The 2016 hockey season is in full swing with some great matches and some fantastic senior and junior hockey games played in Round 2.
Kookas Hockey
With new bibs to wear, it was the battle of Team Red vs Team Orange this week – helped out with a few adults. Precision passing and great running saw both teams create attacks but it was the great combination by Amy, Sam H and Dave which allowed them to score a few goals in the first half. Great ball control and switching skills by Ella and Sam S were a feature of the game. Excellent positioning by Zac and Hayden in the second half resulted in some forward moves and goals scored.
Under 8
Newtown Rebels vs College White
Newtown Rebels displayed determination and persistence throughout the match. It was a very different team to take the field this week with three players from the previous week not playing. However, two new players, Hamish and Georgie joined for their first game of hockey and wasted no time getting amongst the play. They both added enthusiasm and run to the team. Well done on your first game. Playing with one less player than the opposition, much of the game was spent in our defensive half with all players helping our backs to repel the opposition’s attack. Surry and Scarlett alternated deep in defence and did a great job with strong stick work on the goal line.
We made the most of our forward opportunities, scoring a goal from a long run by Surry and narrowly missing on a couple of other occasions.
Hannah did a good job learning the positioning and role of a half back, pushing up in the second half to be an option for any free hits.
Scarlett was awarded Best Team Player for responding well to half-time instructions and defending free-hits by being in front and having her stick down. Great job! In our next game, we need to focus on taking our free-hits early to find a teammate who is free and move to a position that the ball can be passed to.
Newtown Strikers vs Newtown Raiders
Wow what a difference a week makes. This week Strikers displayed a lot of team work and calling to each other. A great team effort from everyone. During the first half Amy showed great coverage of the field and followed through on all shots running down field. Eliza backed up Amelia in goals and they successfully defended the goals together. Isla and Emma both made attempts on goals during the first half. Eliza and Isla were always on the move out on the wings.
During the second half Alex J moved into goals and showed good defence and sending the ball straight back into play and ready to defend again. Emma and Amy both continued defence roles, placing themselves in front of their opponents. Alex S was constantly moving around the field getting into position. Also fantastic listening and learning the rules by Alex S for a miss hit on a penalty, great job Alex S. With a direct pass from Amelia on the wings to Eliza in front of goals, Eliza scored. Isla also made an attempt on goals. Best Team Player was awarded to Isla
In our next game, we need to work on our pushing of the ball, with strong straight passes. Remember to keep 2 hands on your stick at all times. We have a BYE for round 3, but you can still come for training and assist our fellow Newtown teams.
Newtown Spirit vs Torquay Tornadoes
Newtown Spirit showed the benefit of last week, with a great game combining fantastic defensive skills and great attack. Meyah and Avah were strong and determined, and with assistance from Mai filling in from Rebels, the team was able to resist many attacks. Lucy and Charlotte worked well with the rest of the team, and showed great enthusiasm, always looking for a team mate to pass to.
Newtown Raiders vs Newtown Strikers
Great focus on the ball in defence by Eliza-May in the first half stopped a number of shots at goal and with great calling by Cate on free hits, Raiders were able to get the ball back into attack. Charlotte, Jesse and Oscar made some lovely tackles and with sticks on the ground were able to block the Rebels path into attack. Isabel was tireless in her attempts to get the ball and with great dribbling and passing skills was able to send Raiders into attack. The second half saw a number of forward moves, and Eliza-May in perfect position only just missed scoring a great goal after a free pass from Isabel. Quick free hits helped to get the play moving, and next week’s game will build on this. Best Team Player award went to Isabel.
Under 11
Newtown Rebels vs Bellarine Lightning 5-0
U11 Rebels had a great 5:0 win over Bellarine Lightning at St. Ignatius College. Goal scorers were Basyl (3), Kiah (1) and Patrick (1). Well done to Patrick on showing great goal sense in only his second game.The Bellarine team were very competitive and our goalkeeper Sam, saved 2 good scoring attempts. Grace, Teijai and Genevieve are having a red hot go and contributed well in their second games.
