News for 25 September 2011
Sunday, 25 September 2011 08:19 | 
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All the news for Sunday 25 September 2011
Clifton go top of Investec Women's Premier Division
GOALS from Georgie Twigg and Kate Ruszala helped Clifton secure a 2-0 victory at Cannock in Staffordshire on Saturday, a victory which sees them top of the early table in the Investec Women’s Premier Division.
Twigg struck from open play after just four minutes, but Cannock dug in from then on and held the deficit to just one goal until ten minutes from time, when Ruszala’s goal clinched the result.
Over at Altrincham in Cheshire, two goals each from Charlotte Craddock and Susie Rowe helped Canterbury secure a 5-3 victory over hosts Bowdon Hightown.
Also scoring two goals each were Denise Marston-Smith and Emma McCabe, whose strikes helped Olton and West Warwickshire secure a 4-0 win at Leicester – a result which sees Leicester at the bottom of the table.
And the University of Birmingham are third in the table following their 6-3 home win over Sutton Coldfield. Goals from Liz George, Holly Payne, Jo Turnbull and Susie Gilbert helped the hosts to a 4-0 lead, but Sutton Coldfield pulled it back to 4-2 at the break with Helen Morris and Jane Sixsmith scoring.
After the break Kirsty Dawson and Isobel Fullwood scored for Birmingham, and although Celia Butler added another for the visitors it was not enough.
In the Investec Women’s Conference North, the University of Durham scored seven goals for a second consecutive weekend to put themselves top of the early table.
Libby Sherriff scored two of their goals, while others came from Louise Boddy, Harriet Moore, Sophie Davies, Sophie Hawkins and Elisa Filarmonico.
But the match was marred by an ankle injury to Whitley Bay & Tynemouth’s Joss Plummer, who hurt her ankle while trying to avoid a lifted ball. After a ten minute delay while she was taken off to hospital, the match continued.
Doncaster beat Liverpool Sefton 2-0 to remain unbeaten so far, while also on maximum points are Beeston (who beat Brooklands Poynton 4-1) and Wakefield Bradford, who won 1-0 at Loughborough Students.
Two goals from Kitty Higgins helped Buckingham go top of the early Investec Women’s Conference West table with a 3-0 win over hosts Team Bath Buccaneers.
Her two goals, plus another from Tracy Jones, helped them to victory.
Barnes Hounslow Ealing are the only other team on maximum points in the West after a 3-1 home win over Exe, with Triona Doyle, Christie Fernside and Liz Nelson all getting on the scoresheet.
And in the Investec Conference East, a hat-trick from Jet Van Zalen ensured Sevenoaks would beat Chelmsford 7-2 and make up for the previous week’s narrow loss.
Ipswich are top of the East table after a 4-0 win over Old Loughtonians, with Annika Broster scoring two of their goals and the others coming from Christabel McWhirter and Micha Knowles.
Surbiton are also unbeaten after beating Maidstone 4-1, with Chloe Strong scoring twice in the second half, while Becky Merchant and Sandra Franklin also scored.
England Hockey Board Media release
Jackson Hat-Trick Helps East Grinstead to Victory
A HAT-trick from Ashley Jackson helped East Grinstead notch up a 7-1 win at Loughborough Students and go top of the Men’s EHL Premier Division on Saturday.
The match was close at the break with goals from David De Prez and Barry Middleton giving East Grinstead a 2-1 lead, with Sam Ward’s early goal having given Loughborough the lead.
But after the break Jackson hit three goals, while Middleton added another and Andy Piper also got on the scoresheet.
Elsewhere, Bowdon won 5-1 in the Premier Division, goals from Alex Edmonstone, Tom Ainsworth, Phil Dutoy, Nigel Croke and Mark Daniel helping them take the win.
As well as East Grinstead, Cannock are also unbeaten after securing a 4-0 win over Southgate with goals from Ross Hayward, Arjan Drayton Chana, Marc Edwards and David Harris.
And two goals from Matt Daly helped Surbiton to a 2-0 victory over Hampstead and Westminster.
