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News for 01 March 2020

All the news for Sunday 1 March 2020

2020 FIH Pro League (Men) - 1 March

28 Feb 2020     NZL v ARG (RR)     5 - 3
1 Mar 2020      NZL v ARG (RR)     2 - 3

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 6 2 2 0 1 1 17 17 0 11
3 Australia 6 2 1 0 2 1 19 16 3 10
4 India 6 2 2 0 0 2 17 15 2 10
5 Argentina 6 2 0 0 2 2 18 16 2 8
6 New Zealand 8 2 1 0 0 5 15 25 -10 8
7 Spain 8 2 0 0 1 5 19 27 -8 7
8 Germany 2 1 1 0 0 0 7 3 4 5
9 Great Britain 4 1 0 0 2 1 9 10 -1 5

FIH Match Centre



2020 FIH Pro League (Women) - 1 March

28 Feb 2020      NZL v ARG (RR)     1 - 1 (Shootout 1/4 - 3/5)
1 Mar 2020       NZL v ARG (RR)     5 - 3 (Olivia Merry scores a hat-trick in the first 13 minutes)

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 SO Loss Losses Goals For Goals Against Goal Difference Points
1 Netherlands 5 4 0 0 1 19 5 14 15
2 New Zealand 8 4 0 2 2 19 14 5 14
3 Argentina 6 3 1 0 2 19 12 7 11
4 Australia 4 1 1 1 0 6 5 1 9
5 Belgium 4 1 1 1 1 7 9 -2 6
6 Great Britain 4 1 1 0 1 6 4 2 5
7 Germany 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
8 China 2 0 0 0 2 2 7 -5 0
9 United States 5 0 0 0 5 5 27 -22 0

USA v NED (26.01.2020) worth double points because of the match cancelled on 24.01.2020
AUS v GBR (01.02.2020) worth double points because of the match cancelled on 02.02.2020

FIH Match Centre



Olivia Merry four-goal haul sees Black Sticks bounce back against Argentina in Pro League


Olivia Merry scored four goals as the Black Sticks women beat Argentina in Christchurch on Sunday. KAI SCHWOERER/GETTY IMAGES

A stunning first-quarter hat-trick, and four goals in all, from Olivia Merry has helped the Black Sticks women to a bounce-back FIH Pro League victory over Argentina in Christchurch on Sunday.

After losing Friday night's contest 3-1 in a shootout (1-1 after fulltime), New Zealand responded in style at Ngā Puna Wai, recording a 5-3 win which sees them jump back ahead of Argentina into second on the standings.

After becoming NZ's all-time leading goalscorer last month, Merry added four more to her tally on Sunday, with the opening three coming in a stunning 10-minute burst, as the hosts shot to a commanding lead, before having to hold off a strong Argentina fightback.


Olivia Shannon, left, and Rose Keddell celebrate a goal during their match on Friday night. JOHN DAVIDSON/PHOTOSPORT

Merry opened the scoring after just three minutes from a great forehand strike, then the 27-year-old converted penalty corners in the 11th and 13th minutes to cap off a remarkable early onslaught.

But back-to-back goals either side of halftime from Maria Jose Granatto saw Argentina roar their way back into the contest.

Started in the 26th minute from a great run and bottom-corner finish, Granatto then doubled the visitors' tally a minute into the second half with a great dribble then chip over the keeper.

With both teams unable to convert penalty corner chances, it remained 3-2 heading into the final quarter.


Gemma McCaw heads upfield against the Argentina defence. JOHN DAVIDSON/PHOTOSPORT

It then didn't take long for the Black Sticks to find some breathing room, with Hope Ralph finishing an excellent counterattack, however that two-goal buffer lasted all of a minute, as after a couple of penalty corners Argentina earned themselves a stroke after the ball hit a player on the line, and Agustina Gorzelany duly put it away to keep things tense.

But, fittingly, it was Merry who had the final say, sealing the game in the 54th minute with her fourth goal, after captain Stacey Michelsen made a baseline run and was able to find the scoring machine.

