WA Over 60's - 2008 Match Reports

WA vs VIC - Monday, July 7, 2008

Welcome to the first of the reports on the progress of the Western Australian Over 60’s State Masters Team, competing in the National Championships in Darwin between the 7th and 19th of July 2008. The National Hockey Tournament has the reputation of being competitive, both from a hockey and a social perspective, both taken, quite correctly, equally seriously! There is always something very special in pulling on a Western Australian shirt and walking out to represent our State. Our team has dedicated this Tournament to the memory of Roger MacLiver, who played and captained his last Championship here in Darwin in 2000. 

So, first, the team introductions – Captain and Coach is the unflappable Len ’Toro’ Blyth, and the rest of the team, in alphabetical order, are – Colin ‘Tug’ Benporath (goalie), Greg ‘Blackie’ Black, the brothers Ashley ‘Flash’ and Graham ‘Chip’ Challenor, Dave ‘ Spider’ Evans, Mal ‘Hagar’ Horrigan, Mal ‘Jacko’ Jackman, Richard ‘Bok’ Norton, Brian ‘Dino’ Soares (Manager), Alan ‘Wombat’ Stewart, Nigel ‘Gadget’ Thomas, Simon ‘Tommo’ Thomson, Heath ‘Irish’ Tyrell, and Simon ‘Lunger’ Williams. 

Darwin is an attractive and friendly city and we were staying in one of the local beauty spots of Cullen Bay, overlooking the Marina complex. Darwin in July is a balmy 30C, very pleasant and not overly humid. A great location for a tournament, especially for we Western Australians who play hockey all year round and therefore are used to the heat. 

Game 1 commenced at 5pm on the first day as the sun was lowering on another warm, cloudy and now breezy Darwin winters day, a pleasant change after the cold and rain of the current Perth winter. We had been told to keep our fluid level up both before and during the game and had been given ‘Jungle Juice’ by the Challenor brothers, a fluid and electrolyte supplement called ‘Aqualyte’. We think it also contains a diuretic, causing a continuous procession to the porcelain facilities. 

Our match was third in line in the 60’s games, so we arrived early to watch our WA Country Cousins play, and indeed beat, Queensland. We were warmed up by Simon ‘Lunger’ Williams during the second game between New South Wales and South Australia, and ‘Lunger’ enthusiastically put us through our paces, such that some were complaining of exhaustion before we entered the fray. 

Victoria has the reputation of being a skilled side, so we lined up for the start with some trepidation and this showed in the first 10 minutes of the game as our play was uncharacteristically nervous and uncertain. Victoria, on the other hand, started confidently and after about 8 minutes exploited one of our defensive errors and the inside forward ran on to the ball which had rolled free into the ‘D’ and slid it past our prostrate goalie Colin ‘Tug’ Benporath. This set back seemed to jerk WA into an increased effort and after a couple of near misses, we equalised in the 19th minute, when, after a solid build up, Nigel ‘Gadget’ Thomas ran from left to right diagonally into the ‘D’ and hit a hard shot just inside the near post. Equalising was a relief and WA settled, and gradually began to gain more control in the game. Our second goal came after 27 minutes, when the Challenor brothers combined well, Ashley running hard into the circle on the right to the goal line and pulling the ball back to ‘Chip’ who from the edge of the circle cracked the ball up into the top of the goal, ricocheting off the crossbar, the startled goalie not even moving. Victoria were not finished and pressed WA, to be awarded several short corners, which they were unable to convert, the WA defence holding firm with both strength and speed, and with ‘Tug’ making some good saves. The half ended with WA in control and in the lead. We had decided before the game to play at our maximum workrate, and it showed, with our running into space off the ball and tackling back frustrating the Vics. 