In the Conference West, Whitchurch are the only team on maximum points following their 5-1 victory over Lichfield.
Adam Barker scored a goal in each half for table-topping Whitchurch, while others came from Simon Miles, Joe Naughalty and Mark Whatling. Will Davis scored Lichfield’s late consolation.
Two goals down early in the second half, Cheltenham battled back to salvage a point from a 2-2 draw with Team Bath Buccaneers.
Eugene Malthouse and Lewis Prosser had given Team Bath a two-nil lead, but the home side hit back with Alex Salmon and Will Pearce scoring on 41 and 60 minutes to ensure a share of the spoils.
The closing stages of a hotly-contested match saw five yellow cards dished out.
Brooklands Manchester University are yet to concede a goal this season after beating hosts Barford Tigers 5-0 in the Conference North on Saturday.
They were three-nil ahead at the break with Steve Edmonds, David Seddon and Russell Anderson scoring, and they ensured victory with second half strikes from Steve Andrews and Simon Hodgkinson.
Elsewhere in the North, Preston won 3-2 at University of Durham with Thomas Galloway scoring twice and Jonny Robinson adding a third.
And Nick Morris scored twice for Belper to help them win 2-1 at home against Leek.
Over in the Conference East, Wimbledon hammered hosts Oxted 10-1, with James Osborn, Simon Lanyon, Jared Treadway and Peter Small scoring two goals each, while the others came from Ben Hawes and Steven Richardson.
There was also a high-scoring match at Bromley and Beckenham, where visitors Teddington ran out 7-3 winners.
Harry Wilder and Huib Zwerver scored two goals each, while Jamie Sones and James Maxwell also got on the scoresheet.
Four goals from Oliver Didham were still not enough for Old Loughtonians to take victory and they had to settle for a 4-4 draw with hists Canterbury.
City of Peterborough also came out on top in a ten-goal thriller, beating Harleston Magpies 8-2 with Gareth Andrew scoring a hat-trick. David Appleton scored twice, while their other goals went to Carl Daniels, Scott Gilmour and Chris Porter.
England Hockey Board Media release
Grinstead's Ashley Jackson back on fire
by Patrick Rowley
Ashley Jackson marked his return to the England League with a hat-trick of corner goals as East Grinstead dumped Loughborough Students at the university 7-1.
The former World Young Player of the Year was only on the field for three corners but powered in all three.
Fellow international Barry Middleton scored twice for the Sussex club.
Clifton stayed on top of the Investec England Women’s League, international Georgina Twigg and Kate Ruszala scoring in a 2-0 win at Cannock.
Charlotte Craddock picked up a brace for Canterbury who won 5-3 at Bowdon.
Former British star, Jane Sixsmith is back in the premier division and scoring but her goal for Sutton Coldfield could not prevent them losing 6-3 at Birmingham University.
Sunday Express
Kelburne and Grove Menzieshiill remain unbeaten
A large crowd at Bellahouston were treated to a wonderful display of free flowing hockey by reigning champions Glynhill Kelburne who to some extent avenged last season's Cup Final defeat by Western Wildcats by crushing the visitors 7-1 on Saturday afternoon in the Subway National League.
Kelburne were two up inside the opening six minutes through goals from Alan Forsyth and Chris Nelson before the Wildcats had any chance of settling into the game. The champions extended their lead through a wonderful solo goal from Michael Christie who beat several defenders before netting with a full length dive from an acute angle.
Joe Simpson reduced the arrears shortly afterwards only for Forsyth to net a fourth before half time. The second half continued in the same vein with Kelburne totally dominant and further goals from Nelson and a Jonny Christie double sealed the convincing win.
In the other games Edinburgh University made their first bow of the league season with a 2-2 draw with Greaves Clydesdale and CALA Edinburgh recorded their first league victory with a fine 3-2 away win against AMN Hillhead . Meanwhile Grange defeated VWS Dundee Wanderers 7-1 at Riverside Park and Inverleith won 4-0 at Peffermill.
