter Jackson were enough to seal all three points for the away side. Jon Wright and Tom Whitworth scored the goals for Isca.
Havant dropped two points at the top of the table as they drew 2-2 at the University of Bristol.
George Cairns opened the scoring for the home side in the 25th minute before two goals in one minute from Ethan Hoddle and Federico Bertoni gave Havant the lead.
Kincaid Ingram sealed a point for the University of Bristol when he netted an equaliser in the 57th minute.
Elsewhere Oxford Hawks won 6-2 at Chichester, Fareham ran out 5-0 victors at home against the University of Birmingham and Team Bath Buccaneers beat Cardiff & Met 2-1.
RESULTS:
Men’s Premier Division: Beeston 1, Hampstead & Westminster 0; East Grinstead 2, Reading 2; Sevenoaks 1, Holcombe 3; Surbiton 7, Brooklands Manchester University 1; Wimbledon 4, University of Exeter 0.
Men’s Conference East: Brighton & Hove 3, Oxted 4; Cambridge City 1, Canterbury 3; City of Peterborough 3, Teddington 2; Old Loughtonians 0, Old Georgians 4; Richmond 3, Southgate 1.
Men’s Conference North: Bowdon 5, Alderley Edge 1; Loughborough Students 3, Belper 1; Preston 1, University of Nottingham 1; University of Durham 5, Sheffield Hallam 1.
Men’s Conference West: Chichester 2, Oxford Hawks 6; Fareham 5, University of Birmingham 0; Isca 2, Olton & West Warwicks 5; Team Bath Buccaneers 2, Cardiff & Met 1; University of Bristol 2, Havant 2.
England Hockey Board Media release
Surbiton bolster their place at the head of English league
©: Frank Uijlenbroek / World Sport Pics
Surbiton extended their lead at the top of the English men’s Hockey League Premier Division to three points after an impressive 7-1 victory at home against Brooklands Manchester University, while title rivals Hampstead & Westminster lost at Beeston on Sunday.
David Goodfield scored from open play after just three minutes, and Alan Forsyth added a quick brace of goals on 17 and 21 minutes before Tom Sorsby added another in the 35th to leave the score 4-0 at half time.
William Marshall slotted in from open play in the 58th minute, and Zach Wallace and Ben Boon added goals for the home side in the 64th and 67th minutes before Sam Perrin scored a last-minute consolation for the away side.
Beeston cemented third spot and dealt a blow to Hampstead & Westminster with a 1-0 victory at home.
GB captain Adam Dixon scored the only goal of the game for the home side when he found the net from a penalty corner in the 25th minute.
East Grinstead versus Reading ended 2-2 on Saturday as both sides looked to close the gap on the teams above them in the table.
Rob Cope opened the scoring for East Grinstead in the 20th minute from free play to leave it 1-0 at half time.
Simon Faulkner doubled the home side’s advantage from a penalty corner in the 47th minute.
Matt Richards hit back for Reading in the 49th before levelling the affair in the 56th with a goal from a penalty stroke.
Elsewhere, Wimbledon eased fears of a relegation battle as they won 4-0 at home against the University of Exeter.
A brace from Ed Horler and goals from Eugene Malthouse and Phil Roper were enough to seal all three points for the home side.
Goals from Harry Trusler and Ross Hetem proved too much as bottom of the table Sevenoaks lost 3-1 at home against Holcombe. Tim Warrington scored a consolation for the home side.
Euro Hockey League media release
Irish Mens EY Hockey League Weekend Round Up
The top three in the men’s EY Hockey League all missed out on victory on a dramatic day in the competition with Glenanne’s lead reduced to two points.
They fell 3-1 to Three Rock Rovers at Grange Road with Ross Canning’s blast on the volley settling the game. Earlier, Rovers had led 2-0 thanks to Ali Empey and Luke Madeley goals before Jerome Saeys got one back for the Glens in a ferocious contest in front of a good crowd.
It continues Rovers good form for a third successive win while Glenanne suffered their first defeat of the season.
