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All the news for Monday3 February 2020

2020 FIH Pro League (Men) - 3 February

31 Jan 2020    ESP v NED (RR)     3 - 4
1 Feb 2020    ESP v NED (RR)     2 - 4
1 Feb 2020     AUS v GBR (RR)     4 - 4 (3 - 1 SO)
1 Feb 2020      NZL v BEL (RR)     2 - 6
2 Feb 2020     AUS v GBR (RR)     5 - 1
2 Feb 2020     NZL v BEL (RR)     1 - 3

Live streaming and full game replay on https://fih.live (May be Geo blocked if there is TV coverage)

Pool Standings

FIH Match Centre

2020 FIH Pro League (Women) - 3 February

1 Feb 2020      NZL v BEL (RR)     1 - 2
1 Feb 2020     AUS v GBR (RR)     2 - 1
2 Feb 2020     NZL v BEL (RR)     4 - 1
2 Feb 2020     AUS v GBR (RR)     Match Abandoned due to heavy rain

Live streaming and full game replay on https://fih.live (May be Geo blocked if there is TV coverage)

Pool Standings

USA v NED (26.01.2020) worth double points
AUS v GBR (01.02.2020) worth double points

FIH Match Centre

Black Sticks record breaker Merry steals the FIH Hockey Pro League headlines on Match Day 10



New Zealand's Olivia Merry became the Black Sticks women's all-time top scorer by netting all of her team's goals in a superb 4-1 FIH Hockey Pro League victory over Belgium on Sunday (2 February), while the men of Australia and Belgium were also winners on Match Day 10. The women's meeting between Australia and Great Britain was cancelled due to torrential rain and thunderstorms in Sydney.

In Auckland, the Black Sticks women gained a measure of revenge against Belgium after suffering a 2-1 defeat against the lower ranked Europeans in Auckland on Saturday. The Red Panthers were in the lead for most of the first two quarters thanks to Abi Raye's 7th minute field goal, but Merry – who top scored in the 2019 FIH Hockey Pro League with 15 goals in 16 matches – showed exactly why she is one of the most feared strikers on the planet, scoring twice in both the third and fourth quarters to give the hosts their first points of the 2020 edition, becoming New Zealand women's all-time top scorer in the process.

"I guess it's good to back up a not so good performance yesterday", said Merry, who now has 106 international goals, one more than former Black Sticks team-mate Anita McLaren. "I guess it [the record] hasn't really sunk in. I'm all about the team, and lucky in a lot of instances to be the last one to put the ball in the back of the net. I've got a fantastic team behind me."

More information on the match can be found on the live reporting page byclicking here.

Belgium’s women may have been defeated, but the men’s team continued their scintillating start to the 2020 FIH Hockey Pro League season, defeating New Zealand for a second time in two days to make it 11 points from a possible twelve in the their opening four matches on foreign soil. The world number one ranked team opened up a two-goal lead ahead of half time thanks to second quarter strikes from Alexander Hendrickx and Sebastien Dockier before New Zealand captain Blair Tarrant's close range finish four minutes after half time gave the Black Sticks, much improved from Saturday's 6-2 defeat, hope of staging a comeback. However, a brilliant penalty corner strike from Tanguy Cosyns seven minutes from the end put the result beyond all doubt.

Player of the Match Arthur Van Doren said: "It's always a tough game [against New Zealand]. A good game, six points, which is what we came for, so I'm pretty happy to go away with six points. We were a bit sloppy with some of our goal-scoring chances, so we'll have to look at that, and gave them too many chances as well. There is always a lot to improve, and I'm pretty sure the staff will analyse it and we will see everything."

For more information, click here.

At Sydney’s Olympic Park, Australia men claimed their first outright win of the competition with a comprehensive 5-1 triumph over Great Britain, adding three points to the two they claimed in Saturday's bonus point win over GB to make it a fruitful Pro League weekend for the Kookaburras. Dylan Wotherspoon's first quarter strike was cancelled out early in the second period by a fierce penalty corner drag-flick from GB's Luke Taylor, before Lachlan Sharp and Tom Craig netted put the hosts 3-1 up at the break. Tim Brand touched home a fourth after good work from Aran Zalewski before Trent Mitton fired into an empty net with five minutes remaining.

"We spoke about our intent and tempo, which was probably a little bit down in our first couple of games this season against Belgium but we bounced back, lifted the tempo and I think it probably showed", said Player of the Match Tom Craig. "What you want out of the first couple of weeks of competition is really good, hard competition to see where you are at so you can bench-mark your training. Tokyo is not too far away, so we want to know where we are at so we can work on that."

For more information, click here.

Due to torrential rain and thunderstorms in Sydney, the Australia versus Great Britain women's match was abandoned at half time. A penalty corner from Anna Toman early in the second quarter had established a 1-0 lead for Great Britain before inclement weather intervened, forcing a long delay before the eventual completion of the period. However, worsening conditions eventually left the pitch unplayable and therefore unable to resume, forcing the cancellation of the contest. Under article 7.1 of the FIH Hockey Pro League regulations, the result of Saturday's meeting between the two teams - a 2-1 win for Australia - is now worth double points. To see the regulations, click here.

For more information, click here.

The FIH Hockey Pro League continues on next weekend with matches taking place in Argentina, New Zealand and India.

Keep up to date with all the latest news on the FIH Hockey Pro League via theevent websiteand through FIH social media channels -Facebook,InstagramandTwitter.  

FIH Hockey Pro League

Match Day 10 – Sunday 02 February 2020

North Harbour Hockey Stadium, Auckland (NZL)

Women’s result: New Zealand 4, Belgium 1 (Match 2 of 2)
Player of the Match: Olivia Merry (BEL)
Umpires: Wanri Venter (RSA), Aleisha Neumann (AUS) & Steve Rogers (AUS - video)

Men’s result: New Zealand 1, Belgium 3 (Match 2 of 2)
Player of the Match: Arthur Van Doren (BEL)
Umpires: Steve Rogers (AUS), Adam Kearns (AUS) & Wanri Venter (RSA)

Sydney Olympic Park (AUS)

Men’s result: Australia 5, Great Britain 1 (Match 2 of 2)
Player of the Match: Tom Craig (AUS)
Umpires: Javed Shaikh (IND), David Tomlinson (NZL) & Kelly Hudson (NZL - video)

Australia versus Great Britain (Match 1 of 2) – Match cancelled
Umpires: Emi Yamada (JPN), Kelly Hudson (NZL) & David Tomlinson (NZL - video)

#FIHProLeague

Official FIH Pro League Site

Kookaburras put Great Britain to the sword in Sydney


Tom Craig celebrates his goal

The Kookaburras have produced a scintillating attacking display to thrash Great Britain 5-1 in their FIH Pro League match in Sydney to move up to third position on the table.

Dylan Wotherspoon, Lachlan Sharp, Tom Craig, Tim Brand and Trent Mitton all scored, feasting on the home side’s dominance across the pitch which saw the Kookaburras generate 32 circle penetrations and 15 shots.

“Playing back to back games is always interesting and I thought we approached the game pretty well and obviously got a good result from it,” said Kookaburras Head Coach Colin Batch after the Kookaburras won game one in a shootout.

“We fell in a hole in the third quarter yesterday so there was some emphasis on our defensive intensity today which was much better, and Great Britain have got some great attacking players so we needed to be on top of that.

“We managed to create opportunities throughout and when you are doing that you feel like you are in control of the game, but things can turn around really quickly.

“In the first three games we had 10 goals scored against us so we need to tidy up our defence. To win hockey matches you need to create and score, but you also need to defend well so that’s an area we can improve on.

“We feel as though we are getting some connections and momentum going but we start again against India in India and it will be interesting because we haven’t played them for a while and I believe they are one of the improving sides of the past 12 months.”

After conceding the first penalty corner opportunity of the match, Australia got into the groove with Mitton twice forcing Great Britain goalkeeper Harry Gibson into clutch saves.

The deadlock was eventually broken when Flynn Ogilvie found Wotherspoon completely unmarked and his first timed slap shot found the bottom corner after 14 minutes.

Great Britain found an equaliser early in the second quarter when Luke Taylor’s powerful dragflick found a way through Australia’s defences.

The Kookaburras responded almost instantly with Aran Zalewski mesmerising the Great Britain midfield before Eddie Ockenden’s damaging overlap run found Wotherspoon whose quick shot rebounded for Sharp to complete the simplest of tap ins.

Tim Howard’s crucial tackle and interception to foil a threatening Great Britain build up five minutes before half time typified the Kookaburras’ approach and application.

The home side took a deserving 3-1 lead into the main break with another sublimely worked team goal on the counter attack as Craig continued his rich vein of form. Wotherspoon combined with the 100-game forward who was able to match his blistering run with a top-drawer finish over the goalkeeper’s shoulder.

The third quarter followed a similar trend, with Brand forcing Gibson into a smart save before Zalewski struck the crossbar off a well-rehearsed penalty corner variation.

It mattered little though, with the Kookaburras regaining possession and Zalewski found Brand for a far post deflection to make it 4-1.

Great Britain’s decision to withdraw their goalkeeper in the final six minutes proved costly, with Craig turning provider for Mitton to knock into the unguarded net from a narrow angle.


Teammates swarm Kurt Lovett after the goal that wasn’t.

