News for 09 March 2020
All the news for Monday 9 March 2020
New Zealand’s national hockey teams may become latest sporting casualties of coronavirus
Hockey New Zealand is discussing whether to pull the men’s and women’s Black Sticks out of the European leg of the Pro League.
The women are due to fly out to the Netherlands on Wednesday, followed by the men on Friday for matches against the Netherlands and Germany.
It follows Hockey Australia suspending their European leg.
A spokesperson for Hockey New Zealand says they expect to make a decision by tomorrow morning, and that one option may include postponing the matches and playing them in a different location.
TVNZ 1 News
Charlesworth: Biggest change in Indian hockey is the mentality
Former India hockey coach Ric Charlesworth spoke extensively on how the team has evolved over the last decade, on Australia and Tokyo Olympics.
Uthra Ganesan
Ric Charlesworth with FIH president Narinder Batra. - SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Ric Charlesworth was among the first high-profile foreign names to be associated with Indian hockey and even though he left on a bitter note, his association with the country and its hockey seems to have an unbreakable bond. And the former Australian coach, considered by most as a guru of modern sports, believes the current Indian team is at par with the best in the world.
In the country to develop a high-level hockey academy in Chandigarh as a consultant with Round Glass Sports – who already have a football programme and are part owners of I-League club Punjab FC – Charlesworth, in an exclusive interaction with Sportstar, insisted that the biggest change in the Indian players was at a mental level.
Excerpts:
You and Indian hockey just can’t seem to let go of each other.
It is an interesting connection (him and Indian hockey). I think the future of hockey is intimately involved with the future of Indian hockey and so I want to see India do well. I grew up with Indian coaches and always had an affection for the way they play, and I think your team is progressing. There was a period when we (Australia) couldn’t beat you and then there was a period when you couldn’t beat us. Now I think there is parity and that’s good for the competition.
You have seen the Indian team closely for more than a decade now. What has changed and how has Indian hockey developed?
When I was here 10 years ago, I believed it was a 10-year job for India to climb back to the top. I think they have been steadily improving. India was, for a long time, the innovator and the dominant force in world hockey. Then they slipped off the pace but now they are climbing back up again. More than anything else, I think the Hockey India League (HIL) was the catalyst for that. It brought the international players here, the locals played with and against them and realised that the international players only had two arms and two legs, just like they do. So psychologically, it was an important barrier to be broken for India. Now your team can compete with anybody. You were always technically good and physically you were good too. I think it’s the psychological shift that has occurred, that has been the critical thing. There is more belief now and they understand that everybody is the same and they can compete at that level. I have seen that happen with your cricket teams too.
The Australian way was the Holy Grail for long. Where do you think they have slipped?
I don’t think so. I think the Europeans and the Australians were always up there but when I started, India and Pakistan were unbeatable. I think these things wax and wane. India has always had fantastic players but now they are building a terrific team.
How do you see the Australian influence on Indian hockey?
The Australian influence is not just on the ground (coach, staff etc) but their CEO (Elena Norman) also has been around for a decade and the administration of Indian hockey is immeasurably better than it was 10 years ago. I think you learn from everybody, you take the resources and get contributions from everywhere and that’s what India has been doing. We did that, we sucked the knowledge out of people, who left India after partition and came to settle in our country. All our coaches were from the sub-continent and so now you are seeing perhaps the reverse of it. But the game is world wide, there are 100 countries that play this game so it’s a more difficult task.
What is your prediction for the Olympics?
For me the ideal game would be an India-Australia final. I think both teams are good and both are capable of winning a medal. But the Olympics can be capricious and this time, when it will happen is also a question. So we will see what happens.
Sportstar
Hockey legend Ric Charlesworth says he would see India-Australia final in Games
File image of Ric Charlesworth. Reuters
New Delhi: Visibly impressed by the progress made by India over the last decade, hockey legend Ric Charlesworth on Sunday said that an India-Australia summit clash is a possibility in the upcoming Tokyo Olympics.
Charlesworth, who was associated with the Indian set-up in the past, feels that the eight-time Olympic champions have improved a lot in the last decade, which makes them a medal contender in Tokyo.
India are currently ranked fourth in the world rankings.
"I feel both India and Australia have teams to win medals. The Olympics is often very unpredictable, so we will have to see what happens," he told PTI during the third Hockey India Awards in New Delhi.
"I would love to see an Olympics hockey final between India and Australia. That will be the best final," said Charlesworth, a World Cup winner both as player and coach.
The 68-year-old master tactician, who also played First-Class cricket for Western Australia, credited erstwhile Hockey India League for India's growth and said the franchise-based event needs to be revived quickly.
The HIL was put on hold in 2018 after five successful seasons for varied reasons, ranging from unhappy franchises and financial concerns.
"I said 10 years ago that it's a 10-year job to be really competitive. The Hockey India was a catalyst I feel," Charlesworth said.
"Hockey internationally and in this country needs to find a place where it can be played because I think it (HIL) was a critical part of making a psychological shift which India needed to say 'yeah! we can compete with anybody'.
"I feel the HIL needs to be revived to keep India abreast with world hockey."
Charlesworth believes India can't afford to relax a bit, considering the competitiveness of world hockey.
"They (India) need to keep working, international hockey is very competitive. In Australia and India, we get carried away with cricket because both the countries are pretty good at cricket but cricket is played only by a half a dozen countries," he said.
"Hockey is much harder to do well, the international scene is pretty competitive. You have to work very hard and keep changing and improving. India was the innovator in hockey 50 years ago. They lost direction for a while but now they are in the way back."
Charlesworth rated Graham Reid as a good coach and feels the Australian has made a significant improvement in India's game since taking over the charge of the team in April last year.
"He (Reid) is a good coach. When I was a young player all our coaches were from the subcontinent. We learnt our hockey from here. Australians working with Indian teams make sense," he said.
With the novel coronavirus threatening the Olympics, the Australian great said it is still not sure whether the Summer Games can be organised as per schedule.
"Firstly, I am still not sure it (Olympics) will be held on time. May be it has to be delayed to October because there is a range of issues there, including the recent coronavirus outbreak," said, Charlesworth, who is in India to develop an academy for football and hockey in Chandigarh.
He gave a thumbs up to the FIH Pro League but feels the need of the hour is an Indian Ocean League to develop the sport in the southern hemisphere.
"I would like to see an Indian Ocean League where you have competitions between ourselves (India and Australia), New Zealand, Malaysia. It will be an interesting competition in the southern hemisphere," he signed off.
Firstpost
Manpreet, Rani bag Hockey India Player of Year awards
Among other awards, Olympic gold medallist Harbinder Singh won the Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contribution to the sport.
Manpreet Singh and Rani Rampal won top honours at the third Hockey India awards. [File photo] - Biswaranjan Rout
India captains Manpreet Singh and Rani Rampal capped an eventful 2019 as Hockey India Player of the Year (men's and women's respectively), while Harbinder Singh was honoured for his lifetime contribution to the game at the 3rd Annual Hockey India Awards on Sunday.
Celebrating the best current and former Indian hockey players, the function was attended by the Indian men’s and women’s teams and some of the biggest names in the sport. While the players of the year received a cash prize of Rs. 25 lakh each, a certificate and a trophy, Harbinder Singh was handed a cheque for Rs. 30 lakh. The Upcoming Players of the Year – Vivek Sagar Prasad and Lalremsiami – got Rs. 10 lakh each while individual award winners got Rs. 5 lakh each.
The federation also felicitated and rewarded winners of various international awards through the year and those who achieved crossed milestones – Rs. 1 lakh for those completing 200 international caps and Rs. 50,000 for 100. The total prize money distributed was to the tune of Rs. 1.64 crores.
“I would like to congratulate Hockey India for their continued efforts of raising the bar to the highest of standards. Hockey has always been a very important part of India’s sporting history and I am really proud of the Indian teams who have consistently been performing for the country,” FIH and IOA president Narinder Batra said.
The awardees
President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement: Sports Department, Odisha
Jaman Lal Sharma Award for Invaluable Contribution: Sports Authority of India
Baljit Singh Award for Goalkeeper of the Year: Krishan Pathak
Pargat Singh Award for Defender of the Year: Harmanpreet Singh
Ajit Pal Singh Award for Midfielder of the Year: Neha Goyal
Dhanraj Pillay Award for Forward of the Year: Mandeep Singh
Asunta Lakra Award for Under-21 Player of the Year (women): Lalremsiami
Jugraj Singh Award for Under-21 Player of the Year (men): Vivek Sagar Prasad
Dhruv Batra Player of the Year (men): Manpreet Singh
Dhruv Batra Player of the Year (women): Rani Rampal
Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award: Harbinder Singh
World Games Athlete of the Year: Rani Rampal
FIH Men’s Player of the Year: Manpreet Singh
FIH Men’s Rising Star of the Year: Vivek Sagar Prasad
FIH Women’s Rising Star of the Year: Lalremsiami
200 International Caps: Deep Grace Ekka, Kothajit Singh Khadangbam, Savita Punia
100 International Caps: Harmanpreet Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Nikki Pradhan
Sportstar
India skippers Manpreet, Rani bag top Hockey India awards
Manpreet Singh receives the award from Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju. HI
National team captains Manpreet Singh and Rani Rampal won the Dhruv Batra Player of the Year Award in the men’s and women’s categories, respectively, at the third Hockey India Annual Awards here today. Manpreet and Rani received a cash award of Rs 25 lakh each. The awards carried a total prize purse of Rs 1.64 crore.