Meanwhile, the Black Sticks men also endured a mixed weekend of it in Christchurch in their tussles with Argentina.


Sam Lane scored three times over the weekend for the Black Sticks men. JOHN DAVIDSON/PHOTOSPORT

After stunning the Olympic champions 5-3 on Friday night, NZ were then beaten 3-2 on Sunday, which saw them drop a place on the standings to sixth, as Argentina rose from eighth to a spot in front of them on goal difference.

With goalkeeper Leon Hayward leading the way in an outstanding display on Friday, the hosts' attack was able to profit, with five different players getting on the scoresheet.

Argentina hit back quickly after the first three goals, but two in the final quarter sealed it for NZ, as they recorded back-to-back Pro League wins for the first time.

On Sunday, though, it was Argentina who played from in front, and despite Sam Lane twice replying, the home side weren't able to find a late equaliser.

That completes the New Zealand sides' home schedules in the competition, and they now prepare to take on the Netherlands in Rotterdam in three weeks' time.

Stuff



Test matches RSA v GER (M)

Johannesburg (RSA)

22 Feb 2020 15:00     RSA v GER     2 - 11
23 Feb 2020 15:00     RSA v GER     1 - 7
27 Feb 2020 17:00     RSA v GER     1 - 1 (2 - 4 SO) South Africa's best result against Germany since 1994
29 Feb 2020 11:00     RSA v GER.  Match cancelled due to watering system failure

FIH Match Centre



Final Game between SA and Germany Called off


Image - Robert Swanepoel / Run Ride Dive

The fourth and final test match of the 2020 Summer Series between South Africa and Germany at Wits University this morning has been called off. There was a technical fault at the venue that was unable to be rectified in the appropriate time.

The South African Hockey Association would like to apologise to the fans who made their way to the sadium, the players and the German management team for the inconvenience caused. Further we would like to thank Germany for a wonderful series and wish them all the best for the Pro League and the Tokyo Olympics later this year.

SA Hockey Association media release



Training camp for Azlan Shah Cup resumes on March 5

KARACHI: The second phase of the Pakistan senior team’s training camp for the 29th edition of Sultan Azlan Shah Cup will commence from March 5 at the National Hockey Stadium in Lahore.

Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) will announce the names of the players for the second phase on March 2.

Azlan Shah Cup will be held at the Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh from April 11-18. The six competing teams are Australia (World No 2), Canada (10th), Japan (15th), South Korea (16th), Pakistan (17th) and hosts Malaysia (11th).

The News International



ROUND-UP: England Men's Hockey League


Beeston celebrate their last minute winner against Wimbledon. Credit David Kissman

Surbiton’s 7-0 victory over Brooklands MU on Saturday clinched top spot in the Men’s Hockey League Premier Division, giving them home advantage in the play-offs and securing their place in the 2020-21 Euro Hockey League.

Four goals from Luke Taylor plus two from Alan Forsyth and one from Ben Boon helped them secure a comfortable victory – their 14th in the league from 16 matches.

Wimbledon dropped to third in the table after losing out 3-2 at Beeston, while Hampstead & Westminster leapfrogged them into second.

Adam Dixon had given Beeston the lead on 11 minutes until Ben Francis levelled for Wimbledon in the 32nd minute. Sam Apoola restored Beeston’s lead a minute later, but Ben Arnold scored on 47 minutes to make it 2-2.

The game appeared to be heading for a draw, until Apoola popped up to score his second and take the win.

Sam French hit a hat-trick for Hampstead & Westminster as they beat the University of Exeter 6-3.

Their other goals came from Josh Kelly, Matt Guise Brown and Will Calnan, while Kiran Patel, Rhys Bradshaw and Charlie Taylor were the visitors’ scorers.

Fifth-placed Holcombe’s play-off hopes are still alive after a 6-2 win over bottom club Reading. Hayden Phillips and Mark Gleghorne scored two goals each, while Harry Trusler and Louis Duprez also scored.

Andrew Oxburgh and Louis Gittens scored Reading’s goals.