Meanwhile in the Women's competition Grove Menzieshill proved too strong for a young inexperienced Milne Craig Western side with a comfortable 4-1 win at Titwood. An early flurry of short corners saw Grove take the lead when Linda Clement was on hand to bundle home after an initial block by Western keeper Amy Gibson.
Midway through the half, Clement struck again deflecting a set piece effort from Louise Baxter low into the net. The third once again came from a set piece with captain Ailsa Wylie on hand at the post to nudge home a Louise Carroll strike.
Western refused to give up and reduced the arrears early in the second period through a neat finish from Fiona Bruce. However with minutes a Baxter set piece effort took a wicked deflection off a defender to seal the win.
Scottish Hockey Union media release
Coach warns TNB against complacency
By Ajitpal Singh
TNB’s Faizal Saari and YNS goalkeeper Nasir Ahmed face-off on Friday. TNB won 3-0. — Picture by Fariz Iswadi Ismail.
TENAGA Nasional Berhad (TNB) coach Lailin Abu Hassan has warned his players not to be overconfident when they face UniKL in today's TNB-MHL Premier Division match at the National Hockey Stadium.
TNB are hoping to finally hit peak form following unconvincing wins of late while UniKL want to bounce back from their 2-1 defeat to Sapura on Friday.
Lailin hopes his team will finally show their true colours today.
"UniKL are a fit team with many talented players. We cannot take them lightly as they are energetic," said Lailin yesterday.
"I will likely make some tactical changes to counter UniKL's fast pace style of play."
UniKL manager Amir Azhar Ibrahim said his team need to work on their composure to win matches.
"We led for 64 minutes against Sapura before they hit back with two quick goals.
"It was a waste as my boys controlled almost the entire match. I do not want this to happen again," said Amir.
On today's match, he said his side must play a tight game to contain TNB.
"We cannot afford to play an open game as TNB are an experienced side," added Amir.
New Straits Times
KLHC ordered to go for simple win against YNS
By S. RAMAGURU
Tense moment: YNS goalkeeper Nasir Ahmed (right) confronting a TNB player during their MHL Premier Division match on Friday. — SHAHRUL FAZRY ISMAIL / The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Double champions Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club (KLHC) have been told to ditch the fancy stuff and to just focus on collecting the three points when they take on Yayasan Negri Sembilan (YNS) in the Premier Division of the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) today.
KLHC coach R. Vivekanandan said yesterday that they have learnt their lessons after being forced to slog for the 3-2 win over Maybank on Friday.
“We were playing such an open game that we neglected the defence. Their speedy counter attacks caused us a lot of problems. We need to learn from this match. There is also no need for us to aim for high scores,” he said.
“Let’s keep it simple ... win the matches and we will win the league title. There is no need to worry about goal difference.”
KLHC lead the standings with a better goal difference from Sapura. Both teams have nine points from three matches.
Since Sapura do not have a game until next Friday, KLHC can open up a three-point lead at the top if they can overcome YNS today.
“It is good know that (they can enjoy a three-point cushion) but we will not take anything for granted. YNS are a good team and, although they lost two of their three matches, we cannot take them lightly,” said Vivekanandan.
More so since YNS are among the three teams who have foreign players in their ranks.
All their six foreigners are Pakistanis and have played at the international level and Vivekanandan is most cautious of penalty corner flicker Ihsan Ullah Khan.
Meanwhile, Maybank have a chance to win their first league match when they play the Armed Forces today.
The other interesting match-up today is that between Tenaga Nasional and Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL). Tenaga have won their last two matches to be in third spot with six points. They are now hoping to bag full points against UniKL to keep pace with the leaders.
