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News for 16 February 2020

All the news for Sunday 16 February 2020


2020 FIH Pro League (Men) - 16 February

15 Feb 2020     NZL v ESP (RR)       1 - 4
15 Feb 2020     ARG v NED (RR)      2 - 2 (1 - 3 SO)
16 Feb 2020     NZL v ESP (RR)       3 - 2
16 Feb 2020 18:00 (GMT -3)        ARG v NED (RR)     Cenard, Buenos Aires

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

Pool Standings

Rank Team Played Wins SO Win Draws SO Loss Losses Goals For Goals Against Goal Difference Points
1 Belgium 6 4 1 0 0 1 19 11 8 14
2 Netherlands 5 2 1 0 1 1 15 15 0 9
3 India 4 2 1 0 0 1 12 9 3 8
4 Spain 8 2 0 0 1 5 19 27 -8 7
5 Australia 4 1 1 0 1 1 13 11 2 6
6 Germany 2 1 1 0 0 0 7 3 4 5
7 Great Britain 4 1 0 0 2 1 9 10 -1 5
8 New Zealand 6 1 1 0 0 4 8 19 -11 5
9 Argentina 3 1 0 0 1 1 10 7 3 4

FIH Match Centre



2020 FIH Pro League (Women) - 16 February

15 Feb 2020     NZL v USA (RR)     3 - 1
15 Feb 2020     ARG v NED (RR)     2 - 0
16 Feb 2020     NZL v USA (RR)     3 - 1
16 Feb 2020 20:30 (GMT -3)     ARG v NED (RR)     Cenard, Buenos Aires

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

Pool Standings

Rank Team Played Wins SO Win Draws SO Loss Losses Goals For Goals Against Goal Difference Points
1 Netherlands 4 3 0 0 0 1 16 4 12 12
2 New Zealand 6 3 0 0 1 2 13 10 3 10
3 Argentina 3 3 0 0 0 0 14 3 11 9
4 Australia 3 1 1 0 1 0 6 5 1 9
5 Belgium 4 1 1 0 1 1 7 9 -2 6
6 Great Britain 3 1 1 0 0 1 6 4 2 5
7 Germany 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
8 China 2 0 0 0 0 2 2 7 -5 0
9 United States 5 0 0 0 0 5 5 27 -22 0

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

FIH Match Centre



Black Sticks women up to second in FIH Pro League after back-to-back wins over USA


Olivia Merry opened the scoring for the Black Sticks women in each of their wins over the USA in Christchurch. JOHN DAVIDSON/PHOTOSPORT

The Black Sticks women's hockey team are up to second in the FIH Pro League standings after bagging successive wins over the United States in Christchurch at the weekend.

After a winless last weekend against Great Britain in Auckland, New Zealand bounced back to notch back-to-back 3-1 victories against the bottom of the table USA at Ngā Puna Wai Hockey Stadium, in what was a fitting tribute to strength and conditioning coach Brad Conza, who died last Saturday after battling debilitating chronic respiratory failure for six years.

Olivia Merry, who earlier this month became the country's all-time leading goal-scorer, was to the fore again, opening the hosts' account in both games, as the Black Sticks fought off the visitors' comebacks to seal important wins.


The Black Sticks women and USA combined for a minute's silence to pay tribute to strength and conditioning coach Brad Conza. JOHN DAVIDSON/PHOTOSPORT

On Saturday, Merry struck from a penalty corner in the 13th minute, and that lead was soon doubled by Olivia Shannon, when she smashed home a crossbar-rebounding penalty corner, as the home side took a 2-0 lead to halftime.

When captain Stacey Michelsen sliced through the US defence and flicked to Rose Keddell to reverse into the top of the goal early in the third quarter it looked like the match was as good as done.

But the visitors pulled one back late in the stanza through a penalty stroke from Ali Campbell. However, it wasn't to be, as neither side created many scoring chances late in the piece.


Gemma McCaw looks to get past Amanda Magadan during Saturday's match. JOHN DAVIDSON/PHOTOSPORT

It was a very similar story on Sunday, as Merry got New Zealand going in the opening stages of the second quarter by way of a penalty corner again. There were a further four penalty corners to the hosts in the quarter, but the USA defended stoutly, to go to halftime just 1-0 down.

Come the 38th minute, though, Michelsen broke the game open weaving her way through the middle of the defence and powering a reverse hit in, to put her side in control.

But, like Saturday, the USA wouldn't go away, and two minutes into the final quarter they had hope when Danielle Grega went herself and completed a simple finish from a rebound.

The visitors had even more of a sniff with a penalty corner, but soon after that was saved, Michelsen drove along the baseline and found Alia Jaques at the back post, who was able to clinch the match six minutes from time.


