News for 14 February 2016
All the news for Sunday 14 February 2016
GB sink Hockeyroos
Hockeyroos go down 1-0 to Great Britain in Bunbury
In a fast and physical second clash against Great Britain in Bunbury, the Hockeyroos went down 1-0 to the world number six team on Sunday afternoon. Susie Gilbert’s penalty corner rebound early in the second quarter made the difference to level the series at one victory each.
Speaking afterwards, Head Coach Adam Commens said, “It was a better performance in terms of tiding up our defence and creating more chances today, however, the quality was not at the same level as Friday. To win a match you need to score penalty corners and field goals, and we were unable to do that today.
“We want to win matches, however, winning now is not the important thing. It’s about improving our processes so when we get to Rio we fully understand what we are able to achieve as a team.”
Speaking about the first two matches of the series being hosted in Bunbury and the friendly local support that the community has shown, Commens added, “The support from the local community has been brilliant. It’s fantastic to come to a place like Bunbury and have the support that we have had over the past few days. Today they were pretty vocal and that really drove the girls to be better. We would have no hesitation to come back to Bunbury in the future.”
Three minutes after the starting whistle, forward Gabrielle Nance worked the ball into Australia’s attacking circle, pushing the ball onto a Great Britain foot and earning the Hockeyroos the first penalty corner opportunity of the match. Standing tall at the top of Australia’s battery, Jodie Kenny’s powerful drag flick was off target and flew over the top of the goal, leaving the score untouched at 0-0.
Awarded another penalty corner only a few minutes later, Australia seemed to be doing all the right things to get the ball into their attacking third, however, it was clear they were struggling to execute their valuable opportunities in the circle.
It was at the 18th minute mark that Great Britain received an opportunity to break the deadlock. Off the back of a penalty corner drag flick, Susie Gilbert managed to make contact with the ball off Australian goalkeeper Ashlee Wells’ rebound. Redirecting the ball into the back of the net, Gilbert set the visitors up with a 1-0 lead.
After the halftime break, the action started to heat up. Numerous penalty corner opportunities were awarded, however, both teams struggled to break down robust defensive structures at both ends of the field.
Continuing to fight for the ball with nine minutes remaining on the clock, Australia’s hard work was rewarded with a chance to equalise after the ball made contact with a Great Britain foot. Jodie Kenny’s on-target drag flick was once again rejected by Great Britain’s goalkeeper Kirsty Mackay, handing the visitors a 1-0 victory over the Hockeyroos.
The Hockeyroos will now return to Perth to play their third match of the series on Tuesday at 6pm AWST at the Perth Hockey Stadium. The match will be streamed live on epicentre.tv from 5:45pm AWST / 8:45pm AEDT.
This series is proudly supported by the Department of Sport and Recreation, City of Bunbury and the South West Development Commission.
Great Britain Series
Match 2
HOCKEYROOS0 (0)
GREAT BRITAIN 1 (1)
Susie Gilbert 18 (PC)
Hockeyroos' squad v Great Britain
Started
Madonna Blyth (Brisbane, QLD) 321/70
Edwina Bone (Evatt, ACT) 94/2
Anna Flanagan (Canberra, ACT) 158/34
Jodie Kenny (Wamuran, QLD) 159/93
Georgina Morgan (Armidale, NSW) 27/4
Gabrielle Nance (Kingscliff, NSW) [SASI athlete] 21/1
Brooke Peris (Darwin, NT) 76/13
Casey Sablowski (South Coast, NSW) 233/44
Emily Smith (Crookwell, NSW) 140/57
Ashlee Wells (Moe, VIC) 67/0
Mariah Williams (Parkes, NSW) 35/5
Used Substitute
Teneal Attard (Mackay, QLD) 220/10
Madison Fitzpatrick (Cabarita Beach, NSW) [QAS athlete] 14/3
Ashleigh Nelson (Wagin, WA) 196/67
Georgie Parker (Berri, SA) 88/26
Kathryn Slattery (South Stirling, WA) 38/11
Grace Stewart (Gerringong, NSW) 4/1
Did Not Play
Laura Barden (Kew, VIC) 8/3
Jocelyn Bartram (Albury, NSW) 0/0
Jane Claxton (Adelaide, SA) 81/9
Kirstin Dwyer (Mackay, QLD) 93/2
Kate Hanna (Constitution Hill, NSW) 6/0
Rachael Lynch (Melbourne, VIC) 141/0
Georgia Nanscawen (Melbourne, VIC) 167/33
Kaitlin Nobbs (Newington, NSW) 0/0
Madi Ratcliffe (Warrnambool, VIC) 0/0
Renee Taylor (Everton Park, QLD) 10/0
Kellie White (Crookwell, NSW) 92/29
Fixtures & Results
Friday 12 February: Bunbury & Districts Hockey Stadium (4-3 AUS)
Sunday 14 February: Bunbury & Districts Hockey Stadium (1-0 GBR)
Tuesday 16 February: 9:00pm AEDT / 6:00pm AWST, Perth Hockey Stadium
Thursday 18 February: 9:00pm AEDT / 6:00pm AWST, Perth Hockey Stadium
Saturday 20 February: 6:00pm AEDT / 3:00pm AWST, Perth Hockey Stadium
Sunday 21 February: 6:00pm AEDT / 3:00pm AWST, Perth Hockey Stadium
Live streaming
The Hockeyroos' Great Britain series is being live streamed via Epicentre.TV in Bunbury and Perth.