There was still time for Jake Whetton to blaze over the bar, before debutant Kurt Lovett appeared to have marked his international career with a goal as the final siren sounded.

To the crowd’s disappointment, the goal was disallowed on review to deny the fairytale moment for the local, but even that could not take the gloss off an impressive Kookaburras performance.

Despite his goal being ruled out, a jubilant Lovett was all smiles after the game with his family making the five hour drive from Parkes to watch him.

“I knew it wasn’t a goal straight away. I heard the hooter go and knew it went in after that,” said Lovett.”

“I should have looked at the clock a bit earlier but didn’t know exactly how long was left and took too much time but I’m still happy.”

“Being my first game the boys really got around me and I still got a celebration in even though it got ruled out.

“It was really special to play my first game at home. Having my family and friends here together with the positive result, it doesn’t get much better.”

The Kookaburras will fly back to Perth tomorrow to prepare for their next FIH Pro League matches in India on 22/23 February.

All of the Kookaburras’ FIH Pro League matches are LIVE on Kayo and/or Fox Sports.

Match Details
Kookaburras 5 (Wotherspoon 14’, Sharp 19’, Craig 29’, Brand 45’, Mitton 55’)
Great Britain 1 (Taylor 18’)
@ Sydney Olympic Park Hockey Centre

Kookaburras: 1.Lachlan Sharp, 2.Tom Craig, 3.Corey Weyer, 4.Jake Harvie, 6.Matthew Dawson, 11.Eddie Ockenden (c), 12.Jake Whetton, 16.Tim Howard, 17.Aran Zalewski, 18.Kurt Lovett, 20.Matthew Swann, 22.Flynn Ogilvie, 25.Trent Mitton, 26.Dylan Wotherspoon, 29.Tim Brand, 30.Andrew Charter (gk), 32.Jeremy Hayward
Unused Substitute: 24.Tyler Lovell (gk)

Great Britain: 3.Luke Taylor, 5.David Ames, 7.Alan Forsyth, 8.Rupert Shipperley, 9.Harry Martin, 10.Chris Griffiths, 11.Ian Sloan, 14.Mark Gleghorne, 15.Phil Roper, 16.Adam Dixon (c), 17.Ashley Jackson, 23.Harry Gibson (gk), 26.James Gall, 29.Tom Sorsby, 31.Will Calnan, 32.Zach Wallace, 33.Jacob Draper
Unused substitute: 1.George Pinner (gk)

FIH Pro League 2020 matches – Sydney Olympic Park Hockey Centre
Saturday 25 January
Kookaburras 2 (Hayward 49’, Craig 51’)
Belgium 2 (Briels 18’, Denayer 59’)
Belgium wins 4-2 on penalties

Sunday 26 January
Kookaburras 2 (Sharp 42’, Hayward 60’)
Belgium 4 (Hendrickx 13’/25’, Plennevaux 56’, Stockbroekx 58’)

Saturday 1 February
Kookaburras 4 (Ockenden 19’, Wickham 29’, Zalewski 56’, Mitton 59’)
Great Britain 4 (Jackson 20’, Wallace 31’, Shipperley 44’, Ansell 45’)
Kookaburras win 3-1 on penalties

Sunday 2 February
Kookaburras 5 (Wotherspoon 14’, Sharp 19’, Craig 29’, Brand 45’, Mitton 55’)
Great Britain 1 (Taylor 18’)

Hockey Australia media release

Australia too strong for Great Britain's men in Sydney



Great Britain’s men fell to a disappointing defeat in their second FIH Pro League match against Australia.

Having drawn 4-4 in a scintillating game the day before, it was expected to be another close battle under slightly cooler Sydney skies.

But the Kookaburras were relentless, with five different scorers finding the net despite the best efforts of Harry Gibson, who put in another impressive performance in goal.

Luke Taylor had brought GB level early in the second quarter but the hosts put their foot down after that and dominated much of the game.

Dylan Wotherspoon opened the scoring in the 14th minute for Australia as, unmarked in the circle, he swept the ball past Gibson. That came after the goalkeeper had already made several important stops earlier on.

Early in the second quarter Taylor’s ferocious flick drew the sides level but less than a minute later Australia had the lead again as Lachlan Sharp found the target.

GB then saw two corners saved before the Kookaburras struck a decisive blow at the end of the half through Tom Craig, before Tim Brand beat Gibson in the dying moments of the third quarter.

Trent Mitton then netted for the second time in two days with five minutes to go to seal the win.

After the game, GB captain Adam Dixon said: “Today was a tough game. I think we came out quite sprightly, winning corners early on and keeping them under pressure. But if we stayed open at the back they were going to grind us down with opportunities and that’s exactly what they did.

“We just weren’t on it. We were trying a few new things and it just didn’t work today.

“The job for us now is to stay positive and go again. Last time we were in Christchurch we put a really good performance in against New Zealand so that’s where we’ll be hoping to pick things up again.”

Great Britain’s men are next in action against New Zealand next weekend at 4am on Saturday 8 February and 2am on Sunday 9 February.

Australia 5 (3)
Wotherspoon (14’, FG); Sharp (19’, FG); Craig (29’, FG); Brand (45’, PC); Mitton (55’, FG)

Great Britain 1 (1)
Taylor (18’, PC)

Starting XI: Ames, Forsyth, Griffiths, Sloan, Gleghorne, Dixon (C), Jackson, Gibson (GK), Sorsby, Calnan, Wallace
Subs (Used): Taylor, Shipperley, Martin, Roper, Gall, Draper
Subs (Unused): Pinner (GK), Ansell, Waller, Sanford

Great Britain Hockey media release

Hockeyroos awarded the points after match cancelled


Rosie Malone in action

The Hockeyroos have taken maximum points from their two FIH Pro League encounters against Great Britain after persistent lighting and thunderstorms saw tonight’s second match cancelled.

After an initial 45 minute delay because of lightning with six minutes to go in the second quarter and Great Britain leading 1-0, the players returned to complete the first half only for the match to again be halted a minute before the second half was set to resume.

A lengthy delay ensued as the storm continued until the FIH Chief Executive Officer eventually made the decision to abandon the game, meaning it is considered cancelled.

As stipulated in the FIH regulations, if one of the two matches played between two teams is cancelled prior to the commencement of the fourth quarter, the winner of the other match will receive double points.

Thus the Hockeyroos come away from the weekend with the maximum six points after winning yesterday’s match 2-1.

“The rules have been put in place so at the end of the day it is out of our control, we can’t do anything about it,” said Hockeyroos co-captain Emily Chalker after the decision to call the game off.

“We were hoping to get out there because we still had something to prove. Being 1-0 down and just missing the opportunity to get a penalty stroke awarded, everyone was quite fired up and wanting to get out there.

“We love playing against Great Britain, they are a really tough opposition so we were looking forward to finishing the game and they have come a long way to play so I’m sure it is frustrating for both sides.”

“Unfortunately mother nature intervenes sometimes and we can’t control the weather but I guess if there is a positive, hopefully there is some good rain falling in places that need it, especially those that have been affected by the bushfires and drought.”

While Great Britain held a deserved early advantage, Australia took the initiative after the initial storm had passed over.

With Amy Lawton, Renee Taylor and Rachael Lynch returning to the side, Gabi Nance was pushed into the striker line.

The hosts started strongly with Sophie Taylor overlapping to earn Rosie Malone, who was making her 50th Hockeyroos appearance, an early opportunity, before Lynch was called upon to save a scramble from a penalty corner to keep the scoreboard deadlocked at quarter time.

Great Britain struck in the 17th minute through captain Anna Toman from their next set piece, with a well-executed bunt left across the top allowing her space to strike into the bottom right hand corner.

Having been hauled from the field and handed fresh instructions during the delay, the Hockeyroos responded upon the resumption with Nance passing round the encroached Great Britain goalkeeper to Malone, who struck the defender seemingly in front of goal.

The Hockeyroos referred the penalty corner decision seeking an opportunity from the penalty spot, but it was dismissed on the basis that Great Britain had another defender in behind.

The half-time siren ended and no sooner a huge storm settled in for the night, and despite a lengthy waiting period, the match was cancelled.

The Hockeyroos will now look ahead to their next FIH Pro League matches against Argentina in Perth on 6/7 March. Tickets for the matches are available through Ticketek, with the matches LIVE on Kayo and/or Fox Sports.

