You are here: Frontpage
Rams out to exorcise demons
Friday, 30 July 2010 07:26

COURTESY MAITLAND MERCURY

The Maitland Rams seven-match winning streak can be traced back to round eight when they last tasted defeat at the hands of The Entrance.

The Rams have the chance to exorcise some demons on Sunday at the Central Coast when they do battle with their fourth-placed opponents.

The teams have played twice this year for a win apiece, with the Rams taking a 2-0 victory away from the Entrance in round one.

Nathan Baker and his team will be looking to take full points out of the clash to ensure they keep pace with Norths (25 competition points), who play last-placed Gosford on Sunday.

Another goal for the Rams is to put seven points between themselves and The Entrance with five rounds remaining.

The match between the Rams and The Entrance starts at 11.50am on Sunday.

 
Manning half State champions
Thursday, 29 July 2010 08:21

COURTESY MANNING RIVER TIMES

Manning over 45s veteran women’s hockey team won their division of the NSW half State competition in Coffs Harbour.

This team finished joint premiers last year. They then moved up a division in 2010 and took out division one after completing the campaign undefeated, winning the final 2-0 over Nepean.

Goal scorers in the final were Robyn Morrison and Sally Murray.

In earlier matches Manning accounted for Nepean 4-1, drew with Coffs Harbour 1-1, played a 0-0 draw with Ryde Eastwood before beating Grafton 1-0 and New England 2-0.

At the conclusion of the final game goal keeper Gloria Smith quietly mentioned that she had been playing hockey in State championships since about 1962 and this was the first time she had been part of a winning team. Gloria is a stalwart of hockey in the Manning Valley and continues to play goal keeper and work tirelessly as a volunteer.

The team played the whole championship with no substitutes and just the bare 11 players.

“They played magnificently all weekend, coach Rhonda Ebeling said. “Stand out players were Katrina Hayes, the centre half and captain, and also Robyn Morrison who played beautiful hockey all weekend and topped it off with a penalty stroke in the final to start the scoring.’’

Team members were Katrina Hayes, Gloria Smith, Catheryn Groth, Diane Cubbin, Liz Cortaville-Smith, Robyn Morrison, Alison Kelner, Kate Ryan, Jenny Alcorn, Tanya Bridge and Sally Murray.

 
Hungry Magpies swoop for first victory
Wednesday, 28 July 2010 11:16

COURTESY CENTRAL COAST ADVOCATE

GOSFORD secured its first win of the men’s Premier Hockey League season in Sunday’s derby against The Entrance.

The Magpies took out the match at Wyong 2-1 to register their first win in 15 starts.

Gosford coach Gavin Drennan was happy his younger players had a win under their belts during what has been a tough season.

“It was just a matter of getting all the players on the field and getting the combinations working,” Drennan said.

Gosford fielded its strongest side since round one, with Dave Fibbins and Liam Alexander the goalscorers and standouts.

It was a different story for The Entrance, with the Devils suffering several injuries during the game, including a broken nose and lacerations to Michael Banks.

The Entrance coach Ray Winwood-Smith said he couldn’t take anything away from Gosford.

“They were hungry for it and basically treated it like their grand final,” Winwood-Smith said.

The Entrance remained in fourth spot after the loss, still seven points clear of fifth-placed University.

Winwood-Smith said it was important for his side to hit back in this weekend’s home match against second-placed Maitland.

“That game will show a lot about the team,” Winwood-Smith said.

 
Hunter Associations do well at Womens Vets
Wednesday, 28 July 2010 08:57

The weekend just past saw the Womens Vets Championships being held in Coffs Harbour and Parkes. As Hunter is in the North zone, it was off to Coffs for our ladies. And there was plenty of success.

In the O35 bracket, Newcastle took out the Division 1 title defeating Parramatta 1-0. Scone won the Division 5 title with a 4-1 win over Coffs Coast. Maitland made the final of Division 6 but went down 1-0 to Tenterfield.