Social media
Follow the team's results on Twitter by following @Hockeyroos and using #roovolution.
Hockey Australia media release
Great Britain bounce back to win second test
Susie Gilbert’s first half penalty corner strike handed Danny Kerry’s team a win in the second of the six-test series against Australia. Gilbert reacted the quickest to the rebound from a Crista Cullen flick in the 18th minute to slot home her 15th international goal, Despite some late pressure from the hosts, the goal was enough to secure the victory and level the series at one apiece.
Great Britain started brightly and won a penalty corner with their first attack. Cullen’s attempted slip to Hollie Webb was intercepted, allowing Australia to break forwards. Casey Sablowski was on the end of the move with a backhand shot from the left of the circle but it was well saved by Maddie Hinch. Two minutes later the Hockeyroos won a corner of their own but Jodie Kenny blazed it over the bar.
The game was end to end with Sarah Haycroft showing a good turn of pace to force a save from Ashlee Wells at one end before Kenny put another penalty corner over the top at the other. Australia pressed Great Britain very high up the pitch and it almost paid dividends. Ashleigh Nelson won the ball and fed Georgie Parker but the No19’s shot flashed wide of the target, meaning it was all square at the end of the first quarter.
Danny Kerry’s side repeated their strong start at the beginning of the second quarter. Shona McCallin stole possession inside the final third and broke into the circle, she found Ellie Watton who did well to win a penalty corner. Cullen stepped up and although her flick was saved by Wells, Gilbert reacted quickest to slam home the rebound to make it 1-0.
Emily Smith tested the reactions of Kirsty Mackay, a quarter-time replacement in goal for Great Britain but the East Grinstead stopper was up to the task. The goalkeeper was almost beaten moments later as Kathryn Slattery’s mishit shot deceived her but came back off the post and away to safety.
Australia started the third quarter with renewed intent and won another penalty corner. They worked it left to Kenny but Hinch, who had come back on in goal did well to make the save. On the counterattack Haycroft once again used her pace to good effect to win a penalty corner for Danny Kerry’s side. This time Giselle Ansley took the shot but Wells was equal to the task and made the save. McCallin went close with a backhand shot just wide after another good turnover in the Australia half and then Haycroft, who was having an excellent game, did well to manufacture some space in the circle. Her shot on the turn flew over the top as Great Britain hunted for the second goal.
Australia threw everything at Great Britain in the final quarter as they battled to get back on level terms. Brooke Peris stung Mackay’s gloves with a snapshot. Great Britain’s deep defence proved to be very solid with Laura Unsworth in particular doing an outstanding job to keep the Hockeyroos at bay. The hosts won another penalty corner with time running out but Mackay was there with a fine save to her left before the defence cleared the danger. Despite the increased pressure, Danny Kerry’s side stood firm and took the win to level the series.
The series is now tied at one game apiece with four left to play. The next match is on Tuesday 16 February at 10am UK time. For details on the scheduling, click here.
To watch the matches live, click here.
Sunday 14 February 2016
Australia 0 (0)
Great Britain 1 (1)
Susie Gilbert 18 (PC)
Great Britain starting XI vs. Australia
Name, Club
Maddie Hinch, Holcombe
Laura Unsworth, East Grinstead
Hannah Macleod, St Albans
Helen Richardson-Walsh (C), Reading
Susannah Townsend, Canterbury
Joie Leigh, Clifton
Giselle Ansley, Surbiton
Sophie Bray, East Grinstead
Hollie Webb, Surbiton
Shona McCallin, Holcombe
Crista Cullen
Substitutes used
Kirsty Mackay, East Grinstead
Sarah Haycroft, Surbiton
Georgie Twigg, Surbiton
Susie Gilbert, Reading
Ellie Watton, St Albans
Zoe Shipperley, Buckingham
Great Britain Hockey media release
PHF secretary lauds hockey team for SAG gold
ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) secretary Olympian Shahbaz Senior lauded green shirts for winning gold at 12th South Asian Games (SAG) by beating Indians in Men’s hockey final.
He plans to give National hockey team a red carpet welcome upon their arrival from Guwati, India.
Shahbaz expressed these views during the prize distribution ceremony held at Qadeer Hockey Stadium on Saturday.
He said Pakistan hockey team is slowly but gradually climbing back to where it belongs.
“Green shirts remained unbeaten in the event and managed to beat archrivals India twice.”
He praised the team squad which showed its worth through impressive performances.
“I hope government, IPC/PSB would take good care of the gold medalists and we would pass on incentives to the national heroes.”
Shahbaz Senior plans to launch Pakistan Hockey League on the model of Pakistan Super League.
Also, he wishes to launch indoor hockey championship in an attempt to make hockey more captivating.
He said despite of lack of incentives and job security upon retirement, players are performing to the best of their ability.
“Green shirts had lifted the heads of the entire nation and put a new lease of life in national game hockey, in the past, when we were playing, players were provided with jobs and other benefits.”