Old Georgians secured a 5-0 win over East Grinstead with goals from James Tindall (2), Sam Ward, Keenan Horne and Tom Watson. And with a game in hand tomorrow (Sunday) against Beeston, they could strengthen their grip on fourth spot.

Division One North

There’s not much to pick between the University of Durham and Bowdon in the Men’s Division One North, as both are level on 40 points and both secured 3-1 away victories on Saturday.

Currently top on goal difference, the University of Durham beat Olton & West Warwicks, while Bowdon won at Sheffield Hallam with goals from Simon Egerton (2) and Ben White.

Elsewhere, Cardiff & Met were 3-2 winners over visitors University of Nottingham, while the City of Peterborough boosted their bid to avoid relegation with an 8-1 win over Leeds.

Division One South

Goals from Tim Guise Brown, Chris Porter and Josh Birtles helped leaders Oxted to a 3-1 win over Teddington in Division One South on Saturday.

Sevenoaks were 3-2 winners at Brighton & Hove to keep their promotion hopes alive, their goals coming from Ali Taylor, Andrew Ross and James Thomas.

Fareham and Southgate both enjoyed 2-1 home wins – Fareham beating Canterbury and Southgate beating Havant – while Team Bath Buccaneers and Oxford Hawks drew 1-1.

Conference East

Morgan Harries scored twice for leaders Wapping as they beat Spencer 3-2 in the Conference East, while second-placed Cambridge City made a good start to their double header weekend with a 2-1 win over Old Loughtonians.

Bromley & Beckenham – who face Cambridge City tomorrow (Sunday) – went down 5-2 to Harleston Magpies on Saturday.

Conference North

Ali Ghazanfar scored three goals as Deeside Ramblers beat Doncaster 8-4 to maintain top spot in the Conference East.

Second-placed Barford Tigers looked set for a goalless draw with third-placed Timperley until Franco Ramponi’s 66th minute goal from a penalty corner saw them scrape a win.

Conference West

Old Cranleighans remain top of the Conference West table after a 2-0 win over the University of Bristol, with Tom Roberts and Daniel Rhodes scoring their goals.

But Richmond’s 2-1 win over Cheltenham – with both goals from Jack Clee - means they are only two points behind with three matches remaining.

Elsewhere, Muhammad Irfan scored four times as Khalsa Leamington won 5-1 at home against Isca.

Results:

Men’s Hockey League (Sat, 29 February 2020):

Premier Division: Beeston 3, Wimbledon 2; Hampstead & Westminster 6, University of Exeter 3; Holcombe 6, Reading 2; Surbiton 7, Brooklands MU 0; Old Georgians 5, East Grinstead 0.

Division One North: Cardiff & Met 3, Univ of Nottingham 2; City of Peterborough 8, Leeds 1; Loughborough Students 6, Univ of Birmingham 1; Olton & West Warwicks 1, Univ of Durham 3; Sheffield Hallam 1, Bowdon 3.

Division One South: Brighton & Hove 2, Sevenoaks 3; Fareham 2, Canterbury 1; Southgate 2, Havant 1; Team Bath Buccaneers 1, Oxford Hawks 1; Oxted 3, Teddington 1.

Conference East: Bedford 4, St Albans 2; Cambridge City 2, Old Loughtonians 1; Chichester 1, London Edwardians 2; Harleston Magpies 5, Bromley & Beckenham 2; Wapping 3, Spencer 2.

Conference North: Deeside Ramblers 8, Doncaster 4; Didsbury Northern 2, Alderley Edge 3; Preston 2, Wakefield 5; Timperley 0, Barford Tigers 1.

Conference West: Ashmoor 3, Univ of Exeter 1; Cardiff University 0, Harborne 3; Khalsa Leamington 5, Isca 1; Old Cranleighans 2, Univ of Bristol 0; Richmond 2, Cheltenham 1.

EHL PLAY-OFFS AND PROMOTION AND RELEGATION 2019-20

League Finals

The top four teams in the EHL Premier Divisions play off to be league champions. Semis - 1st v 4th and 2nd v 3rd. The winning semi-finalists qualify for the final.