The Star of Malaysia
No role for Rehan Butt and Zeeshan Ashraf in Pakistan hockey: chief selector
PHF recalls Salman Akbar and Sohail Abbas for Australia tour camp
Staff Report
KARACHI: Former star forward and chief selector Hanif Khan said on Saturday that there was no more role for two former Pakistan captains – Rehan Butt and Zeeshan Ashraf – in Pakistan hockey. “Their era has come to an end and we are now looking to raise a team without them,” he told reporters at a news conference here at Hockey Club of Pakistan Stadium. Zeeshan and his charges finished worst-ever 12th in last year's World Cup in New Delhi after disastrous sixth spot in 2008 Beijing Olympics. “They (Zeeshan and Rehan) have played their role and now we have to rely on youngsters with a few seasoned players,” he added.
Hanif said with the feedback from Pakistan hockey team management including chief coach Michel van dan Hauvel and manager Khawaja Junaid, we are recalling goalkeeper Salman Akbar and full back Sohail Abbas.
“Pakistan showed slackness in defence in the recently concluded Asian Champions Trophy and we are trying to strengthen our defence. And that is why Sohail and Salman have been included in a training camp for the upcoming Australia tour,” he said.
“Our defence and penalty corner conversion were very poor.” Olympian Hanif, who was a member of Pakistan team that won last Olympic gold medal at Los Angeles in 1984, said out of 28 short corners Pakistan could convert only six. “The result in the Asian Champions Trophy final was more disappointing as Pakistan failed to convert any of nine penalty corners,” he said. The Pakistan team’s short training camp for the Australian tour starts from October 1 at Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium in Islamabad. The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) selection committee has named 25 probables to attend the training camp. He expressed the hope that the PHF would be able to build a good team for the London Olympics 2012. “If the greenshirts finished among the top four it will be a good result,” he concluded.
Probables for training camp: Muhammad Imran, Shakeel Abbas, Syed Kashif Shah, Imran Butt, Muhammad Rizwan, Waseem Ahmad, Rashid Mehmood, Fareed Ahmed, Muhammad Tousiq, Muhammad Waqas, Sohail Abbas, Muhammad Rizwan, Muhammad Zubair, Muhammmad Imran, Abdul Haseem Khan, Imran Shah, Muhammad Umar Bhutta, Muhammad Irfan, Shafqat Rasool, Muhammad Kashif Javed, Ali Shan, Muhammad Irfan, Salman Akbar, Tasawwar Abbas and Muhammad Suleman.
The Daily Times
Pakistan juniors to feature in 8-nation event in Malaysia
Staff Report
KARACHI: Pakistan juniors will take part in the inaugural Sultan Johar Junior Hockey Tournament to be held in Johar Baru, Malaysia from November 5 to 12. The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) is holding a training camp for the 29 probables at Hockey Club of Pakistan Stadium here from October 1. “Trials to select the national team for the event will be held here on October 15,” chief selector Hanif Khan announced on Saturday.
Probables: Mazhar Abbas, Muhammad Safian, Waseem Abbas, Safeer Hussain, Muhammad Umair, Hafiz Rizwan Ali, Muhammad Asad Bashir, Muhammad Arsalan Qadir, Faisal Qadir, Mohammad Zahid Khan, Zohaib Ashraf, Muhammad Bilal Qadir, Abdul Qayyum Dogar, Hafiz Umar Sardar, Hassan Mansoor, Amjad Ali, Muhammad Dilber, Muhammad Adnan Anwar, Aleem Bilal, Muhammad Khalid Bhatti, Muhammad Mushtaq, Ali Hassan Faraz, Ahmad Zubair, Muhammad Bilal Khan, Abdul Karim Abdul Zohaib Khan, Ammad Butt, Asif Aslam and Arsalan Shirazi.
The Daily Times
Dhanraj hails ‘lifeline’ given to Sandeep, Sardara
Former India skipper Dhanraj Pillay today welcomed Hockey India’s decision to lift the two-year ban imposed on drag-flicker Sandeep Singh and mid-fielder Sardara Singh. File photo: R. M. Rajarathinam
Former India skipper Dhanraj Pillay today welcomed Hockey India’s decision to lift the two-year ban imposed on drag-flicker Sandeep Singh and mid-fielder Sardara Singh.
“I want to wish Hockey India for instantly waiving off the ban on the two players,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the India International Sports Summit organised by TranStadia here.
