Hockeyroos hit back to win second Four Nations series in New Zealand

Hockey Paper staff
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Australia 3
Ashleigh Nelson FG 7m, Jade Close FG 8m, Georgia Nanscawen FG 15m
New Zealand 1
Katie Glynn PC 49m

Australia hit back against New Zealand downing the Black Sticks 3-1 in the final of a second women’s Four Nations Test Series in Auckland on Sunday.

The Australians were determined to avenge the first series finals loss to the home side last Monday, where they went down 2-3 . The Hockeyroos got off to a flying start when Ashleigh Nelson and Jade Close scored a minute apart early in the first and when Georgia Nanscawen sent home a deflection at the 15 minute mark, they went to the break 3-0 up.

Hockeyroos coach Adam Commens said The Hockeyroos press troubled the Black Sticks in the first half. “We were able to create enough pressure so our opposition turned the ball over and we were able to capitalise on those opportunities on the counter attack,” he said.

“We’ve learnt a lot this series and it was never about the results, although it’s nice to win, it’s about working on improving so we are at our best at the Olympics.”

Once again senior players Madonna Blyth, Kobie McGurk and Teneal Attard were outstanding and held solid against a fast and skilful New Zealand attack.

The Black sticks sent home a drag flick from Katie Glynn at the 49 minute mark and the home side pressed hard in the last 15 but were unable to shake a determined Hockeyroos outfit.

The Hockeyroos will now have a four day break before they start an intensive training program in preparation for the London Cup in June.

BBC to cover hockey Olympic test event on Red Button and on-line

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[img_assist|nid=3524|title= |desc=|link=none|align=right|width=151|height=121]BBC Sport will be broadcasting coverage of GB matches at the London VISA International Invitational Hockey Tournament on the BBC Red Button and BBC Sport website. The commentary team will include Barry Davies, Mel Clewlow and Sean Kerly.

The broadcast schedule is as follows: 

Weds 2 May

1315-1445 GB v Korea (women’s)
Commentators: Barry Davies & Mel Clewlow

1830-2000 GB v GER (men’s)
Commentators: Barry Davies & Sean Kerly

Thurs 3 May

1315-1445 China v GB (women’s)
Commentators: Barry Davies & Mel Clewlow

1830-2000 GB v India (men’s)
Commentators: Barry Davies & Sean Kerly

Sat 5 May

1145-1315 GB v Arg (women’s)
Commentators: Barry Davies & Mel Clewlow

1700-1830 Australia v GB (men’s)*
Commentators: Barry Davies & Sean Kerly

Sun 6 May

1215-1415 Women’s Final*
Commentators: Barry Davies & Mel Clewlow

1830-2030 Men’s Final
Commentators: Barry Davies & Sean Kerly

 

*may not be available on Freeview due to clash with other programming

South Africa head to Olympic hockey qualifier in Japan

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[img_assist|nid=3523|title=50th cap beckons|desc=Wade Paton of South Africa © Pierre Tostee / Mr Price SPORT|link=popup|align=left|width=250|height=167]The bulk of the South Africa men’s hockey team, hailed as a “golden generation” by coach Gregg Clark, leave for Japan on Thursday with one mission in mind, to clinch the last remaining berth available at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The final Olympic Qualifier Tournament takes place at Kakamigahara in Japan from April 26 to May 6, where Clark’s side have to win the gold medal for South Africa to qualify for the London Olympic Games.

And while the contingent leaving from Johannesburg will arrive at their tournament base in Kakamigahara Friday, the overseas-based players will only arrive later as they have European club commitments to fulfil this weekend.SA captain Austin Smith and Rhett Halkett are at Den Bosch in Holland, Justin Reid-Ross and Lloyd Madsen play for Pinoke in Amsterdam; Belgium clubs enjoy the services of Clinton Panther, Taine Paton (both Gantoise) and Jonty Robinson (Braxgata), while Ian Haley plays for Exeter in England.

Although the SA team last played in late February, when they beat Austria – one of their opponents in Japan – the home-based and overseas players have been working hard to ensure they will be in peak condition.

[img_assist|nid=3518|title=Ready for the challenge|desc=SA coach Gregg Clark|link=popup|align=right|width=150|height=188]

“We won the bronze medal at the Champions Challenge in Randburg in early December, beating higher-ranked Argentina in that play-off match, we have drawn a series against world number four Great Britain in Cape Town and Stellenbosch, beaten Austria, and beat India in India for the first time ever in the series in New Delhi earlier this year,” said Clark. “The majority of our matches have been against higher-ranked opponents and this ambitious team, which I have described as the golden generation, is ready for the challenge in Japan.”