Lisnagarvey moved up to second but were left disappointed as they were held to a 2-2 draw at home against YMCA to reduce the deficit to the Glens to two points.
YM led twice with Thom Ritchie and Ben Campbell getting the goals to edge them in front of Matthew Nelson’s effort. Jakim Bernsden saved a stroke before Troy Chambers earned Garvey their point.
Banbridge dropped to third with a 4-3 defeat at the hands of Monkstown at the ALD Merrion Fleet Arena. Peter Brown gave Bann a good start but a Gareth Watkins stroke and a Ryan Spencer finish swapped the lead.
Bruce McCandless equalised at 2-2 before Guy Sarratt scored the first of his double. Jonny McKee made it 3-3 but Sarratt won the day with a 61st minute high drag.
At the bottom, Cookstown got what might be an important point but were frustrated for a second successive week not to get more from their tie as they let a 2-0 lead slip against Annadale.
Jack Haycock and Ryan Millar had them two to the good but Ben Wallace and Adam McAllister weaved their way through to score two individual goals for 2-2.
Harry Spain’s penalty corner double earned Pembroke a 2-1 win at Cork C of I to stay in fourth place, leaving the Garryduff side without a win to date this season.
In EYHL2, the semi-finalists were confirmed with Railway Union and UCD through from Pool A and Corinthian and Instonians from Pool B with a game to spare.
Men's EY Hockey League results: Cookstown 2 (J Haycock, R Millar) Annadale 2 (B Wallace, A McAllister); Cork C of I 1 (J Jermyn) Pembroke 2 (H Spain 2); Lisnagarvey 2 (M Nelson, T Chambers) YMCA 2 (T Ritchie, B Campbell); Monkstown 4 (G Sarratt 2, G Watkins, R Spencer) Banbridge 3 (Pe Brown, B McCandless, J McKee); Three Rock Rovers 3 (A Empey, L Madeley, R Canning) Glenanne 1 (J Saeys)
Extended reports
Three Rock Rovers 3 (A Empey, L Madeley, R Canning) Glenanne 1 (J Saeys)
Three Rock Rovers made it three wins in the men’s EYHL in eight days to see them close in on the top four as Ross Canning’s spectacular 64th minute goal won the day. He took in an overhead from Daragh Walsh on the run and then hammered through Iain Walker’s defences, inflicting a first defeat of the season on the Glens.
In a cracking tie in front of a good crowd at Grange Road, Glenanne went closest in the first quarter when Eddie O’Malley’s corner touch hit the post. Rovers stepped up their game in the second and took the lead from a quick counter as Harry Morris picked out Ali Empey alone in the D and he lifted a perfect shot over Walker.
On 31 minutes, Luke Madeley picked out the top corner from Rovers’ only corner – reduced to four defenders due to a line-break – for 2-0 at half-time. The Glens had a couple of big chances before half-time with Jamie Carr keeping Rovers two clear and he then saved a Joe Brennan stroke just after half-time.
The goalkeeper also produced a remarkable treble save off the line as Rovers rode out a rocky period. Former Belgian Under-21 international Jerome Saeys did get one on the board from a fifth corner to half the gap with 22 minutes to go.
Rovers, though, were creating lots of chances with Iain Walker and profligate finishing stopping them from going clear before Canning’s wonder strike. There was time for Carr to tip over at full stretch from Shannon Boucher to keep a healthy gap between the sides.
Cookstown 2 (J Haycock, R Millar) Annadale 2 (B Wallace, A McAllister)
Cookstown missed out on a great chance for a win at Steelweld Park as they could not make a two-goal lead stick at Steelweld Park.
The Reds controlled pitch position and possession throughout the first half with Mark Crooks and Paul Thompson in flying form down the right flank. However, they found Annadale goalkeeper Johnny Moore in excellent form and he kept his team in the match throughout the first half.