“When we won the Asian championship, I felt that the team was on the right track. One big incentive is that Sardara Singh and Sandeep Singh have been recalled,” the four-time Olympian said.
Hockey India had earlier this week lifted the two-year ban imposed on Sandeep and Sardara, saying the two players were being given “a last chance” to make amends for their mistakes.
The two players were banned for two years by HI’s Disciplinary Committee for repeatedly indulging in indisciplinary acts after they quit midway the national camp in Bangalore last month ahead of the Asian Champions Trophy, citing personal reasons.
Dhanraj said the feud between Hockey India and the Indian Hockey Federation was hurting the players.
“Players are suffering due to the rivalry between Hockey India and the Indian Hockey Federation. I have requested Sports Minister Ajay Maken to find a solution to this. Because of it many players could not decide whether they should join the World Series Hockey,” he added.
The Hindu
EME beats defending champions BSF to win Hockey Gold Cup
FARIDKOT: EME Jalandhar trounced defending champions Border Security Force 4-2 in a penalty shootout to clinch the 20th All India Baba Farid Gold Cup Hockey tournament.
Both teams failed to convert their opportunities in the stipulated time frame yesterday which forced the title clash into the penalty shootouts. EME goalkeeper, however, kept his cool to see his team run away with a 4-2 win.
Earlier on its way to the final, EME Jalandhar beat Indian Navy, Bombay 2-0 while BSF rallied from behind to topple Corps of Signals 4-3 in a keenly contested semifinal to set-up the title clash.
Corps of Signals' centre forward S Lakara was adjudged man-of-the-tournament.
Meanwhile, in the women's category Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala defeated Chandigarh Sports Academy 3-1 to emerge as champions.
The Times of India
North Carolina squeaks by Duke
Stephens scores game-winning goal for the Tar Heels
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- Senior Elizabeth Stephens scored 27 seconds into the second overtime period to give the North Carolina field hockey team a 1-0 win against visiting Duke Saturday at Francis E. Henry Stadium. The second-ranked Tar Heels improved to 8-1 on the year and 1-0 in the Atlantic Coast Conference with the win in their ACC opener. Duke, ranked No. 9, fell to 5-4 overall and 1-1 in ACC play.
The victory gives UNC a point in the Battle of the Blues, presented by Continental Tire, which is the annual competition between 23 varsity sports fielded by both schools.
"I'm just delighted to come away with a victory against a very strong Duke team, especially defensively," UNC coach Karen Shelton said. "I thought it was a defensive battle by both teams today and I'm so proud that we really didn't allow a clear shot on goal. It was a great defensive effort on our part, but a great defensive effort on their part as well. "
The teams battled through 85 minutes of scoreless play, contested mostly in a steady rain, before Stephens' goal gave the Tar Heels the victory. North Carolina started the second of the 15-minute, seven-on-seven overtime periods a player down after junior Jaclyn Gaudioso Radvany received a yellow card late in the first period and had to sit for five minutes. So Carolina began play with just six players -- five in the field and goalkeeper Sassi Ammer.
"When we were man-down, we knew we only had 30 seconds or so before our last player could come in, so we wanted to maintain possession," said Stephens, a forward from St. Louis who serves as the team's vice-captain. "But when we saw our opportunity we took it and were able to translate that. It feels very good to score a goal man-down in the second overtime. It's pretty awesome."
As the second overtime began, the Tar Heels quickly got the ball into scoring territory, where junior Kelsey Kolojejchick drove the right baseline and centered a pass into the middle of the circle. Senior Katelyn Falgowski dove to deflect it toward the goal, where Stephens got her stick on it and took a shot that was saved by Duke keeper Samantha Nelson. Stephens gathered the rebound and shot again from the left side of the cage, this time getting it past Nelson, who had made five saves on the day.
UNC had 15 shots to five by Duke and six corners to Duke's three. The game was the second overtime contest of the season for North Carolina and the third for Duke. The Tar Heels are now 2-0 in overtime, with the other win coming against Wake Forest, and the Blue Devils are 0-3.
