The 2017 hockey season kicked off with some excellent matches, although with players missing in most teams, there was some hard work to be done.
Kookas
Kookas began with some great displays of ball control and teamwork, and good understanding of positioning. A fun game of Hoctopus showed off the tackling skills of the players, and Baxter and Braydn were very effective in the middle.
Under 6 Joeys
The Joeys program for 2017 started well with some keen young hockey players, learning the skills of dribbling and controlling the ball. Good scanning allowed them to move through the ‘Monster Forest’ with ease. They also showed great skills in passing the ball, making the targets set up for them with lovely straight pushes.
Under 8
Newtown Strikers vs College Green
A great start to the hockey season for Newtown Strikers, with many team members playing at this level for the first time. There was some great teamwork and good passing to space, allowing Strikers to keep the ball in attack for much of the game.
Newtown Raiders vs Kardinia Kookaburras
Well done to everybody on a great start to the hockey season. Everybody that played did a great job in regards to staying in position and putting the dribbling and spinning skills practiced in the warm up into their game.
Oscar did a fantastic job goal keeping, stopping numerous attempts for goal from going through. Chloe, Genevieve and Charlotte worked very well together bringing the ball into the forward line. Hannah, Isabelle and Jesse also did a great job in supporting our goal keeper and passing the ball to the forward players.
Subway Best Team Player Award to Genevieve.
Newtown Spirit v Newtown Rebels
Spirit kicked off its 2017 hockey season with an enthusiastic encounter against club stablemate Rebels at Lloyd Reserve on Saturday. Spirit players, with many new to Under 8 competition this year, threw themselves into the game, tackling with determination and positioning themselves to receive the ball in an at-times crowded first half. With Avah defending the goals, Michael showed encouraging skills while Baxter worked hard every opportunity he got, persevering strongly in defence and attack.
At half time Coach Kellie praised Spirit players for their positioning and tackling and encouraged them to call more to each other. After the break the team responded well to a strongly-attacking Rebels outfit, striving to halt their opposition’s progress and sending the ball forward with some encouraging linked play. A free hit by fullback Pollyanna found a well-positioned Juliette, who directed the ball accurately to Avah in the centre, triggering a run towards goal.
Avah also combined well with Michael and Baxter, who kept the pressure on Rebels’ hard-working defenders. Right wing Drew provided quality options out wide while Summah made her presence felt at centre half back.
All players showed encouraging signs that bode well for a good year for the Spirit team. Spirit player Braydn, who filled in for Rebels to even player numbers, proved a valuable addition to their side during the match. Baxter received the Subway Best Team Player award for the Round One game for his determined attitude and play. Well done Baxter!
Newtown Rebels vs Newtown Spirit
The Rebels U8 team had a fantastic first game with all players showing great determination. The players all tried hard to use the passing skills learnt from their practice sessions and in the second half they improved their calling out to one another. All the players had big smiles on their faces at the end of the game!
Tommy was awarded Subway Best Team Player for his excellent ball skills.
Under 10 South
Newtown Spirit vs Newtown Strikers 4-1
The Spirit team started the hockey season with enthusiasm and Coach Kellie’s opening half time call out was “Happy first game”. The players showed some good running all over the field. The focus was on the importance of keeping in position, and with players encouraged to push and flick, there were some excellent quick passes. Nate did a great job in goals for the first game of the season, and surely appreciated the lift he received from his dad to get into position quickly. Great running and strong passing saw goals for Max and Surry in the first half.
The second half saw lots more pushing and sticking to positions, and Max was in the right spot to score two more goals. Subway Best Team Player Award went to Charlotte for stopping, focusing and assessing the play before passing. Best Team Player Award also to Leo for always being in the play – a great first game from him.
Newtown Strikers vs Newtown Spirit 1-4
A warm welcome to the 2017 winter hockey season both to returning players and new club members. Congratulations Strikers on such a strong game for the first round of the season. We faced a tough opposition in the Spirit team and they started with a very solid attack.
All of the Strikers players showed great concentration and gained confidence with their skills throughout the match, and played a very confident attacking second half. Players made great positions (Isla and Anna on the wing, Thamindu and Elliot in the back) did some terrific tackles (Charlie, Isabel, Amelia), backed each other up (Eliza-May and Eliza) and strong runs in the attack (Amber and Alexandra who scored a beautiful sweeping goal). A special mention and huge thank you to Ruby for battling in the goals – while we didn’t win, you saved a huge number of shots – great effort.
