Round 4 of the 2018 Hockey Season saw some standout performances and excellent results. The willingness of junior players in particular to try new positions and new challenges provides a positive outlook for both the players and the Club in future.
Under 6 Joeys
Our U6 players are showing improvement in their hockey skills with each week of this hockey season, with some excellent dribbling and reverse stick work. This week’s focus on passing to another player saw some accurate and firm passes, with players quickly ready to move to the next position to continue a 1-2 passing sequence. Great work by all!
Under 8 Mixed
Newtown Spirit vs College White
Spirit showcased strong passing and marking when it took on College White in Under 8 competition at Lloyd Reserve on Saturday. While full back Oliver capably protected the goals, his team-mates used the sidelines as much as they could to overcome congestion in the middle of the field. With strong free hits from Summah and Pollyanna on the half-back line, forwards Braxton, Drew and Maia worked hard to make the most of every opportunity to carry the ball forward into attack.
The team’s linked game continues to improve with each game of the hockey season. Summah triggered several great passages of play, including a strong free hit out wide to Pollyanna, who fired it through to Drew and he scored a goal.
The wide play was just what Coach Kellie ordered in her half-time address. She also asked her team to be ready as soon as Spirit won a free and to always watch the ball. Spirit enjoyed more of the attack in the second half until the hard-working College outfit regrouped and increased pressure on the Newtown players through strong forward runs. That didn’t stop Spirit from fighting hard though, with Braxton and Maia applying useful tackles to hinder College’s progress. Oliver was fantastic as the last line of defence, stopping many opposition forays towards goal and sending the ball out to his team-mates.
After the game Coach Kellie said she was impressed by her team’s play and applauded their work in setting up “clock face” positions at the last free of the game. She awarded two Subway Best Team Player awards for the game, with Oliver and Summah worthy recipients. Oliver did a great job in front of goals, while Summah marked the opposition skilfully, constantly watched the ball and worked hard all game.
Newtown Strikers vs Red Jaguars
Newtown Strikers had a fantastic match this week against the Red Jaguars. Strikers started well, consistently moving forward and attacking strongly, despite being a player down. Whenever Jaguars had possession, Strikers defended and worked hard as a team to regain control of the ball.
At half-time Colleen praised the team’s efforts and said there was very little to improve upon as they were playing so well and had taken on board all her comments from previous games! In the second half Strikers continued to dominate and showed more confidence, particularly when passing to one another and attacking.
All in all Strikers had a great game this week and Neve was awarded Subway Player of the Week for a hugely improved performance. Congratulations Neve!
Newtown Rebels vs Kardinia Kookaburras
A great team game by Newtown Rebels, with good focus on the ball and determination to gain possession shown by all players. Great tackling and interceptions with sticks on the ground provided the impetus for forward moves. Excellent vision and quick passing by George and Sofia found team mates Sam and Harrison in good positions and able to receive the ball. Edward in goals didn’t have a lot to do in the first half but maintained his vigilance, and when moved up the field worked well with team mates to control the play and give Rebels the advantage.
Subway Best Team Player Award went to Sofia, who was always in good position and ready to gain possession and move the team into attack.
Under 10 Mixed
Newtown Spirit vs Bellarine 4-0
Another great game played by all! Kellie was excited by the team’s decisions making skills to take the ball out wide, our ability to move the ball, how we were taking our time, positioning ourselves well to make a play, calling for the ball and we were getting to the ball first. All of this saw our ability to put heaps of pressure on the opposition. We continued to improve on our game plan of moving the ball to the right, so playing to our strength. One of the things Kellie wanted us to be mindful of in the second quarter was, if playing down the centre and we can’t play to the right look right over to the left, as we had opportunities in the first half, to make passes to free player right over on the left. Ruben scored two goals in first half, one was from persistence and excellent pushes of the ball.
Second quarter saw lots of play in our offence but a great opposition goalie nearly saw us remain goalless….however some great team work, from short corners saw two goals to Leo. Kellie’s comments focused around using our team mates with passing, sticks were down, we were getting to the ball early and our passes in the circle. It was reported the Hamish didn’t even get to touch the ball in goalie position this week! Best Team Player Awards went to Lucy and Charlotte for listening to Kellie and carrying out her instructions during the game.
Newtown Strikers vs Red Jaguars 0-0
Newtown Rebels vs Kardinia 8-0
Under 10 Girls
A great game by all the girls, with some fantastic strategic thinking and skills on display.
Under 12 Mixed
Newtown Strikers vs Torquay 2-1
Torquay were so dominant in the 1st half that it was a matter of how many goals they would score. However they only scored 1 goal, largely thanks to 1st time Goalkeeper Chloe who saved many shots on goals. Alice and Madeline were also great in defence which inspired the team after the break to an excellent 2nd half with a great strike for goal by Tom. Ruby’s speed and skill at right wing was fantastic, running down the wing setting up Amber in the right spot in the circle to score the team’s winning goal. Great effort all.
Newtown Spirit vs Bellarine Thunder 2-0
Under 14 Mixed
Newtown Spirit vs Geelong 0-4
Newtown Strikers vs Bellarine 2-1
Strikers met Bellarine at Stead Park on Sunday coming off some improved performances. After a few early volleys either way, Strikers got into their rhythm and started to attack. Jarrett undertook a number of driving runs through the field to set up opportunities and was ultimately rewarded with a goal. Bellarine then countered with their own goal and the game was on level terms at the half.
In the second half the team was full of running. Oliver made some excellent baseline runs and was rewarded with a goal. Sam R set up many plays and Kenna played another great game in goals. Overall the team played an excellent team game and the players have progressed rapidly from the first two weeks to implement a sound hockey structure on the field. Well done Strikers.