In the O40's catagory, Central Coast proved too strong for Division 2 opponents Grafton with a 1-0 victory in the final.

Manning Valley are O45 Division 1 champions after accounting for Napean 2-0 in the final. Maitland won Division 2 with a 1-0 win over North Shore.

O50's division 2 saw Central Coast going down in the final 1-0 to Grafton.

 

 

 
O35 Mens state Team announced. Locals do well.
Tuesday, 27 July 2010 11:18

At the completion of the O35 NSW Veterans Mens tournament, the following players have made the State Side, including several from our region.

PLAYER ASSOCIATION 

Till Soerensen
Paul Schofield
Nicholas Fraser
Steve Rollings
Phil Dunshea
Glen Stolk
Dominic De Souza
Steve Tuddenham
John Marr
Garry Welsman
John Mayers
Jeremy Boyse
Mark Woolnough
Aaron Lloyd
Purush Arcot
Mitch McGlashan 

Sydney
Illawarra
Bathurst
Newcastle
Newcastle
Illawarra
Sydney
Illawarra
Illawarra
Sydney
Newcastle
Sydney
Sydney
Illawarra
Macarthur
Parkes

 SHADOWSASSOC
Mo Akram
Paul Howarth
David Rollings
Jeremy Flynn
Ian Westacott
Matt Searle
Brett Gallagher
Nathan Baker
Nathan Ball
Illawarra
Macarthur
Newcastle
Parkes
Parkes
Parkes
Newcastle
Newcastle
Sydney
 
 
Baker left out of NSW Squad
Tuesday, 27 July 2010 11:35

COURTESY MAITLAND MERCURY

Nathan Baker admitted he was ‘baffled’ yesterday to see his name on the list of shadows for the NSW over-35s team after a starring performance at the State Championships.

Baker, who is the coach of the Maitland Rams, was the competition’s top goal scorer with 10 in four games at the tournament on July 23-25 in Sydney, but will only play in the NSW team at the Interstate Challenge in Canberra in October if several players pull out.

Baker represented Newcastle with Rams teammate Brett Gallagher and started off the tournament with four goals against Parkes in their 7-1 win on Friday.

Baker followed that up with a goal against Illawarra on Saturday in Newcastle’s 5-2 loss and three more against Central Coast that afternoon in their 7-0 triumph.

The Rams’ mentor then scored twice against Sydney in the semi-final as Newcastle were beaten 5-2.

Baker could have increased his goal scoring tally in the play-off for third place against Bathurst, which was set down for Sunday, but both teams decided to call it off and a toss of a coin decided the result, with Newcastle granted a 1-0 win.

Baker’s 10 goals accounted for more than half of the 18 banged in by Newcastle during the four games and the experienced forward was confused with his selection as a shadow.

“I don’t know how the leading goal scorer of a tournament could ever just make it as shadow,” he said. “It was a bit disappointing but I guess it’s a matter of who you know and not how you play. “I think they (NSW) had a bit of a problem scoring goals at last year’s Interstate Challenge. I actually got the call up late to go and play for NSW last year but couldn’t make it. This year I scored a heap of goals and still didn’t get picked. I guess next year I’ll have to bang in 20 goals to get their attention. But it’s all right, I’m not too worried about veterans hockey and I’m going to keep my focus on the Rams.”

Despite his disappointment about the selection Baker said if he received the call up for NSW he would make the trip to Canberra in October.

In lieu of playing the third place play-off on Sunday, Baker and Gallagher returned to Maitland to play in the Rams’ 4-2 win over University.

They started on the bench after their full weekend of hockey as Matthew Brown and Dylan Cox scored first half goals to give the Rams a 2-1 lead at the break.

The Rams jumped to a 3-1 lead after the interval when Baker scored his 11th goal in three days but Uni clawed their way back at 3-2 shortly after.

The win was confirmed when Tobin Bush’s shot was illegally blocked by the body of a University player.