Cookstown found a way past him with one minute left in the half, a slick move at the short corner saw Jack Haycock deflect home for 1-0. Annadale started the better of the two teams in the second period but it was Cookstown who extended their lead. A penalty corner broke down but Greg Allen kept his head, driving the ball back into the danger area for Ryan Millar to deflect over the line.
The Carryduff men came back into the game with Matthew Rollins having to be on his toes to stop a well-worked shot from Callum Robson. Dale did get a goal when Ben Wallace was allowed to force his way through a maze of tackles to steer the ball past Josh McCabe for 2-1.
Annadale had Ryan Getty and Tom Robson yellowed either side of the third and fourth quarter but did manage to get level. Adam McAllister looked to have a wall of red players between him and the goal but a mixture of excellent skills and loose tackling allowed him to get into a position to scoop the ball over the line from the right baseline.
Moore made another great stop from Michael Kerr at the set piece with Cookstown putting on all sorts of pressure in the final quarter, but Dale were able to see out the game despite late yellow cards for Andrew O'Hare and the Reds' Ryan Millar.
Monkstown 4 (G Sarratt 2, G Watkins, R Spencer) Banbridge 3 (Pe Brown, B McCandless, J McKee)
Guy Sarratt’s 61st drag-flick settled a cracking 4-3 tussle at the ALD Merrion Fleet Arena as Banbridge’s title hopes suffered a big setback in Dublin. It was the third time Town had led in a see-saw battle.
Peter Brown had given Bann the early advantage from play but Gareth Watkins fired home a low penalty stroke in the 14th minute, won by Sarratt’s drag hitting a foot on the line.
Ryan Spencer’s reverse from the top left corner of the circle went in the bottom right for 2-1 midway through the second quarter only for Eugene Magee’s drag-flick to tie things up at half-time.
Sarratt restored the Town lead early in the second half from a reset penalty corner following an initial shot coming off Philip Brown’s foot. Parity was restored for a third time by Jonny McKee when he tapped in from an attack down the baseline.
The returning David Fitzgerald then made an impression wth a couple of good saves from Alexander Tinney before a series of Town corners ended with Sarratt ripping one top left and they held firm for a fifth win of the season.
Cork C of I 1 (J Jermyn) Pembroke 2 (H Spain 2)
Harry Spain’s pair of corner goals means Cork C of I’s wait for an EYHL win continues as they fell 2-1 to Pembroke at Garryduff in a closely contested battle.
The first of Spain’s goals came in the 15th minute after an exchange of early corners saw Pembroke succeed with their effort for a 1-0 lead. Simon Thornton had to be alert to keep it that way when Stephen Parker’s reverse fell to John Jermyn who drew a good save.
Richard Lynch’s slap was deflected over Phil Byrne while a Thomas Chamuleau drag-flick was hooked over as play went from end-to-end. Jermyn did equalise in the 45th minute down the right channel.
Pembroke went straight back up the pitch and won a stroke – with Alec Moffett receiving a yellow for his troubles – but Billy Lynch saved from former team mate Stephen Sweetnam.
But the critical blow came with 17 minutes left when Spain beat Lynch’s dive to the top corner from another drag-flick for 2-1. The final quarter was defined by a number of cards for both teams but Pembroke held on for an important win to stay ahead of Three Rock in the Champions Trophy places.
Lisnagarvey 2 (M Nelson, T Chambers) YMCA 2 (T Ritchie, B Campbell)
Lisnagarvey salavaged what may yet prove an important point but YMCA will be by far the happier as they continued their strong recent form, making it seven points from the last 12 to enliven their chances of avoiding relegation.
The Y had to roll with the punches in the first quarter as Garvey made most of the play with Jakim Bernsden impressing. YM hit the front in the second quarter with Thom Ritchie finishing off a quick counter-attack move but the Comber Road hosts got level quickly via Andy Williamson’s pass to Matthew Nelson to finish.
Ben Campbell put YM in front for a second time in the 44th minute from a corner and they stayed 2-1 ahead when Bernsden made his second penalty stroke save – from James Corry – in three games.
