WA Over 40's - 2011 Match Reports

WA vs NSW - Friday, September 30, 2011

Day 1......The anticipation, the nerves, the eagerness to get on the field......we had it all. To add to all that, for our first game we drew a known tough Opposition. 
Excellent.....we had all the makings of a big game, and we were ready and raring to go! A 6:30pm game meant that we had watched the others play, and play well, and we were keen to get out there and do our bit for WA. 

We started with a bang.......A shell shocked NSW took a full 8 minutes before they even managed to get the ball into their attacking 25. 
Our fast, feisty attack, dominated throughout the game, and NSW struggled early to penetrate our mid field and defence. 
The game was exceptionally physical, with both Sam and Bugs being sent sprawling, and also Cheryl, who despite her small stature, gives the name 'pocket rocket' creedence! 
Not only did she receive some physical attention, she didn't hesitate to give it back, and at one stage the Umpire deemed it necessary to intervene and warn them about using their bodies. Trust an Umpire to ruin a good stoush! 
Half time saw us at nil all, with 90% of the attacking play, coming from WA. The odd few times it did get through to the keeper, Rex was more than up to the task with some great saves. 

The 2nd half saw both sides getting good attacking stages happening at various times, but it mostly remained a game played well within the centre confines of the field. 
A rather harsh short corner awarded to NSW saw them with a chance to score, and score they did! A pass out played to the left rather than the top caught us a bit short, and a cracking shot from about 30 degrees saw the ball deflect of the diving goalkeepers stick into the goal in the 52nd minute. 

The remaining 18 minutes saw opportunities for us, but we just couldn't put it away. The end result was a 1-0 win to NSW. Overall, we're not too disappointed.....we had a lot of opportunities, and most of the play. There were very promising passages of play, and our resilience will pay off in games to come. 
Despite the loss, we're still looking good, and NSW should think themselves lucky to walk away with the points. As for the rest of the teams.....they should be scared......very scared! 

Result: WA 0 - NSW 1

WA vs SA - Saturday, October 1, 2011

"On the Board"!! 

After the narrow loss to NSW the day before despite dominating the game......There was no way this WA 40's team was going to settle for anything less than a resounding win! 
The game commenced with a blistering pace......and with only 4 minutes of game play.....a goal to Sammy, after some great team work to get the ball down the left side and through to Sammy who was in a position to score. 
We were all very aware not to get complacent with an early goal, so it was a quick sprint back to the centre line, and raring to go again, with the intent for more made clear by our body language. 
The 6th minute of the first half saw a short corner for us, worked in from Cheryl to Ecky. A flick from Ned saw us at 2 - 0 but we were still hungry! 
The 12th minute saw a lovely field goal from Ecky, after a nice build up on the right by Ned and Junior, and a great assist from Junior for the goal. 3-0, but wait.....there's more!! 
Not long after a near goal from Ecky would have seen us at 4 - 0 but for a great save from the SA goalie, so heads down, and bums up, we kept up the frenetic pace and kept trying! Just towards the end of the 1st half saw a Stroke awarded against SA after some great teamwork and a shot on goal by Ecky. 
Robbie took the stroke and scored and half time saw us at 4 - 0. 

The second half of the game didn't see any more goals, but pleasing for us, is that we had most of the play, and maintained our attack until the end. 
Yes, there were many opportunities that went begging, and we probably should have won by a much larger margin, but in the big picture, we're on the board, and looking good....still got things to work on to keep improving, but this side is determined, and hard working, so we'll just get better as the tournament goes on! 
A rest day for Sunday, and after an early morning recovery session in the pool, it's a day for relaxing and regrouping for tomorrows game against QLD. 
Way to go go Ladies : - ) 

Result: WA 4 - SA 0 

WA vs QLD - Monday, October 3, 2011

The whistle blew for a start and a cracking pace saw WA gain a short corner in the 3rd minute that just missed by a coat of varnish to the right! 
WA Dominated the attack for the whole of the first half which resulted in 8 short corners to 1 short corner, but unfortunately no conversion took place. 
A stroke after a short corner in the 20th minute gave WA a chance to get on the board, and a good flick by Robbie which I'm sure would have resulted in a goal in most games, was saved by the goalie going to her low, left hand side....an awesome save, credit where credit is due! 
So half time saw us at nil all..,........ 

The second half saw Sammy with another green card for a bad tackle....and a fine from her team mates despite the fact that she pleaded her case to the Umpire stating that the QLD player 'kicked it' out of her hands. 
Back to attacking for WA, although, I must admit that QLD gained a bit of momentum in the second half, and started attacking more frequently. 
A stroke awarded to them in the 47th minute saw us look on with baited breath as their chance to go one up seemed like a reality.......Never Fear.......Rex was here!!! A brilliant save by Rex to her right ensured that the score stayed at nil all. 