It was a wonderful 2019 for both Manpreet and Rani as they led their teams to securing Tokyo Olympics berths.
Rani is presented the award by Chetna Dhruv Batra, wife of FIH president Narinder Dhruv Batra. HI
Manpreet became the first Indian to win the FIH Player of the Year award last month, while Rani won the World Games Athlete of the Year award in January.
Olympics gold medallist Harbinder Singh won the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award. He received a cash prize of Rs 30 lakh.
Krishan Pathak won the Baljit Singh Award for Goalkeeper of the Year. Harmanpreet Singh won the Pargat Singh Award for Defender of the Year. Neha Goyal claimed the Ajit Pal Singh Award for Midfielder of the Year, while Mandeep Singh won the Dhanraj Pillay Award for Forward of the Year. Each of these awards carried a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh.
The Milestone Awards were presented to Deep Grace Ekka, Kothajit Singh and Savita for playing 200 international matches. They received Rs 1 lakh each. Harmanpreet, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay and Nikki Pradhan were also recognised for playing 100 matches for India. They were presented with a cheque of Rs 50,000 each.
Manpreet was also awarded a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh for winning the FIH Player of the Year award, while youngsters Vivek Sagar Prasad and Lalremsiami received cash awards of Rs 5 lakh each for winning the FIH Rising Star of the Year awards in the men’s and women’s categories, respectively.
Rani was also given a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh for winning the World Games Athlete of the Year award.
“I have always strived to work hard for my team and my country, and to have been recognised for doing the thing that I love doing the most, it gives me immense happiness,” Manpreet said. “I would like to thank my teammates, coaches, family and Hockey India for their support. I dedicate this award to my team.”
The Tribune
Humble soul Harbinder gets his due at HI awards
s2h Team
Triple Olympian and humble soul Harbinder Singh gets his long due recognition when he was chosen for the Dhyan Chand Life Time Award (USD 43,000) at the 3rd Hockey India Annual Awards function today in New Delhi. Overall, a record Rs.1.64 Cr (USD 2,35,000) was given away as prize money in various categories including Player of the Year (Manpreet for Men and Rani Rampal for women). Expectedly, FIH Rising Player of the Year -- Vivek Prasad and Lalremsiami -- too among the awardees.
Hockey India Annual Awards was first held in 2015 at Delhi and in 2016 at Bangaluru before renewal after a 3-year break, today.
Its heartening to see the humblest soul Harbinder Singh's life long contribution to hockey sport is truly recognized today. Apart from his hockey feats (an Olympic gold & twice Bronze), the triple Olympian was not in the limelight though many articulate peers of him got overdue recognition. It was attributed to his being quite a simple personal, steer clear of controversies. Hailed as the Flying Hockey Sikh, as he used to win sprints at the Inter-Railway meets, Harbinder had figured in three Olympics and three Asian Games (1966,1970 & 1974), winning medals in all.
This year, the total prize money was in excess of INR 1.64 Crore.
“I am extremely happy and humbled to be receiving this Award which carries Major Dhyan Chand’s name. Hockey has always been my life, and I continue to live it each day with pride and passion. I am thankful to Hockey India and all my hockey friends for this recognition,” said Mr. Harbinder Singh, who accepted the Hockey India Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award 2019.
The first set of awards marking important milestone in the careers of players began the proceedings. The Milestone Awards were presented to Deep Grace Ekka, Kothajit Singh Khadangbam and Savita for completing 200 International Caps for India, with a cheque of INR 1.00 Lakh each plus a trophy presented to the three players.
Harmanpreet Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay and Nikki Pradhan were awarded for turning out in Team India colours for the 100th time and were all presented with a cheque of INR 50,000 each and a trophy.
The second set of awards were given in recognition of Individual Achievements of the players. Indian Men’s Hockey Team Captain Manpreet Singh was given a cash award of INR 10.00 Lakhs for winning the FIH Men’s Player of the Year 2019, while youngsters Vivek Sagar Prasad and Lalremsiami received a cash award of INR 5.00 Lakhs for winning the FIH Rising Star of the Year 2019 Awards in the Men’s and Women’s categories respectively.
Indian Women’s Hockey Team Captain Rani was also awarded with a cash prize of INR 10.00 Lakhs for winning the prestigious World Games Athlete of the Year 2019.
In the second part of the Hockey India 3rd Annual Awards 2019 function, players who have excelled in the year 2019 were recognised. The winners of the 11 Annual Awards were:
Hockey India President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement 2019: Deptt of Sports & Youth Services, Govt. of Odisha.
Hockey India Jaman Lal Sharma Award for Invaluable Contribution 2019: Sports Authority of India
, Hockey India Baljit Singh Award for Goalkeeper of the Year 2019: Krishan B. Pathak,
Hockey India Pargat Singh Award for Defender of the Year 2019: Harmanpreet Singh,
Hockey India Ajit Pal Singh Award for Midfielder of the Year 2019: Neha Goyal,
Hockey India Dhanraj Pillay Award for Forward of the Year 2019: Mandeep Singh.
Each of the above individual awards carried a cash prize of INR 5.00 Lakhs besides a glittering trophy.
Apart from this, the following awards were also presented:
Hockey India Asunta Lakra Award for Upcoming Player of the Year 2019 (Women – Under 21): Lalremsiami
Hockey India Jugraj Singh Award for Upcoming Player of the Year 2019 (Men – Under 21): Vivek Sagar Prasad.
Each of the above two players received a cash prize of INR 10.00 Lakhs and a trophy.
The day came to a climactic finish with the presentation of the most eagerly-awaited Hockey India Dhruv Batra Player of the Year Awards for Men and Women, and the Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award.
Dr Narinder Dhruv Batra, President FIH, IOA and Member, IOC, spoke before awarding the winners: “I would like to congratulate Hockey India for their continued efforts of raising the bar for Indian Hockey to the highest of standards. Hockey has always been a very important part of India’s sporting history, and I am delighted to see that the game still has a high following in our country across states and regions. I am really proud of the players of the Indian Men’s and Women’s Hockey teams, who have consistently been performing for the country. Today is a day when we salute your hard work and efforts, and I congratulate all the winners in advance for putting in exceptional performances last year.”
It was Mr. Manpreet Singh and Ms. Rani who walked up to a thunderous applause to collect the Hockey India Dhruv Batra Player of the Year 2019 for Men and Women respectively. The winners of the most prestigious player’s awards for 2019 walked off the stage with a glittering trophy and a cash prize of INR 25.0 0 Lakhs each.
The final award for the day, the Hockey India Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award 2019, carrying a cash prize of INR 30.00 Lakhs and a trophy, was given to Harbinder Singh for his outstanding contribution to the sport of hockey.
Harbinder Singh's Playing career Feats:
Gold Medal at 1964 Tokyo Olympics
Bronze Medal at 1968 Mexico City Olympics
Bronze Medal at 1972 Munich Olympics
Gold Medal at 1966 Bangkok Asian Games
Captained India at the 1974 Asian Games (Silver)
Harbinder Singh has close to 60 years association with the sport of Hockey and counting:
Chairman - Hockey India Masters Committee
Member - Hockey India Selection Committee
Member - Hockey India High Performance & Development Committee
Member - Hockey India Disciplinary Committee
Member - Hockey India Ethics Committee
“I’m really honoured to have won the Hockey India Dhruv Batra Player of the Year 2019 (Men). It was a great year for our team, and I would like to dedicate this Award to my teammates and Coaches, without whom, I would not be holding this trophy. I would also like to thank Hockey India for their continued support, and I hope this Award will motivate, not only myself, but more players to give their best for the country and bring more laurels.” said Manpreet Singh.
“I am elated to have been awarded with the Hockey India Dhruv Batra Player of the Year 2019 (Women). I have always strived to work hard for my team and my country, and to have been recognised for doing the thing that I love doing the most, it gives me immense happiness. I would like to thank my teammates, Coaches, family and Hockey India for always being a huge supporter, and being the guiding light. I dedicate this award to my team.” said Ms Rani.
Stick2Hockey.com
Feels good to play alongside PR Sreejesh and to learn from him, says Hockey India goalkeeper of the year Krishan B Pathak
Tanuj Lakhina 
Krishan B Pathak (in picture) and PR Sreejesh have both held the goalkeeping duties at the FIH Pro League. Image: Hockey India
India hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh made his international debut during the 2006 South Asian Games in Sri Lanka and has largely dominated the spot ever since. During the period, Bharat Chettri, Akash Chikte, Harjot Singh, Vikas Dahiya, Suraj Karkera have all played near second fiddle to the Keralite shot-stopper. Latest challenger to the role is Krishan Bahadur Pathak — and it seems the goalkeeper from Punjab can provide fierce competition.