Troy Chambers equalised with 14 minutes left as YM had to hold out with 10 men three times with Grant Glutz (green), Ritchie and Campbell (both yellow) spent time in the bin but got their precious point.
EYHL 2 – week five round-up
The four sides for EYHL2 semi-finalists were confirmed as Railway Union, UCD, Corinthian and Instonians all made it through with a game to spare with the final round being solely to decide who plays who.
Railway punched their ticket when they saw off Bangor 2-1 at Park Avenue as Eoin MacArthur’s penalty corner rebound in the 17th minute and a direct strike from Adam O’Callaghan put them two up.
Chris Barnes’ penalty stroke made it interesting in the closing quarter but Railway got the four points. UCD beat Bandon 5-2 to sit top of Pool A. After a scoreless first quarter, Andrew Tutty set about building his hat trick, netting once alongside John Guilfoyle to counter Ali Smith’s goal.
Tutty and Iain Styles extended the lead to 4-1 by the end of the third period and Tutty completed his triple in the last phase with David Smith getting the Bandon reply.
In Pool B, Davy Howard scored a final quarter switch-flick to earn Corinthian a 1-1 draw at Shaw’s Bridge. Earlier, William Robinson had whipped home from a set piece.
It earned Inst the points they needed to be uncatchable by Kilkeel. The Mourne side were 2-0 down against UCC inside seven minutes to a pair of Eoin Finnegan goals and Sam Grace’s goal made it 3-1 at half-time.
Kilkeel fought back via goals from Eddie Agnew, David Finlay and a 61st minute winner from Jonathan Aiken for a 4-3 success.
Pool 1: Railway Union 2 (E MacArthur, A O’Callaghan) Bangor 1 (C Barnes); UCD 5 (A Tutty 3, I Styles, J Guilfoyle) Bandon 2 (A Smith, D Smith)
Pool 2: Instonians 1 (W Robinson) Corinthian 1 (D Howard); Kilkeel 4 (M Pobloth, E Agnew, D Finlay, J Aiken) UCC 3 (E Finnegan 2, S Grace)
Irish Hockey Association media release
Irish Womens EYHL Weekend Round Up
Pegasus’s brilliant 3-2 win against Loreto saw the lead swap hands at the head of the women’s EY Hockey League as the Ulster side are now the side to beat in the division.
They had fallen behind early to Nicci Daly’s strike but soon hit the front via Caitlyn Harvey and Ruth Maguire. Siofra O’Brien replied for previous table-toppers Loreto to make it 2-2 but it stayed that way for just a minute before Lucy McKee got the key goal.
The win puts Pegs two points clear at the top with five rounds of matches to go, putting the title chase right back in their hands.
UCD remain in the mix as they edged out Belfast Harlequins at Deramore Park with first half goals from Abbie Russell and Niamh Carey helping them to a 2-1 win. Emilia Cutrona got one back but Quins could not force an equaliser in a stirring closing spell.
The students are seven points off top but have a game in hand against bottom placed Muckross to try and close the gap.
Cork Harlequins recorded back-to-back home wins for the first time this season to stay in fourth place when Rebecca Barry’s hat trick helped them to a 3-1 win over Railway Union.
Pembroke are a point back from them as Alice Ward and Emily Beatty’s goals earned a 2-0 win from the Dublin 4 derby at Muckross.
Muckross’s main hopes of avoiding the drop now look set to be via the relegation playoff but they need to overhaul Ards to have a chance in that scenario.
Ards, for their part, lost 2-1 to Old Alex with Erika Hinkson and Lisa Jacob – back after long-term injury – scoring in the first half to power their win. They look all but safe in their first season since promotion. For Ards, their March 30 date with Muckross looks like being the key battle.
In EYHL2, Monkstown joined Catholic Institute in the semi-finals with a 3-1 win over Dungannon from Pool B. In Pool A, this week will be a defining one after Trinity beat Queen’s 2-1 via final quarter goals from Ailish Long and Rachel Burns.
