News for 06 June 2017
All the news for Tuesday 6 June 2017
Harmanpreet scores twice as India beat Belgium 3-2
DUSSELDORF: India's dragflick sensation Harmanpreet Singh scored twice to ensure a 3-2 victory over Belgium in a battle of nerves at the Three Nations Invitational Tournament here on Monday.
Earlier in the tournament, India had lost 1-2 to Belgium in their first match and drew 2-2 with Germany in their second game. It was goals by Harmanpreet Singh (34', 38') and forward Ramandeep Singh (49') that helped India win.
After losing their previous game 1-2 to Germany on Sunday, Belgium made a strong start against India by playing an attacking game right from the word go.
The 2016 Rio Olympics silver medallists showed precision and were dominant with skill and ball possession. Though India caught them on the wrong foot early on by earning back-to-back PCs, they could not convert the chances.
Belgium, however, came up with a brilliant field goal, thanks to Amaury Keusters, to take a 1-0 lead in the 13th minute and put India under pressure.
India played cautiously in the second quarter, not allowing Belgian attackers easy penetration inside the striking circle. Meanwhile, India won two PCs in the 23rd and 24th minute but Harmanpreet's well-struck flick was blocked by Belgian defenders. The second quarter went goalless.
Going into the second half, India continued to trail but their breakthrough came in the 34th minute when they bagged their fifth PC of the match. This time Harmanpreet was impeccable with his dragflick, making sure he converted to give India the equaliser.
His exploits didn't stop at that. In the 38th minute, he converted another goal through a tactfully-earned PC to help India claim a 2-1 lead over Belgium. Though Belgium earned a PC in the 40th minute, India goalkeeper Vikas Dahiya did well to come up with an impressive save and kept the lead.
There was a lot of action in this quarter with both teams trading PCs. Belgium found success in the 45th minute through Tanguy Cosyns brilliantly struck flick. This was Belgium's fourth PC of the match.
With the score reading 2-2, it all came down to the final quarter where both teams pushed hard to seal the match in their favour.
India held their nerve with a strong fight back, constantly attacking the Belgian defence and make space in the D. India forward Ramandeep Singh was the one to find the breakthrough with good assist by his compatriots in the 49th minute.
His successful shot on goal helped India regain the lead with the score reading 3-2. The Indian defenders were commendable in their effort to keep India in the lead and eventually win the match.
India play Germany on Tuesday.
The Times of India
Canada and France play to exciting 5-5 draw in second exhibition match
Shaheed Devji
Canada’s Matthew Sarmento (front) and Scott Tupper (back) at World League Round 2 in Saint-Germain, France in May 2013 (By Marine Andrieux)
On the heels of an exciting match that saw seven goals scored in the second half on Sunday, Canada and France played in an another entertaining contest which ended in a 5-5 draw Monday at France’s Douai Hockey Club.
Gordon Johnston scored two goals for the second straight game, and Mark Pearson, Iain Smythe, and Gabriel Ho-Garcia also got on the scoresheet for Canada in a game which saw the Canadians come from behind on three separate occasions to earn the draw.
Unlike Sunday’s match, which went scoreless through the first half, Monday’s tilt featured sustained action from the outset.
The French took the lead in the first quarter on a deflection on a penalty corner, after two prior attempts were stopped by Canadian keeper David Carter.
Canada responded with a short corner goal of its own, which is when Johnston buried his first of the goal to level the score at 1-1 at the end of the first quarter.
The Canadians then took the lead on a patented backhand shot to the top shelf from Pearson in the second quarter.
Later in the second quarter, the French tied the game and then retook the lead, 3-2 at the half.
Pearson and Brenden Bissett both had chances to tie the game for Canada early in the second half, but the French keeper turned them away.
The French added another goal to go up 4-2 heading in the fourth quarter.
After the host team was issued a green card, Canada earned a penalty corner and Johnston picked up his second of the game to cut the deficit in half and make the score 4-3.
Shortly after, Smythe earned another corner for Canada and was setup by Johnston for a deflection past the French keeper to tie the game at 4-4.
With less than three minutes to go, France took a 5-4 lead and the game looked to be out of reach, but Canada kept pushing and in the last minute Ho-Garcia was able to find an equalizer.
Canada and France play the third and final match of their exhibition series on Wednesday at 6:00pm local time at the Wattignies Hockey Club.
Field Hockey Canada media release
A Great Wall re-built by Kim Sang Ryul
By Jugjet Singh
CHINA .. Silver medallists.
MALAYSIA'S last opponents in Group A of the World League Semifinals are China, and coach Stephen van Huizen's men can't afford to lose to the 18th ranked team in the world.