Despite the fact that WA finished with 13 corners to QLD's 3, no conversion occurred, and the game finished at nil all. 
Despite this, WA looked 'HOT"........forward leading, and swapping, and terrific redistribution by Neats in the back line along with strong tagging, leading and giving to each other, we are confident that we are just hitting our straps, and better is yet to come. 

Result: WA 0 - QLD 0

WA vs VIC - Tuesday, October 4, 2011

'Kick a Vic' day started with a bang, as WA made an all out attack against what we were hoping would be the 'Hapless Vics'!! 
A goal from a penalty corner by Robbie put us on the board, and we ran quickly back to the half, determined to repeat our efforts. 
Our forward line continued to attack, and poor defence mopped up any balls that managed to sneak their way through, so that by the time of the 27th minute, WA were able to go 2 - 0 up after a goal by Scotty from a penalty corner, despite a goal from Cheryl not being allowed because the umpire had just blown another short corner. 
So half time had us at 2 - nil up, and we didn't want a break.......we were all raring to go, and determined to make the score line margin even greater. 

Two minutes into the second half saw that a reality, as Ned scored a field goal to see us 3 - nil up. 
The 48th minute saw Vic with a short corner and a chance to get on the board.......A hit from the top which was raised sailed over the logging goal keeper, and a goal was awarded despite the fact that the ball did not hit the back board and did not touch anyone's stick for a deflection. 
The 48th minute saw Sammy redeem her green cards in earlier games with a field goal that bounced off the keeper into the goal. 4 - 1 up and looking good!! 
Umpires conferred, but the decision stood. With 11 minutes to go, VIC tried a different tactic, and removed their goalkeeper, giving them a chance to play an extra attacker. 
However WA were up to the task, and manned tightly, not giving the Hapless Vics any chance to score. WA...are looking hot.....hitting their straps at a crucial time in the tournament. opposition be AWARE!!!! 

Result: WA 4 - VIC 1

WA vs TAS - Wednesday, October 5, 2011

No, Near Miss, is not another player, however, one might be mistaken for thinking she coulda, woulda, shoulda been during this game. 
WA, in keeping with their style of being a fast paced running team, kept up the momentum from the first whistle, and within 3 minutes had managed to gain a short corner. 
This is where Near Miss started to excel, her night was just beginning! 
6 minutes into the game saw fortunes reverse, and Tassie found themselves with a short corner, no score ensued, and the the first half was notable for the see-sawing of the ball up and down the field in a pace that would have made Superman proud, with opportunities for both sides, but no scores to be gained. 

The second half, saw WA begin to dominate in their attack......Tassie were tiring, and WA were just looking stronger. 
The previously discussed game plan for creating opportunities against the hapless Tassies was beginning to pay off, as time and time again, WA carried the ball into their attacking 25 for numerous shots on goal, and corners. 
Near Miss showed her true strength during this time, constantly jumping to the fore, and ensuring that the score remained at nil all. 
Near Miss, even managed to interfere with a lovely one on one between Sammy and the Goalie, and if I thought she had any money, Near Miss would be dutifully fined for that one! 
A Great ball from Robbie late in the second half from the midfield, saw Ecky with a chance to not only score, but also gain bonus points for running over the top of the goalie, Near Miss kept well clear of the melee, and the ball went into the goals, only to be disallowed by the umpire citing 'back of stick'! 
The last few minutes saw Mel earn herself a fine for a lost shoe and shin pad, as Tassie came forward with a chance to score........but footloose and fancy free Mel, with no thought to the pain that could be inflicted on shoe less toes and ankles, stuck to her player like a magnet to a fridge, and prevented the opposition from having a shot on goal from a right hand cross. 
Yes, the score was nil all, but we're all still running, and the best is yet to come. 
This side, despite having to cope with Near Miss on the field either as a starting 11 or as a sub, just keeps growing stronger. 
They have a big heart, are all in tune with each other, and know that there is no I in TEAM. 
It is these characteristics, along with their blistering pace and skill that will carry them through tomorrow when they get to do it all over again with Tassie in the semi. 
It was great to even overhear an Umpire comment that it was the fastest game she had umpired yet in this tournament! 
Note to Coach: Leave Near Miss off the card, we don't need her on the field. 

Result: WA 0 - TAS 0

SemiFinal WA vs TAS - Friday, October 7, 2011

They day dawned bright and sunny. The WA 40's were in a great frame of mind to attack the Tassie devils that were standing between them and a Gold Medal play off! 
A brisk walk along the foreshore, and some yoga gave the team both a light work out, and a team bonding session.....each important in its own way. 
A good breakfast and meeting an hour before the game for get together, pre game warm up, and pep talk/tactics, left us in no doubt, that this game was ours for the taking if we wanted it. 

