The 2019 hockey season has been one of rebuilding in many ways, with efforts continuing to recruit new members and to field competitive teams in all divisions. There have been some excellent examples of dedication and commitment, and some excellent results.
Under 8 Mixed
Newtown Strikers vs Newtwon Rebels
For their final game of the season, Newtown Strikers played against Newtown Rebels. The very competitive and entertaining game saw great play from all the Strikers, with highlights including:
Great passing from Joseph, especially when he found a gap between Rebels players to find Audrey. Josien stopping Rebels from moving forward with the ball on many occasions. Great passing between all of the players, with several great passages of play involving a succession of passes to take the ball into attack. Long runs with the ball into attack by Charlie. Great positioning by Audrey to score a goal after a well-directed pass from Lucy. Lightning reflexes from Joseph to stop the ball twice in
quick succession. A successful penalty push from Josien, after her shot at goal was stopped by a foot. Quick running by Audrey to gather the ball under pressure and pass to Josien for a chance at goal. Josien running hard to keep the ball in play and pass to Audrey. And Charlie stopping an otherwise certain goal right on the goal line.
Strikers have had a fantastic season, showing a quality of play in every game that is rare to see in under 8 games. The guidance from coach Maggie was greatly appreciated, with the whole team focused on Maggie’s encouragement to make sure they always played safely and had fun.
Newtown Rebels vs Newtown Strikers
An excellent game by Rebels showing great improvement in marking the opposition and in the determination to get to the ball first, and then continue into attack. Well directed passes from Jake often found Kai and Lenny running to space to receive. Excellent work by Kasey who stopped many of Strikers’ shots at goal, and Albie was a terrier in going for the ball and made some lovely passes. Awards this week to Albie and Jake.
Newtown Spirit vs Saints
A great game from Spirit to end the 2019 hockey season.
Under 10 Mixed
Newtown Spirit vs GBS Black 3-2
Newtown came out firing for the last match of the season. They had all the possession for the first 10 minutes of the game and were soon 2-0 up after goals from Matilda and George. GBS Black then started to come back and Spirit were drawn into the congested centre of the field. A lack of marking and discipline in positioning then saw GBS bring the score back to 2-2. In the last 10 minutes of the game, Spirit drew on all of their skills to apply pressure to the opposition and they were rewarded with a great goal from Oscar in the final minutes of the game. A great way to end a great season.
Newtown Strikers vs Geelong College 15-0
Under 12 Mixed
Newtown Strikers vs Newtown Spirit 8-0
Well done Strikers it was great to see you finish off the season strong. It was again very nice to see the movement of the ball around the field, passing forward to our leading players, and some hard two way running, keeping on the pressure both in defence and attack.
Our calling today was probably the best it has been all season, with players also honoring the calls, and passing to the players in space. Unfortunately, results didn’t go our way yesterday, so we have just missed out on a finals spot, but you should all be very proud of your efforts over the season. Our last few games certainly showed we could compete with the top teams.
Well done Strikers, you have all come a long way both as individuals, and as a team. Hope to see you all back again next year, and hopefully we can go one step
further!
Newtown Spirit vs Newtown Strikers 0-8
Our final game for the 2019 winter hockey season was played in beautiful sunny conditions on Sunday morning at Stead Park against fellow club team Strikers.
Ruben lead the team out and as always was an enthusiastic Captain. We were unlucky on several goal opportunities, which would have provided a slightly better-looking score, however our forwards Nate, Hamish K, Grace M, and Emme, made some great attacks and demonstrated speedy, skilled work. Hamish S in goals put up a strong defence in particular a fantastic save against a penalty shot which we were unlucky to have given away. Our ever-ready defenders Ruben, Emma, and Leo with halfbacks Charlotte, Grace F, Lucy and Annabelle were kept busy getting the ball out of defence and feeding it to our forwards.
U12 Spirit has shown great improvement over the course of the season. Despite disappointing score lines this season the team remain a happy, resilient and enthusiastic bunch. We on the side line are looking forward to what these players achieve next year!
Newtown Rebels vs Geelong Jaguars 0-2
It was the final game of the hockey season for Rebels, and it was a good one. On the back foot early with an injured Alex instructed to stay high (Alex managed a whole hockey season unscathed only to fall injured in a vicious game of down ball on Friday night).
The early part of the game was spent defending well, then breaking fast when we were able to win possession of the ball. Trey had a cracker game down back, committing early to tackles and intercepts. Late in the second half we were attacking the goals regularly but couldn’t quite score.
The second half was a very competitive game with both sides having chances on goal. Elliot showed her improvement in goals with fancy footwork and one thunder boot clearing the ball well outside the D. Pleasingly in the second half the team showed commitment to follow the ball into the D and whilst we didn’t quite score were able to force a couple of short corners through their persistence. The end of the season arrived too soon and whilst we didn’t make finals the team showed continued improvement and had a very enjoyable season.
A big, huge thank you to super coach Rach who showed patience, great hockey nous and the ability to continually encourage the kids no matter what.