Brooke Neal makes a tackle on Danielle Grega in Saturday's contest. JOHN DAVIDSON/PHOTOSPORT

The results see New Zealand move to 10 competition points and jump one point ahead of Australia into second on the standings, two behind the Netherlands. Both of those countries have three games in hand, though.

Meanwhile, the bottom of the table Black Sticks men's team produced a remarkable turnaround in fortunes over the weekend in Christchurch, losing to Spain 4-1 before defeating the same opponents 3-2 a day later.

On Saturday the Spaniards scored in each of the first two quarters to take a 2-0 lead to halftime, then just after Kane Russell got one back for the hosts from a penalty corner, the visitors hit back straight away to kill the contest.

Then on Sunday it was Russell who was the hero, bagging a pair of goals from penalty corners to lead the hosts to their upset win.

He opened the scoring a minute into the second quarter with a brilliant drag-flick, and despite several penalty corners themselves, Spain couldn't hit back before halftime.

Steve Edwards then tapped in midway through the third quarter to double the advantage, but Spain got one back right on three-quarter-time to stay in it.

Reaching desperate times in the final stages, the visitors pulled their keeper, and when Russell earned a penalty corner after a push from behind it resulted in an easy drag-flick with no keeper on hand.

Spain got one goal back just before fulltime, but it proved too little too late.

Stuff



USWNT Shows Progress with Strong Performance Against New Zealand in FIH Hockey Pro League


Image Courtesy of FIH

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand – In their second FIH Hockey Pro League meeting in less than 24 hours, the No. 15 U.S. Women’s National Team knew where and how to adjust against No. 7 New Zealand. USA’s defensive unit was tested early and often and was frequently up to the task, but two second half goals dampened the red, white and blue’s hope to tie late in the contest, which concluded 3-1 in favor of the Black Sticks.

New Zealand's offense wasted no time and threatened in the opening minute but Alyssa Parker (Woodbine, Md.) helped set the tone early for USA’s defensive unit with a well-executed angle cut off. The home team kept up the pressure with their first shot on goal in the 3rd minute. USA had scoring chances of their own, including one in the 11th minute where USA captain Ashley Hoffman (Mohnton, Pa.) saw Lauren Moyer (York, Pa.) in the circle but her cross was broken up by the Black Sticks' defense and quickly cleared. Back and forth play ensued throughout the first frame as both teams struggled to finish on strong possessions. The quarter concluded with a green card to Hoffman.

Julia King began the second quarter with a circle entry in the 16th minute, which yielded the first penalty corner of the match for New Zealand and was converted by Olivia Merry for her sixth goal of the 2020 FIH Hockey Pro League. USA responded on their next offensive chance and almost scored when Linnea Gonzales (Bel Air, Md.) hit a reverse that was deflected by Danielle Grega (Kingston, Pa.) that bounced off the goal post and out of play. The red, white and blue looked to capitalize on a green card to Merry in the 19th minute but was shut down at midfield. The ensuing push by Alia Jaques was chased into the near corner and defended well by Casey Umstead (Green Lane, Pa.). Continued pressure by New Zealand set up back-to-back penalty corners in the 29th minute but USA goalkeeper Kealsie Robles (Yorktown, Pa.) made multiple saves to round out the half.

Both teams settled down to start the third quarter before New Zealand captain Stacey Michelsen weaved through multiple USA defenders in the 38th minute. After just entering the top of the circle, Michelsen fired a strong reverse past goalkeeper Robles to extend the lead. Two more penalty corners were denied by Robles in the 41st minute to keep the match close. Before the quarter ended Frances Davies was served a yellow card that gave USA an advantage to start the last 15 minutes.

The Black Sticks took control to begin the penalty and drove deep into the USA end. King was able to gain entry into the circle but the play was halted quickly. In the 47th minute Grega sprinted to the nearside corner and beat Brooke Neal in a one-on-one situation. Her initial shot was stopped by New Zealand goalkeeper Grace O’Hanlon but the rebound came right back to Grega to finish the play and put USA on the scoreboard and within striking distance of tying. She threatened once more in the 52nd minute but was stopped short of getting a shot away by O’Hanlon. A video referral was called by USA, who claimed the play by the New Zealand goalkeeper was dangerous. Officials agreed and awarded a penalty corner to USA but could not convert. In the 54th minute Michelsen found Jaques behind the USA defense for a swift redirect to beat Robles for the 3-1 advantage. With time running short New Zealand defended well to end the game despite a yellow card by Merry in the 59th minute.

“I think we fought for the full 60 minutes and had a better job of counter control and remaining with the ball in their attacking end,” said Hoffman after the match. “I'm always searching for more but I'm very happy with how we are growing game by game and building each game.”

Following the game, New Zealand's Michelsen was named Player of the Match for her goal and assist on another. 

Next, the U.S. Women’s National Team will return home to face No. 10 China in back-to-back contests at Karen Shelton Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. on Friday, April 10 and Saturday, April 11.