The second half was almost a repeat of the first, with WA taking a little time to settle, and Victoria again securing several short corners, again fortunately without success. Gradually we reassumed greater control, and were rewarded after 12 minutes when Heath ‘Irish’ Tyrell intercepted the ball, pushed it along the line to Simon ‘Tommo’ Thomson, who transferred the ball from right to left to Greg ‘Blackie’ Black, who found Alan ‘Wombat’ Stewart inside the ‘D’, who drilled the ball such that the defender could only deflect the ball into the net. Victoria created a couple of good chances, one shot narrowly wide, but overall WA was gaining increased control, with superior fitness and leg speed as the Vics noticeably tired. The whole WA team was now playing well, moving the ball about, and ‘manning up’ with success, something we had discussed and agreed before the match. The fourth goal came a few minutes before the final whistle, when Alan ‘Wombat’ Stewart gained control in midfield and passed the ball to Nigel ‘Gadget’ Thomas who slipped the ball to Brian ‘Dino’ Soares who pushed the ball across the face of the goal where Ashley ‘Flash’ Challenor guided the ball into the net. The final siren bought relief to the Victorians and WA recorded our first well earned victory; a good team effort with a high workrate, a characteristic which will become more important as the Tournament progresses. An incident late in the second half, where ‘Chip’ was tripped, left him with an injured knee, which subsequently proved to be a tear of the medial ligament, sadly ending his tournament. He will be a loss to the team effort, but is being pursued to accept a coaching position. 

Best Player as voted by both the Victorians and his team mates was Greg ‘Blackie’ Black.  

“Victory is Sweet”

Result: WA 4 - VIC 1

WA vs QLD - Wednesday, July 9, 2008

The over 60’s Western Australian side suffered our first defeat of the Tournament, and what an ignominious one it was! Queensland, raw after their defeat at the hands of WA Country, came out strong and determined and inflicted on WA what we had done to the Victorians, hassling, closing down and not allowing WA to settle. As a consequence mistakes, mistraps and poor passing began and quickly became endemic. 

Queensland’s first came after 8 minutes, one of several from short corners, the ball interchanging between the forwards, before being hit firmly to the goalie’s left. A second goal, also from a short corner followed about 4 minutes later. Queensland’s confidence grew whilst WA’s disintegrated and a third goal was scored just before half time. 

The second half did not see any improvement; everything Queensland attempted seemed to come off, whilst WA struggled to put a string of 3 passes together. Unfortunately WA played at well below our capability. Queensland were to score four more times, two more from short corners. 

The final siren brought an end to WA’s misery, and a search for lessons to be learnt. In the next game we must want the ball much more, run to spaces to be available for a pass and man up in defence much better. 

Best Player as voted by Queensland was Simon ‘Tommo’ Thomson and by his WA team mates was Heath ‘Irish’ Tyrell. 

“Tomorrow is another day !” 

Result: WA 0 - QLD 7

WA vs SA - Thursday, July 10, 2008

After a disastrous game against Queensland, the WA side was determined to make amends, and recover both pride and confidence with a good game against South Australia. The team had decided workrate and determination were the key to our success, and so after a warm up from ‘Lunger’ which included some stickwork, we took the field at 11.30am in the heat of another beautiful sunny Darwin day. The game was to be played in four quarters, to allow additional breaks to rest and regroup. 
A hyped up WA side lined up and from the first whistle started to work hard outrunning the SA players. We started moving the ball around much better than in the previous game, switching from side to side using the backpass to complete the ‘V’. WA penetrated the oppositions ‘D’ many times but were unable to score, the SA goalie making several good saves. The first quarter ended with WA having had the bulk of the possession, but with nothing to show for it. 
The second quarter commenced with WA again showing a workrate and commitment reminiscent of the first game and after 6 minutes into the second quarter were rewarded by a goal from a good build up culminating in Simon ‘Tommo’ Thomson hitting an accurate pass to Brian ‘Dino’ Soares whose shot was stopped by the goalie, only to have Simon ‘Lunger’ Williams live up to his name as he lunged at the goalies feet and swept the ball in before the goalie could kick it away. 

South Australia, whilst not having a lot of the ball, did create their chances, gaining a couple of short corners and having one shot deflected away over the bar off Colin ‘Tug’ Benporath’s chest. WA’s interchanging of players was working well and did not disrupt the pattern of play, with the injured ‘Chip’ Challenor calling the changes from the sideline. 

The first half finished at 1 – 0, with WA unable to convert any more of the many incursions into SA territory. Half Time was a welcome break from the heat, with the chance to get a drink, a spray of water from Bev and a glucose containing lolly from Michelle. 