Top-ranked South Africa (world number 12), hosts Japan (15th), China (17th), Austria (21st), Czech Republic (23rd) and Brazil (42nd) will be tussling for the last remaining ticket to London.

SA MEN’S MATCH PROGRAMME IN JAPAN

April 26: vs Brazil (11.30 am SA time); April 28: vs Czech Republic (3 am SA time); April 30: vs China (11.30 am SAtime); May 2: vs Japan (9 am SA time); May 4: vs Austria (11.30 am SA time); May 6: Classification matches (5/6 places); (3/4 places); final (8 am SA time).

SA TEAM
Austin Smith (capt), Andrew Cronje, Lloyd Norris-Jones, Ian Haley (all Western Province); Wade Paton, Lloyd Madsen, Tim Drummond, Marvin Harper, Taine Paton (all KZN Coastal Raiders); Rassie Pieterse, Michael Smith, Lance Louw, Thornton McDade, Clint Panther (all Southern Gauteng); Jonty Robinson, Rhett Halkett, Justin Reid-Ross (all Northern Blues); Julian Hykes (Amatole-Border). Head coach: Gregg Clark. Assistant coach: Kurt Cerfontyne. Manager: Anton van Rooyen. Assistant manager: Mo Malebye. Physio: Kate-Lyn Temple-Jones.

Hockey centre takes shape at London’s Olympic Park with 100 days to go

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[img_assist|nid=3515|title=Taking shape|desc=Hockey’s Riverbank Arena at Olympic Park|link=popup|align=right|width=221|height=147]With 100 days to go to the London 2012 Olympic Games, newly released aerial images of Olympic Park show the Riverbank Arena hockey centre taking shape.

The official hockey test event the Visa International Invitational Hockey Tournament starts on May 2, 2012.

Australia’s Jamie Dwyer to miss London Olympic test event to ‘manage workload’

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[img_assist|nid=1576|title=|desc=|link=none|align=right|width=86|height=101]Kookaburras coach Ric Charlesworth has unveiled the squad that will compete at the London VISA International Invitational Hockey Tournament on May 2-6, 100 days out from the Olympics.

A core group of players, including five-time world player of the year, Jamie Dwyer, will travel to Europe but will only play select matches to ensure their work load is managed.

“This tour is another opportunity to explore our form and our opponents,” Charlesworth said.

“It continues to be difficult to select teams as all players in the squad remain in contention to play at the Olympics.”

This tour is a chance for players to further press for Olympic selection and Luke Doerner, Liam De Young and Jason Wilson, who are returning from injury, will be keen to impress.

The VISA International Invitational Hockey Tournament will be played at Olympic Park and will give the athletes their first look at the Olympic blue pitch where life long dreams could be realised.

“It’s an important opportunity, hopefully it will be similar to the pitch we’ve been training on but we won’t know until we get there,” Charlesworth said.

Team selected: London Test

Nathan Burgers(QLD) Joel Carroll(NT) Luke Doerner(TAS) Fergus Kavanagh(WA) Liam De Young(QLD) Chris Ciriello(VIC) Jonathon Charlesworth(WA) Tim Deavin(TAS) Matthew Butturini(NSW) Mark Knowles(QLD) Glenn Simpson(VIC) Rob Hammond(QLD) Eddie Ockenden(TAS) Simon Orchard(NSW) Kieran Govers(NSW) Jason Wilson(QLD) Matt Gohdes(QLD) Russell Ford(VIC)

Players included for the European Tour -Test Matches against Belgium and Germany

Des Abbott(NT) Graeme Begbie(WA) Andrew Charter(ACT) Jamie Dwyer(QLD) Matthew Swann(QLD) Glenn Turner(ACT)

EHL finals go to Amsterdam

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[img_assist|nid=3469|title=|desc=|link=none|align=right|width=149|height=98]The Euro Hockey League (EHL) has announced that Amsterdam H&BC’s Wagener Stadium in The Netherlands will be the venue for the semi finals and finals of the 2011/12 season. 
  
The final phase of the competition features the four remaining teams. UHC Hamburg (GER), KHC Dragons (BEL), H.C. Rotterdam (NED) and host club Amsterdam H&BC will battle for the EHL crown. The Final Four will be played over the Whitsun weekend from Saturday 26 until Sunday May 27, 2012. 
  
Jons Hensel, chairman of the EHL, said: “We are looking forward to return to Amsterdam H&BC for the Final Four. I am sure that we will witness a fantastic tournament involving UHC Hamburg, AH&BC, H.C. Rotterdam and KHC Dragons.” 
  
The Wagener Stadium has played host to some of the biggest international events in hockey, including the 1973 Hockey World Cup, the EuroHockey Nations Championship in both 1983 and 2009, the EHL Final Four in 2010 as well as numerous FIH Champions Trophy events. 
  