The team finishing top of the Division at the end of the regular season take England’s second place in the following season’s Euro Hockey League, the winners of the final are league champions and take England’s top place. If this is the same team then the losers of the final take the second European place.

As requested by teams the semi-finals this season are at home club venues. Men’s semis are on 29 March, Women’s semis are on 4 April in order to ensure Great Britain internationals are available for their clubs.

The finals are on 5 April at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre.

1200 hrs – Men’s final
1430 hrs – Women’s final

Promotion & Relegation – Premier Division and Division 1 North & Division 1 South

The team finishing 10th in the Premier Division is relegated.

The winners of Division 1 North & Division 1 South play off in a one-off match on 29 March at a neutral venue, Nottingham Hockey Centre. The winners of this match are promoted to the Premier Division.

The losers of this game play against the team finishing 9th in the Premier Division over two matches, home and away, with the winners on the aggregate score earning/retaining a Premier Division place.

5 April – Losers of Division 1 North & Division 1 South play off v 9th Premier Division – Match 1
18 April – 9th Premier Division v Losers of Division 1 North & Division 1 South play off – Match 2

England Hockey Board Media release



ROUND-UP: Investec England Women's Hockey League


Action from Loughborough v East Grinstead with Lizzie Neal, Ellie Rayer and Tess Howard. Credit Andrew Smith

A Sophie Bray hat-trick helped East Grinstead secure a 6-0 win at Loughborough Students and leapfrog Hampstead & Westminster into second place in the Investec Women’s Hockey League Premier Division on Saturday.

The victory leaves East Grinstead in the driving seat in their bid to clinch home advantage for the play-offs, but with two matches remaining in the regular season that could yet change.

Bray netted the first of her goals in only the third minute to get the away side off to a good start, and Ellie Rayer, Cathy Nicholson and Tess Howard also found themselves on the scoresheet as East Grinstead secured three points for the tenth time this season.

Table toppers Surbiton added another three points to their impressive points tally, winning 3-2 at Hampstead & Westminster to drop their rivals down to third.

Hannah Martin and Eloise Stenner made it 2-0 after only five minutes before Hampstead battled back to level the scores with goals from Fran Tew and Melanie Wilkinson.

Georgie Twigg netted the winner for the away side from a penalty corner in the 52nd minute.

Elsewhere the University of Birmingham secured a 2-0 win at Bowdon Hightown, which condemns Bowdon to relegation from the top flight.

Rosie Henderson gave the away side the lead in the 32nd minute before Lauren Hunt bagged the second in the final minute of play.

Beeston picked up three points at Buckingham with a 1-0 win, Courtney Schonell netting the winner from open play after 26 minutes.

Holcombe and Clifton Robinsons drew 1-1 with Phoebe Richards scoring for Clifton Robinsons while Alice Will was on the scoresheet for Holcombe.

Investec Division 1 North

The University of Durham kept their hopes of promotion alive as they won 3-0 at Olton and West Warwicks in the Investec Division One North on Saturday.

Emma McIntyre bagged a brace and Emily Kilner netted the third as the away side secured all three points.

Top of the table Leicester City were held to a 0-0 draw at Swansea, enabling the University of Durham to narrow the gap to seven points.

Elsewhere Ben Rhydding performed well to secure a 5-2 victory at home against Brooklands-Poynton.

Rachel Doherty, Tanisha Janzen (2), Amelia Pollock and Beth Cordukes scored the goals for the home side while Annie Mills scored both goals for Brooklands-Poynton.

Stourport also secured three points after winning 2-1 at home against Gloucester City.

Investec Division 1 South

Top of the table Wimbledon took one step closer to promotion as they won 3-0 at Canterbury.

Fiona Semple bagged herself a brace and Olivia Chilton scored the other as Wimbledon maintained their 100% record.

Second-placed Reading were also victorious as they picked up a 2-1 win at Isca.

Paris Gasson gave Isca the lead after four minutes before goals from Alys Richards and Jo Ellis secured all three points for the away side.