The result means four teams are still in the mix with UCC keeping up their interest with a 1-0 away win at Greenfields. Corinthian and Trinity play twice this week to develop their chances.
EY Hockey League: Belfast Harlequins 1 (E Cutrona) UCD 2 (A Russell, N Carey); Cork Harlequins 3 (R Barry 3) Railway Union 1 (K Fearon); Loreto 2 (N Daly, S O’Brien) Pegasus 3 (C Harvey, R Maguire, L McKee); Muckross 0 Pembroke 2 (A Ward, E Beatty); Old Alexandra 2 (E Hinkson, L Jacob) Ards 1 (H Platt)
Extended EYHL reports:
Loreto 2 (N Daly, S O’Brien) Pegasus 3 (C Harvey, R Maguire, L McKee)
Pegasus leap-frogged Loreto to move back into pole position in the women’s EY Hockey League with a thrill a minute victory at Grange Road.
They did so without the injured Shirley McCay due to a head injury as well as having gone behind early on when Nicci Daly latched onto Sarah Torrans’ slip pass to net for an eighth minute lead.
The lead did not last long, though, as Caitlyn Harvey found space at the top of the D in the 15th minute to level things up. Loreto had largely been on top in the first quarter but Pegs got their rhythm going in the second and they scored from a corner slipped to injector Ruth Maguire for a 2-1 half-time lead.
Siofra O’Brien made it 2-2 inside a minute of the restart but Pegasus with Lucy McKee’s shot from very close to the edge of the circle finding its way in a minute later for the ultimately decisive goal.
Loreto tried everything in the second half to get back on terms but Pegasus withstood their efforts to record a famous win.
Belfast Harlequins 1 (E Cutrona) UCD 2 (A Russell, N Carey)
UCD made it four wins in-a-row in the EYHL to remain in third place in the standings, five points off second with a game in hand. They controlled the game at Deramore Park in the first half before Belfast Harlequins fought back in the second and made a real battle of the tie but ended up just short.
UCD went in front via some lovely two-touch hockey in from of the goalkeeper from Orla Patton to Michelle Carey to Abbie Russell who got down low to finish. Niamh Carey then made it two when she got on the end of Sarah Patton’s pass.
Quins went close to getting one back when Zoe Wilson won a corner that hit the post but they remained 2-0 down at half-time. They did get one back from a set piece after the big break when Emilia Cutrona followed up after Clodagh Cassin made the initial save.
The hosts piled on the pressure as time went on with UCD living on their nerves as Olivia Savage’s driving runs caused problems, leading to some vital interceptions from the likes of Orla Patton and Michelle Carey to ease the danger.
Cork Harlequins 3 (R Barry 3) Railway Union 1 (K Fearon)
Rebecca Barry’s hat trick made it five goals in six days for Cork Harlequins as they recorded back to back home wins for the first time this season, strengthening their place in the top four.
Barry opened the scoring from a great pass from Emily O’Leary and she finished cinically in the fifth minute, getting off to a fast start for the second week running. Railway, though, came back stron and won a corner which Lorna Bateman initially saved but Katie Fearon reacted fastest to rebound for 1-1.
Quins had the advantage back before half-time after a couple of corner chances went awry when Barry, from nothing, tackled the last defender and picked up the breaking ball to shoot home for 2-1.
It remained that way through the third quarter before the Farmers’ Cross side made the game safe in the 57th minute. Michelle Barry did the hard yards, laying the ball on a plate for Rebecca Barry to get her third.
Railway went to a kicking back from 12 minutes to go but it yielded no joy at either end, leaving Quins with three wins from their last four ties.
Muckross 0 Pembroke 2 (A Ward, E Beatty)
Pembroke won a high-paced Dublin 4 derby to stay hot on the heels of Cork Harlequins in the battle to snag a Champions Trophy spot. Muckross started well with Emma Dawson, Caroline Mathews and Sarah McAuley impressing in defence as they sought their first win of the season.