NCAA
Northwestern upsets New Hampshire
Roundup: Maryland, Connecticut both hold opponents scoreless
No. 15 Northwestern has defeated two top-10 teams this season. Northwestern Athletics
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- In a back-and-forth tussle between two physical opponents, Northwestern emerged victorious against New Hampshire in Louisville, Ky., edging out the Wildcats in blue by a 5-4 margin.
New Hampshire entered the contest as one of two undefeated teams in the country (No. 1 Old Dominion being the other), but ended the day with its first loss -- the second time this season Northwestern has given a top-11 opponent its first loss (No. 11 California was 5-0 before playing the Wildcats).
Both Claire Thompson and Maria Kovalchuk scored two goals en route to the biggest win for the 'Cats since defeating No. 6 Ohio State on Sept. 24, 2010. This is the second time this season that Northwestern has beat a top-10 team (the first was No. 8 American in College Park, Md.) and the fourth time toppling a top-20 opponent.
No. 2 North Carolina 1, No. 10 Duke 0 2OT
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- Senior Elizabeth Stephens scored 27 seconds into the second overtime period to give the North Carolina field hockey team a 1-0 win against visiting Duke Saturday at Francis E. Henry Stadium. The second-ranked Tar Heels improved to 8-1 on the year and 1-0 in the Atlantic Coast Conference with the win in their ACC opener. Duke, ranked No. 9, fell to 5-4 overall and 1-1 in ACC play.
The victory gives UNC a point in the Battle of the Blues, presented by Continental Tire, which is the annual competition between 23 varsity sports fielded by both schools.
The teams battled through 85 minutes of scoreless play, contested mostly in a steady rain, before Stephens' goal gave the Tar Heels the victory. North Carolina started the second of the 15-minute, seven-on-seven overtime periods a player down after junior Jaclyn Gaudioso Radvany received a yellow card late in the first period and had to sit for five minutes. So Carolina began play with just six players -- five in the field and goalkeeper Sassi Ammer.
No. 3 Maryland 5, Wake Forest 0
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- Maryland notched its 100th win at the Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex Saturday with a dominating 5-0 victory against ACC opponent Wake Forest .
Junior co-captain Megan Frazer and sophomore Jill Witmer each scored twice in the win. Redshirt senior goalkeeper Melissa Vassalotti notched five saves on the day.
The Terps are now 100-9 all-time at the Complex and (.917) and are currently on a 36-game home win streak.
Frazer put Maryland on the board just under eight minutes into the game. After a penalty corner, Frazer knocked in the goal off of senior co-captain Jemma Buckley's saved shot.
In the 31st minute, freshman Katie Gerzabek added the Terrapins' second goal. She drove into the circle and scored to put Maryland up 2-0 before the break.
Frazer pushed the score to 3-0 Maryland when she hit in a shot just 40 seconds into the second half. Witmer scored the Terps' fourth goal in the 38th minute when she tipped in a pass from Gerzabek on a corner setup.
Witmer added Maryland's fifth goal in the 47th minute when she brought the ball all the way up the field and scored on a hard shot from the top of the circle into the right corner of the back of the cage. Wake Forest changed goalkeepers to Letitia Nichols after the Terps' fifth goal.
No. 4 Connecticut 4, Providence 0
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Freshman Chloe Hunnable led Connecticut to a 4-0 shutout against Providence on Saturday afternoon to improve the Huskies record to 7-1 and 2-0 in the Big East.
The Huskies didn't hesitate to jumpstart their offense with sophomore forward Anne Jeute recording UConn's first goal of the day just 3:13 minutes into the game. The 1-0 lead came when Jeute picked up a loose ball off of a pass in the middle of the circle and drilled the ball into the net.
Jeute was assisted by sophomore Marie Elena Bolles who would conclude the afternoon with three assists.
Hunnable would dominate the field the rest of the game as she went on to record a new career high scoring three goals for the Huskies. She now leads UConn in points (16) and goals (7).
NCAA