The team had lost none of its determination started the second half well, moving the ball around with ease. Alan ‘Wombat’ Stewart came close with run down the left and a shot, which was deflected away by the in-form SA goalie. SA were visibly tiring and WA now had more space in which to operate, but still the illusive goal evaded us. 

The third quarter came and went, and after only a couple of minutes into the final quarter, SA equalised against the run of play. They secured a short corner and the resultant hard shot was deflected off a stick up into the corner of the net, with WA protesting that the deflecting stick was that of Mal ‘Hagar’ Horrigan. The goal inevitably stood and WA were facing an unacceptable draw. Renewed pressure was required and was delivered and with about 5 minutes left in the match, ‘Tommo’ controlled the ball in midfield, pushed the ball left to Richard ‘Bok’ Norton, who moved the ball square to Nigel ‘Gadget’ Thomas, who with space ran into the ‘D’ and fired in a shot, where ‘Lunger’ who was in front of the goalie, deflected the ball which made its way gently, and slowly into the goal. 

WA ran the rest of the game out without incident and won a hard fought, hard run game. 

Best player as voted by SA and his WA team mates was Simon ‘Tommo’ Thomson. 

‘The Hockey ball has no memory.........treat each new game as the first’

Result: WA 2 - SA 1

WA vs ACT - Saturday, July 12, 2008

WA took on the unbeaten ACT side at 8am on a Saturday morning, so it was just beginning to get light as we left beautiful Cullen Bay for the Stadium. We were the first match of the day and so could get in some stickwork practice on the pitch, before ‘Lunger’ took us for our warm up jog and stretching exercises. The air temperature was a pleasant 20C before warming up to above 30C by noon. 

ACT had defeated NSW and WA Country in their previous matches, so we were well aware of the threat they presented. WA were determined to continue where we left off with South Australia, a maximum workrate, manning up in defence and accelerating into gaps for the breakaway after a turnover. One of the positional changes implemented late in the SA game was to play Len ‘Toro’ Blyth further up the field as one of the two Centre Halves and have Greg ‘Blackie’ Black as sweeper. This had worked well and continued to do so, both players arguably having their best game. 

Both teams started strongly with good end to end hockey, both sides defending very well. Dave ‘Spider’ Evans and ‘Blackie’ were notable for their solid, timely tackles, with the two Mals, ‘Hagar’ and ‘Jacko’ both working hard in the half back line. ACT pressured and were awarded a short corner after about 10 minutes, with the resultant shot going wide. WA also had chances, with plenty of space available in midfield and both Alan ‘Wombat’ Stewart and Ashley ‘ Flash’ Challenor being thwarted by fine saves from the ACT goalie. Late in the first half after another ACT short corner shot was saved and cleared off the line by ‘Blackie’, Mal ‘Jacko’ Jackman hit a telling long through ball to Richard ‘Bok’ Norton, who was unmarked in the ‘D’ and who, after his first shot was blocked by the goalie, hit a strong second shot which was blocked by the body of a defender, the umpire awarding a penalty stroke. Ashley ‘Flash’ Challenor stepped up to take the flick, as the designated player, and flicked a good stroke down on the goalies right hand, where he pulled off a great save, deflecting the ball around the post with his stick. A hard fought half ended shortly after with the sides locked at nil all. 

There were encouraging signs for WA, the increased workrate was creating spaces in midfield and in defence the marking was tight and the tackling strong and committed. The interchanges were again working very well, with no disruption to the rythmn. The second half whistle announced the return of the tussle with both sides pushing hard for that elusive goal, no quarter being asked for and none given. Both ‘Lunger’ and the Captain ‘Toro’ receiving green cards for aggressive tackling to get the ball. First ACT and then WA were awarded short corners, both well defended and repelled. As time went on, both teams determination firmed and chances became fewer, although effort and workrate remained high. The final whistle brought relief to both teams, and was probably a fair result, neither team dominating for any length of time. The WA team had done what was asked, there was ‘nothing left in the tank’, with all players spent and weary, and grateful that ‘Lunger’ was, at least, gentle with the warm down. 

Even though it was only 10am, it felt like afternoon, and so a beer and a post game analysis with the opposition, under the tent and watching the next match between NSW and Victoria was a delightful way to end a friendly, but hard fought hockey game. 