But they fell behind on the half-hour when Alice Ward got on the end of a Claire Foley cross to make it 1-0 to Pembroke. Both sides had their chances in the third quarter with Pembroke enduring a couple of cards but no further advance in the scoring, keeping it a very lively affair.
The clincher came in the 55th minute when Emily Beatty got a penalty corner deflection for 2-0 and that was how it remained to the final whistle.
Old Alexandra 2 (E Hinkson, L Jacob) Ards 1 (H Platt)
Old Alex moved up to seventh in the table as first half goals from Erika Hinkson and Lisa Jacob – back after a long time out injured – gave them their fifth win of the campaign.
For Ards, it now means they have 13 points to make up eighth placed Railway with six rounds to go and so it looks increasingly likely their best hope is a relegation playoff tie. To do that, they need to finish ahead of Muckross, making their date on March 30 a season-defining one.
Harriet Platt got them back into the game in the second half but Alex stayed clear and now look well set to avoid any relegation drama in their EYHL debut season.
EYHL2 round-up
Trinity recorded a big win in Pool A of women’s EYHL2 to keep plenty of intrigue as the initial stage of the competition races to a conclusion over the next month.
They edged out Queen’s to inflict a first defeat on the Ulster side, coming from behind as the Ulster side edged in front via Rebecca Quinn in the first quarter. Trinity stepped things up after with Isy Delamer in great form and Ruby Keating and Clodagh Fullston buzzing further upfield.
Queen’s made much of the play in the third quarter with Jess McMaster wreaking havoc but it remained just a single goal. And Trinity showed it to be a vulnerable lead when they got level via an Ailish Long corner goal.
Long then provided a raking pass to Rachel Burns who slotted the second just three minutes later to turn the tie on its head. It leaves Queens on 19 points with Trinity on 14 with a game in hand.
UCC are a point back courtesy of a 1-0 win over Greenfields – Jenny Clein the scorer – while Corinthian are on 10 but have two games in hand. With four points for a win and losing bonus points on offer, it leaves plenty of scope for big changes this week.
Corinthian face Trinity in a refix on Wednesday evening before UCC host Trinity and Queens face the Reds on Saturday.
In Pool B, everything is much more clear-cut. Catholic Institute made it six wins from six with a handy 3-0 win over NUIG, Roisin Upton, Emer Ryan and Leah Clery getting the goals.
Monkstown confirmed they are semi-final bound, too, after a 3-1 win over Dungannon. Sadhbh Hoban-Logan scored twice in the first six minutes to set up the win, deflecting in first from a good move between Chloe Watkins and Rachel Moore before slotting in the second.
Karen Elliott got one back from a corner in the 26th minute after Jessica Hood’s first-up shot was parried by Laura McCarthy. Watkins, though, gave Town the breathing room they needed when she scored from the penalty spot seven minutes into the second half.
Insta host Monkstown in Limerick next Saturday in a tie that will more than likely confirm who tops the group.
EYHL 2
Pool A: Greenfields 0 UCC 1 (J Clein); Trinity 2 (A Long, R Burns) Queens University 1 (R Quinn)
Pool B: Catholic Institute 3 (R Upton, E Ryan, L Clery) NUIG 0; Monkstown 3 (S Hoban-Logan 2, C Watkins) Dungannon 1 (K Elliott)
Irish Hockey Association media release
Three Rock continue comeback in Irish league to end Glenanne unbeaten run
Three Rock Rovers made it three wins in the men’s EYHL in eight days to see them close in on the top four in Ireland’s EY Hockey League as Ross Canning’s spectacular 64th minute goal won the day.
He took in an overhead from Daragh Walsh on the run and then hammered through Iain Walker’s defences, inflicting a first defeat of the season on leaders Glenanne.
In a cracking tie in front of a good crowd at Grange Road, Glenanne went closest in the first quarter when Eddie O’Malley’s corner touch hit the post. Rovers stepped up their game in the second and took the lead from a quick counter as Harry Morris picked out Ali Empey alone in the D and he lifted a perfect shot over Walker.
