Archive for August, 2010

Please note the game times have been changed for Saturday 21/08:

SL1 v MCC is now at 2.00pm at SNHC, S1. [previously 5pm]

PA v MCC is now at 3.30pm at SNHC, S1. [previously S2, 3.45pm]

As the Waverley Under 17 Shield team lined up for its clash against Essendon, it was aware that its path to the finals was an extremely challenging one in that it was required to beat three top four teams in the last four rounds of the home and away season to qualify. Making this contest even more daunting was the fact that Essendon had comprehensively outplayed Waverley to record a 5 – 1 win when the teams met in Round 6.

With both teams reduced to 12 players as a result of Under 16 VSSSA team commitments and illness, this game was expected to be a battle of endurance and concentration ……….. and so it turned out to be.

As has been its want in recent games, Waverley spent most of the game playing catch-up when it conceded a goal in the opening minutes of the game and another in the early stages of the second half. Waverley was also forced to work hard throughout to defend the numerous short-corners created by Essendon’s ability to penetrate its circle.

While the home team battled tenaciously to press the Essendon ball carriers with a view to creating scoreboard pressure, it was unable – with the exception of a fine Jonathan Wentworth finishing touch during the second half – to make the most of the opportunities it created.

The Waverley boys are to be commended on their preparedness to give their all in what was a hard fought 2 – 1 loss.

The Team: Todd Cope, Zac Davis, David Howson, David Jensen (Captain), Elliot Kitchingham, Riley Maddock, James Munro, Patrick Rawlins, Nicholas Spencer, Nicholas Steffens, Jonathan Wentworth and Ben Wilkinson.

Waverley entered this Round 13 clash with Southern United fully aware that top four positions may well be decided by goal difference. Thus, no moment in any game for the remainder of the season can be taken for granted. In light of this, a scrappy 5 – 4 victory against an opponent placed well below it on the ladder was a somewhat disappointing outcome for the team.

The Waverley boys were on the back foot from the outset when a determined and aggressive Southern United tested the poise and composure of Waverley’s defensive unit. During this period of the game Southern United was able to ‘fire’ a number of dangerous balls into its circle and across the face of goal. Eventually this pressure resulted in a goal that gave the home team the early lead.

The scoreboard pressure created by the aforementioned goal was heightened when Waverley failed to convert a penalty stroke. Fortunately, Waverley put itself back into the game when a scramble in the circle led to a powerful flick finding its way into the roof of the net. At this point Waverley was able to wrest back the momentum, and with it came a number of excellent scoring shots:

• David Howson celebrated his first Under 17 goal when he positioned himself wonderfully on the post and skilfully deflected the ball home.
• David Jensen scored twice. The first of these came from an excellent flick from the spot, while the latter was the result of a powerful fore-stick hit during a short corner play.
• Goal scoring machine Riley Maddock scored via a well executed drag flick.

Even though the team played well below its best, the margin could have been greater had it not been for a number of passing and defensive lapses in the closing stages of the game that provided Southern United with goal scoring opportunities that enabled it to bridge the gap.

The Team: Todd Cope, Zac Davis, David Howson, David Jensen (Captain), Elliot Kitchingham, James Knee, Riley Maddock, James Munro, Stuart Rainer, Patrick Rawlins, Nicholas Steffens, Jonathan Wentworth and Ben Wilkinson.

WHC Strategic Planning Day for 2010-2015.
Sunday 29th August 9am-12pm

Open to all interested club mens, women, juniors and minkey parents, vets and life members.

The aim is to celebrate the strengths of the club, identify areas where we can improve and set common goals. To develop startegies to improve these areas and achieve our goals over the next 5 years.

Complimentary breakfast will be served from 8.30am – 9am and morning tea later.

RSVP to b_maddock@hotmail.com for catering purposes.