Regarding the utilisation of funds, Shahbaz said: “From now on, all the funds provided to the PHF would be totally spent on players.
We earn Rs5 million from Karachi National championship, and we are soon appointing director marketing, who would work on arranging sponsorships and funds for the federation.”Shahbaz concluded.
The Nation
Pak hockey coach lauds India's sporting spirit
KARACHI: Coach-cum-player of the Pakistan hockey team Rehan Butt has lauded the sporting spirit of Indian players and spectators a day after winning the gold in the ongoing South Asian Games in Guwahati.
"It was a high for us to beat India in a big final in India. But thankfully this time we kept our celebrations under control and also the crowd which came for the final was very sporting and appreciated our performance," Butt said.
Relations between the hockey federations of India and Pakistan soured after the controversy-marred semi-final of the 2014 Champions Trophy in Bhubaneswar.
Soon after winning the semi-final against India in the Champions Trophy, Pakistani players were indulged in wild celebrations and some of their players made obscene gestures towards the spectators and the media, forcing the International Hockey Federation to intervene and control the situation.
Hockey India had demanded an apology from Pakistan for the incident and also wanted an assurance that they would reprimand their players if they repeat their antics in future.
Butt, who went to the SAF Games as coach of the team but ended up playing in the tournament, said it was satisfying to beat an improving India.
"Their standards have improved and it is a big victory for us. Both teams had some senior players and it was an intriguing experience to play as coach and player," Butt, a decorated Pakistan forward said.
Butt had to don the jersey after a selected player Samiullah didn't get accreditation for the SAF Games.
"I played after proper permission from the organisers. To me the best part of the final was that there was no bad blood and the way the crowd appreciated our performance," he said.
Butt hoped after the SAG final, relations between the two hockey bodies would improve soon and the two countries will soon resume bilateral ties on the turf.
"The Pakistani players were on their best behavior and we had told them to avoid any unnecessary or over the top celebrations which could hurt sentiments of our hosts," he said.
"But at the end it was satisfying to beat India twice in the same event," he added.
Pakistan beat India 2-1 in the league stage and 1-0 in the final to win the gold.
The Times of India
For an inexperienced side, we played good hockey: Antil
GUWAHATI: India might have lost to Pakistan in the summit clash of men's hockey in the 12th South Asian Games but captain Mandeep Antil sought to take the positives from the performance of his players, saying they have done well given the inexperience of the team.
With the country's top players taking part in the ongoing Hockey India League, India fielded an inexperienced team mostly consisting of junior players and they failed to click as a unit in the SAG. India settled for the silver medal after losing twice to arch-rivals Pakistan, including in the final 0-1 here last night.
India had just two senior players who had played some international matches in Antil himself and veteran Gurbaj Singh. Even Antil has played just 20-odd international matches while Gurbaj has donned India colours in more than 200 games.
Pakistan had at least six players who played in the London Olympics.
Antil said he was disappointed to have lost to Pakistan in the final, which he felt was a close match.
"Any loss to Pakistan at any level is a disappointment. We wanted to win the gold but we could not do it. We played better (than the group match which also India lost 1-2) and it was a close match but we lost again," Antil said.
"But overall we played a very good tournament. The team is an inexperienced one. The Pakistani team had 7-8 senior players while in our case, 13 (out of the 18) are junior players. So, given the inexperience of our players, we did well in the tournament," he added.
India struggled in the four matches they played in the tournament, failing to get the combination right. They could not score many goals even against minnows like Bangladesh (4-1) and Sri Lanka (3-0).
The skipper, however, felt that the junior players have benefited from taking part in the Games.
"For the junior players, it was an opportunity to play for India at the senior level and they must have learnt something or the other from this tournament," said Antil.
He said that there was good camaraderie among the Indian and Pakistani players even though they were playing in a tournament for the first time after the 2014 Champions Trophy semifinal match in Bhubaneswar, which Pakistan won 4-3 in a thriller.
Two Pakistani players were suspended and one reprimanded for making obscene gestures after the match and Hockey India had threatened to severe all hockey ties with Pakistan unless they issued an apology.
"There's no issue now. Our players and Pakistan players mixed up well. We now don't think of that incident," he said.
The Times of India
U.S. series prepares Canadian women for Hawke’s Bay Cup
Shaheed Devji
(Photo: Yan Huckendubler)
Facing the United States is always a tough task.
For the Canadian women’s field hockey team, coming off a lengthy winter break and not having played a game since the end of last summer at the 2015 Pan American Gaming, taking on the world’s seventh best team and defending Pan Am gold medalist was a difficult but necessary way to start the year.
But the Canadian women were up to the challenge. And despite dropping all four matches of the four game series in Chula Vista, California, the 19th ranked Canadians are better off given what is ahead.
“The U.S. were very impressive and they are definitely a medal chance (at the upcoming Olympics) in Rio,” says Women’s National Team head coach Ian Rutledge. “They asked a lot of our players and our systems.”
The aim will be to have those questions answered before the next competition, the Hawke’s Bay Cup – an eight national tournament – held from April 2nd-10th in New Zealand.
Of the seven teams Canada will face, the tournament features five of the top ten women’s teams in the world, making the recent series against the United States essential for preparation.