Match Details
Hockeyroos 0
Great Britain 1 (Toman 17’)
Match cancelled at half time due to storms
@ Sydney Olympic Park Hockey Centre

Hockeyroos: 1.Sophie Taylor, 2.Rosie Malone, 4.Amy Lawton, 7.Jodie Kenny, 8.Georgia Wilson, 11.Karri Mcmahon, 12.Greta Hayes, 13.Edwina Bone, 15.Kaitlin Nobbs, 16.Gabi Nance, 18.Jane Claxton, 21.Renee Taylor, 22.Kate Jenner, 23.Kalindi Commerford, 26.Emily Chalker (c), 27.Rachael Lynch (gk), 30.Grace Stewart
Unused Substitute: 19.Jocelyn Bartram (gk)

Great Britain: 1.Maddie Hinch (gk), 4.Laura Unsworth (c), 6.Anna Toman, 7.Hannah Martin, 9.Susannah Townsend, 10.Sarah Robertson, 13.Elena Rayer, 14.Tessa Howard, 22.Elizabeth Neal, 24.Shona McCallin, 26.Lily Owsley, 27.Jo Hunter, 29.Esme Burge, 31.Grace Balsdon, 33.Isabelle Petter, 34.Charlotte Watson, 35.Leah Wilkinson
Unused substitute: 25.Sabbie Heesh (gk)

FIH Pro League 2020 matches – Sydney Olympic Park Hockey Centre
Saturday 25 January
Hockeyroos 3 (Malone 21’, Bone 59’, Commerford 60’)
Belgium 3 (Versavel 33’, Englebert 45’, Nelen 55’)
Hockeyroos win 4-2 on penalties

Sunday 26 January
Hockeyroos 1 (Nance 45’)
Belgium 1 (Duquesne 47’)
Belgium wins 3-1 on penalties

Saturday 1 February
Hockeyroos 2 (Kershaw 26’, Stewart 60’)
Great Britain 1 (Robertson 18’)

Sunday 2 February
Hockeyroos 0
Great Britain 1 (Toman 17’)
Match cancelled

Hockey Australia media release

Extreme weather denies GB's women first chance of victory



Great Britain’s women were denied a chance at a first FIH Pro League victory in 2020 after their game against Australia was cancelled due to heavy rain and lightning.

The decision was made after the players came off the field for a second time at half-time, having previously left the field in the 24th minute.

Mark Hager’s team had been leading 1-0 when the decision was made after Anna Toman had beautifully arrowed the ball into the corner of the goal.

Because Australia had beaten Great Britain yesterday, they were awarded double points. Great Britain came away with none.

The women will be back in action against New Zealand next Saturday and Sunday.

Australia 0 (0)

Great Britain 1 (1)
Toman (17’, FG)

Match abandoned due to extreme weather

Starting XI: Hinch (GK), Unsworth (C), Toman, Martin, Robertson, Rayer, McCallin, Owsley, Balsdon, Watson, Wilkinson
Subs (Used): Townsend, Neal, Hunter, Burge, Petter
Subs (Unused): Howard, Jones, Ansley, Pearne-Webb, Heesh (GK)

Great Britain Hockey media release

Australia controversially earn double points against Britain in FIH Pro League

By Nancy Gillen


©Twitter

Australia were awarded double points after their clash against Britain in the women's International Hockey Federation (FIH) Pro League was cancelled due to lightning storms and rain.

Britain led the match at Sydney Olympic Park 1-0, with Anna Toman scoring in the 17th minute.

It was decided to cancel the game at halftime, however, with the extreme weather showing no signs of stopping.

As Australia triumphed 2-1 in yesterday's game, they were given double points in line with FIH regulations.

The decision caused outrage among some members of the British team, with goalkeeper Maddie Hinch branding the rule "ridiculous".

"Ridiculous rule," she said on Twitter.

"Makes absolutely no sense whatsoever... winning 1-0 at half time only for some obscene T&C’s to determine the outcome & be left with absolutely nothing!!"

The FIH responded in a statement, providing clarification on the regulations.

"Precisely with the objective of having a joint approach for this type of unfortunate scenarios, this specific point of the regulations was discussed in detail between all national associations participating in the League as well as FIH after the first edition of the league; this discussion led to the agreed said rule," it said.

"As confirmed already before the start of the first edition of the FIH Hockey Pro League, when a match is cancelled due to adverse weather conditions on the day, it cannot be replayed

"This is due, in particular, to logistical constraints such as availability of the venue, flights, TV production, etc."

The remaining women's match saw Olivia Merry become New Zealand's all-time top female scorer, grabbing all four goals in her team's 4-1 victory over Belgium at the North Harbour Hockey Stadium in Auckland.

"I guess it hasn't really sunk in," said Merry.

"I'm all about the team, and lucky in a lot of instances to be the last one to put the ball in the back of the net.

"I've got a fantastic team behind me."

Abi Raye scored the consolatory goal for Belgium.

Belgium overcame New Zealand 3-1 in the men's contest, with Alexander Hendrickx, Sébastien Dockier and Tanguy Cosyns all scoring for the winners.

Blair Tarrant grabbed a consolation goal for New Zealand.

Dylan Wotherspoon, Lachlan Sharp, Tom Craig, Tim Brand and Trent Mitton all contributed to Australia's 5-1 demolition of Britain, with Luke Taylor hitting the net for Britain.  

The Pro League continues on February 7 in Buenos Aires, with Argentina taking on the United States in the women's contest and Spain in the men's.

Inside the Games

Clarification on FIH Hockey Pro League match cancellations



Following the cancellation of the FIH Hockey Pro League Women’s match Australia vs Great Britain due to adverse weather conditions, FIH would like to clarify the following points:

• The FIH Hockey Pro League Regulations (see Art. 7.1.) stipulate that, if one of the two matches played between two teams is cancelled, the winner of the other match will receive double points, ie 6 points (if the other match is drawn, the winner of the shoot-out will receive 4 points and the loser of the shoot-out 2 points)
• Precisely with the objective of having a joint approach for this type of unfortunate scenarios, this specific point of the Regulations was discussed in detail between all National Associations participating in the League as well as FIH after the first edition of the League; this discussion led to the agreed said rule
• As confirmed already before the start of the first edition of the FIH Hockey Pro League, when a match is cancelled due to adverse weather conditions on the day, it cannot be replayed (this is due, in particular, to logistical constraints such as availability of the venue, flights, TV production, etc)
• It is worth noting that match cancellations due to adverse weather conditions remain very low; it happened only once for the FIH Hockey Pro League last year (Argentina vs Germany Men)

Official FIH Pro League Site

GB Hockey respects outcome of Australia FIH Hockey Pro League game


Sarah Robertson at Sydney in the FIH Hockey Pro League

Great Britain Hockey fully respects the decision to cancel today’s FIH Hockey Pro League women’s match against Australia and award three points to the home side. The match was cancelled due to storms, with Great Britain leading 1-0.

The regulations state, ‘If one of the two matches played between two teams is cancelled, the winner of the other match will receive double points.’ Australia won Saturday’s match 2-1 so were awarded six points, with Great Britain receiving zero points.

Given this experience of applying this regulation, we anticipate the FIH and competing nations will review the approach at the appropriate time.

Great Britain Hockey media release

Maddie Hinch calls FIH rules ‘ridiculous’ as Australia gain points


GB women were leading 1-0 before Sydney game called off PIC: WorldSportPics

Maddie Hinch, the Great Britain goalkeeper, lambasted the Pro League rules after inclement weather in Sydney forced their encounter with Australia to be cancelled – and double points awarded to the hosts.

It proved a fruitless Sunday for GB teams as the men’s side were soundly beaten by Australia 5-1 before torrential rain and thunderstorms saw the women’s game to be called off at half-time, with GB leading 1-0.

Under article 7.1 of the FIH rules “if one of the two matches played between two teams is cancelled prior to the commencement of the fourth quarter, the winner of the other match will receive double points.”

GB, through Anna Toman’s opening goal, were the better team on Sunday and Hinch took to social media to declare the awarding of double points to the Hockeyroos as a “ridiculous rule”.

Hinch added: “Makes absolutely no sense whatsoever… winning 1-0 at half time only for some obscene T&C’s to determine the outcome & be left with absolutely nothing!!”

The ruling had been adhered to by the FIH Pro League teams, but it seemed that plenty were unaware of the cancellation points procedure.

There was widespread criticism on social media over the decision, while GB Hockey’s social media feed even admitted to “rough justice”.

Earlier, GB men were unable to continue the good form which produced a 4-4 draw against the Kookaburras on Saturday as the hosts ran out easy winners in front of another sparse crowd.

An unmarked Dylan Wotherspoon opened the scoring in the 14th minute for as he swept the ball past Harry Gibson before Luke Taylor equalised with a fine PC strike. Lachlan Sharp, Tom Craig, Tim Brand and Trent Mitton then saw Australia run away with the points

GB captain Adam Dixon said: “We just weren’t on it. We were trying a few new things and it just didn’t work today.

“The job for us now is to stay positive and go again. Last time we were in Christchurch we put a really good performance in against New Zealand so that’s where we’ll be hoping to pick things up again.”

Great Britain’s men and women now fly to New Zealand for double header fixtures next weekend.

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The Hockey Paper

Maddie Hinch says rule ridiculous and obscene


Maddie Hinch was part of the team that clinched Olympic gold in 2016

Great Britain goalkeeper Maddie Hinch described a rule as "ridiculous" and "obscene" after Australia were awarded points for a game that was abandoned, despite Britain leading.

Britain led 1-0 when the Hockey Pro League match was cancelled at half-time because of a lightning storm in Sydney.

But because Australia won the first match between the sides on Saturday, they received double points.

Great Britain Hockey said it "fully respects the decision".

"Given this experience of applying this regulation, we anticipate the FIH and competing nations will review the approach at the appropriate time," it said in a statement.

Hinch earlier wrote on Twitter: "Makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. Winning 1-0 at half time only for some obscene T&Cs to determine the outcome and be left with absolutely nothing!!"

Report

Anna Toman put Olympic champions Britain ahead from a penalty corner in the 17th minute at Sydney Olympic Park, before heavy rain and lightning forced the game to be called off.

International Hockey Federation rules state that the score could not stand because the match had not reached the fourth quarter.

Former GB captain Kate Richardson-Walsh said that, although she "doesn't like" the rule change, it was "agreed by all the Pro League teams unanimously".

