With the last of the home and away matches for the 2018 hockey season completed, six teams are heading to finals, while others can rest and relax for a little while.
Congratulations to all teams on their efforts in this hockey season. It has been great to see the number of families participating and the friendships which have developed during the year. We hope to see many people playing in the summer hockey season, which will begin in mid-October.
Under 10 Excellence
Special congratulations to our Under 10 Mixed teams. We began this hockey season with 2 teams entered in the Hockey Geelong competition, but extra players joining resulted in the entry of an additional team and reshuffling the 2 teams into 3. The players all adapted very well to the change and have demonstrated a very high standard of play all through the year. Many players have shown great maturity, good sportsmanship and great skills and game understanding. Goalkeepers are always in demand in a hockey team, and the performance of Hamish Scudamore for U10 Spirit has been outstanding in this role. Hamish is one to watch in the future, as he already shows great goalkeeping skill and tactical awareness.
There are no finals for the U10 teams, so the Premiership is decided on the final ladder placings. We are delighted to note that Newtown Strikers finished as Premiers for the 2018 hockey season, with Newtown Rebels as Runners Up (despite having played 2 less games than other teams). Newtown Spirit were placed in 4th position, but only separated from the 3rd placed team on goal difference.
U10 Girls
Well done to the girls who participated each week in the Hockey Geelong U10 Girls program. With 13 players from all clubs, 7 from Newtown, involved during the hockey season, teams were randomly selected each week from those in attendance. The development of skills and game strategy was very pleasing to see, and also showed in those who were also playing in the U10 Mixed teams. Friendships were formed during the program too, and it is hoped that this program will progress to U12 in 2019, with more players participating.
Congratulations on your efforts – Ruby, Amelia, Elliott, Stella, Lily, Alex, Matilda. The program finished last week, with the girls and families enjoying some after game dinner and chat.
Hockey Geelong U10 Girls
Hockey Geelong U10 Girls
Under 8 Mixed
Newtown Spirit v Newtown Rebels
Spirit showed just how much they have improved in 15 rounds in an action-packed game against club mates Rebels as they closed out the winter hockey season on Saturday.
With the sun shining at Lloyd Reserve, the two Newtown teams gave spectators an entertaining spectacle that featured fast breaks, strong defence and great linked play. With Drew protecting the goals and delivering well-placed free hits out of defence to forwards Braxton, Summah and Ollie, the team took advantage of any chances they had to push forward. But Rebels kept Spirit under pressure, with the opposition working the ball into their attacking zone time and again. Spirit half backs Pollyanna, Edie and Maia toiled tirelessly to keep the Rebels at bay, with all delivering great free hits out to players including Ollie, who positioned himself beautifully out wide and latched on to any ball that came his way.
Spirit tackled, trapped, marked and passed strongly, creating space by keeping to their positions. They also put in some great second efforts to keep the game flowing.
After a position reshuffle at half time, the team took to the field with renewed vigour. Half back Braxton powered a beautiful through ball to Drew on the forward line, who shot it off to a well-positioned Edie and she capably forced a free. The linked play was just one of many examples where Spirit’s teamwork shone through. It was also clearly evident within the Rebels team, with their players working the ball well in both attack and defence.
After the final whistle Coach Kellie praised her team for their strong game, applauding them for creating more opportunities to run into attack. She told the team they had called more and marked players well. She awarded Braxton a Subway award for his great game that included well timed tackles and clever delivery of the ball. Pollyanna also received a Subway voucher after playing a cracker of a game. Well done Spirit for a great winter season and thanks to Coach Kellie for a sterling job at the helm. See you next year.
Newtown Strikers vs College Green
Strikers had another great performance this week against College Green. Strikers started the game confidently by attacking strongly, forcing College Green to defend for the majority of the first half. Strikers showed their improved skills by controlling the ball well andpassing accurately to other team members. Strikers kept their positions which enabled them to find space and continually move forward.