Sorry it’s been a while since I written a report but I’ve been pretty busy the last month or so.
We have kept on our winning way, my last report was our loss against Doncaster.
Since that game we have played 6 games. We have been fortunate to win them all. We have played pretty good hockey, especially over the last 4 or 5 weeks. We have been able to move the ball around the park pretty well the majority of the passes have been good crisp passes to team mates which has led us to dominate most of our games.
Players like captain Daniel DOBBINS, veteran centre half Darryl SEEDSMAN, young guns Sam McPHILLIPS, David HOWSON, Todd COPE and Tim STOCKS have been playing great hockey which has helped us with the winning way.
The problem with us is or inability to score goals. We are able to get the ball into the attack and into scoring positions but the last pass or shot always let us down.
Until today.
Today we played the 2nd last placed Brunswick. We continued on with some really good hockey, with the ball movement, speed and strength of the guys making inroads into the Brunswick defence.
Things started off well with David HOWSON making a break away and scoring the first goal.
It continued on with David HOWSON scoring a further 2 goals, Rohan JOSHNA scoring 2 and Tim STOCKS, Daniel DOBBINS, Sam McPHILLIPS and Warren MOORE all scoring 1 goal.
The defence held up pretty well with us being able to deter most of the attacks. Except for one, when the author totally stuffed up which allowed the Brunswick bloke being able to push the ball into the circle and put a one handed shot under Benny HOCKING to score their goal.
We were able to prevent any other attacks and kept the score to 9-1.
That puts us still on top of the table and we’ll see if the good season continues.

1. SENIOR & U21 INDOOR TRIALS
The ‘on again – off again’ saga for Indoor Trials is on again. Senior and U21 Indoor (Mens & Womesn) trials this weekend Sunday 8th August. See HV link below… Ignore the 1st August dates on nomination form as this 1st trial was postponed to 8th August. Contact Brian Maddock for information 0425 729 079.

2. JUNIOR U15 & U18 INDOOR TRIALS
U15 nomination forms must reach HV before Monday 9th August. As the tournament is in January 2011, players must be under 15 on 1st January 2011 to be eligible. This means all only current first year U15 and second year U13 players will be eligible for selection. Contact Brian Maddock for information 0425 729 079. See HV link below

http://www.hockeyvictoria.org.au/fileadmin/user_upload/MISC/NEW_Indoor_Hockey_U15__Player_Nomination_Form.pdf

U18 nomination forms must reach HV before Monday 23rd August. As the tournament is in January 2011, players must be under 18 on 1st January 2011 to be eligible. This means all current U17 players and second year U15 are eligible for selection. Contact Brian Maddock for information 0425 729 079. See HV link below

http://www.hockeyvictoria.org.au/fileadmin/user_upload/MISC/NEW_2011HV_Indoor_Hockey_U18__Player_Nomination_Form.pdf

Waverley 6 defeated Doncaster 0.

The Panthers hosted Doncaster at home in front of a large crowd for the $1000 Club Day, Sponsors and Supporter Luncheon. A win would possibly catapalt the Pennant A team into first place.

Coming off a 5-0 win against SUHC the previous week, the Panthers were full of confidence and looking to hit their straps at home. The crowd would not be disappointed.

The game began evenly with both teams vying for that first damage to the score board. The arm wrestle intensified with Doncaster finding some piercing runs into the deep defence which were swiftly denied by the in-form Geoff Greaves.

Waverley struck back deftly through two penalty corner conversions one after the other within the first 15 minutes of the game. Andrew Shelton was the aggressor continuing his purple patch by punching two hits into the bottom right corner from the corners to take Waverley to a 2-0 lead.

Young gun Luke Anthony showed no sign of his early season injury with an incredible break out game. His solo effort up front saw him beat two defenders, spin around the keeper and slot the goal to extend the Panthers to a 3-0 lead at half time.

Waverley was not happy with this lead and sought to totally overwhelm Doncaster in the second half. The Panthers achieved this controlling the ball for the first ten minutes with purpose and skill, this set the tone for the second half.

Luke Anthony continued to wreak havoc for Doncaster as he found the back of the net for the second time in the game, 4-0. This was closely followed by a penetrating hit from Andrew Shelton being deflected by Andrew Yeaman into the sideboard to register 5-0.