The FIH said the "specific point" of the regulations was discussed "in detail" between all participating national hockey organisations before the Pro League started.

It said a cancelled match cannot be replayed because of "logistical constraints".

Meanwhile, Great Britain's men were thrashed 5-1 by Australia in their second game of the Pro League.

Australia were 3-1 up by half-time, before Tim Brand and Trent Mitton sealed the victory, with Luke Taylor scoring Britain's only goal.

Both British sides face New Zealand in Auckland on 8 and 9 February.

The annual Pro League competition sees the world's top nine teams compete for the overall title, and takes place between January and June in multiple cities, including London, Auckland and Valencia.

BBC Sport

24-Member crack outfit for Belgium in BBSR Pro-League

s2h team



Manpreet Singh will lead Indian team for the forthcoming week-end Pro-league double header against World No.2 Belgium at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar. The 24-member team includes veteran striker SV Sunil, Rupiner Pal Singh and goalie PR Sreejesh among other established core of Indian national team.

A heightened expectation welcomes the second phase of Pro-League that India hosts. Midway through last month, on the same venue, India stunned The Netherlands with a win and a draw in the Pro-League opener. The heartwarming results brought Indian hockey back into the realm of positivism. A good show against higher ranked Belgium, Silver Medalist at Rio Olympics, will boost Indian team's morale which often miss out in the big ticket events like World Cup or Olympics, despite massive support system that has been generated over the year with the financial muscle that the Indian hockey set up enjoys.

24-MEMBER INDIAN TEAM FOR TAKING ON BELGIUM IN PRO-LEAGUE: 1.PR Sreejesh, 2.Krishan Bahadur Pathak,3.Harmanpreet Singh (Vice Captain), 4.Gurinder Singh, 5.Amit Rohidas, 6. Surender Kumar, 7.Jarmanpreet Singh, 8.Rupinder Pal Singh, 9.Manpreet Singh Captain), 10. Vivek Sagar Prasad, 11.Chinglensana Singh,12. Raj Kumar Pal, 13.Dilpreet Singh, 14. Hardik Singh, 15.Ramandeep Singh, 16.Lalit Upadhyay, 17.Mandeep Singh, 18.Shamsher Singh, 19.Gursahibjit Singh, 20.Kothajit Singh Kadangbam, 21. Birendra Lakra, 22.Nilakanta Sharma, 23.Gurjant Singh, 24. SV Sunil.

Stick2Hockey.com

2020 Test matches RSA v GER (W) - 2nd Test
Stellenbosch (RSA)

2 Feb 2020 16:30     RSA v GER     1 - 8

FIH Match Centre

2020 Test matches ARG v JPN (W) - 2nd Test
Mar del Plata (ARG)

2 Feb 2020 19:30     ARG v JPN     3 - 2

FIH Match Centre

Services win the Sr National Championship

s2h team

Jhansi (Uttar Pradesh) - Services were crowned champions of the Senior Men's National Championship 2020 (A Division) after their hard-earned 3-1 victory over resurgent Air India today int eh final held at Jhansi. Led by Tushar, Petroleum Board team beat Punjab & Sind Bank on identical score to clinch the Bronze Medal. Its first Sr title for Services in more than 25 years, first after the traditional tournament -- started in 1926 -- was rechristened as Hockey India Nationals a decade ago.

Services and Air India played an interesting match in the summit clash. Both sides were neck and neck in the first half when Services and Air India couldn't find a way to break the 0-0 deadlock. Services gained momentum in the third quarter and scored three goals in quick succession. Air India found the back of the net early in the fourth quarter, but they couldn't capitalize on the momentum to level the scores before full-time.

Rahul Kumar Rajbhar (33'), Jobanpreet Singh (43') and Ajinkya Jadhav (45') scored for Services, while Vishnu Singh (47') netted the only goal for Air India Sports Promotion Board.

Petroleum registered a comprehensive victory over Punjab & Sind Bank in the Bronze Medal match. Petroleum team were in control throughout the match after taking the lead in the 10th minute through a field goal. Punjab & Sind Bank tried to forge a fightback with a goal in the third quarter, however, Petroleum outfit ensured that they stayed in the lead and eventually walked off the field as winners.

Roshan Minz (10'), Armaan Qureshi (18') and Captain Tushar Khandker (39') found the back of the net for Petroleum while Parvinder Singh (42') scored the only goal for Punjab & Sind Bank.

Stick2Hockey.com

Services Sports Control Board clinches National Championship title

Defeats Air India 3-1 in the final; Petroleum Sports Promotion Board wins the third-place playoff.

Uthra Ganesan

A quarter is a long time in modern hockey. It took just one period of 15 minutes for Services Sports Control Board (SSCB) to turn an evenly matched game into a one-sided competition, winning 3-1 against Air India to clinch its maiden National Championship title here on Sunday.

With both teams testing waters early on, there were little scoring chances for either through the first 30 minutes of play. Both teams wasted a penalty corner and with occasional forays into the opposition circle resulting in shooting wide or over, the game was largely restricted to the midfield.

With almost half of its team made up of junior India campers, Air India managed to keep pace with the young Services side. This resulted in a fast game but also numerous turnovers from either side.

Defensive lapse

Tied goalless at half time, it finally took a defensive lapse from Air India for Rahul Rajbhar to wrong-foot goalkeeper Adrian D’Souza and break the deadlock.

Services had been desperately trying till then, Ashis Topno being the fulcrum and feeding well from the middle but unable to find a gap in the tight Air India defence. The goal opened up space and the attack from either side. In an attempt to find the equaliser, Air India kept moving ahead but the defence left much to be desired.

D’Souza had a bad day on the field, saving a few but repeatedly finding himself out of place. Two quick goals towards the end of the quarter saw Services take the upper hand. Air India tried its best to fight back, creating three penalty corners in the final quarter and getting half chances and managing to reduce the margin when Vishnu Singh finally tapped in a rebound, but it was too little, too late.

PSPB beats PSB

Earlier in the playoff for the third place, Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB) finally played up to potential, registering an easy 3-1 win against Punjab & Sind Bank (PSB).

It was a vastly improved performance from the side that dominated the game. It created more chances and did not allow space to PSB, hustling the opposition and showing a lot more urgency than it did in the semifinal. Despite missing a handful of penalty corners, each of its three goals were opportunistic, taking full advantage of defensive lapses from PSB.
 
Individual awards

Best Goalkeeper: Adrian D'Souza (Air India)
Best Defender: Jugraj Singh (SSCB)
Best midfielder: Gurmail Singh (PSB)
Best forward: Mohd. Raheel (Air India)
Player of the tournament : Jugraj Singh (SSCB).

Sportstar

Madhya Pradesh finds form; Haryana, Maharashtra enter quarters

A nine-goal performance saw Madhya Pradesh find form in the 10th Senior National Women's Hockey Championship on Sunday.

M.R.Praveen Chandran

Last year's runner-up Madhya Pradesh ran into form and served notice to its rival after scoring a thumping 9-0 win over Kerala in a Pool A match of the 10th Senior National Women's Hockey championship (A division) at the National Games Hockey stadium here on Sunday. Haryana and Maharashtra, 2019's semifinalist, scored fine wins to seal their places in the quarterfinals.

Madhya Pradesh began offensively and got off a dream start against the host when Narender Kaur sounded the boards in the very first minute. By the end of the first quarter, Madhya Pradesh was ahead 4-0. Kerala plugged the holes in the defence and played postively in the second quarter and managed to earn a couple of penalty corners. Madhya Pradesh shrugged off its indifferent form and fired on all cylinders after the break.

The  efficiency and cohesion displayed by Madhya Pradesh forwards exposed the chinks in Kerala's fragile defence and Karishma SIngh struck twice in the third quarter to complete her hat-trick.  Akansha Singh and Narender Kaur scored in the fourth quarter to complete the rout. WIth its third consecutive defeat, Kerala crashed out of the tournament.  Haryana scored a fluent 8-0 win over Karnataka and booked its place in the quarterfinals from Pool B.

Prolific striker Deepika was once again outstanding and scored a hat-trick. Karnataka started well in the first quarter when it had more of the possession. But the early promise faded away as Karnataka was forced to back pedal and defend when Haryana found its rhythm. The Northern State piled up pressure by attacking from both flanks. Annu was the livewire of the attack and she created space and chances for her team-mates.

Karnataka's resistance finally broke when Mahima Choudhary opened the scoring  by converting a penalty corner in the 14th minute and Annu made it 2-0 in the very next minute. Haryana underlined its dominance by  scoring at regular intervals. Perhaps the only blemish in Haryana's win was the wasted penalty stroke by hat-trick hero Deepika in the last quarter.

Maharasthra blanked Punjab 3-0 for its third consecutive win pool C. The win effectively puts the last year's semifinalist into the quarterfinals.