It is most likely a do-or-die match for world No 14 Malaysia's aspiration to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, as all the other teams are much more superior in ranking.
Opening accounts against World No 1 Argentina will be followed by hosts and world No seven England, and then 12th ranked South Korea -- and if they fail to collect any points in these three matches, they will have to smash the Great Wall of China to play in the quarter-finals.
Only the top four teams in each group qualify for the knock-out, and finishing fifth will shut the World Cup door on van Huizen's men.
China, after a 40-days playing and training stint in Europe under renowned consultant Kim Sang Ryul, have also marked Malaysia as their only hope for three points.
In Group B of the World League Semifinals on June 15-25 in London are Netherlands, India, Pakistan, Scotland and Canada.
"China have been playing and training in Europe for over a month and their last match against us was very close. We need to win this match (in London) to play in the knock-out. And since its our last group match, we can't afford to drop any point against them," said van Huizen.
For the record, Malaysia and China last played in the World League Round Two in Dhaka and the regulation time score was 2-2 before Malaysia won the gold 5-3 on penalty shoot-out.
And the fear-factor here is that China were leading 2-0 by the 22nd minute, and by then Malaysia had failed to score off 12 penalty corners and a penalty stroke as No 1 flicker Razie Rahim was totally off form.
However, a late fourth quarter charge saw a change in flickers and Shahril Saabah and Najmi Jazlan score two penalty corner goals to take the match to shoot-out.
China have named the same 18 who almost stanched the gold medal from Malaysia in Dhaka, with Du Talake the penalty corner danger-man leading the charge.
Talake scored 10 goals in Dhaka to finish second on the top-scorers list, while the closest Malaysian was Shahril on seven.
"That's why we need to steal at least a point from the first two matches and then win against South Korea before facing China. Otherwise, we might face a big wall of resistance from China who have roped in master coach Kim to revive their fortunes," said van Huizen.
Kim is recognised as the man who turned South Korea's hockey fortunes around, and his players almost landed the elusive Olympic gold medal in Sydney 2000 -- but after gallantly holding Netherlands 3-3 in regulation time, they lost the shoot-out 5-4.
And with Kim sitting on top of the Great Wall to watch over China, Malaysia need to play the best hockey of their lives on June 20 to claim the quarter-finals slot in London.
Jugjet's World of Field Hockey
Amelia Gibson retires from international hockey
Photo: www.photosport.nz
Auckland goalkeeper Amelia Gibson has announced her retirement from international hockey.
The 25-year-old played 63 tests during her career after making her debut for the Vantage Black Sticks in 2010.
“It is with sadness that I announce my retirement from international hockey. It’s been a roller coaster ride with plenty of highs and lows from start to finish,” she said.
“I am extremely proud and honoured to have represented the Black Sticks and that is I will cherish forever. I’m grateful to be able to finish on my own terms and look forward to what the future holds beyond hockey.”
Gibson’s place in the National Squad will remain vacant until later in the year.
Hockey New Zealand Media release
EHL to get Four Year Osaka Makeover
The Euro Hockey League (EHL) and Osaka are delighted to announce they have reached agreement and signed a four-year contract that will see Osaka become the official supplier of tournament clothing and marketing partner to the prestigious EHL which is widely regarded as being the leading club competition in the world.
The partnership will see Osaka clothing worn by all tournament officials including the match umpires, volunteers and event staff during the next four seasons of competition.
The EHL is well known for its innovative approach to the game and has been the ‘laboratory’ for a number of experimental rules that have subsequently been adopted by the international game such as the ‘self -pass’ and the four quarters. Osaka, too, are noted as an edgy brand with an eye on style and technical improvements making this partnership an ideal marriage.
As well as providing branded clothing for those working at the EHL events, Osaka will also enjoy sole merchandising rights for supporters apparel which will also bear the EHL logo and showcase Osaka’s own sense of style and fashion.
Speaking about the new partnership, which will be in place for the start of the new season, Chairman of the EHL, Hans Erik Tuijt said: “I am delighted that Osaka has agreed to partner us. As a popular and well regarded hockey brand we already know that we speak the same language and that our event officials and staff will be proud to wear the new clothing.
"The merchandising opportunities that will flow both at our events and online via the EHL website is a new and exciting chance to enhance the EHL brand and I am sure will be well received. It feels good for hockey to be doing business with real hockey people.”
Stephen Butler, the Managing Director of Osaka, is himself a former Irish international and has played in previous editions of the EHL, wearing the colours of the famous Dragons from Brasschaat.