“The goal for the next five weeks will be to build upon this experience,” Rutledge adds. “To ensure we utilize the lesson, the leading and time on task to be ready.”
The women returned to Vancouver late Friday and will have a week of recovery before returning to training for four weeks prior to leaving for New Zealand.
Field Hockey Canada media release
Ranchi qualifies for semis after 6-0 rout of UPW
Harendra’s team first to qualify for the semis after 6-0 rout of Uttar Pradesh Wizards 6-0
Ranchi: Coach Harendra Singh’s Ranchi Rays lived up to the status of being defending champions when it blasted Uttar Pradesh Wizards 6-0 at home today. With 32 points in 9 matches, the Junior India coach’s bunch of boys became the first of the six teams to qualify for the semis. Its interesting to note that this landmark was made only at the 26th match of the Hockey India League, showing how down the wire the matches have gone.
Its ironical that in the match where the teams trained by Indian junior India coach Ranchi Rays and Senior India coach, Uttar Pradesh Wizards figured, the former came out with flying colours.
Ranchi Rays, who had been unbeaten so far on home turf, struck the first goal in the 40th minute through a spectacular field goal from Flynn Ogilvie giving the hosts an extremely hard fought lead ( 2-0).
Earlier all the sharp attacks of the hosts met with stern goalkeeping by PR Sreejesh, with able support coming from the defenders Raghunath in particular.
It was in the 47th minute Ranchi punched the visitors again through Ashley Jackson.
The hosts sealed the game to their name in the 59th minute through their field goal from Sumit Kumar giving it massive 6-0 win over Uttar Pradesh Wizards.
Awards
The Coal India Goal of the Match award of INR 50,000 was presented to Sumit Kumar of Ranchi Rays while his team mate Mohd. Amir Khan walked away with the Most Entertaining Player of the Match award. Same Sumit won the Man of the Match award of INR 50,000 while his team mate Imran Khan won the Hero Emerging Player of the Match award of INR 25,000. Ranchi Rays and Dabang Mumbai will clash in the next match at the Astro Turf Hockey Stadium, Ranchi, tomorrow.
Stick2Hockey.com
Ranchi Rays rout UP Wizards; book semifinal berth
It was Ranchi Rays fourth consecutive win on home ground
Ranchi Rays celebrating
Defending champions Ranchi Rays today displayed their class and routed Uttar Pradesh Wizards 6-0 in a round robin match to seal their semifinal berth in the fourth edition of the Hockey India League, in Ranchi on Saturday.
It was Ranchi Rays fourth consecutive win on home ground the Astro Turf Hockey Stadium. With 32 points in their kitty from six win and three losses, Ranchi Rays are atop the leader board and are the first team to have booked a semifinal berth in the ongoing season of the HIL. Ranchi Rays, who are unbeaten so far on home turf, started on an attacking note against the UP Wizards.
The first quarter saw the hosts playing most of their game either on the midfield or in the UP Wizards circle. But the defence line of UP Wizards speaheaded by star goalkeeper PR Sreejesh stood tall to spoil all the efforts from of Ranchi Rays. An occasional move that UP Wizards managed to create on the counter was disrupted even before they could enter the hosts circle as the first quarter ended goalless.
The second quarter was no different as it was majorly dominated by Ranchi Rays. The hosts pressed hard to score and managed to find gaps too in the UP Wizards defensive line but for some outstanding saves from Sreejesh. Ranchi Rays, who managed to get five penalty corners alone in the second half (three back-to-back), could not capitalise on a single one due to some scintillating saves from Sreejesh as both the teams failed to break the deadlock at half time.
The third quarter began with the visitors getting more aggressive and made a few attempts to score but were unsuccessful to break through the Ranchi defence. On the counter, Ranchi Rays made some quick attacking moves and finally tasted success in the 40th minute through a spectacular field goal from Flynn Ogilvie to ensure a 2-0 lead as according to new scoring rules one field strike is counted as two.
In the fourth and final quarter, Ranchi Rays continued to press hard and tasted success once again in the 47th minute when the hosts scored their second field goal through skipper Ashley Jackson. The hosts sealed the game in their favour in the 59th minute through another field strike which came from the sticks of from Sumit Kumar.
DNA
Inverleith set for promotion shoot-out in Russia
Inverleith still have the prospect of promotion in their sights after day two of the EuroHockey Indoor Club Champions Trophy in Russia.
Despite a 8-6 loss to Amsterdam this evening, a win or draw against hosts Dinamo Elektrostal in tomorrow's final match will ensure a top two finish and elevation to the Club Champions Cup next year.
Earlier in the day, a 3-3 draw against HC Minsk led to the Purple Robes carrying their two wins and ten points to the promotion pool stage.
A double from Minsk's Ivan Lutsevich wasn't enough to stop Inverleith taking a 3-2 lead into half-time after first period goals from Stephen Dick, Adam MacKenzie and Aedan McCrossan.
However, Lutsevich's hat-trick goal two minutes into the second half pegged back the capital outfit.
With neither side unable to trouble the scoreboard in the remainder of the contest, a 3-3 draw consequently resulted in Inverleith topping Pool A.
Stephen Dick continued his remarkable goal-scoring form in the tournament with vital hat-trick inside the last five minutes of tonight's 8-6 loss against Amsterdam.
