C Grade
C grade saw some familiar faces and lots of first time players for the first game of the season. It didn’t take long for everyone to get into the swing of things and learn some of the fundamentals of the game.
Returning players, Ashley Pearce and Billy Bathgate tried hard to clear the ball out of the centre of the field. While Mila Webb and Sarah Gailey used their experience to position themselves perfectly in defence.
First time players, Henry Piper, Clay Sutton and Kai Flew took to the game like ducks to water, and showed skills to impress their coaches.
Gracie Magann showed her fearlessness, not shying away even when sticks were flying. Whisk and Dish players of the game went to Ashley and Kai.
B Grade
Many of the B Grade players have not had much of a break over the off season with lots of players taking part in the NSW Hockey Centre of Development program and you could see the improvement from all players who have taken part.
Xander Suter and Angus Adams showed great ball control during the match.
Zoe Bathgate and Chloe Pearce both displayed exquisite timing with their tackles and Hugo Adams’ passing choices helped his team out of defence. Whisk and Dish players of the game went to Zoe and Xander.
A Grade:
Wildcats 4 def Middy Mites 1
Wildcats and Middy Mites fought out the opening game of the season. Wildcats started well with a goal in the first couple of minutes to Erin Tobin.
Playing short, Middy Mites were fortunate to have a lend of Xander Suter, Jess Barnard and Charlotte Hannan and Amanda Kendall made an enthusiastic return to hockey determined to score for her team.
It wasn’t long before Middy Mites struck back through some beautiful skills from Amanda Kendall to even the score.
Middy Mites’ Andrea Arragon was always in the thick of it determined not to make things easy for Wildcats.
Middy Mites Jane Arragon and Sara Hannan worked hard game and their goalie Bec Connolly made some great saves as she was under attack from the Wildcats team.
A combined defence of Pip McAlister, Leanne and Kerry McDonald put pressure on Wildcats attack, but they were ultimately too strong.
Wildcats Linda Cotterill was in the perfect spot to put away a nice goal. Naomi Jeffery worked her magic off a corner to nicely nab herself a goal also.
Wildcats final goal for the game went to Will Madden who ran tirelessly and his persistence paid off.
This game was closer than the scoreline reflected, with Wildcats coming out ahead 4-1 over Middy mites.
Quicksticks 3 def Mustangs 0
The first game for the season between Quicksticks and Mustangs was a even affair with a mixture of new up and coming players and the experienced players leading their respective teams around the paddock.
With both teams short on players this match swung from end to end. The first quarter remained locked at nil all as players got back into the swing of things. The second quarter saw talented Jodi Rollings find the net for Quicksticks giving them a 1-0 lead into halftime.
Young guns Zoe Bathgate and Chloe Pearce combined well for Mustangs, outpacing the Quicksticks on numerous occasions.
The Mustangs defence was kept busy with Kahlia Flew breaking down play and using her strong hit to clear the ball out of the danger zone.
Middy Mites loan Bec Connolly was great in goal, making Quicksticks work hard for their goals and Mustangs were extremely grateful to Bec for filling in.
Xander Suter positioned himself well and created attacking chances for Gabby Hicks. Alicia Magann, Chloe Pearce and Zoe Bathgate all combined well and it will be great to watch this connection develop as the season progresses.
Whisk and Dish player of the match for Mustangs was Alicia Magann who didn’t stop trying for the entire match.
The strong defense of Chelsea Webb and Molly Salmon for Quicksticks kept the Mustangs scoreless.
Newcomer Sharni Manton for Quicksticks combined well upfront with Hayley Keenan.
Taylah Wilson was able to put a goal in for Quicksticks using her skills to beat the strong defense of Alicia Magann who was everywhere for Mustangs.
Xander Suter showed his skill and pace putting pressure on Quicksticks but couldn’t defeat their defence with Quicksticks winning their first game 3-0.
All players enjoyed the first week back and look forward to a great season.
Draw for 11/05/2024
Round Two
11am – Under 11s
12pm – Under 18s (Referees: Wildcats x 1 and Quicksticks x 1)
1:15pm – Wildcats v Quicksticks (Referees: Middy Mites x 1 and Mustangs x 1)
2:45pm – Mustangs v Middy Mites (Referees: Wildcats x 1 and Quicksticks x 1)
This Saturday is a “come and try” round, so anyone who is interested in playing hockey, but not sure about committing, can give it a go and play without needing to register.
They just need to come down to the fields before the start of the game.
Otherwise, players can register on the Tumut Hockey website.
The Saturday after, the 18th, is a bye for CiderFest. Everyone will need to be registered to pay before playing round 3 on Saturday, May 25.
Any new kids joining will receive a stick and shinpads; they just need to get their own mouthguards.
Training for Tumut Hockey is at 4pm on Friday at the Tumut Hockey Fields.