“All of us here at Osaka are excited to be partnering a competition that has proved itself to be forever looking to move the game in a forward and positive direction and we look forward to helping them reach new heights and audiences.
"We are actively engaged in coming up with new ideas to make hockey relevant to young players who may not have been picked up by the traditional club routes. These innovations see us active in areas such as urban street and cage hockey and we look forward to showcasing these to the more traditional EHL fan base. Hockey is a broad church with much to offer at every level of participation.”
The deal has been brokered by EHL’s commercial agents Rahusen Consultants and their CEO, Arjen Rahusen, summed up the new partnership: “Sometimes in this business, you are fortunate to find partners who instinctively share the same vision and values.
"Hockey is in the DNA of Osaka and their desire to move the sport onwards and upwards through innovation and ever improving technologies mirrors those of the EHL. I am sure that our team of elite umpires will be amongst the first to feel the benefits of an Osaka makeover and we all look forward to seeing what they come up with.”
Euro Hockey League media release
Denayer’s Dragons defy early season’s expectations with EHL bronze
Felix Denayer said a bronze medal in Europe can be seen as a huge success for KHC Dragons after a season in which expectations were lower than usual last September.
The side saw a number of big players move away from Belgium with Manu Stockbroekx going to Bloemendaal, Shane O’Donoghue back to Ireland while Louis Rombouts and Matthew Cobbaert went to Club de Campo.
“At the start of the season, we had a few doubts because we have a pretty young team has an average age of 23,” Denayer told the EHL website.
“So to win the Belgian championship and a bronze medal in Europe on our home pitch, it is an awesone finish.
“Of course, we were disappointed not to play the final in front of our home crowd. To win it would have been even more special. But I think its amazing what the club did here, to host the four biggest clubs in Europe.”
Dragons eased to the Belgian regular season title and won their grand final comfortably against Herakles. As such, Denayer said that his side struggled a bit on Saturday to reach the level required to match eventual winners Rot-Weiss Köln but they found their flow against Wimbledon.
“It was a long time since we have played at this level. We had to adapt against Köln; they were that bit more mature than us. In the end, we scored three but we didn’t really control the game.
“Against Wimbledon, we did have that control, we had the ball more and were realistic. It’s a step forward and we have to build on this over the next few years to keep the dream alive.”
Denayer also confirmed in the aftermath of the tournament that he will return to regular training with the Belgian national squad. He had initially taken a step back after Rio to focus on his career but his company has worked out an agreement to pursue both sides of his life.
Euro Hockey League media release
English Clubs put on strong performance in Europe
by Colin Pike 
Surbiton in Europe
Surbiton finished fourth and Canterbury sixth at the Women’s EuroHockey Club Cup in Den Bosch at the weekend.
Surbiton beat Spanish club CSV Complutense to reach the semi-finals for the first time in their history, but found both Dutch clubs tough opposition, hosts ‘s-Hertogenbosch winning 7-1 thanks in part to a Maartje Paumen penalty corner masterclass and AH&BC Amsterdam winning 3-1 to pip Surbiton to the bronze medals.
Canterbury lost 5-0 to UHC Hamburg, who had knocked Surbiton out of the quarter-finals last season in Bilthoven, but recovered to beat Russian champions, CSP Krylastskoye 3-1, before losing by the narrowest of margins to Complutense in the fifth place play-off, 3-2 on shuffles after drawing 3-3 in normal time.
On Friday, Surbiton dominated possession in the Den Bosch sun, but struggled to break down the Spanish defence in spite of forcing four penalty corners in the second quarter.
The breakthrough came three minutes after half time when Naomi Evans forced the ball home from close range to give Surbiton the lead.
However, three minutes later Complutense were back on level terms, Spanish international Begoña Garcia scoring with an angled shot from the left of the circle, with the resumption delayed as the Surbiton players asked for clarification why the goal had been allowed.
There was further drama within two minutes of the start of the fourth quarter, Lucia Jimenez and Garcia’s attack culminating in a penalty stroke award. Complutense captain, Lola Riera Zuzuarregui could only blaze the ball past Surbiton goalkeeper Louisa Bray’s left post to ensure that the game stayed level.
With ten minutes to play, it was Olympic heroine Hollie Webb who helped Surbiton make history, finding the backboard from Surbiton’s seventh penalty corner to earn a last four meeting with hosts ‘s-Hertogenbosch.
Surbiton competed well in the first half of the semi-final on Saturday, taking the play to the hosts in the early minutes with the first quarter ending goalless. Surbiton had faced three penalty corners in the first quarter but Surbiton goalkeeper Louisa Bray saved superbly from both Margot van Geffen and Paumen, with Paumen wildly off target from the third.
