Posts Tagged U17A

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.

Waverley is one of five teams vying for top four honours and the right to contest finals in the Under 17 Shield competition. Thus, the Round 11 match against Camberwell was one that offered Waverley the opportunity to put a game break between it and one of its closest rivals.

The early dominance of the Waverley team initially paid dividends when Riley Maddock – on the end of an excellent transition play that saw the ball passed the length of the field – shimmied his way through the circle to slot a goal past a despairing goalie. Unfortunately, a combination of Waverley’s failure to convert its high level of possession into goals and a late goal by Camberwell, left the team with no advantage to show for its efforts.

While Riley put Waverley back in the lead with a wonderful opportunist goal during the course of a short corner play, the second half was notable for the number of excellent goal scoring opportunities that were missed and the chance to exert scoreboard pressure on the opposition that was squandered. This left Waverley vulnerable when, in the closing phase of the game, it failed to maintain its adherence to the game plan and allowed the momentum to shift in favour of Camberwell. The consequence of this was two Camberwell goals and an opportunity lost.

Waverley remains in the hunt for a final’s position, but greater focus and discipline will be required if the team is to realise its full potential.

Following an outstanding win over Greensborough H.C. the previous week, a match up against a Baw Baw H.C. team that had improved throughout the season, was potentially a dangerous assignment for the Waverley H.C Under 17 Shield team.

Perhaps in recognition of this, innovative coach Stephen James drew on the talents of former Australian player and current State League 1 Captain Travis Brooks to address the team prior to the game. Travis’ engaging style helped to focus the players on the importance of self-belief and the need to adhere to team processes regardless of the reputation of the opposition or the state of the game.

Once again, the team placed enormous pressure on the ball from the outset, forcing the opposition into turning over possession and then using its speed and quality passing to create opportunities on goal – culminating in a 9 – 0 win. The players responsible for putting the finishing touches on this hard work included James Knee, Jonathan Wentworth, David Jensen, Riley Maddock (3) and James Munro (3). With James showing Riley that power is not everything when it comes to scoring.

As with the previous match, this outcome was, without doubt, the result of a sensational team performance in which each and every player made a significant contribution:

• Todd Cope was a rock down back continually making good defensive position and laying excellent tackles
• Playing at centre half, Zac Davis used the ball creatively to set up many quality plays
• David Howson’s speed and hard running caused havoc up forward
• Elliot Kitchingham’s consistent tackling and team orientated play made him a player upon whom his team mates were able to rely
• Pat Rawlins’ determination and skills forced a number of key turnovers – at least one of which directly resulted in a goal
• Stuart Rayner’s controlled aggression enabled him to dominate the right side of the field
• Andre Shea – on debut in goal with the Shield team – performed admirably pulling off a number of excellent saves. Well done Andre.
• Nick Spencer’s speed and constructive talk contributed significantly to the team’s focus
• Having suffered from illness all week, Nick Steffens’ work ethic throughout the night was not only a gutsy effort, but a source of inspiration to his team.

Having displayed some indifferent form in recent weeks, the Waverley Under 17 Shield team faced the potentially daunting prospect of an encounter against top of the ladder Greensborough. However, far from being intimidated, following a rigorous team meeting during the week (lead by coach Stephen James), the boys stepped onto the field determined to apply constant pressure on the ball and use running power to create scoring opportunities.

The focus and application brought into this game were rewarded early in the first half when, having secured a turnover through defensive pressure, an excellent lob put the hard running David Howson into space. David used this opportunity to secure a short corner for his team via a Greensborough foot. Outstanding execution skills – a quick and accurate push from Jonathan Wentworth and a clean trap by David Jensen – that set up a James Munro drag flick which found the back of the net.

Later in the first half, the Waverley team asserted its ascendancy when a precise through ball found Riley Maddock in wonderful position at the top of the circle. Riley, the master of the tomahawk, decided to demonstrate his versatility by slotting home a powerful fore-stick shot.

While Waverley dominated much of the first half, the term was not without its heart stopping moments however. For instance, with literally seconds remaining on the clock, Greensborough secured a short corner that would almost certainly have resulted in a goal had it not have been for the goalkeeping brilliance of Ben Wilkinson.

Greensborough returned to the field after the half time break determined to fight its way back into the game. As a result, the boys had to dig deep to find the reserves they needed to execute their game plan during this half. By the final whistle, a scoreless second half had been played out and a 2 – 0 win had been secured.

This was a fine team effort, one which depended on a contribution from every player – thus it would be inappropriate to single out individuals.

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

Thank you to Zac Hawes for his cameo as the game coach in the absence of Stephen James.

The team would also like to send its best wishes to Callum Smilie who did not play this week, and will miss the remainder of season, due to a knee injury. Callum, thank you for your efforts during the first half of the season – we will miss your hard running and great team play.