Elsewhere, Harleston Magpies won 4-1 at home against Sevenoaks, Cambridge City won 3-0 at St Albans and Slough won 1-0 at Trojans thanks to a goal from Imogen Brown.

Investec Conference East

Wimbledon continued to dominate the Investec Conference East, notching up win number 12 with a 2-1 victory over Bromley and Beckenham on Saturday.

Tamsyn Naylor and Lucy Holder were their scorers, while Jill Mullins was the visitor’s scorer.

But second-placed Barnes remain seven points behind with a game in hand. They were 5-0 winners over Ipswich with goals from Teddy Middlebrook, Isabella Da Rocha, Alexa Copeland, Helen Stubbs and Molly Rawnsley.

Elsewhere, Bedford won 4-2 against Broxbourne, Southgate were 4-1 winners over Horsham and Chelmsford and Canterbury seconds drew 1-1.

Investec Conference North

The University of Nottingham continued their 100 per cent record in style with an 11-0 victory over Alderley Edge in the Investec Conference North on Saturday.

Jordan Homann, Holly Dean and Alex Malzer scored two each in the win.

There were also 11 goals in the match between Timperley and Pendle Forest, but it was somewhat closer with hosts Timperley edging to a 6-5 victory. Sam Hargreaves and Dana Bettany scored two goals each.

Sutton Coldfield had a hat-trick from Emma McCabe to thank for their 4-1 win over Doncaster, while Wakefield overcame hosts Fylde 4-0.

Investec Conference West

Surbiton seconds were 6-1 winners at Team Bath Buccaneers in the Investec Conference West with Maddie Long and Yazi Chahal scoring two each, while others came from Issy Carey and Hannah Denison.

Clifton Robinsons kept their faint promotion hopes alive with a 3-1 win over the University of Bristol, while the University of Birmingham seconds were 4-2 winners at Oxford University with Hannah Birchall scoring a brace of goals.

Results:

Investec Women’s Hockey League (Sat, 29 February 2020):

Investec Premier Division: Hampstead & Westminster 2, Surbiton 3; Holcombe 1, Clifton Robinsons 1; Bowdon Hightown 0, Univ of Birmingham 2; Buckingham 0, Beeston 1; Loughborough Students 0, East Grinstead 6.

Investec Division One South: Canterbury 0, Wimbledon 3; Harleston Magpies 4, Sevenoaks 1; Isca 1, Reading 2; St Albans 0, Cambridge City 3; Trojans 0, Slough 1.

Investec Division One North: Ben Rhydding 5, Brooklands-Poynton 2; Olton & West Warwicks 0, Univ of Durham 3; Stourport 2, Gloucester City 1; Swansea 0, Leicester City 0.

Investec Conference East: Barnes 5, Ipswich 0; Bedford 4, Broxbourne 2, Chelmsford 1, Canterbury 2XI 1; Southgate 4, Horsham 1; Wimbledon 2XI 2, Bromley & Beckenham 1.

Investec Conference North: Cannock 1, Beeston 0; Fylde 0, Wakefield 4; Sutton Coldfield 4, Doncaster 1; Timperley 6, Pendle Forest 5; Univ of Nottingham 11, Alderley Edge 0.

Investec Conference West: Basingstoke 2, Oxford Hawks 1; Cheltenham 2, Exe 0; Clifton Robinsons 2XI 3, Univ of Bristol 1; Oxford University 2, Univ of Birmingham 2XI 4; Team Bath Buccaneers 1, Surbiton 2XI 6.

EHL PLAY-OFFS AND PROMOTION AND RELEGATION 2019-20

League Finals

The top four teams in the EHL Premier Divisions play off to be league champions. Semis - 1st v 4th and 2nd v 3rd. The winning semi-finalists qualify for the final.

The team finishing top of the Division at the end of the regular season take England’s second place in the following season’s European Club Championships the winners of the final are league champions and take England’s top place. If this is the same team then the losers of the final take the second European place.

As requested by teams the semi-finals this season are at home club venues. Men’s semis are on 29 March, Women’s semis are on 4 April in order to ensure Great Britain internationals are available for their clubs.