Sreejesh's ability between the sticks cannot be questioned and his wealth of experience: three World Cups, two Olympic Games, two Commonwealth Games and two Asian Games, only helps the team in stiff situations. The Padma Shri and Arjuna Awardee has 234 caps to his name and he's deserved those. But it begs the question of 'who next' and Pathak has presented a strong show thus far.
Having started as Sreejesh's deputy in 2018 during the tour to New Zealand, he made his debut at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, before remaining as first choice reserve keeper on the tour to Australia, FIH Men's Series Finals and Hockey World Cup in 2018. He was part of the squad that won a silver medal at the Champions Trophy in 2018 and bronze medal at the Asian Games in the same year. At the Olympic Test Event in Japan, Pathak stepped up to the plate with Sreejesh rested. It highlighted that team unit was ready to give the 22-year-old more playing time.
In 2019, Pathak performed well during India's tour of Belgium and was integral to the squad for the FIH Series Finals and Olympic qualifiers. This year, he has been sharing the goalkeeping duties almost equally with Sreejesh during the FIH Pro League. His meteoric rise earned him the Baljit Singh Award for Goalkeeper of the Year 2019 at the third annual Hockey India Awards.
"It's a great feeling to win this award. And I don't think this is about me and for me alone because credit also goes to the team. If I've won this award for 2019, it is because we played well in the year. So credit also goes to them," he said on picking up the award on Sunday in the capital alongside a Rs 5 lakh cheque.
Incidentally, Sreejesh had won the honour in the first edition of the awards held back in 2014. On Sunday, he was one of the nominees alongside Pathak and women's squad members Rajani Etimarpu and Savita. But for Pathak, there is plenty of learning to do from Sreejesh even as competition gets stiffer for the Tokyo Olympics main keeper role.
Winners of the third Hockey India Annual Awards in New Delhi. Image: Hockey India
"I've been playing since 2018 and we both (PR Sreejesh) have had equal number of chances since then. There are things I learn from him, it feels good to play with him, with a senior member like him, it gives me plenty of motivation and presents a great learning opportunity as well."
"I've picked up (on) leadership, how to communicate well on the ground, how to lead the team, how to play in a pressure situation and to speak to the team. I've picked up those things from him."
Keep an eye on Pathak during the FIH Pro League contests recently against Netherlands, Belgium and Australia and you notice a charged up individual who keeps motivating the teammates from the sidelines. He acknowledges it is something he used to do from his 2016 Junior World Cup winnings days and keeps him motivated too. "During the Junior World Cup, motivating players was something I used to do quite often. Pumping up players even on the bench is an important aspect to do. If we're cheering for players from the sidelines, then it only helps the player. However positive we are, will make the player positive on the field of play. So even if I'm not involved in goal, I keep boosting the morale of my colleagues and keep communicating so I feel like I'm in the game myself," he stated.
Just 22, Pathak has plenty to do to make the goalkeeping job his own and build a legacy the way Sreejesh has. "It is important to keep this level of play considering I just started in 2018 so my career is very new. To keep improving, to take my career chart higher is on me. So I have to learn from my mistakes and use my good play as well. This is just early phase in my career, this is just the beginning," he said of a man confident in his abilities but one who remains grounded as well.
Firstpost
Women who inspire us: Lalremsiami
This Women's Day, we celebrate Indian hockey team forward Lalremsiami's grit and trace her journey to becoming a world-class striker.
Lalremsiami won the 2019 FIH Rising Star of the Year award. - special arrangement
The Indian women's hockey team was preparing in earnest for the all-important semifinal match against Chile in the FIH Series Finals in Hiroshima when Lalremsiami heard of her father’s demise. A win in the match would secure India a place in the Olympic Qualifiers and Lalremsiami decided to stay on to complete the task in Hiroshima.
“I wanted to make my father proud. I wanted to stay, play and make sure India qualified,” she would say after returning to her hometown.
Away from home, all of 19, the striker from Mizoram showed tremendous grit to play the next day and subsequently help India win the Finals for a two-leg face off against USA for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics berth.
She played a vital role in India's 6-5 aggregate win to help the nation seal back-to-back Olympic qualifications for the first time in its history.
Lalremsiami spectacular run through 2019, where India drew a series away to Spain and beat South Korea and Malaysia, saw her being awarded the FIH Rising Star of the Year award.
Hailing from a little known agricultural town called Kolasib, Lalremsiami left home to join a hockey academy in Thenzawl at the age of 11. She spent five years at the training centre before moving to the national academy in New Delhi in 2016. After noticing her potential during the camps, junior coach Baljit Singh Saini picked her for the U-18 Asian Youth Olympic Games qualifier.
Despite the language barrier, she was among the best performers for the team, which finished runner-up. Siami, as she is fondly called, finished with seven goals in five matches.
She made her senior team debut in 2017 in a Test series against Belarus, but her rise to fame began at the Hockey Women’s World Cup in 2018. Though she was the youngest member of the team (18), her ability to play the reverse-strike and her goal against Italy made her one of the standout performers for the team.
She has been a mainstay in the team since then and is a force in the forward line with captain Rani Rampal for company.
At the Tokyo event in August 2019, Lalremsiami scored the winning goal in the final against Japan. She scored two goals in the Asian Champions Trophy in Donghae to be named the U-21 rising star of the year.
With her phenomenal striking ability, India has in its hands a star for the present and the future. This Women’s Day, we celebrate Lalremsiami's grit, mental strength and talent.
Sportstar
Hockey India names core probables for junior women's national camp
The players will report for the national training camp at the Sports Authority of India in Bengaluru on Monday.
India junior women's hockey team at the Three Nations tournament in Australia. - SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Hockey India on Monday named the 37 core probables for the junior women's national coaching camp scheduled to begin on Monday.
Rashanpreet Kaur, Khushboo and F. Ramenmawii are the goalkeepers in the core list of probables.
Defenders Priyanka, Simran Singh, Marina Lalramnghaki, Gagandeep Kaur, Ishika Chaudhary, Jotika Kalsi, Sumita, Akshata Dhekale, Usha, Parneet Kaur, Mahima Choudhary and Suman Devi Thoudam are among those named for the national camp.
Baljeet Kaur, Mariana Kujur, Kirandeep Kaur, Prabhleen Kaur, Preeti, Ajmina Kujur, Vaishnavi Phalke, Kavita Bagdi, Baljinder Kaur, Sushma Kumari, Reet, Chetna are the midfielders, while Mumtaz Khan, Beauty Dungdung, Gurmail Kaur, Deepika, Lalrindinki, Jiwan Kishori Toppo, Rutuja Pisal, Sangita Kumari, Yogita Bora are the forwards who'll train at the SAI in Bengaluru from Monday.
David John, the high performance director of Hockey India, said: "Most of these players have been playing together for some time and know each other very well. The women’s team tasted success down under in the Three Nations tournament last December and will be hungry for more. We noted down the aspects we need to work on during the Three Nations tournament and we will ensure that the players show a huge improvement in the national coaching camp.
"The Indian junior women's hockey team played as a unit in the Three Nations tournament in Australia and are riding high on confidence. They played their hearts out and also with a lot of discipline. It will give the team a huge boost in confidence if they perform well in the various competitions this year and prove that the future is in safe hands," he added.
Sportstar
Superstar goalie Maddie Hinch to join EHL commentary team for FINAL8
Our commentary team for the upcoming EHL FINAL8 for Men and Women is confirmed and sees the commentary box reflecting the excitement of the new look event which sees another example of the mantra “Equally Amazing” given meaning.
Voice of the EHL Nick Irvine will be joined by both Simon Mason and Maddie Hinch as Europe’s top eight club teams for Men and Women take the stage at the famous Wagerer Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen ( 9-13 April 2020).
It is the first time that the Women’s competition will have had an equal footing with the men in the EHL which is widely regarded as the world’s leading club hockey competition.
The decision was made last year to extend the concept to the women’s competition which has run successfully for many years as the EuroHockey Club Cup but now enters a new and exciting Euro Hockey League era with equal prize money and equal broadcast production.
The voices of Nick and Simon will be well known to followers of the EHL but three time FIH goalkeeper of the year Maddie brings both the perspective of one of the world’s leading female players as well as recent experience of playing in both English and Dutch national leagues.
“I know just how much we are all looking forward to this joint event over Easter in the Netherlands “ said Nick Irvine.
“Maddie and I worked together on the EHCC at Surbiton in 2018 and that went well so I am delighted that Maddie is able to join us for this landmark competition. The EHL is now established as a favourite with players, officials and the fans and by extending our reach in this way I can only see it as a case of ‘The Best Getting Better!’
“I think all who watch hockey on their screens appreciate having contrasting voices and views and I am personally delighted that Maddie will be sharing her knowledge of and passion for the game with us all.”
Euro Hockey League media release
ROUND-UP: England Men's Hockey League
Old Georgians' Keenan Horne looks to round Exeter University goalkeeper Taylor Seaver-Green. Credit Peter Smith
Trailing at half time, Reading hit back to secure only their second league victory of the season and maintain their hopes of avoiding relegation from the Men’s Hockey League Premier Division.