On 31 minutes, Luke Madeley picked out the top corner from Rovers’ only corner – reduced to four defenders due to a line-break – for 2-0 at half-time. The Glens had a couple of big chances before half-time with Jamie Carr keeping Rovers two clear and he then saved a Joe Brennan stroke just after half-time.
The goalkeeper also produced a remarkable treble save off the line as Rovers rode out a rocky period. Former Belgian Under-21 international Jerome Saeys did get one on the board from a fifth corner to half the gap with 22 minutes to go.
Rovers, though, were creating lots of chances with Iain Walker and profligate finishing stopping them from going clear before Canning’s wonder strike. There was time for Carr to tip over at full stretch from Shannon Boucher to keep a healthy gap between the sides.
The Irish EHL KO16 side had a poor start to their outdoor league campaign but look to be gathering momentum now following a successful indoor season where they won the Irish title and earned a second successive European promotion.
Euro Hockey League media release
Grange and Edinburgh University retain their leads at the top of Scottish National League 1
Photo by Mark Pugh
The impact of this weekend’s results are that Grange and Edinburgh University have moved closer to retaining their respective National League 1 titles with only three scheduled games to go in the calendar.
There seems no stopping Grange in their relentless bid to retain their National League 1 crown, the Edinburgh side retained their six point lead at the top following a 3-2 win over Edinburgh University.
The champions were two ahead at the interval, Alan Johnston from open play and a penalty corner conversion from Dan Coultas were on target. The result was effectively sealed with another set piece strike by Coultas. The students pulled a couple back through Ben Pearson and Jack Jamieson – the result was a final ten minutes with Edinburgh pressing for an equaliser and Grange looking for their fourth, but there was no change to the scoreline.
Western Wildcats still remain in contention after a 6-0 win at Gordonians, but they are still six points behind. Western Wildcats were two goals to the good in the first half, Joe McConnell was the provider. In the second half Rob Harwood was on target with a hat-trick with Andrew McConnell getting the other.
Meanwhile, Grove Menzieshill kept in touch, albeit seven points adrift, with a 5-3 win at Hillhead. The home side twice took the lead through a double from Fraser Ward, both on the break, but it was the Taysiders who clawed their way into the lead with goals from Aidan McQuade, Gavin Tomlinson, Chris Moon, Jamie Golden and Euan Cuthill. Graeme Campbell got a further strike for the Glasgow side following a well-worked penalty corner routine, but the Dundonians finished worthy winners.
Uddingston moved into the top four above Hillhead on goal difference after seeing off Clydesdale 4-0 at Titwood. Chris Boyle, Steven Percy, Brad Hughes and Jonjo Lavin were on target for the Lanarkshire side, there was no reply from the home side.
At the bottom of the division Watsonians were 2-1 winners over Kelburne.
Edinburgh University strengthened their case to retain their crown with a 9-0 defeat of bottom side Grange at Fettes. Former Scotland striker Amy Brodie notched a hat-trick, there were two goals each for Sophie Maunder and Zara Malseed with Robin Robeson and Margery Justice adding to the tally.
Clydesdale Western were on the wrong end of a shock when they were held to a 1-1 draw by ninth-placed Glasgow University, a result that put the students up a place in the table. It looked an even bigger shock when Imogen Bryce gave Glasgow a 1-0 half-time lead. Ali Eadie did finally level at a penalty corner, but the favourites were unable to take the three points.
Dundee Wanderers slipped into second spot following a narrow 2-1 victory over Western Wildcats on Tayside. Western Wildcats opened the livelier side but Wanderers dragged themselves back into the contest and went ahead through a cracking deflection from Sophia Free for a narrow half-time lead.
Western Wildcats levelled in the second half, a low drive by Kaz Cuthbert was blocked by the keeper and Alex Stuart buried the rebound. Wanderers took the honours within the final ten minutes with what looked like a speculative shot by Heather Elder but it looped into the far corner of the net for the winner.