#FIHProLeague
#MyProLeagueMoment
#HockeyInvites

USFHA media release



New Zealand women victorious against USA; Blacks Sticks men defeated by Spain



The first part of Match Day 13 (Saturday 15 February) of the FIH Hockey Pro League saw action in Christchurch, with New Zealand women claiming all three points against USA before the Black Sticks men fell to defeat against Spain at the Nga Puna Wai Hockey Stadium.

The Black Sticks women put a tough week behind them to put together a convincing 3-1 win over the USA. Olivia Merry and Olivia Shannon continued their goalscoring form for the hosts as they secured their second win of the FIH Hockey Pro League, moving up to third in the standings.

The two sides walked out onto the Ngā Puna Wai pitch on a sombre note, following the recent passing of New Zealand’s long-time strength and conditioning coach Brad Conza. The two teams observed a moment of silence prior to the start of the contest. Once the match got underway, the Kiwis were playing with some great speed as they looked to run the United States off the pitch. Olivia Merry scored her fifth goal of the 2020 Pro League season with a first quarter penalty corner, with Olivia Shannon doubling the advantage in the second period with a penalty corner of her own, volleying home a rebound. Player of the Match Rose Keddell made it 3-0 with a superb backhand strike in the third quarter, before USA's Ali Campbell pulled a goal back just before the start of the fourth quarter from the penalty spot. It proved to be only a consolation, with the Black Sticks taking all three points in the first of their two matches against the Americans.

Speaking after the match, New Zealand's Rose Keddell said: "I think today we were a little bit patchy. We had some really good attacks, but overall, we needed to play intense for the whole 60 minutes, and we lacked a little bit. We'll go home and review it and hopefully tomorrow we'll bring a little bit more. We had our opportunities, that's for sure."

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

In the men’s match, Albert Beltran produced a stellar performance by scoring twice as visitors Spain claimed a fine 4-1 victory over New Zealand, a result which sees the Red Sticks move up to fourth in the table, level on points with the Netherlands but having played three more matches. 

Roc Oliva put the visitors ahead with a bustling run and finish late in the first quarter before Beltran fired home from a difficult angle mid-way through the second period. Kane Russell pulled a goal back with a third quarter penalty corner drag-flick, but Spain re-established their two-goal advantage less than 60 seconds later when David Alegre capitalised on a defensive mistake to leave Beltran with a simple tap-in. The scoring was completed nine minutes from time thanks to yet another stunning penalty corner drag-flick from Pau Quemada, who found the top left corner to move level with Netherlands Jip Janssen on five goals at the top of the scoring charts.

"We struggled at the beginning at the match, but then we managed to score two goals and after that I think we could play our game", said Player of the Match Beltran after the game. "We won, so we are really happy and looking forward to the next game tomorrow."

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

Later today, the Netherlands men and women contest hugely anticipated matches against home favourites Argentina in Buenos Aires.

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 13 – Saturday 15 February 2020


Nga Puna Wai Hockey Stadium - Christchurch (NZL)

Women’s result: New Zealand 3, USA 1 (Match 1 of 2)

Player of the Match:Rose Keddell
Umpires:
Junko Wagatsuma (JPN), Annelize Rostron (RSA) & Javed Shaikh (IND - video)

Men’s result: New Zealand 1, Spain 4 (Match 1 of 2)

Player of the Match: Albert Beltran (ESP)
Umpires: Adam Kearns (AUS), Javed Shaikh (IND) & Annelize Rostron (RSA – video)

Upcoming fixtures

Saturday 15 February 2020 – Evening session

Buenos Aires (ARG) – Men: Argentina v Netherlands (Match 1 of 2)
Time: 1800 (GMT/UTC -3)
Buenos Aires (ARG) – Women: Argentina v Netherlands (Match 1 of 2)
Time: 2030 (GMT/UTC -3)

Sunday 16 February

Christchurch (NZL) - Women: New Zealand v USA (Match 2 of 2)
Time: 1500 (GMT/UTC +13)
Christchurch (NZL) - Men: New Zealand v Spain (Match 2 of 2)
Time: 1730 (GMT/UTC +13)
Buenos Aires (ARG) – Men: Argentina v Netherlands (Match 2 of 2)

Time: 1800 (GMT/UTC -3)
Buenos Aires (ARG) – Women: Argentina v Netherlands (Match 2 of 2)
Time: 2030 (GMT/UTC -3)

#FIHProLeague

Official FIH Pro League Site



Spain beat New Zealand in men's FIH Pro League, New Zealand women beat the US

By Ali Iveson


Spain's Pau Quemada celebrates his fifth FIH Pro League goal of the campaign ©Getty Images

Spain record a fine 4-1 away win against New Zealand in the men's International Hockey Federation (FIH) Pro League, while New Zealand's women's team defeated the United States 3-1 earlier in the day in Christchurch.