Leo Watton’s goal had given fellow strugglers Brooklands MU the lead after five minutes of their clash at Sonning Lane.
But second half goals from Oscar Allen (2) and Peter Scott ensured Reading took the victory and will now go into the final weekend of the regular season with hopes of survival.
At the other end of the table the fight for home advantage in the play-offs will also not be decided until next weekend, with second-placed Hampstead & Westminster and third-placed Wimbledon both taking 6-1 victories.
Hampstead & Westminster are in the driving seat following their 6-1 win at East Grinstead which leaves them two points ahead of Wimbledon.
East Grinstead’s Luke Emmett gave them the lead in the opening minute, but Matt Guise Brown hit a hat-trick, while other Hampstead goals came from Kei Kaeppeler, Chris Cargo and Will Calnan.
Meanwhile for Wimbledon Ed Horler and Ronan Harvey-Kelly both scored two, while Phil Roper and Ben Arnold also put their names on the scoresheet.
Table-topping Surbiton were 7-1 winners at Beeston, with Luke Taylor scoring five and others coming from Alan Forsyth and David Goodfield. Adam Dixon scored Beeston’s consolation in the last minute.
Old Georgians were 5-2 winners at relegation-threatened university of Exeter, with Tom Carson and Sam Ward scoring two goals each, Ashley Jackson the other.
Division One North
Max van Laak found the net three times in an important win for University of Durham in the Men’s Division One North on Sunday.
The North-East based outfit hosted University of Nottingham and raced into a 3-0 lead at the half with van Laak scoring either side of Jack Stubbings’ goal from open play.
Van Laak added his third before the Nottinghamshire side scored two consolations with the University of Durham winning 4-2 and staying top of the table and in pole position to gain promotion.
Bowdon’s failure to win dented their promotion hopes, escaping with a 3-3 draw against visitors Loughborough Students.
Loughborough’s Ben Hooper and Jake Owen pegged the hosts back after Bowdon went ahead early.
The visitors then went into a 3-2 lead after a Bowdon equaliser but Simon Egerton’s second goal helped salvage a point for the promotion hopefuls.
Sheffield Hallam beat University of Birmingham 2-1 on Saturday while Cardiff & Met overcame City of Peterborough 5-4 in a frantic finish.
Bottom side Leeds took a point from fifth-placed Olton & West Warwicks, drawing 3-3.
Division One South
Oxted are in pole position to enter the promotion play offs in the Division One South with only two games remaining after a crushing 11-0 win against Fareham.
Sam Driver scored the bulk of the goals finding the net six times with Chris Porter, Chris Webster, Jac Cleaver, Mark Galloway and Max Gilbert also on scoresheet.
Oxted are now five points clear needing just two points to be confirmed Division One South champions.
Andrew Ross and George Torry were the scorers for second-placed Sevenoaks in their 2-0 home win over Oxford Hawks on Saturday.
Southgate can also catch Oxted on points difference thanks to their 4-1 victory at Canterbury on Saturday.
Elsewhere, Brighton & Hove beat Havant 2-1 and Team Bath Buccaneers recorded a 3-2 home win against Teddington.
Conference East
A 66th minute strike gave Cambridge City all three points against Spencer, sending them top of the Conference East table on Sunday as previous leaders Wapping had failed to win their fixture at London Edwardians on Saturday.
Gareth Andrew scored a first half hat-trick for Cambridge City before goals from Ross Watkins and Kyle Good levelled for Spencer.
Euan Gilmore was the saviour, scoring four minutes from time for Cambridge City who won 4-3.
Harleston Magpies won by the largest margin of the weekend with a 5-1 away win at Bedford.
Ben Gowing, Peter Bale and Tom Dunnett gave the visitors a 3-1 lead at the half before Thomas Ridley and Alex Weir-Simmons found the net in the second half to assure themselves all three points.
Conference North
Deeside Ramblers’ 5-1 victory at Lichfield on Saturday gave themselves a four-point cushion at the top of the Conference North table heading into the final two weeks.
Lichfield scored first after eight minutes but Ben Lamont, Rashad Al-Fazari, Ben Read, Warwick Ryan Beswick and Christopher Barber all hit the back of the net for Deeside who have only lost one league game all season.
Mateo Merlini scored a hat-trick in Barford Tigers’ 6-2 victory over Didsbury Northern with Damien Jarzembowski (2) and Franco Ramponi also on the scoresheet for the Tigers.
Barford remain the only team capable of catching Deeside at the top of the table but the Ramblers only need one win to see themselves as champions.
Conference West
Matt Murphy’s hat-trick helped top of the table Old Cranleighans extend their lead in the Conference West.
Charlie Lamb, Jack Smart and Will Phillips also scored in their 6-2 victory over hosts University of Exeter seconds.
The gap at the top was also extended thanks to second-placed Richmond’s 4-3 loss at the hands of visitors Harborne.
Richmond held a 3-2 lead heading into the final 15 minutes of play but James Harrison levelled for Harborne in the 56th minute before Stefan Sekula’s strike two minutes from time won the visitors the game.
Results:
Men’s Hockey League (Sat, 7 March 2020):
Division One North: Sheffield Hallam 2, Univ of Birmingham 1.
Division One South: Canterbury 1, Southgate 4; Sevenoaks 2, Oxford Hawks 0.
Conference East: Bromley & Beckenham 2, Chichester 2; London Edwardians 0, Wapping 0; St Albans 2, Old Loughtonians 3.
Conference North: Lichfield 1, Deeside Ramblers 5; Wakefield 1, Timperley 1.
Men’s Hockey League (Sun, 8 March 2020):
Premier Division: Beeston 1, Surbiton 7; East Grinstead 1, Hampstead & Westminster 6; Reading 3, Brooklands MU 1; Univ of Exeter 2, Old Cranleighans 5; Wimbledon 6, Holcombe 1.
Division One North: Bowdon 3, Loughborough Students 3; City of Peterborough 4, Cardiff & Met 5; Leeds 3, Olton & West Warwicks 3; Univ of Durham 4, Univ of Nottingham 2.
Division One South: Oxted 11, Fareham 0; Havant 1, Brighton & Hove 2; Team Bath Buccaneers 3, Teddington 2.
Conference East: Bedford 1, Harleston Magpies 5; Spencer 3, Cambridge City 4.
Conference North: Alderley Edge 3, Belper 4; Barford Tigers 6, Didsbury Northern 2; Preston 4, Doncaster 0.
Conference West: Ashmoor 2, Cardiff University 1; Cheltenham 3, Khalsa Leamington 2; Richmond 3, Harborne 4; Univ of Bristol 1, Isca 0; Univ of Exeter 2s 2, Old Cranleighans 6.
England Hockey Board Media release
Cannock Hockey show club spirit after ‘devastating’ year
By The Hockey Paper
Cannock HC players have remained upbeat
Five years ago, Cannock HC launched its #2020vision, a long term plan to become one of Europe’s leading, sustainable clubs.
As 2020 comes into vision, Cannock, around 115 years old, faces an uncertain future after being locked out of its Chase Park home in the summer. Yet, after this ‘devastating’ shock, the celebrated club has rallied and is now showing a real community club spirit.
Cannock’s hockey and cricket clubs were denied entry to their Chase Park home in June after receivers were called into the site following a dispute over mooted redevelopment of the ground as the clubs’ trading arm went under.
After Chase Park was put up for auction, a local Staffordshire millionaire businessman who won the bid then pulled out of the deal before the original developer snapped up the site in a second auction for £1.1 million. With a dilapidated clubhouse on a site which houses two water-based pitches, club officials are still uncertain of ever returning back home which has hosted a Euro Club Champions Cup and internationals in the last 15 years.
But it has been quite a six months for Cannock, the celebrated club which won seven men’s Premier Division titles in an 11-year spell until 2006. “It was quite a shock for the men’s and ladies’ sides,” admitted David Michael, the club treasurer and board member.
Thanks to players working in schools and local authorities, the club was able to hastily draw up a revised fixtures list playing at two venues, while the juniors have been playing at a different pitch. “The key was: how do we ensure that the club stayed together without going too far away from the Cannock name?” said Michael. “There just aren’t enough pitches in West Midlands and it has put a huge amount of pressure on us.”
Despite losing players and members, Cannock has subsequently picked up new players, while the 1s has also seen some former members return with national league experience.
It is understood that the purchaser would like hockey to continue at the grounds. But for many, the rundown clubhouse now “feels like the past”. Michael added: “We would like to go back but not at any price.”
Since June, the clubhouse has been broken into multiple times and for Michael it is a case of whether the club “wants to look forwards or backwards”.
Cannock have been boosted by support from England Hockey, who have helped with risk assessment, aiding with consultants and dealing with issues with Sport England, as well as trying to keep the club “pushing forwards”.
From a player’s perspective, Rufus Horn, the Cannock 3’s captain, says the club has simply reacted with positive intent.
“We’re seeing how the other half live,” he said, with the club having been devoid of a clubhouse and now playing on sand-based pitches as opposed to their two water-based surfaces.
