U17A Round 16

Recent reports have lamented defensive lapses, missed goal scoring chances and lost opportunities to win games that would have helped the Waverley Under 17 Shield team to secure a position in the final four. The performance of the team in this Round 16 clash against top of the table TEM was in stark contrast to these reports – it was a game in which every player displayed focus, applied himself and made a significant contribution.

Some of the highlights of this game included:

• A magnificent performance by Ben Wilkinson in goal. There is no doubt that the result would have been very different had it not been for his numerous spectacular saves.
• A lead by example performance from David Jensen (Captain).
• Sensational running from David Howson that saw him continually break through the TEM lines.
• The wonderful defensive pressure, hard running and creative ball movement from Todd Cope, Zac Davis, Patrick Rawlins, Stuart Rayner and Jonathan Wentworth that consistently halted TEM forays forward and subsequently set up many Waverley offensive moves.

First Half

Goal 1: Unlike previous weeks, it was the Waverley team that put early scoreboard pressure on the opposition when a brilliant David Jensen run resulted in the ball being moved into the circle to Nicholas Spencer. Nick’s precise pass to James Munro on the spot resulted in an excellent flick into the back of the goal.

Goal 2: Some skilful stick work saw a number of TEM players eliminated with the subsequent back stick pass from Munro finding a well positioned Elliot Kitchingham. With poise, Elliot clinically slotted the ball home.
Following a dominant performance in the first half that resulted in a 2-0 score, some in the crowd were no doubt waiting for a lapse that would allow Waverley’s highly fancied opposition to assert itself. However this was not to be as the boys entered the second half fray with even greater determination and application.

Second Half

Goal 3: A disciplined offensive play was rewarded with a short corner. Waverley grasped this chance via an excellent penalty corner drag, clean trap and powerful drag flick by Munro into the top left hand corner of the net.

Goal 4: Tomahawk specialist, Riley Maddock produced another gem as his powerful shot beat the TEM goalkeeper and enabled Waverley to stamp its authority on the game.

Goal 5: A clean trap, deft stick skills and a low flick were the ingredients employed by Nick Steffens to score a classy goal.

Goal 6: Nicholas Spencer completed the Waverley performance when he was rewarded for his extraordinary hard work throughout the game. Nick kept a cool head in the circle and used fine finishing skills to score an excellent goal.

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