The results

Madhya Pradesh 9 (Karishma Singh 3, 8, 37, 42, Narender Kaur 1, 50, Neelu Dadiya 10, Akansha Singh 54, Raju Ranwa 41) bt Kerala 0

Haryana 8 (Deepika 23, 42, 49, Annu 15, 25, Mahima Choudhary 14, Devika Sen 57, Poonam Rani  50) bt Karnataka 0

Uttar Pradesh 3 (Vinamrata Yadav 14, 20, Archana Bhardwaj 47) bt Tamil Nadu 1 (R.Kavya 41)

Maharashtra 3 (Pooja 11, Rutuja Pisal 24, Bhavana Khade 58) bt Punjab 0

Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy 2 (Karishma Yadav 36, Ishika Chaudhary 56) bt Jharkhand 0

CRPF 5 (Puja Yadav 49, 55, Pinki Ekka 24, Sushma Kumari 35, Priya Rai 52) bt Chandigarh 1 (Anjali Mahto 30)

Sportstar

Surbiton top Holcombe to triumph in men’s England Hockey Jaffa Super 6s Final



After suffering defeat in last year’s final, Surbiton claimed their first Jaffa Super 6s title since 2017 with a 3-2 victory over Holcombe.

Goals from Rob Farrington, Arjan Drayton-Chana and Ben Boon were enough to ensure they would lift the trophy and halt East Grinstead’s reign of dominance of the competition.

Reaching the final with an emphatic 6-2 victory over Wimbledon, Surbiton looked in good form through the semi-finals as braces from Jonny Gall, Arjan Drayton-Chana and William Marshall secured a big victory.

Holcombe booked their place in the final with a narrow 4-3 victory over last year’s champions East Grinstead in what was a highly entertaining watch for the Copper Box Arena crowd as Anton Parente, Robert Field and Nick Bandurak’s two goals gave them the victory.

Surbiton continued their fantastic form into the final with Rob Farrington finding the backboard with less than a minute on the clock.

Holcombe quickly replied with a swift passing move from one end to the other as Nick Bandurak swept the ball in to finish the move and level the scores at 1-1.
Both teams were looking threatening, Holcombe dragging their effort from a penalty corner narrowly wide before Ben Boon’s ball across the face of goal just avoided the stretching Alex Moen.

Surbiton regained the lead just before the end of the opening quarter as Drayton-Chana’s drag flick thundered against into the goal.

Surbiton’s Ore Ogunlana made a superb save to deny Barry Middleton from close range before quickly counter attacking with the ball falling nicely to Boon to put Surbiton 3-1 to the good.

With the half drawing to an end, Holcombe got one back, Robert Field finding the back of the net from the top of the D with a superb strike to close the scores at the break.

Holcombe restarted quickly, Middleton flashing the ball across the face of goal with Bandurak coming within inches of finding a touch to knock it in.

With both sides struggling to make a breakthrough in the third quarter, the final ten minutes proved decisive. Farrington made a critical goal line block to deny Holcombe from levelling the scores from a penalty corner as Holcombe’s chances stacked up.

Though Holcombe continued on the offensive, there was to be no stopping Surbiton whose resilient performance saw them claim their first Jaffa Super 6s title since 2017.

England Hockey Board Media release

Buckingham claim first national indoor title in final thriller



Buckingham narrowly defeated Bowdon Hightown 4-3 in the women’s England Hockey Jaffa Super 6s final, taking the title for the first time in their history and avenging their 2019 final defeat.

In what was a thrilling match, Buckingham secured their place in the final with a 5-4 victory over last year’s champions East Grinstead. Katrina Nicholson, Lottie Porter, Abbie Brant and a Rebecca Arrowsmith brace were enough to see them through in what was an even contest throughout.

The second semi-final was another gripping watch as Bowdon Hightown booked a place in the final with a 6-3 victory over Sutton Coldfield, making it consecutive games with nine goals scored. Sally Walton, Megan Batchelor, Charlene Mason, Lucy Tennant and a Hannah MacDonald double booked their place in the final as they come out on top over the newly promoted side who had put in a spirited performance.

There was no holding back when the teams met in the final, Lottie Porter firing Buckingham into an early lead with a smart finish before Sally Walton struck back shortly after to level things up.

Buckingham would restore their lead at the end of the first quarter as Rebecca van Arrowsmith tucked the ball away. The momentum continued after the break as Porter grabbed her second of the game immediately after the restart.

It wouldn’t last long as Hannah MacDonald smartly rolled the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs to claw one back before Charlene Mason got one of her own less than a minute later to level things up at 3-3.

Both teams cancelled each other out through a balanced third quarter before Buckingham took the advantage in the early stages of the final quarter, Katrina Nicholson rounding the ‘keeper before finding Abbie Brant who tucked the ball into an empty net for a 4-3 lead.

Though Bowdon pressed for an equaliser in the remaining minutes, resolute defending prevailed and ensured Buckingham would take the title for the first time and spark jubilant celebrations in the Copper Box Arena.

England Hockey Board Media release

Buckingham and Surbiton lift Jaffa Super6s indoor titles

By The Hockey Paper



Two-goal hero Lottie Porter says Buckingham will be dancing into Europe after their indoor hockey team sparked the club’s greatest day by lifting the Super 6s title at the Copper Box.

Buckingham, last year’s runners-up, first beat defending champs East Grinstead, then edged past Bowdon Hightown 4-3 in the final to claim an inaugural place in Europe for next season.

A delighted Porter said: “It’s an amazing club, we do dance routines off the pitch and we just want to have fun with it.

“We can dance into Europe now and we have two amazing routines to go with it. We can’t wait.”

Their enthusiasm for the indoor game has once again been down to their coach Zak Jones, who has built the club’s foundations over the last 15 years.

Porter fired Buckingham into an early lead with a smart finish before the dangerous Sally Walton struck back shortly after to level things up. Rebecca van Arrowsmith tucked home to restore parity before three goals in as many minutes set the final alive.

Porter grabbed her second before Hannah MacDonald and Charlene Mason tied up the final. But heroic defence from Buckingham kept Bowdon at bay, leaving Abbie Brant to find a last quarter winner and spark wild jigs on the final hooter.



Surbiton then regained the indoor title and their place in Europe courtesy of a 3-2 win over Holcombe, seeking their first national title.

This was Surbiton’s second in four years and they achieved the mark with goals from Rob Farrington, Arjan Drayton-Chana and Ben Boon. Although the shift put in by Holcombe’s players never made it easy for Mark Pearn’s side.

Holcs had earlier reached the final by ending perennial title winners East Grinstead’s assault in an edgy 4-3 semi-final victory which threatened to spill over.

Surbiton, meanwhile, were on top form in beating Wimbledon 6-2, which included a wonder goal from William Marshall.

The Hockey Paper

Irish EYHL Men's Round Up

Lisnagarvey moved into a five point lead at the summit of the EY Irish Hockey League after narrowly defeating Monkstown in the top of the table clash at Comber Road.

They won a close-run battle 2-1 as Andy Williamson and James Lorimer edged them in front; Rory Nichols had levelled them game at 1-1 in the third quarter and he was denied an equaliser on the final whistle by James Milliken.

Town remain in second with UCD closing in after they shaded a 2-1 battle against Glenanne with early goals from Jazze Henry and Ewan Ramsay putting them two goals to the good. Shannon Boucher pulled one back and UCD spent the last 11 minutes without Andrew Meates due to a red card but they held on.

Banbridge moved into the top four for the first time with a resounding 8-0 success against YMCA at Wesley with Johnny McKee scoring four times. It was their fourth win out of five outings following a slow start to the season.

It means they overtake Three Rock Rovers who drew 4-4 with Corinthian in the Marlay derby at Grange Road. It was 2-2 at quarter-time following an early flurry of goals between Mark English and Harry Morris for Rovers and Ian Stewart and Johnny Roberts for Rovers.

Sam Grace and Stewart then traded goals for 3-3 at half-time before Stewart put the reds 4-3 up early in the second half. Jody Hosking snatched a leveller with four minutes to go.

Alan Sothern, meanwhile, ran up all six goals for Pembroke as they beat Annadale 6-2 to move out of the relegation playoff place and up to sixth spot. The result leaves Dale stuck on the bottom and five points adrift of ninth place YMCA.

Men’s EYHL Division 1 – day eight results: Glenanne 1 (S Boucher) UCD 2 (J Henry, A Meates); Lisnagarvey 2 (A Williamson, J Lorimer) Monkstown 1 (R Nichols); Pembroke 6 (A Sothern 6) Annadale 2 (R Burgess 2); Three Rock Rovers 4 (M English, H Morris, S Grace, J Hosking) Corinthian 4 (I Stewart 3, J Roberts); YMCA 0 Banbridge 8 (J McKee 4, E Magee 2, B McCandless, A Tinney)

Lisnagarvey 2 (A Williamson, J Lorimer) Monkstown 1 (R Nichols)

Lisnagarvey moved into a five point lead at the summit of the EY Irish Hockey League after narrowly defeating Monkstown in the top of the table clash at Comber Road. It was both teams' first game back after a protracted mid-season break and, at times, it showed.

Garvey could however have had the game put to bed had they not uncharacteristically missed several chances when leading 1-0. The Dubliners almost made their hosts pay for their profligacy and could have snatched a point with the last play of the game only to be denied by a fine stop from keeper James Milliken.

Garvey's Jonny Bell said: "The first game back after Christmas was always going to be tough but we are delighted with the win." The Hillsborough side got off to a dream start when, in the 12th minute, Andy Williamson, scored with a cracking backhand shot into the roof of the net after collecting a pin point diagonal pass from Peter McKibbin.

Aran Rooney could have equalised almost immediately but he scuffed his shot with only Milliken to beat. But Monkstown got their reward three minutes into the second-half when Rory Nichols fired in a penalty corner. In the 48th minute, James Lorimer replied in kind to make it 2-1 against the run of play.

