Hockey WA - Over 55's Hockey Team

WA Over 55's - 2006 Match Reports

WA vs NSW1 - Monday, October 2, 2006

I am told there are only two certainties in life: Death and Taxes. However we should add to that, that veterans also get one year older every year. This means of course that eventually you will move onto another age group, whether it’s because you want to, or your body is telling you it’s time to, or whether there is some young bugger pushing you out.

And so in 2006, the WA O/55’s went into the competition with only one player from last years 55’s, KY. The remainder had either moved up from the successful 50’s of 2005, or were joining the team for the first time.

Game 1 saw this new team take on NSW 1. Results from last year showed that NSW 1 had beaten the WA 55’s 11-0. We knew that was not going to happen in 2006. The game started with WA controlling much of the play but not showing results on the board. NSW relied on trying to get the ball to their high strikers but it was often intercepted and sent back forward for another WA attack. Both teams had chances in the first half, but neither was successful in putting the ball into the back of the net. Much of the play in this half occurred between the two 25’s.

In the second half WA began to dominate, holding better possession of the ball and creating some good scoring chances whereas NSW tended to rely more on a quick counter attack. The score remained at 0-0 until late in the game when Ian Pestana was able to successfully convert off a penalty corner. WA then worked on holding the ball in the right hand corner of the field until the final whistle blew.

Butch Worth was given best player by the opposition and also gained the votes from his team mates for best player.

Result: WA 1 - NSW1 0

WA vs QLD1 - Tuesday, October 3, 2006

Game 2 saw a switch in venue to the Melville turf where we took on QLD, a team we had watched demolish Tasmania the day before. This proved to be a very even game and the final score was a reflection of that, a 1-1 result. However, QLD had a number of players who had good skills and a fine structure to their play. However, like WA, they did not really put away their chances, and so the final score was probably a good result for both. The WA team will need to improve on their consistency with basics if they consider themselves a chance for the finals. More importantly, they will need to create more chances and put them away if they wish to play in the finals next week.

Butch Worth was given best player by the opposition and Ian Pestana gained his peer’s votes for best player.

Result: WA 1 - QLD1 1

WA vs SA - Friday, October 6, 2006

The Ferret Comes Out Of His Hole!

Two quick goals to Les ( the Ferret ) Hayter saw the WA O/55’s off to a good start against the previously undefeated SA O/50’s team. KY’s pre game stretching routines must be taking effect as the WA boys came out firing and completely dominated the first 15 minutes of the game. Geoff Hudson had complete control of the midfield and the short passing amongst the players kept their opponents guessing. WA’s third goal for the half came about through a penalty corner conversion from Butch Worth. However, the SA team kept fighting and were rewarded when on a quick counter attack they were able to convert. WA were lucky when the umpire did not award SA a goal that should have been, and then WA custodian, Tony Freeman, saved a stroke on the half time siren. Score at half time 3-1.

In the second half WA continued to pressure and were rewarded early in the half when goalkeeper/field player, Alan Green, was able to work a penalty corner variation to Matt Knowles who scored with an easy tap in. Geoff Hudson sealed the game for WA when he struck home a fine penalty corner. WA lost some composure for a while and got somewhat panicky when SA began to apply some pressure. However the defence held firm for the final score to remain at 5-1. a good result for the WA side and a bit of a boost for goal difference.

Geoff Hudson gained the best player award from the opposition, and also gained the recognition from his peers.

Result: WA 5 - SA 1

WA vs TAS - Saturday, October 7, 2006

Tasmania had been beaten convincingly in all games in the lead up to the WA game. They say that about 80% of the game is mental once you get on the field. In Tasmania’s case this was correct, but in WA’s case, I think it was about 20%. Although the WA side held control for most of the game and had many opportunities to score, they failed to do so until the final siren had sounded. A penalty corner gained on the siren saw Coach Graham Ryan score a rebound goal when the shot from Clyde Evans hit the post and rebounded back to Ryan.

The WA side were lucky to come away with the three points. However, they still remain unbeaten in Pool A and will carry 4 points into the next round where they will play against the top 3 in Pool B: Victoria, WA Country and ACT. They will have to make much more of their chances if they are to have an impact in the finals.

Ian Pestana continued his good form to be nominated as best player by the opposition, while the improving Dudley Burress gained the nod from his peers.

Result: WA 1 - TAS 0

WA vs WA Country - Monday, October 9, 2006

This was the first of the cross over pool games and WA went out onto the field knowing this would be a tough clash. WAC had only just gone down 1-0 to Victoria and had won their other fixtures well so the WA 55’s knew they would have a match on their hands. The game started with both teams controlling from the back and looking for that breakthrough that would bring the ever elusive goal. This was first achieved by WA Country when a long ball through found one of their high strikers who was able to convert with a crisp shot. WA fought to get back into the game and had a few opportunities to level the score but unfortunately, could not find the net. Half time, WAC led 1-0.

In the second half the WA side came out with a little more purpose and through some good build up down the right side in particular, they began to pressure the WAC defence. They were rewarded when Peter Fogels popped the ball into the net from his position on the post. WA then went further ahead when Ian Pestana was able to put away a Geoff Hudson pass on a penalty corner. WA’s corners were starting to trouble the country side and the score could have been greater if the chances created had been converted. WA Country however, were not done with yet and their fightback was rewarded when they converted on a breakaway situation. The final score stayed at 2-2.

Ian Pestana gained the best player award from WAC while Les (the Ferret ) Hayter gained the votes from his teamates.