The rules of European hockey decree that a team recieves a bonus one point for losing by two goals or less, meaning tonight's result puts Inverleith ahead of the Russian hosts in the promotion pool on goal difference.
Even after a first half double from Dan Coultas and a Derek Salmond field goal, the national indoor champions found themselves trailing 5-3 at the interval following two Tuen Rohof strikes, and goals from Robert Tigges, Max Sweering and Peiter-Bas Bentinck.
Further goals from Nicki Leijs, Klass Vermuelen and Johannes Mooij put the Dutch side 8-3 up, but Dick's three interventions in the final few minutes, his tenth, eleventh and twelfth goals of the tournament, resulted in an 8-6 final score. Importantly, they secured an important bonus point for his side.
Please visit the EuroHockey Indoor Club Champions Trophy website for full information.
Livestreaming of Day 2 can also be found on the FIH YouTube Channel.
Scottish Hockey Union media release
Birmingham back at the top
University of Birmingham's Joey Turnbull and Hannah Martin celebrate a goal. Credit Andy Smith
AFTER losing top spot the previous weekend, the University of Birmingham regained the lead in the Investec Women’s Premier Division as they beat hosts Bowdon Hightown while rivals Surbiton were held to a draw.
The students won 2-0 away at Bowdon Hightown, Hannah Martin and Erica Sanders scoring the goals with goalkeeper Katherine Somerville saving a penalty stroke in the Birmingham goal.
Meanwhile, Surbiton slipped from the top as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Canterbury.
Jenna Woolven’s goal looked to have been enough to keep the visitors a point clear at the top, but a late strike from Grace Balsden salvaged a point for Canterbury who are third.
Buckingham stay bottom after they could only manage a 0-0 draw with Clifton, whilst Holcombe were comfortable 3-0 winners over Reading thanks to goals from Sarah Jones, Tamsyn Naylor and Kim Leiper.
Finally Leicester inflicted a quick-fire turnaround on East Grinstead to move up to seventh, Rachel Mack and Katie Long scoring after Alice Pyrgos had given the visitors the lead.
Investec Women’s Conference West
Olton and West Warwickshire took only their third win of the season in the Investec Conference West as they beat Isca 4-2.
Beth Marriott had given Isca an early lead but by the break, Olton were 3-1 leaders with goals from Katie Brough, Harriet Payne and Kathryn Berns. Although Sophie Jefferson reduced the arrears for Isca, Jane Wackett put the result beyond doubt with Olton’s fourth.
Sutton Coldfield lead the division by just one point after they beat Gloucester City 2-1. Just below them, Stourport kept the pressure on with a 2-1 win over Trojans. Bristol Firebrands and Swansea City drew 1-1 and Oxford Hawks beats the University of Bristol 4-2.
Investec Women’s Conference North
Wakefield are still top of the Investec Conference North despite losing 1-0 to Brooklands Poynton. Sophie Clough struck the winning goal in the 17th minute.
Beeston moved to within a point of the leaders with a 2-1 win over Loughborough Students. Sophie Robinson and Alice Huddlestone scored their goals.
The bottom two clubs met and it was Whitley Bay and Tynemouth who climbed above opponents Springfields after taking a 1-0 win with Joss Plummer scoring the all-important goal.
The University of Durham and Ben Rhydding played out an exciting 2-2 draw. Ben Rhydding took a two-goal lead through Jo Ellis and Eleanor Trafford but with ten minutes left, Durham scored a quickfire double through Juliette Inverdale and Anna Baker to take a share of the spoils. Liverpool Sefton drew 1-1 with Belper.
Investec Women’s Conference East
Slough extended their lead at the top of the Investec Women’s Conference East to nine points after Amy Sheehan’s goal gave them a 1-0 win away at St Albans.
The hosts started the day in second and were looking to close the gap on the league leaders, but Sheehan’s second half goal sees them fall to third after Cambridge won 3-1 away at Sevenoaks.
Ipswich remain winless at the bottom after they were beaten 7-1 away at Wimbledon, a hat-trick from Libby Sherriff helping to lift the home side to fifth. Elsewhere Harleston Magpies were 3-0 winners at home to Chelmsford and Hampstead and Westminster drew 2-2 at home to Maidenhead.
Investec Women’s Hockey League (Saturday, February 13 2016):
Investec Women’s Premier Division: Buckingham 0, Clifton 0; Holcombe 3, Reading 0; Bowdon Hightown 0, University of Birmingham 2; Leicester 2, East Grinstead 1; Canterbury 1, Surbiton 1.
Investec Women's Conference East: Sevenoaks 1, Cambridge City 3; St Albans 0, Slough 1; Hampstead and Westminster 2, Maidenhead 2; Wimbledon 7, Ipswich 1; Harleston Magpies 3, Chelmsford 0.
Investec Women's Conference North: Loughborough Students 1, Beeston 2; Whitley Bay and Tynemouth 1, Springfields 0; University of Durham 2, Ben Rhydding 2; Liverpool Sefton 1, Belper 1; Wakefield 0, Brooklands Poynton 1.
