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All the news for Friday 27 April 2018

2018 Asian YOG Qualifier (M) - Day 2
Bangkok (THA)

Results 26 April

CAM v BAN (Pool B) 0 - 20
PAK v SGP (Pool B) 5 - 0
MAS v TPE (Pool B) 10 - 0
JPN v IND (Pool A) 2 - 6
CAM v PAK (Pool B) 0 - 20
BAN v MAS (Pool B) 4 - 7
HKG v THA (Pool A) 4 - 3
SGP v TPE (Pool B) 3 - 8

Please click here for the latest results and tables

FIH Match Centre

2018 Asian YOG Qualifier (W) - Day 2
Bangkok (THA)

Results 26 April

MAS v CHN (Pool A) 1 - 9
HKG v TPE (Pool A) 3 - 2
IND v KOR (Pool B) 10 - 0
JPN v CHN (Pool A) 3 - 11
THA v SGP (Pool B) 2 - 0
TPE v MAS (Pool A) 0 - 9

Please click here for the latest results and tables

FIH Match Centre

Men on track, tough for women

By Jugjet Singh

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian men's team kept their winning streak intact when they beat Taiwan 10-0 and Bangladesh 7-4 in the Asian Youth Olympics Qualifier at the Queen Sirikit Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

However, the women's five-a-side team lost 9-1 to China but bounced back with a 9-0 score against Taiwan, and need to beat Japan FRIDAY to qualify for the semi-finals.

The Malaysian men top Group B with three wins after three matches, and play Pakistan and Singapore today for a shot at the semi-finals.

Teams which qualify for the final in Bangkok will then proceed to play in the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aries on Oct 6-18.

The 10 goals against Taiwan were scored by Amirul Hamizan Azhar, Akhimullah Anuar Esook, Arif Syafie Ishak and Muhibuddin Moharam (two goals each, while Syarman Mat Tee and Noor Firdaus Rosdi scored one goal each.

Men's coach Wallace Tan expected the score against Taiwan and also the close fight from Bangladesh, who took a 1-0 lead and even equalsied at 2-2.

"It is good that we did not break the winning momentum against Bangladesh even though they gave us a very tough fight and even took the lead.

"This match showed that my players have the winning mentality and it will be a crucial element when we play two more matches (Pakistan and Singapore) tomorrow (FRIDAY) to qualify for the semi-finals," said Wallace.

As for women's coach Yahya Atan, he knows it will be uphill as they need to beat Japan to play in the semi-finals.

"Japan are a tough side , it will not be easy, but not impossible either in hockey 5s," said Yahya.

RESULTS: Men -- Malaysia 10 Taiwan 0, Malaysia 7 Bangladsh 4.
Women -- Malaysia 1 China 9, Malaysia 9 Taiwan 0.

FRIDAY: Men -- Malaysia v Pakistan, Malaysia v Singapore.
Women: Malaysia v Japan.

STANDINGS

MEN Group B

TEAM P W D L GD Pts
MALAYSIA 3 3 0 0 40 9
PAKISTAN 3 2 1 0 28 7
BANGLADESH 3 2 0 1 34 6
TAIWAN   2 0 1 1 3 1
SINGAPORE 2 0 0 2 4 0
CAMBODIA 3 0 0 3 0 0

WOMEN Group A

TEAM P W D L GD Pts
CHINA 3 3 0 0 35 9
JAPAN 3 2 0 1 37 6
MALAYSIA 3 2 0 1 20 6
HONG K   3 1 0 2 5 3
TAIWAN 4 0 0 4 3 0

Jugjet's World of Field Hockey

Boys’ hockey team march into semis

By Aftar Singh

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian boys’ hockey team are on a roll in the Asian Youth Olympics qualifiers in Bangkok.

They secured a place in the semi-finals after registering two convincing wins in Bangkok yesterday.

Wallace Tan’s boys thrashed Taiwan 10-0 in a Group B match in the morning at the Queen Sirikit Stadium.

Later in the afternoon, Malaysia defeated Bangladesh 7-4 to top the group with maximum points from three matches.

Malaysia, who thrashed Cambodia 23-0 on Wednesday, have two more matches to play today – against Pakistan in the morning and Singapore in the afternoon.

Against Bangladesh, Muhd Noor Firdauz Rosdi was Malaysia’s hero as he netted four goals in the seventh, 26th, 27th and 29th minutes.

Mohd Akhimullah Anuar Esook scored a hattrick in the 10th, 12th and 20th minutes.

Bangladesh, coached by Malaysian K. Gobinathan, scored through Mohammad Alam (third), Sawon Sarowar (11th, 14th) and Sobuj Shohanur (28th).

Wallace said he was happy with the fighting spirit shown by his players as they came back from a goal down to beat Bangladesh.

“The players already have a winning momentum and I want them to continue playing hard in the two matches tomorrow.

“The players must maintain their form to stay unbeaten in their group,” said Wallace.

There were mixed fortunes for the Malaysian girls as they were hammered 9-1 by favourites China in Group A in the morning before they bounced back to trounce Taiwan 9-0 in the afternoon.

China have booked their place in the semi-finals after three straight wins while Malaysia’s hopes of reaching the last four will depend on their match against Japan today.

Both teams have six points from three matches and Malaysia need a win over Japan to seal a place in the semis.

National coach Yahya Atan said that his girls need to play a very tactical game if they hope to beat the Japanese.

“My girls know what to expect from the Japanese team who play a physical game,” said Yahya.

The Star of Malaysia

2018 Oceania Youth Olympic Games Qualifier (M) - Day 2
Port Moresby (PNG)

Results 26 April

VAN v PNG (RR) 5 - 1
SOL v AUS (RR) 0 - 19
PNG v SOL (RR) 4 - 5
AUS v VAN (RR) 12 - 0

Please click here for the latest results and tables

FIH Match Centre

2018 Oceania Youth Olympic Games Qualifier (W) - Day 2
Port Moresby (PNG)

Results 26 April

SOL v PNG (RR)  3 - 2
VAN v AUS (RR) 0 - 30
PNG v VAN (RR) 1 - 2
AUS v SOL (RR) 28 - 0

Please click here for the latest results and tables

FIH Match Centre

The making of Mark Knowles: Australia’s inspired hockey leader



Mark Knowles retired from hockey after leading Kookaburras to a sixth Commonwealth gold. Here, columnist Todd Williams salutes an Australian sporting great, who found gold 18 months on from Rio

For those who don’t know much about Mark Knowles, the response of Australia’s chef de mission Steve Moneghetti to his selection as Australia’s flag bearer for the Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony provides a pretty good insight.