The final blow came from Rod Mackintosh who picked up a rebounding ball off the top of the circle, turned onto the backstick and nailed a tomahawk past the keeper to finish the game at 6-0 and to place the Panthers into second place on the ladder.

Other than the successful hockey, for all teams during the day, the $1000 club day and luncheon was incredible for all members who attended. It was great to see old members, active supporters & councillors all socialising during the day as well as over 100 minkey kids enjoying the two jumping castles all day.

Special thanks to the committee, Roger Andrew, Bron Maddock, Beth Merkus and Simon Preston who were integral to the day. Thanks to all those who chipped in help for and during the day. A bigger and better draw will be on next year! PS: Congratulations to Mark Hocking for winning the $1000, will we see any go on the bar?

Goals – Anthony 2, A. Shelton 2, Mackintosh and Yeaman

Team – Greaves, A. Shelton, Mutimer, M.Hocking, Mackintosh, Ritchie, D. Shelton, Anthony, Dallimore, O.Preston, Knee, Annetts, Munro, Yeaman & Ashton

With only 5 weeks remaining in the hotly contested State League 1 competition, the Waverley Hockey Club hosted Doncaster in an important game for the club to consolidate its position in the top 4.  With 7 teams still in the running for finals, each of the final 5 games become cutthroat affairs.
With a solid 3 nil win last week against powerhouse Greensborough, the Panthers were primed for the occasion and started the match strongly.  With just over 5 minutes gone on the clock, a well executed penalty corner variation saw the Panthers inflict early pain on the scoreboard to take the lead 1-0.
With a goal so early in the piece it was important for the Panthers to remain focused and continue to strive forward into attack. Superior ball control and movement through the midfield saw the Panthers game flow and allowed them to take the ascendancy early.  Skin Institute Player of the Match Tim Thompson provided strong drive down the right and was the catalyst for creating many strong attacks.  Simon Preston found himself on the end of some of this handy work and with slick skills he caused havoc, winning penalty corner after penalty corner. Stephen Jarvis stepped up to the plate and finished off Preston’s hard work, slotting 2 cracking drag flicks into both sides of the net, extending Waverley’s lead to 3-0 at the half time break.
This situation of being in front at half time with more than a goals buffer has not been unfamiliar to the Panthers this season, but finishing off games from these circumstances has been a real issue for the group.  With a renewed focus and small tweaking of game plan, the Panthers took the pitch with an uncompromising attitude of crushing the opposition.
An early goal was needed to ensure that the spirit of Doncaster was broken and from the whistle to restart the match, Waverley launched themselves into attack.  Lewis Matthews continued to control the midfield, servicing Waverley’s inside forwards and strikers with some exceptional passing from centre half.  Although Waverley was on top Doncaster hadn’t laid down, and against the flow of the match went on raids into attack only to meet the stern defence lead by Javis, Mathugh Freeman and Jarrod Glasscock.  Doncaster were able to create numerous goal scoring positions but first class goal keeping by Tom Scott ensured the ball never found the back of the net.
And it was Tom Scott’s fine work in goals that started the play for Waverley’s all important 4th goal.  Denying a Doncaster penalty corner, Waverley broke hard through Wes Moore with a clear numbers advantage. Moore fired the ball up the line to Preston and with a jink and quick turn of foot Preston tore down the right wing.  Fellow striker Tim Wischusen joined in on the raid as Preston fired an accurate cross to the top of the circle, where Wischusen made a strong receive drawing the last defender as well as the goal keeper.  With poise, he held the ball for the late arrival of Travis Brooks and popped the ball in to Brooks’ path, gifting him an open goal mouth and the play was finished off the easiest of goals tapping the ball into an unguarded net.
In what had been a strong and dominant performance by the Panthers, Wes Moore put the icing on the cake with a bull-like run down the right wing into the attacking circle and after having his first shot saved, he picked up the crumbs to slot the 5th and final goal of the match capping off a fine performance for the Panthers.