Following two disappointing performances against the second and third placed teams, T.E.M. and Essendon, Waverley was desperate to regain some form against bottom of the ladder, Hawthorn.

Despite their disparate positions on the ladder, the contest was very even for much of the first half of the match: While the Hawthorn team showed great desperation and put together some fine passages, the Waverley boys continued to play scratchy hockey and failed to reproduce the cohesive structured ball movement that was the hallmark of their game during the early part of the season. Features of this half included:

• A sensational deflection by Jonathan Wentworth from an placement the circle by James Knee
• A powerfully struck baseline hit into the goal by Callum Smilie
• A wonderfully hit goal by David Jensen

The second half of the game saw an improved performance, with the team passing with much greater precision and trapping cleanly. This increase in skill level, along with greater patience in the build-ups, led to numerous forays into the circle. As a result of this, sensational goals were scored:

• Two from Riley Maddock via an extraordinary tomahawk and an adept flick over a diving goalkeeper
• One by David Jensen whose deft deflection finished off a skilful run through the circle by a teammate

A number of non-goal scoring feats also warrant mention. As usual, Ben Wilkinson performed admirably in goal. David Howson worked tirelessly throughout game. Nick Steffens made a number of significant contributions up forward – relishing his opportunity to play a forward role after a season of absorbing pressure down back.

The team would also like to formally welcome (albeit a game late) Patrick Rawlins to the squad. Well done Patrick, you made a great contribution.

While the team played with greater cohesion in this match to run out 6 -0 winners, there is still room for significant improvement. Certainly, making the most of short corner opportunities will by high on the agenda at training over the coming weeks.

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

Playing without their usual intensity and confidence, the Waverley Under 17 A were soundly defeated by Essendon 5 goals to 1 – their first defeat of the 2010 season.

Appearing to be intimidated by the ferocity of the Essendon tackles and defensive pressure, the Waverley boys were made to pay dearly for repeatedly turning the ball over in the midfield and for the lack of defensive intensity that enabled Essendon players to carry the ball to repeatedly enter their circle to shoot on goal or secure penalty corners.

The standout player for Waverley was clearly Ben Wilkinson. Certainly, without Ben’s stoic efforts the result would have been substantially worse. Mention also needs to be made of the efficient stick work of Callum Smillie that lead to Waverley’s only score.

Much can be learnt from this performance and all remain confident that the boys will regroup and emerge a better team as a result of this experience.

A solid 6 – 3 victory over Doncaster Hockey Club once again demonstrated that the Under 17 A team is a close knit group prepared to play for each other with great spirit and tenacity.

From the opening whistle Waverley focused on putting pressure on the ball, forcing a number of vital turnovers. The opening goal was illustrative of this, with the ball being moved quickly down the ground to Waverley speedster James Knee who, with consummate skill, glided through the circle and flicked the ball home for the first of two goals for the night. Soon after, the ‘tomahawk king’ Riley Maddock slotted home a magnificent shot into the roof of the net from just inside the circle. Riley’s second great tomahawk for the night was the culmination of a wonderful transition play that saw the ball moved brilliantly from an opposition short corner to the Waverley circle in the blink of an eye.

While Waverley dominated possession for much of the game, mid-way through the second half momentum appeared to shift. With two of its top running players on the bench with injuries, Doncaster was able to score two goals. The concern held by many, that the Waverley boys would ‘run out of legs’, proved to be unfounded when the group lifted to once again assume control of the match. This was achieved via an accurate and quick penalty corner push out from Jonathan Wentworth that enabled Waverley to score from a drag flick. Then the game was put beyond doubt with a magical goal from David Jensen.

It would be remiss not to mention the great work in defence of the likes of Zac Davis, the hard work of Nick Steffens and the goal keeping brilliance of Ben Wilkinson.

In tryingly wet conditions that made quick ball movement very difficult, the Waverley Under 17 A team scored an impressive 4 – 0 win over Southern United.

The scoring was opened with a brilliant team goal that saw the ball transferred quickly down the ground to David Jensen who held on to it until he had drawn the goalkeeper and a defender to him, then with precision he neatly passed to Riley Maddock who clinically slotted the goal home. The next two goals came from goal scoring machine, James Knee. The second of these will certainly be hard to top for goal of the season: an unstoppable forestick drive from near the edge of the circle that flew into the roof of the net. The final goal was the result an excellent short corner strategy that saw a powerful tomahawk find the back of the net.

Once again, teamwork and discipline were the hallmark of this performance and thus it is probably unfair to highlight individual performances. Having said this, Todd Cope was outstanding in defence. Special mention should also be made of David Howson’s solid contribution in his first game of the season with the Under 17 A team.