The traditional Scotch – Melbourne Grammar rivalry set the scene for the 7As recent match at the MGS Todd Rd complex. Coming from an easy win the previous week, the Scotch team started well but were surprised in the first three minutes by a sustained drive from MGS, resulting in a short corner. Well executed by MGS, the trap was twice handed off cleanly allowing a sharp shot on goal and MGS led 1-0.
Over the next ten minutes, the Scotch play seemed to get bogged down in centre field with some ineffectual short passing. Bradley Mason and Tom Allen were kept busy chasing the MGS players as they pushed forward. On one such MGS attack, a strong blocking tackle from David Barrell in defence distributed the ball to Bradley Mason who then ran three-quarters the length of the field, with Edwin Anderson in support beside him, to score with a strong shot on the run: 1-1.
The remainder of the first half saw both sides attack in turn, though with the Scotch approach seeming too direct down the centre it was effectively blocked and did not threaten the MGS goal. In the last minutes MGS won a free hit close outside the circle and with a sharp pass and strong shot on goal, scored to lead 2-1 at half time.
Scotch came out full of running in the second half. Very quickly, another strong tackle from the fullback cleared the ball to Charlie Cross on the left wing who fought his way through the MGS defence from halfway and scored decisively: 2-2. With the momentum firmly with Scotch on the attack, short corners soon followed. On the second opportunity, the hit in from Bradley Mason was trapped by Stuart Sim and passed off to Tom Allen who scored: Scotch hit the front 3-2.
MGS came back, attacking right across the field, but strong work from Robert Carnes and Brandon Leong mid-field kept MGS from reaching a threatening position. Midway through the second half, an accurate clearance from Stuart Sim allowed Charlie Cross to break out and pass on to Tom Webber for a successful shot on goal. Scotch led 4-2.
With a two goal lead, the Scotch boys appeared to then relax a bit and the momentum swung strongly to MGS, putting Scotch on the back foot. Over a ten minute period, MGS attacked with a succession of five short corners, and goalie for the match, James Batroney, made two great kicking saves to deny the opposition. Time ran out for MGS and the match ended with a Scotch win, 4-2. Congratulations to all the boys for an entertaining and skilful match – let’s build further on the open, attacking play that made such a difference early in the second half.
UNDEFEATED! 8As
The 8A team coached by Mr Tim Reichl and Mr Hugh Sinclair have a goal this season: to win all home and away games and with just 3 games to go, they are firmly on track.
The squad is comprised of 15 players:
Charlie Altson, Stuart Daly, James Dawson-Smith, Michael Docker, Anthony Fearn-Wannan, Andrew Feddersen, Tom Hayman, Tom Hvala, Peter Jenkins, James Manton, James McPhee, Paul Mitchell, Scott Roberts, Jeremy Robertson, Oliver Tarrant.
There is no regular captain but as Mr Reichl says it would appear that this team is one of those rare “leaderful teams” referred to by ex-Kookaburra’s Captain and Australian Women’s Hockey Coach Rick Charlesworth. Mr Reichl adds that a feature of this team is its flexibility with most team members capable of playing not just multiple positions but multiple roles (i.e. defender, midfield, wing half or forward). Also, at least two of the boys – Stuart Daly and Anthony Fearn-Wannan have been invited to play in the Victorian ‘Hot Shots’ tournament. Anthony who broke his wrist after round 5 returned to the fray last week (round 7) and suffered no ill effects from his enforced layoff.
Results for the season so far:
April 29
Scotch 5 def Carey 0
May 6
Scotch 5 def Wesley 0
May 13
Scotch 1 def MGS 0
May 20
Scotch 4 def Burke Hall 1
May 27
Scotch 2 def Brighton Grammar 0
June 3
Scotch 14 def Caulfield Wheelers Hill 1
July 15
Scotch 5 def Wesley 0
In a tough tussle to half time, the boys showed great character in miserable conditions as is clear from this week’s images. This match was a true test of character as the boys struggled to hold their sticks in the bitter cold and driving rain. Whilst the scoreline was 5-Nil the win reflected the boys’ mental toughness in trying conditions rather than skill superiority, as Wesley boasted a couple of excellent players.
8A team and coach
The team’s prolific goal scoring has come from a variety of options but the main contributors over the season so far have been:
Oliver Tarrant; Jeremy Robertson; Stuart Daly; James Dawson-Smith; James Manton and Paul Mitchell.
'The wet game'
Mr Reichl’s summary of the team is that they are a pleasure to coach as they are responsive, enthusiastic and always pleasant. Keep up the excellent work boys and let’s keep your perfect record intact!
Remaining games are:
MGS – At home; Burke Hall – State Hockey Centre; Brighton – At home.
Thirds Gold
Last game for Saturday May 27, 1pm at Montgomery Hockey Field against Xavier.
After a less than memorable game the previous week, the boys were all fired up for an improved performance. In the first half, Scotch’s defence held firm with few of Xavier’s forward moves penetrating their attacking area. However, when called upon, our tall and agile goalie Ned McNiece, was having a wonderful game stopping Xavier’s scoring attempts. Scotch led at half time 1-0, with an impressive goal scored by the left wing, Tim Daly - the ball first hit the post and finally went in after a second strong hit.
Our second half wasn’t quite as impressive. However, Scotch was always in front. Scotch’s second goal also came from Tim, followed soon after by Xavier’s first goal scored from a very impressive, powerfully hit short corner. The last goal of the match, again from Scotch’s nimble left wing sealed the match. We don’t think Tim believed he actually scored all of Scotch’s goals – a hat trick!
All team members made a valuable contribution to the game and can go into future rounds feeling very positive about the continuing progress the team is making. Keep up the good work.
8B Reds
On a sunny Saturday morning in Essendon the Scotch 8B hockey side had come to play.
With 2 on the bench, coaches Lachie Beckett and David Brown had a lot to work with and it was soon evident that this was going to be a dominant performance from Scotch against PEGS.
It opened with the elusive Johnson Ip streaming down the left wing in attack and slotting the first goal within 3 minutes of hit-off. Charles Kemp was next, weaving a path through the Essendon defence to set up Johnson Ip again who converted. Michael Filius was menacing as left half and Hayden Lim Joon at right inner was creating many opportunities.
A short corner was successfully converted by Kempy and another corner was converted by Jason Huang and the floodgates were opening!
The incessant attack was stopped by a sudden reversal of play and Essendon streamed forward but this attack was quickly crushed by a 50metre kick by goalie Charlie Altson (Rocca would have been proud!).
Kempy had his second from a strong clean hit in the D and another short corner saw a goal to Will Sutherland. Then the goal of the day with James Allen dribbling down the middle and a few passes later Johnson Ip slotted his hat-trick of goals.
At half time it was 7-0 and the address from the coaches was to go for it! Justin Lew had the first goal after the break then James Allen conjured a goal between his legs.
Jack Balson was setting up many attacks as a right inner and there was a flurry of shots on goal. It was noted that Hugh Theobald, playing as a back, continually did the team thing and called his fellow back to plug the hole that an over-confident team had left at the centre line.
Tim Jonson drilled home the next goal from a great forward run and then an interesting “wide” short corner resulted in a goal to Tim Rawling.
Hamish Houghton had Scotch’s 12th goal with a great under cut hit against the goalie.
The only injury was to Justin who unfortunately blocked a strong shot at goal by Hamish.
Updated: Tuesday 12 April 2011 © Scotch College 2011