Investec Women's Conference West: Bristol Firebrands 1, Swansea City 1; Gloucester City 1, Sutton Coldfield 2; Trojans 1, Stourport 2; Olton and West Warwicks 4, Isca 2; University of Bristol 2, Oxford Hawks 4.
England Hockey Board Media release
USIU stun Strathmore in hockey league
By BRIAN YONGA
Betsy Omalla (left) of Telkom Orange and Doreen Hongo of Strathmore University Scorpions during the Kenya Hockey Union national women's league match at City Park Stadium on January 31, 2016. The Scorpions were on Saturday stunned 1-0 by United States International University of Africa Spartans in a match played at the same venue. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU NATION MEDIA GROUP
United States International University of Africa (USIU) Spartans on Saturday stunned Strathmore University Scorpions 1-0 in a Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) women’s national league match played at the City Park Stadium, Nairobi.
Kenyan international Lorraine Nondi’s 49th minute strike from a penalty corner gave Spartans the three points in the university derby.
Spartans coach James Mwangi was impressed by the result singling out his defence for keeping out the Scorpions’ strikers who frantically searched for an equaliser late on.
“A match between these two sides is usually closely contested and today was no different.
We were the better side, defended well and took the chance we got and we are happy we got all three points, “an elated Mwangi told Sunday Nation Sport.
SWEET REVENGE
It was sweet revenge for Spartans who lost the first leg fixture 1-2 last year in an equally entertaining encounter.
Scorpions went close late on but Yvonne Karanja, Gilly Okumu and Rachel Ousa were all denied by Spartans keeper Laurette Osaso.
Both defences were on top of things as neither team created any chances in a dull first half and Nondi’s strike in the second half lit the encounter as Scorpions pressed forward for an equaliser.
Scorpions coach Meshack Senge blamed his team’s defeat on poor marking and lapses in concentration.
MEN'S LEAGUE
In the men’s national league. Multimedia University edged out Mount Kenya University (MKU) 1-0.
Bernard Ombuya scored the lone goal in the 34th minute to give his team the three points in the university derby.
Multimedia coach Vincent Odhiambo was pleased with the result urging his charges to keep winning their remaining matches in order to clinch a play-off spot.
“It was a good result, the lads gave their all though we should have won by a wider margin.
Our target is to clinch a play-off spot and we are well on track to achieve that target, “Odhiambo said.
MKU had their chances in the encounter but were let down by poor finishing from their strikers.
MKU coach James Munyi believes his team will gradually improve noting that it would have been a different result had they taken their chances.
MMU attacked from the onset winning three short corners in the opening 10 minutes but were unable to make any of them, count.
Ombuya had the first chance of the game in the 15th minute but his back hand shot was saved by MKU keeper Peterson Mali.
The striker was not to be denied in the 34t minute when his deflected shot beat Mali at his near post to give his team the slim lead in the first half.
Daily Nation
Skipper Aliff saves SSTMI Thunderbolts
By Jugjet Singh
DOUBLE champions SSTMI Thunderbolts were saved the blushes when their skipper Aliff Syazwan delivered in their 2-0 win against Politeknik Malaysia in Division One of the Junior Hockey League Saturday.
The captain led by example to score two penalty corner goals in the fifth and 47th minutes to beat Politeknik in an otherwise close contest.
SSTMI coach Wan Roslan Rahman attributed the low scoring to a gruelling match against BJSS Thunderbolts on Friday, where they only won 6-5.
"My players looked tired after the 6-5 encounter against BJSS on Friday but luckily, our penalty corners helped us against Politeknik.
"Now, even though we have a 21 points from seven matches, our next two games against SSP-MSP (Thunderbolts) and UniKL (Young Guns) are crucial as we can only afford to drop one match to retain our League title," said Wan Roslan.
In another Division one match BJSS Thunderbolts hammered SSTMI Juniors 5-0 to keep their sights on playing in the TNB Cup quarter-finals.
The BJSS goals were scored by Arif Sabron (22nd, 62nd), Fahmi Zaharman (24th), Hafiizhuddin Zaidi (35th) and Noor Firdaus Rosdi (70th).
RESULTS -- Division One: SSTMI Juniors 0 BJSS Thunderbolt 5, Politeknik Malaysia 0 SSTMI Thunderbolts 2.
Division Two – Group A: MATRI 5 SM Sains Raja Tun Azlan Shah 1, KHA Kedah Juniors 0 MCKK 3.
Group B: Anderson Thunderbolt 2 BJSS Juniors 2, MISCF-UFL 3 MSNPK-ILHC 4.
Group C: SM Sains Johor 1 MSNT-PHT 4; SMK Dato Bentara Luar Juniors 3 Akademi Hoki Pahang 1.
SUNDAY -- Division One: SSP-MSP-Thunderbolts v SMKDBL Young Guns (Kuantan), Nur Insafi v UniKL Young Guns (Sg Petani), Politeknik v PJCC (Taman Daya, 7pm).
Division Two: Group A: MSS Kedah v Perlis Young Lions Jnrs (Pdg Serai), MCKK v Penang-USM (K. Kangsar); Group B: MISCF-UFL v STAR (KLHA), MSSWPKL v Felda Juniors (Ministry of Education), Anderson PHA v BJSS Juniors (Azlan Shah); Group C: Datuk Taha v Malacca Young Hurricanes (Seremban II), SM Sains Johor v Pahang Hockey Academy (batu Pahat), Sabah Sports School v Malacca High Hercules (Malacca).
