Round 10 of the 2019 Hockey Season for the senior competitions was played this week, but the junior teams are still on their school holiday break.
Division 1 Women
Newtown Falcons vs Saints 2-4
Senior Men
Newtown Strikers vs Saints 2 4-7
This weekend we played against Saints 2 who are currently the leading Division 2 ladder. We had a few regulars out due to injury and school holidays but fortunately we were bolstered with Zed making his first appearance for the year and two first timers Harley and Harry making their debut in seniors.
Saints started well and scored two early goals. Fitzy sent a great pass through to Cal which give him a on-on-one opportunity with the goalie but unfortunately the goalie succeeded on this occasion. We had numerous more chances to score but only managed to squeeze one in and went into half time down 1-3 but confident that we could mount a comeback in the second half.
We managed to score a few goals in the second half, two of these from corners, however we were unable to stop the Saints sharp-shooters and lost on this occasion. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and we’ll be ready to take the Saints on in the finals later in the year.
Newtown Spirit vs Corio 2-5
This was a hard fought match in extremely wet conditions (rain didn’t let up all game), in which we had a number of opportunities but unfortunately didn’t capitalise upon them. Possibly it was the weather but our intensity was a bit patchy throughout the game. When we switched on we scored two quick fire goals bringing the score back to 2 – 3, but we were unable to continue at that level resulted in no additional goals and a few more in the back of our net. There were some great efforts in the last 10 minutes of the game, with a number of shots going just the wrong side of the post. That being said (I know it’s been a rather negative report), it was an enjoyable game, probably more frustrating in that it was a game I think we could have won. Anyway, next week we play Saints which is always a challenge and one to look forward to.
With Newtown Strikers sitting in 3rd position on the ladder and Spirit in 4th, the run to the finals of this hockey season will be very interesting.
Division 2 Women
Newtown Spirit vs Geelong 4-0
Newtown Spirit continued their great form of recent games. We began the game with 9 players but were not overly daunted as Geelong also had 9. Thanks to Emma P for filling in and making the tenth player, equalling Geelong’s numbers. Great defence by Tracey and Emma P didn’t allow Geelong to make any significant inroads in attack, and for once, Claire in goals didn’t get to touch the ball. Early midfield pressure on Geelong’s attackers and controlled play by Andie and Hannah returned play to Newtown’s advantage. Kellie was back in the country and back for her first game of hockey for a couple of months, and added some spark down the right side, even making some great overlapping runs to catch the ball in the right corner.
Georgie, Katie, Peta and Beth showed great teamwork and co-ordination, making great passes to people moving in to the right spaces. Pressure in the circle resulted in two goals to Katie and two to Georgie. A fantastic game, which now moves Spirit into fourth position on the ladder.
