WA Over 45's - 2007 Match Reports

WA vs QLD1 - Monday, October 1, 2007

A gutsy performance by WA to defeat QLD1 on their own home turf. WA scored the only goal in the second half off a variation short corner with a deflection from Stuart Amphlett's stick. With only seven minutes on the clock we played a very defensive game with QLD attacking us hard. 

Result: WA 1 - QLD1 0

Cards: Green - Stuart Amphlett

Man of the match - Jimmy Miller

WA vs WAC - Wednesday, October 3, 2007

WA versus WAC is always a challenge. WA penetrated the circle to get a free hit for a short corner in the first 10 minutes. Jimmy's profound tomahawk put WA one nil up. Both teams were very evenly matched and WAC did manage to put WA under a lot of pressure, which we were able to sustain through terrific defending by Captain Kenny, and reliable Dom. 

Second half was more inspired with WA getting more run with the ball and WAC running out of legs. Our forwards took control with Jos mesmerising the oposition with his great run on the right wing and Cardy helping out with some terrific tackles on the left side. 

Result: WA 3 - WAC 0

Man of the match: Stephen Pestana

WA vs VIC - Thursday, October 4, 2007

Driving to Brisbane to play a game when the temperature got up to 34.5 degrees at 12.30pm. It was definitely a challenge which we struggled to deal with, but overcame. With Bede Rogers joining the team we had a couple of reserves for a change. 

WA started positively but the Vics proved a stronger force than anticipated and kept WA defending for a long period of time. Lyle and Rob Baker kept WA alive. The first goal scored by Lyle was a short corner against the run of play which WA scored via variation ONE.. 
Jimmy scored and Parks added another to make it 3 Nil at half time. 

The heat just got unbearable which let VIC back into the game via a penalty stroke. We scored the fourth goal against the run of play with quick play by Jimmy, Jos and Deek. Deek in his calm way slotted the ball high into the corner of the net. 

To give the Vics credit, they kept running hard but time ran out for them.

Result: WA 4 - VIC 1

Man of the match: Rob Baker

WA vs NSW2 - Saturday, October 6, 2007

The game which we expected to win was spoiled by NSW2. Missed opportunities prevented WA to score. Our defense did hold up NSW tight until the end. We were one nil down until 21 seconds before the end of the game when Andrew Barker scored off a short corner which rebounded from the goalie to Barks. We were lucky to escape with a 1 all draw.

Result: WA 1 - NSW2 1

Goal scorer: Andrew Barker

Man of the match: Bede Rogers

WA vs TAS - Sunday, October 7, 2007

The day was overcast and cooler which was a welcome relief for all players. There were extended periods when we controlled the play but we still managed to turn over control of the ball at times and our conversion of possessions to goals was still frustrating. 

Barks opened the score at 14 minutes into the game with a penalty stroke conversion by Bedes. At times the match resembled more like an arm wrestle and verbal confrontation. However in the second half we managed to add another penalty stroke conversion by Bedes to our total. With only 34 seconds to go Joe managed to slot another goal which made it a 4 - 1 win for us.

Result: WA 4 - TAS 1

Goal scorers: Barks, Bedes (2) and Joe

Man of the match: Rob Baker

WA vs QLD2 - Tuesday, October 9, 2007

It was a game against one of the teams we though might be the dark horse of the tournament, having previously beating the NSW1 side. It was also a game that should have been an opportunity to build further momentum towards the final series. Unfortunately we were unable to convert possessions into goals. At critical stages of the game skill errors cost us dearly. Possession of the ball was turned over in our forward half. The score was 1-1 at half time, with QLD2 scoring again early in the second half. Notwithstanding extended periods in our attacking half we were unable to convert. Unlike our earlier performance where we were able to convert scoring opportunities, the last 2 games have been a struggle. 

The loss today has dropped our position to second. There is not a lot of room to move within the four top teams. We are facing NSW1 midday tomorrow and hoping for a win. If that will eventuate we will be in top position. Injuries have reduced our playing list to 12 with Barks and Parks struggle with Hamstring injuries, but we have done it before. Success remains achievable even at a cost. GO THE BLACK DUCKS

Result: WA 1 - QLD2 2

Goal scorer: Bede Rogers

Man of the match: Grant Carville (Doc)

WA vs NSW1 - Wednesday, October 10, 2007

The day didnt start as well as we hoped for. After everyone got on the bus and checking that every player had their allocated gear packed, we realized we lost our bag of BALLS...after searching and make a number of phone calls they were found in Brisbane. This little exercise did cost us a carton to the 50's who kindly brought them back. 