Moneghetti pointed to the Kookaburras captain’s “character, integrity and leadership” and, at a time when the sport-loving nation needed to be reminded of these qualities, it was clear that the appointment was no coincidence.

Luckily for Hockey Australia, Knowles is also a very well-mannered bloke. Polite people always ensure they leave places as they have found them and, after well over 300 games, Knowles retires with Australia still in the top few of the men’s game, as they were 14 years ago when he came into the soon-to-be Olympic winning team.

In a glittering career that has achieved the highest team and individual honours, you might think that the Kookaburras’ current world ranking would hardly be worth mentioning.

That would be a mistake. In a period in between the two major tournaments, and where he has only played a handful of games, Mark Knowles has arguably been as important to the Kookaburras as at any other time since 2004 and that tells you just as much about who he is. Character and leader.

Step back little more than 18 months ago and Australian hockey was in trouble. The No.1 ranked men’s team had stuttered through the pool stages of the Rio Olympics and been unceremoniously dumped out of the tournament at the quarter-final stage by the Dutch.

Soon after, the previously in-form Hockeyroos followed suit in the semis. In the wash up, both teams found themselves needing new coaches and staff, while Hockey Australia itself scrambled for a new board and president.

Unlike any Olympics in recent memory, the Kookaburras also faced a much higher turnover of players than ever before. Household (for hockey) names like Dwyer, Turner, Kavanagh and Orchard retired. New coach Colin Batch’s arrival saw him immediately look beyond several other established World Cup winners from only two years before.

Thus ensued a new coaching set-up, a crop of young and inexperienced players and without many of the wise, tough and talented heads that had guided Australia to everything bar Olympic gold over a decade. The Kookaburras, a team for whom medal ceremonies were as usual as warm-downs, were in unfamiliar and uncertain territory. Knowles included.

Fast forward to the medal ceremony at the Commonwealth Games and Batch and his team will have been very satisfied with where they are in a relatively short space of time.


Mark Knowles bowed out of the game following a glittering career

Obviously this is not all down to the outgoing captain and there is great credit owing to Batch, his assistant coaches and of course the players. Nonetheless, it can’t be underestimated how important Knowles’ decision was to stay, or was for this critical phase.

For the new coaches, the endorsement of such a talismanic figure will have been invaluable in establishing their methods and style that now look fluid and embedded.

For the players, having Knowles at training, in meetings and as the guiding force on the pitch in practice games and tournaments will have been so valuable in each of them confronting the challenge of filling the void left by the outgoing players.

This bigger than normal transition has also seen the Kookaburras reduce their average ago from late twenties in Rio to now being somewhere closer to 26. Included in that is the precocious new talent of 20-year olds Jake Harvie and Lachlan Sharp.

Of course, these players have earned their spots on their own talent and ability. But it’s not hard to imagine the extra benefit to these player’s knowledge and confidence a year or so with Knowles will have given them.

With victory at the World League Finals in Bhubaneswar in 2017, the rebuilt Kookaburras returned to the top of the FIH world rankings and from what we know, it must have been around this time that Knowles started to contemplate the “R” word.

While there is nothing to suggest that the two are directly related, it is nonetheless consistent with his character that Knowles’ thirst to right the Rio wrongs would be satisfied, with his team repaired and restored on top of the world.

Unsurprisingly, neither his announcement nor his flag duties provided any level of distraction to Knowles’ focus on the job at hand at the Commonwealth Games.

With the exception of an errant penalty stroke in the final, his last tournament for Australia was everything we have come to expect.

The relentless quality of tackles, passes and intercepts all helping keep the team tick over and yet with the slightest hint, as we saw with his incredible aerial pass to Kieran Govers at the 2014 World Cup, that the spectacular solution was in the locker if ever the team needed it.

Predictably then, the timing of Knowles’ retirement reflects the same commitment to those around him. Players able to choose their point of retirement usually opt for one last crack at either an Olympics or World Cup winner’s medal.

But that justifiable quest for the perfect mix of team success and their own swansong offers no guarantee, as the departing players from Rio know too well. Occasionally it works out but the simple odds of victory say that most of the time it doesn’t

For Knowles, the Commonwealth Games offered a better option with more certainty. The location and profile offered a wonderful (and rare) opportunity for his family and friends to share his final moments on home soil.

For his beloved Kookaburras, this was a point up to which he could guarantee his complete level of commitment and focus. Beyond that, there was doubt. And, to quote Robert de Niro in Ronin, “when there is doubt, there is no doubt”.

And so the same character, integrity and leadership that Moneghetti referred to has therefore led Knowles to retire with the World Cup only months away; the possibility of an historic third consecutive win outweighed by the desire to be with his family and the certainty that the new-look team goes to Bhubaneswar in form and on top of the world.

Rightly, he doesn’t leave empty handed and another Commonwealth gold medal now sits alongside the other three.

For Hockey Australia and the Kookaburras though, this last one might well be more valuable than the other three put together.

The Hockey Paper

Pippa Hayward announces retirement


Photo: www.photosport.nz

Vantage Black Sticks midfielder/defender Pippa Hayward has announced her retirement from international hockey.

The 27-year-old Cantabrian, who has played 158 tests for New Zealand, took the opportunity to hang up the stick after helping her side win a gold medal at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

Since making her debut in 2012, Hayward said she loved her time with the national programme but was looking forward to life beyond hockey.

With just two papers remaining to complete a degree of law and arts, she will put her full focus into study before looking for employment opportunities.

“After winning a gold medal on the Gold Coast I’m still on such a high and I think that’s made it a bit harder to move on, but I know I’m making the right choice and this is my time,” Hayward said.

“This gold medal is definitely one of my proudest achievements but there are so many memories I will treasure for the rest of my life.

“I want to thank the entire Black Sticks group who I have been with over the years. I have been fortunate enough to form some amazing friendships along the way. It was an absolute honour to take the field with a group of great women who are competitive, courageous and very kind.

“A huge thank you to my friends and family, especially my mum and dad (Roger and Megan), my sister Emma and brother Joshua. Their support has been remarkable and allowed me to keep playing for so long. There have been a number of very testing moments throughout my career and I honestly do not think I would have made it this far without them.

“I have appreciated the help from both Canterbury Hockey, Hockey New Zealand and the Hockey Players Association throughout my career along with some special sponsors like Kookaburra, specifically Grant Jackson, Angela and John Turkington and Adrian from New World Remuera.”

Vantage Black Sticks Women’s head coach Mark Hager said Hayward’s positive spirit would be missed within the squad.

“Congratulations to Pippa on her career, she has always brought some special qualities to our group and will be missed. I wish her all the best and am sure she will continue to have success in the next stage of her life.”

