News for 04 February 2020
All the news for Tuesday 4 February 2020
FIH World Rankings: one month of the match-based system
On 1 January 2020, a new model for calculating the FIH World Rankings was introduced, moving away from the previous tournament-based rankings system to a dynamic, match-based model where opposing teams exchange points in official, FIH sanctioned games. The number of points exchanged depends on the result of the match, the relative ranking of the teams and the importance of the match.
It has been one month since the match-based FIH World Rankings system came into play, and during that time we have seen some movement, particularly in relation to the teams competing in the FIH Hockey Pro League. The most notable came at the very top of the men’s standings when second ranked Belgium faced top ranked Australia in two matches in Sydney.
The Red Lions arrived in Australia knowing that they could replace the Kookaburras as the world’s number one ranked team and – thanks to a draw / bonus point win in the opening match followed by an outright victory in the second game – the reigning World and European champions left Australian soil having emphatically achieved their aim.
The impact of the Australia versus Belgium double-header is a good example of how the new match-based system delivers a better reflection of current performance, which was one of the driving factors behind the move away from the old tournament-based model that revealed updated ranking positions only three or four times per year.
Since the start of the 2020 edition of the FIH Hockey Pro League on 11 January, every match played has had increased value due to the potential for rising up or falling down the rankings table. In recent weeks, Belgium’s women have claimed two draws in Australia and a win in New Zealand, impressive results against higher ranked opponents which has resulted in a one place climb from 12th to 11th in the rankings table.
However, it could have been even better for the Red Panthers – two wins over Australia might have seen them rise up to eighth in the rankings, and would have forced the Hockeyroos down two places from second to fourth. While this particular scenario did not play out, it serves as an indicator for how much potential change there could be in the weeks and months ahead, not only in the Pro League but also for all nations competing in FIH approved test matches.
FIH World Rankings: The new model explained
- Based on the Elo rating system, which is used as the basis of many other sports ranking systems
- When two nations play against each other, a number of ranking points are exchanged between them
- In every match, the number of points gained by one team is exactly matched by the number of points lost by the other
- Teams will win more points for beating teams ranked above them, and therefore teams will lose more points for losing to a team ranked below them
- Teams will win less points for beating teams ranked below them, and therefore teams will lose less points for losing to a team ranked above them
- If a draw occurs, the lower ranked team will gain a small number of points and the higher ranked team will lose the same number of points
- The number of points exchanged is dependent on the result of the match (win, lose, shootout win/loss or draw), the importance of the match (part of a major tournament, or a test series for example), and the relative difference in ranking points between the teams before the match
For complete information about the new match-based FIH World Rankings system, please click here.
To see our frequently asked questions information document, click here.
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Outdoor
Indoor
FIH site
Manpreet to lead India against Belgium, Raj Kumar Pal only newcomer
Midfielder Raj Kumar Pal, 22, who impressed during his stint with the India Colts, has been called up by Graham Reid to the senior team.
India has five points from its two matches in the Pro League. - PTI
Manpreet Singh will lead India in the upcoming FIH Pro League matches against world no.1 Belgium, a 24-member team for which was announced on Monday and includes a lone newcomer in Raj Kumar Pal.
Harmanpreet Singh will do duty as the vice captain in the matches taking place on February 8 and 9 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
Midfielder Raj Kumar Pal was impressive in his stint with the India Colts team in the past season when it won a silver medal at the Sultan of Johor Cup in Malaysia.
The seasoned P R Sreejesh, Krishan Pathak, Gurinder Singh, Amit Rohidas, Surender Kumar, Jarmanpreet Singh and Rupinder Pal Singh are also part of the squad.
Chief coach Graham Reid said, “The objective of these matches of the FIH Hockey Pro League is to find the balance between giving players opportunities for Olympic selection, working out our strongest combinations and continuing to demonstrate that we can compete with the best teams in the world.”
Reid added, “Raj Kumar Pal has been rewarded for his outstanding form in the recent camps and named in the squad. He possesses extra-ordinary skills and speed, which if given the opportunity will excel against the World No.1 Belgium.”
Team
PR Sreejesh, Krishan Bahadur Pathak, Harmanpreet Singh, Gurinder Singh, Amit Rohidas, Surender Kumar, Jarmanpreet Singh, Rupinder Pal Singh, Manpreet Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Chinglensana Singh, Raj Kumar Pal, Dilpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Mandeep Singh, Shamsher Singh, Gursahibjit Singh, Kothajit Singh Kadangbam, Birendra Lakra, Nilakanta Sharma, Gurjant Singh, SV Sunil.
Sportstar
Germans defeat South Africa in opening test
The South African side did not have a lot of time to mull over the series defeat to Ireland in Stellenbosch before they were back on the turf taking on the world number 4 Germany in a three-test series.
The Germans would be led by legendary captain Janne Muller-Wieland who has more than 300 caps for her country and would feature a mix of experience with Anne Schroder, Lisa Altenburg, Cecile Pieper all having more than 100 caps joined by Rosa Kruger, Pauline Heinz, Naomi Heyn and Pia Maertens all in the earlier part of their careers.
The South Africans obviously would keep the same squad that took on the Irish with Erin Hunter (Christie) leading the team, while Sandiswe Tabata was to earn her first cap in the opening test.
Germany started the game brightly earning an early goal through Pia Maertens. She picked up the ball just outside the D before doing a reverse turnaround to create a bit of space and her finish showed why she is so highly rated.
The South Africans to their credit managed to suffocate the play and frustrate the Germans throughout the contest but a 3-goal blitz from the visitors in the final quarter meant that the Europeans added some gloss to the score-line.
Maertens got her second and her teams second when she converted simply after a superb run by one of her team-mates, before Rebecca Grote and Lena Micheel added the gloss to the score-line.
For the South Africans the eyes turned to Sunday and an opportunity for revenge, and of course some much-desired world ranking points!
SA Hockey Association media release
German precision humbles the hosts
Photo: Kim Clayton Sport Photography
The second test of the 2020 Summer Series between South Africa and Germany will be one that the Germans will fondly remember, and the hosts will look at for lessons on efficient and precise attacking.
It took the visitors less than a minute to take a lead through Pia Maertens with her third of the series and they doubled the lead in the 9th minute through a Pauline Heinz field goal. The South Africans ended the quarter with the perfect response though hard-working midfielder Kristen Paton. Having had to defend for the previous five minutes, Paton played a precision one-two with Robin Johnson produced a wonderful run and finish into the bottom corner. It was a bright moment for the African champions, but unfortunately the last true bright moment of the game as the German juggernaut punished the hosts in the remainder of the game.
Although the second quarter was still competitive, the Germans only managing the one goal in the session through Naomi Heyns, who tapped in from less than a metre after the hosts failed to deal with the cross to re-establish the two-goal cushion.