Cannock members now have socials and after-match meals in a welcoming local pub. “We’ve still got a really good team spirit,” he said, “and everyone goes back to socialise.”
Horn added that some teams are over-subscribed, while the future remains bright. “From being really worried, we are looking forward to what may happen,” he said.
This story originally featured in a previous Hockey Paper edition. Don’t miss out! Subscribe in print or in digital format.
The Hockey Paper
2020 New Zealand National Masters Wraps Up
Canterbury Hockey played host to the 2020 National Masters Tournament in what was an exciting week for all involved. Nunweek and Ngā Puna Wai were the host venues for the tournament as the competition has now grown to such epic proportions that there was a record 82 teams entered for what is the largest tournament on the Hockey New Zealand Calendar. While the final placings below are an outstanding achievement for all the people involved, it can’t be forgotten how meaningful the friendships and rivalries both on and off the pitch are in creating this extraordinary and unique tournament.
Women’s 35
Wellington
Malvern
Auckland
Women’s 40
Tasman
Waikato
North Harbour
Women’s 45
Canterbury
Auckland
Manawatu
Women’s 50
Auckland
Tauranga/Waikato
Northland
Women’s 55
Auckland
Canterbury
Otago/Southland
Women’s 60
Tauranga/BOP
North Harbour
Canterbury/South Canterbury
Men’s 35
North Harbour
Tasman
Canterbury
Men’s 40
Canterbury
North Harbour
Auckland
Men’s 45
North Harbour
Auckland
Wellington
Men’s 50
Wellington
Tasman
North Harbour
Men’s 55
Tauranga
Auckland
Wellington
Men’s 60
Wellington
Auckland
Canterbury
Men’s 65
Canterbury
North Harbour
Kaimai
Hockey New Zealand Media release
A sit down with the Vantage Black Sticks Assistant Coach Katie Glynn
Katie Glynn has been the Assistant Coach of the Vantage Black Sticks since 2019. Not only is Katie an accomplished coaching having previously coached Secondary School Hockey at Diocesan, Auckland Aged Group Hockey as well as being the head coach of the New Zealand U21 Women’s Team.
During her remarkable playing career, Glynn amassed 134 caps for the Black Sticks and scored a whopping 77 goals during that time before being forced to retire from the game that she loved at the age of 26 due to lingering back and knee injuries.
During her stellar career, she had the privilege of representing New Zealand at the 2010 and 2014 World Cup, the 2010 and 2014 Commonwealth Games and the 2012 London Olympics where she was a part of the side that would fall in the Bronze Medal match.
When she retired from playing, Glynn stated that she was passionate about coaching and was looking forward to dedicating more time to this area now.”
We spoke with Glynn during the recent FIH Hockey Pro League matches at Ngā Puna Wai where she talked about her journey to becoming an elite-level coach.
Q – What has been your coaching journey so far?
Katie – I started coaching earlier than I thought when I was forced to retire early from playing due to injury. Coaching was a way for me to stay involved in the game that I love. Once I finished playing, I got involved at club level, and from there, I started to get involved in some age group rep coaching. More recently, I have been involved in the New Zealand junior programs.
Q – What courses have you gone through to get to the position your in today?
Katie – I have been involved with the Performance Coach advanced program, which is a two-year course. I am also on the NZOC women’s leadership program, which has given me some other different skills to bring into my coaching.
Q – What are some learnings that you have taken from your time as a player into coaching?
Katie – Coaching is a lot harder, your on the sideline and you cant jump on the turf and help out. One of the critical things I have learnt is the importance of the relationships that you build with all your athletes. Understanding your athletes, who they are, and how they like to communicate is essential to making the relationships with the athletes.
Q – What are your future goals that you would like to achieve in coaching?
Katie – I haven’t thought about it a lot, I love the game and want to be involved in the sport. I take each year and opportunity as they come.
Q – Why is having good female representation in coaching important?
Katie – Role models are essential, females understand females when you talk about relationships that is a crucial step in building those relationships. Women operate in different ways to men, and I believe having people with those different skillsets in a management staff is important.
Q – How did you embrace the role of being a role model in your time working at a school?
Katie – When I was working at Dio, I reflected on what I struggled with at school, which was finding balance. I tried to take my learnings and support them with some of the challenges that they had.
Q – Hockey is a sport at the forefront of equality in sports. Why do you think that is so unique and important in hockey?
Katie – Its sport for everyone, you want everyone to participate and enjoy it. No matter what you are going through, you want people to feel welcome and accepted.
Hockey New Zealand Media release
Irish Men's EYHL & EYHL2 Round-up 8 March 2020
The battle to avoid the relegation playoff place is heating up with YMCA and Pembroke both picking up useful results in their bid to stay in the top tier of the men’s EY Hockey League.
For the Y, it was their second win in three outings and while they remain in ninth place, their form guide has given them a huge chance of avoiding the playoff after they beat Corinthian 2-1.
They trailed 1-0 at Wesley to a Craig Mackay goal after just seven minutes before penalty corner goals from Grant Glutz and Ben Campbell swapped the lead in the first half. No further goals came but there was plenty of drama as YM held on for the win.
Pembroke, meanwhile, saw Alan Sothern score twice in the last three minutes to earn a 4-4 draw against Monkstown, putting a dent in Town’s outside title aspirations. Pembroke led twice in the first half via Jack Ryan and Greg Chambers before a Gareth Watkins hat trick and one from Mark Gibbons seemed to swing the tie Monkstown’s way.
Lisnagarvey’s position at the top was strengthened by the outcome as they won 4-3 at Three Rock Rovers with two first quarter goals laying the base for the win. They hold a five-point lead over Banbridge but now with two games in hand over the nearest rivals.
Bann were 2-1 winners over UCD who fronted up well but could not catch a break as their tough run now extends to five defeats. For Bann, they have 22 out of the last 24 available as Josh Moffett’s double put them on course for the result.
Glenanne made it three wins in a row to move up to fifth place as they won 6-4 – for the second week running – against Annadale with Stu Ronan and Johnny McCormack’s goals in the last 10 minutes proving vital. Dale are now 11 points adrift at the bottom.
EYHL Division 1: Glenanne 6 (R Shaw 2, J McCormack 2, S Boucher, S Ronan) Annadale 4 (R Burgess 3, D Tremlett); Pembroke 4 (A Sothern 2, G Chambers, J Ryan) Monkstown 4 (G Watkins 3, M Gibbons); Three Rock Rovers 3 (R Canning 2, E Jennings) Lisnagarvey 4 (J Lorimer 2, J Lynch, D Nelson); UCD 1 (J Guilfoyle) Banbridge 2 (J Moffett 2); YMCA 2 (G Glutz, B Campbell) Corinthian 1 (C Mackay)
Next week's fixtures
Saturday, March 14th: Three Rock Rovers v Pembroke, Grange Road, 1.30pm; Corinthian v UCD, Belfield, 2pm; Banbridge v Glenanne, Havelock Park, 2.45pm; Lisnagarvey v YMCA, Comber Road, 3pm; Monkstown v Annadale, ALD Merrion Fleet Arena, 4pm
Men’s EYHL – day 13 extended reports
YMCA 2 (G Glutz, B Campbell) Corinthian 1 (C Mackay)
YMCA won what could be a crucial contest in the battle to avoid the relegation playoff place as they came from a goal down to beat local rivals Corinthian 2-1 at Wesley. YM started the brighter, flashing a great chance across the face of goal in the first minute.
But, after absorbing a lot of pressure, the reds took the lead in the seventh minute from their first chance when the ball fell to Craig Mackay on the baseline and he slotted home from a tight angle.
YM ramped up the tempo – in what was a tie played at an intense pace – and converted two corners in the second quarter, the first from Grant Glutz and a second from Ben Campbell to take the lead just before half-time.
The second half continued at high speed with the reds trying to push on to get an equaliser but it was the hosts who had the better of the chances. They were awarded a stroke at one stage in a manic sequence of events; Ross Henderson chipped over his namesake, Charlie, but a flying Henry Micks tipped the looping ball onto the bar.
The ball fell to Ben Campbell who had the goal at his mercy but did not get a clean connection to his volley under pressure from some flailing defensive sticks and the ball bounced wide. A stroke was initially awarded but an umpires’ consultation saw a free out given instead, deeming the shot was not impeded.
Ben Cullen was also set through one-on-one but Charlie Henderson got out well to tip the ball away before contact. YM were reduced to eight players for part of the last five minutes with Iain Patterson, Matthew Walker and Harry McCarthy in the bin.
Corinthian had a corner repelled by Jakim Bernsden while Ian Stewart claimed for a stroke in the closing minutes but it was waved away as his shot went wide from close range.
Three Rock Rovers 3 (R Canning 2, E Jennings) Lisnagarvey 4 (J Lorimer 2, J Lynch, D Nelson)
Lisnagarvey moved another big step closer to retaining the men’s EY Hockey League as a strong start put them in position for this win over fourth placed Three Rock Rovers. They were 2-0 up in the first quarter from a quick strike from Daniel Nelson and a penalty corner just inside the left post from James Lorimer.