Hockey New Zealand Media release

Black Sticks star Pippa Hayward retires after Commonwealth Games success

By David Leggat


Pippa Hayward (right) has called time on her international career after the Black Sticks' Commonwealth Games success. Photo / Getty

New Zealand's gold medal-winning Commonwealth Games women's hockey team have lost their first player to retirement.

Canterbury midfielder Pippa Hayward is hanging up her stick after helping the Black Sticks to the Games title on the Gold Coast.

Hayward, 27, played 158 tests for the Black Sticks and while pushing on towards the Olympics in Tokyo in 2020 must have been tempting, she has chosen an ideal time to step away and move on with the next stage of her life.

She has two papers left to finish her law and arts degrees and knows the time is right.

An industrious midfielder who covered plenty of ground at both ends of the field, Hayward scored the first of her 12 goals against Australia in 2014 and the last against India last year.

"After winning a gold medal on the Gold Coast I'm still on such a high and I think that's made it a bit harder to move on, but I know I'm making the right choice and this is my time," Hayward said.

"This gold medal is definitely one of my proudest achievements but there are so many memories I will treasure for the rest of my life."


Hayward was instrumental in the Black Sticks' historic Games success. Photo / Getty

Hayward earned high praise for his positive spirit from New Zealand coach Mark Hager, who has coached her through her entire national career.

"She has always brought some special qualities to our group and will be missed," he said.

World No 4 New Zealand's next assignment is a tri-series in Cromwell in the second half of May against world No 5 Australia and No 12 Japan, followed by the World Cup in England in July-August.

The New Zealand Herald

Pippa Hayward quits international hockey after 158 tests for Black Sticks


Pippa Hayward has been a steady influence in the Black Sticks midfield, with 158 tests to her credit. PHIL WALTER/GETTY IMAGES

After 158 tests, Black Sticks midfielder/defender Pippa Hayward has announced her retirement from international hockey.

The 27-year-old Cantabrian has decided to quit after helping her side win a gold medal at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games earlier this month.

Hayward, who made her debut in 2012, said she had loved her time with the national programme but was looking forward to life beyond hockey.

With just two papers remaining to complete a degree of law and arts, she will put her full focus into study before looking for employment opportunities.

"After winning a gold medal on the Gold Coast I'm still on such a high and I think that's made it a bit harder to move on, but I know I'm making the right choice and this is my time," she said.

"This gold medal is definitely one of my proudest achievements but there are so many memories I will treasure for the rest of my life.

"I want to thank the entire Black Sticks group who I have been with over the years. I have been fortunate enough to form some amazing friendships along the way. It was an absolute honour to take the field with a group of great women who are competitive, courageous and very kind.

"A huge thank you to my friends and family, especially my mum and dad (Roger and Megan), my sister Emma and brother Joshua. Their support has been remarkable and allowed me to keep playing for so long. There have been a number of very testing moments throughout my career and I honestly do not think I would have made it this far without them."


Pippa Hayward, right, embraces teammate Olivia Merry after the Black Sticks beat England in a penalty shootout at the Commonwealth Games. GETTY IMAGES

Hayward had hinted in a Stuff interview last week that retirement was looming.

To be honest, it is definitely something that comes up because you want to do other things and have a family," she said.

She also confessed she was a nervous wreck during the spine-tingling semifinal win against England on the Gold Coast, which the Black Sticks won in a penalty shootout before beating Australia in the final.

"It was awful, absolutely awful. I hated it and I couldn't even watch it. I was hiding the whole time.

"I take my hat off to the five girls [who had penalty shots] because we know what people think of us in that situation."

Hayward was a standout performer in the midfield throughout the tournament. She didn't put a foot wrong and as the week went on she become more important to the strength of coach Mark Hager's side.

She made several starts on the Gold Coast, but also came off the bench with fresh legs to make her own special impact.
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Hager said Hayward's positive spirit would be missed within the squad.

"Congratulations to Pippa on her career, she has always brought some special qualities to our group and will be missed. I wish her all the best and am sure she will continue to have success in the next stage of her life."

Stuff

Alan Forsyth, the Scot who continues to top English hockey’s goal charts

By Rod Gilmour


Surbiton’s Alan Forsyth is leading scorer for third year (PIC: Simon Parker)

Surbiton coach Mark Pearn has praised Alan Forsyth’s “complete desire” to find the net as a key attribute for the Scot finishing as top scorer in the English top flight for the third season in a row.

Forsyth notched 26 goals from 15 games in another stellar season and will be back for Surbiton this weekend as they defend their League Finals title at Lee Valley, firstly against Beeston in the semi-finals where he will line up opposite Sam Ward, currently England’s leading front man.

The 26-year-old forward has proved a revelation for Surbiton since joining from boyhood club Kelburne in 2013, while this was the third year in a row he has recorded 20 goals or more in a season.

Pearn told The Hockey Paper: “Alan’s standout quality is his complete desire to put the ball in the net. Sounds obvious, but I can only list a handful of players that I’ve played with and coached who really do have this attribute.



“He is not satisfied with one or two goals, but always wants one more. He might miss three chances, but he’ll continue to work hard and put himself into the right positions in case another opportunity presents itself. He never hides in games.

“He is incredibly consistent technically so his first touch will be secure in the circle when under pressure from a lack of space or a lack of time.

“This sets him up in the optimum possible position to get a shot at goal and he seems to remain calm and clinical when the chance arrives.”

In last year’s League Final against Wimbledon, it was Forsyth who started Surbiton’s thrilling comeback from 3-0 down to 3-3 in just eight minutes as they won on a shoot out at the Olympic Park.

His goal came from a penalty corner and converted with a fierce backhand, a strike which typified Forsyth’s strengths as one of Britain’s deadliest strikers.

“He had developed what I would call exceptional modern day goalscoring skills as he is so comfortable with his back to goal and using the defender to roll away for a shot,” added Pearn.

“His backhand is so clinical that defenders have to get close to block the shot and he is then so quick to spin them and hit it on the forehand.

“The ball just seems to fall to him at the right times in the right places and this cannot be luck. He definitely has an innate ability to read the game and end up on the ball in the opposition’s circle.”

Yet what Pearn has noticed over the last two seasons since he joined as head coach at Sugden Road is his ability to keep learning as a player, both on and off the pitch.

Pearn admitted: “He is passionate about his club, willing to listen and learn, supports the young players coming through and above all he plays for the team.

“Yes he scores a lot of goals and will continue to do so, but he is not a selfish player who takes on shots when others are in better positions.”


Alan Forsyth, right, is desperate to make up for Rio 2016 exclusion

Despite Forsyth’s lethal nature in front of goal, he was overlooked by Bobby Crutchley for Great Britain’s Rio Olympic squad two years ago.