The decent crowd in attendance were then witness to German efficiency picking up goals at regular intervals in the second half. Rebecca Grote made it 4-1 through a “wrong side” penalty corner attack and it was quickly 5 for Germany when Sonja Zimmerman with a low drag flick. The Germans were accumulating the penalty corners through a sheer weight of pressure and Lena Micheel was the next to benefit with a rocket strike from the top of the D to make it 6.
It was a penalty corner again for the 7th with Sonja Zimmerman sending in a low drag that probably should have been stopped and the Germans made it 8 with their final goal of the game. Rebecca Grote probably didn’t catch the strike as well as she would like but the variation available to Germany made them a constant threat.
South Africa will be massively disappointed with their performance in the game, but this was more about just how good the Germans are. They are undoubtedly a medal contender at the Tokyo Olympics and have maybe laid down the mark for what South Africa need to do in our own road to Tokyo.
SA Hockey Association media release
Stars Awards 2019: suspense over soon!
Lausanne, Switzerland: Just a few more days and the winners of the 2019 FIH Hockey Stars Awards will be known! This year, the announcement will be made in several “waves” with the first one starting on 10 February (FIH Rising Star of the Year), followed by the FIH Goalkeeper of the Year (11 February), the FIH Coach of the Year (12 February) and finally the FIH Player of the Year (13 February).
In order to keep the suspense until the last moment and considering the various time zones around the world, no specific time has been set for the announcement, only the dates. Also, the respective men’s and women’s category winners may be revealed at different times of the day in question.
The vote started on 6 December 2019 and closed on 17 January 2020. The International Hockey Federation (FIH) had invited all players from any category, fans, media and National Associations to vote for the 2019 FIH Player of the Year, FIH Goalkeeper of the Year and FIH Rising Star of the Year, Men and Women.
Votes from National Associations count for 50% of the overall result, with the remaining 50% consisting of votes from fans / players (25%) and media (25%).
The FIH Coach of the Year Award is determined by an FIH panel.
A list of the players nominated for the 2019 FIH Player of the Year, the FIH Goalkeeper of the Year and the FIH Rising Star of the Year Awards can be found below.
WOMEN
FIH Player of the Year:
Carla Rebecchi (ARG), Janne Müller-Wieland (GER), Eva de Goede (NED), Frédérique Matla (NED), Stacey Michelsen (NZL), Olivia Merry (NZL)
FIH Goalkeeper of the Year:
Rachael Lynch (AUS), Maria Ruiz (ESP), Mathilde Petriaux (FRA), Ayeisha McFerran (IRL), Megumi Kageyama (JPN)
FIH Rising Star of the Year:
Julieta Jankunas (ARG),Zhong Jiaqi (CHN), Nike Lorenz (GER), Lalremsiami (IND), Frédérique Matla (NED)
MEN
FIH Player of the Year:
Eddie Ockenden (AUS), Aran Zalewski (AUS), Lucas Vila (ARG), Arthur Van Doren (BEL), Victor Wegnez (BEL), Manpreet Singh (IND)
FIH Goalkeeper of the Year:
Tyler Lovell (AUS), Vincent Vanasch (BEL), David Carter (CAN), Quico Cortes (ESP), Victor Aly (GER)
FIH Rising Star of the Year:
Maico Casella (ARG), Blake Govers (AUS), Zachary Wallace (GBR), Vivek Prasad (IND), Jonas de Geus (NED)
#HockeyStarsAwards
FIH site
Nomination tops off a great year for Aran
The man known to his teammates as “Moose’, is part of the Kookaburra’s leadership group and has been a regular for the national team since 2013. Approaching 200 caps, the hard-working midfielder Aran Zalewski was pivotal to Australia’s success during the 2019 season.
Each of the Hockey Stars interviews published on the FIH website are with the nominees for Best Player. The winning athletes will be announced in February.
What does the nomination for FIH Best Player mean to you?
Aran Zalewski: “It’s lovely to be nominated. I’m not exactly sure what it means to me at the moment, I am still halfway through my career and looking back it will mean something in the future but at the moment I am just taking it in my stride. It is lovely to be nominated as it says you are doing the right things and you are on the right track. I guess it’s a little bit of a reward for effort.”
Looking back to 2019 what was your best and most memorable moment?
Aran Zalewski: “Last year was a great year for myself and the Kookaburras. We had quite a lot of success. Probably my best moment of the year was the European trip [for FIH Pro League]. We spent the best part of four to five weeks in Europe and we were able to win the Pro League in Amsterdam, just across the road from my old club so that was great.”
Why do you think 2019 was such a good year for you?
Aran Zalewski: “I’m not sure. I think maybe I have just matured as a hockey player as I get older and more experienced. At the start of the year I had a bit of a wake-up call, not playing as well as I would have liked and that kicked me into gear and got me going and motivated me to improve my hockey and get better. That has left me in the right frame of mind and the right spot going into the Olympics this year.”
What are your dreams and aspirations for this year?
Aran Zalewski: “I still want to improve and get better this year. We have the Pro League starting in a couple of weeks, and we have got Tokyo in July and August, so it is all about getting ready for that and making sure the Kookaburras win a gold medal.”
#HockeyStarsAwards
FIH site
Stacey looks forward to medal chase in Japan
As New Zealand’s captain and with 279 international caps to her name, Stacey Michelsen is a crucial element of the Black Sticks team. Her surging runs through the opposition’s defence and unbelievable work ethic are just two of the qualities that have seen the midfielder receive FIH Best Player nominations both for 2019 and the previous season.
Each of the Hockey Stars interviews published on the FIH website are with the nominees for Best Player. The winning athletes will be announced in February.
What does the nomination for FIH Best Player mean to you?
Stacey Michelsen: “The nomination is a huge honour. To be chosen as a nominee for the FIH Player of the Year is a huge honour and it is pretty special to be nominated alongside one of my team mates, Olivia Merry. I think it is fantastic for our team to have two people in the nominations.
Looking back to 2019 what was your best and most memorable moment?
Stacey Michelsen: “Both for me and for my team, I think my favourite moment was us winning the Oceania Cup. I think that was a huge step up for us. We didn’t perform consistently throughout the tournament but I think the way we pulled together as a team was really special and I can definitely remember how we felt after that final game. We were so excited to be able to say that we were going to the Olympics.
Why do you think 2019 was such a good year for you?
Stacey Michelsen: “We definitely built through the year. We started off not so great but I think the positive thing for both the team and myself was that we definitely acknowledged that there was a lot of work to do and we were willing to do it. I think that showed in the result at the Oceania Cup.”
What are your dreams and aspirations for this year?
Stacey Michelsen: “For me, individually, it is to be selected for the final team to go to Tokyo. And then, I would love nothing more than for our team to be in the medal rounds. I think that is something that we all strive for and we are training as hard as we can to make sure we give ourselves the best opportunity.”