‘s-Hertogenbosch opened the scoring in the 18th minute, Sian Keil catching the Surbiton defence out before finishing from a one on one encounter with Bray. Four minutes before half time, Surbiton equalised, Webb’s bobbling shot enough to beat home goalkeeper, Josine Koning.
The hosts stepped up a gear in the third quarter, Maartje Krekelaar converting a penalty corner after a Bray save in the 37th minute before Paumen finally found the target a minute later.
Paumen struck again in the 43rd minute with van Geffen scoring on the turn just before the end of the quarter to leave Surbiton trailing 5-1.
Paumen completed her hat-trick in the 49th minute, with Ellie Shahbo having replaced Bray in the Surbiton goal. van Geffen completed the scoring five minutes from time from a penalty corner rebound.
With Amsterdam surprisingly losing a 2-0 lead to UHC Hamburg to draw 2-2 and then lose out on shuffles, Surbiton faced Amsterdam for the bronze medals on Monday.
Again Surbiton started well, but fell behind at the end of the first quarter, Amsterdam’s Julia Muller finding the backboard from the Dutch team’s first penalty corner.
Bray made an excellent glove save from Amsterdam’s captain, Lauren Stam in the 22nd minute, but two minutes later, Stam found the netting just above the backboard from another penalty corner to double the lead.
Webb pulled a goal back from a penalty corner two minutes before the interval, the ball deflected over a prone Anne Veenendaal, but Surbiton’s hopes of a comeback were ended in the 32nd minute when Charlotte Vega restored Amsterdam’s two goal lead.
With Surbiton missing first choice goalkeeper, Sabbie Heesh and defender and penalty corner specialist Giselle Ansley, both due to injury, Surbiton can be proud of the fourth place finish and build on their experience for the 2017-18 tournament.
Meanwhile Canterbury found UHC Hamburg too strong for them in the quarter final on Friday.
Hamburg’s penalty corner routine proved devastating in the first quarter. Charlotte Stapenhorst, who scored five of Hamburg’s six goals last season, opened the scoring in the seventh minute, finding the backboard from the first award of the match.
Five minutes later, Celine Wilde doubled Hamburg’s lead, her shot ending up in the netting above the backboard. Canterbury showed their resilience by keeping Hamburg at bay in a goalless second quarter, before Hamburg scored two quick goals early in the second half, Wilde once more finding the netting from a penalty corner in the 34th minute and Sophie Mayen finishing off an intricate passing move two minutes later.
There was a nasty moment at the end of the third quarter when Canterbury’s Grace Balsdon and Hamburg’s Stapenhorst collided, the German player having to be helped off the pitch.
In the final quarter, Canterbury keeper Helen Fagg saved well from penalty corners, Sarah Kerly posed an attacking threat, with Lizzie Neal and Brett both forcing saves late in the game from substitute goalkeeper, Jessica Kloevekorn. Marie Mävers scored Hamburg’s last goal in the final minute with a spectacular finish at the right of the circle.
Canterbury played CSP Krylatskoye on Sunday, running out 3-1 winners. Grace Balsdon gave Canterbury the lead from a penalty corner in the 25th minute, but Krylatskoye levelled unexpectedly in the 39th minute, Alena Khalmuratova turning in a cross from the left.
Canterbury were awarded a penalty stroke following their third penalty corner, Balsdon calmly converting to score her second goal of the game. With eight minutes to play, Hannah Griggs scored at the left post to earn the Kent club a fifth place playoff with Complutense.
Complutense took an early lead, Claudia Rodriguez scoring from open play in the 4th minute, only for Sarah Kerly to level with a spectacular reverse stick finish ten minutes later.
The second quarter was goalless, but Complutense scored twice in the third quarter to take control, Celia Sanchez-Valverde finding the backboard in the 32nd minute and Rodriguez finishing after Riera Zuzuarregui’s shot rebounded off the crossbar.
Canterbury fought back in the final quarter, Victorine Vankemmel finishing after an attack by Lizzie Neal in the 47th minute and Balsdon converting a penalty corner to set up a shuffle decider.
In the shootout, Kerly shot past the right post, but Helen Fagg saved from Sanchez-Valverde. Balsdon gave Canterbury a 1-0 lead, preserved when Fagg saved from Jiminez. Natasha Del Borello extended Canterbury’s lead to 2-1 before Garcia opened Complutense’s account. Spanish goalkeeper, Ana Calvo swept the ball away from Hayley Turner, allowing Rodriguez to level at 2-2.