Roc Oliva opened the scoring in the first quarter before Albert Beltran put Spain 2-0 ahead.

Kane Russell pulled a goal back for the Black Sticks from a penalty corner, only for Beltran to restore Spain's two-goal advantage within a minute.

Pau Quemada rounded off the scoring nine minutes from time, with his fine goal from another penalty corner drawing him level with The Netherlands' Jip Janssen on five goals at the top of the scoring charts.

"We struggled at the beginning at the match, but then we managed to score two goals and after that I think we could play our game," said player of the match Beltran.

"We won, so we are really happy and looking forward to the next game tomorrow."

There was a minute's silence before New Zealand's women's game at Nga Puna Wai following the recent passing of Brad Conza, New Zealand’s long-time strength and conditioning coach.

Olivia Merry, Olivia Shannon and Rose Keddell all scored as New Zealand raced into a commanding 3-0 lead.


New Zealand's women's team defeated the United States 3-1 ©Getty Images

Ali Campbell scored a consolation for the US late on as it finished 3-1.

"I think today we were a little bit patchy," Keddell said post-match.

"We had some really good attacks, but overall, we needed to play intense for the whole 60 minutes, and we lacked a little bit.

"We'll go home and review it and hopefully tomorrow we'll bring a little bit more. We had our opportunities, that's for sure."

Both New Zealand's women's and men's teams will take on the same opposition tomorrow.

Argentina's women take on The Netherlands later today in Buenos Aires, with the fixture also repeated in the women's FIH Pro League.

Inside the Games



Hockey India names 25 core probables for senior women's national camp


Indian women's hockey team coach Sjoerd Marijne and captain Rani Rampal.   -  PTI

Hockey India on Saturday named the 25-member core probables list for the upcoming Senior Women National Camp, which begins at the Sports Authority of India, Bengaluru, on Sunday.

The players will report to chief coach Sjoerd Marijne for the 27-day training and conditioning camp ahead of an important few months, where the team will feature in the 6th Women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2020 in June and the Tokyo Olympics.

The training and conditioning camp will be focused around fitness, ball-handling, structure and strategies, along with working on key areas which were identified from its recent tour of New Zealand. “With the knowledge of the previous tour of New Zealand, we have identified some areas where we need to improve, and we will have the chance to fine-tune on these areas. It is an important phase in our preparations for the Tokyo Olympics, and so the upcoming camp will be focused on the fitness because this is the moment where we can build, and have extra load in our training sessions,” Marijne said.

The core probables

Goalkeepers: Savita, Rajani Etimarpu, Bichu Devi Kharibam.

Defenders: Deep Grace Ekka, Reena Khokhar, Salima Tete, Manpreet Kaur, Gurjit Kaur, Nisha.

Midfielders: Nikki Pradhan, Monika, Neha Goyal, Lilima Minz, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Sonika, Namita Toppo.

Forwards: Rani, Lalremsiami, Vandana Katariya, Navjot Kaur, Navneet Kaur, Rajwinder Kaur, Jyoti, Sharmila Devi, Udita.

Sportstar



Battle for Euro indoor club titles heats up with 80 games live-streamed



It is moving day at the EuroHockey indoor club competitions around the continent with the competitions all set to split into top and bottom fours this afternoon.

In the men’s TFP men’s cup in Poznan, Austria’s SV Arminen became the first side to reach the top four from Pool B despite a dramatic 5-4 loss to Spain’s SPV Complutense, losing out to a last minute goal from Manuel Rodriguez.

That left second spot all down to whether Club an der Alster could beat Belgium’s White Star in the final group game and they just about prevailed in a 10-8 classic battle. It saw them edge out Complutense on goal difference.

In Pool A, host WKS Grunwald Poznan assured their place in the final four with two wins from two on Friday, leaving Belarus’s HC Minsk, Dinamo Stroitel from Russia and reigning champions Partille dicing for second place.

The semi-finals will be played this afternoon in Poznan once all is confirmed.

In the women’s Charlie works EuroHockey Indoor Club Cup, Düsseldorfer HC and MC Minsk have both advanced from their Pool B no matter the outcome of their final group game in the Hague.

Pool A could still witness plenty of change if either Spain’s Club de Campo or England’s East Grinstead surprise either Ukraine’s MSC Sumchanka or Dutch hosts HDM.

In Turkey in the men’s Trophy, the top four were all confirmed on Friday. Croatia’s HK Zelina go into the promotion pool in pole position with wins over East Grinstead – who were second – SCHC and Three Rock Rovers.

Turkish hosts Gaziantep Polisgücü were the Pool B leaders after day one with France’s Luc Ronchin advancing too.