#HockeyStarsAwards
FIH site
Spooky Nook Sports and USA Field Hockey Amend Their Partnership
U.S. National Teams will relocate their base of operations; Spooky Nook will continue to host select USA Field Hockey events
MANHEIM, Pa. - USA Field Hockey and Spooky Nook Sports have today jointly agreed to amend the arrangement the parties entered into during 2013.
Under the 2013 arrangement, Spooky Nook Sports served as the home training base for U.S. Women’s National Team and hosted a number of USA Field Hockey national events. Under the amended arrangement, beginning in 2020, the USA Field Hockey national teams will relocate to a new training base and Spooky Nook will continue to host a smaller number of USA Field Hockey events.
Sam Beiler, founder of Spooky Nook Sports, commented on the new arrangement:
“As the needs of the USA Field Hockey national team have grown over the years, USA Field Hockey's needs have changed, and we have jointly decided that the Nook may not be able to accommodate all of those needs moving forward. Spooky Nook’s roots are deep in the youth sports market, which means the highest demand for surface space is on evenings and over the weekends. This peak time demand has started to conflict with the needs of the USA Field Hockey national team. New pitches to support field hockey and other turf sports will be installed in 2020.”
“Since 2013, Spooky Nook has been proud to be the Home of Hockey and we have enjoyed hosting the USA Field Hockey national teams. While the relocation of the national teams’ training base is in the best interests of both parties, we look forward to continuing to host select USA Field Hockey events. We wish the national teams the best of luck and look forward to celebrating their successes in the future”.
Simon Hoskins, the CEO of USA Field Hockey, thanked Mr. Beiler and the Nook for their support of USA Field Hockey:
"We are very grateful to the Nook for all of their support over the years. Back in 2013, we began a revolutionary new partnership with the Nook that provided great support to USA Field Hockey and our National Team. We are very appreciative for all the Nook has done, and we are happy that our relationship will continue in the future through the Nook's hosting of select USA Field Hockey events."
About Spooky Nook: Located just outside of Lancaster, Pa., is the ultimate destination for families, athletes and businesses. With more than 700,000 square feet under one roof and over 50 acres of outdoor facilities, the Nook Sports facility has the unique capacity to simultaneously host clubs, leagues, tournaments and championship events throughout every season. With a larger than life building, in addition to sports and family entertainment, the facility is one of the biggest and unique event venues in Central Pennsylvania.
About USA Field Hockey: USA Field Hockey is the national governing body for the sport of field hockey in the United States and is based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. USA Field Hockey is committed to providing opportunities for the 30,000 members to participate, develop and excel as players, coaches, umpires and administrators. U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Teams strive for competitive excellence in Olympic, Pan American Games, World Cup and other international competitions. USA Field Hockey is a proud member of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and the International Hockey Federation. For more information, visit usafieldhockey.com.
USFHA media release
Two-Time Olympian & Former USWNT Athlete Michelle Kasold Inducted into Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame
Michelle Kasold missed the call, but listened to the voicemail from Wake Forest field hockey coach Jennifer Averill.
Averill didn't sound upbeat in the message, and given the tone, Kasold wasn't expecting good tidings when she returned the call.
Instead, Kasold found out that she'd been selected as a member of the 2020 induction class into the Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame.
"Jen completely tricked me," Kasold said. "I was surprised and excited. It's just an incredible honor. I'm flattered to be picked with other amazing athletes who have been at Wake who have done great things there and then after."
Kasold grew up in Chapel Hill, close enough to campus that the cheers from Kenan Memorial Stadium could occasionally be heard right outside her door. She frequently attended UNC soccer games, and her parents worked as ushers for Tar Heel basketball.
But she was lured by Averill to play field hockey for the Deacs from 2005-08.
"I love the coach, I love the team and I love the school," Kasold said. "Wake was just better for me. The hockey team was amazing. I love everything that Jen stands for."
Wake Forest field hockey made the ACC Championship match and advanced to the NCAA Final Four every year Kasold was on the roster.
"I only came out with one ACC Championship and no national championships, so that was a little disappointing," she said. "Coming in as a freshman, the program had just won three-straight national titles, so they had set a standard."
After losing National Player of the Year Kelly Dostal, who was a 2016 inductee into the Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame, off the 2004 national title team, the Deacs entered Kasold's first season ranked No. 2 in the preseason. 
"We felt like we had a chip on our shoulder," Kasold said. "We always had a team-first mentality. We played as a team. It didn't matter if we had as much individual skill as the other team, we played together. Jen gets the most out of each team she has. That makes it more fun as a player, because you're so connected, win or lose."
After taking a semester off to train with the U.S. Women's National Team, Kasold returned for her senior campaign with the Deacons in the fall of 2008.
"Coming back was the best thing that could happen to me," she said. "I was back to the environment that I loved and back with the team that I loved. It got me back to the roots of why I played and what was fun about hockey. What makes hockey a part of me? Jen was a huge part of that."
She finished strong, scoring 13 goals and handing out 30 assists in her final season, earning All-Region, All-ACC, All-ACC Tournament and first team NHFCA All-American honors.
"Wake was a huge part of me growing as a person, both on and off the field," Kasold said. "I don't know how that would have worked out anywhere else, because the people I was with had such a huge impact on me during that time that was difficult."
Since graduating from Wake Forest, Kasold has competed for the U.S. Women's National Team in the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
She married former UNC and UNC Greensboro soccer player Eli Garner in December 2018, and coaches young field hockey players outside the Chapel Hill/Durham area. They breed Golden Doodles, a golden retriever/poodle mix.
"It's a much different lifestyle for me living on a farm," she said. "I love animals and love dogs so much. It's different than all the travel I've done, but it's exactly where I want to be. I'm still involved in field hockey, but also do other things I love too.
"From a competitive standpoint, I still do obstacle course races. That's my second athletic career. It's great to have something to train for and compete in on the side."
Living just an hour away from Winston-Salem, Kasold makes it a point to visit the Wake Forest field hockey program at least a couple times each season.
"There's so many new buildings and the new Sports Performance Center," she said. "It's amazing how it's grown. We had alumni weekend in the fall. We were reminiscing and having a good time. The players had smoothies on the sideline after the game.
"But we were appreciative for everything we had when we were there. We're happy that they are able to have those things now and that it's able to grow."
Content Courtesy of Wake Forest Athletics Communication
USFHA media release
Senior National Women's Hockey: Odisha sails into quarters
M. R. Praveen Chandran
Odisha made short work of Himachal, beating it 6-1 to seal a quarterfinal berth from Pool A in the A division of the 10th Senior National Women's Hockey Championship at the National Games Hockey stadium here on Monday.
Odisha, which held last year's finalist Madhya Pradesh (MP) to a draw in its opening encounter, finished its engagements with 10 points. Tuesday's match between MP and Himachal will determine the second quarterfinalist from the pool, with the former enjoying an upper hand. Himachal needed a win against Odisha to keep its quarterfinal hopes alive but after conceding an early goal it was playing catch up.