Calvo cleared the ball from Mel Clewlow setting up sudden death. Complutense went first, Garcia scoring before Clewlow was thwarted again by Calvo before sending the ball agonizingly past the left post and falling to the ground in frustration as Complutense finished fifth.
EuroHockey Club Champions Cup, Women – ‘s-Hertogenbosch (NED) – 2-5 June 2017
Final Ranking
HC ‘s-Hertogenbosch (NED)
UHC Hamburg (GER)
AHBC Amsterdam (NED)
Surbiton (ENG)
SPV Complutense (ESP)
Canterbury Ladies HC (ENG)
Hermes - Monkstown HC (IRL)
CSP Krylatskoye (RUS)
England Hockey Board Media release
Edinburgh University and Grove Menzieshill fly the flag
It was a big weekend of European hockey for Scotland’s Edinburgh University women, and Grove Menzieshill men and women. All three teams proudly represented Scotland in Europe, with Edinburgh University playing in Vienna, Grove Menzieshill women in Munich, and Grove Menzieshill men in Elektrostal in Russia.
Edinburgh University women clocked up four victories from four to secure promotion in EuroHockey Club Challenge II in Vienna. Grove Menzieshill men came fourth, and Grove Menzieshill women finished seventh.
Edinburgh University women
Game 1: University of Edinburgh HC v Navax AHTC Wien
Edinburgh University got off to a great start at women’s EuroHockey Club Challenge II in Vienna with a 5-0 victory.
The Scottish side stormed the host, Navax AHTC Wien, with a barrage of goals in the first two quarters, making the score 5–0 at half time.
The Scots were two up in just six minutes when Laura Swanson struck from a penalty corner, followed by a Maisie Morris strike a minute later.
The students inflicted further damage on their hosts in the second quarter when Caitlin Girdwood made it 3-0 from a penalty corner on 21 minutes.
A few minutes later and Lara Tomkins added her name to the score sheet when she made it 4-0 from a penalty corner.
Then on the stroke of half time, Rebecca Dru converted from the penalty spot to give her side a sensational five-goal lead at half time.
In the second half Navax had the crowd on its side but was unable to recover, and Edinburgh University took the points with a great win.
Full time: University of Edinburgh HC 5-0 Navax AHTC Wien
Game 2: University of Edinburgh HC v Iris Hockey Lambersart
Edinburgh University women continued the great form from the opening victory over Navax into game two, and shot to the top of pool B with another great performance in Vienna.
Lambersart had a win the previous day in a tight game with Wales’ Whitchurch Saints but they could not match the Scottish side’s power. The students established themselves early and won comfortably over their French opposition.
Again it was Laura Swanson opening the scoring from an early penalty corner to give her side the upper hand.
Then on ten minutes, Ellie Hutcheson doubled her side’s advantage when she struck to make it 2-0 early doors.
At the midway point in the second quarter Louise Campbell was on hand to make it 3-0 from open play – the students were on easy street.
Shortly after the start of the second half the French pulled one back through a strike by Julie Martinot to make it 3-1.
Edinburgh University issued the perfect response when Zara Malseed restored the three-goal advantage to make it 4-1, which was how it stayed to make it two wins out of two for Edinburgh University.
Full time: University of Edinburgh HC 4-1 Iris Hockey Lambersart
Game 3: Whitchurch Saints v University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh University women were on blistering form when they made it three wins from three in a stunning seven-goal victory over Whitchurch Saints.
Rebecca Dru opened the scoring from a penalty stroke on twelve minutes to give the Scots the advantage at the end of the first quarter.
It was in the second quarter that the students put the game out of sight. A quick-fire double strike by Waverly Miller and Caitlin Girdwood made it 3-0 before Zara Malseed made it 4-0 just before half time.
Sophie Maunder was the next name on the score sheet for the Scots when she made it 5-0 in the 43rd minute.
Malseed completed an exceptional hat-trick in the final quarter when she struck two goals in two minutes to complete the scoring in a great 7-0 win.
Full time: Whitchurch Saints 0-7 University of Edinburgh
Game 4: University of Edinburgh v SV Arminen
Edinburgh University women secured promotion in EuroHockey Club Challenge II with a tense shootout victory over SV Arminen in Vienna.
There was nothing to separate the sides until the final quarter of the match. Alison Eadie eventually broke the deadlock in the 56th minute when she finished off a penalty corner.
Taking the lead with four minutes remaining looked like the Scots would snatch victory at the death of the game, but the Austrians had other ideas.