Like many observers, Pearn admits that he should have been picked, but believes disappointment has fuelled his desire to make Tokyo 2020 as he continues to make hay for Surbiton and Scotland, where he helped the Blue Sticks to sixth place.

Pearn said: “He is desperate to not only make the Tokyo squad, but to have a big impact when he plays in the Olympics. Naturally it hurt him not to play in Rio and, like many others, I believe he should have been there as we don’t have many players who score that amount of field goals.

“It will always sit there as a what if, but I believe he has moved on and is doing everything he can to make sure there is no chance of missing out again.”

Alan Forsyth made Mark Pearn’s Dream Team back in 2016 – no doubt he would still be in his XI…

The Hockey Paper

Sardar, Ramandeep back in the mix

Hockey India announces 55 probables for training camp


Smiles are back: Ramandeep Singh and Sardar Singh have found favour again. 

The 55-member jumbo probables list for the next men’s training camp was announced by Hockey India on Thursday with experienced Sardar Singh and Ramandeep Singh coming back into contention.

The camp would be held from April 27 to May 18 in Bengaluru and would be pruned down to 48 after trials in the first week of May.

Besides the 18 players who were part of the Indian team at the recent Commonwealth Games, the probables include players from the domestic circuit who impressed during the National Championships (A and B Divisions).

Sardar and Ramandeep, considered out of contention after the team management made its preference for younger players clear during the CWG, have been brought back following the team’s disappointing outing in Gold Coast as was first reported by The Hindu.

First-timers

While some of those making the cut from the National Championships are former India players bouncing back into reckoning, there are others coming into the National set-up for the first time.

Goalkeeper Vikas Dahiya, drag-flicker Gurjinder Singh and midfielder Pardeep Mor are among those who have been part of the Indian camp in the past. Defenders Surender Kumar, Birendra Lakra, Dipsan Tirkey and Nilam Sanjeep Xess were also part of the last camp before CWG.

Those coming into the camp for the first time include Pardeep Singh of Railways and Mohd Raheel of Air India along with Maninderjeet Singh of Punjab & Sind Bank, V. Veerthamizhan (AIU), Somjeet (Haryana), Abharan Sudev (Karnataka) and Jagdeep Dayal (Canara Bank). Interestingly, only one member from the title-winning Punjab side, led by Gurbaj Singh, has made the cut — midfielder Dharminder Singh.

Surprise omissions

On the other hand, the list sees some surprising omissions, raising questions on the future of senior players like Nikkin Thimmaiah and S.K. Uthappa, both of who went to the Rio Olympics but now find themselves out of the 55-member list.

Also absent are forwards Affan Yousuf and Talwinder Singh, goalkeeper Akash Chikte and Junior World Cup-winning captain Harjeet Singh who has been unable to raise his game at the senior level.

The Hindu

Sardar Singh among 55 players named for men's national hockey camp


Sardar Singh - File Photo, AFP

Former skipper Sardar Singh was today named in the 55-member probable list announced by Hockey India for the men's national camp starting at the Sports Authority of India campus in Bengaluru on Friday.

Sardar, who was dropped from the 18-member Indian hockey squad led by Manpreet Singh for the Commonwealth Games, has been included in the probable list which will be pruned down to 48 after the camp concludes on May 18.

The list features all the 18 players who were part of the Indian men's team that returned from the Commonwealth Games without a medal after finishing fourth, following a 1-2 loss to England in the bronze medal playoff.

Forward Ramandeep Singh, defenders Surender Kumar, Birendra Lakra, Dipsan Tirkey and Nilam Sanjeep Xess also feature in the list of 55, which also includes players from the domestic circuit who showcased outstanding performance at the Senior National Championship (A and B Division).

"The result from CWG is not what we expected but the lessons from there will be used for future preparations. The team and the coaching staff is confident of the playing structure and we all know that we have to improve on certain areas," said Chief Coach Sjoerd Marijne.

From Senior Men's A division, Vikas Dahiya, Jarmanpreet Singh and Gurjinder Singh of Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB) who finished runners-up have been called up while Amit Gowda, Pardeep Singh of Railway Sports Promotion Board who beat Air India Sports Promotion Board in the Bronze Medal match have made the Core probable list.

Anand Lakra of Services Sports Control Board (SSCB), Raj Kumar Pal, Mohd Raheel of Air India Sports Promotion Board and Maninderjeet Singh of Punjab & Sind Bank, V Veerthamizhan of Association of Indian Universities also made it to the list.

Somjeet from Hockey Haryana, Amon Mirash Tirkey of Hockey Gangpur ' Odisha, Abharan Sudev of Hockey Karnataka, Ajay Yadav of Uttar Pradesh Hockey, Dharminder Singh of Hockey Punjab who won the National title this year, have also been rewarded for their performance.

From Senior Men's B Division, Pardeep Mor, Sukhjeet Singh, Gagandeep Singh (Sr) of Punjab National Bank have been included along with goalkeeper Jagdeep Dayal of runners-up team Canara Bank. Sumit Kumar and Pravakar Minz of Sports Authority of India, Abhilash Stalin C of Hockey Bengaluru, Karthik Yadav of Chhattisgarh Hockey, Harish Mutagar of Hockey Coorg have also made the cut.

National Campers List

Goalkeepers: P.R. Sreejesh, Suraj Karkera, Krishan B Pathak, Vikas Dahiya, Jagdeep Dayal.

Defenders: Rupinder Pal Singh, Harmanpreet Singh, Gurinder Singh, Kothajit Singh, Varun Kumar, Surender Kumar, Amit Rohidas, Birendra Lakra, Dipsan Tirkey, Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Jarmanpreet Singh, Gurjinder Singh, Amit Gowda, Pardeep Mor, Anand Lakra.

Midfielders: Manpreet Singh, Chinglensana Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Sumit, Simranjeet Singh, Nilakanta Sharma, Lalit Upadhyay, Sardar Singh, Hardik Singh, Manpreet (Jr.) , Somjeet, Raj Kumar Pal, Amon Mirash Tirkey, Dharminder Singh, V. Veerthamizhan.

Forwards: Akashdeep Singh, Mandeep Singh, Gurjant Singh, Ramandeep Singh, SV Sunil, Dilpreet Singh, Sumit Kumar, Mohd. Umar, Abharan Sudev, Mohd. Raheel, Pardeep Singh, Ajay Yadav, Armaan Qureshi, Sukhjeet Singh, Gagandeep Singh (Sr.), Harish Mutagar, Abhilash Stalin C, Kartik Yadav, Pravakar Minz, Maninderjeet Singh.