Newtown Spirit vs Torquay 4-0
Our second game of the season saw the return of our coach and a couple of our players meaning we were almost at full strength. Our opposition this week was Torquay who in the past couple of years have caused us a few problems. With Ruby stepping into the goalie gear for the first time and players in position under the watchful eye of Kellie we went on and played a brilliant game! The new players to the U11 competition settled in very well as too did Jamie who played his first game ever! Oliver helped him out in the back line with encouragement and guidance. Position play was the order of the day and some great passes saw the ball into the goals a total of 4 times through Angus and Mia. Well done on a great win!
Newtown Strikers vs Kardinia 1-5
Under 13
Newtown Strikers vs Bellarine Lightning 0-5
The Newtown Strikers came up against the Bellarine Lightning in U/13 this Sunday. Firstly, thanks to Imogen who filled in when the team was down a player for the first third of the game. The Strikers were defeated by a better coordinated Lightning team 0-5. While the teams appeared quite evenly matched player for player the Lightning played a better game of hockey and took advantage of the Strikers handing the ball back during attacks.
There are some things to work on for next week mainly being the spread out wide to players rather than seeking to hit through the defence and the need for hard running with and particularly without the ball. It was impressive that a number of the coach’s instructions were well implemented after half time and during the second half the Strikers came close to scoring. Ella was a particular standout this week and held the team together defensively and Oscar presented well down the left wing in the second half.
Newtown Spirit – Bye
Under 15
Newtown Spirit vs Kardinia 3-1
U15 Spirit continued their winning start to the season with a 3-1 victory over Kardinia. Despite being two players short the team dominated possession for most of the first half with Lachie controlling play from centre back. However the team failed to capitalise on the scoreboard until late in the half when Miles and Amber each scored cracking goals. The teams’ ascendancy continued in the second half with Jemma and Olivia providing good options when going forward and Angus and Declan defending strongly when Kardinia threatened. However like the first half the team was unable to take advantage on the scoreboard and Miles’ second goal was matched by Kardinia leading to a 3-1 scoreline. All players worked exceptionally hard covering for the absences and no interchange available. Well played.
Newtown Strikers vs Torquay 2-3
Under 17
Newtown Strikers vs Saints 6-0
After struggling for players last week, this week we had the luxury of two on the bench, thanks to Josh and Monique filling in and Jack and Oscar joining our team. On paper, the Saints team looked quite strong and we were expecting a challenging game. This proved to be the case in the first 10 minutes with neither team really gaining a strong ascendancy. We eventually got the first score on the board with a goal from Tom P followed by another by Tom M just before half time. In the second half the Saints had difficulty penetrating our defenses with good marking by the two Lukes and with Hudson sweeping across the back line. Our passing was well controlled through the middle which enabled us to set up four more goals in the second half, resulting in some wild celebrations on the pitch when Jen scored off a precision deflection.
Newtown Spirit vs Torquay 10-0
D1 Women
Newtown Falcons vs Torquay 3-0
Falcons played a good team game with new players fitting in very well. The team attacked early getting two goals in the first half, while our defence stopped a lot of shots on goal by Torquay. The second half continued with Newtown controlling the play, and scoring another goal in the second half. Well done for a good team game. Goal scorers Nicole 2, Katey 1
Newtown Strikers vs Geelong 2-7
Divsion 1 Men
Newtown Falcons vs Saints 4-1
Newtown Strikers vs Geelong 2-3
Division 2 Women
Newtown Rebels vs Geelong 1-4
With just 10 players Rebels took on a supersized Geelong team. Despite the lack of fresh legs Rebels were able to defend strongly with sound marking of their players in defence. In the second half Rebels applied the pressure with many ventures into Geelong territory, rewarded with several corners. A great switch from Shannon to Kellie on the post saw a well deserved goal. Hillary and Jan, with Andy, Nic and Jac in defence looked well to feed the ball through to Erin and Kirsty on the wings. The star of the match was our new recruit in goals, Eichelle. Sound scanning and calling resulted in brilliant saves and great teamwork amongst defence. Well done girls.
Division 2 Men
Newtown Spirit – Bye