In the final minute of the match Joanna Wieloch finished off a penalty corner to level the scores, taking the match to a shootout.
It was a dramatic end to the match with SV Arminen taking the lead in the shootout through an Alexander Lenzinger goal. Eadie levelled the scores before Sophie Newton gave the Scots the lead. Both sides failed to convert their fourth penalty before Sophie Maunder secured the victory with the last penalty of the match to give Edinburgh University a momentous win.
Full time: University of Edinburgh 1-1 (3-1) SV Arminen
Grove Menzieshill men
Game 1: Grove Menzieshill v Navax AHTC Wien
Grove Menzieshill men got their weekend off to a great start with a 6-2 victory over Austrian opposition, Navax AHTC Wien, in the EuroHockey Club Trophy.
The Scots didn’t get off to the greatest of starts to the match however, shipping two early goals to Linus Pilch and Lennard Gehrmann in the first quarter.
The two-goal head start was quickly clawed back with Albert Rowling and Paul Martin hitting the net in the second quarter to level the score.
It was in the final quarter of the match that Grove Menzieshill really showed their quality. Gavin Tomlinson gave his side the lead for the first time in the match when he scored on 48 minutes.
Adam Fallis secured the win with a goal in the 55th minute before two goals in a minute from Rowling and Martin put the icing on the cake for the Taysiders.
Full time: Grove Menzieshill 6-2 Navax AHTC Wien
Game 2: Grove Menzieshill vs SV Arminen
In game 2, SV Arminen consolidated their position at the top of Pool B with a 2-1 win over Grove Menzieshill men.
The Austrian side took the lead in the 15th minute as Patrick Schmidt again proved why he is a renowned striker of penalty corners. The lead was doubled on the stroke of half-time when Michael Berger took advantage of a goalmouth scramble to fire home.
The Scots fought back strongly in the second half but were unable to find a way past Mateusz Szmczyk in the Arminen goal. Finally, Scotland international Gavin Byers found the back of the net with a fierce penalty corner but that was the only opportunity Grove Menzieshill had to get back on terms.
Captain Gavin Tomlinson said: “We took until the second quarter to settle into the game due to the significant difference of pace between our domestic league and the pace at this Euro Trophy event.
“Once we had got into the game, the team felt comfortable and competed well. We now move onto tomorrow and stay united as a group and go again. We are strong unit and believe we will gain a positive result tomorrow.”
The result left Arminen at top of the pool and Grove Menzieshill in second place.
Full time: Grove Menzieshill 1-2 SV Arminen
Game 3: Paolo Bonomi v Grove Menzieshill
Grove Menzieshill men secured themselves second place in Pool B after their strongest display of the competition this far saw the Scots beat Paolo Bonomi 3-1.
It was a chilly day in Elektrostal at the EuroHockey Club Trophy but Grove Menzieshill were quickly into their stride and a good period of build-up play resulted in a goal for Adam Fallis in the 11th minute. Fallis showed a poacher’s instinct to deflect a blistering shot from Oliver James over the keeper into the roof of the net.
Euan Cuthill scored Grove Menzieshill’s second, a diving deflection from a cross by Gavin Byers, after the Scottish international had danced his way past several Italian defenders.
The third goal came in the 42nd minute after incessant pressure by Grove Menzieshill put Bonomi under all sorts of pressure. Albert Rowling was on hand to score his third goal of the tournament.
There was a consolation goal for Bonomi in the 45th minute when Fabio Cavallini was able to evade the Scottish defence but after that slip-up Grove Menzieshill shut up shop and saw the game out.
Captain Gavin Tomlinson said: “I am very proud and delighted with this young team’s performance and now we look forward to tomorrow’s match.”
In the match to determine third place, Grove Menzieshill would face the difficult task of playing Dinamo Elekstrostal, with home advantage and a partisan crowd to cheer them on.
Full time: ASD SH Paolo Bonomi 1-3 Grove Menzieshill
Game 4: Dinamo Elektrostal v Grove Menzieshill
It was a tough final match for Grove Menzieshill men as they lost 4-0 to hosts Dinamo Elektrostal in the 3rd/4th place playoff of EuroHockey Club Trophy 2017.
It was the Russians who got their noses in front early doors when Sergey Lepeshkin opened the scoring from open play in the 11th minute.
It was at a similar time in the second quarter when Dinamo Elektrostal doubled their lead. Dmitry Laptev finished off from a penalty corner to make it 2-0 three minutes shy of half time.
Midway through the third quarter the Russians put the game out of sight. Andrey Kuraev provided the finish on 39 minutes to make it 3-0 to the home side.