EHL is greatly looking forward to what is sure to be a fantastic weekend of top class hockey. Detailed information regarding the match schedule and ticket sales for the event will be announced in the coming weeks. 
  
More information on the EHL can be found onwww.ehlhockey.tv , the official website of the Euro Hockey League. 

New Zealand women defeat Australia to win Four Nations

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[img_assist|nid=3512|title=|desc=|link=none|align=right|width=150|height=71]The Black Sticks Women have won the Four Nations tournament with a 3-2 victory over Australia tonight at the North Harbour Hockey Stadium today.

After losing 3-1 in pool play to their trans-Tasman rivals, the home side clinched the title in the final.

Black Sticks captain Kayla Sharland, who had been in doubt for the match with stitches in her left knee, said it was the best 70 minutes of hockey from her team for a long time.

“We started with a lot of energy. We were really aggressive and we were connecting well. We also got that goal scoring feeling back in the group again and that’s good to see.”

“When we start aggressive and we push and we win ball I think we carry that through the game.”

Sharland praised the efforts of Stacey Michelsen saying her move upfront gave the team the impetus they needed in attack and she also made a number of invaluable steals.

The Black Sticks came out firing after a couple of sluggish starts in this tournament, and within 12 minutes were on the scoresheet with a penalty corner effort from Sharland that went low into the left hand corner of the goal.

Minutes later Cathryn Finlayson had a chance to make it 2-0 as a brilliant deflected pass from Krystal Forgesson put Finlayson free in the circle with just the keeper to beat. But a last gasp tackle from a chasing Australian defender put paid to that shot on goal.

Both Forgesson and Finlayson then had opportunities in front of goal that they should have taken, while three further penalty corners for the Black Sticks were also unable to be converted.

The Black Sticks would have to be disappointed to go into the break with a solitary one goal advantage from their 11 shots on goal.

That was rectified eight minutes into the second spell when Katie Glynn deflected in a smashing reverse shot from Michelsen to give the home side a 2-0 lead.

The Hockeyroos grabbed one back with a penalty corner to Anna Flanagan before Samantha Harrison restored the two-goal advantage as she latched on to a great through ball from Sharland.

The Australians got another one back after a wealth of penalty corners when Jodie Schulz  slotted in a corner, and despite swapping their goalkeeper for an attacking player for the last few minutes they couldn’t clinch the equaliser.

Michelsen was named player of the tournament, while Gemma Flynn made her 100th appearance in the black strip tonight after a hamstring injury meant she missed yesterday’s match.

In tonight’s play-off for third and fourth, the USA beat India 2-1 with an extra time golden goal penalty stroke from captain Lauren Crandall.

The Four Nations tournament continues until 22 April with the second series starting on Wednesday at Lloyd Elsmore Hockey Stadium in Pakuranga. To see the Four Nations match schedule go to http://www.hockeynz.co.nz/eventscalendar/?event_id=278

Tickets are on sale at www.ticketmaster.co.nz

Hawke’s Bay is the Principal Partner of the Black Sticks Men and Women.

RESULTS
Final – New Zealand v Australia
Full time: 3-2 ( New Zealand win)
Half time: 1-0 (New Zealand lead)
New Zealand goalscorers: Kayla Sharland, Katie Glynn, Samantha Harrison.
Australia goalscorers: Anna Flanagan, Jodie Schulz.

Third and fourth play-off – India v USA
Extra time: 2-1 (USA win)
Full time: 1-1
Half time:0-0
USA goalscorers: Shannon Taylor, Lauren Crandall
Indian goalscorers: Chanchan Thokchom

Goalkeeper of the tournament: Toni Cronk (Australia)
Player of the tournament: Stacey Michelsen (New Zealand).

Reading take England Hockey League championship in last gasp thriller

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[img_assist|nid=3510|title=Champions|desc=Reading’s skipper Richard Springham holds aloft the England Hockey League championship trophy|link=popup|align=left|width=220|height=274]An Andy Watts goal from a corner after the final whistle sealed a dramatic 5-4 win for home side Reading in the England Hockey League championship game.

East Grinstead had raced away to a 3-1 lead early in the second half with two open play goals from Dave De Prez. First half open play goals had come from Nick Catlin for Reading after nine minutes and Mark Pearn for EG six minutes before the break.

Reading closed the gap to a single goal in the 49th minute with a Chris Newman goal. Their skipper Richard Springham then flicked high into the net from in close on a misfired corner routine in the 61st minute to level. But East Grinstead hit straight back through Darren Cheesman.