Ben Urquhart converted the goal from the penalty stroke to round out the win and keep the Rams in second spot, one point behind Norths.

 
HCPHL Round 15 Preview
Friday, 23 July 2010 07:23

v Round 15 fires off down the Central Coast with the local derby between The Entrance and Gosford. Despite the differences in the teams ladder positions and performances this year, this game will be a cracker and certainly will pull a crowd at the North Wyong complex. The Entrance has won both games this season but last outing it was a 3-2 scoreline with Gosford actually taking the lead. Hugh Wickerts defection from Gosford to The Entrance will only add a little bit of extra space to this clash.

Coach of The Entrance, Ray Winwood-Smith, submitted this report: "Last week game against Souths was like playing two different games. The first half we got a leason and we were behind on the score board at half time 4 nil, in saying that the guy's played there heart out and didn't deserve to be behind. Myself as coach, I put my hand up for that, as I made changes to position and the style of play to try and work around a number of players with injuries and a few guys that had been sick in bed all week. At half time we changed it again and come back with a better half resulting in winning the half 2 nil, and would say that we controlled the second half very well with a number of scoring opportunities just missing the mark.
This week we come up against Gosford which being the local Darby regardless of the results on the board is always a difficult game, one that the boys are looking forward too. You never know what team Gosford will put on the field and if they have everyone available then it will still be a difficult game and we will need to play as we did in the second half last week to ensure we get the result. The remaining games leading up to the semi's are all as important as each other and you can not afford to drop a game.
Training has been pulled back this week to one session on Friday night to try and allow the guy's to get over there injuries and sickness that have been impacting the team over the last 3 weeks, basic's will be the focus at training this week to keep everyone fresh for Sunday."

No team news from the Gosford Camp, but the side which took the field last week against Tigers was young and enthusiastic and no doubt this seasons rebuilding will produce results in the seasons to come.

v The big game this weekend is undoubtedly the Souths v Norths clash from midday at the NIHC. Always a highlight matchup, but this particular clash involves a desperate Souths team bent on a top 2 finish and improving thier chances of maintaining thier perfect HCPHL attendance on Grand Final day. Norths have been able to register 2 wins this season over thier biggest rivals but those results will be discarded for this clash. Both teams like to score goals, and plenty of them, so this hopefully will be a classic with heaps of goals and end to end action.

Souths currently sit 3rd on the ladder and must win if they want to push for that top 2 spot. A win moves them just 2 points behind Norths, whereas a loss could see them drop well behind both Norths and Maitland. It should mean the team plays this game like it was a final, and should produce a wonderful spectacle for those watching the game. No teams news from Souths as yet, but watch this space.

Norths know a win is crucial to keep the chasing Maitland Rams at bay. The team has had a couple of high scoring results against teams in the bottom half of the draw thier last 2 outings, but will be itching for a crack at and a 3rd win in a row this season against thier arch rivals. Skipper Silas Moss has reported the following: "The biggest games on our radar are any of the matches against our modern day rivals South Newcastle. And as defending premiers sitting in third position, they have a point to prove and a lot to lose in this match.
Depending on other results, a loss will probably see them out of contention for a top two finish. With this in mind, I'm expecting the Lions big game players to step up to the plate which will make for a cracking encounter.
A few of our boys have headed to the snow, so we'll not be at full strength, however the side we field will be competitive."

v At 1:30pm the NIHC is the venue for the Wests v Tigers clash. This game should be a close one, with both games between the teams this year being thrillers. Back in round 2 Wests scored late to clinch a 4-3 victory, and then in Round 10 it was a 4-4 draw. The scores reflect how close the teams are and both will be bouyed by thier efforts last week.