Evan Jennings finished off after the breakdown of a short corner to get the home side back into it, making 2-1 at half-time. Johnny Lynch restored the gap with a very well taken third for Garvey, controlling an in-field pass inside the Rovers half and powering a shot past Conor Quinn from the top of the circle.
Rovers again got one back thanks to a reverse-stick shot from Ross Canning as the hosts enjoyed a spell in command but were denied an equaliser by the outstretched James Milliken from a Harry Morris effort.
The last quarter was a tense affair as Garvey scored another short corner through Lorimer for 4-2 – making two from three corners. Rovers again got one back from a Canning stroke but Garvey held on for a deserved win, keeping them five points clear of second placed Banbridge but with two games in hand.
Pembroke 4 (A Sothern 2, G Chambers, J Ryan) Monkstown 4 (G Watkins 3, M Gibbons)
Alan Sothern scored twice in the last three minutes to earn a vital point for Pembroke that keeps them out of the relegation playoff place on goal difference, putting a dent in Monkstown’s title aspirations.
Pembroke had led in the first minute but a Gareth Watkins penalty stroke tied things up at 1-1 at quarter time. Simon Thornton’s heroics kept it that way and allowed the hosts to take the lead with Greg Chambers getting on the end of a great move for 2-1 just before half-time.
Monkstown, though, turned things around in quick succession in the third quarter when Watkins netted his second stroke in the 43rd minute and then completed his hat trick from play.
Mark Gibbons looked to have got the killer fourth goal with 10 minutes to go, making it 4-2. But Sothern is in a remarkable vein of form and he ran up his 15th and 16th goals in his last six games to make it a draw, the first an excellent effort from play, the next yet another stroke.
Glenanne 6 (R Shaw 2, J McCormack 2, S Boucher, S Ronan) Annadale 4 (R Burgess 3, D Tremlett)
Two goals in the last eight minutes saw Glenanne remarkably win 6-4 for the second week running to rise up to fifth place in the men’s EYHL table, eventually shaking off Annadale at St Andrew’s.
David Tremlett put Dale 1-0 up at quarter-time from play but a couple of quickfire goals from Richie Shaw swapped the lead by the 20th minute. Another flurry of Glens goals put them in what should have been cruise control by the 44th minute as Shannon Boucher and Johnny McCormack put them 4-1 up.
Ryan Burgess, however, promptly nailed a three-minute hat trick to level it at 4-4 with 16 minutes still to go before Glenanne steadied themselves with Stu Ronan and McCormack capitalising. After waiting four months for a win, it was their third three-pointer in succession.
UCD 1 (J Guilfoyle) Banbridge 2 (J Moffett 2)
Banbridge moved into second place on their own courtesy of Josh Moffett’s second half double at Belfield as the students woes continued with a fifth successive league defeat.
After a scoreless first half, Bann went in front in the third quarter and Moffett doubled up with three minutes to go. John Guilfoyle got one back for the students a minute late but too late to change the outcome of the contest.
For Bann, it made it 22 points from the last 24 available and coach Gordon Cracknell said it was a tough result to dig out.
“UCD were very good today and made it very difficult for us. We stuck at it and I think we got our just rewards in the end.
“We did start poorly [this season] but the team has really pulled together and are on a great run now. We’ve got to keep working at it and, if we do, we will be where we need to be. Unbeaten in Dublin this season and that is a big achievement.”
To that end, the adapted well with Alex Tinney and Sam Farson both out injured with schoolboys like twins Louis and Charlie Rowe featuring alongside their older brother Eddie.
For UCD’s Michael Styles he was frustrated not to get more from the tie, feeling they had their chances: “We’ve played really well today, defended really well and created so many chances. Three shots just hit their goalkeeper, we had one taken off the line – as a coach, you are annoyed to have lost but really proud of the effort and standard the lads played at. That’s the way things go.”
EYHL2
Men’s EY Hockey League Division 2 round-up
Cork C of I became the first men’s side to be guaranteed a place in the final four of the men’s EYHL Division 2, giving them the chance of bouncing straight back up to the national division.
They proved too strong for Instonians at Garryduff with John Jermyn’s hat trick proving pivotal in a 6-2. Jonny Bruton put C of I one up in the 11th minute before Chris Kirk’s penalty stroke levelled matters.
But the Cork side went on to score the next five goals with Jermyn and Bruton on the mark in the second quarter before Jermyn and Stephen Parker made it 5-1 by the end of the third quarter. Jermyn traded goals with William Robinson from corners to end it at 6-2.
The result opened the door for Railway Union to leap into second place in the group thanks to a 7-1 win at Avoca with Daragh Curley scoring three of them. They were in control from early on, leading 4-0 at half-time, and they never really looked back, rising to 13 points, two ahead of Inst who they play in the final round of group games on April 4th.
In Pool B, Julian Dale netted all four goals for Cork Harlequins in their 4-2 win over Kilkeel to move back to the top of the table after a hard-fought encounter. Kilkeel opened the scoring with a lovely David Finlay touch but Dale equalised from a stroke after a goalbound shot hit a player’s body.
Quins took the lead soon after via a Dale drag, the first of three. Eddie Agnew got a scrappy equaliser for Kilkeel after some pressure, the ball trickling over the line in the end.
But another Dale drag took the lead at 3-2 with eight minutes to go and while Kilkeel had two corners to try and equalise, they could not take them while Dale did take his chance.
Cookstown, meanwhile, got right back into the frame for a semi-final berth thanks to a 3-2 win over Clontarf. All the goals came in the first half; Paul Watt put the Co Tyrone side 1-0 up; Kevin Murray levelled and Ryan Millar made it 2-1 to the hosts with 15 minutes played.
John Mullins equalised for Tarf but Scott McCabe got what proved to be the killer blow in the last minute of the half. Clontarf stay in second place, however, by virtue of their losing bonus point from this game.
For both clubs, if they can record home wins on April 4th, they can go through to the semi-finals. Clontarf host Kilkeel while Cookstown meet Harlequins.
Men's EYHL Division 2
Pool A: Avoca 1 (J Elmes) Railway Union 7 (D Curley 3, R Devlin, H Heisterkamp, M Fulham, F Keaveney); Cork C of I 6 (J Jermyn 3, J Bruton 2, S Parker) Instonians 2 (C Kirk, W Robinson)
Pool B: Cookstown 3 (P Watt, R Millar, S McCabe) Clontarf 2 (K Murray, J Mullins); Cork Harlequins 4 (J Dale 4) Kilkeel 2 (D Finlay, E Agnew)
Irish Hockey Association media release
Irish Women's EYHL & EYHL2 Round-Up 8 March 2020
A manic double-weekend in the women’s EYHL ended as it started with Loreto leading the way by three points but that situation only occurred with one of the last touches on Sunday evening.
The Beaufort side fell 2-1 to Pegasus on Saturday in a feisty affair, giving up a 1-0 half-time lead as Ruth Maguire and Alex Speers turned things around in a card-fest.
With Old Alex beating Catholic Institute on Saturday afternoon, also 2-1, it meant the table halfway through the weekend had three sides level on 28 points as this epic battle continues to rage on.
Sunday saw UCD close the gap to the top trio as they backed up a 4-1 Saturday win over Belfast Harlequins with a 1-0 win over Pegs at Queen’s courtesy of Katherine Egan’s single goal.
That left the chance for either Old Alex or Loreto to move clear if they could win their Sunday tussle but it looked to be heading for a draw when Hannah Matthews and Millie O’Donnell traded goals with only minutes to go. But Ali Meeke weighed in with a crucial final minute effort for a 2-1 win that lifts Loreto clear, albeit with a game extra played that the next three sides in the table.
Pembroke are also making a charge for the playoffs as they recorded a six-point weekend. On Saturday, they defeated Cork Harlequins with Emily Beatty netting twice in a 3-1 success.
A day later, they held off Belfast Harlequins 4-3 at Deramore Park to sit in fifth place, four points off the playoffs but with an extra game still to play.
Belfast Quins remain bottom with five points to make up now on Railway Union in ninth. Railway ended a six-game losing streak on Saturday when Sarah Hawkshaw struck the winning goal in a 2-1 win over Muckross.
Muckross bounced back to beat Cork Quins on Sunday 1-0 thanks to a Susie Cannon goal in the 21st minute. Catholic Institute, meanwhile, got the best of Railway 3-0 with Laura Foley, Roisin Upton and Rosie Pratt all scoring.
The upshot is Insta move to a season’s high position of sixth; Muckross are back into seventh just ahead of Cork Harlequins on goal difference. Railway have four points to make up on them if they are to avoid the relegation playoff.
In EYHL2, Corinthian confirmed they will top Pool A after they beat Trinity 3-2. The students remain in second thanks to a losing bonus point while Cork C of I kept up their mathematical chances of qualifying for the semis with a 3-0 win over NUIG.
In Pool B, Ards won 12-0 against Greenfields to sit top of the table. Monkstown are second after six points out of eight over the weekend courtesy of a 2-1 win over Queen’s and a Sunday 1-1 draw with UCC.
Queen’s bounced back to beat Greenfields on Sunday 4-0, leaving the battle for second spot in the melting pot.
