WA Over 50's - 2009 Match Reports

WA vs SA - Tuesday, September 29, 2009

After a scintillating final training session, our hopes were high for the first game of the tournament. 
The day was fine and sunny, very unlike the first few days we were in Melbourne. 
We started well and attacked constantly, but with no goals and few short corners. 
South Australia defended well and for large parts of the game, was under siege. 
We however, were nervous at times and normally simple passes failed to find their mark. Our sharpness at the training session had deserted us. 
We worked hard to get our fluidity back, but late in the second half, South Australia scored a field goal from a loose ball in the circle, and the attacker slipped the ball past an advancing Max. 
SA held on despite our desperate attempts to equalise. 

Result: WA 0 - SA 1 
Goal scorers:  
Best player as nominated by WA:  
Best player as nominated by SA: Nigel Rayney 

WA vs VIC - Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Much improved performance compared to yesterday despite a slow start to the game. Two early Vic short corner goals brought about an increase in our intensity. 
The last 25 minutes of the first half was all WA – Pesty scored from a short corner followed soon after by two field goals from Jimmy (2nd was a cracking Tomma from the top of the circle). 
Score at half time WA 3 – Vic 2. 

Second half saw continued WA dominance without a follow score despite many forward thrusts. Some physical clashes and controversial umpiring decisions as the game progressed. 
Vic’s equalized against the run of play – final score 3 all. Good team effort and player combinations, strong in attack and defence unlucky not to score on several occasions in second half. 
Looking to continue to improve in next game after 2 day break. 

Result: WA 3 - VIC 3 
Goal scorers: Stephen Pestana 1, Jimmy Miller 2  
Best player as nominated by WA: Graeme Malatesta  
Best player as nominated by VIC: David Lockett 

WA vs NSW - Saturday, October 3, 2009

After a two day rest the expectations were high for the "Clash of the Titans". As expected the game started at a fast pace. Neither team giving ground to the other. For the first 20 minutes WA were solid in defence and with some good build up play created some concerns in the NSW defence. With about 30 minutes gone NSW were awarded a a penalty corner. Unfortunately they converted with a big hit to the corner. 

Score at half time WA 0 – NSW 1. 

The second half saw WA continue to work hard and against the run of play after a missed trap in the D gave the NSW an easy tap in for there second goal. WA had all the pressure in the last 10 minutes but found it hard to create good scoring opportuniites.

As eveer there were the usual physical clashes being fought and of course there were some  controversial umpiring decisions. 

Overall a good team effort and player combinations. We will need to be more creative in attcack and score more goals in the following games.ay break. 

Result: WA 0 - NSW 2 

Best player as nominated by WA: Lyle Kenny
Best player as nominated by NSW: David Lockett 

WA vs QLD - Sunday, October 4, 2009

Another must win game, this time at Altona Hockey Club at the awkward 6.30 pm time with the setting sun making visibility very difficult in the first half.  
Qld the typical aggressive foe, came out with all guns blazing, and before we knew it scored early through a short corner. 

Qld then added a second goal in the 2nd half through a penalty stroke. 
We dominated large periods in the second half and finally scored with 3 minutes to go off a short corner conversion by Dave Lockett.  
We continued to push and had several hot chances to equalise right up until the final buzzer, but fell short at the end.  
Another disappointing result but our endeavour was fantastic. 

Result: WA 1 QLD 2 

Best player as nominated by WA: Dave Lockett 
Best player as nominated by QLD: Stephen Pestana 

WA vs TAS - Tuesday, October 6, 2009

A must-win game for a top 4 chance. We were under pressure early but managed to hold Tas from scoring through some excellent defence. 
We had lots of possession as the first half progressed, and were rewarded when Lyle Kenny scored a great short corner goal. 
The ball dipped over the prostrate goalkeeper and hit the backboard. 
Tassie equalised with a pass across the circle about 5 mins later. 
A second short corner to us was converted, with the initial shot being stopped and Spike swoopping on the crumbs to flick it into the net. 

In the second half, we continued our possession dominance but could not trouble the scorers, until a field goal by David Lockett after a great pass from center half Lyle. 
Tassy were spent and we went on to control the game until the final whistle. 

Result: WA 3 - Tas 1 

Best player as nominated by WA: Lyle Kenny 
Best player as nominated by TAS: David Lockett 

WA vs WAC - Wednesday, October 7, 2009

The boys approached the game with a very different attitude. 
Coach Cameron's negotiations with the country boys to throw the game for lunch for all the boys at Rockpool was not successful. 
So it was back to the fighting spirit that is a part of this team. 
The atmosphere was relaxed. 
The pace started with its usual ferocity. 
Though carrying some injury Willow put in some terrific touches. 
The new Centre half combo with Lyle in the middle was paying off. 
Some sustained pressure led to a penalty corner. 
An inspired variation saw Jimmy put it away with a direct shot. 
At last the boys up front were moving the ball about and showing how we could play. 
There were more chances in the field which weren't put away. 
Half time 1-0. 

The second half began similarly. Another enalty corner led to another Jimmy variation which showed our adaptability with Jimmy once again scoring. 
However our Country cousins replied with a lot more determination. 
The score was 2-1 midway through the half. 
Ten minutes later saw a mix up in the defense with JT of country get away and put another one in. 
The boys did not let that deter them. More forays were launched until a searching pass from George found big Cameron who put the deflection away. 
The score showed the never say die spirit and was a fitting finish after a slow start to the tournament. 

Final Score: WA 3 - WAC 2 

Best player as nominated by WA: Dave Lockett 
Best player as nominated by WAC: David Lockett