Wests once again proved they are a thorn in the Maitland teams side after coming from 3-0 down last weekend to get back on level terms, for the second time this season. A late goal to the Rams clinched the points, but the Wests squad proved they can play some good hockey and will be looking to take that into this weekends clash. Wests stalwart Dean Farrow generously contributed this information on the upcoming clash: "The upcoming clash for the West Rosellas against Tigers is one the team looks forward to as it is the decider in a best of 3 matches for the Evan Skliros/Steven Dearing Trophy. The first 2 matches have resulted in a win for Wests and a draw. A win or a draw for Wests on Sunday will secure the trophy. On the other hand it is a must win for Tigers to retain the trophy, after drawing the series last season and winning the previous season.
Unfortunately for Wests it will be a big ask as 9 regular PHL starters are unavailable for the match. Four of those players will be competing in the State Championships for the Over 35's to be held at Homebush this weekend which include John Mayers, Dean Farrow, Nic Fraser and Mitchell McGlashan. Although this will test Wests depth this weekend, the team will be giving the club it's best shot at securing the trophy. Wests welcome the return of Jack Grosskruetz, as his senior hockey has been committed to the Sydney competition this season."

Tigers had a good morale boosting win over cellar dwellers Gosford last weekend, and played some pretty attractive hockey. The team will be hoping to get a win and kickstart an end of season run to challenge for 5th spot. The team cant make the finals, but a run of form would be welcomed and set the squad up for a serious crack in 2011. Coach Evan Skliros had this to say: "Tigers will be once again without Blair Brown (injured),Tom Brough, Adam Barry, Wade Ratcliffe and David Doyle all with work commitments. We will also be without Tim Lovell (1 week suspension).Still waiting to hear from Jordan Styles and Luke Witchard, but hopefully will see their return.
Tigers main problem this year is keeping the same team on the park, at last count we have used 30 different players in PHL. Luckily we have a large compliment of players ready to step up from 2nd and 3rd grade to fill in, who have done a great job.
Had a good game last week against Gosford. Leading at one stage 5-1, one wheel fell off. We missed plenty of opportunities but luckily held on to a 5-3 win against a young and enthusiatic Gosford."

v  The final match of the day sees University and Maitland head to head from 3pm at the NIHC. The Rams have had comfortable wins over the Students in both encounters this season, and the pundits would be expecting much the same this weekend.

University should be clsoe to full strength now the Uni holidays are over. This is a good sign for the Seapigs, as they have produced some good results this year when thier full compliment of players are available. They are a good team to watch play. Ian Benson filed this tidbit on the squad for this game: "A bit of a dissappointing final score against Norths on the weekend, we ran out of legs in the end.
It will be a tough game against Maitland who we have struggled a bit against this year. We saw the end of the Wests V Maitland game last week, which would suggest that Maitland are struggling for a bit of form. Hopefully we turn up to play and really stick it to them."

The Rams are gunning for the minor premeirship and wont want to slip up here. Rams rivals all benefited from Uni holidays, registering good results against the Students. the Rams wont have this luxury. However knowing the results of earlier games does give the team the knowledge that a win could take them first, or a loss could see them drawn into a 2nd spot battle with Souths and The Entrance. Coach Nathan Baker reports: "It's crunch time for the Rams now as we head into the premiership rounds of the competetion, a win this weekend could see us move into 1st spot if the North v South result goes to the Lions while a win to the Blue Machine will give us a 5 point buffer over Souths which is handy in it's own right. We of course need to get up over a much improved Uni outfit for any of this to come to fruition. We've had the wood over Uni this year in the results department but the matches have been closer than the scorelines would indicate so we will need to be at our best to secure the result away from home. The Rams will be without Brett Gallagher and Myself who are away with over 35 duties while Pete Urquhart is in serious doubt with a shoulder injury. We will train hard this week and try to work on some new combinations to fill the void that is left by the absence of two quality players (Gallagher/Urquhart) and one pretty ordinary one (Baker)."

HunterHockey appreciates the input from the clubs. Now lets support those clubs by spending a bit of time each weekend watching the ebst hockey on offer in the region. Support your team, your club, your sport.

 
<< Start < Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next > End >>

Page 1 of 55