Odisha's Dipti Lakra underlined her side's initial dominance by scoring a field goal in the fifth minute. Thereafter the action remained confined to Himachal's half as Odisha controlled the midfield and piled pressure from either flank. Himachal goalkeeper Sheetal Dilta was sharp enough to effect a few reflex saves to keep her team in play. However, Odisha went ahead on the stroke of half-time when captain Rashmita Minz converted a penalty corner.
The third quarter was more or less a repeat of the first half with Himachal struggling to repel the waves of Odisha attack. Rinki Kujur strove in the midfield for Odisha, impressing with her clever distribution. Odisha struck twice in the third and fourth quarters to complete an impressive win. Arti Kashyap scored the consolation goal for Himachal at the fag end of the match.
Uttar Pradesh came back from behind to beat Chandigarh 3-2 to keep its quarterfinal hopes alive in Pool C. Last year's B division runner-up Chandigarh appeared to be in control when it took a 2-0 lead in the first quarter as Amritpal Kaur (9) and Sonu (11) struck in quick succession. However, UP regrouped and scored three goals in the space of 10 minutes in a frenetic second quarter to rattle its opponent.
But after having taken the lead, UP played the percentage game, often falling back to defend, and managed to quell the threat from Chandigarh. SAI qualified for the quarterfinals from Pool B after getting a walk-over from Gagan-Odisha.
The results
Odisha 6 (Dipti Lakra 5, 33, Sarita Kerketta 40. 58, Rashmita Minz 30, Jiwan Kishori Toppo 50) bt Himachal 1 (Arti Kashyap 53).
Uttar Pradesh 3 (Vinamrata Yadav 15, Pooja Yadav 20, Archana Bhardwaj 25) bt Chandigarh 2 (Amritpal Kaur 9, Sonu 11).
Sportstar
Europe beckons as underdogs Buckingham win national title
Buckingham Ladies claimed the Jaffa Super 6s title and earned a place in European club competition for the first time
By Rod Gilmour 
Buckingham Ladies won Jaffa Super 6s title for first time
It was only a few years ago that Buckingham Ladies were using Marmite pots as players in their tactical meetings. On Sunday, unheralded Buckingham became national indoor champions as they beat England's elite - first champions East Grinstead, then Bowdon Hightown - to lift the Jaffa Super 6s title and earn a place in European club competition for the first time.
After beating Bowdon 4-3 in a tight final, the Buckingham players were left shaking their heads in disbelief as they danced a jig on the yellow matting at the Copper Box and joined their travelling support to mark the club's greatest day.
Alex Naughalty, Buckingham's captain, said: "We're never expected to get anywhere, never expected to get to finals, but deep down we know what we are capable of. It's credit to Zak [Jones] our coach as on the day we can beat anybody and there is so much trust."
Buckingham, without any current GB internationals, have signaled intent since finishing runners-up in 2019. This season marked only their third in the indoor top flight, while eight years ago they were playing in Division 2 North. Their indoor success sits alongside their outdoor form, where they are now consistently vying for the season-ending league play-off finals after promotion to the Investec Premier Division. Much of their success is down to Jones, who has overseen multiple promotions across both formats in the last 15 years, alongside his stellar work as Wales men's coach.
"Little Buckingham in Europe? We've come a long way from Marmite pots being positions on tables about where we're playing," added Naughalty of their indoor rise. "A few years ago we were down in the bottom leagues with about five players and no goalkeeper and that's how we played it, but we keep getting better each year."
Buckingham beat Bowdon Hightown 4-3 in a tight final
Defence marks Buckingham out
In setting up successive finals, Buckingham had earlier beaten East Grinstead in a 5-4 semi-final thriller. The defending champions had a chance to level on the hooter but Katarina Lacina, with the last shot of the match, saw her shot saved off the line as Buckingham set up a final showdown with Bowdon, seeking their third title in six years.
Buckingham took the lead when Lottie Porter, the club's top scorer, found welcome space in the circle to push home before Sally Walton's lethal penalty corner skills earned an equaliser. Buckingham's stout defence - giving away just two corners to Bowdon - stilted Walton's chances thereafter.
Buckingham regained the advantage when Rebecca van Arrowsmith slotted home at the end of the first quarter. Thereafter, a frenetic period of four goals in three minutes as Porter added a second before Bowdon scored two quick counter goals, first from Hannah Macdonald and then Charlene Mason seconds later, who connected on the slide.
Bowdon twice hit the post either side of half-time but Buckingham took their chance and an uncharted road towards Europe when Abbie Brant scooped in from close range with eight minutes left.
Porter said: "From where Buckingham started I don't think anyone could have believed Buckingham could play in Europe. It's amazing, Zak has masterminded the whole thing and we wouldn't be here without him. He has an answer for everything, the tactics to play and when and there is nothing he doesn't know. He makes us all believe we can do it as well."
Meanwhile, East Grinstead will now head to the European clubs tournament later this month as England's sole representative before Buckingham enter the fray in 2021. It was a day to forget for the West Sussex side, with the men's side also relinquishing their title as Surbiton beat Holcombe in the final.
Jaffa Super 6s Finals | at the Copper Box
Women
Semi-finals: East Grinstead 4 Buckingham 5; Bowdon Hightown 6 Sutton Coldfield 3
Final: Buckingham 4 Bowdon Hightown 3
Semi-finals: Surbiton 6 Wimbledon 2; East Grinstead 3 Holcombe 4
Final: Surbiton 3 Holcombe 2
Hinch lambasts points decision
Goalkeeper Maddie Hinch called the decision to award Australia full points as "obscene" and "ridiculous" after GB women's FIH Pro League match was abandoned on Sunday despite beating the Hockeyroos at the time.
Bad weather forced officials to call off the match at half-time, with GB leading 1-0 thanks to a Anna Toman goal. However, a perplexing FIH rule stipulates that if "one of the two matches played between two teams is cancelled, the winner of the other match will receive double points." Australia had beaten GB 2-1 on Saturday, the hosts scoring with 12 seconds left to take the win in Sydney.
"Makes absolutely no sense whatsoever," Hinch wrote on Twitter. "Winning 1-0 at half time only for some obscene T&Cs to determine the outcome and be left with absolutely nothing!!"
England Hockey said on Sunday that it "fully respects" the decision set by the FIH and given the green light by teams' officials before this year's league. However, the national governing body added that it anticipated a review of the rule.
Hockey umpires set gender lead
History was made on Saturday when an elite international hockey match saw mixed gender umpires fielded for the first time. Australian duo Aleisha Neumann and Adam Kearns officiated the FIH Pro League men's clash between New Zealand and Belgium in Auckland, before South African Wanri Venter and American Steve Rodgers took charge of the women's clash on the same day.
The Telegraph
Lack of quality players in MHL
By Jugjet Singh
There is an urgent need for Malaysian Hockey Confederation to take note of the distinct lack of quality players in the Malaysia Hockey League.