** over 80 games this weekend will be streamed live on www.eurohockeytv.org as the battle to be European indoor champions heats up

Euro Hockey League media release



Tough day in Europe for Western Wildcats while Grange get first Premiership points of 2020



Western Wildcats find themselves in a relegation battle after losing both of day two`s games against Cardiff Met (Wales) and Rakovnik (Czech Republic) at the EuroHockey Indoor Club Challenge 1 in Varna.

Needing a draw to clinch a place in the promotion pool Wildcats missed out on goal difference after going down 5-3 to Cardiff.

Wildcats now meet Bulgarian side Slavia tomorrow to try and avoid the drop.

On the domestic front Grange now have a five point lead in the Premiership after a 4-0 win over Hillhead at Fettes.

WILDCATS 3-5 CARDIFF MET (WALES)

Western Wildcats needed a draw against Cardiff in the final pool match to progress to the promotion group, but instead went down 5-3 to drop to third and the relegation contest.

Both teams finished the pool competition on seven points but the Welsh side progressed on a difference of two goals.

After a goalless first quarter the stuffing was knocked out of the Wildcats when Cardiff scored three times in as many minutes. Ellis Robson opened with a shot that barely crossed the goal line, Leuan Davies added another from a penalty corner, followed by a third by Jack Rhodes.

A comeback looked on the cards when Hamish Galt sent a penalty corner into the roof of the net for 3-1.

Wildcats were now on the prowl for the equaliser, a Fraser Moran penalty corner effort went just wide, then they were awarded a penalty only for it to be cancelled out after the umpires conferred.

Wildcats had several chances at the start of the final quarter, but then Galt struck again. He took a quick free hit himself, waltzed into the circle and fired the ball past the keeper.

The promotion spot looked on the cards when Galt fired a low flick into the net at another penalty corner for the equaliser with four minutes left.

The wheels then came off, Nikki Homfray got a yellow card and Jack Valentine made it 4-3 from the spot.   Wildcats` fate was finally sealed with a penalty corner conversion by Luke Hawker for 5-3.
 
WILDCATS 2-4  RAKOVNIC (CZECH REPUBLIC)

For the third time in the tournament Western Wildcats found themselves a goal down with an opening strike by David Kopriva.

A mistake by the Czech keeper in the second quarter donated Wildcats an equaliser, Fraser Moran was left with the simple task of stroking the ball into the open goal – and that is how it stood at the interval.

The crunch came midway through the third quarter with quick-fire strikes by Stepan Klaban and Tomas Jahoda to give the Czechs a telling 3-1 lead.

The crux came a minute into the final quarter, Fabian Goldie was sent to the sin bin and at the resulting penalty corner Johoda made it 4-1.

With three minutes left Hamish Galt reduced the deficit from the spot but there was no way back for Wildcats.

On the domestic front Grange defied the elements at Fettes to open up a five point lead at the top of the Premiership with a four goal win over Hillhead.

There was drama at both ends in the second quarter, firstly Aussie Josh McRae put Grange ahead, then at the other end keeper Dave Forrester saved Hillhead`s effort from the spot.   Grange celebrated with a second goal from Dan Coultas at a penalty corner.

The third quarter was goalless, but in the final quarter Alan Johnston sealed the three points after good build-up work from James Nairn.

The fourth came from a rebound, the initial shot emanated from Duncan Riddell and McRae was on hand to slot home the loose ball for his second of the game.

Scottish Hockey Union media release



ROUND-UP: Investec English Women's Hockey League


Action from Beeston v Clifton Robinsons. Credit Andrew Smith

Buckingham boosted their play-off hopes with a 2-1 win over higher-placed Hampstead & Westminster in the Investec Women’s Hockey League Premier Division on Saturday.

Zoe Shipperley put Buckingham ahead by converting a penalty corner on 15 minutes before Lottie Porter doubled the visitors’ lead from open play after half time.

Fran Tew pulled a goal back for Hampstead & Westminster with six minutes of the game left but her side couldn’t find an equaliser.

Surbiton remained unbeaten in the league with their 12th victory in 13 games against visitors Loughborough Students.

Genevieve Hussell levelled for Loughborough after going behind to Erica Sanders’ strike for the league leaders but went behind again five minutes later as Emily Atkinson’s penalty corner found the net.

Atkinson put the game to bed in the 66th minute with her second goal of the day as the game ended 3-1 to Surbiton.

Holcombe’s 3-0 away win at Bowdon Hightown kept them within touching distance of the play-off spots, only four points adrift.

Alice Willis opened the scoring for Holcombe on 27 minutes with Candice Manuel and Eloise Richards’ second half strikes putting the game firmly out of sight.

Beeston boosted their case for Premier Division survival with a 2-1 win at play-off hopefuls Clifton Robinsons.

Two goals in as many minutes from Alice Huddlestone and Courtney Schonell put Beeston two goals to the good but Claire Thomas cut the deficit in half for Clifton only 12 minutes later.