Watsonians moved closer to a top four spot with a comfortable 4-0 win over GHK. The Edinburgh side were dominant in the first half and moved into a three goal lead, a Morven Cawthorn deflection was followed by two close range finishes by Nikki Stobie. GHK came more into the fray in the second half but failed to find the net, while Ellie Mackenzie finished off a well-constructed move at the back post to add a fourth.
Grove held on to sixth spot after seeing off Hillhead 5-0 in Glasgow. Lucy Smith provided a double and the other goals came from Lucy Murray, Katherine Hill and Joanne Boyle near the end.
Scottish Hockey Union media release
Grove keep Grange honest with strong win over Hillhead in Scotland
Grove Menzieshill kept up their mathematical hopes of the Scottish regular season title as they beat fifth placed Hillhead 5-3 as they ramp up their preparations for an EHL debut against AH&BC Amsterdam.
The home side twice took the lead through a double from Fraser Ward, both on the break, but it was Grove who clawed their way into the lead with goals from Aidan McQuade, Gavin Tomlinson, Chris Moon, Jamie Golden and Euan Cuthill.
Graeme Campbell got a further strike for the Glasgow side following a well-worked penalty corner routine, but the Dundonians finished worthy winners.
Grange, though, look well set to land the title with a six-point lead over Western Wildcats and seven to spare on Grove. They beat Edinburgh University 3-2.
The champions were two ahead at the interval, Alan Johnston from open play and a penalty corner conversion from Dan Coultas were on target.
The result was effectively sealed with another set piece strike by Coultas. The students pulled a couple back through Ben Pearson and Jack Jamieson – the result was a final ten minutes with Edinburgh pressing for an equaliser and Grange looking for their fourth, but there was no change to the scoreline.
Western Wildcats still remain in contention after a 6-0 win at Gordonians, but they are still six points behind. Western Wildcats were two goals to the good in the first half, Joe McConnell was the provider. In the second half Rob Harwood was on target with a hat-trick with Andrew McConnell getting the other.
Euro Hockey League media release
Telkom, Kenya Police in slow starts
By BRIAN YONGA
Kenya Police's Vincent Odindo (left) battles for the ball with Sikh Union's Collins Asilwa during their Kenya Hockey Union Men's Premier league match on March 10, 2019 at City Park Stadium. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Ruth Mbulo’s tenure as new Telkom coach on Sunday started with a surprising 0-0 draw against Amira Sailors in their opening Kenya Hockey Union women’s Premier League match at the City Park Stadium, Nairobi.
Kenya Police were held to 1-1 draw by Sikh Union in a men's Premier League match also on Sunday at the same venue.
Mbulo took over from long-serving Jos Openda, who stepped down in January after 16 years at the helm. It is certainly not the start the former Kenya international was hoping for, but her charges were wasteful in front of goal and the Amira defence also superb.
But Mbulo is confident that the defending champions will come good, dismissing suggestions that they would struggle without Openda.
“Of course a lot is expected from us because we are champions but it wasn’t just our day. We had chances to win the game but did not take them and now we have to work had in the next game,” Mbulo said on Sunday.
“Jos leaving will not affect the team because these are the players he worked with and I am sure we will have a good season,” she added. The 21-time champions were without first choice goalkeeper Cynthia Anyango and midfielder Lillian Aura but had an otherwise strong side that included last season’s top scorer Jackline Mwangi.
And it is the evergreen striker who had Telkom’s best chances in the game but was unable to convert them with Amira keeper Naliaka Bridie twice denying her. At the other end, Pauline Naise was a threat for Amira but she too was thwarted by Telkom second choice keeper Alice Wanjiru.
“In the past we have crumbled when playing against Telkom but today we matched them all the way and should even have collected the three points,” Amira team manager Collins Asimba told Nation Sport.
Telkom face Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology in their next match on Sunday, while Amira will be up against Kenyatta University Titans.
Daily Nation