The finals are on 5 April at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre.

1200 hrs – Men’s final
1430 hrs – Women’s final

Promotion & Relegation – Premier Division and Division 1 North & Division 1 South

The team finishing 10th in the Premier Division is relegated.

The winners of Division 1 North & Division 1 South play off in a one-off match on 29 March at a neutral venue, Nottingham Hockey Centre. The winners of this match are promoted to the Premier Division.

The losers of this game play against the team finishing 9th in the Premier Division over two matches, home and away, with the winners on the aggregate score earning/retaining a Premier Division place.

5 April – Losers of Division 1 North & Division 1 South play off v 9th Premier Division – Match 1
18 April – 9th Premier Division v Losers of Division 1 North & Division 1 South play off – Match 2

England Hockey Board Media release



Sabah to field four teams in JHL

By Jugjet Singh


Sabah HA president Datuk Seri Anil Jeet Singh. PIC BY K.M. BOOPATHY

KUALA LUMPUR: Sabah are breaking new ground in the local hockey scene.

The state, who fielded a women’s team for the first time in the recently-concluded Malaysia Hockey League (MHL), will have four teams in the Junior Hockey League (JHL), which starts on March 25.

Yes, four teams, two each in the boys and girls’ competitions.

“We need to expose as many players as possible at an early age to give some of them a better chance of breaking into the national team.

“That is why we will be fielding four teams in the JHL this season, a first for Sabah,” said Sabah HA president Datuk Seri Anil Jeet Singh, who is also the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) vice-president.

The JHL will see 24 teams competing for honours in the boys’ division while 13 teams have registered for the girls’ event.

Last year, only 14 teams played in the boys’ event and nine in the girls’ competition.

“It is a Malaysia Games year, and that could be the reason for the good response.

“We (MHC competitions committee) have conducted a draw for the boys’ Division Two as well as the girls’ event,” said Anil, who is also MHC competitions committee chairman.

Anil also praised Sabah for finishing fifth in the women’s MHL.

“It augurs well ahead of the Malaysia Games.

“Sabah women played against experienced teams who had national and foreign players, so it is a good achievement and a great start.

“Next year, Sabah might field a team in the men's MHL. It's still at a planning stage,” he added.

New Straits Times



KCA-U hit TUK in hockey league season opener

By AGNES MAKHANDIA


Multi Media University's Frank Masimba (left) vies for the ball with Kenyatta University's Dan Donald Arogo during their Kenya Hockey Union men's Super League match at City Park on February 29, 2020. PHOTO | SILA KIPLAGAT |  NATION MEDIA GROUP

Kenya College of Accountancy University (KCA-U) squeezed a 1-0 win past Technical University of Kenya (TUK) as the men’s Kenya Hockey Union Super League kicked off on Saturday at the City Park Stadium in Nairobi.

New signing Kelvin Ronoh, who joined from Impala, scored the lone goal for KCA-U in the 44th minute.

KCA-U coach Willis Otieno said they want to get things right this season after they failed to make the promotion cut at the eleventh hour.

“The three new signings will be useful if their todays (yesterday) performance is anything to go by. We will take one match at a time and our goal is to earn promotion to the top tier and it’s good we have started well,” said Otieno.

Tevin Jamine (Parklands) and Kevin Omulama from (Impala) are the other signings.

TUK coach Maxwell Fuchaka said the players got it wrong from the start.

“The players had lost the game mentally prior to the match. They gave KCA-U too much respect and there is no way the result would have gone our way. However we hope to recover well in time when we parade against Kenyatta University tomorrow (Sunday),” said Fuchaka, who plays for Butali Sugar Warriors in the top flight.

KCA-U failed to take advantage of the poor ball handling skills from their opponents and got many scoring chances but failed to convert as both sides played to a barren draw at the break.

On resumption, KCA-U forced their opponents to play in their own half and the tactic paid off as Ronoh scored a superb field goal in the 44th minute.

Hits and misses then marked the remaining proceedings as KCA-U held onto the lead.

Daily Nation

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