Garvey seemed buoyed by that goal and Lorimer and Williamson (twice) both went close to adding the insurance goal before that late scare when Nichols was foiled by the Garvey keeper.

Glenanne 1 (S Boucher) UCD 2 (J Henry, E Ramsay)

UCD picked up their fifth win of the campaign to strengthen their place in EYHL playoff places courtesy of a 2-1 win over Glenanne at St Andrew’s. The students started the brighter, putting on the pressure from the start and they opened the scoring when Matteo Romoli rolled the ball down the line to Ali Empey, who turned his man and picked out Jazze Henry who calmly rounded the goalkeeper.

Glennane came into the game with chances falling for both sides but fell further behind when Ewan Ramsay scored his first goal of the season from a diving deflection after good work from Conor Empey and Cian Murphy.  Glennane got back into the game when Shannon Boucher scored a low drag with UCD down to 10 men – Andrew Meates shown a red card – but they held out to pick up all three points.

Three Rock Rovers 4 (M English, H Morris, S Grace, J Hosking) Corinthian 4 (I Stewart 3, J Roberts)

The Marlay derby produced an eight-goal battle as Jody Hosking rescued a point for Three Rock Rovers four minutes from full-time after his side had led twice. Mark English netted in just the second minute when Ben Walker picked him out with a pin-point pass from left to right.

Ian Stewart smacked in an equaliser a minute later, profiting from a baseline pull-back and the reds were 2-1 in front when Johnny Roberts deflected in Peter Caruth’s power-slap from a free outside the 23-metre zone. Harry Morris tied it up at 2-2 when he poked home a rebound from close range in the 16th minute.

Sam Grace and Stewart then traded goals in the minutes leading up to half-time for 3-3. Things tightened up considerably in the second half but the free-scoring Stewart in the 44th minute from a turnover and he struck a good reverse for 4-3. But Hosking popped up with the equaliser with a deflection late in the game from a corner for a point.

Pembroke 6 (A Sothern 6) Annadale 2 (R Burgess 2)

Alan Sothern hit Annadale for six as his double hat-trick earned them their second victory of the season, propelling them out of the relegation playoff place and into sixth place. After a scoreless first quarter, Ryan Burgess gave Dale the lead from the penalty spot but that was quickly counter-acted by a pair of Sothern penalty corner drag-flicks, making it 2-1 at half-time.

He completed his hat trick with an upright reverse-stick shot for 3-1 and then he netted a fourth from another corner. The fifith came from play before Burgess got one back for Annadale from a corner drag but another upright reverse-stick shot gave Pembroke the victory.

YMCA 0 Banbridge 8 (J McKee 4, E Magee 2, B McCandless, A Tinney)

Banbridge carried their pre-Christmas form through to the new year with a thumping 8-0 win over YMCA, making it four wins from their last five, lifting them into the top four for the first time.

Bruce McCandless opened the scoring from a corner before Johnny McKee and Alexander Tinney stretched the lead to 3-0 before the end of the first quarter. McKee added the next three before Eugene Magee finished with a flourish to build up an 8-0 result. YM drop into the relegation playoff place as a result.

Irish Hockey Association media release

Irish EYHL & EYHL2 Women's Round Up

Loreto picked up a strong win over Belfast Harlequins to move into a share of top spot in the women’s EY Hockey League, drawing level with Pegasus who were held to a 1-1 draw by Muckross.

The Beaufort side had enough in the tank to win 3-1 with early goals from Ali Meeke and Lisa Mulcahy putting them in pole position. Julie Dennison, however, got one back in spectacular fashion to make the game tight before Hayley Mulcahy eased the tension.

Pegasus, meanwhile, dropped points for just the second time this season. Alex Speers gave them the lead in the 22nd minute but her former international team mate Anna O’Flanagan turned and cracked home an equaliser for 1-1 just before half-time.

Pegasus did have a series of second half chances but could not break through and had to settle for a share of the spoils, leaving them level with Loreto on 19 points.

Old Alex continued their excellent start to the season when they beat Pembroke 2-1 courtesy of goal from international stars Nikki Evans and Deirdre Duke. Hayley O’Donnell got one back in the final quarter but could not force their way through and they drop out of the top four for the first time this season.

UCD took their place in the playoff places after a 2-1 success at home against Catholic Institute. The game was in the balance at half-time at 1-1 with Lena Tice and Roisin Upton trading goals but Michelle Carey got on the end of a cracking move for the winner.

Cork Harlequins moved clear of the relegation places with a 2-0 win over Railway Union at Farmers’ Cross thanks to penalty corner goals from Emma Barber and Cliodhna Sargent. It was Sargent’s first game of the season with Yvonne O’Byrne also back for the first time, giving them a huge boon.

EYHL Division 1: Cork Harlequins 2 (C Sargent, E Barber) Railway Union 0; Loreto 3 (A Meeke, L Mulcahy, H Mulcahy) Belfast Harlequins 1 (J Dennison); Muckross 1 (A O’Flanagan) Pegasus 1 (A Speers); Old Alex 2 (D Duke, N Evans) Pembroke 1 (H O’Donnell); UCD 2 (L Tice, M Carey) Catholic Institute (R Upton)

EYHL Division 2

Pool A: Cork C of I 2 (C Sexton, H Honner) Corinthian 3 (L McGrane, C Vincent, J McGrane); NUIG 2 (A Hara, C Heery) Lurgan 9 (L Wright 2, A Cowan 2, L McNeill 2, C Stewart, J Morrow)

Pool B: Queens University 2 (K Ferguson, A Jebb) Ards 2 (H Platt, Z Malseed); UCC 3 (C Perdue 2, J Clein) Greenfields 1 (C Keane)

Women’s EYHL – day eight reports

UCD 2 (L Tice, M Carey) Catholic Institute (R Upton)

UCD moved back into the top four ahead of Pembroke with a lively 2-1 win over Catholic Institute in a tie played at great pace in Belfield with the international contingent shining despite their recent warm-weather camp in South Africa.

Lena Tice scored the perfect drag-flick to open the scoring in the first quarter and they were on the up with Edel Nyland – on debut for the club – went close just before the end of this phase.

Insta equalised from the penalty spot when Naomi Carroll wreaked havoc and Roisin Upton stepped up to score for 1-1. Tice then had to save one off the line and then had a goal disallowed as it remained level at the big break.

UCD stepped it up in the second half, creating some good chances  and they went in front from a great move with Nyland dropping the ball back to Niamh Carey and she set up her twin sister Michelle for what proved to be the winner.

Muckross 1 (A O’Flanagan) Pegasus 1 (A Speers)

Muckross stood their ground to land a big point, a result which saw Pegasus’s narrow lead at the top wiped out as Alex Speers and Anna O’Flanagan swapped goals. The Ulster side started off on the front foot with Ellie McLoughlin and Caroline Mathews scrambling to snuff out chances.

Pegasus went in front in the 22nd minute when Alex Speers sailed a shot into the top corner and they had a set piece chance to extend the lead snuffed out before Muckross replied. O’Flanagan picked up the ball at the head of the D and calmly slotted home. And they came close to moving 2-1 up on the half-time whistle after a corner scramble was just about cleared.

O’Flanagan  went close to another while Sophie Barnwell’s one-on-one chance with Megan Todd was denied too early in the second half before Pegasus came back into contention with Lucy McKee’s driving runs causing danger.

Kerri McDonald was brilliantly denied by McLoughlin and her next corner shot was charged down. They also hit the post as Muckross lived on their nerves but ultimately got the point.

Loreto 3 (A Meeke, L Mulcahy, H Mulcahy) Belfast Harlequins 1 (J Dennison)

Loreto joined Pegasus at the head of the women’s EY Hockey League table with a 3-1 win over Belfast Harlequins at Beaufort. Ali Meeke gave Loreto the perfect start with a goal from play and that advantage was bolstered when Lisa Mulcahy whipped home a powerful slap from a penalty corner for 2-0 at half-time.

Julie Dennison cracked a reply into the top of the goal early in the second half as Quins threatened a comeback but Hayley Mulcahy struck from a corner switch left for 3-1 to put the Dubliners in the clear at 3-1.

Old Alex 2 (D Duke, N Evans) Pembroke 1 (H O’Donnell)

International stars Deirdre Duke and Nikki Evans earned Old Alex a key win over Pembroke to jump up into third place, dropping Pembroke out of the top four for the first time this season. Alex handed a debut to former international hockey and rugby 7s international Audrey O’Flynn and they went closest in the early stages via Emilie Ryan Doyle.

Jeamie Deacon had a goal disallowed for height at corner time before both of the goals came in the minutes before half-time. Millie O’Donnell’s disguise pass from the top found Evans at the back post for the opening goal from a corner.

It was two when Emma Russell picked out the unmarked Hannah McDermott who selflessly tapped around the keeper for Duke to finish off a great team goal. Pembroke upped the ante and forced corners which Evans had to charge down; Sinead Loughran’s full-pitch run was only denied by Millie O’Donnell before Pembroke got one back from a Hayley O’Donnell corner but they could not find an equaliser and Alex had another win.