If the ongoing Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) is used as an indicator of player quality in the country, it will definitely receive a big fat red ‘F’ on its report card.
And there are still six more scrappy matches to go.
Although the eight-team MHL completed its first second-round match on Sunday, Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) are as good as champions bar the cheering.
UniKL have 24 points from eight matches, while second-placed Tenaga are on 19. THT and Maybank are joint third on 15.
Last season was just as bad, with UniKL winning the seven-team MHL with 34 points while Tenaga were a distant second on 27 and THT third on 25.
In 2018, it was only a six-team league, with THT emerging champions on 24 points, followed by KL Hockey Club (20) and Tenaga (19).
One can see a clear pattern emerging in the last three years and it’s something Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) need to take note of.
Tenaga Nasional coach Nor Saiful Zaini can only count five quality players among his 13 national players while Terengganu Hockey Team (THT) coach K. Dharmaraj lamented his bench strength.
It’s obvious that MHL was of a higher standard when six teams took part in 2018.
There is simply insufficient quality players to go around under the present eight-team competition.
Thus far, Universiti Teknologi Mara and NurInsafi, with seven points each, HockAdemy KL (six) and TNB Thunderbolts (one) are just making up the numbers.
If that doesn’t make MHC sit up and take notice, here’s another indicator of the obvious lack of quality in the league.
TNB Thunderbolts and Tenaga have almost all the national juniors, who will play in the Dhaka Junior Asia Cup on June 4-12, but are still playing “schoolboy hockey” after years of training.
Malaysia need to slug it out with the likes of India, Japan, South Korea and Pakistan to be among the top four in Dhaka to qualify for the Junior World Cup.
Chief coach Roelant Oltmans has been watching the MHL matches in the hope of dropping some underperforming seniors and injecting new legs into the squadh for the Azlan Shah Cup on April 11-18.
But the junior talent pool is so small that Oltmans would probably need to use a microscope to spot them, if there are any.
New Straits Times
Double joy for Baljit as UniKL get eighth consecutive win in MHL
By AFTAR SINGH
KUALA LUMPUR: When league champions Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) swept to their eighth consecutive win by beating rivals Terengganu 2-0 in Kuala Terengganu on Sunday, defender Baljit Singh Charun was not on the field.
He was celebrating nonetheless – and not just the victory. He became the father of a baby girl on Sunday.
His wife Jasvin Kaur gave birth to their first child in a hospital here.
“It feels great to be a father after seven years of marriage. Both my wife and daughter are in good health,” said Baljit, who thanked all players and officials for the many good wishes.
“I am also proud of my teammates as they did really well in the match to beat Terengganu in their own backyard,” said Baljit.
“Our chances of winning the league title looks pretty good after the win.
“We won the Charity Shield match against Terengganu (3-2) on Jan 10 and the only team that can give us a challenge in the remaining six matches are Tenaga Nasional.
“Tenaga have 19 points in eight matches but are five points behind us.
“We faced a strong challenge from them in the first round before we edged them (1-0) and we can expect another torrid time in the second-round match on Feb 16,” said Baljit, who will be back in action against Hockey Academy (Hockademy) of Kuala Lumpur in Bangi on Wednesday.
Baljit said they would not take any team lightly as all the teams would be going all out to get the better of them in the league.
“We will take it one match at a time and hope to continue our winning ways to win the league title.
“We have a solid team in every department and the aim is to remain unbeaten in the league,” said Baljit.
The Star of Malaysia
Tigers lose their skipper Hafifihafiz – and their bite
KUALA LUMPUR: Maybank suffered a severe blow in their 3-2 win over Hockey Academy (Hockademy) on Sunday. Their skipper Hafifihafiz Hanafi has been ruled out for the rest of the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) season with a hamstring injury suffered during the match at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
The former national forward, who has scored four goals in the league so far, underwent a medical check-up yesterday and his injury is quite bad, said coach Azrul Effendy Bistamam.
“He will take more than three weeks to recover and he will not see action in the league anymore.”
The league ends on Feb 22.
“It is a blow for us as Hafifihafiz is a very hard working and disciplined player.
“His absence will affect our team spirit and also our forward line,” said Azrul.
To make matters worse, another former national forward Mohd Haziq Samsul is also recovering from a hamstring injury he picked up against UniKL on Jan 29.
Azrul said Haziq did not play in the last two matches against Terengganu on Jan 31 and Hockademy on Sunday.
“Haziq had a strained thigh muscle and I hope he will recover for our next match against UiTM (Universiti Teknologi Mara) on Wednesday.
“We need Haziq for the match as he is our top scorer in the league with eight goals. We need to beat UiTM to stay on track for a place in the semi-finals,” said Azrul.
“Our mission was to finish among the top three in the eight-team league but with Hafifihafiz out, it is going to be tough,” said Azrul, who is also unhappy with his backline in the league.
“We have conceded more goals than we have scored in the eight matches. We have given away some soft goals and this is not good.
“I hope my defenders will buck up in our remaining six matches,” said Azrul.
The Maybank defenders are Mohd Nur Asyraf Ishak, Mohd Sulaiman Abdul Razak, Mohd Aslam Mohd Hanafiah and Mohd Shafiq Hassan.
Last season, the Tigers finished fourth in the league.
The Star of Malaysia
Willems to coach Waterloo Ducks next season
Jean Willems is set to take over as new coach of Waterloo Ducks’ men’s team for the 2020/21 season, following in the footsteps of Xavier de Greve who announced he would step down in January.
The Belgian icon is a veteran of 310 international caps as a player, winning four Belgian championships before retiring in 2004. He immediately became the coach at Herakles before moving to Dragons to become T2 and then taking over the top job in Brasschaat.
With Dragons, he led the club to four Belgian titles, an EHL silver and two bronze medals.
The Ducks made history in 2019 as the first side from Belgium to win the EHL Men’s title.
Euro Hockey League media release
Scottish Men’s Indoor GALA Day final confirmed
Traditional rivals over the last decade, Grove Menzieshill and Inverleith will contest next weekend`s final of this season`s indoor National League 1 championships, the former saw off Grange 6-2 while the latter beat Dundee Wanderers 7-3 in the semi-finals.
The first semi-final went Grove Menzieshill`s way with a 6-2 victory over Grange, Albert Rowling`s hat-trick the highlight.
The Dundonians were two up inside seven minutes through Rowling and Luke Cranney at a penalty corner switch – and that set the tone for the game. There was no further scoring in the first half.
Two minutes after the break a Dan Coultas penalty corner brought the score back to 2-1.
Thereafter Grove Menzieshill looked the stronger side, Rowling got his second at another set piece, Euan Cuthill and Rowling again for his third advanced the score to 5-2, Josh McRae got a consolation for the Edinburgh side in the interim.
Cammy Golden made it six for the Taysiders in the final minute to put the icing on the cake.