Game time commenced, and again, as has become standard for the WA 40's team, a fast and furious pace saw spectators in awe, and after only 30 seconds of play, WA had gained a short corner, and the chance to go ahead on the scoreboard early. Alas, this wasn't to be, and only a few minutes later saw Tassie with their first chance to look like scoring as they propelled the ball into their attacking 25 for the first time. 
It wasn't until 12 minutes to go in the first half that Tassie scored their first short corner, and a chance to score. No score ensued, but Tassie started to dominate in the attack, and a short time later, a ball taken down their right side resulted in a goal, giving the Tassie Devils a 1 nil lead. 
5 minutes later, a short to Tassie gave them their second goal, and half time saw them with a 2 nil lead. 
This was despite numerous short corners in between to WA, and many attacking shots on goal. The Tassie Goalie was up to the task, saving numerous shots, and the inability of WA to put the ball into the back of the goals didn't help. It must be said though that it wasn't for lack of trying. Probably our most open chance of a goal came from Ecky, who drew the ball past the goalkeeper, and then scooped a ball towards the goal, only to have a Tassie Defenders stick thrust forward to deflect what looked like a certain goal. 

The half time break saw the WA Coach liaise with the girls about the game plan, and how best to account for the equally fast paced and skilled Tassie Girls. 

After half time, again, as in previous games, WA dominated the play, with many attacking plays and shots on goals. The failure to convert was, in the end, the fact that cost them their Gold Medal opportunity. 

The game played out to a 2 nil win to Tassie who will now play off for gold against NSW. We wish Tassie all the best.....after the last 2 encounters with them, they are an excellent side, and deserve to go home with a gold medal around their necks. 

A fine must go to our Manager Razza, who caused the T/O to question why we were replacing #19 with #19......a bit hard to accomplish that!! 

So tomorrow sees WA play off for bronze against QLD........but that's not all........WA are playing for the Mighty Black and Gold, for the State they call Home, and for everything it represents. They are playing for their team mates, for their families, and for their supporters, and for many many more reasons, and they will not go down without a fight. Ultimately, they have probably been one of the quickest, most skilled sides on the field this tournament, and it has only been their failure to convert that has cost them dearly. Even so.....I am a WA 40's player.....and I stand......tall and proud, along my comrades.....ready to do battle for my Black & Gold......and I will take no prisoners. Roll on tomorrow........it's not all over yet, and we still have more in our tanks! 

Result: WA 0 - TAS 2

Bronze Medal Playoff WA vs QLD - Saturday, October 8, 2011

Everything we have been working for finally came to the fore! Whilst it would have been better if it was a fight between 1st and 2nd, the fact that it was between 3rd and 4th didn't faze us, as we were determined to make sure that we finished off the tournament with a showcase of our skills and pace with which the Selectors had put faith in us. 

Near Miss, was the only player to receive a transfer to another State mid tournament, and luckily for us, she moved to QLD!! 
30 seconds into the game saw QLD with a short and a miss....... the game see-sawed, however WA had most of the play, and in the 16th minute, a short to WA saw Robbie play to our right and Sam pop it in on the post. 
1 - 0 to us, and we had no intention of letting it slip. 

The 20th minute saw one of the classic field goals of the tournament, and certainly the best for us......Dodgy.......aka "Carolyn Dodd" as so cheerfully referred to by the announcer......took the ball down the right hand side and from about a 30 degree angle just inside the circle, smashed it to the opposite corner of the goal to see us at 2 - 0 up. 

Short corners and near misses followed for both sides, and it wasn't until there was just under 2 minutes left in the game that a short was gained for WA by Ecky working the ball well onto the foot of the defender. 
We weren't to be satisfied with a 2 - nil win however, and the short saw Robbie pass left to Speed Demon Cheryl, who passed it into the back for her first ever hockey goal! 
Chants of "CHERYL, CHERYL" went up around the ground as we celebrated with her in style!! 

Over all, a great tournament, a great team, and a great group of women, that I am happy and proud to call my comrades and my friends. 
Heartfelt thanks go to Fiona Stuart, Janine Raszkawajski, and Peter Hastie, who Coached, Managed, Encouraged, Fed, and bandaged us and got our bodies on the field every day. We could not have done it without you. 
Thanks also to Tournament Director Denise Wilcock, and her staff for an excellent tournament. 
Time to let our hair down tonight with the Championship dinner, and a chance to dress up and advertise Breast Cancer WA by wearing purple bra's. 

Result: WA 3 - QLD 0