Daily News & Analysis

South African Women's IPT 2018 Fixtures

The National Women's IPT gets underway today in Durban, hosted by SPAR KZN Raiders. The SPAR KZN Raiders will be looking to complete the double for a second consecutive year. There will be daily articles on SAHockey.co.za. You can also follow on the SAHA dedicated TMS through this link.

Here are the fixtures:






SA Hockey Association media release

New-look UJ team gear up for Varsity Hockey title defence

By Coetzee Gouws


UJ Celebrate after winning the penalty shoot-out against Wits Photo: Thys Lombard

Two-time defending champions, the University of Johannesburg men’s team know the pressure will be on them when they begin their campaign in the Varsity Hockey tournament next weekend.

UJ hockey manager Elize le Roux said they would not be getting ahead of themselves and would focus on each game as it happened. After the women held centre stage in 2017, the men’s version of the competition will take place this year, beginning with a round of four matches at Wits in Johannesburg from May 4 to 7.

UJ have lost a number of experienced players, including Gareth Heyns, Brynn Cleak and Taylor Dart, from the winning team of 2016 and have entered a rebuilding phase.

Le Roux said several players had graduated or were past the eligible age of 25, but that the youngsters available added a fresh element to the squad.

“We are taking a new view into this tournament as we have a young team during this rebuilding period,” she said. “Naturally, we would love to defend the title, but we are taking it game by game at this stage.”

As the title-holders, she added that there would always be pressure to perform, but they were trying keep the players focused on their plan rather than be influenced by any external expectations.

Under coach Garreth Ewing, the squad have been training for over two months in their preparations.

“Holidays and league fixtures have interrupted a couple of sessions, but we have also used league as part of our preparation,” said Le Roux. “We have a mini camp planned this long weekend ahead of the competition next week.”

As usual in varsity events of this nature there are a number of innovations which will test the teams.

“I think the men like the format. It gives running hockey a chance to be seen and the men play a faster-paced game in general.

“The power play and the goals systems mean you face the challenge of managing each game in a different way, according to the opposition.”

The power-play rule can be taken by one side at any stage of the game. The side choosing to initiate the power play force the opposition to remove two players from the field for a short period. Any goal scored during the power play counts for two goals.

Le Roux said their efforts would depend on the entire team, which included two talented goalkeepers in Matt Martins and Gary Cooper.

“Kyle Lion-Cachet, who is captain, and Courtney Halle are SA U21 players, while we will also draw from the talent and experience of Chad Burke and Dylan Swanepoel in our link line and SA U18 players Che February and Spencer Botes.”

The remaining universities in the competition are Wits, UCT, Stellenbosch, Nelson Mandela, North West, Pretoria and Free State.

Varsity Sports media release

Preview: Men's Hockey League final and play-offs!


Surbiton men

Wimbledon, Beeston, Surbiton and Hampstead and Westminster will all battle it out for the Men's Hockey League title this weekend at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre!

Tickets to the finals and the play-offs are still both available here! With so much to be decided it's not to be missed!

Wimbledon v Hampstead & Westminster
Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre (10.30am)



Wimbledon

Last year’s finalists Wimbledon pulled off a remarkable run to surge to the top of the Men’s Hockey Premier Division on the final weekend of the season. Having not won any of their first five fixtures the two-time champions only dropped two points across the remainder of the season – winning each of their final eight games – as they charged to the top of the league. Once again they boast a squad full of talent, including England captains Phil Roper and Ian Sloan, Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Henry Weir and Scotland’s Gordon McIntyre to name but a few. Expect them to give it all to take home a third title in four years.

Hampstead & Westminster

Wins in each of their final four league games propelled Hampstead & Westminster into the semi-final spot in place of Reading, a run which included a stunning 5-4 win over last year’s champions Surbiton. Having been defeated at the final four stage last year the London-based side will be hoping to go at least one further this time round. Not only do they boast the league’s deadliest corner taker in Matt Guise Brown – with 18 of his 19 goals this season coming from the set piece – but also Harry Martin, the England international having recently won bronze on the Gold Coast. Highly rated Will Calnan will also take to the pitch alongside 40-year-old fan favourite Kwan Browne.

Surbiton v Beeston
Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre (12.45pm)



Surbiton

Following their incredible performance in last year’s final – coming from 3-0 down with 10 minutes to play to beat Wimbledon on penalties – Surbiton will be hoping to repeat their heroics and secure a second successive League Finals win. The league’s top scorers with 69 in total – 26 of which came from the stick of Scotland and GB international Alan Forsyth – have been involved in some classic games this year, including a 5-4 win over Beeston. With a squad boasting the likes of Forsyth, Chris Grassick, Wales captain Lewis Prosser and Gold Coast 2018 bronze medallists Brendan Creed, James Gall, Harry Gibson and David Goodfield they will be looking to entertain the crowds once again.

Beeston

After just missing out on a place in last year’s League Finals weekend, Beeston will be looking to win their first Premier Division title since 2013/14. It certainly has been a rock and roll season for The Bees, who spent much of it scoring goals for fun while battling with Surbiton at the top of the league. Sam Ward was once again their talisman, notching up 14 strikes, and he will go into the weekend in the best possible form, having finished top of the goalscoring charts at the Commonwealth Games. Fellow Gold Coast stars Ollie Willars, Mark Gleghorne and Adam Dixon will also take to the pitch alongside a host of exciting young talent including Nottingham Trent University captain Chris Proctor.

Play-offs

Following on from their ninth-placed finish in the Premier Division, Sevenoaks will be looking to secure a second straight season in the top flight but will come up against strong challengers in the three Conference winners Oxted, the University of Nottingham and the University of Exeter.

It was a tough first season at the top for the Kent-based outfit as they only picked up one win and shipped 83 goals, but an impressive 3-3 draw with Holcombe in February was enough to ensure they finished above Canterbury and earn a second shot at avoiding relegation.

On the other hand Oxted had a superb season, securing their place in the Play-Offs with a match to spare and going unbeaten in their last seven games, winning six. They were also the highest scoring team across each of the Men’s Hockey Leagues, racking up an impressive 72 in the Conference East with Robbert Schenk and Sam Driver claiming nearly half between themselves.

The University of Exeter boast an identical end-of-season record as they topped a tough Conference West league that included Cardiff & Met and the University of Birmingham. Penalty corner specialist Sam Hooper led their charge with aplomb, notching 17 goals in just 14 games and will be hungry to add to his total.

The University of Nottingham will also go into the Play-Offs on the back of some impressive form having not lost any of their last 10 league games as they pipped Loughborough Students’ to the Conference North title. GB EDP squad members Tom Sorsby and Joshua Pavis are the standout names in a squad that included 15 goalscorers across the season.