Inverleith also went into an early two goal lead through Jack Jamieson and Stephen Dick at a penalty corner. Elliott Sandison pulled one back for Wanderers but Patrick Christie from the spot gave the Edinburgh side a 3-1 advantage at the interval.
Inverleith set their seal on the tie with two further goals from Kyle Taylor and Ewan Mackie, both in the 25th minute.
Wanderers mounted a brief comeback through Sandison again and Sean Dowie, but further strikes by Dick and Jamieson finally settled the affair for Inverleith.
Western Wildcats claimed fifth spot after seeing off Uddingston 6-3. The contest was poised at 3-3 in the second half, two from Rob Harwood and another by Scott Menzies were on target for Wildcats while Jacky Tran, Chris Boyle and Blake Hinton replied for the Lanarkshire side.
Western Wildcats then put their paws on the pedal, Fabien Goldie, Hamish Galt and Harwood for his hat-trick secured the victory for the Auchenhowie pack.
The relegation play-off between Clydesdale and Dunfermline Carnegie was in many respects the game of the day – it produced 16 goals in total, Clydesdale`s Struan Walker scored a double hat-trick while Fifers` Gary Clark helped himself to three. At the end of all of this, it was Clydesdale who triumphed 9-7 to avoid the automatic drop.
It took Walker only five minutes to record a hat-trick of strikes that knocked the stuffing out of Dunfermline. Andrew Allan added another for the Titwood side by the interval, although replies from Andrew Doyle, Michael Ross and Rory Manson left the game poised at 4-3 by the interval.
The goal avalanche continued unabated in the second half, Walker added another hat-trick to his first, Ben Galloway and Allan again advanced the Clydesdale tally to nine while Clark`s three and another from Ryan McCurry kept the tie in contention to the end.
Wanderers finished this season`s campaign in third spot as Grange conceded the 3/4 play-off.
Pool A was a little complicated, and was even more so when Western Wildcats drew 2-2 with leaders Inverleith in the opening encounter. The single point gave the Wildcats a temporary lifeline as they moved into second spot on goal difference from Grange.
Western Wildcats looked like taking all three points when they clawed their way into a 2-1 lead at the interval, Fraser Moran got both their goals while Kyle Taylor had opened for Inverleith in the first minute.
The only goal of the second half came from Inverleith`s John Stephen with four minutes left to finish with a share of the points.
This meant that Grange had to take something from their clash with Clydesdale, and that they did with a 6-3 victory to retake second spot and the final place in the semi-finals.
Grange were only 2-1 up at the interval with Josh McRae and Jacob Tweedie scoring and Chris McFadden replying for the Dale.
In the second half Grange gradually increased their lead to 6-2 with further strikes from Tweedie (2), James Nairn and Callum Milne, Clydesdale`s single reply came from Ben Galloway. Aidan Black added another for the Titwood outfit but the game was lost by then, leaving Clydesdale bottom of the pool.
With the semi-final spots already decided in Pool B there was little tension in Grove Menzieshill`s 9-5 win over Dunfermline Carnegie.
The Pool leaders were 4-2 ahead at the interval, Albert Rowling (2), Gavin Tomlinson and Jamie Golden on target, Michael Ross and Robbie Wallis scoring for the Fifers.
The Taysiders added five more in the second half, Rowling got his hat-trick, Jamie Golden got his second, brother Cammy along with Keir Robb and Luke Cranney found the net. Dunfermline did manage to add another three to their tally through Andrew Doyle, Gary Clark and Rory Manson.
That result consigns Dunfermline to the bottom spot and a relegation play-off with Clydesdale.
The final pool match produced an eye-catching result as Uddingston inflicted a 5-4 defeat to Dundee Wanderers – perhaps the Taysiders were thinking more of their later semi-final against Inverleith.
However, it was a ding-dong affair. Uddingston marched into a two-goal lead through Andrew Lochrin and a penalty corner conversion by Blake Hinton.
Back came Wanderers and Elliott Sandison, Callum Ross and Sean Dowie gave them a 3-2 lead at the break.
It was then Uddingston`s turn to find the net with Campbell Coghlan, Hinton again and Jacky Tran for a 5-3 advantage. Ross scored again for Wanderers to pull the deficit back to one with two minutes left, but no further goals left the Lanarkshire side with the three points.
GALA Day 2020 | Bells Sports Centre | Sun 9 Feb
Find out more about GALA Day 2020 HERE
Scottish Hockey Union media release
Final fixtures confirmed for GALA Day in Scotish Women’s indoor National league 1
Traditional rivals Dundee Wanderers and Clydesdale Western will meet in the final of the women`s indoor National League 1 championships next weekend at Bells after victories over Inverleith and Watsonians respectively – a repeat of last year`s final.
In the first semi-final an opening double from Margery Justice and a penalty corner conversion by mother Wendy effectively ended the Edinburgh side`s interest in the competition.
Heather Tait gave Watsonians a glimmer of hope three minutes into the second half, but soon after the three goal gap was restored by an open play strike by Clydesdale`s Laura Paul. The Titwood side went on to consolidate their superiority with further strikes by Julie Lonergan and Paul again for a comfortable 6-1 victory.
Wanderers` 3-1 win over Inverleith wasn’t as convincing. In fact, it was the Edinburgh side who took the lead in less than five minutes through prolific striker Sarah Jamieson.
After an uncharacteristic miss at a penalty corner, Vikki Bunce redeemed the situation with a direct strike at another set piece to level the score. It was then Jamieson`s turn to fail to find the net when her effort went inches wide.
But two minutes into the second half a penalty corner switch routine left Ellie Wilson to put the champions into a 2-1 lead. After missed penalty corners on both sides, it was only in the final minutes that Wanderers secured the tie. Another penalty corner set play saw the ball returned back to Becky Ward who diverted the ball home to settle the Tayside nerves.
In the games that followed Grove Menzieshill got the better of an eleven goal contest with Edinburgh University to claim fifth spot.
The contest was dominated by set piece expert Sam Sangster who scored five, all from penalty corners. Lucy Smith got the other while Ella Watt got a double for the students.
Hillhead were by far the dominant force in the relegation play-off with a convincing 8-2 win over now relegated Grange.
The Osborne sisters were to the fore for Hillhead – Rachel notched a hat-trick while Rebecca scored twice. Elsewhere Wendy Andrews also got a couple and the other came from Zoe Devine – Crista Hopkinson got Grange`s replies.
The bronze medal play-off was a tight affair with Inverleith and Watsonians finishing level at 3-3 in normal time.
But Inverleith`s Sarah Jamieson was the catalyst, she scored all three goals for her club in normal time and then the winner in the 3-2 triumph in the resulting shoot-out.
Susan Hamilton scored a couple for Watsonians during the course of the game with Sarah Joubert getting the other.
Dundee Wanderers continued their unbeaten run in the final pool match with a 6-1 win over Edinburgh University, a result that put paid to the students` remote chance of a semi-final slot.