The strategy was to apply a man on man press to stop the flow of release balls from the deep defence to their centre half and inners. We were to disrupt their possession to create scoring opportunities on the rebound. This was successful and early in the game we led 1-0 with NSW equalizing before half time. Whilst the weather was cooler the physical effort involved in playing man to man took its toll in the second half and we spent long periods defending our goals. NSW had 4 subs whilst we had 1. Numerous short corners were saved, a penalty stroke awarded only to be reversed by the other umpire and with only 5 minutes to go NSW scored off a short corner variation to lead 2-1. 

We had our chances and could well have drawn or won the match. Close checking on our opponents forced errors and turnovers. After receiving the other results we finished 3rd and will now play QLD1 who finished second for a spot in the finals. This is a must-win situation for us but we are confident.

Result: WA 1 - NSW 2

Goal scorer: Bede Rogers

Man of the match: Rob Baker

Semi-Final - WA vs QLD1 - Friday, October 12, 2007

Played in 32 degrees heat it was a game that turned into a slog fest. High skill and fast paced match it was not, but in extremely difficult conditions we stuck to a game plan which ultimately frustrated the QLD1 team. 

Nil all at half time but both teams had their chances. 

Midway through the second half we scored a field goal, a pass into the circle by Parks which found Jimmy's stick for a deflection into the goals. 

For us to progress to the final we needed to win. A draw would see QLD progress as the higher ranked team. 

We were able to generate space on our right hand side and made several attacking moves. There were periods of restrained defence and many short corners saved. 

For the first time in the tournament we did not receive one attacking penalty corner for the game. 

QLD probably had the best of the scoring opportunities but could not get a goal due to Rob Bakers' brilliant goalkeeping. We were solid in defence and all players played their part. 

Result: WA 1 - QLD 0

Final - WA vs NSW - Saturday, October 13, 2007

If you weren't at the game you missed a fantastic game of Hockey, which could have gone either way. 

Although WA lost, it was not was not because NSW was a better or more committed side. WA lost because of some simple mistakes and bad passes. The WA defence did a marvelous job and we saw some brilliant saves in goal by Robby Baker. 

Luck was just not on the side of WA, who could not buy a goal even if they wanted to. 

WA started strongly, following Coach Jimmy Miller's instructions. The man on man tactics seem to worked in WA's favour, but half way through the first half NSW1 were able to score their first goal. 

Going 0-1 into the second half, WA came out stronger and equalised 11 minutes in with a deflection off Pesty's stick, and had NSW1 on the back foot for most of the time. 

At full-time it was a draw 1-1. The WA team thought it would be a penalty stroke shootout but then the Tech Bench explained that extra time would be played, with two less players in each team. 

Both teams struggled for the next 7 minutes with only 9 players each. NO SCORE for either side. 

Another period of extra time was then played, this time with only 7 players per team. NO SCORE for either side again. 

A 3 minute break was granted to allow players to have a rest. The WA team decided to give Jimmy and Doc a longer beak as both of them just ran throughout the whole game. 

Going into the next phase with only 5 players each and NO CLOCK it was not only an exhausting thing to watch, but getting the players to get the ball out of play so it was possible to interchange was at times difficult, as the noise of the spectators was incredible. 

WA Manager Astrid Miller was beginning to think she would need to practice her first aid mouth to mouth resuscitation skills after 28 minutes of extra time had been played, but then NSW scored the Golden Goal to end the match. The WA team went down fighting all the way and can be extremely proud of their performance.

Result: WA 1 - NSW 2

Goal scorer: Stephen Pestana

The Fairest and Best Player voted by the Team was given to Jimmy Miller with 97 votes. Runner up was Stephen Pestana with 91 votes. 
Coaches award was given to Robby Baker our Goalie who had an outstanding tournament.

Everyone should be congratulated on a job well done, and although we did not bring back the weird looking trophy, we tried our best. 

Congratulations to Bede Rogers who was selected to head to NZ with the 45’s National Hockey Team, and Stephen Pestana who was selected into the 50’s National Hockey team.