Both sides cancelled one another out in the second half with the score ending as it did in the first half.

Investec Division 1 North

Gloucester City held league leaders Leicester City in the Investec Division One North thanks to a late strike from Megan Brazil.

Leicester City went ahead via Nikki Laybourne’s 48th minute field goal but an eleventh victory of the season wasn’t to be with Brazil slotting home for Gloucester, keeping her side away from the drop zone while Leicester stay five points clear at the top of the table.

Leeds gave themselves a lifeline to survival with an important 4-3 away at Brooklands-Poynton.

The hosts levelled the game at 3-3 in the 58th minute thanks to Annabelle Watton’s strike but Victoria Hill struck for her second goal of the game within seconds after to put Leeds back ahead and sending them home with all three points.

Ben Rhydding beat Belper 2-0 away from home to stay fifth as Stourport held hosts University of Durham to a 1-1 draw.

Investec Division 1 South

Wimbledon’s 7-0 win over strugglers Isca kept their perfect season alive with 13 wins in a row in the Investec Division One South.

Georgie Blackwood and Fiona Burnet were the pick of the bunch with two goals each while Amy Tippen-Smith, Crista Cullen and Olivia Chilton also found the net for the league leaders.

Wimbledon now sit seven points clear at the top of the table with five games remaining.

Second-placed Reading still have work to do to catch Wimbledon but their 1-0 away win at Trojans keeps the possibility of promotion alive.

Alys Richards’ 37th minute goal from open play was the goal to separate the sides.

Harleston Magpies found the net four times against bottom of the table St Albans, winning 4-0 at home.

Lauren Barber was the first player to find the net after 20 minutes with team-mate Annie Nunn taking only a minute longer to join her on the scoresheet.

Lucy Whiting took the score to 3-0 after half time before Elizabeth Clymer scored the fourth and final goal with four minutes left.

Slough leapfrogged Cambridge City into fourth with a 1-0 win at Sevenoaks.

Cambridge City against Canterbury was postponed.

Investec Conference East

Wimbledon’s second team kept a six-point cushion at the top of the Investec Conference East table with a 1-0 win over Southgate.

Ruth Morgan Hampson scored the only goal of the game with her 14th minute effort proving enough to claim all three points.

With Barnes’ tie against Canterbury’s second team called off and Southgate losing, Bedford took advantage and leapfrogged both, moving into second place with a 2-0 win over Bromley & Beckenham.

Eleanor Priston and Ellie Scott scored five minutes apart in the first half to record the win.

Investec Conference West

Top of the table, Surbiton’s second team were shocked as they lost to visitors Oxford Hawks in the Investec Conference West.

The sides went into the half evenly matched at 1-1 but third-placed Hawks scored four second half goals including Claire Werlinger adding another to her first half effort to see her side win 5-1.

Exe capitalised on Surbiton’s loss to close the gap at the top of the table to four points with a 3-1 win over bottom side University of Bristol.

Exe came out firing with Jamie Bulbring’s second minutes field goal opening the scoring with Hannah Rhodes doubling the lead after 11 minutes.

University of Bristol pulled one back but Lorel Wallis restored the two-goal cushion and secured all three points.

Investec Conference North

Alderley Edge lifted themselves out of the bottom three in the Investec Conference North, beating third place Timperley.

Annabel Hebb and Lara Tabachnik put Alderley Edge 2-0 up eight minutes into the game with Charlotte Dennett extending the lead to three before the half. Isabel Moores strike gave Alderley a 4-0 edge before Timperley replied with two of their own but were too late as the game ended 4-2 in Alderley Edge’s favour.

Hannah Norman’s 47th minute field goal proved the difference for Wakefield in their 1-0 over Cannock.

Investec Women’s Hockey League (Sat, 15 February 2020):

Investec Premier Division: Beeston 2, Clifton Robinsons 1; Bowdon Hightown 0, Holcombe 3; Hampstead & Westminster 1-2 Buckingham; Surbiton 3-1 Loughborough Students.

Investec Division One North: Belper 0, Ben Rhydding 2; Brooklands-Poynton 3, Leeds 4; Gloucester City 1, Leicester City 1; Univ of Durham 1, Stourport 1.

Investec Division One South: Harleston Magpies 4, St Albans 0; Isca 0, Wimbledon 7; Sevenoaks 0, Slough 1; Trojans 0, Reading 1.

Investec Conference East: Bedford 2, Bromley & Beckenham 0; Broxbourne 1, Ipswich 1; Chelmsford 0, Horsham 1; Wimbledon 1, Southgate 0.

Investec Conference West: Clifton Robinsons 1, Cheltenham 1; Surbiton 1, Oxford Hawks 5; Univ of Birmingham 3, Basingstoke 2; Univ of Bristol 1, Exe 3.