England Hockey Board Media release

Wimbledon, Beeston, Surbiton and H&W lock horns for English playoffs


©: Frank Uijlenbroek/world Sport Pics

Wimbledon, Beeston, Surbiton and Hampstead and Westminster will all battle it out for England’s men's Hockey League title this weekend at Lee Valley in the end of season playoffs.

In terms of EHL places, Wimbledon are already assured of a place as regular season champions. The playoffs winners will join them in the EHL next season as England's number one seed unless the London club win it, too, meaning the runners-up this weekend will qualify.,

In the first semi-final on Saturday Wimbledon face H&W at 10.30am on Saturday. Last year’s beaten finalists Wimbledon pulled off a remarkable run to surge to the top of the Men’s Hockey Premier Division on the final weekend of the season.

Having not won any of their first five fixtures, the two-time champions only dropped two points across the remainder of the season – winning each of their final eight games – as they charged to the top of the league.

Once again, they boast a squad full of talent, including England captains Phil Roper and Ian Sloan, Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Henry Weir and Scotland’s Gordon McIntyre to name but a few. Expect them to give it all to take home a third title in four years.

For Hampstead, wins in each of their final four league games propelled them into the semi-final spots in place of Reading, a run which included a stunning 5-4 win over last year’s champions Surbiton.

Having been defeated at the final four stage last year, the London-based side will be hoping to go at least one further this time round. Not only do they boast the league’s deadliest corner taker in Matt Guise Brown – with 18 of his 19 goals this season coming from the set piece – but also Harry Martin, the England international having recently won bronze on the Gold Coast.

The second semi-final pits Surbiton against Beeston at 12.45pm with both sides having swapped the top spot in the regular season at different intervals.

Following their incredible performance in last year’s final – coming from 3-0 down with 10 minutes to play to beat Wimbledon in a shoot-out – Surbiton will be hoping to repeat their heroics and secure a second successive League Finals win.

The league’s top scorers with 69 in total – 26 of which came from the stick of Scotland and GB international Alan Forsyth – have been involved in some classic games this year, including a 5-4 win over Beeston.

With a squad boasting the likes of Forsyth, Chris Grassick and Gold Coast 2018 bronze medallists Brendan Creed, James Gall, Harry Gibson and David Goodfield, they will be looking to entertain the crowds once again.

Beeston will be looking to win their first Premier Division title since 2013/14. It certainly has been a rock and roll season for The Bees, who spent much of it scoring goals for fun while battling with Surbiton at the top of the league.

Sam Ward was their talisman, notching up 14 strikes, and he will go into the weekend in the best possible form, having finished top of the goalscoring charts at the Commonwealth Games.

Fellow Gold Coast stars Ollie Willars, Mark Gleghorne and Adam Dixon will also take to the pitch alongside a host of exciting young talent including Nottingham Trent University captain Chris Proctor.

Euro Hockey League media release

Preview: Investec Women's Hockey League title and play-offs!


Surbiton women

Surbiton will be looking to secure their fifth consecutive Investec Women's Premier League title on Sunday at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre.

Buckingham stand in their way at the semi-final stage with Holcombe and East Grinstead competing for the other final spot.

With a whole host of internationals in action after returning from the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, it's not to be missed! Tickets are still available here!

Surbiton v Buckingham
Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre (3:00pm)



Surbiton

Having once again finished at the top of the table, Surbiton have the chance of winning a fifth consecutive Investec Women’s Hockey League title. It hasn’t been completely plain sailing this season for Brett Garrard’s side but with the firepower they have in their team expect them to come out all guns blazing as they search for yet another piece of silverware. Their squad boasts six Commonwealth Games medallists in Giselle Ansley, Emily Defroand, Sarah Haycroft, Jo Hunter, Hannah Martin and Hollie Pearne-Webb – while Robyn Collins also featured for Scotland on the Gold Coast – alongside a host of exciting young talent including Isabelle Petter and Ella Burnley.

Buckingham

It has been a remarkable season for Buckingham, who were only promoted back into the top tier this season. Having starred at Lee Valley in last year’s play-offs, defeating Wimbledon and Brooklands Poynton to secure their promotion, they will hope to set the home of hockey on fire again this time round. Abbie Brant – the league’s joint-highest goalscorer alongside Erica Sanders and Giselle Ansley with 11 – will be a huge threat from both open play and set pieces while Emily Rowlands and Hannah Cozens will be searching for their second title of the season having already won the BUCS Championship with Loughborough. Their team also features recent Commonwealth Games competitors in Welsh trio Eloise Laity, Phoebe Richards and Ella Jackson.

Holcombe v East Grinstead
Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre (5.15pm)



Holcombe

Last year’s finalists Holcombe have a score to settle this time round as they seek to go one better than that second-place finish. This is a team that knows how to handle pressure – having beaten the University of Birmingham in their final game of the season to secure a spot at League Finals – and will be looking to take that nous into this weekend. Their forward line will be lead by Gold Coast bronze medallist Ellie Watton and she is joined in an experienced team by Welsh stars Sarah Jones, Jo Westwood, Rose Thomas, Beth Bingham and captain Leah Wilkinson, who all represented their country at the recent Commownealth Games, as did South Africa’s Dirkie Chamberlain.

East Grinstead

Another team who will be appearing at a second consecutive League Finals weekend, East Grinstead can thank a strong mid-season run for the fact they have qualified for this showpiece event. Six wins in eight games either side of the Christmas break propelled the Sussex-based side into the top four and there they stayed until the end of the season thanks to results going their way on the final weekend. Joint-highest goalscorer Laura Unsworth will be looking to add to her tally, having scored for England at the Commonwealth Games, while international team-mates Ellie Rayer and Amy Tennant will be hoping to take their team to a first ever league title.

Play-offs

The battle for the final place in next season’s Investec Women’s Premier Division looks set to be another intense one as the three Conference winners – Stourport, Hampstead & Westminster and Beeston – take on this year’s ninth-placed team Slough.

Despite having not lost any of their last four games, two draws on the final weekend of the season saw Slough slip below Clifton Robinsons on goal difference. However that run of form will certainly boost the squad’s hopes of retaining their top flight status for a third consecutive season.

Beeston will also enter the event in prime shape having dominated the Conference North, winning 17 out of 18 games and scoring a remarkable 74 goals. They boast each of their league’s three top scorers in Sophie Robinson (16), Lauren Burrell (13) and Rosy Stephens (12) so expect fireworks when they play.