Vikki Bunce was the catalyst with four set piece goals in the opening 25 minutes that knocked the stuffing out of Edinburgh. Wanderers` other scorers were Ellie Wilson and Ruth Blaikie, Mhairi McGregor replied for the students.
Watsonians confirmed their semi-final spot with a 2-1 win over bottom side Grange. Bethan Mann scored in the opening four minutes to be followed by Catriona McLellan in the second half before Grange pulled one back.
The result of the pool competition came with Grove Menzieshill`s 3-2 victory over Clydesdale Western. The Taysiders raced into a two goal lead through a penalty corner by Sam Sangster and Ellie Stott. Back came Clydesdale through Kayleigh Justice and Julie Lonergan to level the score. With the game poised it was the Taysiders that took the points, Sangster made the penalty and then proceeded to slot it home.
Grove Menzieshill`s belated victory was not enough to ensure a semi-final spot, that went to Inverleith with a 2-0 win over a battling Hillhead. Sarah McKay opened in three minutes and the game went to the final minute before Carly Bisset added a second.
GALA Day 2020 | Bells Sports Centre | Sun 9 Feb
Find out more about GALA Day 2020 HERE
Scottish Hockey Union media release
East and Midland win U18 Indoor Inter-Districts
The best young players in the country descended on Bells Sports Centre in Perth at the weekend for the U18 Indoor Inter-Districts … and they gave us two thrilling, top-quality tournaments!
U18 Girls Inter-Districts
In the first of 10 matches on Saturday, Midland beat West 2-0 with goals from Michaela McCarthy and captain Ellie Stott. East were fast out of the blocks in a 5-0 win v South with five different scorers; and then Kassidy Mathers and Katy Thomson grabbed the goals in North’s 2-0 win v West.
South’s 4-3 win v Midland was one of the games of the day, with Sophie Younger (2), Chloe Aitchison and Molly Morris scoring for the Borderers. Jessica Thain and Georgie Yuill scored for East before a goal from Zoe Bradford for North made it an exciting finish, but captain Katie Swanson broke away in the last seconds to seal a 3-1 win for the Edinburgh team.
Game 6 was another very close encounter, with South’s Hannah McNair giving them an early lead. However, Romey Abu Rajab equalised with 3 minutes to go to earn West a 1-1 draw. Then North hit top form to beat Midland 4-1, with two from Jess Barr and one each for Jen Tait and Katy Thomson.
Just when it looked like West had held East to a goal-less draw, Sophie Hinds popped up to score the winner for East and maintain their 100% record. And North beat South 3-0 in their final match, with Mathers and Barr scoring in the first half before Ailsa Phimister sealed the win. It rounded off a superb day for North, for whom captain Jen Tait had an outstanding tournament.
And so to the final match of the day, with East needing a point to finish top. A thrilling first half ended 2-2, with Thain and Swanson scoring for East, and McCarthy and Iona Fleming equalising for Midland. East found another gear in the second half, and doubles from Sophie Hinds and Ava Allan gave them a 6-2 win.
Congratulations to East on becoming champions, and to all teams and coaches for a superb tournament.
Positions: 1. East (12 points); 2. North (9); 3. South (4); 4. Midland (3); 5. West (1).
U18 Boys Inter-Districts
The following day, East, Midland and West battled it out for the U18 Boys Inter-Districts, with each team playing two matches of 4 x 10-minute quarters.
First up were West and Midland, for whom Alex Wilson scored the only goal of the first half. A goal-rush in the second half started with Jude Boslem equalising for West before Ollie Wilson and Cammy Bell gave Midland a 3-1 lead. But back came West with Stuart Eadie and Louis Gardiner before Samuel Knight grabbed a last-minute winner for Midland. Final result 4-3.
Midland’s next game v East was another thriller. Once again, Midland had a two-goal lead through Cammy Bell and an Alex Wilson penalty stroke. However, Charlie Jack got one back on half-time and Daniel Hall grabbed the equaliser with 4 minutes to go to earn East a 2-2 draw. Both teams’ goalkeepers produced a series of superb saves.
The last match proved equally exciting, with Adam McKenzie scoring for West before a Charlie Jack hatrick gave East a 3-1 lead with 12 minutes to go. They were 7 minutes from winning the tournament when Louis Gardiner scored from a penalty corner for West, meaning East had to score again. However, the West defence held firm and East’s 3-2 win gave them the silver medals.
Congratulations to Midland who pipped East by scoring one more goal, although they had the same points and goal difference.
Final positions: 1. Midland (4 points); 2. East (4); 3. West (0)
Finally, a huge thank you to all umpires and officials for their contribution to an excellent weekend’s hockey.
Scottish Hockey Union media release
Police makes it four straight wins
By Nigel Simon
Nkese Antoine of Paragon tackles Police’s Suzette Pierre during a Trinity Women’s Division Indoor Hockey match in the 2020 T&T Hockey Board Indoor Championship at the Woodbrook Youth Facility, Hamilton-Holder Street, Woodbrook, on Saturday. Paragon won 3-1. Credit: Anthony Harris
Title-holders Police made it four wins from as many matches as they continue their quest to repeat as champions in the men’s Open Division of the T&T Hockey Board Indoor Championship at the Woodbrook Youth Facility, Woodbrook, on the weekend.
First up, national captain Solomon Eccles scored a hat trick to lead the Lawmen past Paragon, 4-3 with Joel Daniel also scoring all three goals for the latter on Saturday.
It was Paragon who took the early lead when Daniel netted in the fifth minute, but Jordan Reynos then carried his season tally to nine in three matches when he drew Police level in the 11th.
Eccles fired Police in front for the first time in the 19th minute at 2-1 before Daniel banged in a quick brace in the 30th and 32nd minute for Paragon to move ahead 3-2 and on course to hand Police their first loss.
However, Eccles had other ideas and got his team back on level terms again in the 34th before he fired home the decisive item in the 37th minute.
The Lawmen had a much easier outing on Sunday as they won the "Battle fo the Protective Services" 5-2 led by a double from Reynos.
Yet again, Police found themselves trailing courtesy the first-minute item from national defender Javon Woodward.
Reynos then quickly drew his team level two minutes, but they then had to wait until the 22nd minute to add to their tally for a 2-1 lead.
Former national player and rifle shooting champion Roger Daniel then hit the target for Police to widen their cushion against his former employers in the 34th minute, only for current national forward to reply within a minute for Defence Force to set up an interesting finish at 3-2.
With two minutes left in the match, Justin Beharry eased the nerves of the Lawmen with their fourth item before ex-national forward Wayne Legerton sealed their fourth win in the 39th minute to improve their record 4-0 and maximum 12 points.
Govia brace lifts Magnolias to second win
National forward Brianna Govia scored a pair of goals to inspire Magnolias to a come-from-behind 3-1 defeat of long-time rival for a second straight win as they continue the defence of their women’s Open Division on Saturday.