Investec Conference North: Alderley Edge 4, Timperley 2; Doncaster 0, Beeston 0; Fylde 2, Sutton Coldfield 2; Wakefield 1, Cannock 0.

England Hockey Board Media release



Top four focusing on TNB Cup

By Jugjet Singh


Maybank will be in rest mode when they take on Terengganu Hockey Team (THT) in the final round of matches in the Malaysian Hockey League (MHL) at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil today. - Pic Courtesy of Malaysian Hockey Confederation FB

MAYBANK will be in rest mode when they take on Terengganu Hockey Team (THT) in the final round of matches in the Malaysian Hockey League (MHL) at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil today.

THT, who are third with 30 points, will move up one rung if they beat fourth-placed Maybank, provided that second-placed Tenaga Nasional, on 31 points lose to champions Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL).

UniKL will be gunning for a win today to maintain their flawless record in the league.

All four teams have qualified for the TNB Cup.

UniKL will take on Maybank while Tenaga will play THT in the competition no matter what happens today.

“We already know who we will be playing in the semi-finals of the TNB Cup. In our last two matches (against UniKL and THT), I rested several seniors as I want them to be fresh for the TNB Cup.

“We have a surprise in store in the TNB Cup. Although UniKL have the best players, we will try our best to give them a good fight,” said Maybank coach Azrul Effendy Bistamam.

RESULTS — Women: UniTen 3 Sabah 1, HockAdemy 1 Police Blue Warriors 1, Mutiara Impian 0 Terengganu Ladies 7.

FIXTURES — Men: HockAdemy v NurInsafi (National Stadium I, 7.30pm), Maybank v THT (National Stadium II), Tenaga v UniKL (National Stadium I), UiTM v TNB Thunderbolts (Tun Razak Stadium) — matches at 5pm unless stated.

New Straits Times



Harte man to beat

By AFTAR SINGH


Early strike: Tenaga’s Syed Syafiq said if they can outwit UniKL goalkeeper David Harte they can win today’s match.

KUALA LUMPUR: Tenaga Nasional defender Mohd Syed Syafiq Syed Cholan is all pumped up to pour cold water on the hot run of Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) in the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL).

UniKL have already won the league title but today’s match at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil is important for Tenaga as it will determine whether they can finish second.

Tenaga have 31 points, one more than third-placed Terengganu.

If Tenaga lose to UniKL today and Terengganu beat Maybank in Bukit Jalil, then Tenaga will miss the chance to finish second.

Determined to hold on to their second-place, Syed Syafiq said the man to beat in UniKL is goalkeeper David Harte.

“He played a vital role in the first-round match by saving three penalty corners, a penalty stroke and also a number of field attempts from us, ” said Syed Syafiq.

In the first-round match on Jan 31, Tenaga lost 1-0 to UniKL, with lanky Irishman Harte making some superb saves including a penalty stroke taken by Mohd Nik Aiman Nik Rozemi. Harte also saved one of the penalty corner attempts by Syed Syafiq.

“He will be our stumbling block again but we want to avenge our first-round defeat by going all out from the first whistle to score past Harte and end UniKL’s winning streak in the league, ” he said.

“I have a big responsibility as I will marshal the defence and I’m also tasked with delivering goals from penalty corners. It will be great if we can burst the bubble of the high-riding UniKL team, ” said Syed Syafiq, who has scored five goals in the league.

Meanwhile, UniKL coach Arul Selvaraj said they would be out to maintain their winning run in the league.

“We are a winning team and we want to play like the champions, ” said Arul.

With both sides determined not to hold their punches, expect an explosive match between UniKL and Tenaga Nasional today.

The Star of Malaysia



When Jesse Owens and Dhyan Chand mesmerised Hitler in Berlin

Berlin's Olympiastadion is where Dhyan Chand led India to the hockey gold at the 1936 Olympics, thrashing host Germany 8-1 in the final.

Stan Rayan


Dhyan Chand, the wizard of Indian hockey who led India to the hockey gold at the 1936 Olympics.   -  THE HINDU ARCHIVES

As one walked into the Olympiastadion here on Saturday afternoon, one noticed the stadium guide narrating the story of Jesse Owens' memorable friendship with his German long jump rival Luz Long to a bunch of eager youngsters from Britain.

The Owens-Long story, that lit up the 1936 Berlin Olympics in this stadium, has probably been told a million times over the last 80 years or so but it has not lost even a bit of its charm. The massive stadium is loaded with history and with every step, one could virtually feel the Games coming back to life.

This is the place where Owens won an unprecedented four Olympic golds in front of a stunned Adolf Hitler who organised the Games. And one could almost picture the young, bright-eyed Francina Koen running to Owens to get his autograph shortly after her very forgettable Olympic debut in Berlin. But that moment with Owens in 1936 inspired the Dutch girl who later won four golds herself as Fanny Blankers-Koen in the 1948 London Olympics, the first woman to do so.