Women’s EYHL Division 1
Saturday: Old Alex 2 (E Ryan-Doyle, S Robinson) Catholic Institute 1 (R Upton); Pegasus 2 (R Maguire, A Speers) Loreto 1 (H Mulcahy); Pembroke 3 (E Beatty 2, J Ringwood) Cork Harlequins 1 (E O’Leary); Railway Union 2 (Z Delany, S Hawkshaw) Muckross 1 (S Barnwell); UCD 4 (E Curran, N Carey, A Russell, KJ Marshall) Belfast Harlequins 1 (L Colvin)
Sunday: Belfast Harlequins 3 (J Dennison 2, L Geddes) Pembroke 4 (S Loughran, G Pinder, H O’Donnell, J Ringwood); Catholic Institute 3 (L Foley, R Upton, R Pratt) Railway Union 0; Cork Harlequins 0 Muckross 1 (S Cannon); Pegasus 0 UCD 1 (K Egan); Loreto 2 (H Matthews, A Meeke) Old Alex 1 (M O’Donnell)
EYHL Division 2 - Pool A: Corinthian 3 (L McGrane, N Torrans, S Quill) Trinity 2 (A Long, I Delamer); NUIG 0 Cork C of I 3 (C Sexton, M Ryan, H-K Finn)
Pool B
Saturday: Ards 12 (Z Malseed 5, A Carson 3, E Reid, A Benson, H Platt, A Adams) Greenfields 0; Monkstown 2 (S Moore 2) Queens University 1 (K Ferguson)
Sunday: Queen’s 4 (E Getty 2, T Hastings, J McMaster) Greenfields 0; Monkstown 1 (S Moore) UCC 1 (J Clein)
Next week’s fixtures (Saturday, March 14th)
EYHL: Catholic Institute v Belfast Harlequins, Rosbrien, 1pm; Cork Harlequins v Pegasus, Farmers’ Cross, 1.05pm; Railway Union v Old Alex, Park Avenue, 2.15pm; Muckross v Loreto, Muckross Park, 3.15pm; Pembroke v UCD, Serpentine Avenue, 4pm
EYHL Division 2 Pool A: Trinity v NUIG, Santry Avenue, 2pm; Lurgan v Cork C of I, Lurgan JHS, 2.30pm
Pool B: Queen’s v UCC, Malone Road, 1pm; Ards v Monkstown, Londonderry Park, 2.30pm
Women's EYHL Day 14 & 15 – extended reports
Saturday
Pegasus 2 (R Maguire, A Speers) Loreto 1 (H Mulcahy)
Loreto looked set for a comfortable victory after dominating the first half and going into the break 1-0 up but Pegasus were the better side after the break, scoring twice in quick succession to seal a crucial three points.
The match at the Dub was steeped in controversy with the umpires showing no fewer than eight cards, including a 10-minute yellow to Ireland World Cup star Ali Meeke for dissent.
Her Loreto team mate Sarah Evans was shown three cards, a green followed by a yellow and then another green while Pegasus starlet Olivia Berry received a green and a yellow.
Pegasus coach Greg Thompson said: "Loreto will go home feeling aggrieved at some of the decisions but these things tend to balance out over the course of a season."
"I wasn't happy with our first-half display and I asked the players for more application and intensity and, fortunately, they responded well."
Loreto broke the deadlock in the eighth minute when Hayley Mulcahy latched on to a quick free and hammered in a superb backhand shot. The Dublin side were well on top after that boost and it took several fine saves from Megan Todd to keep her team in the game.
Two minutes into the second-half, Pegasus levelled matters when Ruth Maguire converted a penalty stroke after 'feet' in the circle.
Four minutes later, Alex Speers scored what turned out to be the winner, drifting across the circle before firing home a backhand shot, the ball entering the net off the far post.
Loreto forced two penalty corners in quick succession in the last minute, Meeke seeing yellow after the umpire had originally awarded a free out for the second before changing her mind after a consultation, but the Pegasus defence held firm.
UCD 4 (E Curran, N Carey, A Russell, KJ Marshall) Belfast Harlequins 1 (L Colvin)
UCD continued to move back into range of the leaders with a strong 4-1 win over Belfast Harlequins at Belfield. They were unable to breakthrough in the first half despite a series of three penalty corners but they eventually got on the board in the third quarter courtesy of Ellen Curran from a penalty corner.
Lizzie Colvin equalised from a Quin corner but parity was short-lived as Niamh Carey finished off a great team move, aided and abetted by Hannah McLoughlin. Abbie Russell put UCD out of sight with eight minutes to go.
And the extra insurance goal came soon after when Curran drove from the top of the circle to find Katie-Jane Marshall’s stick and she fired home her first goal for UCD.
Pembroke 3 (E Beatty 2, J Ringwood) Cork Harlequins 1 (E O’Leary)
Pembroke saw off an understrength Cork Harlequins 3-1 at Serpentine Avenue to keep them rolling along in fifth place with Emily Beatty’s twin corner deflections doing the damage.
She opened the scoring in the ninth minute from a set play but Emily O’Leary ensure the game was all square going into half-time at 1-1 with a 28th minute effort.
But Pembroke’s penalty corner game was solid with Jilly Ringwood restoring the advantage 13 minutes into the second half from another set piece move. Beatty then completed the win with another touch from a corner inside the last five minutes to put Pembroke out of range.
Quins were without Lauren Cripps, Enya O’Donoghue and Nikki Barry for the encounter.
Railway Union 2 (Z Delany, S Hawkshaw) Muckross 1 (S Barnwell)
Railway ended a run of six successive defeats to record their first win since November, putting daylight between them and bottom placed Belfast Harlequins. It was a very even contest throughout with Muckross earning the first corners while Kate Dillon tested Ellie McLoughlin at the far end and the recent Irish call-up also did well to keep out Kate Lloyd in a scoreless first half.
Muckross went in front in Q3 when Sophie Barnwell tapped in at the back post from a corner move but Railway were level inside two minutes. It was the same corner move as Muckross used for their goal and it ended with Zara Delany putting in the rebound.
Railway continued to push on into the final quarter and got their reward with eight minutes to go when Sarah Hawkshaw shot into the goal with a reverse-stick shot. Muckross had a corner in the dying moments but Railway kept it out to preserve a precious win.
Old Alex 2 (E Ryan-Doyle, S Robinson) Catholic Institute 1 (R Upton)
Old Alex moved into a three-way share of first place on Saturday evening as they came back from a goal down to beat Catholic Institute 2-1. Roisin Upton continued her excellent goalscoring run when she put Insta in front in the 10th minute from the penalty spot.
But Alex started to turn the tide in the second quarter when they levelled through Emilie Ryan-Doyle and Sarah Robinson scored from another penalty stroke in the first minute of the second half to make it 2-1.
Sunday
Loreto 2 (H Matthews, A Meeke) Old Alex 1 (M O’Donnell)
Ali Meeke’s final minute touch to a Sarah Torrans pass was the last, and most telling, moment of a jam-packed EY Hockey League double weekend as it saw Loreto rebuild a three-point lead at the top of the table.
That advantage had been wiped out on Saturday afternoon but they bounced back to lead 1-0 in the second quarter via Hannah Matthews from a penalty corner. In what was a ding-dong battle throughout the field, there was plenty of spice to the exchanges but Alex got back to 1-1 with just a few minutes left on the clock via Millie O’Donnell
That would have seen four teams covered by just two points had it stayed that way but Loreto summoned one last attack and Meeke cashed in and her side lead again by three, albeit with a game extra played than Pegasus and Old Alex with UCD lurking a point further back, also with a game in hand.
Belfast Harlequins 3 (J Dennison 2, L Geddes) Pembroke 4 (S Loughran, G Pinder, H O’Donnell, J Ringwood)
Belfast Harlequins' hopes of avoiding automatic relegation from the EY Irish Hockey League for the first time suffered another blow when they lost a seven goal thriller to Pembroke at Deramore.
Quins, who went down 4-1 to UCD in Dublin on Saturday, remain five points adrift at the foot of the table with just four games left.
Bethany Barr, back from a lengthy injury break, set up the opener after only seven minutes when she supplied the pass for Lucy Geddes to finish after a good move down the left.
But Pembroke equalised almost immediately when Sinead Loughran deflected home a great ball in from Maebh Horan.
Seven minutes later, Gill Pinder scored a brilliant second, the Ireland World Cup star firing home powerfully into the corner of the net after exchanging passes with Alice Ward.
Hayley O'Donnell made it 3-1 in the 27th minute from a penalty corner and Julie Dennison pulled one back from a similar situation with 19 minutes left.
Jill Ringwood added Pembroke's fourth after being set up by Ward, with the home defence left exposed after squandering a set-piece at the other end.
Dennison again reduced the deficit with a brilliant solo effort with four minutes left but Quins were unable to find an equaliser.
Pegasus 0 UCD 1 (K Egan)
UCD continue to close the gap to the leaders with a third straight win and have now taken points off each of the sides ahead of them in the last few weeks. They went in front in the first quarter when Niamh Carey worked like a tiger in the D to get a shot off and Katherine Egan stole in to put the loose ball away.
