Round 1 for the 2024 hockey season began with a lovely sunny weekend, just right for playing some great hockey.
Under 10 Lloyd Reserve
With a new competition format for the U8 and U10 players, being spread between Stead Park and Lloyd Reserve, it was fantastic to see 4 teams take to the field (1/2 size) at Lloyd Reserve. The range of ages in the teams, from 5 to 9 in most cases, didn’t faze the players and the standard of play and hockey smarts was excellent.
Newtown Dynamos vs Newtown Spirit 4-0
It was a very evenly matched start to the game, with no scoring for the first half, but plenty of opportunities for both sides. Both teams were passing well and letting less experienced players participate.
Penalty/Short corners were enthusiastically participated in, although a lot of players hadn’t
experienced these before.
In the second half, Dynamos began to break away. Eliza assisted in an excellent first goal that was scored by Edward. There was plenty of action at both ends of the ground with players having to run the entire
breadth of the oval regularly. Dynamos converted another three attacks into goals which were all scored by Edward.
Overall, the game showed great defense by both teams. Even though the score was 4:0 the game was very competitive. Miriam, Albert and Flynn worked well in defense. Felix, Edward and Eliza saw a lot of action in the forward line with Eliza in particular providing some great assistance work in the scoring shots. Players were encouraged to work on bringing the ball to their strong side and to clear
the ball in defense situations to players on the wing.
Newtown Spirit vs Newtown Dynamos 0-4
A fun game to begin the season, with some great play by the Spirit players. The sausage at the end of the game is always an attraction!
Newtown Rebels vs Newtown Rockets 5-2
In their first game for the season the Rebels played the Rockets at Lloyd Reserve and won 5 -1. It was not only the first game for the winter season, but for many of the players it was their first game ever! In the first half Charlie played in attack, he was running hard the whole first half and scored the Rebels first 2 goals. Beatrix played in attack for the whole game and showed some great passing skills. Abigail was involved in an epic tackle, stealing the ball from the Rockets. While Esther showed herself to be a great team player, with some lovely passes to her teammates.
Caspar worked hard in defence in the first half keeping the Rockets from scoring, and then in the second half he played in attack and scored three goals. One of those goals was thanks to a great steal and goal assist from Harry. Florence did some great passes and defended well, stopping a goal from the Rockets in the second half.
Freddie showed his skills with some great passes throughout the game, in particular there was a noticeably great pass close to the sideline. All the players did the most important thing and had a great time while building not only their hockey skills but their skills as team players. Well done Rebels!
Newtown Rockets vs Newtown Rebels 2-5
There were 6 players today for the Rockets: Nora, Tom, Elspeth, Lily, Austin and Harry. For the first half we borrowed Harry from the Rebels to play for us and the second half we borrowed Charlie.
The first half the team did some really great passing while staying out nice and wide giving everyone space. They did well looking for their teammates. No goals for Rockets in the first half and 2 goals for Rebels.
Second half again really nice work passing and good play and stops. 1 goal by Charlie in the second half and 3 goals for the Rebels.
Next week will try and focus on passing the ball quicker and being aware of where your teammates are. Great first game Rockets!
Under 10 Stead Park
Newtown Strikers
A bye for this team for the first round but they are keen to get on the field next week.
Under 12
Newtown Strikers vs Kardinia 8-0
A fantastic way to start the season with an 8-0 win over Kardinia.
From the start of the match Newtown controlled the game and territory. Our players held their positions well, which created space for many attacking opportunities. Our passing was a feature of the game with the ball shared to players in better or more attacking positions. A signifiant amount of scoring opportunities were created but we were unable to convert a lot of these due to Kardinia’s great goal line defence.
Goals Scorers : 3 Jack, 2 Joey, 2 Eddy, 1 Eva
Newtown Spirit vs Torquay 4-0
The first game of the season and the players were a bit nervous to come up against last year’s premiers. Spirit started off strong from the outset and set up camp in their forward half. There were numerous half chances in the first half and three short corners but the team didn’t quite have the polish to score.
The second half was dominated again by Spirit and Torquay rarely got out of their half. This time Spirit passed the ball to teammates more confidently. Georgia R got the scoring underway, followed by goals from Joe I, Chelsea O and Ishe T to finish off a much better second half.
Under 14
Newtown Strikers vs Geelong 1-11
U14 Strikers had a tough start to season 2024, scoring 1 goal to Geelong Jaguars’ 11.
Despite the loss, the Strikers put in some great team and individual efforts. Our defence was kept busy, including good efforts from Lucas O. and Isobel to keep the ball out of the D. And when the ball did get through it didn’t always make its way to the goals thanks to some great saves from Kassidy!
Up the other end we saw some nice attempts towards the goal from Jessica and Audrey, but Kayden had the most luck and put our first and only goal on the board.
Our team will take away plenty from the game, and aim to come back stronger next week!
Under 17
Newtown Strikers vs Torquay 0-6
Division 1 Women
Newtown Falcons vs Geelong 3-1
On what would turn out to be an seasonably warm day, the D1 Falcons took to the field, a player down, against a formidable Geelong side.
The game was played at a fast pace with Newtown applying a lot of pressure to force mistakes from the opposition which resulted in a penalty corner goal from Hailey.
Against the run of play, Geelong were able to counter this goal, bringing the scores back one apeace.
At quarter time the team was boosted with the arrival of Ruby, back from playing in Melbourne, and provided immediate results when she was able to break away from the Geelong defence and taking on the goalie pushed the ball into the back of the net.
As the game progressed, with no bench, fatigue started to become a factor, but instead of dropping their heads, everyone doubled down playing smarter hockey and making every play a challenge for the opposition.
This tenacious style of play paid off when Georgie was able to score the team’s 3rd goal in the later part of the game, providing a scoreline buffer which was maintained to the final whistle.
Big shout-out to Paige, Alex, Georgie and Claire (in her 801st game) who doubled up and contributed massively to the win.
Overall, a fantastic start to the season and something that we’ll be able to build upon in the coming season.
Division 2 Men
Newtown Falcons vs Corio 3-0
The Newtown Falcons defeated Corio 3-0 on a balmy Saturday evening. We had a substantially different team from last year but played well from the start.
We had most of the play in the first half but were 0-0 at half time, thanks in part to great saves from Corio’s keeper. We lifted in the second half and improved our ball movement. Tom P, Tom E and AJ scored goals. Thanks to Brett for keeping at short notice.
Division 2 Women
Newtown Strikers vs Geelong 2-4
A good game to start the season with lots of positive indications.
Some skillful goals scored by Geelong, but good defence prevented further scores. Newtown’s defence was well served by Tash, Peta, Andie and De, with Alex and Rachel making some great interceptions. Unfortunately, injury to Kirsty early in the game saw her take no further part in the match.
Strong forays into the attacking zone by Serena, Claudia, Hanna and Charlotte, working well with Georgie and with Paige providing momentum to get the ball forward meant we were unlucky not to score more.