However Hampstead & Westminster were the only undefeated team across the Investec Women’s Hockey Leagues. Like Beeston they strolled to the Conference East title with 17 wins and one draw, also scoring an incredible 74 goals and conceding just 10. Expect top scorer Joyce Esser, current Scotland and GB international Sarah Robertson and London 2012 medallist Emily Maguire to lead their charge.

Stourport will also offer a stern test having come through a tough Conference West, pipping Reading to the title by just a point in a hotly contested league. Lorna Symonds and Sarah Parkinson-Mills have enjoyed fine seasons in front of goal – scoring 13 and 12 times respectively – and will be hoping to replicate that form as they bid to reach the top tier for the first time in their history. 

England Hockey Board Media release

Title weekend – Scottish National League 1 championship deciders


Grange’s Luke Cranney holds off Kelburne’s Neil McIntyre

The destiny of the men`s and women`s National league 1 championship title sits on ice; the scenario has Bromac Kelburne and Edinburgh University both needing the three points on the ultimate day to retain their crown. Both teams have a two-point lead over Grange and Milne Craig Clydesdale Western respectively going into the last day, but anything other than a win could throw the celebrations into chaos – but at least Kelburne and University have control over their own fate.

The shoe is on the other foot with regards to the men`s championship. A year ago, all Grange needed to do was beat Western Wildcats at Fettes to secure the title, instead they lost 3-2, and handed the silverware over to a shocked Kelburne. This time, it is the Paisley side that are under scrutiny, they travel to Lanarkshire to meet Uddingston with the three points firmly on the agenda.

An attainable task for coach Gordon Shepherd you might think, Kelburne are unbeaten since the winter shutdown while Uddingston`s form had been inconsistent and they occupy second bottom place in the table.

However, Shepherd will remember this time last year and not want to fall into the same trap. In addition, he will also recall the earlier meeting between the sides in late October which almost ended in disaster.  Midway through the second half, the champions were cruising at 4-1, Jack McKenzie (2), Josh Cairns from a penalty corner and finally Johnny Christie were on target, then the wheels came off and Kelburne were perhaps fortunate to salvage a 4-4 draw from the mayhem. It is not as if Uddingston have nothing to play for, a victory over the favourites could just see them escape the relegation zone if other results went their way.

This time it is Grange lurking in the wings hoping for a Kelburne slip-up, however, they will know their fate before they take the field against bottom side Inverleith at Fettes – the Kelburne encounter starts at noon while Grange have a 2pm push-back.

Inverleith stand in the way of three points for David Knipe`s charges, Inverleith have only won one game all season, but Grange only won the initial league match 4-2 and it was not one-way traffic.

The top four for the European play-offs is already decided – Kelburne, Grange, Grove Menzieshill and Wildcats in that order.

Clydesdale are secure in fifth spot courtesy of a strong showing in the second half of the season that lifted the Titwood-based side from the relegation zone to mid-table.

The membership of the relegation play-off is still up for grabs – only three points separate Edinburgh University, Dundee Wanderers, Hillhead and Uddingston – and there is only one safety place on offer. Ironically all are away to teams in the top half of the table, that is Wildcats, Clydesdale, Grove Menzieshill and Kelburne respectively, and it will be the side that produces an upset that could grab the safety line.


Edinburgh University women – Photo by Andy Lovat

In the women`s championship competition, all Edinburgh University need to do is overcome third placed Wildcats at Auchenhowie and the title is theirs. It is a slightly different assignment with all the Commonwealth Games players back on board, when that was the case the students only won by a single Hanna McKie strike back in November.

Lurking in the wings only two points behind are Clydesdale Western and they will hope to take the points from visitors Dundee Wanderers at Titwood. The two sides have had contrasting conclusions to the season, the Glasgow outfit have had a new lease of life recently with victories over rivals Grove Menzieshill and Edinburgh University.  In contrast Wanderers` recent form has been indifferent, and they have consequently slipped to sixth in the table in the championship race.

The top four is almost finalised although Watsonians still have an outside chance of creeping in, but they would have to see off Grange on Saturday and then be hopeful that both Wildcats and Grove Menzieshill lose.  The latter will look to confirm their status with three points away to Hillhead of which they beat 7-0 earlier in the season.

The relegation play-off composition looks to be GHK, Hillhead and Grange although the former have a very difficult chance of catching Wanderers in sixth place, but they would certainly require to take full points from this weekend`s encounters with bottom side Kelburne and then Grove Menzieshill.

Scottish Hockey Union media release

Repton and Merchant Taylor's crowned English U18 Champs


U18 Repton Boys Winners 2018 Schools

In the 2018 U18 Notts Sport Boys Schools Championships Repton made it a fourth U18 title whilst Merchant Taylor’s were crowned Tier Two winners at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre today.

U18 Notts Sport Boys School Championships Tier 1

The first semi-final saw Oakham knockout last year’s winners Whitgift in a penalty stroke competition after it all ending one apiece. Repton beat Dean Close 6-1 in the other semi-final to secure their spot in the final.

The three time winners Repton were eager to claim a fourth title but 2013-14 Plate winners Oakham had a coach load of supporter’s right behind them. It was with five minutes to go until the half time whistle when the first goal was scored, Finlay Newton striking the back board, two more goals from his team mates quickly followed to give Repton a 3-0 lead at half time. Newton got his second in the next half which was followed by Oakhams only goal in the final, the crowd went wild when Klaudius Hohne found the back of the net. It wasn’t enough for Oakham though with the final score 4-1 to Repton.
 
Whitgift claimed the bronze medal after a double hat-rick from Zach Wallace and Thomas Rhodes aiding their team to a 8-1 win over Dean Close.

U18 Notts Sport Boys School Championship Tier 2

Merchant Taylor’s beat Sherborne 4-2 in an end to end thriller to progress to the final. The other semi-final hit double figures for the goals scored as Charterhouse won 9-3 over Worksop College, with Kai Magee slotting home five alone.

In the last game of the day the sun shone over Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre for the Tier 2 final as Merchant Taylor’s took on Charterhouse. It was Charterhouse’s Raphael Boulanger who was first on the score sheet just minutes after push back but Merchant Taylor’s pressed on and in the 14th minute were rewarded for their hard work, a goal from Ashane Wijesurija. It was all square at half time and neither side backed down, each team scoring twice more but with ten minutes left on the clock Joseph Qureshi scored what was to be the winner for his side. Final score 4-3 to Merchant Taylor’s.

Worksop College claimed bronze after winning 3-0 over Sherborne, a double from Dan West to help his side claim third spot.

Big thank you to the young umpires who umpired the competition and to the Hockey Makers who volunteered on event.

England Hockey Board Media release

Whitgift do the double at the Notts Sports Boys Schools Championships


Whitgift U14 Winners 2018 School

Whitgift do the double taking home the English U14 and U16 Notts Sport Boys Schools Championship titles for a second consecutive year. 