Aleksandr Gilev completed the scoring with two minutes remaining, resulting in a final score of 4-0 to the home side. It was a great effort by Grove Menzieshill but the Taysiders just fell short in the final match.
Full time: Dinamo Elektrostal 4-0 Grove Menzieshill
Grove Menzieshill women
Game 1: Grove Menzieshill v GHC Ritm Grodno
It was a tough opening game for Grove Menzieshill women against GHC Ritm Grodno, losing 3-0 in the women’s EuroHockey Club Trophy.
Early goals from Sviatlana Bahushevich in the third and eighth minute rocked the Scots and a well-struck penalty corner in the 10th minute from captain Volha Shyntar effectively ended Grove Menziehill’s hopes of a point from the game.
Grove Menzieshill rallied in the second half of the match, with goalkeeper Catherine Rae particularly effective but the Belarus team proved itself defensively adept.
“We knew it would be a tough game, they have lots of experienced players and we knew coming out here we wanted to get something from the first game,” said Grove Menzieshill’s Louise Carroll.
“The first quarter wasn’t good but we have a lot of youngsters who haven’t played at this level before. Room for improvement, yes, but the first game is out of the way, so hopefully we will build on that.”
Full time: GHC Ritm Grodno 3-0 Grove Menzieshill
Game 2: Grove Menzieshill v Pegasus
Game two for Grove Menzieshill women was a feisty fixture that matched the weather, as another day of hot temperatures made the pace of the game at EuroHockey Club Trophy 2017 uncomfortable for the players.
Grove Menzieshill got off to the better start in this second match, with Judith McMullan slamming the ball into the net from a penalty corner in the seventh minute of the game. Pegasus quickly rallied however, captain Alex Speers bringing the scores level in the 12th minute, with a beautifully taken goal from open play. No sooner had play resumed than Speers was at it again. Her unerring eye for the net saw her take her second goal and put her team in the lead.
In the second quarter, Pegasus grew into the game. A series of linking passes resulted in a chance for Hannah Grieve to strike the ball home – something she did in style.
After the break, Grove Menzieshill really turned up the pressure. One goal was disallowed as dangerous but Linda Clement managed to bring the scores closer in the 48th minute with a penalty corner strike. Despite pressure from the Scottish side, Pegasus hung onto their lead.
A special mention goes to Karin Belch who was outstanding in both attack and defence in this match.
Full time: Grove Menzieshill 2-3 Pegasus
Game 3: Grove Menzieshill v Club Campo Madrid
Sunday for Grove Menzieshill women was another tough day at the office, with the team going down to a 6-0 defeat against Club Campo de Madrid.
The Spanish team proved their quality and went through as pool winners.
The opening goal came on six minutes with Alicia Magaz Medrano scoring from open play, and this was quickly followed up by a strike by Carmen Cano Ruiz.
It wasn’t until half way through the third quarter that Campo really put the game to bed; Magaz Medrano scoring her second of the match followed by Monica Figar Coghen striking the fourth of the match.
In the final quarter Empar Gil scored a fifth from a penalty corner, before Maria Lopez Garcia finished off the scoring with four minutes remaining.
Again a lot of Grove Menzieshill’s good work was done in defence, starting in the front line with the strikers. Rachel Strachan played the whole game due to an injury to Cath Rae and played very well making some crucial saves.
Full time: Grove Menzieshill 0-6 Club Campo de Madrid
Game 4: SG Amsicora v Grove Menzieshill
In their final game of the EuroHockey Club Trophy 2017, Grove Menzieshill women secured 7th spot with a 3-2 victory over SG Amsicora in Munich.
It was the Scots who got off to a great start in this encounter, scoring two goals in the opening quarter. The first goal came in the fourth minute when Hanna McKie converted from open play to get her team off to a flyer.
McKie’s strike was quickly followed up by Susan Hamilton who deflected a penalty corner high into the net to make it 2-0 on 11 minutes.
Jennifer Walls eventually put the game out of sight when she lifted the ball over the advancing goalkeeper in the 42nd minute to make it 3-0.
The third goal seemed to spur a late fightback from the Italians with two strikes in the final quarter making it a nervy end to the match. Federica Carta scored with ten minutes remaining to give her side a lifeline, before Teresa Dalla Vittoria struck with two minutes remaining.
It was too little too late for the Italians and Grove Menzieshill took the spoils to end the tournament on a high.