Under 12
Newtown Spirit vs Kardinia 0-3
Round 1 of 2017 was a little difficult for Spirit as we were short of players. Those that did take the field were excited to be back again and even more so due to now being on the fast synthetic surface!
Kardinia very kindly lent us a player for the first 15 minutes which was most appreciated. It took a while for the kids to settle into the rhythm of playing again and there was a little bit of following the ball instead of playing the position. As a result Kardinia were able to bring the ball forward quite easily and score 3 goals. Our defenders did the very best they could but with no goalie it was a big ask.
The second half however was a much better game. The nerves had settled and everyone remembered their positions. Our wings were looked for more often and some big hits up the ground by Gus saw Maggie and Lachie desperately trying to get onto the end of them.
Overall it was a great start and once we get our full team back the Spirit will be off and running. Well done everyone!
Newtown Strikers vs Newtown Rebels 6-2
It was a great start to the hockey season for Strikers with a solid 6-2 win over Rebels in Saturday’s game. The first half started a little slowly with just the one goal scored by Strikers and going into half time one goal down, but they ramped it up in the second half scoring a further 5 goals in fairly quick succession. The great teamwork, passing shots and skills shown by all players were signs of a bright future for these talented players. We greatly look forward to the season ahead.
Newtown Rebels vs Newtown Strikers 2-6
Strikers were too good for Rebels in their round 1 clash at Stead Park winning 6-2. There was early offensive pressure from Strikers which Rebels withstood with excellent teamwork and defensive hustle by Lachlan, Maggie and Mitchell. Rebels then went on the attack, scoring two early goals, both starting from sharp passing by Pat and Brandon – setting up Teijai for both goals. Sam and Basyl were excellent zipping in and out through the mid-field, creating several chances. On the left wing, Isobel produced some great ball movement creating further opportunity downfield while also providing some gritty defence.
Late in the second half Rebels had to run back hard in defence on several occasions to stop a charging Strikers offence. Strikers scored a late goal before half time, and would have had a second goal but for excellent defence on the goal line from Lachlan. After half time, Strikers’ persistence paid off with two early goals within the first two minutes, and a further three throughout the half. Despite the run of goals from Strikers, Rebels showed great character and didn’t give up.
Under 14
Newtown Spirit vs Newtown Strikers 4-2
U14 Spirit kicked off the hockey season with all 16 players available. To ensure all players had enough time on the pitch, Coach Carl concentrated on substitutions and had assistance from Coach Darren. There are good signs for the season with everyone applying pressure on their opponents, and good tackling in defence from Amelia and Will early in the game.
Harry scored early in the first half, but it was by no means all Spirit’s game as Strikers certainly seemed to have the majority of play, and Strikers leveled with Spirit soon after. Good passing up forward from Nick to Harry nearly resulted in a goal at the 20 minute mark, but the teams went into half-time with scores at 1 all.
In the second half, Spirit were again attacking well but Strikers were very strong in defence. Strikers cleared the ball and were able to stream forward in numbers, resulting in a goal 3 minutes into the half. Spirit kept their composure and through Will, were able to level scores again at the 10 minute mark. The momentum was with Spirit because a minute later, Harry was able to take the ball deep into attack and strike a nice hit into goal.
Later in the half, Will and Harry combined well to get the ball out of defence, where Harley then passed to Jamie who was able to finish with a nice goal, giving Spirit a 4-2 lead that they then held until full-time. Thanks to one of our 2 Max’s who is happy to be our dedicated goalie for the season. He was certainly tested this week and did very well defending the Newtown Strikers attacks.
Under 17
Newtown Strikers vs Golden Plains 8-1
A great start to the hockey season for Strikers. We thought we were going to start the first match of the season with a couple of players short but thanks to Jonah for helping out and Jen for pulling on the goalies kit. It took a while to settle in and as a result our defensive work was a little loose; however once we settled in and worked out who the dangerous players were on the other team we started marking well and limiting their forward presses.
Rachael, Sam and Angus – all new players to U17 – did a great job at tagging through the midfield and made it hard for the opposition to break through. Tom had a big influence on the forward line, not only scoring a few goals himself but also setting up some really great opportunities that resulted in goals from Erin and Declan. Golden Plains managed to score in the last 2 minutes of the game after a bit of confusion in the D but otherwise it was a very well controlled game that had balanced contributions from all players.
Newtown Spirit vs Kardinia 4-2
The first half was a scrappy affair from both teams with a goal each, which was surprising given the lack of a goal keeper on both teams. Kardinia was playing two of its stronger and faster players forward, so there was frantic swarming of Newtown defence each time Kardinia advanced towards the Newtown goal.
