WA Over 40's - 2015 Match Reports

WA vs QLD - Saturday, September 26, 2015

The usual anxiety and trepidation was apparent before the tournament opener against the home state. As proceedings got underway neither side were able to assert their ascendancy as players from both teams attempted to develop some cohesion and attacking play. It was Queensland who penetrated the WA defence initially and but for a fine save from WA keeper Jesse Newman would have gone 1 nil up. Another Queensland opening move resulted in a shot on goal which was brilliantly saved behind the keeper by left half Tim Ashford. Unfortunately as a result of his desperate dive, Tim injured his shoulder and took no further part in the match. 

It wasn't until the 22nd minute mark of the first half that WA were able to convert from a short corner thanks to a fine finish from Dave Robbins. This settled the team and from here WA started to control the match and have the majority of attacking opportunities. 

WA scored again from a short corner thanks to Matt Regan and looked to go into half time with a two goal lead however Queensland struck with a short corner of their own just before half time. 

The second half saw a relatively even matched encounter develop with some resolute and steady defence from a WA perspective led by Alan Colthart and David Perry. WA were the team best able to maximise the return from their efforts and scored two further goals midway through the half to put the result beyond doubt at 4-1. 

Result: WA 4 - QLD 1 
Goal Scorers: David Robbins, Matthew Regan, David Hurst, Michael Illingworth 
WA Man of the Match - Michael Illingworth 

WA vs WAC - Sunday, September 27, 2015

The highly anticipated WA Derby was expected to be a tough, hard fought encounter and it did not disappoint. The evening sun had set and players relished the chance to play in cooler conditions under lights. WAC seized the control and dictated play early but were unable to score. 
The first half looked like being 0-0 at half time but David Hurst scored a fine reflex goal from a circle scrimmage late in the half. This was followed by another goal for WA courtesy of David Perry who scored from a corner which had broken down minutes before the half time break. 

The second half continued to be a tough and torrid affair. Both sides had opportunities but were unable to score. An indication of the contested nature of the match was the issuing of 6 yellow cards and 2 green cards. All of that said the game was played in a good spirit and the WA team was happy to have taken the points in their toughest game of the tournament so far. 

Goalscorers - David Hurst, David Perry 
WA Man of the Match - Andrew Sanders

WA vs NSW2 - Tuesday, September 29, 2015

The final round match saw WA pitted against against NSW's second eleven. The 9:30AM fixture defied its morning status and provided testing conditions for players of both sides. The WA side was expected to control the match and that it did, scoring 3 times in the first 12 minutes. As the NSW team struggled against the continual wave of WA attacks the game opened up allowing free flowing hockey and numerous opportunities. 

The second half continued in much the same way and the WA team were able to manage their playing roster and ensure a comfortable win with the final score at 9-2. Michael Illingworth capped off a fine game up front with 4 goals leaving him as the leading goal scorer at this stage of the tournament. 

Result: WA 9 - NSW2 2 

Goals: David Hurst, Michael Cake (2), Matthew Regan, Richard Gardiner, Michael Illingworth (4) 
WA Man of the Match - Stewart McDonald 

Qualifying Final: WA vs TAS - Wednesday, September 30, 2015

The first of the elimination matches was a quarter final against the experienced Tasmanian side. The fact that it was a knock out match caused some natural anxiety and the WA side started poorly conceding a goal in the 2nd minute of the match. Fortunately they responded almost immediately through Michael Cake and from that point whilst not being as dominant as in previous matches, WA was able to create more scoring opportunities and ultimately converted through tournament leading goal scorer in Michael Illingworth to go into half time at 2-1. 

The second half was a dour affair and eventually WA put the match beyond doubt when left wing specialist Richard Gardiner converted with 14 minutes remaining. WA running out victors. 

Result: WA 3 - TAS 1 

Goals: Michael Cake, Michael Illingworth, Richard Gardiner 
WA Man of the Match – Alan Colthart 

Semi-Final - WA vs ACT - Friday, October 2, 2015

The Semi Final was against the improved ACT lineup which boasted some talented players. The quarter final tension had well and truly dissipated for the WA team and they commenced the match in fine style, controlling the play and playing with positive intent. The ACT team were bombarded and under immense pressure from the get go. David Hurst intercepted a sixteen in the first minute, ran in and converted! 
WA continued on their merry way and scored a further 3 times in the first half, another to David Hurst and singles to Captain Brian Siva and Coach Matthew Regan with the score 4-0 at half time.

The game was looking beyond doubt when WA scored early in the second half and from there management of players without compromising the result became the priority. The ACT to their credit fought on and scored two goals later in the half leaving the final score at 5-2. 

Result: WA 5 - ACT 2 

Goals: David Hurst (2), Michael Cake, Matthew Regan, Brian Siva 
WA Man of the Match – Stewart McDonald 

Final WA vs NSW - Sunday, October 4, 2015

The Gold Medal match was a repeat of previous years with the highly credentialed and determined NSW number one team against the Sandgropers from the West. WA brimming with confidence continued where they left off in the semi final and created numerous chances. Coach Matthew Regan had played well to date but really turned on the after burners in the final looking dangerous every time he touched the ball. Despite this WA was unable to convert until late in the half. It was Regan who scored first and then not long after the injured Michael Illingworth slipped on up high and converted only minutes before the half time break. 

WA was keen to seal the deal in the second half and would have but for inaccuracy in front of goal. Fortunately the defence was resolute and virtually impenetrable with Alan Colthart continuing his consistent good form directing the defence. Garth Sly was also having a stand out game at left half nullifying the NSW right side attacks. 

Fortunately WA continued to control the game and put the match beyond doubt in the 53rd minute through Richard Gardiner. NSW did score a consolation goal just before the match's conclusion but it was WA who prevailed to win GOLD. 

Result: WA 3 - NSW 1 

Goals: Matthew Regan, Michael Illingworth, Richard Gardiner 

Man of the Match - Team Effort 

Australian Representatives  
Over 40’s - Brian Siva (VC), Matthew Regan, Michael Illingworth 
Over 45’s – Andrew Sanders, Stewart McDonald, Paul Armitage, David Hurst, Alan Colthart