Note: Matches start at 5pm unless stated.
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
SSTMI TNDER' 7 7 0 0 34 9 21
UNIKL YOUNG GUNS 7 4 1 2 16 16 13
SSP-MSP-TNDER' 5 4 0 1 28 7 12
BJSS TNDER' 6 4 0 2 21 11 12
OLAK TIGERS 7 3 0 4 17 24 9
POLITEKNIK 6 2 1 3 9 10 7
SMKDBL YOUNG GUNS 7 2 1 4 13 17 7
PJCC 6 2 0 4 8 13 6
NURINSAFI 6 1 2 3 11 24 5
SSTMI JRS 7 0 1 6 6 32 1
Jugjet's World of Field Hockey
Women's junior hockey league to start Feb 19
by S. Ramaguru
KUALA LUMPUR: The Women’s Malaysian Junior Hockey League (WMJHL) will take off on Feb 19, with RM59,500 in prize money at stake.
The 14 teams have been divided into two groups and they will play a round robin for the preliminary stage. The top four teams from each group will qualify for the knockout stage.
Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) competitions committee chairman George Koshy said that they’ve decided to run the tournament in the same format as the men’s.
“Each team will also get a grant of RM3,000. We have divided the teams into two groups based on their zones. Nine states are represented by the 14 teams and there will be a fair bit of travelling for the teams,” he said after the team managers’ meeting,
The group champions will receive RM5,000, the second RM3,500 and the third RM2,500.
The overall champions stand to earn RM15,000, while the second and third-placed teams will get RM10,000 and RM7,500. The fourth team will pick up RM4,000.
As Sabah have decided to maintain Kota Kinabalu as their home ground at the Likas Sports Complex, some of the teams will have to travel there for their matches.
George said that MHC would “absorb the teams’ cost of travelling to Sabah for the first year”.
“Sabah will also have their travelling expenses taken care of by the MHC for the preliminary round,” he said.
George also said that they have not decided on whether to hold the knockout stage on a home-and-away basis or just in KL.
The competition will take a break from March 12-20 for the national Under-16 tournament. The WMJH final is slated for April 5.
THE WMJHL GROUPINGS
Group A: SMK Za’ba Kuala Pilah, Johor, SMK Tun Hussein Onn, SSTMI-Thunderbolt, Sabah Sports School, UniKL Ladies, Selangor Girls.
Group B: YP-MSP-PHP, MSN Terengganu-SMKPM, MSN Kedah, SMK Sultan Ibrahim, SMK Gunung Rapat Highlanders, Kuala Lumpur Wipers, Mutiara Impian-USM.
The Star of Malaysia
Global Projects: Guatemala awarded 2015 Pablo Negre Trophy
Photo: Hockey En Guate Facebook
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) is pleased to announce that the Asociacion Deportiva Nacional de Hockey de Guatemala has won the 2015 Pablo Negre Trophy, awarded to national associations for their dedication to promoting hockey and embracing the spirit of the sport.
The annual award sees them receive support from FIH official suppliers in the form of a pitch from Polytan STI and lighting courtesy of Musco Lighting, both of which will be installed free of charge within the next few months.
The news was received with great delight within the country. Speaking about the Trophy, President of the Asociacion Deportiva Nacional de Hockey de Guatemala, Pablo Reyes, said: “The award is fundamental for us because it means we can take our hockey to the next level. Currently there is no hockey pitch in the whole of Central America.
“The pitch will help to develop hockey in Central America. Guatemala will be the principal beneficiary, of course, but we want to share this award with our neighbours.”
Hockey has been developing at pace in Guatemala, driven on by Reyes and his enthusiastic team, but, as the President says, it has sometimes been a slog: “We had the full support of the Guatemalan Olympic Committee and the PAHF (Pan American Hockey Federation) when we started our journey 10 years ago but you have to bear in mind that, in the first five years, there weren't many balls and sticks – in fact no-one sells them in Guatemala – few places to play, few teams to play. To keep the interest of the people was not easy.”
Nonetheless, the national association founders persisted and followed a simple but effective strategy. First they got the 15-25 year old men involved because, says Reyes: “they are the ones that play the most sport.” Many of these players were physical education teachers so they introduced the sport into schools and clubs and began to target the 10-14 year olds.
Eventually, sisters, friends and relatives also began to take an interest in playing the game.
“Speaking about it now, I make it sound easy,” says Reyes, “but believe me, it was a very hard work. We heard the word ‘no’ more times than ‘yes’. Also, it was not only getting players, the most difficult part is to retain them.”
The development of hockey in Guatemala was given a boost in 2012 when the Association was recognised by the Sports Confederation of Guatemala. This meant the sport could access funds, which in turn meant entry into international events, the implementation of development programmes and wider promotion of the sport.
In addition, since 2006, the Guatemalan Olympic Committee, with the technical support of the PAHF, has supported coach, umpire and judging courses and provided funding to pay for travel and coaching expenses for the national teams.
Reyes explains the Association’s growth strategy: “As President, I understood that hockey couldn’t grow in the way we wanted if we continued just playing locally. We had to have an ‘international agenda’ to show the Sports Confederation of Guatemala and Guatemalan Olympic Committee that we were a serious team sport.”