Best player as voted by ACT was our Captain, Len ‘Toro’ Blyth and by his team mates was our goalie Colin ‘Tug’ Benporath. 

“Teamwork is a word deliberately made up of two equally important parts” 

Result: WA 0 - ACT 0

WA vs NSW - Sunday, July 13, 2008

The Western Australian over 60’s suffered their second defeat at the hands of New South Wales. The scoreline does not reflect the game, which was very close, with NSW taking more advantage of their chances compared with WA. 
The game was a late game, starting at 6.30pm and played under lights as the sunset in Darwin is at 6.40pm. The weather was hot and very humid, the breeze which had cooled us on previous evenings surprisingly absent. The game was dedicated to our late friend Roger MacLiver, and we all accepted the challenge to run and work hard and support each other, something Roger espoused. 
Both sides started very strongly, the tussle centering on achieving midfield control. After only 5 minutes NSW were awarded a short corner and the resultant hard shot beat ‘Tug’s’ right pad and NSW were one up. WA replied quickly with an opportunists goal when Ashley ‘Flash’ Challenor, tackled the full back just outside the ‘D’, successfully stole the ball and then struck a strong shot past the advancing goalie, and the game was equal again. 
The game continued at a fast pace with both teams working hard, but chances were few, most attacks breaking down before a shot could be fired in. The deadlock was broken when a NSW attack on the left resulted in the centering ball being deflected straight to an NSW inside forward in space who slotted the ball past the rapidly advancing WA goalie ‘Tug’. 
NSW went further ahead just before half time when a hard cross ball was reverse stick deflected up into the goal just inside the right hand post. 
Three goals to one was the half time score but WA were not bowed, heads did not go down and there was determination to fight back into the game. 

So it was, after the half time siren that WA applied most of the pressure and had most of the possession. WA had our chances, with several short corners and shots on goal, the NSW defence and particularly the goalie, playing well. NSW were not without their chances also and ‘Blackie’ was again called on to save a shot on the line. WA continued to press but without anything to show for it and NSW secured their fourth, against the run of play, from another well placed shot directly from a short corner. 
Again WA responded with a goal from a good build up when Len ‘Toro’ Blyth swung the ball right to Simon ‘Tommo’ Thomson who took it down the wing to the back line, slipped it back to Heath ‘Irish’ Tyrell who quickly centred the ball straight to Alan ‘Wombat’ Stewart whose shot hit the inside of the right hand post on its way into the goal. With only 6 minutes left, there was just not enough time for WA to make up the deficit and the game ended with NSW the victors at four goals to two. 

Best player as voted by NSW was Alan ‘Wombat’ Stewart, and by his team mates was Ashley ‘Flash’ Challenor.  

“Tis better to have played and lost.........than never to have played at all”

Result: WA 2 - NSW 4

WA vs WAC - Monday, July 14, 2008

The last game in the first round for Western Australia (metro) was against our fellow West Australian Country side. It was a disappointing result as WA needed to win to secure a place in the finals. Now WA must rely on the final games of the other sides to determine our fate. The game commenced at 12.30pm on one of the hottest days yet in Darwin, and we were all perspiring heavily after the warm up. Games against WA Country are always keenly fought, with State bragging rights at stake. WA were obviously the more fit side, and started quickly, with Country unfortunately carrying several injured players. WA Country have a reputation foe scoring from short corners and so it was after 10 minutes play when Allan Lynn, their main striker, hit the ball towards the left hand corner, where it was deflected up off ‘Blackie’s’ stick and onto the crossbar, only to rebound to the WAC inside forward who put it in the net from close range. 
As has happened a few times in the tournament, WA responded quickly within 2 or 3 minutes when Mal ‘Hagar’ Horrigan controlled the ball in midfield, moved it left to Alan ‘Wombat’ Stewart, whose cantering cross was guided into the goal by Nigel ‘Gadget’ Thomas’s outstretched stick. Thus the game was tied at the end of the first quarter. 

WA had more of the ball in the second quarter and the dominance paid off when after a square pass from Alan ‘Wombat’ Stewart was deflected towards the back line and Nigel ‘Gadget Thomas beat the full back to the ball just before the line and pulled the ball back to Ashley ‘Flash’ Challenor, who trapped it and flicked the ball in from close range. WA were ahead, but as has been a characteristic of this tournament, were not able to put away any of their other chances before the half time siren. 