U14 Notts Sports Boys Schools Championships

A sole goal from Fraser Bryden in the second minute made Whitgift Champions against St George’s College, both sides went unbeaten in their pools but Whitgift having the better goal difference going into the final.

The Perse School took third spot, with two wins and a loss as no play off was played and went on pool standings. Altrincham Grammar placed fourth recording a win, draw and loss.

For more information around each match, final pool standings and all the stats from the competition can be found here.


U16 boys schools Whitgift 2018

U16 Notts Sport Boys Schools Championships

Whitgift beat Dean Close 3-0 goals from Steven Rich, Ollie Shelton and Captain Dylan Holland to retain their title.

Crainleigh claimed third spot against /Stamford coming back from 1-0 down to win 3-1, goals from Olly Witts, Mark Walker and Will Firth for the bronze medal team whilst sole goal from Eddie Harper for Stamford.

England Hockey Board Media release

NSWS & Queensland Crowned Under-15 Australian Champions



New South Wales State and Queensland Maroon have been crowned the Girls’ and Boys’ Under-15 Australian Championships winners after Friday’s gold medal matches in Wollongong.

Friday’s gold medal and bronze medal matches wrapped up a big fortnight at the Illawarra Hockey Centre in Unanderra with 84 matches in both gender divisions with 12 teams which ran from April 13-27.

In the girls’ gold medal match, NSWS got past Victoria Blue in a dramatic shootout 4-3, with Ashleigh Ensbey scoring the winning penalty.

Reigning champions Victoria Blue sent the game to a shootout after a last-gasp goal from Alexandra Wansborough, with Alana Kavanagh (21’) opening the scoring for NSWS.

In the boys’ gold medal match, Queensland Maroon triumphed over West Australia Gold 3-1.

Kipp Thrupp (9’) opened the scoring for Queensland, but WA leveled in the 26th minute through Brennan Doak.

Queensland responded immediately and raced away with the game thanks to goals from Corey Punch (31’) and Bailey Charlesworth (33’)



Meanwhile, Queensland Maroon also defeated WA Gold in the girls’ bronze medal match 3-2. WA had led 2-0 before a big fightback from Queensland.

Reigning champions NSW State coincidentally also won the boys’ bronze medal match against Victoria Blue 3-1 with Tyler Gaddes scoring a double.

Hockey Australia media release

South African Independent Schools Hockey Festival at St Andrew’s


Nicholas Lane of the St Andrew's U14 hockey side.

THERE was a festive atmosphere at the Independent Schools Hockey Festival (ISHF) recently hosted by St Andrew’s College.

Eleven schools from all major hockey playing centres of the country attended the ISHF, with the young players getting their first taste of an inter-school hockey festival as they begin their senior school years. For many, this was their first taste of playing any sport against boys from a school outside of their province.

Schools which competed were Bishops, York High School, Woodridge College, Merrifield College, Clifton College, St Charles College, Michaelhouse, St John’s College, Cornwall Hill College, St Andrew’s School and hosts, St Andrew’s College.

Although the nature of the festival is just that, the competition was fierce as each match was contested with passion and determination. Despite this, the behaviour of the players on and off the field was in the true spirit of the game of hockey. A most special feature of the weekend was the bringing together of like-minded coaches and managers. Although all coaches urged their players to give of their best and play to win, the interaction between the various coaches was highly respectful and friendly providing a positive example of “once off the field” hockey is about building and growing relationships.

It is highly likely that many of these players will play against each other at future ISHF, but also at inter-provincial level as many of the players on show were highly skilled and clearly have a schoolboy hockey future.

There was quality hockey from many sides, but the teams which proved the most consistent and remained unbeaten were Clifton College, Bishops and St Andrew’s School. However, equally pleasing is that no side left without a victory.

St Andrew’s College players gave of their best after a long holiday, and by day two some of the boys struggled with the intensity of playing two matches a day as many of the players suffered from stiff limbs. However, after beating St Charles and Merrifield, and having lost against a very good Clifton College team the players competed manfully against an ever-improving Michaelhouse, but were beaten by the odd goal. On the final day a tightly contested match against St John’s College followed, in which both teams played good attacking hockey. Unfortunately for St Andrew’s they conceded a goal with minutes to play, thereby losing. The last match of the festival saw a classy Bishops side outplay and outscore St Andrew’s.

St Andrew’s College extended thanks to all of the schools for coming to Grahamstown to play in this festival, and looks forward to its next occasion to host.

U14 Independent Schools Hockey Festival hosted by St Andrew’s College, results:

Day 4 (Sunday April 22):

St Andrew’s College 0 St Johns 1
Clifton 8 York 2
Woodridge 1 St Andrews School 3
Merrifield 4 St Charles 2
Cornwall Hill 0 Michaelhouse 5
Bishops 6 St Andrew’s College 0

Day 3 (Saturday April 21):

St Andrew’s College 2 Merrifield 0
Bishops 3 York 1
Cornwall Hill 1 St Charles 0
St Andrews School (Bloem) 2 Michaelhouse 1
Clifton 3 St Johns 0
Merrifield 0 Woodridge 4
Bishops 4 Cornwall Hill 0
St Andrews school 2 St Charles 0
York 2 St Johns 2
Clifton 5 Woodridge 0
St Andrew’s College 0 Michaelhouse 1

Day 2 (Friday April 20):

Woodridge 0 St Charles 1
St Andrew’s School (Bloem) 5 Cornwall Hill 0
Michaelhouse 3 York 1
Merrifield 0 Clifton 3
St Johns 2 Bishops 1
SAC 4 St Charles 1
Merrifield 0 St Andrews School (Bloem) 3
Bishops 5 Michaelhouse 2
St Andrew’s College 0 Clifton 4
St Johns 6 Woodridge 1

Day 1 (Thursday April 19):

St John’s 2 Cornwall 0

Talk of the Town

PHF to send Mansoor to China for treatment

LAHORE - Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) secretary Shahbaz Ahmed Senior has announced that the federation will send former Olympian Mansoor Ahmed to China for his treatment.

Shahbaz announced this during Waqt TV Programme “Game Beat” and said that they are trying to send the 1994 gold medalist goalkeeper to China within 10 days after completing all the necessary documentation.

IPC Minister Riaz Pirzada and PHF President Brig (R) Sajjad Khokhar took keen interest in sending Mansoor abroad for better and quick treatment and they said that China has best facilities for his treatment, so it is hoped that he would recover well there.

“Mansoor is our responsibility and we will bear all his expenses, wherever he gets treatment.”

The Nation