Result: WA 2 - WAC 2

WA vs VIC - Tuesday, October 10, 2006

WA O/55’s Secure a Place in the Top 4

A goal in the first 17 seconds of the game set the scene for the WA vs Victoria clash at PHS-1 today. WA had to win to secure a place in the top 4 for the playoffs. The team started brilliantly when on the initial pass back, Butch Worth flicked the ball deep into the Victorian defence where Pete Fogels picked it up and knocked it into the back of the net. The delight which stemmed from the WA players was not just for the early goal, but because it was a planned move.

WA continued to dominate most of the first half with all players fired up and moving into space. Butch Worth scored from a penalty corner (was it outside the circle? - the umpire did not think so). Len Collier then drove another nail in the coffin after he scored from a fine Les Hayter pass. Geoff Hudson and Ian Pestana continued to control the midfield and a number of penalty corners were gained. Victoria had obviously watched our previous games and thought they had the answer to our PC’s.
Unfortunately for them, their movements simply created other alternatives. However, they did pull a goal back before half time to make the score 3-1.

WA kept plugging away in the second half and quite a number of chances went begging, particularly on some of the PC variations. Victoria made it interesting when with about 12 minutes on the clock, they scored from a well taken penalty corner to take the score to 3-2. WA then resorted to soaking up a bit of pressure and in the last couple of minutes, Dennis Baker and Ian Pestana were able to hold the ball deep in the right hand corner. Final score 3-2 to WA.

Ian Pestana gained the best player votes from the opposition while a much improved game from Pete Fogels saw him awarded votes from his peers for best player.

Next game is against ACT. This will be the final pool game and WA will then move into the playoffs on Friday.

Result: WA 3 - VIC 2

WA vs ACT - Wednesday, October 11, 2006

A hat trick to striker Peter Fogels in the first half of the WA vs ACT final pool game, paved the way for an eventual 5-2 victory and a place in the semi finals. Although the game was not of a particularly high standard, the WA side showed patches of what they are capable of, but still did not convert enough of the chances they created.
After scoring two relatively early goals, the work rate and concentration levels dropped down and allowed ACT to draw level at 2-2. This had a reaction and the WA side stepped up a level and started to pressure the ACT defence, eventually allowing Fogels to score his third goal with a rebound off the goalies pads. Score at half time 3-2.

In the second half, the WA side continued to apply pressure and were rewarded when Alan Green, after a couple of earlier close misses, slotted home a fine goal. The issue was put beyond doubt when Butch Worth scored off a penalty corner. Final score 5-2. This placed WA in second position overall and so they will play QLD in the semi finals.

ACT nominated Butch Worth as best opposition player and Dennis Baker was named best WA player by his peers.

Result: WA 5 - ACT 2

Semi-final: WA vs QLD1 - Friday, October 13, 2006

The WA O/55’s pulled out all stops in the fist half to have QLD on the ropes at half time with a 3-1 score. The WA team came out fired up to close down QLD’s short game, forcing them to go backwards or hit long in the hope of an interception. The plan worked beautifully and the banana benders got frustrated at being under the pump. All the WA players were constantly on the move, getting into space, running off the ball for each other and assisting the short pass. WA got their first one on the board via a Len Collier scrimmage in front of the net. Number 2 came when Dennis Baker converted off a penalty corner while number 3 came from Peter Fogels after a fine build up and pass from Clyde Evans. Unfortunately a lapse in the final minute of the half saw QLD pull one back through some penetration down the right wing followed by a crisp pass into the circle which was trapped and converted.

In the second half play see-sawed from end to end with both teams creating some chances but not converting. The WA players lost some of their zest and hence their movement and leading fell away. QLD began to take some control through the midfield, but were constantly thwarted by the WA defence. A penalty corner right on the siren saw QLD come back to 3-2, but the game was over and WA had rightfully won their way into the Grand Final against NSW who today had beaten Victoria in the earlier game.

Graham Ryan received his peers votes for best player in today’s game.

Final tomorrow, Saturday October 14, 8.30 am. GO WA.

Result: WA 3 - QLD1 2

Grand Final: WA vs NSW - Saturday, October 14, 2006

YEA!!!!. We did it. The new look WA O/55’s defeated NSW in the Grand Final to become Australian Champions for 2006.

The match promised to be a tough, close affair and that was how it panned out. NSW probably had the better of the first half, although both sides were creating the odd chance. NSW scored first when a ball was passed through to one of their strikers on the base line. With a good trap and a deft flick he was able to lift the ball over a sliding Tony Freeman and it found the back of the net. Score at half time 1-0 to NSW.

In the second half, the WA O55’s began to move the ball better and keep longer possession, thus allowing them to create more chances. From a second rebound on a penalty corner, Matt Knowles was in position just to touch the ball into the net. This goal fired up the WA Team and they continued to press for the winner. Clyde Evans was finally rewarded for all his hard work when he was able to chip the ball over the NSW keeper after a series of shots and saves within the circle. At this stage WA probably thought they had the game won, but NSW gained a penalty corner which they converted to bring the score back to 2-2. This remained the score until the end of the game.

The obligatory penalty stroke shoot out then had to take place. The flickers from WA, Hudson, Pestana, Worth, Ryan and Baker were able to convert 4 out of their 5 flicks while WA custodian, Tony Freeman was able to save 2 of the NSW stokes against him, thus ensuring a WA victory. Although WA may not have necessarily been the best team in the competition on paper, they had played smart team hockey and so thoroughly deserved their win.
This was made even better when Butch Worth was named player of the series for the 55’s grade and Peter Fogels was selected in the Australian O/55’s touring team for next year.

The team celebrated with a final dinner on Saturday evening. Thanks were given to our management team of Len Collier and Ros Baker, while Graham Ryan as coach was presented with an engraved mug from the players.

Result: WA 6 - NSW 4

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