Full time: SG Amsicora 2-3 Grove Menzieshill
Scottish Hockey Union media release
Mwangi, Omaido keep Orange ahead of pack
By BRIAN YONGA
Telkom Orange's Jackline Mwangi (second right) is congratulated by her teammates after scoring a goal against JKUAT during their match at City Park Stadium on June 4, 2017. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Telkom Orange forwards Jackline Mwangi and Audrey Omaido moved to the top of the scorers chart as the champions maintained a perfect run in Kenya Hockey Union women’s Premier League.
The duo was on target in Orange’s 6-0 drubbing of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) on Sunday at the City Park Stadium.
The two, who are now on 12 goals apiece, inspired Orange to their eighth successive win of the season which kept them six points clear at the top.
Their scoring form has Orange assistant coach Josephine Ataro bullish about her charges’ chances of claiming a record 20th league crown.
“They complement each other and always create chances for one another. We are lucky to have them in the team and if they can keep up this form, we will definitely capture another title,” Ataro told Nation Sport.
Omaido struck twice as Mwangi, who was last season’s top scorer bagged one. Orange have now scored 50 goals moving to 24 points. They have yet to concede a goal and Ataro is keen on maintaining this feat.
Amira Sailors’ Pauline Naise is third on the scorers list with nine goals. USIU Spartans remain second, six points behind Orange after securing a deserved 2-0 win over Amira at the weekend to enhance their chances of top-two finish.
Last season’s runners-up Strathmore University Scorpions dislodged Amira from third place, after their 3-0 win away to Mombasa Sports Club. The students are on 16 points, two ahead of Amira with JKUAT completing the top five.
In the men’s Premier League, Kenya Police’s lead at the top was cut down to seven points. Second-placed Greensharks beat USIU men’s team 2-1 to move to 23 points. Sharks coach Ben Owaga believes they can still catch the runaway league leaders.
“There are still more matches to play and we just need to be consistent in our games. I am sure Police will drop points and we will be ready to capitalize,” he said.
Kenya Police can regain their 10 point lead with a win against Wazalendo on Wednesday.
Butali Sugar Warriors remain third on 22 points, four behind Wazalendo who occupy fourth place.
The 2012 winners Sikh Union Nairobi, were the highest climbers of the weekend moving four places to settle in fifth place.
Daily Nation
Is Indian hockey team operating upon the right principles – Strategy and Tactics – to climb back to the Top?
Part 2 of a three part series
By Shiv Jagday
To answer this burning question, I like these Time Tested Universal Principles, to advocate and evaluate the current situation, improvement and performance of the former champions; India:
Roger Self, Great Britain’s 1988 gold medal-winning hockey manager, dies aged 77
BY ROD GILMOUR
Roger Self OBE, second left, pictured at Cannock HC in 2010 (Cannock Hockey Club)
Tributes have been paid to Roger Self OBE, Great Britain’s inspirational manager who oversaw Olympic hockey gold in 1988, who died on Monday after a long illness. He was 77.
Self’s involvement with Great Britain Hockey lasted 30 years as a coach and manager, his finest hour coming as he led the men’s side at the Seoul Games to victory over favourites West Germany, 3-2 in the Olympic final.
Stephen Martin, who played at the 1988 Games, said on Monday that Self was an “inspirational leader and friend”, while team-mate Jon Potter said that hockey had “lost a friend and mentor today”.
In 1980, after several decades of decline, Self set about changing the team’s fortunes, with backing from the GB hockey board.
He hired David Whitaker as coach before a bronze medal was garnered by GB men at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles and followed, four years later, by an era-defining gold medal in South Korea.
Just how important Self was to the resurgent GB side as the Eighties’ developed was summed up by Sean Kerly, the former England and GB forward, who said in a 2008 interview that “Roger was the key person.”
He added: “He was determined to build us mentally strong and supplied the ‘hockey intelligence’.
“He used to make and break us, again and again. It was not much fun but we realised afterwards, how important it was.”
Self, an insurance broker and financial consultant, was also manager of the Welsh team for seven years.
He was manager too of Southgate Hockey Club, where he took them to European pean titles.
In 2004, he became president of the GB Hockey board and was a technical official and Secretary of the Hockey Rules Board at the International Hockey Federation.
The GB board reluctantly accepted Self’s resignation in 2007 on the grounds of ill health.
Self was awarded an OBE for the GB team’s stunning Seoul success.
However, for the last 30 years he had campaigned, along with captain Richard Dodds, for equal recognition in the Queen’s honours.
Three players received honours, but 13 of the Seoul squad have yet to be recognised.
“They were all amateurs back then and I would like to see equality and every player to be honoured,” Self told The Hockey Paper in January.
Roger Self was born on 10.06.1939. He died on Monday, aged 77
The Hockey Paper