After some inspirational words from Niko and Adham at half time, the Newtown team came out firing on all cylinders in the second half. Goals to Miles, Tom and Oscar all arising from excellent positional play, awareness and passing from all team members, brought the score to 4:1 with 10 minutes still to play. Kardinia were able to score another goal but excellent defence from Newtown kept the final score to 4:2.
Great team work from all, looking forward to seeing more this weekend coming.
Division 1 Men
Newtown Falcons vs Torquay 6-5
Falcons started well with all players talking and marking well. There was plenty of switching from one side of the field to the other. Soon we found the net with a hat trick of goals to Gus, from open play and a great cross from Adham just like lightning – that was how fast it was. Two goals came from short corners. The other came from a mistake by a Torquay defender on the line by his feet, resulting in a penalty stroke. There was a bit of discussion about who would take the shot. Finally Adham drew the short straw and put it in to make the score 6-0. Then a lack of talking gave Torquay one back at the break.
The second half was much the same with plenty of attacks from both teams. Then one incident changed the whole game. With Newtown and Torquay both a player down, Torquay sparked up and increased their attack, with a further goal and the score was 6-2. Torquay continued to attack and pulled back first one goal then another until the score was 6-5 with two minutes to go. Falcons held Torquay out in the final two minutes to grab the win, but gave the Coach a heart attack in the process. Great play by Gus with his hat trick and great defence by Sean, Lachie and Will in goals, minimising what could otherwise have been a different score and a different result. Great work by Tom P and Alex who filled in from Strikers for first time games in Falcons.
Newtown Strikers vs Geelong Jaguars 3-3
In a closely contested and high scoring game, the lead changed multiple times during the course of the game with the end result being a well deserved draw. Although it was only our first game of the season there were a number of impressive team goals which is something that I’d like to build upon this year so that we don’t just rely on the some people each week putting us on the score board.
We also welcomed some new faces into the team, Tom, Thomas, Corey, Hudson and Alex, some of whom have played games for us in the past but hopefully will become regulars this season. As a group there are obviously some areas to work on, but as a season opener the whole team should be proud of their efforts today.
Division 1 Women
Newtown Falcons vs Saints 2-2
Welcome back to the Falcons Ladies, in what was a good game by all considering it was heat affected. Jen played a good game in goals and was well supported by Emma P, Ainsley and Kate J. It was a very hard fought match with Saints, with Tiahna scoring both goals – one from a field goal and one from a short corner.
Nicole suffered a game ending ankle injury and Eliza also hurt her ankle, but was able to play the game out. The result was a 2 all draw, with Saints scoring their second goal in the last 30 seconds of the game. Congratulations to Hailey for playing her first senior game.
Newtown Strikers vs Torquay 1-7
With only 11 players, including 2 who were doubling up, Strikers put in a great effort. The defence was under pressure from the start but Jessie J in goals kept out many shots. Score at half time was 0-5. Meg was solid in defence and Lucy provided spark on the forward line. Despite the fatigue which set in as the game progressed, Strikers showed great determination and persistence to keep Torquay from totally dominating the game and the second half was a much closer affair on the scoreboard.
Division 2 Men
Newtown Spirit vs Bellarine Storm 3-1
Newtown Spirit played Bellarine Storm in the middle of the day on Saturday. The match was a test of fitness and learning to play with unfamiliar team mates on the fly. The first half was a very closely held contest with Brodie keeping us in the game with his diving and anticipation of the play. Both teams had many shots on goal and we went into half time even or there abouts.
With the temperature in the mid 20’s it was the younger legs (on average) of Spirit and the forwards stepping in front of the opposition that made the difference. Spirit ended up winning the game 3-1 with a real sense of optimism for our prospects in 2017.
Division 2 Women
Newtown Spirit vs Torquay 1-3
An excellent game by Spirit, playing with only 10 players. In fact the team began with only 9 and no keeper and one of Torquay’s goals was scored in this time. Great defence by Wendy and Hill with Jacinta and Andie making many interceptions in the midfield. Great running by Katelyn and Kellie and ‘never give up’ pressure on the opposition forwards was good to see. Kirsty made good use of space in the centre, receiving the ball and making good passes to team mates in support. The defence continued to soak up the pressure, with Eichelle in goals making save after save after save. A long pass out of defence found Katie in space in the forward line, and with no Torquay keeper, she was able to score our goal.