Reading’s fourth came from a muddle in the circle which saw a deflection which was scored as an own goal (Euro Hockey League rules were in force for the championships. That set the stage for the dramatic coup de grace. Richard Mantell flicked the corner high and hard and Watts was waiting for the rebound.

Leicester win Investec women’s hockey championship 2012

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[img_assist|nid=3508|title=Champions|desc=Leicester|link=popup|align=left|width=220|height=124]

Leicester have won the Investec women’s hockey league championship with a penalty shootout victory over reigning champions Reading.

In a high-quality shootout to Euro Hockey Leage rules (8 seconds to score starting at 25 year line) and featuring two GB goalkeepers and six GB field players, Chloe Rogers netted her second shootout goal to win the title in sudden death. Maddie Hinch in the Leicester goal capped of a strong all round performance with some athletic shootout keeping and was deserved player of the match.

The final waited 59 minutes for it’s first goal when Lucy Brown dived in from of Reading keeper Beth Storry to deflect a penalty corner high into the home side’s net.

Reading were stung into action and took advantage of Katie Long’s yellow card. for not retreating, to hit back on 62 minutes with a well worked goal to Amanda Potieger. That was how the scores remained through extra time.

Penalty shooout: Chloe Rogers (Leicester): goal; Laura Bartlett: goal; Anne Panter: timed out; Helen Richardson: goal; Crista Cullen: goal; Alex Danson missed. Sudden death: Laura Bartlett: saved, Chloe Rogers: goal.

Finals weekend in England

stewart
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[img_assist|nid=3021|title=|desc=|link=none|align=right|width=200|height=58]The showpiece finale of the domestic hockey season takes place this weekend with national titles and prize money at stake.

The Investec women’s finals weekend at Reading Hockey Club’s Sonning Lane ground will play host to the Investec women’s championship final between Reading and Leicester, as well as the promotion tournament for entry into next season’s women’s premier division. 

It will also see the culmination of four national competitions and the men’s England Hockey League championship, with East Grinstead men awaiting the winner of Saturday’s playoff between defending champions Beeston and Reading.

Thanks to the backing of Investec, prize money totalling £10,000 will be distributed to the tournament winners, individuals and clubs over the weekend. The specialist bank and asset manager supports women’s hockey in England and for the first time, prize money will be awarded to each of the winners of the Investec regional conferences.

On Saturday, four finals will be settled.  The final of the Investec women’s trophy sees Tulse Hill & Dulwich of South London take on newly merged Oxford and in the Investec women’s vase Milton Keynes’ ladies take on Oxted.  Cheshire Club Bowdon Hightown take on Horsham of West Sussex in the first masters event, the Over 35 plate final, before the over 35 cup final is contested by Canterbury and Exe of Exeter.

The three winners of the conferences, Buckingham (Investec Conference West), Surbiton (Investec Conference East) and Beeston (Investec Conference North) are also in action alongside Slough, who finished ninth in the Investec Women’s premier division, as they seek promotion to the top flight.  Of the four, just two will earn the right to play in the premier division next season. 

The climax of the weekend comes on Sunday afternoon as the Investec women’s championship and men’s England Hockey League championship titles are decided.  Reading and Leicester women will do battle 12 months after they met in last season’s final, a match that Reading edged 3-2 thanks to goals from Jo Ellis, GB captain Kate Walsh and Emma Thomas.

The men’s final line-up will only be known on Saturday after Beeston’s match against Reading at Bisham Abbey.  The winner of that match will play East Grinstead in the final at Reading HC on Sunday.  In last season’s final, Beeston beat East Grinstead 2-1.

Tickets

 

Tickets for the weekend’s action are still on sale via http://tickets.englandhockey.co.uk starting at just £4.  Tickets will be available on the door starting at £5 for concessions and £7 for adults. 

Investec Women’s Finals Weekend, Reading Hockey Club

Saturday  April 14, 2012

10:00 – Investec Women’s Promotion Tournament Match 3 – Surbiton v Slough

12:00 – Investec Women’s Promotion Tournament Match 4 – Buckingham v Beeston

12:00 – Investec Women’s Over 35 Plate Final – Bowdon Hightown v Horsham

14:00 – Investec Women’s Trophy Final – Tulse Hill & Dulwich v Oxford

14:00 – Investec Women’s Over 35 Cup Final – Canterbury v Exe

16:00 – Investec Women’s Vase Final – Milton Keynes v Oxted,

 

Sunday  April 15, 2012

10:00 – Investec Women’s Promotion Tournament Match 5 – Slough v Buckingham

12:00 – Investec Women’s Promotion Tournament Match 6 – Beeston v Surbiton

14:15 – Investec Women’s Championship Final – Reading v Leicester

16:30 – Men’s EHL Championship Final – East Grinstead v Beeston/Reading

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