At half-time, Colleen told Strikers they were playing extremely well as a team and to carry on doing the same!
In the second half, Strikers again attacked quickly and strongly and the play continued to flow well. Strikers again showed how much they have improved since the start of the season. Well done Strikers for a fabulous last match of the hockey season!
Cormac and Odin were awarded Subway Players of the Week for their improved performances over the season. Congratulations Cormac and Odin!
Newtown Rebels vs Newtown Spirit
Newtown Rebels finished off the hockey season with an excellent game, showing great focus on the ball with sticks on the ground and always ready to put pressure on the opposition. Players showed lots of desire to get the ball, although at times moving out of their positions to do so. Great running by George, Harrison and Sam and good passing by Ella, Sofia, Marlo and Edward allowed Rebels to move the ball into attack well. Zeph and Amelia made some lovely interceptions with good scanning before deciding where to pass to space for team mates. Improved marking of the opposition was pleasing, not allowing Spirit to move forward easily, although their strong defence make Rebels work hard. Subway Awards to Ella and Zeph.
Under 10 Mixed
Newtown Spirit vs Newtown Strikers 0-1
The pre game coaching heard Kellie asking the team to use the field and our team mates – this would be the key to us being competitive in this match. We needed to ensure the ball went to a team mate, any loose balls or passing to a free space would see the opposition get it straight away. Our all round skills today would be imperative to being competitive, as we knew the opposition would have touch tackles. Kellie gave the team the opportunity to pick their own position for the game, which was really exciting.
The game was so exciting, with lots of excellent & pressure plays – it was so intense, with intense speed, using the ball well and stepping up to the ball rapidly. Kellie wanted the players in the second half to stick to their players, as we did lose momentum when we were out of our position in the first half. We also needed to call for the ball, look for our team mates, and if one of our team mates had the ball, let them know if they were about to be tackled by the opposition.
At the conclusion of the game Kellie and the parents all agreed that it was the best game ever! We all enjoyed watching the plays, the strong ball movement, how we were making more options, and how we naturally fell into our positions. We looked dangerous all game with Kellie feeling like there was a goal on the tip of her tongue all game. There was a unlucky goal scored by Strikers in the dying minutes of the gamer that left us feeling defeated but we can hold our heads high as we showed how strong we can be. It’s been a joy this season to watch each player grow and develop their skills. All the best to the players for next year. Four Subway Awards were handed out – Hamish & Lucy received one for being conscious of where they were sending the ball back to, thinking before doing. Nate and Charlotte received theirs for being intense and strong all game.
Newtown Rebels vs Geelong College 3-0
Under 12 Mixed
Newtown Spirit vs Geelong 4-0
Newtown Strikers Bye
Under 14 Mixed
Newtown Strikers vs Torquay 0-2
In the final game for this hockey season Strikers met Torquay on Pitch 1 at Stead Park. An excellent Torquay attack and goal early put Strikers under real pressure. Strikers rallied and play a solid team defense to repel the Torquay team until a chance goal late in the half put Torquay up by 2. Several close chances for Strikers either just passed the post or were the subject of excellent saves. Strikers successfully implemented the team plan of spreading wide and using the wings. An entertaining first half.
In the second half Strikers fought hard again with resolute defending and counterattack. Both sides were scoreless in the second half with Torquay prevailing 2-0. Despite the scoreline it was perhaps the Strikers most complete performance against a team that is high on the ladder. Strikers dominated periods of play, ran hard and were desperate in defence.
Special thanks to Phil Telfer for his coaching this season. He has provided excellent, measured guidance for the kids and this is appropriately evidence by the level of improvement in the team over the year.
Newtown Spirit vs Kardinia Blue 5-0
Under 17 Mixed
Newtown Strikers vs Kardinia 3-2
Harry and Coach Darren were away but Sam R and Miles returned, and we had Oliver from U14, for Strikers’ game against Kardinia. Coach Deb decided to mix the players’ positions up a bit and had EJ and Ella up forward, with Miles playing in defence. This change must have caught Kardinia off-guard, as EJ received the ball and with a big hit scored a goal in the opening minutes of the game.