They made most of the play in the first quarter before the second period was more balanced with Clodagh Cassin called on to make some important interventions.
Lena Tice marshalled a very strong defensive after that with UCD skipper Ellen Curran dominating the midfield in a very high pace game. Despite Pegasus’s consistent effort and significant pressure – especially when the students were reduced to 10 players late on – UCD held on for the win in a game of no penalty corners.
Catholic Institute 3 (L Foley, R Upton, R Pratt) Railway Union 0
Catholic Institute added to their excellent post-Christmas form with a 3-0 win over Railway Union to rise to a season highest position of sixth. Laura Foley put them in front in the 14th minute before they had to weather several Railway penalty corners.
At the far end, Roisin Upton scored for the fourth successive game with another penalty stroke for a 2-0 advantage in the third quarter and the result was safe when Rosie Pratt netted the third with under four minutes to go.
Cork Harlequins 0 Muckross 1 (S Cannon)
Muckross got their first win since December via Susie Cannon’s 21st minute goal at Farmers’ Cross. It lifts them up to seventh place, above Cork Harlequins on goal difference and four points clear of the relegation playoff spot occupied by Railway Union.
EYHL Division 2 round-up
Corinthian guaranteed themselves top spot in Pool A with a 3-2 win over Trinity at Whitechurch Park, building a three-goal lead which they eventually held on to.
The reds started well and went in front from a quick counter-attack via Jodie Douglas and Milly Lynch which ended in Lauren McGrane scoring in the 12th minute. Number two came from Nicola Torrans when Camila Arbulo intercepted and passed to the teenager who calmly netted.
It remained that way through Q3 before Sara Quill extended the lead to 3-0 in the fourth phase. Ailish Long got one back with nine minutes to go against her former club and Isy Delamer netted a scrappy goal in the last minute, earning what might prove a vital bonus point for Trinity. It lifts them above Lurgan by a point with two games each remaining.
Cork C of I kept up a mathematical chance of advancing when they beat NUIG for a second time this term. It was 0-0 at half-time but second half goals from Ciara Sexton, Mel Ryan and Hannah-Kate Finn – all between the 48th and 59th minutes – earned a 3-0 result.
In Pool B, Zara Malseed was the weekend’s big scorer with five goals in Ards’ 12-0 tonking of Greenfields. It lifts them to 20 points and they ended the weekend two points clear of Monkstown who are on 18.
Town got six points from the eight on offer this weekend, starting with a 2-1 win on Saturday against Queen’s. Koren Ferguson put the Ulster side in front at half-time but Sophie Moore first-timed an equaliser in the third quarter and then deflected in Amber Barnwell’s ball for the winner with 14 minutes to go in spite of concerted late Queen’s pressure.
A day later, Town fell behind again at half-time with Jenny Clein giving UCC the advantage from Caoimhe Perdue’s assist. But Town fought back and Moore was on hand again with her third goal in two days to make it 1-1.
It keeps the Dubliners in second place in the group while UCC are three points back; Queen’s stayed in the hunt with a 4-0 win over Greenfields. All sides have two games to play in this competition, starting next Saturday.
Irish Hockey Association media release
Eye-catching results in the Scottish Premiership
This weekend’s Premiership matches have been full of eye-catching results – Hillhead beating Western Wildcats in the men’s league and Glasgow University holding Western Wildcats to a 2-2 draw in the women`s – but at the end of the day Grange men have extended their lead to nine points at the top of the Premiership while Clydesdale Western and Edinburgh University are four points in front in the women`s league.
Photo by Andy Lovat
Hillhead produced the result of the day with a 4-2 win over second-placed Western Wildcats and pushed themselves up to seventh in the table.
That did not look the likely outcome when Fraser Moran put the Wildcats into the lead. A double from Graeme Campbell put the Wildcats on the back foot and gave Hillhead a 2-1 lead at the interval.
Then Hillhead`s Fraser Ward entered the second half campaign, he scored from open play to make it 3-1, he converted from the spot for the fourth, then missed from the same distance to keep the contest alive.
30 seconds into the final quarter Fraser Calder pulled the score back to 4-2, then it became interesting. As the Wildcats pressed to get back into the contest Hillhead defended five penalty corners with Jamie Frail equal to the occasion.
The result proved to be Grange`s benefit as the champions extended their lead to nine points after seeing off Watsonians with a comfortable 4-0 win.
Aussie Josh McRae gave the champions a single goal lead at the interval, but then further strikes came from Jacob Tweedie, Callum Milne and Callum Lothian in the second half.
A 4-2 victory for Grove Menzieshill over Kelburne pushed the Taysiders into second place in the table. However, it was the Paisley side who took a first half lead through Ciaran Wilcox. But by the interval the Taysiders took command with goals from Jamie Golden and Keir Robb for a 2-1 lead.
In the second half Grove Menzieshill strode into a 4-1 lead through Luke Cranney and Robb again, before Finn Halliday notched a consolation for the visitors.
Edinburgh University kept up their impressive run with a convincing 3-0 win over Uddingston at Peffermill.
After a tight first half Edinburgh`s Guy Rowson broke the deadlock after good work up the right hand side by Ian Moodie.
The third quarter was the catalyst, a direct flick at a penalty corner by Jack Jamieson doubled the home side`s tally and a counter-attack led by Moodie again set up the third for Cypriot Costas Stylianou.
The final game of the day saw Dundee Wanderers collect another with a 1-1 draw with Clydesdale.
Clydesdale Western and Edinburgh University have opened up a four point lead at the top of the women`s Premiership.
Clydesdale remain in front with an 8-0 win over Gordonians, there were two goals each for Emma McGregor and Jen Eadie.
The Edinburgh students were similar convincing victors seeing off Hillhead 7-0, there were seven individual scorers.
The chasing pack did not fare as well, third-placed Wildcats failed to capitalise with a 2-2 draw against Glasgow University.
The Auchenhowie side went ahead through Rona Stewart but Glasgow levelled through Bex Jones from a penalty and then went ahead through a break-away strike by Lucy Jamieson. Kate Holmes brought the scores back to 2-2 with a drag flick, Wildcats then hit the post twice and keeper Rachel Strachan made several saves, but that is how the score stood at the end.
Other top four contenders Dundee Wanderers and Watsonians had their progress limited by a 1-1 draw on Tayside.
Both sides had chances in the first half, Watsonans had five penalty corners and hit a post while Wanderers had the ball in the net a couple of times but were disallowed.
In the third quarter Emily Dark threw a huge aerial, it was picked up by Vikki Bunce, her shot was partially saved but hit a Watsonians` defender on the line, and at the resulting penalty Dark converted to open the scoring.
Watsonians were the more progressive side in the final quarter, and just as the game seemed to be falling away, the Edinburgh side were awarded a penalty corner and Sarah Jamieson converted with less than a minute remaining for a share of the points.
GHK were also movers with a 3-1 away win at Grove Menzieshill to move into seventh place. Yemisi Edgar scored twice for the Glasgow side with Carly Bissett getting the other, Lucy Murray got Grove Menzieshill`s consolation.
Scottish Hockey Union media release
Blazers punish wasteful Spartans
By AGNES MAKHANDIA
Blazers' Flavia Mutiva (left) vies for the ball with USIU-A Spartans forward Rhoda Kuira during their Kenya Hockey Union women's Premier League match at the City Park Stadium, Nairobi on March 8, 2020. PHOTO | COURTESY |
Midfielder Caroline Guchu scored the sole goal in the second half as champions Blazers, formerly Telkom, launched their title defence with a 1-0 win against A stubborn United States International University- Africa (USIU-A) Spartans 1-0 during the women’s Kenya Hockey Union Premier League match at the City Park Stadium in Nairobi on Sunday.
Guchu scored in the 47 minute through a superb field goal.
At the same time, debutantes Dutch Flower Group (DFG) Wolverines held regulars Strathmore University's Scorpions to a barren draw in the earlier match played at the same venue.
Wolverines, alongside Oranje Leonas, earned promotion to the top tier after finishing in the top two positions in the Super League last season.
Reached for comment, a visibly frustrated Scorpions coach Meshack Senge was disappointed with the result.
“There was no urgency at all and no individual effort from the players was noticed as well. Two points lost and it’s sad that we began the season with a draw. We have to work on our finishing going forward," Senge said.
DFG Wolverines coach Denis Owoka was happy with the point.
“Getting a point from Strathmore is a big deal since they have been in the Premier League for the longest time. We haven’t trained together as a team and going forward we hope to improve on our midfield," noted Owoka.
In the matching pitting record holder Blazers against the Spartans, the students dominated in both quarters of the first half. but were wasteful as both teams headed to the breather goalless.
On return, Blazers grew in the game, but once again the students were a better side in the third quarter, but the champions had goalkeeper Cnythia Odhiambo to thank with her superb saves.
The students were later punished for their poor delivery when Guchu tapped in Rachel Ousa's shot to put Blazers 1-0 up in the third quarter.
USIU-A continued to push for an equalizer, but Blazers held onto the lead.
Daily Nation