Cork Harlequins 2 (C Sargent, E Barber) Railway Union 0

Cork Harlequins welcomed the hugely experienced duo of Yvonne O’Byrne and Cliodhna Sargent to the line-up for the first time this season and it inspired them to a big 2-0 home win against Railway Union – their second win of the campaign.

Emma Barber got them up and running from a penalty corner and Sargent then added another before the end of the first quarter for a two-goal lead they would never relinquish. They rode their luck in the second half as Railway had most of the ball and territory in the second half but, with the extra experience in defence, Quins stayed clear to put distance between themselves and the relegation spots.

EYHL2

Women's EYHL Division 2 round-up

Corinthian won a cracking contest at Garryduff to make it five wins from five in Pool A of the women’s EYHL Division 2, Jessica McGrane grabbing the winner in a 3-2 success over Cork C of I.

It was their fifth successive win in the group as Lauran McGrane and Ciara Vincent efforts looked to have them well set at 2-0. But Ciara Sextion and Hannah Honner – against her former club – tied things up before the younger McGrane carried the day.

The win puts them eight points clear of the chasers. Lurgan moved into second place with a 9-2 away win over NUIG, coming back from 2-0 down after just a few minutes to win comfortably.

Trinity are level with Lurgan, also on 12 points, but with a game in hand due to their bye weekend this time around. The meeting of the students and Lurgan in two weeks time will be crucial.

In Pool B, Zara Malseed’s late goal saw Ards maintain their unbeaten run thus far as they earned a 2-2 draw away to Queen’s. Harriet Platt gave Ards an early lead before Koren Ferguson and Alyssa Jebb swapped things around.

The result has Ards on 16 points with UCC closing the gap to three points with a 3-1 victory over Greenfields with Caoimhe Perdue netting twice. Monkstown are one point back with a game in hand while Queen’s and Greenfields are off the pace six points back.

Pool A: Cork C of I 2 (C Sexton, H Honner) Corinthian 3 (L McGrane, C Vincent, J McGrane); NUIG 2 (A Hara, C Heery) Lurgan 9 (L Wright 2, A Cowan 2, L McNeill 2, C Stewart, J Morrow)

Pool B: Queens University 2 (K Ferguson, A Jebb) Ards 2 (H Platt, Z Malseed); UCC 3 (C Perdue 2, J Clein) Greenfields 1 (C Keane)

Irish Hockey Association media release

Thrills and spills galore as Couse hits four and Gar win 6-5


Andy Malcolm scored four times for Rathgar. Pic: Adrian Boehm

Avoca and Rathgar both won wild games in the men’s Leinster Division One, taking the spoils from seven and 11-goal thrillers, respectively, as Clontarf’s juggernaut keeps on rolling.

At Santry Avenue, Richard Couse’s outrageous goalscoring feats continue as he brought his total up to 28 goals from 11 league games with all four of Avoca’s efforts against Trinity.

It was 1-1 at quarter time as he got his first, countered by one from Patrick Temperley – who is also in a rich vein of form – before Couse completed his hat trick by half-time for a 3-1 lead.

Callum Morrow and Templerley both scored in the third quarter to make it 3-3 going into the final phase but Couse had the final word with the seventh goal of the game.

It was even more manic on the Castlecomer Road where Rathgar won 6-5 at the expense of Kilkenny to sit in third place in the table. The cats raced into a 2-0 lead thanks to Henry Huston’s deflection from a well-worked counter-attack and Dave McClure scored from another breakaway, flicking in from around the p-spot.

Andy Malcolm got one back from a penalty corner before half-time and levelled with a far-post sweep for 2-2. Alan White then scored two penalty strokes, both won for fouls on Malcolm, for a 4-2 lead.

Kilkenny made it 4-3 at the end of the third quarter when the ball broke in the D and it was volleyed into the net by Nic Dool.

In the fourth quarter, Malcolm restored the two goal lead following a great run from Guy Prendergast. Kilkenny pulled another back two minutes later via Huston only for Malcolm to get his fourth when he chipped it over the rushing goalkeeper.

Kilkenny were not done yet and McClure’s second of the day, rounding the goalkeeper, made for a tight finish.

Portrane won the Fingal derby with Ossian Elmiger securing the rare feat of scoring twice against his school principal as he struck twice past Dublin North’s Ronan Walsh.

He got the first before half-time after good work from Imran Khan. Khan got the second after a breakaway and a snap-shot from the top of the circle and it was 3-0 in the 44th minute when Derek Ledwidge got first to the ball after good baseline work from Dylan Eustace.

Elmiger added the fourth with 10 minutes to go from a deflection from a well-placed smash from Khan.

Clontarf continued their perfect run with a comfortable 7-1 win over Bray with Davyn Keuter scoring a hat trick. Bray got their goal back at 2-0 via Jack Lacey-Curtis in the first quarter before Tarf ran away with things.

Midweek sees two more games in the division. Clontarf host Dublin North (8.15pm) with Railway Union up against Weston (7.45pm) at Park Avenue.

On Sunday, Monkstown became the first side to reach the Mills Cup final thanks to a 2-1 win over Corinthian. All the goals came in the first half with Andrew Fogarty on the end of the opener in the 12th minute.

Ryan Spencer’s disguised pass to Max Guilfoyle ended with a ball being raised off a defensive stick, allowing Fogarty to tap the ball in overhead.

Dave Fitzgerald saved a Peter Caruth stroke and Town took full advantage when Rory Nichols picked out the bottom left corner. Ross MacWilliam chipped over an instant riposte over Fitzgerald in the 33rd minute.

Town will play the winner of Three Rock and UCD, a tie postponed due to the National Indoor Trophy finals.

Men’s Leinster Division 1: Clontarf 7 (D Keuter 3, K Murray, L Hayden, G Borland, J Edmonds) Bray 1 (J Lacey-Curtis); Dublin North 0 Portrane 4 (O Elmiger 2, I Khan, D Ledwidge); Dublin University 3 (P Temperley 2, C Morrow) Avoca 4 (R Couse 4); Kilkenny 5 (H Huston 2, D McClure 2, N Dool) Rathgar 6 (A Malcolm 4, A White 2)

Leinster Mills Cup, semi-final: Monkstown 2 (A Fogarty, R Nichols) Corinthian 1 (R MacWilliam)

The Hook

Loreto move level with Pegasus as Sargent makes telling return


Old Alex’s post-match team huddle.

Loreto picked up a strong win over Belfast Harlequins to move into a share of top spot as Pegasus drew with Muckross; Old Alex, UCD and Cork Harlequins win, too

Women’s EYHL – day eight reports

UCD 2 (L Tice, M Carey) Catholic Institute (R Upton)

UCD moved back into the top four ahead of Pembroke with a lively 2-1 win over Catholic Institute in a tie played at great pace in Belfield with the international contingent shining despite their recent warm-weather camp in South Africa.

Lena Tice scored the perfect drag-flick to open the scoring in the first quarter and they were on the up with Edel Nyland – on debut for the club – went close just before the end of this phase.

Insta equalised from the penalty spot when Naomi Carroll wreaked havoc and Roisin Upton stepped up to score for 1-1. Tice then had to save one off the line and then had a goal disallowed as it remained level at the big break.

UCD stepped it up in the second half, creating some good chances  and they went in front from a great move with Nyland dropping the ball back to Niamh Carey and she set up her twin sister Michelle for what proved to be the winner.

Muckross 1 (A O’Flanagan) Pegasus 1 (A Speers)

Muckross stood their ground to land a big point, a result which saw Pegasus’s narrow lead at the top wiped out as Alex Speers and Anna O’Flanagan swapped goals. The Ulster side started off on the front foot with Ellie McLoughlin and Caroline Mathews scrambling to snuff out chances.

Pegasus went in front in the 22nd minute when Alex Speers sailed a shot into the top corner and they had a set piece chance to extend the lead snuffed out before Muckross replied. O’Flanagan picked up the ball at the head of the D and calmly slotted home. And they came close to moving 2-1 up on the half-time whistle after a corner scramble was just about cleared.

O’Flanagan  went close to another while Sophie Barnwell’s one-on-one chance with Megan Todd was denied too early in the second half before Pegasus came back into contention with Lucy McKee’s driving runs causing danger.

Kerri McDonald was brilliantly denied by McLoughlin and her next corner shot was charged down. They also hit the post as Muckross lived on their nerves but ultimately got the point.

Loreto 3 (A Meeke, L Mulcahy, H Mulcahy) Belfast Harlequins 1 (J Dennison)

Loreto joined Pegasus at the head of the women’s EY Hockey League table with a 3-1 win over Belfast Harlequins at Beaufort. Ali Meeke gave Loreto the perfect start with a goal from play and that advantage was bolstered when Lisa Mulcahy whipped home a powerful slap from a penalty corner for 2-0 at half-time.

Julie Dennison cracked a reply into the top of the goal early in the second half as Quins threatened a comeback but Hayley Mulcahy struck from a corner switch left for 3-1 to put the Dubliners in the clear at 3-1.

Old Alex 2 (D Duke, N Evans) Pembroke 1 (H O’Donnell)

International stars Deirdre Duke and Nikki Evans earned Old Alex a key win over Pembroke to jump up into third place, dropping Pembroke out of the top four for the first time this season. Alex handed a debut to former international hockey and rugby 7s international Audrey O’Flynn and they went closest in the early stages via Emilie Ryan Doyle.