Berlin's Olympiastadion is where Jesse Owens (in picture) won an unprecedented four Olympic golds in front of a stunned Adolf Hitler who organised the Games.   -  THE HINDU ARCHIVES

In another corner of the Olympia Park is the stadium where Dhyan Chand led India to the hockey gold, thrashing host Germany 8-1 in the final to complete a hat-trick of Olympic golds after triumphs in Amsterdam 1928 and Los Angeles 1932. The 'Wizard of Hockey' mesmerised Hitler and the world with his magical stickwork and fired in three goals in what was his last Olympics. He was so good that there are stories about play being stopped at some venues to check whether Chand had applied glue to his hockey stick or whether there was a magnet inside!

OLYMPIC TORCH RELAY BEGAN HERE

Coming back to Berlin, the Olympic torch relay was in fact invented by Hitler's Germany though it is made to look like a Greek tradition. The Berlin Olympics was the first time the torch was carried as part of a relay, starting from Olympia, the site of the ancient Olympics in Greece, by 3422 runners to the German city.


The Olympic Stadium in Berlin which hosted the 1936 Olympics.   -  STAN RAYAN

Berlin has now rolled out the red carpet for another historic sporting event. The city will host the Laureus World Sports Awards – the Oscars of Sport - which celebrate its 20 anniversary at the Verti Music Hall on Monday.

Some of planet's biggest stars, present and past, like Eliud Kipchoge, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Sergey Bubka, Michael Johnson, Edwin Moses, Daley Thompson, Boris Becker, Cafu, Nadia Comaneci, Mark Spitz, Dawn Fraser, Chris Hoy and Marvellous Marvin Hagler will light up the night.

Many of them would probably visit the Olympiastadion where every stone has a story to tell. “Without Long's advice, Owens would have bowed out in the long jump qualification round at the Olympics here. Long lost the Olympic gold to Owens but he gained a friend for life,” repeated the guide guide a few times.

(The writer is in Berlin at the invitation of Laureus)

Sportstar



England Hockey governance: Time to end the committee culture

David Lloyd-Williams, chairman of the London League, voices his opinion ahead of England Hockey’s AGM in March



My light bulb moment was in the middle of a club committee, years ago, when I realised that one of my colleagues never volunteered to do any work, yet kept coming up with suggestions that “the club” should adopt. I got annoyed. How could anyone do that? Answer: she had been elected to the club’s committee, so that made it OK to talk, but do nothing.

Ever since, I’ve had no time for anyone who’s not hands-on. If you are a volunteer running the juniors, collecting subs, umpiring etc, you are a superstar to be cherished. You have earned the right to give your views. If any club member suggests the club does A or B, I ask them to do it. My mantra: never ask your club to do something you’re not prepared to do yourself – it’s that simple.

There are over 100 hockey organisations in England (county, regional, league, umpiring) – a ridiculous number. What do these committees actually do? Leagues and umpiring – OK; but the rest? How many hours are spent with people in committees discussing hockey that other people – mainly clubs – actually deliver? Those committee members are, without doubt, well-meaning, and some policy issues do need careful attention, but if you give someone a role, they tend to think it must be important. This is not always true.

The London League’s constitution used to provide for the usual range of committee positions. When I was elected as chair, I asked myself “what’s the minimum number of people to actually run this?”. The answer, for 14 divisions (with our famously simple rules), is two and a bit, a few hours a week. Once the season is under way, have a weekly call of about 20 minutes, and email in between. All documents are in a shared online system. We only meet in person when we meet with clubs, who decide on policy.

We are much more ‘managers’ than ‘committee members’. It’s a simple cultural shift, and does not waste precious volunteer time.

I keep hearing “where will the volunteers come from?” for EH’s proposed new organisations. To me this sounds like “we’re going to need big committees”. Well, there are better ways of doing things. If the new organisations are run well, we will need fewer volunteers, for less time, in turn making it easier to recruit future volunteers.

County and regional associations were set up to represent clubs – decades ago that made sense. But it has always been the case that some leaders speak and act beyond any real mandate from clubs. This is partly understandable: “I’ve been elected to speak on behalf of clubs; here are my views”. However, this is dangerous, and I keep seeing emails and statements from organisations where they have no mandate from clubs. This is wrong, especially from organisations whose officers aren’t even elected by the people they purport to represent.

The London League got this right 50 years ago: clubs decide policy; officers do the admin. Officers therefore have to be careful not to do or say anything which is not supported by clubs. It works.

Let’s get the EH changes through – without delay, and change the culture.

Or do we want 100 committees debating this indefinitely?

David Lloyd-Williams is also a serial volunteer at Southgate HC, and creator of FixturesLive.

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