WA Over 60's - 2011 Match Reports

WA vs TAS - Monday, September 26, 2011

The game plan started well with Huddy winning the toss and taking first use of the ball. 
WA put pressure on early but missed many opportunities in the first half. 

The team settled in the second half with Dudley (Grumps) Evans roofing the ball to score the first goal and after warming the sinners chair for two minutes returned to score a skillfully dribbled penalty stroke whilst Fogels warmed the sinners chair (for being too close to Tassie at the push off from the previous goal). 

Pestana was solid all day in the centre and justifiably earned the praise of Tasmania at the after match presentations. 

Result: WA 2 – TAS 0 

Goal scorers: Dudley Evans (2) 
Best player as nominated by TAS: Ian Pestana

WA vs VIC - Wednesday, September 28, 2011 

After a serious team lecture combined with some strategic planning by Pesty, the team tackled the warm-up with vigor. 
Once the game commenced things stalled momentarily when the VICS scored the first goal from a dubious penalty corner which ended up a penalty stroke. Goalie Harps did his best to keep the goal out but it deflected off his outstretched stick and into the net. 
WA then fired up with a determined goal scored by "little" Lenny after receiving a solid pass from the left. 
Approximately ten minutes later Fogels netted a reverse shot for goal number two. 
A patient Coach Pesty then converted a penalty corner by delaying the hit until a tiny opening appeared on the goalie's right before slamming the ball into the backboard. 
The score at half-time stood at 3-1. 

The second half turned into an arm wrestle with no further goals scored. 
Peter Morgan was voted best player by Victoria for his skillful display at right midfield. 
A great team effort for a gutsy win. 

Result: WA 3 - VIC 1 

Goal scorers: L Collier, P Fogels, I Pestana 
Best player as nominated by VIC: P Morgan

WA vs NSW - Thursday, September 29, 2011 

The game started well with W.A. having first use of the ball. 
After an initial onslaught by N.S.W, Irish (Heath) nailed the first goal for W.A. with a beautiful shot from the circle which squeezed through the narrowest of gaps between Keeper Willow's outstretched pad and the post. 
Unfortunately, NSW replied with a goal from a penalty corner. Half-time score 1 - 1. 

The second half was a tough encounter with WA missing several opportunities. 
NSW kept persisting and scored three more goals, all from penalty corners in the last ten minutes. 
A tough match. 

Result: WA 1 - NSW 4 

Goal scorers: Heath Tyrell 
Best player as nominated by NSW: Len Blyth

WA vs ACT - Saturday, October 1, 2011 

This game did not go to plan. 
ACT scored the first two goals. 
Ten minutes from the final siren, score 2-0 to ACT. 
WA finally got into gear with Len Collier scoring two goals. 

Result: WA 2 - ACT 2 

Goal scorers: Len Collier (2) 
Best player as nominated by ACT: Dudley Evans

WA vs SA - Sunday, October 2, 2011 

This game commenced with SA scoring in the first two minutes of play. 
Half-time score 2-0 to SA. 

In the second half, WA increased the tempo with goals scored by Dudley (Grumps) Evans followed by Heath (Irish) Tyrell and a final goal credited to Peter Fogels after he made sure Peter Morgan's shot on goal got over the line. 

This was a hard fought match with a good effort by all. 

Result: WA 3 - SA 2 
Goal scorers: 
Best player as nominated by SA: Dudley Evans

WA vs WAC - Tuesday, October 4, 2011 

WA (Metro) dominated the first half but no goals were scored. 
Half-time score 0-0. 
In the second half, many chances were presented. However, WA (Country) scored the first goal. 
Ten minutes remained when Ian (Pesty) Pestana slotted a penalty corner shot. Score 1-1. 
Four minutes remained when Dudley (Grumps) Evans shot a great pass into the circle to Len Collier who made no mistake to slot the winning goal. 
A satisfying win although our habit of just getting over the line is really living on the edge. 

Result: WA 2 - WAC 1 
Goal scorers: Ian Pestana, Len Collier

WA vs QLD - Wednesday, October 5, 2011 

WA started slowly with Queensland scoring the first goal. 
Half-time score 1-0. 

Second half saw the team settling well with Dudley (Grumps) Evans scoring from a short corner deflection. 
The second goal was scored by Heath )Irish) Tyrell ten minutes from the final siren. 
End result was a 2-1 victory to WA, securing the team a berth in the semi-final (WA 2nd vs ACT 3rd) where we need at least a draw to progress to the final on Saturday. 

Result: WA 2 - QLD 1 
Goal scorers: Dudley Evans, Heath Tyrell 
Best player as nominated by QLD: Ian Pestana

Semi-Final WA vs ACT - Friday, October 7, 2011 

The game went according to plan however, once again ACT scored the first goal off a penalty corner in the first half. 
Half-time score 1-0 to ACT. 

The second half became the survival of the fittest. 
With ten minutes remaining on the clock, Lenny Collier took one for the team when the ACT goalkeeper cleaned him up. 
A penalty stroke was awarded, with Ian (Pesty) Pestana stepping up to score the equaliser. 

Because the game ended in a draw, WA advances to the Grand Final against NSW as we were in 2nd place and ACT in 3rd. 

Result: WA 1 - ACT 1 
Goal scorers: Ian Pestana 

Best player as voted by ACT: John Harper

Final WA vs NSW - Saturday, October 8, 2011 

The game commenced with WA having first use of the ball. 
As the two teams settled it was evident that the game was going to be a tough contest. 
The first half was very even with neither team troubling the scorers. 

The second half saw opportunities missed by both sides. 
Twenty minutes into the half, NSW scored from a penalty corner. 
WA played doggedly but was unable to even up the score. 

Result: WA 0 - NSW 1 

Although WA lost it was a great team effort. Unfortunately we ran out of "get out of jail free" cards. 
Congratulations to all players for a great effort. Thanks go to Pesty for a great coaching job and Len Collier for managing us so well.