Since 2012, both the men’s and women’s team have a world ranking (59 and 67 respectively); they both competed for the first time in the Caribbean Games and the Central American Games – where the men took first place and the women second.
The next step in the development plan is to build a Hockey Academy where the elite and promising players can train and play. This, Reyes believes, will help the sport filter down and become more sustainable.
For the future, there are short and long-term objectives. Both the men and women will play in Hockey World League Round One and later in the year they will compete in the third Central American Indoor Hockey Championship – an event where Reyes expects both teams to shine.
The big target is the 2017 Central American Games in Managua. Hockey is included in the programme for the first time and Reyes has high hopes that Guatemala will be the first name on the honours board.
Guatemala is playing a vital role in developing hockey and contributing to the overall growth of the sport both within their country and beyond. The Pablo Negre Trophy is further recognition that the nation has now become a role model for other developing hockey nations.
This award is part of the FIH’s drive to celebrate success and results which contribute to the Hockey Revolution, the 10 year strategy aimed at making hockey a global game that inspires the next generation. To find out more about the Hockey Revolution, click here.
More information about the other honorary award categories and criteria, click here.
To find out more about hockey in Guatemala, click here.
FIH site
Rahim: A passionate player and official
By Jugjet Singh
FORMER Malaysian national hockey defender Abdul Rahim Ahmad passed away yesterday at the age of 59, fondly remembered by the hockey family as a helpful administrator, and a hard-tackling player during his hey-days.
Rahim was a member of the 1982 Bombay World Cup, and also helped Malaysia win bronze in the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi.
The stout defender started off by playing in the 1979 Jakarta Sea Games where Malaysia won gold, and retired with 62 caps. He turned out for Selangor from 1974 to 1992, and has also played for Perak in the Razak Cup.
Rahim comes from a well-known hockey family, as his brothers Amir Fuad and Mohamed Yazid are also former national players.
The Klang Municipal Council health officer was also a former vice-president of the Selangor HA, and an active Liaison Officer for many years at the Azlan Shah Cup.
Rahim's last two assignments were helping to run the media centre at the Sultan of Johor Cup (SOJC), and then the Junior Asia Cup in Kuantan.
Always passionate about the sport, Rahim once lamented about the lack of tournaments for the women.
"The men have many tournaments, local and overseas, to play every year but I pity the women who only have the Sea Games to look forward to. Maybe there should be a women's Azlan Shah Cup, and a women's SOJC in the near future to make them better players," said Rahim at the SOJC last year.
Rahim's wish might just come true as the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) Competitions Committee have said that they will help any state which wants to host a women's SOJC and Azlan Shah Cup.
Jugjet's World of Field Hockey
Former hockey defender Abdul Rahim dies
by S. Ramaguru
PETALING JAYA: Former national hockey defender Abdul Rahim Ahmad has passed away at the Klang General Hospital. He was 59.
He was taken to the hospital after a bout of severe coughing, but was pronounced dead on arrival.
The retired Klang Municipal Council health officer leaves behind a wife and four children.
Rahim, who featured in the 1982 World Cup in Bombay, also won a bronze with the national team at the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi.
He also won the gold medal in the Jakarta SEA Games in 1979 and a runners-up medal in the 1980 Inter-Continental Cup.
He had 62 international caps and played for Selangor from 1974 to 1992. He also featured for Perak in the Razak Cup competition.
Rahim came from a family of hockey players. His brothers – Amir Fuad and Mohamed Yazid – are former national players.
Rahim was an affable person and always willing to help others.
He was buried at the Sungei Udang cemetery in Kampung Delek, Klang, after the zohor prayers.
He was also a former vice-president with the Selangor Hockey Association and kept himself active on the hockey scene until his death.
SHA secretary P. Kugenesan said that Rahim had worked hard for the association and would be remembered for his duty to the national and state teams as a hockey player.
“He did a lot for the state and was involved in the game even after he had retired from Klang MC. He would always step up to help when needed.
“He had also encouraged young kids to take up the game and gave them advice. His death is a great loss to the game.”
The Star of Malaysia
Malaysian hockey legend Mike Shepherdson dies at 85
By Jugjet Singh
Former Hockey Olympian Michael F. "Mike" Shepherdson who Malaya in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics and represent the nation at the Asian Games in Tokyo in 1958 and in Jakarta in 1962 where Malaysia won a Bronze medal died at his family home in Bangsar last night.
KUALA LUMPUR: Former hockey Olympian Michael F. "Mike" Shepherdson passed away last night. He was 85.
It was learnt that Shepherdson died at his family home in Bangsar.
Shepherdson represented Malaya in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics where he earned the rare distinction of being selected by journalists for the World XI team – the first Malayan to achieve this.
He went on to represent the nation at the Asian Games in Tokyo in 1958 and in Jakarta in 1962 where Malaysia won a bronze medal.
In 2011 he was inducted to the Olympic Council of Malaysia’s Hall of Fame for his sporting achievements.
Shepherdson also held the distinction of holding a double national skippers role in hockey and cricket.
He was also a Selangor soccer player.
New Straits Times