Under 17 Mixed
Newtown Strikers vs Torquay 0-1
Strikers were looking to avenge our 2:1 loss to Torquay back in round 1 on Saturday. Luka and Harry were back for the team but Lotte was away. The first half saw good defense from both teams, and Strikers’ passing was better than in prior weeks, with a notable passage of play when Sam, Oscar, EJ passed the ball cleanly up to Miles whose hit was just wide of goal. Torquay had 2 Penalty Corners but failed to convert, and Strikers also couldn’t convert theirs, leaving the scores at nil-all to half time.
In the second half Strikers continued to have some good attacks forward through Miles, Harry, Jack, Oscar and Jarret, but Torquay’s full-back had our measure on many occasions. With 10 minutes left, a Torquay attack brought Luka right of goal, they then passed left and scored and the final score was 1-nil to Torquay.
Things to work on are our speed in defense and following up with second efforts, and making more use of the wings as we go into attack.
Newtown Spirit vs Kardinia 0-1
Newtown Spirit played a strong defensive game against Kardinia on Saturday. With only 8 Spirit players available Kardinia loaned players to make a side.
Spirit players put in a solid performance throughout the game. There were some good attacks from both sides with Kardinia converting in the second half to win the game.
Rachel was strong in defense and played a number of impressive flat stick tackles. Max was strong in goals and minimised Kardinia conversions to just one goal. Coach Paul commented that “all players gave 100%, Ben and Emily made space, there were great passes from Miles and Tom, Rachel played another great game and Angus played his best game yetâ€. Well done Spirit.
Division 1 Men
Newtown Falcons vs Saints Red 6-0
Falcons had a solid game against Saints Red on the weekend coming out on top with a 6-0 win. All players contributed to the win and when we transitioned and used quick passes we looked really dangerous. A shout out goes to Sam who played his first game for the Falcons and proved to be a serious threat up on the forward line.
Goal scorers were Tom, Sean, Gus, Alex, Callum and Sam. It is great to see the team starting to gel and work together to play some nice hockey.
The IGA Player of the Week went to Tom Mahon who keeps growing in confidence and is displaying some great skills and great team hockey. Looking to forward to this weekend when we face the reigning premiers Torquay, it should be a fun encounter!!
Division 1 Women
Newtown Falcons vs Saints Black 1-0
With four teams in Division One Womens play we are going to get to know the other teams up close and personal. Each club are formidable foes who demand we rise to the challenge each week to lift our game to a new level. This week we met Saints for the second time or as they say in the boxing ring – round two. With Mother’s Day weekend and Geelong Rep teams playing after Club play, our list numbers were low, so we called for back-up … thankfully seasoned veterans Meg and Mon could step in for the first time this season. To allow for one sub a new Junior Girl, Ella, was invited to play and lucky for us so was able to answer the call (despite playing a Junior Girls rep game the night before and an U17 game earlier in the day). In her debut senior game Ella fit right in and has demonstrated that she is capable division one player.
With new faces to the team, the team meeting once again started with introductions. As a story spoiler, Newtown wins 1-0 over Saints!! The score is very much indicative of the play. It was an even battle, with both teams playing solid, strong, quick counter attack hockey. Neither team giving much to the other – but grief! While there were opportunities I wouldn’t say they were high percentage. Falcons did a good job of setting their structure to get play out to the side and worked the side lines with good triangle play. The whole Falcons team did a good job of manning up in transition. Forwards worked hard to come back with loud footsteps, channels and marking to keep Saints defenders at bay. Midfield stopped play early when Saints tried to mount a quick counter, and supported our teams two way play in transition. Our backfield held solid with Zoe providing a couple key saves and Astrid did a great job maintaining possession out of the right half with good choice of when to do the small game vs hard clearing balls from the back while keeping her man from scoring chances.
The goal came off some great team play that originated from a good breakout from team structure, fantastic midfield linking with strikers and then Hailey going one on one with the keeper with a couple of change of direction moves to create open net behind the keeper … wish we had it on video!!! Nice weekend to get a win!!!
Division 2 Men
Newtown Spirit vs Geelong 2-5
Newtown Spirit played Geelong on Sunday, registering our fourth game together as a developing team. In the first half we played well with good structure and passing and although we had limited opportunities to score we were able to answer Geelong’s opening goal. And a fine reply it was with a good example of one-touch hockey in the attacking circle before finding the back of the goal.
We started the second half in the same manner but Geelong stepped up their game a couple of gears and we were simply outplayed. The positive though was the team continued to persevere and we were rewarded with a late goal to see the final score 5 – 2 in Geelong’s favour.
Division 2 Women
Newtown Spirit vs Golden Plains 2-1
Newtown Spirit approached this game with some confidence after the previous week’s excellent performance, and this showed from the start. Spirit had the majority of play, with the ball mostly in our attacking half for the first half. Excellent midfield play and solid defence by Andie, Kellie and Lauren didn’t let Golden Plains get any real superiority. Hillary and Tracey at full back were always in good position and blocked the play whenever Golden Plains tried to attack. Golden Plains had a number of attacks but none really caused any great concern for the defence. Emma and Katie again worked hard, linking the play from defence to attack and ran hard to ensure that Rebels moved into attack. Rebels created a number of attacks and opportunities in front of goal and Deanne tipped one in after some scrambled play close to the goal.
The second half saw Rebels continue to mark opponents well, limiting the effectiveness of any Golden Plains attacks. Golden Plains scored with a strong hit on a short corner and the game was back on equal terms. Katie and Emma continued to create avenues to attack and linked well with Sarah, Jessie J and Deanne, with Jessie scoring another goal to put Rebels in front again. Despite a number of Golden Plains attacks in the final 10 minutes of the game, the Rebels defence held and the team was very pleased to claim its first win of the hockey season.