That was followed up by another goal to Oscar, but to Kardinia’s credit they steadied and had a few entries into their attacking circle, but Miles’ stick-work was excellent, trapping bouncing balls on his reverse-stick and leading out of defence. Strikers had further chances through Penalty Corners but Kardinia did well to block hits from Ella, Oscar and EJ.
In the second half, Kardinia turned the tables on Strikers and had 2 early goals to bring the scores level 2-all, but from there Strikers really took control of the game. Our defence in EJ, Caleb, Sam R and Luka were impenetrable, and good passing saw us create lots of opportunities. Miles hit our 3rd goal with a bouncing hit over through the goalie, and there were some good runs from defence into the attacking circle from Jack and Miles, and a number of crosses and passes in front of goal that we were unlucky not to score from. Final score was 3-2.
Newtown Spirit vs Torquay 1-1
Newtown Spirit vs TorquayNewtown Spirit played Torquay with 13 team members on Sunday in a tightly contested match. Spirit started strongly and with a good passing game penetrated the attacking circle many times in the first half including three shots at goal early on. Torquay resisted the pressure and at half time the score was 0:0. ln the second half Torquay increased the intensity of their attacking play and produced many solid passing and attacking plays; but Spirit defended strongly with Rachel and Oliver in deep defence, and Tom and Angus chasing down and clearing balls from the circle.
In the last quarter Spirit re-established their passing game with Ben and Miles playing well along the wing and passing quickly to our forwards who had run hard to gain good deflection positions. This resulted in one attack consisting of a great run by Angus then a pass to Ben who passed to Harry whose strike was deflected in by Oli. A quality goal that had the crowd on their feet in applause. Both teams continued to contest and with only two minutes remaining Torquay attacked and converted to equalise resulting in a one-all draw.
Coach Paul praised the team after the game commending all on playing well, short corners, putting in the effort, creating many 1-2’s, making good decisions in the D, chasing down free balls, and stopping Torquay from running with the ball. He praised Oliver and Rachel for their rock solid defence, Harry and Oli for a “cracker” of a game and Ben for playing a lot better.
Thanks to Oli and Harry for playing up from U/14’s and for being instrumental in today’s successful outcome. Well done to all players for their individual efforts, passing well, chasing down balls and ultimately improving the team result with a draw. Well done all players keep up the hard work with a determined effort against Torquay in the semi-final next weekend!
Division 1 Men
Newtown Falcons vs Geelong 4-1
IGA Player of the Week Luke Hatton
Division 1 Women
Newtown Falcons vs Saints Black 2-4
IGA Player of the Week Award Deb Barnett
Division 2 Men
Newtown Spirit vs Corio 2-8
Division 2 Women
Newtown Spirit vs Saints Red 0-5
Newtown Spirit has shown great cohesiveness during this hockey season, with a strong and reliable defence and this last game was no exception. Great midfield play and pressure on the opposing players by Kellie, Andie and Beth was well backed up by Wendy, always in the right position, and Tracey, meeting the opposition onslaught early to deflect attacks. Great running and position both in attack and defence by Katie, Emma and Amelia allowed the play to move forward into our attacking area, where De, Jessie, Peta and Sarah were always ready to receive and look for team mates in good position. Spirit had a number of attacks which reached the goal circle and shots at goal which unfortunately didn’t result in scores, although not for lack of trying.
Well done and congratulations to all the members of the team. Although eliminated from the finals, it has been an enjoyable year and the improvement both individually and as a team has been very pleasing. Although our goal difference was significantly negative (we won’t mention how large), the 16 goals scored for the year gave us all some heart and enthusiasm for next year. Thanks to Paul whose coaching efforts have been much appreciated. Bring on 2019!