Winners of their opening match versus Ventures, 5-3, Malvern took the 12th-minute lead through Kherdine Gonzales which lasted until Govia's equaliser in the 19th.
Fellow T&T international, Savannah De Freitas then put Magnolias ahead for the first time, a minute later before Govia completed her double in the 27th to cement the win and add to their 5-2 defeat of Ventures for maximum six points.
RESULTS
On Sunday
Under-19 Boys:
Paragon 9 (Christian John 3rd, Tariq Singh 7th, 28th, 30th, 35th, 40th, Okeem Brathwaite 19th, 29th, 39th) vs Malvern 5 (Aidan Marcano 17th, 18th, 36th, Tariq Chance 18th, Sheldon Phillip 22nd)
Trinity Men:
QPCC 1 (Michael Durity 20th) vs Fatima 1 (Matthew Perreira 33rd)
Malvern 4 (Damien Gordon 8th, 23rd, Jacques Poon Lewis 28th, Korry Barnett 40th) vs Notre Dame 3 (Nicholas Whiteman 2nd, Malique Francis 16th, Chad Pedro 33rd
Mixed Veterans:
Defence Force 11 (Aaron Mc Kenzie 8th, 14th, 25th, 30th pen, 32nd, Sherbert Mc Kie 34th, 36th, Keshen Johnson 35th, 38th, Neil Lashley 6th, Nicole Aming 22nd) vs Shape 0
QPCC 5 (Ryan Cowie 13th, Rob Wyatt 22nd, Petra Zandvliet 28th, Edrich Francois 37th, 37th) vs Police 4 (Solomon Eccles 25th, 33rd, 38th, Dwain Quan Chan 26th,
Open Men:
Police 5 (Jordan Reynos 3rd, 22nd, Roger Daniel 34th, Justin Beharry 38th, Wayne Legerton 39th) vs Defence Force 2 (Javon Woodward 1st, Mickel Pierre 35th)
On Saturday
Under-19 Boys:
QPCC 16 (Ethan Reynos 6th, 7th, 7th, 22nd, 35th, 36th, Amari Henry-Reyes 1st, 15th, 40th, Aidan Mohammed 25th, 38th, Alexander Rowe 11th, 26th, Liam Mac Leod 29th, Jordan Weekes 30th, 34th) vs Shape 2 (Leumas Neptune 28th, Sheldon De Lisle 29th)
Open Men:
Police 4 (Jordan Reynos 11th, Solomon Eccles 19th, 34th, 37th) vs Paragon 3 (Joel Daniel 5th, 30th, 32nd)
Open Women:
Magnolias 3 (Brianna Govia 19th, 27th, Savannah De Freitas 20th) vs Malvern 1 (Kherdine Gonzales 12th)
Trinity Men:
Shape 5 (Nick Pascal 8th, 27th, John Hernandez 16th, Sheldon De Lisle 30th, Jonathan Williams 39th) vs Police 2 (Nicholas Wren 25th, 34th)
Trinity Women:
Paragon 3 (Yaphiya Quettelle 9th, Shania Gajadhar 32nd, Danielle Thompson 38th) vs Police 1 (Teneil Garcia 21st)
Mixed Veterans:
Fatima 11 (Jean-Paul Rambaran 5th, 12th, 13th, 14th, Colin Young 24th, 27th, Lucy Lee 8th, 10th, 12th, 25th, Rolph Young 22nd) vs Notre Dame 1 (Joel Le Gendre 23rd)
Malvern 5 (Korry Barnett 15th, Gary Hercules 22nd, Marlon Jackson 32nd, Liselle Parris 33rd, Patrice Padmore 40th) vs Defence Force 3 (Kathleen La Rode-Francois 9th, 25th, Gerrard Ferguson 13th)
The Trinidad Guardian
Hockey Wales Wome's Cup: Semi-Finals round up
This weekend saw the semi-finals of the Hockey Wales Women’s Cup Matches played in Cardiff and Newtown.
Championship
It was very close in the Championship competition semi-finals with the scores in both matches level going into the final quarter.
Cardiff University 1sts opened the scoring in the 9’ in their match against Howardian, with a goal from Chloe Nicholls, Howardian equalised in the 37’ with a penalty corner goal from Joanne Clare.
Howardian scored the winner in the 54’ with another penalty corner goal from Joanne Clare.
It was 0 – 0 between Cardiff & Met and Ardudwy ac Arfon until the 56’ when Amy Bellis scored the winner, from open play, for Cardiff & Met.
Howardian 2 – 1 Cardiff University 1sts
Cardiff & Met 1 – 0 Ardudwy ac Arfon
Trophy
In the Trophy competition, Rhondda were 2 - 0 up in the first quarter thanks to goals from Ceryn Harris and Jessica Price.
Kay Tyler scored Rhondda’s third, before Penarth found the back of the net in the middle of the second quarter with goals from Hannah Hatton and Helen O’Neill.
Beth Willis helped Rhondda increase their lead in the final minute of the second quarter, whilst Sally Manley scored for Penarth as the third quarter ended – no goals in the final period resulting in a 4-3 win for Rhondda.
Newcastle Emlyn meant business in the other Trophy semi-final with a field goal from Amy Heighton and two from Enfys Davies in the first quarter.
Cardiff University 3rds settled in the second quarter with two goals in quick succession from Anya Kilburn-Thompson.
The score in the third quarter remained at 3 – 2 before Amy Heighton, with two minutes to go, scored again for Newcastle Emlyn making the final score 4 – 2.
Rhondda 4 – 3 Penarth
Cardiff University 3rds 2 – 4 Newcastle Emlyn
Challenge
Bridgend played Carmarthen in the Challenge competition, and it was neck and neck until the final quarter when Miriam Morgan and Ffion Raymond scored two goals, from open play, in successive minutes for Carmarthen.
Bridgend were unable to score making the final result 2 – 0 to Carmarthen.
End to end hockey between Cardiff University 6ths and Northop Hall 2nds, with great attacking and defending, resulted in a 0 – 0 score line at the end of the match, and the prospect of a shoot-out competition to decide the winner.
Both team’s five nominated players stepped up to take the eight second challenge against the opposing keeper, Tilly Houldsworth (Cardiff University) and Suzy Harris (Northop Hall). Both keepers made some great saves, but it was Northop Hall who were the victors winning 2 - 1.
Bridgend 0 – 2 Carmarthen
Cardiff University 6ths 0 – 0 Northop Hall 1 – 2 shoot-out
Thank you to John Taylor and his team of Umpires and Officials from the WHUA (Welsh Hockey Umpires Association) for officiating, and to all the teams who took part in these competitions, both on Sunday and in the earlier rounds.
Congratulations to the finalists, we will see you in Cardiff on 2nd and 3rd May for the Hockey Wales Club Cup Finals
Hockey Wales media release