MVP this week was awarded to super coach Rach.
Under 14 Mixed
Newtown Spirit vs Kardinia White 7-0
Spirit matched up against Kardinia White in the last round before finals; a battle between 2nd and 3rd on the ladder. We stuck well to our pre game strategy early and created an open, running game. A short corner resulted early and Harry B scored off a strong push by Tilly. Kardinia responded by forcing a corner of their own, but Spirit defended well. A score by Luca put us 2 nil up. Our open style of play continued and generated more scoring opportunities while denying Kardinia much of the play in their attacking half. Harry B slotted in another goal from right field just inside the D and then followed up with a run from midfield, into the D and around the goalie. The score at half time was 4 nil.
Coach Darren praised the team at half time for carrying out the match plan well and urged defenders to push the ball wide and long from the back half.
The second half pretty much mirrored the first with all Spirit players contributing well. Harry B scored another 3 goals assisted by a great team effort. The final score was 7 nil. Well done team.
Newtown Strikers vs Kardinia Blue 1-6
Newtown Strikers started off strong against Kardinia Blue. Some terrific defence from the backline and great goal saving from Sam saw the scores at nil all for some time.
At half time Kardinia was 2 goals up and despite a great job by new goalie Oskar, Kardinia managed to increase their lead. A fantastic pass by Brandon was rewarded by Liam shooting a decisive goal to get Strikers on the scoreboard. It was great to see the team running more with the ball and making better use of the wings.
Over the season it has been pleasing to see how the players have improved working together as a team, which is a credit to them and to coach Ahmer, who has been very supportive and encouraging.
Under 17 Mixed
Newtown Spirit vs Newtown Strikers 10-0
In sunny conditions for the second time in a row the game started off pretty tense for both Newtown sides. Spirit managed to concentrate on not rushing on passing the ball to other players which gained us 2 brilliant goals, one from Nick within the first 5 minutes, then a later goal from Tom. Mitch and Bailey in defence marked well, read the play and intercepted numerous attacks, which gave Spirit an end score of 2-0.
Newtown Spirit worked much smarter in the 2nd half by running in pairs which allowed our passing in a smoother fashion. Caleb was reliable as ever, playing as half and then up into inner and helped set up a great goal. Tom was able to spread the play in the second half and helped the team with shorter passing, controlling the pace of the match. Jarret who found a great niche at centre forward, with scoring 2 consecutive goals with some great calling, fast running and quick reflexes which helped him provide a third brilliant goal. Harri played an excellent first game at half back, marking up and cutting off balls to the winger, and provided lots of trapping and passing, which gained him his first goal for the season. Harley looked dangerous on the lead and swapped sides to upset the opposition defenders, both slotting a deserving goal from excellent passing. Angus and Mason played their roles perfectly in both attack and defence as inners, which gained Angus a perfect goal. Max was dependable as ever in preventing our opponent in scoring any goals which saw the end score of 0-10 for Newtown Spirit.
Thank-you Mason for filling in.
Newtown Strikers vs Newtown Spirit 0-10
Intra club rivals Newtown Strikers and Spirit met on Saturday in a friendly though always competitive game. Strikers played the ball early passing along the wing and utilising both sides. Play was mostly even for the first 15 minutes with a quick and decisive conversion by Spirit putting up the first score. Strikers replied with strong attacking play and shot on goal though were unable to convert. Spirit were quick to reply with further attacks and credit to strikers EJ for strong goal keeping. At the 20 minute mark Spirit scored their second goal and Strikers held the score 0:2 until the half time whistle.
Coach comments from both Phil and Gordon were really positive at the break with requests for inners to make leads into space, create gaps, and to use both left and right sides and not down the centre. Spirit returned to the pitch with fierce intensity and scored quickly and although Strikers ran hard they were unable to stem the flow of Spirit goals with the final score 10:0 to Spirit.
As always both sides enjoyed socialising after the game and it is terrific to see such up and coming talent within the club, which will hold us in good stead for next season with the majority of players still eligible for U/17. Thanks again to Kate who filled in for us straight after an U/14 game and thanks to coaches Gordon and Phil for their advice over the season.
Division 1 Women
Newtown Falcons vs Geelong 0-3
Division 2 Women
Newtown Spirit vs Saints Red 1-0
Newtown Spirit have strung together some great team games in the latter part of the season. However, coming up against the undefeated Saints Red in our last game was expected to pose a tough situation, especially with a few players missing. But with some confidence of those recent wins, and with close marking of the usually dangerous Saints forwards by Beth, Andie, Katie and Maryanne, Saints were not able to make any headway. Great running and position by Kate, Peta, Deanne and Kirsty, well supported by Kellie created many forward moves. Kate was in the right position to score the first goal ten minutes into the game.
Saints continued to attack but were not able to break through the strong defence with Hillary and Kylie proving difficult to get past. Saints were not able to capitalise on passes into the circle, while Newtown continued to block their attacks and get the ball moving back to our advantage. An excellent game by all the Spirit players saw the scoreboard showing a win for us, and some very happy players.