Jeamie Deacon had a goal disallowed for height at corner time before both of the goals came in the minutes before half-time. Millie O’Donnell’s disguise pass from the top found Evans at the back post for the opening goal from a corner.

It was two when Emma Russell picked out the unmarked Hannah McDermott who selflessly tapped around the keeper for Duke to finish off a great team goal. Pembroke upped the ante and forced corners which Evans had to charge down; Sinead Loughran’s full-pitch run was only denied by Millie O’Donnell before Pembroke got one back from a Hayley O’Donnell corner but they could not find an equaliser and Alex had another win.

Cork Harlequins 2 (C Sargent, E Barber) Railway Union 0

Cork Harlequins welcomed the hugely experienced duo of Yvonne O’Byrne and Cliodhna Sargent to the line-up for the first time this season and it inspired them to a big 2-0 home win against Railway Union – their second win of the campaign.

Emma Barber got them up and running from a penalty corner and Sargent then added another before the end of the first quarter for a two-goal lead they would never relinquish. They rode their luck in the second half as Railway had most of the ball and territory in the second half but, with the extra experience in defence, Quins stayed clear to put distance between themselves and the relegation spots.

The Hook

Euro-bound Railway on the National Indoor double



Railway Union did the indoor double as their men and women both prevailed in Galway’s Kingfisher Hall, earning a place in Europe for 2021.

They occurred in contrasting fashions with the women always in control against Muckross with the experienced campaigners Hannah de Burgh Whyte and Emma Smith striking in the second half for a 2-0 win.

Earlier, Railway eventually shook off the attentions of a compact Galway 3-0 in their semi-final. Muckross continued their ever-improving performances with a 3-1 success to oust Ulster champions Ards courtesy of goals from Susie Cannon, Sophie Barnwell and Kim Baker.

In the final, though, it was the Sandymount side who looked the side to beat from the outset as Orla Fox and Kate Dillon had early sights of goal denied. They could not break through before half-time as Erika Hinkson brilliantly saved off the line from Isobel Joyce in the dying minutes of the half.

The opening goal did come two minutes after the change of ends when Orla Fox slipped under her arm to Hannah de Burgh Whyte to flick in.

Lily Lloyd’s fast hands almost yielded another soon after before a pivotal minute proved definitive in the outcome of the final.

Barnwell and Hinkson combined for an overlap that ended with Charlie Flavin finishing off but the final pass had come up slightly off the floor and the goal was disallowed.

Immediately after, Fox’s free-out to de Burgh Whyte was centred to Smith. With a dummy over the ball, she sent a defender the wrong way and then flicked in for 2-0 for a 32nd minute lead and they had enough control to carry that scoreline to the end.

The men’s final, however, was a different matter for Railway as they trailed 3-0 inside the first 12 minutes before Bjorn Daase produced a remarkable performance against Three Rock Rovers.

The German – a guest for Railway who plays outdoors for Pembroke – not only netted a hat trick in normal time to force a 3-3 draw.

He then lobbed in the only goal of the shoot-out for a 1-0 success which, in tandem with Stephen O’Keeffe’s three saves, saw the Sandymount club stun their fellow Dubliners.

Rovers had won the Leinster final a week before 14-7 and looked to be in similar cruise control after 12 minutes when Harry Morris and Ali Haughton guided home from close range.

Jody Hosking whipped in a third and when Ross Canning saw his penalty stroke denied by O’Keeffe, it did not initially seem a big cause for concern.

But Daase got Railway on the scoreboard just before half-time with a solo goal, racing all the way around the left and then back into the middle to flick in.

He won a stroke in the 23rd minute which he scored himself for 3-2 but then saw a second stroke blocked by Shane Davey deep into the fourth quarter.

And when the German’s penalty corner chance was shepherded over the endline, it looked to be game over. But Rovers played an overly ambitious free out of defence which was blocked by the first-up press. Eoin MacArthur quickly transferred it to Fergal Keaveney who picked out Daase at the right post to touch in the equaliser.

Rovers then imploded in the shoot-out, all three of their early shots causing little danger, while Daase used all six seconds to move Davey and then lob it in, earning a European ticket.

National Indoor Trophy (all at the Kingfisher Hall, Galway)

Men

Semi-final: Railway Union 7 Limerick 1; Three Rock Rovers 10 Banbridge 2

Bronze match: Banbridge 4 Limerick 0

Final: Three Rock Rovers 3 (H Morris, A Haughton, J Hosking) Railway Union 3 (B Daase 3), Railway win shoot-out 1-0

Women

Semi-final: Railway Union 3 Galway 0; Muckross 3 Ards 1

Bronze match: Ards 5 Galway 2

Final: Railway Union 2 (H de Burgh Whyte, E Smith) Muckross 0

The Hook

Double cheer for UniKL

By Jugjet Singh


UniKL players (in red) celebrate scoring their second goal against Terengganu Hockey Team in a Malaysia Hockey League match at Batu Buruk Stadium yesterday.

There was double joy for Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) yesterday.

In the morning, their defender Baljit Singh was blessed with a baby girl, and in the evening, they virtually lifted the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) title.

Playing at the Batu Buruk Stadium in Kuala Terengganu, UniKL defeated Terengganu Hockey Team (THT) 2-0 with goals from Razie Rahim (33rd) and Izwan Firdaus (59th).

And with maximum points after eight matches, UniKL look set for a home run in the eight-team league.

THT coach K. Dharmaraj has thrown in the towel.

“Even though there are still six more matches to play, you can safely say that the league title now belongs to UniKL, who have opened up a five-point lead. They can even afford to lose a match.

“For THT, we will focus on finishing second in the league and then go for the TNB Cup title,” said Dharmaraj.

UniKL coach Arul Selvaraj said: “First of all, I would like to congratulate my defender Baljit on his newborn.

“It turned out to be a good day for UniKL as we managed to extend our winning streak. I don’t want to be overconfident, even though we have opened up a good lead.

“All the remaining matches will be given utmost attention.

RESULTS — Men: HockAdemy 2 Maybank 3, Terengganu HT 0 UniKL 2, TNB Thunderbolts 2 Tenaga Nasional 11, UiTM 2 NurInsafi 4.

New Straits Times

No joy for Akhimullah after scoring a hattrick

By AFTAR SINGH



KUALA LUMPUR: Tenaga Nasional forward Mohd Akhimullah Anuar Esook (pic) finds no joy despite scoring a hattrick in the 11-2 thrashing of their junior team TNB Thunerbolt in the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.International Akhimullah who was on target in the 11th, 44th and 45th minutes yesterday, has netted nine goals in eight matches so far.

Mohd Arif Syafiq Ishak (18th, 20th) and Mohd Azrai Aizad Abdul Kamal (23rd, 26th) each scored a brace for Tenaga.

Mohd Noor Firdaus Rosdi (fifth), Amirol Aideed Mohd Arshad (36th), Muhajir Abdu Rauf (41st) and Nik Mohd Aiman Nik Rozemi 56th) delivered the other goals for Tenaga.

Mohd Muhibuddin Moharam (45th) and Nasrul Syahkhir Sadikul (53rd) replied for Thunderbolt.

It was Tenaga’s biggest margin of victory and it put them in second place in the standings with 19 points from six wins, one draw and one defeat.

The 20-year-old Akhimullah had his reason for feeling downcast.

“I am not satisfied with my scoring ability as I failed to sound the board in the top of table clash against UniKL in Bangi last Friday in a game which we lost 1-0, ” said Akhimullah.

“It is easy to score against weaker teams but always tough to score against stronger teams. I hope today’s hattrick will motivate me to continue scoring in the remaining six matches in the league.

“Although UniKL lead the standings with maximum points from eight matches and are five points clear of Tenaga, we are not giving up hope, ” said Akhimullah.

Yesterday, UniKL continued their winning ways by beating Terengganu 2-0 at the Batu Buruk Hockey Stadium in Kuala Terengganu for their eighth consecutive win.

Mohd Razie Abdul Rahim gave UniKL the lead in the 33rd minute off a penalty corner before Izwan Firdaus Ahmad Tajuddin added the second in the 59th minute.

The Star of Malaysia

Obituary: Charlie Randall, Hockey Writers’ Club chairman

By The Hockey Paper in Club



It is with great sadness to report the passing of Charlie Randall, the Hockey Writers’ Club (HWC) chairman, who died after falling ill with pneumonia last week.

Charlie was a long-serving journalist at the Daily Telegraph where he reported on county cricket for several decades before covering hockey for three years at the paper.

He also reported on schools hockey for The Hockey Paper and was elected chairman of the Hockey Writers’ Club where he succeeded the late Graham Wilson.

Charlie oversaw the HWC youth and junior awards in recent years. This was no easy task as he sought information on players and candidates from school and club coaches across the country and choose young players who shone both on and off the pitch.

He was a regular fixture for Radlett CC’s 1st XI – joining as a member in the mid 1960s – and was also vice-president of the cricket club. A keen golfer, Charlie had great humour and the ‘Bar Room Bore’ section on the self-titled website he once ran was always full of superb cricketing anecdotes.

Charlie held a deep love for print, highlighted in a speech at the HWC presentation lunch in January. There, he told of his dismay at how Team GB women’s Rio gold was left out of the Telegraph’s moments of the decade – despite the sport being a regular fixture in the paper over the decades.

He was moved to speak to former colleagues on the paper, who admitted that the omission had indeed been an oversight.

The Hockey Paper