After the main break WA Country came out with renewed energy, and after 6 minutes gained a short corner, and Allan Lynne fired the inevitable hard shot, which this time squeezed in between the goalie’s left pad and ‘Blackie’s stick, and the game was again tied, WA Country having scored twice from short corners, a hallmark of their game. 

WA continued to press for the winner, but WA Country defended dourly, thwarting several WA short corners, the goalie and back line both playing well. WA Country were also not without their chances, with a short corner 3 minutes before time. 
The final siren bought relief to WA Country and disappointment to WA Metro, for chances missed, opportunities lost and goals conceded. Nevertheless, the tournament has been good hockey, good times with good friends in the warm and beautiful location of Darwin. 

Best player as voted by WA Country was Simon ‘Tommo’ Thomson and by his team mates was David ‘Spider’ Evans. 

“Life is meant to be enjoyed........ not just endured”

Result: WA 2 - WAC 2

SemiFinal WA vs QLD - Friday, July 18, 2008

Western Australia gained entry to the Semi finals because Victoria beat WA Country in their final day, when we had a bye, leaving us fourth on the table one point in front of Country. There was something ironic about making the finals because another WA side had been eliminated by the Victorians, and even more so when you consider that WA Country beat Queensland, who beat us, and we beat Victoria, who downed WAC and finally, we drew with WAC. 

Having made some positional changes and moved to a more conventional structure, we also agreed to play our natural game, and also attack the ball more, competing more directly for the contested ball. Our match started in the heat of the day at 12.30pm, with the temperature hovering at 32C and quite humid, so plenty of ‘Jungle Juice’ was required. Finals do have a unique atmosphere, with everything hinging on the one game, “the hockey ball really does have no memory.......” The tension is palpable, and helped to galvanize the WA side, who started strong and took the Queenslanders by surprise, attacking with vigour and creating chances, a deflected centre from the right narrowly evading Brian ‘Dinos’ outstretched stick. Queensland settled, but were by no means dominant, as they had been in the previous match and the first quarter ended with both sides evenly poised. Richard ‘Bok’ Norton was running the bench, as his knees, or rather, lack of them, prevented him from playing in the finals, whilst ‘Chip’ had recovered sufficiently from his knee injury to be able to play for 5 minutes each quarter running the wing. The second quarter again was played at a fast pace, especially considering the conditions, with WA pushing hard along the flanks, Heath ‘Irish’ Tyrell making some blistering runs along the wing as an attacking half back. Queensland also attacked hard, and were awarded two short corners, both effectively repulsed by the WA defence, with Colin ‘Tug’ making an excellent save off his pads whilst in the prone position. Half time brought a welcomed break for all players, especially with both the heat and six previous games to contend with. The WA team was satisfied with both the endeavour and commitment in containing Queensland and furthermore creating opportunities for our own forwards. The second half continued to be a hard fought tussle, with both sides trying to control midfield and defences dominating with few chances being created. 

It took until early into the final quarter for the deadlock to be broken. Queensland secured one of their few short corners and this time the resultant hard shot beat both ‘Tug’s’ outstretched left pad and ‘Blackie’s’ hallmark ‘on the line’ stop. The Queensland goal brought renewed effort from WA who pressed for the entire time remaining in the quarter, with one goalmouth melee almost resulting in a goal, Brian ‘Dino’s’ reverse stick shot being stopped by a Queensland foot, giving WA a short corner. Again, wishing to change the mould, the ball was struck straight to Alan ‘Wombat’ Stewart whose bouncing drive to the far post was narrowly missed by Simon ‘Lunger’. 
The game finished with WA pressing for an equaliser, the Queenslanders acknowledging both the high tempo and the closeness of the game, and WA could feel some satisfaction that, although the game was lost, the side had acquitted itself well and driven until there was ‘nothing left in the tank’ 

Queensland were to go on and be worthy winners of the Australian Masters Over 60’s Championship beating ACT three goals to nil in the final. 

Best player as voted by his WA team mates was Nigel ‘Gadget’ Thomas. 

“Hockey is a game, it is not about life and death......... it is much more important than that” 

Result: WA 0 – QLD 1